What Is A Solar Room In A Castle

Solar in architecture private room located on the floor above the great hall in a late medieval english manor house.

What is a solar room in a castle.

The solar was later extended to include a wardrobe. Originally the word solar or soller was used to describe any room above the ground level of a building. The floor might be tiled rather than wooden. A feast for crows.

It became a private sitting room favoured by the family. Jon snow is accused of treachery by ser alliser thorne in the solar in king s tower of castle black. Petyr baelish meets with nestor royce and the lords declarant in the eyrie s solar. The room in the castle called the solar was intended for sleeping and private quarters and used by the lord s family.

And a keep or donjon at their heart. Within castles they are often called the lords and ladies chamber or the great chamber. It refers to a well lighted parlour or chamber facing south no matter the floor level. I ve had a quick look at my copy of life in a medieval castle and the first mention of a solar is a bit misleading.

The solar served as a kind of parlour to which the family of the owner of the manor house or castle could retire from the bustling communal living of the hall below. The solar was a room in many english and french medieval manor houses great houses and castles. In relation to the castle the solar or great chamber was the lord s private apartment or withdrawing room. There might be tapestries on the walls.

The solar suite of rooms was extended to include a wardrobe. This is a plan of york castle which shows many of the key elements. Later stannis baratheon demonstrates the fiery glow of lightbringer to samwell tarly and maester aemon in that solar radiance filling the room. Garderobe derives from the french word for wardrobe a lockable place where clothes and other items are stored according to medieval architecture scholar frank bottomley garderobes were properly not a latrine or privy but a small room or large cupboard usually adjoining the chamber bedroom or solar living room and providing safe keeping for valuable clothes and other.

The word solar has two possible origins. These private chambers were used as a bedroom at night and a private family sitting room by day unless important guests were present. It may derive from the latin word solaris meaning sun often a room with. Elaborate windows might be glazed.

Later castles were built with private chambers on the upper levels for the lord s family. However many medieval castles shared similar features defensive barbicans and deep moats with a kitchen and a great hall.