Medieval Castles - Toilets, Latrines
Sanitation was very primitive in medieval castles. Early latrines or "garderobes" would be sited close to the main bedchamber. Typically they would be built in to the outer wall with a long drop below to the moat or river. Alternatively a long shaft into the ground would suffice.An interesting side point here is that the servants would often store clothing in or near the toilet as the smell would discourage moths. This gave rise to the word "wardrobe" - warder from the old North French meaning to guard and robe meaning garment or clothes.
