nine a.m.
On the ground-floor the soldiers were lodged ; on the midmost were the state and family apartments , while the uppermost accommodated the household servants and attendants . A special tower was usually reserved for the ladies of the family , and was often accompanied by a tiny garden . In the partition wall a well was dug , which could be reached on every floor ; and below the vestibule was a dungeon . The great banqueting-hall was the general sitting-room to which every one in the castle had access ; and here it was common for family , servants , and guard to take together their two principal meals -- dinner at nine a.m. , supper at four or five o'clock . The only distinction observed was that the board and trestles for the family and guests were set up on the dais , for the household and garrison below . The tables were arranged in the form of a horse-shoe , the diners sitting on the outer or larger side , while the servants waited on the inner . The ladies had , beside this , their own private sitting-room , always attached to the bedchamber , and known as the `` bower , '' to which strangers were rarely admitted .