six o'clock
In the buildings round the granary yard there were stored not only the corn and flour required for the retainers -LRB- who might at any moment become a besieged garrison -RRB- , but the most valuable products of the estate , the wool , hides , and tanned leather from the tan-pits , besides a great quantity of bacon and salt beef ; indeed , every possible article that could be needed . These buildings were put together with wooden pins , on account of the scarcity of iron , and were all -LRB- dwelling-houses included -RRB- roofed with red tile . Lesser houses , cottages , and sheds at a distance were thatched , but in an enclosure tiles were necessary , lest , in case of an attack , fire should be thrown . Half an hour later , at six o'clock , the watchman blew his horn as loudly as possible for some two or three minutes , the hollow sound echoing through the place . He took the time by the sundial on the wall , it being a summer morning ; in winter he was guided by the position of the stars , and often , when sun or stars were obscured , went by guess . The house horn was blown thrice a day ; at six in the morning , as a signal that the day had begun , at noon as a signal for dinner , at six in the afternoon as a signal that the day -LRB- except in harvest-time -RRB- was over . The watchmen went their round about the enclosure all night long , relieved every three hours , armed with spears , and attended by mastiffs .