The castle was a man's world with relatively few women. The lord's female family members lived apart: depending on the size of the castle complex either in the "women's chamber" or in their own wing of the building. The lady of the castle had an entourage of women who lived with her as servants or companions. Their standing corresponded to the rank of their lady: a princess was surrounded by noble ladies-in-waiting who accompanied her to tournaments and on journeys. Less wealthy ladies had to make do with a maid. A washerwoman or other female servants could even be found in the castles of men of the cloth.
A woman was under the guardianship of her father, and then of her husband. But she could also avail herself of her own possessions from her dowry, morning gift and inheritance. During a long absence or the death of her husband she could represent him or their under-age son. Along with abbesses and canonesses aristocratic widows > could become powerful figures in the Middle Ages. Some – like Sophie von Brabant – even laid siege and conquered castles with their army of knights.
