complex there was less reason for any but the lower social ranks to put themselves under the protection of a landowner in a Castle by entering her service.

A medieval gentleman, serving under the leadership and often in the household of a great Lord had no feeling of solidarity with a gentleman serving other leaders - his loyalty was to his lord. Once society began to re-organise, and as gentlemen began to live, work and eat together as gentry, their mutual affinity increased. Gradually first the gentry and then the middle classes disappeared from great households as employees or subordinates and reappeared as guests. In a medieval household the whole community would eat together in the Great Hall, but in a strict hierarchy with the Lord of the Manor at the top table. By the nineteenth century the dining room had been invented, the focus of the Hall as the centre of the household had gone and the Lord and his family would dine in much smaller groups with guests of any class at the same table.

Divisions between master and servants was further accelerated by a growing need for privacy. Households in the medieval style had the drawback of all close communities - everyone knew what everyone else was doing. Quarrels and intrigues flourished right across the hierarchy. As families began to value their privacy they redesigned their houses to escape from their servants and the concept of "life below stairs" developed.

In many ways the story at Muncaster has gone full circle. The family now live in many of the servants' rooms where 50 years ago they would not dare to enter, while people from all over the world visit and enjoy the formal rooms which can now be used by the family and people of every social class for great events and celebrations such as weddings.

"Retainers" or "servants" are now called "employees". Although most jobs have changed from all recognition from their historical counterparts, Muncaster as a whole probably provides employment for more people today than at any time in the last few centuries.

Muncaster continues to adapt and change with society to remain "Alive for all Ages".


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