Life in the Middle Ages required people to perform jobs that might seem bizarre today. Beyond knights, blacksmiths, farmers, and merchants, medieval towns and castles depended on workers whose occupations ranged from unpleasant to downright strange.

When most people think of the Middle Ages, they imagine towering stone castles perched on hillsides, surrounded by knights, kings, queens, and epic battles. Castles have become one of the most recognizable symbols of medieval life, but the reality behind these impressive structures is often even more fascinating than the legends.