Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess

As the Baron of Strandborough, Toby’s uncle, Lord John Burgess, is the ultimate figure of authority within the narrative. He is a largely static character who embodies the power, responsibilities, and lifestyle of the high nobility in the feudal system. His presence dictates the rhythm of castle life; he commands hunts, hosts tournaments, and serves as the final arbiter of justice for minor crimes on his manor. Though his duties often take him away to attend to the King, his influence is ever-present. He is presented as a capable leader, and he’s skilled in the martial arts of knighthood, as demonstrated during the jousts where he is declared the victor despite a heavy fall. 

Lord Burgess’s interactions with Toby reveal a more personal side to his character, balancing his authoritative position with a good-humored, paternal warmth. He laughs at his nephew’s youthful impatience to become a knight, counseling him with the words, “Patience lad, thou shalt learn of such things in time” (18). This demonstrates his understanding of the long and disciplined path to knighthood. He takes a direct interest in Toby’s training, ensuring he learns archery and other noble skills. Furthermore, his decision to adhere to the superstition of an “Egypty day” by canceling a journey, despite having earlier dismissed such beliefs, shows a pragmatic side that respects tradition and caution over pure logic. Through his actions, Lord Burgess represents the ideal to which Toby aspires, serving as a living example of the chivalric code and noble duty.

Lady Elizabeth, Toby’s aunt and the Baron’s wife, is a key figure of authority and a mentor to Toby. She is responsible for the management of the castle’s domestic affairs, a role that Toby quickly learns is immensely demanding. She is a capable and intelligent administrator who oversees everything from provisions and servants to receiving guests and maintaining social decorum. Her character is important in dispelling the myth of the passive medieval noblewoman; she is an active and powerful manager of a large and complex estate, joking that when her husband is away, she must do all of his work as well, “except for shaving!” (17). This highlights her competence and the significant, though often uncredited, responsibilities of women in her position.

In her relationship with Toby, Lady Elizabeth is both affectionate and firm, taking on the role of a surrogate parent and instructor. She welcomes him warmly but immediately sets high expectations for his duties as a page, particularly as her personal attendant. She uses his questions to teach him about the castle’s complex social hierarchy, such as explaining why her high-born companion, Isbel, has her own maid. Lady Elizabeth is Toby’s primary guide to the customs and manners of noble society, and it is through her direct tutelage that he begins his formal process of learning courtesy and service. She provides a stable and structured environment that facilitates his transition from his family home to the disciplined world of the castle, directly overseeing his progress in the theme of Coming of Age Through Duty.

David is a villager who is an important foil to the nobility and provides a voice for the peasantry. He is a static but round character whose actions highlight the tensions in the feudal structure. When Toby first encounters him, he sees David as a frightening figure, a lawbreaker illegally fishing on the lord’s land. His initial threat, “Thou hast not seen me, nor the fish!” (70), establishes the high stakes of his actions and the class conflict he represents. However, his character is quickly developed. During the harvest, he befriends Toby and becomes an informal teacher, explaining the resentment the villagers feel toward the “boon-work,” which forces them to neglect their own crops to labor for the lord without pay. This perspective is essential, as it offers a counter-narrative to the privileged view Toby is accustomed to, directly illustrating the unequal nature of Interdependence in Medieval Communities. 

Through David’s arrest and trial, the author explores medieval ideas of justice and community solidarity. Although the evidence against him is undeniable, the jury of his fellow villagers refuses to convict him, an act of collective defiance against the lord’s authority. This outcome demonstrates the limits of feudal power and the strength of communal bonds among the peasantry. David represents the everyday struggle for survival in a system where resources are controlled by the few. His poaching is presented as a matter of necessity, a stark contrast to the nobles’ lavish banquets and hunts for sport. Through his character, the narrative provides a critical look at the economic hardships and systemic inequities that defined The Challenges of Medieval Life for the common person.

Mark is another page at Strandborough Castle and quickly becomes Toby’s closest friend and ally. As a flat, static character, his primary role is to serve as a guide and companion for the protagonist. He is the first to show Toby kindness, sharing his bread on Toby’s first morning and explaining the dynamics of the pages’ sleeping quarters. Mark’s friendly and easygoing nature balances out the stern authority of the adults and the teasing of the other boys, Humphrey and Oliver. The illustrations of Mark and Toby sailing inflated pig bladders on the moat, walking on stilts, and participating in a snow battle capture the lighter side of castle life, reminding the reader that despite their duties, they are still children.

Beyond simple friendship, Mark possesses a worldly wisdom that Toby lacks, often acting as an interpreter of the castle’s unspoken rules and the wider world beyond its walls. He understands the realities of the villagers’ lives, explaining that everyone poaches and that the jury would never convict one of their own. His cynical humor, such as his theory that the Chaplain’s winter beatings are a method of keeping warm, offers a pragmatic perspective on their shared hardships. Mark’s unwavering support and companionship are essential for Toby’s social and emotional adjustment to his new life, making the strict and often lonely environment of the castle more bearable.

Simon, Toby’s older cousin, is the archetypal knight-in-training and serves as an aspirational figure for Toby. His kindness, sense of honor, and martial skill demonstrate the ideals of chivalry. From the moment Toby arrives, Simon is welcoming, riding out to greet him and showing him to his quarters. As a squire on the cusp of knighthood, he represents the potential next stage in Toby’s own journey, a tangible example of what years of discipline and training can achieve. His knighting ceremony is a major event in the diary and makes a strong impression on the young narrator. The ritual, with its prayer, fasting, and solemn vows, provides a detailed look at the rites of passage for a nobleman and reinforces the gravity and honor associated with the title.

Although he is not a constant presence in Toby’s daily life, Simon’s influence is significant. He offers his young cousin guidance as well as joy, such as when he explains castle customs or takes Toby and Abigail to see the traveling players. His final act in the story, chasing after Toby to give him a new bow, is a meaningful gesture of mentorship. It is both a practical gift and a symbolic encouragement for Toby to continue his training and follow in Simon’s footsteps. Simon is a static character, but his consistent nobility and kindness make him a positive role model for the protagonist.

Humphrey and Oliver are two of the other pages with whom Toby shares a room. They function as minor antagonists and foils to both Toby and his friend Mark. As older, more established pages, they initially use their seniority to tease and mock Toby, making fun of his excitement for the hunt and his discomfort in a new shirt by calling him names like “chrisomer” and “moonling.” Their behavior represents the social pecking order common in such hierarchical environments, presenting Toby with one of his first challenges in adapting to his new life. They are envious of the special treatment he receives as the lord’s nephew, which fuels some of their taunting.

Despite their antagonistic role, Humphrey and Oliver are not depicted as truly malicious. Their teasing is more a product of immaturity than cruelty. This is demonstrated when Humphrey acts quickly to smother the fire that starts on Toby’s bed, indicating a level of camaraderie and concern for his well-being. Their presence in the story is important for creating a realistic social dynamic among the pages. They provide a source of minor conflict that highlights Toby’s resilience and contrasts sharply with the genuine friendship he finds with Mark. Ultimately, they are flat, static characters who help flesh out the world of the pages’ quarters and the everyday social trials Toby must navigate.

The Chaplain is the castle’s resident clergyman and the pages’ tutor, a flat and static character who embodies the stern authority of the medieval Church and the rigors of education. His primary role in the narrative is to enforce discipline, both spiritual and academic. His constant presence ensures that the pages rise early for Mass and dedicate their days to study when not performing other duties, shaping the disciplined structure of their lives. The schooling he provides is tedious, focusing on Latin and the Scriptures, and his teaching methods are harsh, frequently involving physical punishment like caning and the finger pillory for minor infractions. His presence emphasizes The Challenges of Medieval Life for children in training, for whom education was a matter of rote memorization and strict obedience rather than intellectual exploration. 

Beyond his role as a teacher, the Chaplain also represents the conservative religious attitudes of the time. He objects to customs he deems “pagan,” such as bringing mistletoe into the chapel at Christmas or the celebratory dancing that follows Mass. However, his authority is limited; Lady Elizabeth overrules his objection to the mistletoe, showing that the lord and lady’s will supersedes his own in domestic matters. This dynamic reveals the complex interaction between secular and religious power within the castle walls. As an institutional authority, the Chaplain is part of the world Toby must learn to endure at the castle.