Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess

Richard Platt’s Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess (1999) is a work of historical fiction for young readers and the first book in Platt’s Historical Fiction Diaries series. The author was already known for his ability to make dense historical information accessible, having written the text for the acclaimed book Stephen Biesty’s Incredible Cross-Sections. Castle Diary employs a dual structure to suit its educational purpose: The first part is a fictional journal written from the perspective of 11-year-old Tobias Burgess, who is sent to his uncle’s castle in 1285 to begin training as a page. The narrative portion is followed by a nonfiction appendix titled “Toby’s World,” which provides detailed explanations of the historical, social, and military realities that shaped Toby’s experiences.

Through Toby’s journal entries, the book dismantles romanticized myths of the medieval period by focusing on the authentic daily details of his new life. He chronicles everything from grand tournaments and boar hunts to tedious lessons, the unglamorous work of cleaning latrines, and the complex social hierarchy of the castle. The narrative explores themes of The Challenges of Medieval Life, the complex and unequal nature of Interdependence in Medieval Communities, and the disciplined process of Coming of Age Through Duty. The book was a critical success; the illustrations by Chris Riddell were nominated for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, and the book was also shortlisted for the Kurt Maschler Award, won a Parents’ Choice Award, and was named a Junior Library Guild Selection.

This guide refers to the 2003 small paperback edition by Candlewick Press.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide feature depictions of physical abuse, bullying, illness, cursing, death, and animal death.

Plot Summary

In the year 1285, 11-year-old Toby “Toby” Burgess prepares to leave his family home in Saltington. His father, Henry, has arranged for him to serve as a page, a young nobleman in training, at the castle of his uncle, John Burgess, Baron of Strandborough. Toby is eager to begin his new life and learn the skills necessary to become a squire and, perhaps, a knight. After a delay due to heavy snow, he journeys to Strandborough Castle, where his older cousin, Simon, greets him. Toby is introduced to his new life, sharing a room with three other pages named Mark, Oliver, and Humphrey, and meeting his Aunt Elizabeth and female cousins, Abigail and Beth. He quickly learns the castle’s hierarchy and his duties, which include serving his aunt and uncle, running errands, and attending lessons in Latin and scriptures with the stern castle Chaplain. Though he is made his aunt’s personal page, Toby is more interested in the martial skills his uncle promises he will learn, such as archery and swordsmanship.

Toby’s training begins with a mix of excitement and disappointment. He is thrilled to be included in a boar hunt and is given a fine courser horse named Prancer to ride. However, during the chaotic chase, he is quickly left behind, missing the kill and getting lost on his way back to the castle. His life settles into a routine of training and dull lessons, where he is sometimes beaten by the Chaplain. Mark, a friendly fellow page, teaches him to walk on stilts. Toby also begins archery practice under the reluctant tutelage of the castle Constable. Initially a poor shot with his new, powerful yew bow, Toby accidentally kills a sparrow in flight, earning him surprised applause from the castle guards and a jest from the Cook, who serves him the tiny bird for dinner. His days are filled with learning the customs of noble life, including the strict rules of courtesy.

The castle comes alive with preparations for a jousting tournament. Toby watches his uncle unhorse his opponent, Lord Sudbury, three times, though a final collision leaves his uncle’s helmet so twisted that the Smith must cut it off his head. Toby soon grows weary of the jousts’ pomp and ceremony and is shocked when a knight is mortally wounded. Shortly after, he witnesses the elaborate ceremony in which his cousin Simon is dubbed a knight, a process involving a night-long prayer vigil and a symbolic blow, the colee, from his uncle’s sword. Later in the summer, the castle hosts a lavish banquet for a visiting Earl. The feast features extravagant dishes, including a “cockatrice” made by sewing a piglet and a large fowl together. Overwhelmed by the food and strong ale, Toby falls gravely ill. A physician named Leach is summoned and performs a bloodletting. Toby is confined to bed for many days but eventually recovers. He suspects his own constitution, rather than the doctor’s cure, is responsible.

Seeking to escape his studies one day, Toby feigns illness and wanders by the river. There, he discovers a villager named David poaching fish. David startles Toby and makes him promise to keep his illegal activities a secret. The two meet again during the annual harvest, when the villagers must perform the unpaid labor of reaping the castle’s wheat. Toby gets permission to help in the fields and works alongside David, who explains the villagers’ quiet resentment for this forced duty. Not long after, Toby witnesses the Water-Keeper arresting David, who was caught with a small fish and two rabbits. David is imprisoned in the castle dungeon, and Toby learns with horror that the punishment for poaching, a felony, is death by hanging.

David’s trial is held in the Great Hall before a visiting judge, the King’s official. The Water-Keeper presents irrefutable evidence, and the judge confidently tells a jury composed of 12 men from the village that David should hang. To the shock of the Reeve (the manor manager) and the judge, the jury finds him not guilty, and David is immediately freed. A joyful Toby rushes to tell Mark, who explains that the village jury would never condemn one of their own to the gallows for a crime that many of them commit to feed their families. As winter sets in, Toby learns his father is coming to take him home for a visit. He celebrates Christmas at the castle, receiving an inkwell and quill knife as gifts. When his father arrives, Toby says his farewells. As they ride away, Simon gallops after them to give Toby a new bow as a parting gift. Looking back at the snow-dusted towers of Strandborough, Toby reflects that though only a year has passed, he feels much older and more mature.