The Ladies' Drawing Room

The Ladies’ Drawing Room, located on the fourth floor of the West Tower, served as the working space and living area for the ladies of the court. The construction of the tower was initiated already in the 14th century, when it took shape as a multi-storey enclosed structure. Until the end of the 16th century, the room could only be accessed via the spiral staircase from the Ladies’ Parlour downstairs, which also made the area safe. The doorway between the Dressing Room and the Ladies' Drawing Room was only opened in 1585. The walls of the medieval room were originally panelled during the 16th century, and the window opening to the sea was enlarged to its current size in the 1580s.

In both the Ladies’ Parlour and the Ladies’ Drawing Room, women and children spent much of their time together, socialising and carrying out various tasks, while the children acquired skills that would be important in later life. The lives and future of the children were established in accordance with the position of their parents, and the youngsters were already prepared for adulthood at an early age. During the medieval period, childhood was regarded as coming to an end at the age of about seven. Children were then considered to be old enough to begin the education appropriate to their social status and to take on more demanding tasks.

The establishment of networks already while young was particularly important for upper class children. For this reason, young boys and girls of nobility were sent to castles and manors to be raised by masters and mistresses. Networks were also necessary for the lower nobility and, for example, the young maids and hired boys who worked at Turku Castle were often the children of relatives of someone working at the castle.

The children of nobility were brought up to recognise their own position and obligations. The girls were taught chastity, handicrafts, good manners, singing, dancing and social games, such as chess. At the same time, they formed important relationships that would benefit them in later life. The upbringing of girls focused particularly on marriage. Well-established marriages linked families and enhanced their economic status and influence.

The training of the boys emphasised both physical fitness and the mastery of courtly manners. In addition to horseback riding and swordsmanship, the boys were taught to read and write as well as to dance and compose poetry.