Medieval great halls were at the heart of the festive season – here the community kept warm by staying together

Getty Open Collection, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles,

The great hall is one of the most enduring images from the middle ages – and with good reason. Surviving written sources as well as archaeological and architectural analysis all attest to the importance of the hall within manor houses, castles and palaces during festive periods.

Taking mostly English examples, it’s clear that the social dynamics of a great hall were all-important to its role. But the warmth of the hall is also mentioned frequently.