Castles continued to be the focus of economic activity as the center of an agricultural domain. Wealth continued to be measured in land and its produce. The only access the lord had to his wealth was to move from one estate to another consuming products from the harvests. Housing and feeding a household including retainers and servants required vasts amount of food and space for food preparation.

Ch. 3 : The Castle as Headquarters : The Political and Economic Role of the Castle - Medieval castles (2005)