The Great Hall was the largest room in the castle and has been the heart of the castle throughout history. In the early middle ages the Great Hall's location is thought to be where the Cedar Drawing Room is today. "Straw and dirt covered the floor. Burning in the center of the room would have been a large fire, its smoke turning the air acrid. The only natural light filtered through narrow lancet windows. This is where the nobility ate, drank and slept." The Great Hall standing today was built in the 14th century. It was rebuilt in the 17th century and restored in 1871 after being destroyed in a fire. On display are 16th century equestrian armor, and a cauldron known as Guy's Porridge Pot after the 10th Earl of Warwick. The pot is about 500 years old and was used to cook stew for the castle's garrison of soldiers.