The question if medieval castles could have played urban roles in regions without towns is addressed. Two excavated castles, Saxholmen and Edsholm, and four rural settlements, Skramle, Ivarsbråten, Djupsundet and Romstad, in the region of Värmland are investigated. Although the two castles received traded commodities, handicrafts such as blacksmithing, bronze casting and antler/horn/bone work were practiced. There are no indications of these products reaching the rural settlements. One of the castles was more or less self-sufficient. The other castle was provided for by the countryside through taxes. The castles and aristocracy were contested by the peasants, and one of the castles was burned down in a rebellion.