What Was Life Really Like for Medieval Nobility in Europe?

[@DefendTheStar]

I so thoroughly enjoy Eleanor as a presenter. She has such a smooth way of explaining things and keeping it interesting. Never drawn out or pretentious!

[@erich2099]

It’s like watching a horse talk…which is fascinating.

[@kaylew108]

Are you sure?

[@peterlavelle3261]

"She has such a smooth way of explaining things and keeping it interesting. Never drawn out or pretentious" ....just factually incorrect throughout, pronouncing the English language completely wrong & making a mockery of her alleged credentials... I guess Americans are easily pleased by inadequacy.... just look at your President 😅🤣😂

[@BOBBOBBOBBOBBOBBOB69]

Its like Ann of Cleves speaking to use about History of her time.@@erich2099

[@casualpreparedness2347]

@@erich2099It’s understandable that puny little men like yourself feel inferior to an intelligent woman. You need to grow up and show some Respect. I would bet money that she is highly more intelligent than you will ever hope to be. 🤷💯👍👍😁

[@crystalcastillo7575]

Thank you for actually taking the time to appreciate the people who helped build and maintain this castle & the lands/buildings that surrounded it. It’s sad that those people in history are often forgotten

[@chamade166]

Should we really praise them? I am glad to live in a time when human LGBTQ rights are respected, but this was not the case always. Can you imagine how many closeted Trans folks suffered back then? 😖

[@jamesalexander5623]

Help! Help! I'm Bein' Repressed! .... Bloody Pesant!

[@kathejohnson4241]

Eleanor's extensive knowledge and warm personality contribute to the stunning visuals to make this an extremely enjoyable watch.

[@jess53nz]

This new series with Eleanor is amazing! She never sounds like she's reading a script, just like she's telling us stuff she knows. More more more please!

[@DBProductions12345-m]

@@analogueavenue Having a script doesn't help with pronunciation lol. A script has the text that needs to be read, not how to say it. Different people will pronunce thing differently. A script wouldn't do anything with this lmao, surely you aren't stupid enough to not realise this?

[@SeanCSHConsulting]

@@peterlavelle3261 Keep mansplaining to the PROFESSOR. lulz Clown.

[@peterlavelle3261]

@@DBProductions12345-m now defend Eleanor's completely incorrect definition of a "Motte-and-Bailey" Castle. Not just the terrible pronunciations that are littered throughout the video, but the fundamentally incorrect definition of what a "Motte" and "Bailey" are.... it somthing kids learn at age 8yr in the UK, but an "MA in Medieval History" gets it wrong. The American education carries as much weight as a helium party-balloon

[@DBProductions12345-m]

@@peterlavelle3261 I'm not fussed tbh, the original post was about a script. I commented about a script not having any influence on pronunciation. If she got other stuff wrong, then that's on her. I really don't care either way lol

[@MegCazalet]

@@peterlavelle3261 What’s fundamentally wrong with her description of a motte and bailey? I’m not really into castles, or the medieval period, so I genuinely don’t know. Seemed ok from my most passing understanding gleaned from all over. She got her PhD in History at University College London and is a guest teacher at London School of Economics, so seems difficult to place blame on the American education system, though I’m usually the first to point out its shameful condition. Her pronunciation gaffes are utterly bizarre - “arch typical”? I can’t explain that other than misspeaking (happens to the best of us) and the editors using the wrong take, but even that seems weird. She’s not an inexperienced presenter. I wonder what on Earth is up with all that.

[@Baskerville22]

I'm a de Vere living in Brisbane, Australia. My great grandfather (Horace de Vere) came from England in the late 1800's

[@Eviltower101]

Thats neat, any ties back like land or titles you can get or are you too far removed?

[@Baskerville22]

@@Eviltower101 There is no direct line back to the Earls of Oxford. That line ended in 1703, but I assume that the de Veres in Britain, Australia, Ireland, the USA etc, are all descended from some branches / twigs of that family that sprouted between 1066 and the ending of the direct line.

[@Scott-po6go]

So, who was the one that broke the law and got your family exiled to Australia?

[@Baskerville22]

@@Scott-po6go "Transportation" (the sending of convicted criminals to the Australian colonies) ended in 1868, before Horace arrived in Australia

[@nonai7897]

That's neat. Ever thought of going there and claiming the castle as yours? 😂 Jokes aside, you and other de veres technically have a right to it right?

[@AndreaMadeová]

Dear profesor Janega, I am so so happy to see your videos, because I am from Czech Republic - medieval Bohemian kingdom and also I am a great history and medieval fan. Your doctoral thesis about Jan Milíč and the king Karel IV. made me so happy. Please, excuse my bad english, I am an enternal beginner. I wish you all the best and if you will sometimes be by the chance in Opava, where we are from, you are cordially invited to visit us. And of course, if you can not, we wish you many achievements with your work and your videos. Heartily thank you.

[@zralokvemigraci]

As a fellow Czech person, thank you for mentioning the doctoral thesis! I'll be happy to read it!

[@Ellen24493]

What a lovely message.

[@oxford17]

Your English is pretty dang good!

[@bluberirainbows]

Eleanor!! One of my favorites, she’s so wonderful and well spoken yet easy to understand.

[@nonamesarentreal6089]

The part where she talked about the fact that this family is violent, that they rule via violence, made me so happy. History was/is often taught by reframing that, and not directly calling it what it is.

[@jonnybgoode7742]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 irony

[@nonamesarentreal6089]

@jonnybgoode7742 Wow, you know a word

[@jonnybgoode7742]

@@nonamesarentreal6089 unlike the idiot your praising. "Wow you know a word" didnt get out much as a kid huh? 😂😂

[@booteefullmoosic]

You are happy this family was violent and ruled by violence? Revisionist history still takes place in real time. Like the assumption that only people with black skin have been enslaved by white people. In fact, the first historical account of slavery was of dark skinned people enslaving light skinned. Few people realize that the slaves from Africa came from fellow citizens of their own race that won them from warfare, then RESOLD THEM to the Spanish, Dutch, etc... All cultures and races have enslaved other people, even native americans. So....

[@jamesbooth3360]

Ruling has always involved coercion. Just exceed the speed limit and not pay your fine or fail to pay your taxes, and you can experience it in practice.

[@Thedude59]

A history teacher we all dreamed of at school and never got

[@overcazt_EDM]

She's cute but I wouldn't go that far.

[@Widespread-Panic]

IKR? If only history were this interesting when I was taking classes!

[@rightpa]

If this were my history teacher she would have been relentlessly mocked for saying "frAnce".

[@Nookdashiddole]

THAT'S A MAN BABY

[@donkeydan5996]

@@overcazt_EDMA solid 7

[@rolandstockham1905]

I remember the castle from before it was restored. We used it as our scout hut in the 1960's and we had free run of the grounds. Each patrol used one of the alcoves in the guard room as it's base but the upstairs was closed and I think unsafe. I remember Musette Majendie and met her several times when she would hand out badges or attend troupe parades. It all looks very different now!

[@pinkfloydmarch16]

I'm so jealous of your experience 😢

[@nancytestani1470]

Wow, cool

[@thebowandbullet]

Saw Janega in the thumbnail and hit play so fast 😄 I love the way she explains history and makes it come alive, with a touch of humour and heaps of interesting knowledge.

[@peterlavelle3261]

only so long as you can tolerate an American mispronouncing English 😅 "arch-typical" broke me a little bit, bless her... Americans trying to conceptualise/verbalise the existence of world-history before 1776 is such a rarity that it's almost a novelty

[@BriarRouge]

SAME.

[@voz805]

Yet you're here on an American platform while you have your own in the UK. I guess it's for the novelty. @@peterlavelle3261

[@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13]

Well that's very nice isn't it did you really hit the playbso fast though??

[@mustyfan1584]

@@peterlavelle3261Way to reveal that you have no knowledge of language evolution. Modern British English is just as divergent from Early Modern English as American dialects.

[@philturner1826]

I love these videos by Eleanor Janega, she explains things so clearly and interestingly.

[@danieldayton3497]

Most apparently U are not of right mind

[@asprywrites]

Her teaching style is very attractive. Her confidence makes me want to listen to her. Good job.

[@staceymurray3475]

The monks were praying 'for' the deceased not 'to', I imagine. Great content, exactly the sort of practical history I love.

[@sharmanmurphree-roberts4018]

I noticed that, too. 😄

[@itsthesimplelife]

Felt like I was on a personal tour of this castle and history, thank you!

[@peterlavelle3261]

only so long as you can tolerate an American mispronouncing English 😅 "arch-typical" broke me a little bit, bless her... Americans trying to conceptualise/verbalise the existence of world-history before 1776 is such a rarity that it's almost a novelty

[@jennifermott5651]

This is excellent! Eleanor can explain things so well. So glad she has joined History Hit!

[@TheHouseSpeciaI]

Dr. Janega just can't miss. Thank you for another wonderful tour through history!

[@kevinjohnbetts]

I've actually stood in that Minstrel's Gallery playing guitar. About thirty years ago which, I suppose, is like yesterday to a castle that's been around for nearly a millennium!

[@wontputmynamehere]

She has a wonderful rich voice. It's clear, calm, and she has great articulation!

[@shelleyleach9589]

I was lead to believe that the slit windows at the bottom were to protect the castle from invaders and not because the poor were at the bottom.

[@wandac396]

My thoughts exactly.

[@marycarter5025]

They were.

[@MajorlySpicy]

*Led

[@hannahtaft456]

You and me both 🤔🤨

[@CALLMESIR...]

They're actually windows to shoot arrows through and not to be hit back directly.

[@billieberube32]

I learned, about ten years ago, my grandfather of many centuries ago (the 1300’s) was Richard de Vere, the Earl of Oxford. I learned from you, Dr. Janega, some of the history of the de Vere family and I thank you. I also appreciate contributions of facts from the many comments. Thank you. I only knew of the family name and nothing more. The architecture of the castle and how it came from the invasion of another country is fascinating. I will continue with this channel to learn more of English history and all of Europe.

[@Amanda-il8ks]

I’m a deVere descendant too .. great to see where the forebears lived

[@ianross04]

Turns out my wife is related to Hugh DeVere by marriage (her maiden name is De Courtenay). The intriguing thing about this is that she originates from Salisbury where she/we lived for decades before we moved to a town near Castle Hedingham 25yrs ago. At the time of moving, we had no idea about her past

[@cellgrrl]

It is little surprise that several people here trace their ancestry back to the De Vere. I think so many traceable people today are indeed the descendants of Royalty and the Wealthy of hundreds of years ago. In fact while doing my own Ancestry search I was shocked to see nearly every family line ended up in some type of royal family. I learned in fact that indeed that King Henry III is my forebear, as is King Henry III, that I am related to the Howards, Arundells, and Powells. And I am American. Once people crossed the pond I learned I am a far distant cousin to Thomas Jefferson, and less known fighters of the American Revolution, and ultimately the Civil War. It has been quite a journey, yet I feel most American families if they can trace back far enough, will find similar histories. I am not just English, but Scottish, German and Swiss. There are more stories from these other countries.

[@gmaureen]

@@cellgrrl Many early Americans were "2nd sons" so no inheritance for them. If your ancestors were here in the early days chances are good you will find a link back to royalty.

[@Liubomyr7]

as a de Vere descendent I approve that you are my brother

[@geoffcameron1138]

This is a really great series for anyone with a passion for history - this particular episode really highlights how the different levels of society were interlinked. Great stuff - please keep making more content like this!

[@splanzer]

I love this Historian!! She is my absolute favorite!

[@Lizzy00088]

Excellent presentation!

[@Jay-ql4gp]

I do love listening to Dr. Janega's videos! This was wonderful, thank you so much!

[@Desertbearsangel]

I appreciate that she ended this episode with a nod to the people that actually did the work and made it possible for the rich to be rich.

[@Heylon1313]

This series with Eleanor Janega was very enjoyable. I can't wait for the next!

[@danieldayton3497]

Sorry to hear that

[@nikkifrancis8251]

Found this video really interesting! My brother got married in this castle in early 2020 (in the banqueting hall) and we went to the different levels of the castle for the different parts of the wedding. Really cool to learn more about it

[@alexd.3048]

Excellent series, I liked learning those small details about architecture, how such a castle and its buildings are built... One thing that stood out was "it's difficult to aneliate such a wealth from a family" and vice-versa for peasants. Well, today it's exactly the same: we have boards of directors, politicians, bankers... which are the new nobility. They will never lose their money, they will only amass more and we commoners are subject to crisis, shortages, wars... which are caused by those very nobles.

[@SpaceBearEngineer]

Yep, tragedy of our species, if only humanity's perpetual ruling class could learn from its own history. They keep doing the same things and than being shocked when they catch a fatal case of guillotined or shot-in-a-basement. The world would be a lot more stable if humanity didn't spend millenia repeating the same failures.

[@WinstonSmithGPT]

More so no. We’re considered to have entered a neofeudal period.

[@peterlavelle3261]

@alexd.3048 i wouldn't listen to Eleanor about much on a factual basis, certainly not about architecture and castles 😅 she talked about "arrow slits" from 1066 (norman conquest) being built because of the "window tax" (which is actually from 1696) ...she was only wrong by 630 years, thats only twice the length of time the USA has existed, obviously not a big oversight like getting the defintion of "Motte & Bailey" completely the wrong way around like Eleanor also did ...should i go on with the fact-checking?

[@toscadonna]

Nowadays you don’t know who to unlife when your money and property are stolen.

[@brenda1378]

And peasant's did not pay tax, the land owners and nobility did. Peasants had no money, they paid rent in chickens etc. @@peterlavelle3261

[@ingriddurant2946]

I thoroughly enjoyed the presenter. Her love for the subject really came through.

[@chris.asi_romeo]

I love Eleanor Janega. A great historian. I always wonder how is it feel like living in a castle 🏰 in medieval times.

[@BradBorkowski]

Eleanor is an absolutely wonderful presenter. Would love to see more videos with her as the host.

[@jetsons101]

I saw a Time Team episode awhile back about Dover Castle. The castle was restored back to what it looked like when built --- all the bright gaudy colors and all.

[@cherylyoke4872]

I was fortunate that I visited the Devere castle when I was in England and am enjoying a virtual tour again with you.

[@samright4661]

We need a Sitcom about Peasants in Medieval England. Call it “ Good Lord”Do it Monty Python style

[@TheBlownGSR]

You’re a damn genius.

[@SBel65]

I think it was called Black Adder…🤣

[@samright4661]

@@SBel65 I’m not British? I didn’t know

[@SBel65]

@@samright4661 I’m not British either and it’s been many decades since I watched the show. If you can find it, try it…it was excellent. Starred Rowan Atkinson as the second born prince of the ruling king. Each season is a ‘reincarnation’ of the same character and he gets progressively further and further away from royally/nobility…Hilarious!

[@jeremyd1869]

That is a great idea.

[@samright4661]

I love this lady’s videos!! I could listen to Eleanor all day

[@peterlavelle3261]

as an Englishman, I can only just tolerate her Americanisms & mispronounciations 😅 "arch-typical" broke me a little bit, bless her...

[@aiai-j7i]

Yeah yeah, you are mentioned this before in this comment section. "I can only just tolerate...". Pfff...how uptight you sound. Probably haven't gotten laid in ages. Get over it, or watch solely English historians, I guess. @@peterlavelle3261

[@GMac2776]

These videos are fantastic, always worth watch. Way better than some of the crud you see on TV.

[@talllala]

This presenter is amazing, she drew me in. Its 3am and she got me watching this till the end, she has a very warm engaging style. Excellent

[@kariannecrysler640]

The thousands who we don’t see are definitely just as important, if not more so. Thank you this was a very fun tidbit of history for me.✌️💗🤘

[@Tipi_Dan]

A simple, direct, comprehensive program more pointedly expository than nearly anything I have yet seen on Norman life and culture.

[@jetsons101]

So much history, So little time. Thanks to Eleanor......

[@brookebrowning1096]

Enjoy Dr Janega so much! Fascinating

[@andyv911999]

This is an amazing series of videos, loving them

[@jjjackson5183]

There is a lot of practicality to larger windows on the top. First, slit windows protect from entry while allowing for archers to fire. Second, the lower windows are closer to cold air. But the higher windows can take advantage of the heat rising from the sun-heated stones of the walls. Finally, the smells (and they were many) inside the castle tended to rise upward, so those larger windows allowed for an exit. Finally, thw larger the window, the better the view.

[@Schlumbucketreturns]

Yes, the slit windows at the bottom was primarily for protection as you wouldn't want to leave easy entry points that close to ground level.

[@Michael-jx9bh]

One point about the slit windows on the ground floor: They weren't just windows, it was arrow slits. In the event of an attack on the castle - if it reached the keep - arrows/crossbow bolts would be pelting the attackers from inside and the attackers had little chance to retaliate. So yes, people living there had very little light from the windows but the narrow windows were a defensive feature.

[@billyjean3118]

On the ground floor?

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@billyjean3118 Yes

[@brenda1378]

the ground floor was always higher than the ground around.@@billyjean3118

[@72442conv]

@@billyjean3118 Yes, they could have had big windows on the bottom floor, It would not have cost anything more, and it was NOT about status or the oppression of the little man by the owner of the castle, It was about defending the castle. You do not want big windows on the first couple of floors of a defensive structure, because an attacking army can just climb right into your castle. All you want are narrow slits were you can lob arrows and crossbows at them. As you go higher up in the castle you windows can be bigger, because the higher you go the less likely is anyone going to be able to get up there with ladders of anything of the sort and climb in.

[@lamoinette23]

Yes, was surprised she missed this detail... the arrow slits are vital in the line of defense.

[@archielatus]

Stumbled across this and Eleanor is fabulous. Subscribed it’s a no brainier. Eleanor’s style, knowledge and humour has me hooked. Thank you

[@chyannehainstock7842]

So little has changed. Thank you for the true history ❤

[@insulaarachnid]

I love how Dr Janega articulates the details of a different era.

[@PapriceP]

This lady is awesome.

[@EricTJames]

Eleanor Janega is mad cool! This is my first time learning from her and it won’t be the last!

[@GamerIvar]

Hedingham Castle, I learned to walk on the grounds there as I lived a cow's field behind it!🥰

[@kevinjohnbetts]

Castle Hedingham is a lovely village. My parents live near Great Yeldham so I know the area quite well.

[@Jeremy_the_unfallible_n-a]

and yall Iike to make fun of our units of measurement here in America..

[@robcreel4257]

Always Love videos with Doc Eleanor. It's like she was there.

[@garysmith3173]

Another excellent documentary and presentation. A wonderful historian. Thank you Eleanor.

[@cijmo]

You bring it all to life! Wonderful tour and you can just hear the sounds and smell the smells from the kitchens and such.

[@jchow5966]

Thank you for another fantastic episode! I am so glad that I am living now -even though life is complicated & scary in different ways - i can deal with NOW eadier.

[@marshhen]

This is so well done. I learned alot. Thank you so much I hope Eleanor will continue to film videos like this. Wonderful to share with students in an educational context. It is credible and fact-filled, not filler or time wasted swanning around making it about the presenter. Eleanor just delivers interesting point after interesting point. Great to see inside that castle and house.

[@AMX86]

Excellent series, great content. Thank you!

[@wanttowatchtv656]

Loved this episode so much. It made me feel like I was on a private tour of the castle with Eleanor instead of being stuck in my grimy hole on the other side of the world 😊

[@williamrobinson7435]

As ever, the perfect blend of relatability and erudition from the wonderful Dr Eleanor. I always try to imagine what these chevron arch decorations would have looked like if painted.. Really enjoyable and informative. Impressive. ⭐👍

[@ianmcmillan5590]

I love this lady , as an Englishman who is a republican , she is showing the historical truth about the royal hierarchy, which even today is misrepresented by all the media channels in the UK including the BBC , and sadly the average Brit is too ignorant to understand the historical roots of the royal family and the current establishment.

[@olivervision2111]

Your enthusiasm is intoxicating 😊. Thank you for a great presentation on Hedingham Castle.

[@rrr92462]

Great narration. Excellent explanation of life during that period.

[@universeexplorer6046]

Dr Janega is an excellent instructor and presenter.

[@elybaby4771]

Love her stuff!!!

[@necroprankster524]

always loving eleanor's shows, she and suzanna are my favourite

[@michaelstephan5685]

Very, very well done. Impressive in scope. Spoken dynamically. Excellent. Thank you for your efforts!

[@gatheist6716]

I would just live to watch a conversation between you and The History Squad here on KZbin. Love listening to how you tell the past as an engaging story.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Great to have Eleanor linking the architecture of the castle with what would have been going on in the surrounding community.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

Thank you for shedding light on my ancestors.

[@Paladin966]

Thoroughly enjoyed this series

[@thomassanio8745]

Insiders look at a blessed existence, very well done. Thank you.

[@user-TonyUK]

One small point missing about Castle Heddingham is that it holds 1 of the 2 "Original" Signed Copies of the Magna Carta, the other Signed Copy is at Runnymeed on the River Thames.

[@jancole9100]

I don't think so.

[@user-TonyUK]

I KNOW SO @@jancole9100

[@Mr__Chicken]

Why the quotation marks around "original"?

[@user-TonyUK]

Because there are Copies of the Original in Museums @@Mr__Chicken

[@blueprairiedog]

​@Mr__Chicken because there are several copies made at the same time, so not one single original.

[@johnhemphill1938]

I love this, being from America I find this to be amazing because I've always loved castle especially

[@chrislaarman7532]

Me too, from the Netherlands: a great explication (both informative and entertaining) of the topics of castles and life inside (and around) them. Besides, these rooftop matters were entirely new to me. On the topic of the kitchen (with its fires) far from the public and private spaces: I don't know about England, but the Dutch farm (with a thatched roof) where my father grew up had a separate sort of shed ("bakhuis", translates to "baking house") that featured the oven.

[@jiwik731]

I really like her. I could listen her to talk about history for hours.

[@Fluttercreep]

Love Janega! Would love to see her explain more about history

[@jorgandar]

This is a really impressive narrator. She's engaging with high energy. Love it.

[@DresGarB]

Fantastic content. I appreciate Eleanor's enthusiasm!

[@robertcombs2480]

Great teacher! Enjoyed it completely on a rainy Sunday morning! More please!

[@Emthe30something]

I LOVED this series!!! More please.

[@gloriasears192]

You make history come alive. I've thoroughly enjoyed your lectures. (I am an American)

[@jakecavendish3470]

I sort of get the point she is trying to make about the windows but it's more that the higher status functions were put on the upper levels so that the larger windows could correlate to the need for less security. They weren't going to put larger windows on the lower floors of a defensive structure

[@leeannbennett8200]

Yah slit window I. Lower floor for light? Or for firing arrows ??? Small target from the outside but a large can be defended from the inside ????

[@leeannbennett8200]

@@aaronsinger castles are defensive buildings primarily, the bevelled interior of said windows, which were to allow for maximum range of sight and fire. ingenious design..

[@corinnelane8597]

And the chevrons echo Scandinavian design brought over by the Nor(s) men who had Viking origins.

[@peterlavelle3261]

@@aaronsinger "Probably both" = nope nope nope.... "an Englishman's Home is His Castle" is based purely on the defensive aspects, which was the ONLY consideration in the design. There was no consideration about "light for the lower levels and servants" i daresay that just a 'projection' based on how Americans treated slaves in the USA

[@jimsanderson4180]

The windows are expensive because they were taxed based on the number of their windows.

[@zahraazizi302]

Thank you dr.Janega for the amazing video

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Excellent and informative series...thank you( history Hit) channel...

[@Leanners]

What a great teacher. The way she narrates leaves me suspended

[@mikedtw]

I really enjoyed this - didn't want it to end! I would have liked to know a bit more about the family's relationship(s) with the reigning soverign(s) but still, great show!

[@paulcrombie9623]

There is Newcastle keep here in Newcastle, barely untouched, it is a perfect example of Norman Architecture. It is a museum worth visiting along with Blackgate just next door. Blackgate was built in Medieval times, also a Museum.

[@michaeladolph7134]

Really enjoyed this video. Greetings from Germany

[@jamielandis4606]

That castle is amazing! So unique!

[@MadamoftheCatHouse]

As a fable goes, a dog and a horse argue who's more important. The dog says, I am because I guard everything. The horse says, if it was not for my work, there'd be nothing for you to guard.

[@Thinkythinkerton]

As they argue…both have to eat.

[@mrsx7944]

That's not a fable.

[@MadamoftheCatHouse]

@@mrsx7944 There IS a fable like that, I read it as a kid.

[@mrsx7944]

@@MadamoftheCatHouse im.just saying that what you wrote isn't a fable

[@MadamoftheCatHouse]

@@mrsx7944 I didn't write it. It's actually an Aesop's fable adapted in Russian by Krylov.

[@Kunfucious577]

That opening monologue has been the case for literary every society in human history, including today. Its the way human nature organizes society and it can’t be changed.

[@fredocarroll]

I love Dr. Janega's work and her fascinating windows into medieval life. She brings the past to life with such enthusiasm. I also appreciate that she takes time to tell the stories of those often forgotten in traditional histories. I'm a bit surprised and dismayed, though, that she made a very basic error about what a motte-and-bailey castle is. She described it as follows: "This is a perfect example of what we call a motte-and-bailey defensive structure. So a bunch of people from the local area -- probably serfs -- would have been forced to come dig out a bunch of ground and build these foundations themselves in a defensive structure. Then, on top of that you have the bailey, in this case the keep that you can see here. What we're unfortunately missing here would be what we call a curtain wall. So, it would have been a defensive wall on top of the motte itself around the edges. That would be where you would defend a castle in the first instance. If everything goes wrong, you then retreat inside the bailey itself with the entire household.... By very virtue of the motte, you have to get in over a bridge." This is a widespread, but fundamental, misconception about what a motte and a bailey are. *Motte* is not an antecedent of the word "moat," despite the superficial similarities. Motte comes from the Old French _mote_ and refers to a mound or a hill, as the _OED_ helpfully explains. It's a recent word, only coined for discussing castles in the 1800s. So, the motte isn't a moat, and it's not the keep, either. The motte is just the hummocky bit upon which the central structure of the castle (usually a keep) sits. Motte-and-bailey castles _did_ usually have a moat around them, but that's a separate feature that isn't integral to the definition. The curtain wall encircles both the motte (which might have its own wall or stockade) *and* a flat, low-lying area around the mound. That open area, which would contain any ancillary structures, is the *bailey* itself. A moat, if present, would be dug around the bailey, external to the curtain wall. However, the motte would remain a separately-defensible structure within the bailey. The bailey would not be concentric, necessarily. More often, the bailey would only occupy perhaps a 90- to 120-degee arc around the motte, sufficient for the necessary structures (stable, guardhouse, chapel, etc.), but small enough to limit the amount of encircled area (and thus save building costs for the outer wall). The curtain wall would sweep around this whole space, but then be much closer to the base of the motte around the other 240 to 270 degrees of arc. Some castles even had multiple outer cordons, guarding approaches to the castle from multiple directions. This is the case with Windsor Castle, a fortress with one motte, but two baileys. So, motte-and-bailey really means mound-and-field, not moat-and-tower.

[@deborahking2955]

Just to add....in the lower keep ,the arrow slit windows were explained as being small because that is where the servants lived and they weren't important enough to need light.Not for defensive reasons then?

[@fredocarroll]

@@aaronsinger That's interesting, because I thought it's pretty clear that she's saying the motte is a moat. She never refers to a "moat" at all, despite the fact that one is manifestly there. She's standing over the remains of one when she's on the bridge, talking about bridges being an inherent part of the design of motte-and-bailey castles "by virtue of the motte itself." It's _possible_ she's talking about a bridge being necessary within the bailey itself, setting the motte apart from the rest of the castle, but I don't think so, especially since she talks about the curtain wall being atop the motte. Thus, I think she either means that the motte is a moat, given the context of her explanation, or she's saying that it's an integral part of motte-and-bailey castles that the _entire_ structure, including the bailey, has to be built on a hill, and _that_ constitutes the motte. However, that would be untrue, too. Motte-and-bailey castles can be built on relatively flat ground. I've seen several of them. Windsor Castle is almost level with the high street around it. It's only the side of the Royal Mile that's particularly elevated compared to its surroundings. Windsor is a motte-and-bailey because the Round Tower sits on a hill inside the castle. The motte is the hill within the castle upon which sits the keep (that's the part I was calling the "hummocky bit"). If it doesn't have an internal mound like that, and the whole castle is on elevated ground, it's just a stone keep castle on a hill, not a motte-and-bailey. I've never read anything to suggest otherwise. At a bare minimum, if you and I can't even interpret her explanation similarly, then she's being unusually unclear. Watching it a fifth time, I could see why you see it your way, but I also think that many -- perhaps most -- casual viewers would interpret it more along the way I understood her to explaining it.

[@SeanCSHConsulting]

@@fredocarroll No, you've not paid attention. She clearly says "the wall built atop the motte" at one point. She knows "motte" isn't "moat". smh

[@fredocarroll]

@@SeanCSHConsulting I took the time in my original post to quote Dr. Janega word for word when she she spoke of the "defensive wall on top of the motte," which is her actual quote. Thus, accusing me of not paying attention rings hollow. Have as much hate as you'd like. Given that she says that the mere presence of a motte necessitates the approach to the castle being over a bridge, a reasonable interpretation is that she means the motte to be the dry moat and its raised embankment. Again, even if she means that the motte is just a raised plateau upon which sits the entire castle, she's still wrong. Motte-and-bailey castles don't have to be so sited, and even if they are, they don't necessarily need a bridge. Windsor doesn't have a bridge to access it from the high street; it just has a graded ramp. The only reason a bridge would be necessary is if the castle has a moat, whether wet or dry, or the approach ramp is especially steep. All of the discussion of a bridge misses the real definition: the motte is the mound _inside_ the castle wall that is surmounted by the keep, and no matter how you slice or interpret it, that's not what Dr. Janega is saying in this clip. The bailey isn't what she describes either, as noted previously. That doesn't make me love Dr. Janega's work any less. She's a great and engaging historian. I learn a lot every time I watch one of her videos. I think it's unfortunate that she's misidentifying the components of motte-and-bailey castles in a video that many, many people will see, but I recognize that it's a very niche topic.

[@SeanCSHConsulting]

@@fredocarroll Yeah, I disagree with everything you said, and doubt that she made any kind of mistake. Cheers.

[@mindhistorydocumentary]

Medieval nobility was at the heart of European society, a class defined by power, chivalry, and often, intrigue. This documentary brilliantly explores the lives of these noble families-their castles, their wars, and their complex feudal relationships. From knights in shining armor to political alliances, the series unveils how the nobility shaped the social and political landscape of Europe.

[@jennh2096]

The sad part is that we tend to think of the system of serfdom, or royals, nobles and peasants is a thing of the distant past, when in fact it never went away, just evolved. We pretty much live under the same system now as people did then. The wealthy and powerful own or control the resources with their own personal armies, while we, the peasants, do all the hard work, and hand over our money in taxes to fund those in power. Then they let us have just enough to keep us from rising up. The one difference is they let us peasants falsely believe that we too, with enough hard work, could have the opportunity to reach the ranks of the nobility one day, whereas the peasants back then knew they would never be allowed into that club. Funny how much things change without changing much at all

[@deborahcavel-greant6155]

That was my 1st thought. Things haven't changed all that much. 99% of the world's wealth is owned by 0.01% of the world's population.

[@badart3204]

There are fundamental differences though. Our nobility is the merchant class and has no patience for hereditary basis beyond a generation or two. Their nobility was based on the sword and lasted for hundreds of years. Serfdom is over though in which you were legally tied to the land which is nice. Overall, hierarchy will always exist in a civilization but it is far nicer today with more fluidity than it was back then. An upper middle class man can ascend today unlike the past such as Bezos.

[@debbylou5729]

You’re funny. No knowledge whatsoever. All you needed were enough swords. Stay a victim…it suits you

[@suran396]

​@@badart3204Exactly. And actually, the 1900's probably saw the highest degree of person freedom and it is currently back-sliding in some countries. Recent policies cripple the middle class and seem to intentionally be inducing a food crisis. Big Government has gotten too big. And the next step is to crush the middle class and make the divide between a small ruling class of "haves" out of reach for the lower class "have nots." It's important to not give Government a gram more power. They have enough.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

What " hard work " do you do ?? Also ; give us a list of so your possessions ? ie. fridge / iphone. T V / car / laptop etc ? How many foreign holidays you've had this year ? But , yeah ......life today is just like being a medieval peasant ??!? Try studying some history ....

[@mimionthecatwalk9711]

A playlist of these videos is needed.

[@katrinazickwolf717]

The narrow windows at the bottom were usually arrow loops for defense, with what was literally referred to as the elbow room behind it so that they could shoot from any angle. It had little to nothing to do with letting in light and everything to do with defense

[@T.E.S.S.]

no

[@littleviewscom]

No…

[@BSG0005]

I freaking love 💕 this series! Eleanor Janet’s is so awesome-smart, funny, & down to earth-very relateable

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Really well done and fascinating video. Your presenter Eleanor rocks!

[@josephstout1461]

I really appreciate the respect you hold for and the lack of veneer you lay on history.

[@NikkiDoesStufff]

Yay I love these! She’s great. Keep these coming. They are fascinating