How To Build A Medieval Castle From Scratch | Secrets Of The Castle | Timeline

Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold turn the clock back as they learn how to build a medieval castle using the tools, techniques and materials available in the 13th century.
Although Britain has some of the finest remaining castles of the medieval period, many of their secrets have been lost to time.
Peter and Tom set to work straight away, learning the skills of the medieval stonemasons to construct a beautiful spiral staircase. After digging stone out of the quarry, they take it to the tracing floor, where every stone is marked out using the most closely guarded knowledge of the medieval castle builders: geometry. Then each step is hand-carved, a three-day task, before being winched into place using the treadmill-powered crane.
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[@TimelineChannel]

Use code 'timeline' and enjoy 3 months of History Hit for $3 bit.ly/TimelineWatchMore

[@sunray8458]

efdarchive.org/details/DebatesOfAliSina

[@prilk1704]

If they paid wages in gold coins, I would participate in building the castle :)

[@ianm4]

I have a question about the mortar mixture. @22:06 time lapse of the video, the guy was saying 25 baskets of this sand and 50 baskets of the other sand. Which one was the quarry sand, and what type of sand was the other? Thanks in advance.

[@paulacornelison243]

Did they use plastic spoons to eat the porridge?

[@gregoryeverson741]

sorry i have to point on the hook on the bucket is fake, lol, but i understand why

[@gormauslander]

There are so many phrases like "daily grind" and "pothole" that now hold a level of significance I'd never imagined.

[@1jmass]

There are phrases like this defined in all of these series. I think this info is so interesting.

[@lionelspencer-ward3527]

We live in France, in the Paris area. When my daughter was ten years old (six years ago now) she visited this site several times on school trips. There are of course tons of interesting things they learned but one thing was discreetly pushed by teachers. The master builders room, where the full- size plan of the spiral staircase was laid out. Mathematics can be a 'dry' subject at school, with many children thinking it is a waste of time. The division of circles and the bisection of angles is taught at this age in French schools. The children were not shown how the staircase was constructed but were asked how could they create twelve equal steps on the circle drawn on the floor. The 'aha moment' occurred and the connection between the classroom and real life was deliberately created and indelibly marked in the child's mind. The timing of the visit and the age of the children was not an accident.

[@moonrock41]

It certainly is a useful experiment in practical application of craft skills as well as a real-life demonstration of medieval life, though I can understand why someone might question its relevance to the 21st century. Without the presumption that civilization may return to a more-or-less feudal social order, can we really claim that this is but little more than a means of satisfying curious historians and archaeologists?

[@Tuberuser187]

@@moonrock41 Different math problem but, I remember my father who was a coal miner with no education complaining about me learning things like trigonometry at school. A long time later I was putting up a fence with him at my home and it required some measurements for angles and lengths when we where planning it and buying the material and Dad was just confused without an item in his hands to measure and some simple early secondary school math solved it.

[@GeoffsSousChef]

cooool

[@alistairt7544]

That is incredible awesome! Children are seeing the knowledge being applied and it creates a lasting mark and imprint in them.

[@dakkan5433]

David Witt Sadly whatever the system requires we’ve got to learn even if it means we will never need it

[@123cappadocia]

my hats off to the French for making a great learning site for people and children. and creating a living history project!

[@jugementalshoelase1533]

Andrew Riches oh honey our very existence is a waste of time so why not have some fun whilst we wait to die :)

[@jrojala]

It’s just wonderful. Time is a construct- it can’t be “wasted.”

[@jugementalshoelase1533]

@@jrojala time is a tool you can put on a wall or wear it on your wrist the past is far behind us the future doesn’t exist

[@sunnyjim1355]

Yeah. It's a very worthy project, we can learn more about our past and heritage. Just a pity the presentation is so cringe.

[@alexandrouful]

@@jugementalshoelase1533 whats the Time? Its quarter to nine, Time to have a bath What do you mean? We are already clean!

[@bimscutney1242]

For everyone commenting about “non period” construction items being used they have to follow modern safety standards as well in order to conduct this project.

[@thomasgarcia1995]

I like the mix of modern shoes and precautions it lets me know they aren't crazy

[@kev3d]

I would not be too keen on chiseling stone without eye protection. I would not be willing to go blind for the sake of historical purity. Also toilet paper, I would still use toilet paper.

[@TheBandit7613]

@@kev3d Steel toe shoes when working around heavy stones.

[@Spartan265]

@@kev3d Yeah certain things like that is understandable.

[@EternalShadow1667]

Yeah exactly. Honestly, back in the 13th century, there probably would have been an abundance of skilled masons, woodworkers etc who would have had the skills and the experience to go about this (fairly) safely even without modern day safety gear. Today it’s a very different story. Although I don’t doubt these people’s skill and experience, this is the first time a truly medieval castle was built in a very, very long time. It’s a largely experimental affair, heightening its danger.

[@easymac79]

This is incredible. I was just thinking "I'd like to learn more about medieval times, too bad there weren't cameras back then." Then I discover this series with people doing exactly that, deducing what it was probably like and documenting it on video. Absolutely fantastic what is being done here, I cannot wait to see more.

[@tackyman2011]

Gotta love Ruth. She's so enthused about whatever she is doing.

[@markojack15]

She's still a ginner though..(thats Yorkshire for ginger)

[@harbl99]

Yeah, getting media training a few years back ruined her personal presenting style. She went from being 'really enthused and knowledgeable friendly Ruth' to 'generic BBC talking head #5034'.

[@colinmarble2552]

No, I do not love Ruth,.. could do with someone to replace Ruth, what an irritating, whiny voice! Quite the drama queen... or should we say peasant. very interesting series, except Ruth.

[@Preussengeneral]

Exactly! She is so cute when she explains something :) 51:28 Easy Peasy :D

[@ivx8345]

I LOVE Ruth!

[@leftyfourguns]

This whole series is absolutely incredible. So grateful you're allowing us to watch them for free as well. It's so fascinating getting to see how they actually worked back then. The assembling of the wooden furniture in particular is almost exactly like Japanese sashimono, but developed completely independently from each other on opposite sides of the world. It just goes to show that no matter how far we are separated by time or space, we're still connected, we're all humans

[@derekk.2263]

And that wood is the same everywhere.

[@Thepourdeuxchanson]

That first thing he made for Ruth started off as wood split and shaved with an axe but ended up as smooth as machine sanded plywood and mortise & tenons done by router. Which it was of course.

[@KKhhoorrnniittee]

@@Thepourdeuxchanson oh come on, we all can see that. Just don't spoil the mood (-!

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

Note To Self: Never go to Medieval times without Ruth.

[@angelosumugat6653]

Nor the victorian era

[@TBx46]

I love her

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

@@angelosumugat6653 Aye! Nor WW2 either!

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

True! I loved Wartime Farm, they were all amazing!

[@asavannah7439]

Ruth is the best! My husband and I are watching all the programs with her in it.

[@ericvandenhaas]

Hats off to the French for doing this, this is what _real_ historical science is all about. Truly an amazing project, wish there were more men with these skill sets. Modern western world and we are losing most of our life skills Castle looks amazing

[@TheAsvarduilProject]

Yeah, I feel like for emergency situations, being familiar with medieval technology and how to literally turn rocks and wood into useful machines is a very, *very* good idea.

[@marcellarisa7239]

TheAsvarduilProject You never know what could happen You might get trapped by a serial killer, where only your knowledge of castles can save you What will you do then huh?

[@TheAsvarduilProject]

Depends on how much time one has to prepare, and what one has near at hand. Obviously I can't know my attacker's methods, so closing myself off from defeat must come first. I can count on my attacker attacking however.

[@justsoicanfingcomment5814]

Anyone who is a carpenter, a mason, a plumber and can differentiate geologically useful earth for mining or moving land [phosphor, aluminum, limestone, clay miner etc] [bulldozer/backhoe operator] and has smelted lead, copper, aluminum and steel etc for scrapping can do it with ease. Basicaly anyone who has the inclination to learn can do so quite easily.

[@robbygee2539]

Todays men would certainly parish if they had to live as they did even in the 1800's... Adaptation is easy if advancing, not so much when going the other direction.

[@faelnicolini]

So... is that the R E A L History Channel? I need more documentaries like that in my life, not stupid pawn house or alien conspiracy shows

[@f4eL5K]

Verdade véi, chega de besteira alienígena

[@julianshepherd2038]

The Norman's are well known to be Aliens.

[@DillonRust]

Is the History Channel run by Corporate Reptilian Aliens? 👽 *Ancient Astronaut Theorists Say Yes* 👍

[@oliver3909]

they didnt talk about aliens so id say no ;)..... its WAY BETTER

[@joshlanders]

Yup, the USA history channel is just trash, this is European and perfect for learning

[@LabGrownDracula]

I really appreciate that the guys never said anything like "you've got it easy" to Ruth, because her tasks are just as labor intensive as their's and arguably more essential.

[@Algernon7]

Don't know why but I teared up a few times watching this, its fascinating how humans are able to create such things with our minds alone.

[@Spartan265]

We can do incredible things when we put our minds to it.

[@cbillings85]

That's the longing in your DNA from your ancestors

[@jasongr3219]

Aliens teach us things, we don't realize where the ideas originate.

[@dechezhaast]

@@jasongr3219 ideas can seem alien yes, but im somewhat sure that we grew as a species not through extraterrestrial intervention, but rather due to the fact that someone smarter than you and I made something revolutionary; like the computer you used to write this comment, the wifi that transmitted it, and the cell towers that received it - I wouldn't suppose you think those too were the works of aliens?

[@jasongr3219]

@@dechezhaast How it works is that extra terrestrials and hyper-dimensional people give information to humans, who then teach it to the rest of us through secretive means. They then carefully write the narrative of history to make is seem as though humans naturally evolve to upgrade, which we only do slowly and not very much. For example, "aliens" will give us a new invention, then people keep it a secret because the public doesn't know how to handle such a thing. Then the public is carefully programmed to understand it, through movies, tv shows, subliminals, etc. Then once we're ready for it, the invention gets rolled out to the general public, presented as something humans came up with. Then deep psychological warfare is used to make "aliens" seem mythical and absurd, because human armies would slaughter the aliens if they found out certain things they've been doing to people.

[@frankieamsden7918]

I love Peter. He's always so appreciative of Ruth's cooking

[@aorta321]

Except that one time he made a face at her cottage cheese sarnie! 🤣

[@TannerRawlings]

cue archeologists 1000 years from now excavating france... "Okay, so Theres 2000 year old castles, 1000 year old primitive electronics, aaaannnnd a, castle the same age as the electronics? what?..." *Thus began the 50 year pop-culture obsession with cybernetically enhanced medieval knights*

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

And their cybernetically enhanced horses.

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

That DLC sucks.

[@romchompa6858]

How retro!

[@LLYoutube565]

OMG YES HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@harbl99]

Heritage is a gift we give our descendants. Cyberchivalry is the type of gift that one slightly dangerous uncle with a colourful past gives his nephews. I approve.

[@dianewalker9154]

I like how the head stone mason says that he is a conductor and he listens for the music of the Stone masons, which should have a rhythm.

[@millinom]

I didn't quite get it when he talked about it at his introduction, but later when he mentioned the music of the masons, it instantly gave me a new perspective on how and why rhythm and pattern recognition in general are so densely integrated into the human mind.

[@justinbrewster2012]

It almost seems like he's implying that the music is a sign of patterns that help you produce a product but also distracts you from a long work day. Just like music can help people today with tasks.

[@johnmurphy7108]

As a third generation GC/home builder (and someone who loves history), this is awesome, the way the they did things back then that we take for granted now is incredible, love that 1300s chalk line :)

[@grammgale58]

My dad died in 1977. He was a welder, a brick layer and a teacher where he taught welding as well in the high school he helped build.Yes, he had a degree. It takes an education for all that people don't realise. He just happened to have one. I thought he could do anything! He just about could! After my mother died 3 yrs ago at 92. I have 3 of the metal end tables, with shelves he made her with glass tops. I already had a small one since I was 19! It has a fiberglass top. I used it for everything. This time, my HP printer sits on it! It use hold my turntable stereo as well. I wish I had the stereo he had given me at 19 for my birthday! The tables were wrought iron tables. So, he taught the students how to make them and they were so proud to take something to take home to mom and dad!

[@creepychris420]

Aw that's cool :) made me smile. Thanks for sharing

[@CatherineSTodd]

@ishopatkmart foru : you made a ridiculous, senseless comment which should be removed.

[@likasil]

I believe you on the degree thing. They said in the video people apprenticed for 7 years in stone masonry. A degree to learn to do such things now isn’t a stretch to believe.

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

God bless your dad!

[@gusjohnnson9641]

I just watched this in my Medieval History class, and boy, was this fantastic! I'm going to watch it again with my family tonight.

[@Peahjay]

As a lover of history I love these documentarys. I also love thes series becaus they explain eveything and as a blind person I am grateful. It reminds me of some of my favorite USA History teachers same excitement.

[@Alex.T1]

To me, the most mindblowing thing is how they would use ash on greasy bowls and utensils to make "soap". truly incredible.

[@alexwohlgemuth4099]

Ash makes lye, and lye makes soap!

[@wijnantann]

No better product than ashes to remove hair dye stains on the skin ;-)

[@patrikcalloch7953]

la cendre de bois est bien efficace pour nettoyer une casserole dans laquelle le lait a brulé .

[@creambeast8178]

actually ashes still being use today in Indonesia to clean dishes

[@Koozomec]

They can made Potash too. Very handy chemical. (Potasse in french)

[@claidheamhdalaimh3694]

This is one of the best documentaries that I've ever seen. I love castles and the entire medieval period. The use of period tools and clothing makes the castle building so much more authentic. It was nice to be able to see the various trades needed to make the building of a castle possible as well. I hope I can find the other videos in the series. Another fine documentary from the folks at Timeline. Thank you for posting this Timeline - World History Documentaries.

[@terrandroid]

Claidheamh da Laimh there are 5 episodes, they should be floating around on KZbin somewhere

[@99smite]

You can actually visit Castle Guedelon in burgundy. www.guedelon.fr/en/ I once visited a castle near Colmar in summer, where they had some special events for children during summer break. That time, they had craftsmen and artisans, carpenters and stone masons who worked with medieval tools, using medieval methods to demonstrate how people built castles in medieval times. The carpenter was specialised in ancinet methodology and is an expert for restauration project in medieval french castles...

[@I_am_a_cat_]

... Best documentaries ever, huh? I mean, I now know how to build a castle, so i suppose thats a good thing. The best documentaries are ones about the universe, though :)

[@claidheamhdalaimh3694]

@@I_am_a_cat_ Thank you for your comment. Yes, the universe is very interesting and I watch documentaries about that, too, but my main interests are in history, specifically, the Middle Ages and World War II. I am, however, rather eclectic in my viewing and will watch just about anything. It would be a very boring world if we all liked the same thing. Have a good day.

[@drg.naufal]

It's good to be a lord, and very bad to be a serf

[@UncannyBeagle]

I was amazed by how they made wooden stuff without most of the tools and materials of today. I took a curniture class with modern tools and my table was still shittier than what the experts of the of medieval ages could make. Absolutely amazing.

[@Rainaman-]

same here.

[@a0flj0]

Google Paul Sellers' and Frank Klausz' videos on YT. There are still master craftsmen out there. Working wood, iron or making earhenware. Also weavers and paper makers and tanners.

[@dorianleakey]

@@a0flj0 Curniture and Earhenware. i am going go deliberately misunderstand these typos and come up with entertaining ideas what these words could mean. Haha, what is happening in my mind now is very amusing.

[@sleepynightowl1550]

@@dorianleakey what‘s happening in my mind amuses me, too - and that is 2 years after your post 😂

[@dadevi]

It's not about the tools. It's about the skill of the craftsman. No beginner can make a masterpiece on their first try.

[@noemie6804]

I went there in CM1 (equivalent year 5 in Britain or grade 4 in the US). It was a truly amazing experience. I was already a history fan back then, so it was even more eye-opening.

[@Belenus3080]

I love the interaction at 8:20, because that’s exactly how it would have played out in that time period in England. The supervising mason, a Norman French speaker, telling the goofy English laborers how to work the stone. The laborers joke about how they don’t fully understand how to use the tools, but they are jovially eager to learn.

[@phillip_iv_planetking6354]

I wish we had castle building 101 in school. In stead the local band of kids and I would dam and then un-dam canals for fun. Working with the earth feels so natural and right.

[@MrFiddleedee]

fond memories of diverting small ravines just for fun as a kid. agreed

[@talanock]

what a waste of time. much more important things to learn in school. this is a niche passion project not something th eaverage person needs to know

[@insertname4032]

@@talanock someones in a bad mood. You say that but I can gurantee you if the thing I "learned" in school interests me I will remember it, the other stuff? Gone after a year

[@insertname4032]

@@Tetronoid It was an example. Never heard people say school sucks? I can gurantee you in my class 80% of the people were either "sick", played something or acted like they were working. If you want to tell me it's better to learn like that (aka, nothing) than learning anything then that's on you as well.

[@valarkov6455]

Long live the King!

[@josephsatricleofevillanuev3194]

Now, this is what I call "Living History"!

[@joegiotta7580]

I'm sure I've never heard someone speak so gloriously of a chalk-line. This series was riveting. Such a group of artisans, educators, creators, historians...Simply lovely.

[@evelynzlon9492]

My idea of a glorious chalk line is Kate MiddIleton's corpse traced in a bent-over position.

[@erikhalvorseth3950]

Hello from Norway. Fascinating to see such a dedicated group of people building something this big the medieval way :)

[@joshfump8238]

I work in construction and it's super cool to see they use the exact same tools I use such as plumb line chalk line etc.

[@prokrastnation6071]

Watching Ruth has given me so much joy. What a wonderful person.

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

funny thing I remember about the Olaf's Castle here in Finland, that was build between 1475-1485 (side of having more added along 500 years or so) was that when it first started, the wood work was easy for Finns to do since it was something people had used to doing, but stone was a bit harder thing so workers were hired form all across scandinavia, and then they staid in the country and so we have some last names that originate to those people who came from outside.

[@Tombombadillo999]

Kossolax the Foresworn i dont think thats the main reason. Sweden had plenty of colonies in finland. There were plenty of foreign travellers that reached scandinavia allot after those years aswell. Many germans, scots, and dutchmen also came to scandinavia for various reasons. Some helped building cities and fortifications. The dutch for example helped build the canals that still can be seen in gothenburg today. The germans built the old fortifications of the city. And much of this was after the medieval period.

[@arthas640]

im kind of jelaous of Eurpeans. I live in the Pacific Northwest and there isn't really anything here dating back more than 150 years with 99% of buildings being built after 1900 and very few even older than WW2.

[@arthas640]

@Celto Loco that's insane. One the oldest buildings in my hometown was only about 120 years old and the 140 year old building became a landmark and listed as a historic building by the government

[@batintheattic7293]

Love this. The sheer ingenuity is so inspiring and instructive. Often I am flummoxed as to how to do a particular task with a modern tool. We rely on a belief that a modern tool can do a thing, perfectly. I'm starting to think it might just be better to reunite ourselves with logic and gravity. I loved the pedal lathe. I loved the plumb line. I loved the horn/string/ochre thing.

[@macstrong1284]

Yeah this is a great set of techniques! If you want to turn a 2 year project into at 15 year one lol

[@user-gh8bm8ct5t]

@@macstrong1284 That 15 year project will last centuries and offer an invaluable depth of religious, cultural and aesthetic merit, the kind that a community can pride in for generations; modern infrastructure is barbarous, ugly and dilapidates in decades, if that! Patience is key :)

[@Kate4267]

Absolutely loved this series! I can watch it again & again! I appreciated the information about the simple machines & tools used. This series would be great addition to any medieval history course!

[@TheEyez187]

Even if I hadn't of been an archaeologist, I still would have found this thoroughly fascinating, even the origin of the term "pot-holes"! On to part 2.

[@imwyrmfood9925]

What an incredibly detailed look into life back then. Literally everything was interesting in this. thank you.

[@elizabethbush5293]

I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!☺ i wish they had more shows like this on tv ! Because you can actaully learn something

[@BRO-yn2vh]

Ain't it? Very relaxing material. I love Edwardian Farm as well.

[@Accio_Eloise]

I love Ruth's enthusiasm! She's infectious.

[@skeletalbassman1028]

Personally, I would never set off on a time-traveling adventure to old Europe w/o Ruth Goodman.

[@katiecompton6177]

Why?

[@salaltschul3604]

Right? She's an incredible source of knowledge.

[@faolair3320]

Lol, I always understand 'Get-Along-Castle' xD Sounds like a place where an annoyed mother would send her fighting children: 'To the Get-Along-Castle, both of you! And don't come out until you apologized to each other!'

[@yesterdayschunda1760]

There needs to be a season 2 of this, so much has changed at the castle since this series

[@ElectroBotVideo]

Kirsten Dirksen just put out a 30 min video covering the project made this year about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5vUoKWqbdGXjqM

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

should research Treadmill Crane....... +20% construction speed.

[@kvltizt]

Indeed! A fine bit of medieval engineering there.

[@arthas640]

I got A's when we studied medieval history, ancient history, and ancient mythology in school without having to do any studying or any work thanks to hundreds of hours spent of games like Age of Empires, Civilization, and Age of Mythology.

[@MaryJane-lp7di]

thinking of the average life expectancy in those days, time really was money, intelligent minds wouldve been incredibly valued in regards to optimizing construction practice

[@Raz.C]

@@arthas640 And yet, for some reason, my history teacher gave me a funny look when I told her about Napoleon's battles against Genghis Khan's hordes... By the time I got around to explaining how Gandhi defeated the Roman Empire, she'd lost all interest in my 'work.'

[@RandomPlaceHolderName]

@@Raz.C I mean, we all know Gandhi is one of the worlds worst tyrants and warmongers. How could see turn you aside like that?!

[@PaulinOsakanow]

Great documentary find, it was a joy to watch I do hope there are many more to come.

[@billie-jobenway8658]

If you are into these types of shows here is a list of the ones I have seen and highly recommend listed in order according to historical timeline. They are all Ruth, Peter, and either Tom or Alex. They spend from 6 months to a year living the life of simple farmers throughout English history. Tales from the Green Valley: 01 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4TToqOtf8SSe80 Victorian Farm Episode I kzbin.info/www/bejne/apLTeoBqoZWfl7s BBC Edwardian Farm Episode 1: September kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ_HiXR4md-cm8k Wartime Farm Part 1 of 8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYbWhmipZdSZj9E There are also a set of series that show regular people trying to live like people in the past. Some are British, some American, but all worth watching. The 1900 House kzbin.info/www/bejne/on-mfoWNibF_q5o BBC Coal House Episode 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHWwmIGfYq97pLM BBC Coal House at War Episode 01 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5e5g2dtn7eprKc Colonial House EP01 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoW4gWxrdtJ8maM Frontier House Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap6aoKmhl9pqmdk Texas Ranch House (have to fish around for all episodes) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioSXo4edns2goaM If you are into Archaeology I HIGHLY recommend watching the videos posted by these two incredible people. Between then they have every episode of Time Team and the series and accompanying specials, live shows, etc. are outstanding. Reijer Zaaijer kzbin.info/door/G6L225D2o0af7jdbnS2TxA Fillask kzbin.info/door/MXfL7HNKKwngFN2Jozg1qQ

[@IAsimov]

This documentary was spectacular. I am a massive history buff, and work in construction. This is a massive eyeopener. I loved this so much. Thank you for uploading this. And massive props for that history project. I'm so jealous of everyone who got to visit it!

[@lindaclement3407]

I love this series! I was about to watch another documentary about castles, but when I saw this I decided to watch it first, to better understand what I see when I look at medieval castles, and I'm so glad I did! Early in this episode M. Clement says that this technology of building was used until a couple of centuries ago, but I was a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books as a child and these are the same techniques that her Pa used in the late 19th century to build their homes in Wisconsin and Kansas, as well as their furniture. Much of the United States was homesteaded in just this way because metal tools and nails cost so much to import from the East. We owe more than castles to these master builders. So interesting to see this great legacy brought to life!

[@lindaclement3407]

Oops, I misheard M. Florian's name.

[@Massivecarcrash]

The audio is perfect now, thanks!

[@gemsoft2607]

This is probably the best medival living documentary in the world, 5 stars

[@sebastianfries274]

Finally, a history documentary with people who aren’t just talking about a subject but actually going and showing real people doing real things

[@I_am_a_cat_]

I built one of these in my backyard once. It's pretty goooood. Keeps out all those damn red coats.

[@neildahlgaard-sigsworth3819]

Cat no wonder you've been banned from Butlin's.

[@RicTic66]

Typical yank who has no concept of history. Castles were built 100s of years before the Redcoats and 100s of years before America was even thought about.

[@LB-ou8wt]

RicTic66 why are you assuming redcoat is an American thing? It was first used by Irish in the mid 1500s and was widely used throughout the colonies over the next few hundred years.

[@liamailiam]

Quest Completed: Create rope New Quest: get the bucket out the well

[@trivialtrav]

Ruth and the boys have made some amazing programs. I prefer the older periods more so this is one of my favorites, but all of the farm periods are great as well.

[@janhardin8481]

I know I speak for others as well as myself when I say a huge thank you for posting these videos, and for free too! I have watched all of the "Farm Vids" many times and I am always learning something new still. Thank you!!!

[@sunlightpictures8367]

This was an excellent episode! I learned so much. It really gives you an appreciation for how life was back then.

[@kaizen5023]

I used to be an experimental archaeologist like you. Then I took an arrow to the knee.

[@elodiejones7727]

Congrats on your marriage! Hope its fruitful!

[@richardsanchez9190]

And I hope nobody steals your sweet roll

[@johnkilcher477]

Absolutely kept me at the edge of my chair. I always reflect on the 7 basic simple tools that I learned about, 'way back when and it still rings true to today. This castle building is indeed fascinating.

[@joanhelenak]

I love any series with Ruth and Peter. About the hovel flooring, I'm wondering if the reeds were more like a simple mat versus a sort of nest. We do have art showing reed mats plaited for castle floors that were replaced twice a year, the same people weaving those mats would be using those reeds in their home. Maybe keeping them in small bundles as Ruth suggests, but also tying them together so they aren't flopping around everywhere, but not taking as much time as actual plaiting together as would be required for a lord's castle.

[@kripkethechameleonfriends4505]

I truly enjoyed this, with the rope makers, castle building etc👍

[@ittdust]

45:00 this tool still exists in modern hardware stores

[@arthas640]

Alot of old designs are so perfect that we cant really improve on them. All modern stadiums are based on Roman amphitheater and coliseum designs, alot of leather working tools havent changed much since the stone age (some tools made of bone outperform modern metal or plastic tools for example).

[@curtisthornsberry4236]

What always gets me really excited is seeingall the little tools you'd never see today. like that guiding block for the rope making, or a manual lathe. Like imagine being the guy who was doing that sort of labor by hand and coming up with that solution. Such as "How to I make my rope more precise?" then thinking up a block of wood with some grooves, maybe he'd seen a button or thought of a round comb.

[@KKhhoorrnniittee]

I doubt buttons were around at that time.

[@hilldwler420]

Love these period pieces with Ruth, Peter and Thomas. You all make our history and heritage come alive. Thank you.

[@esotericexplorersmartinez493]

I adore Peter and Ruth 💜 Peter is hilarious and I love Ruth’s enthusiasm for teaching it’s infectious 💜

[@viagragaming2259]

She so cringey though

[@esotericexplorersmartinez493]

@@viagragaming2259 really how does she seem cringey to you tho? Lol I’m interested

[@viagragaming2259]

@@esotericexplorersmartinez493 she just so enthusiastic in her facial expressions and voice. kinda triggered

[@esotericexplorersmartinez493]

@@viagragaming2259 lol 😂😂😂😂

[@tx-sweet-pjg3547]

Well , I enjoyed that immensely, I would love to be Ruth’s helper , I’m quite handy, and make a delicious dandelion salad , looking forward to your next video, you guys are awesome , thank you

[@JessieCochran37]

I absolutely love Ruth, Alex, Peter, and Tom! All of their works are fantastic and a feast for a historian and writer like me. If, after watching this, you-the general reader-are so inclined, check out their BBC Historic Farm Series, where they "travel back in time" to Tudor, Stuart, Victorian, Edwardian, and Wartime periods. Goodman, Langlands, Ginn, and Pinfold, you are amazing, never stop what you so clearly love!

[@ottersarah8812]

Tom teasing Peter about being all dirty at 23:40 was giving me major Legolas & Aragorn vibes. "You're late. You look terrible."

[@DK-cr7hn]

56:53 look at the face of the man, as he eats that "porridge"

[@gaunjee4182]

This is so interesting!! Im definitely applying things i have learned to the world building of my D&D campaign.

[@kenrobinson5176]

The enthusiasm of these three is infectious. They are the best!

[@niccoarcadia4179]

What a great Timeline Show! That was a cool rope making lesson for me..Four separate mini ropes twisted right and then left holds/binds it all together? Fascinating! I want to try that!...Also the lathe was unbelievable, I wish I could see more, like the way the pulley(s) worked to turn the wood,. Beautiful hand carpentry as well, and now I know the Medieval people had lots more brains than I originally thought.

[@jimtalbott9535]

I'd love to just see how they built the well initially.

[@Aatell764]

I've always wanted to see that myself I've dug a lot of holes but the deeper you go the wider you would have to go aswell I don't know how you pull it off without filling a bucket full of dirt and having someone up to pull it up to dump it, that would take agesssss hahaha

[@beth8775]

@@Aatell764 I'm pretty sure the bucket thing is exactly how it worked.

[@Aatell764]

@@beth8775 Yeah you're probably right I don't see how else it could be done atleast with that level of technology.

[@lopp5260]

44:35 Still around today. Amazing.

[@dhr.woltemade6387]

This video answered so very many questions ive always had everytime I visit a medieval castle in europe. Im gonna need watch this again.

[@nefelibatacomingthrough2707]

This is just so wonderful series. I do love how the effort can be felt while watching. It's not a simple thing to build a freaking castle. Big up! +1+1+1+1

[@supercomputer0448]

Wow the Amish have really stepped up their game

[@memento5113]

supercomputer2004 i laughed out loud reading this 😂

[@arthas640]

if we ever have a global nuclear war the EMP's will wipe out our electronics. Then Amish Empire shall rise and seize control...

[@DecibelAlex]

Amish people are just wannabes

[@Dangerpurple]

The Amish would of finished this castle in a year, tops.

[@Dangerpurple]

@alain mancini-brown It was a joke, lighten up.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Thank you France for this amazing project !!

[@NotoriousNUB]

I can’t believe I just spent an hour watching a video about how medieval castles were built but I’m glad I did.

[@samsmith2635]

21:27 I love this documentary! Im a Blacksmith in the traditional school as a profession. I would love to help out here if I can. I was a little disappointed you didn't have your smith make a medieval style slip hook with a hinged dog for the bucket. That modern drop forged hook takes away from all your cool stuff! I mean the rope makers, wood turners, masons, and the carpenter all had hand forged iron or steel. Probably has already been replaced with something period. Lots of love from Nearby Rhineland Palatinate & Saarland - Burgschmied von Bacharach

[@3monsters014]

I would love to see this done in Egypt with the pyramids.

[@ViolentKisses87]

I beleive there were some experiments with moving the same sized stones used in the pyramids to see how it was done on a documentary about 8 ish years ago.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

For an archaeological the logistics - not to mention the skill set - would be insurmountable.

[@xxxxxPr0xxxxx]

1006 AD: I bet we're going to use automated machines to do this work 2018 AD:

[@bubbaho-tep3468]

This is so cool. I never could get enough of these history videos. Thanks for the upload

[@michaelluczak3019]

Amazing series. I like the parts about making the cross bow and the food preparation. I would love to see that castle in person. I admire the work these historians put into the series.

[@deenibeeniable]

Dandelion greens are one of the most nutritious things you can eat. They're not just for "bulking out."

[@johnpringle9967]

Mr. deenibeeniable (odd name)... Anyhow, you are quite right and I have often thought that as what seems to occur in African countries every few years, one of them faces the potential of a million or two people starving to death! Are there no dandelions in Africa! Is there some biological reason why they can't grow there? Anyone who has ever mowed a lawn knows how prolific they are. They'll grow anywhere, under any circumstance, in any soil. If the choice is eat dandelion leaves or starve... the choice is obvious. Even a roughly cultivated, further unattended field seeded with, say, even just 5 dandelion seed heads would produce a crop that could, within months or even weeks, feed a hundred people or more, repeatedly!

[@ps8432]

@@johnpringle9967 If you can afford to grow a lawn you have never known hunger. When a child we ate dandelion, stinging nettles, ground elder and other wild plants to supplement what we could afford to buy. Luckily we had a bee keeper nearby, so virtually every flower was fully pollinated, so good crops of beans, fruit, etc. The difference a freezer made would not be understood by young people today. Toilet paper was cut up magazines and news papers. The first bought toilet paper I saw was at school.

[@benjamingoulet8059]

I’m going to be honest here, I’m going to build a castle. Maybe not at the same scale as these but I already bought 40 acres atop a mountain, endless supply of rock, clay, and grasses. I’m hoping to sell my house one day and build. I’ll have a big expense for the well and bringing in timber as well as labor. It’ll also double as a natural petrified wood museum. Any ideas, advice, recommendations are welcome. Please save negativity and naysaying, I already know it’s an ambitious goal.

[@richardsanchez9190]

Go for it dude. If it's your hobby then do it

[@specialunit0428]

I demand that a MASSIVE restoration project is launched across Europe to repair all castles.

[@SuperLn1991]

really? they are more than 30 000 castle and manor houses, just in France. That would be impossible for every european castle.

[@j-cemmarancoud-guillon4949]

Quel talent dedication. what an amazing project.long vie a cette France profonde BRAVO du Vermont.

[@Uberdude6666]

Imagine how much anger and frustration would have been involved if somebody dropped just one of those specially hand-crafted stone blocks and broke it

[@stephanbranczyk8306]

@@tripsupstairs , In France, if a maid broke a mirror, she had to work seven years for free to pay for the mirror. That's the origin of the superstition.

[@emilyfulton728]

i will literally watch anything these three do

[@jeremyray010]

Very very informative on so many levels and trades. I'm a carpenter/mason and to see it done the old fashioned way was really something Thanks for sharing.

[@martinvasak1901]

7:05 One of the most effective way how to perform history is to say it in calm voice and nice music.. :)

[@ozzylad1236]

Well, I believe the reason that this project is taking so long, is because usually there’d be lots more workers

[@BartJBols]

Actually a castle was built by teams of 10 or so dedicated craftspeople, with a small village of part time labourers and support. this castle has about the same. Castles took a serious time to build, and usually were built in sections of improvements on the previous castle over generations. Often first from wood, and then later on parts would get reinforced with stone. Although it did happen that they would go straight to stone at times, like in the documentary, its far rarer, and is only done because we do not know exactly how wooden castles are built since none of them survive. And the stone ones do.

[@ryanwiese5280]

@@BartJBols I still feel like that would have had a lot more man power, and horse power.

[@G1NZOU]

@@ryanwiese5280 That's partially true for the sheer number of wood gatherers, stonemason apprentices and general labourers, however the master masons, blacksmiths and master carpenters was probably still a small bunch. Even with big teams it took ages, the castle at Beaumaris was under construction from 1295 to 1330 and still wasn't fully finished, even though records show in the first summer, they had an average of 1,800 workmen, 450 stonemasons and 375 quarriers on the site.

[@sirBrouwer]

@@BartJBols We do Know how wooden castles where made. only today we don't have the wood available to do so. most where made similar as the upper parts of a bigger sailing ship. and they still exist.

[@TheLoPresti]

There are at least a dozen actual laborers plus Craftsman like carpenters and blacksmiths.

[@Tom-re6zo]

Except, they would have probably had more workers dedicated to the construction, because 25 years to a lord would have been unacceptable. That's like half his life gone by right there.

[@alistairt7544]

The French have definitely made a massive impact in the architectural world, and they didn't just introduce these type of Castles, but *Gothic Architecture* which originated in France. Imagine the Notre Dame built in Paris in the 1300s and a person around that time hasn't seen anything like it. A massive structure with flying buttresses, gargoyles, rose windows, and light that drenched the interior, moving away from the dark interiors of Romanesque buildings. Gothic architecture spread throughout Europe like wildfire. Then centuries later, the Palace of Versailles( *French Baroque* ) was built and became an inspiration to many royal and imperial residences throughout the continent. Other French Architectural movements that influenced other countries: *French Rococo* which influence interior and exterior designs with flamboyant and opulent designs *Neo-Classical* like the Arc de Triomphe, Pantheon, and la Madeleine in Paris. *Second Empire* like the Palais Garnier which influenced other Opera houses in other countries and the Mansard roof that was ever so popular at that time. Many grand buildings around the world like the Montreal City Hall, Philadelphia City Hall, Brussels Stock Exchange, Montecarlo Hotel in Monaco, etc were based on French Second Empire style *Beaux-Arts* which started in the Beaux-Art School in Paris and became popular in New York City like the Met Museum and Grand Central Station, in Argentina like the Teatro Colon and the Palacio del Congreso Nacional, and National Theatre in Melbourne *Art Nouveau* Eccentric and fantastical style. The Metro sign in Paris is a great example. It also influenced popular architects like Gaudi in Barcelona. *Art Deco* Perhaps one of the most popular. Basically a lot of New York's famous landmarks like the Empire State, Chrysler Building, and the Rockefellar Plaza, and many other buildings, furniture, art, jewelry, cars, around the world Also Modern Architects like *Le Corbusier* in which 17 of his projects were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and *Jean Nouvel* , where some of his works are, the Torre Glories in Barcelona, Copenhagen Music Hall, Burj Doha in Qatar, Samsung Art Museum(Building 2) in South Korea and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE, etc.

[@chazchaz6569]

I have watched you guys recreate all sorts of time related productions over the years, and I have been following this castle building for well over 12 months, brilliant stuff. I will take my family over to Guidelon for a holiday sometime soon God willing.

[@pollyg562]

im thinking, oh not another show on castles,ive seen them all and there all the same, as i was thinking of what else to watch,the opening few minutes plays, and all i can say is WOW NOW THIS LOOKS DIFFERENT,THIS IS SOMETHING UNSEEN,IM HOOKED i guess the ol cliche is right "dont judge a castle by its facade" or is it "book by its cover"?

[@kripkethechameleonfriends4505]

My back aches just watching this. I tip my hat to all builders👍

[@drmabeuse]

Spellbinding! I don't know if it's the medievalist in me (who isn't fascinated by castles and medieval life?) or the excellence of everyone involved in presenting such a well-balanced combination of big-picture and detail, construction and daily life, but the end result is just captivating. One of the best videos I've seen on KZbin, bar none. Deepest thanks!

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Another fascinating historical document from the team back in 2014. My compliments to their enthusiasm, dedication and energy. Definitely "one in the eye" for "Forge of Empires". I sense a visit to France lining up for 2023.

[@StyrbjornStarke]

Really entertaining documentary, must be a dream come true for these craftsmen to get paid to build a medieval castle.

[@johnny_pilot]

What an absolutely fascinating programme! Ready for episode deux!

[@snabela9732]

What a great group of people, and the guys working at the castle helping them. This was epik

[@CP4884]

The ultimate LARPing experience. I wonder what level the stonemason is at. He started on vanilla. I'm sure he has all achievements unlocked.