Why does COCH CASTLE have this tiny TOWER? | The most INCREDIBLE castle you've never heard of

[@TheTomko44]

As I noted in the short on Castle Coch, this castle is a romanticized reconstruction of a ruined castle with reconstruction beginning in 1875. The reconstruction was undertaken by the Marquis of Bute, who was an avid medievalist. He restored Caerphilly, Cardiff and Coch castles. He employed and fellow medievalist architect, William Burges, who in 1872 prepared a report on the conditions of the ruins of Castell Coch and a proposed reconstruction of the castle. In the report, William Burges noted that everything above the basement level on the castle was purely conjectural. There are a number of elements to the castle that Mr. Burges noted were not supported by historical precedence in medieval English architecture. The main element that was not historical for the UK are the conical tower rooves. This element was said to be not supported and Mr. Burges could not find examples in the UK to support such a tower roof. It was added because the Marquis of Bute adored a castle he visited in Switzerland, so he wanted that element as a part of his new summer home (castle) in Wales. Actual Welsh medieval castle rooves were in line with the restoration of castles like Caernarfon and Caerphilly, where the roof was set below a battlement and made of lead sheets over wood. This protected the rooves from most types of siege weapons. Castell Coch is made of a non-historically accurate conical slate tile roof, which while beautiful, would have been a weak part of the castle. Another issue with the castle is the hourding. The hourd over the main gate was noted by Mr. Burges to have been only installed during times of war, if it existed at all. It was an architectural element that the Marquis insisted on and was done in red to highlight the castle's name. The postholes were left in place after the construction due to the fact most construction post holes and hourding holes were not filled in on most existing examples in the 1870's when the reconstruction occurred. Construction post holes would likely have been filed in as the scaffolding was removed, but over the centuries those post holes reopened. Finally, the interior which Shad will talk about in another video is a purely romantic Victorian idyll version of a medieval castle. If must be remembered that this was built to be the Marquis' summer home and thusly it was designed to be a part of his vision of a fantasy castle of the Victorian era, not the true example of what the interior would look like in the 13th through 14th centuries.

[@1crazypj]

That's an excellent write up reply. I'm from the area and worked on the underground reservoir about half mile away 'up the hill' around 1995~96. When I was in school, we were always told it was a 'Victorian Folly' but sounds like it stayed (except for rooves), quite true to original form. Thanks for the extra information

[@colinjones7741]

That Castle in its hay day controlled the the beginning of the Taff valley in them days but this is overhauled from the old castle which was medieval.

[@CreepyMF]

These castle videos have really been consistently great, they are so entertaining and so educational.

[@MarineVeteran0351]

Interesting enough we have a legitimate castle in PA. Called Dane Castle

[@war.room.strategist]

Dare I say well constructed?

[@theetruetolkienpatriot7701]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯⚡⚡⚡⚡💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@pRahvi0]

I love these too. My only critisism is to the title, which was kinda click-baity and almost drove me off. Glad I watched regardless.

[@richardturk7162]

@@pRahvi0 Yeah his videos do the "click bait " thing. He is just a windy guy and his explanations are long an drawn out longer than they need to be.

[@kieranstephens3876]

Castell Coch has a huge meaning to me, My Nan lived near the foot of it, and all my family were from around that area. As a kid driving back to visit my Nan as a kid we used to play first one to spot the castle,😂 as it’s so gorgeous that you can see it up high from miles away. My parents had their wedding photos and events there on their wedding, still have the photos on display. And then to keep tradition my cousin actually got married in the castle. Which was great. Sitting in the little chapel. It’s been great to see the changes and maintenance over the years. And it looks fantastic lit up at night!

[@mikoi4601]

I have no idea why I watched this, I'm not interested in castles, yet still so compelling. Much

[@eagle_and_the_dragon]

It's humbling to see the appreciation and gratefulness you exhibit in these videos, shad. I've never moved out of Mid Wales. The places you've visited thus-far have all been within reasonable travel distance for me, yet I haven't visited them. I've done a few (Carmarthen Castle, Powis Castle, possibly Caernarfon Castle of memory serves), and you've certainly re-invigorated me to go out and explore and support the heritage sites of my country.

[@Caktusdud.]

I think you should. DO IT!!!!!

[@BreninyGeifr]

Castell Coch and Cardiff are well worth a visit. Completely inauthentic, of course, but absolutely stunning - and very sobering. Bute spaffed thousands upon thousands of pounds even then on building/rebuilding/renovating the two castles while the thousands of people employed in his metal works and railways and docks and whatever else, were paid starvation wages. He had Castell Coch built as a bolthole, not in case he ever got tired of Cardiff, but in case the workers ever got hold of enough food to get the energy to riot and to come after him. That seems to have been a major fear of his - I can't think why. But yes, do visit them. I know it's a long journey down from the heartlands but it's worth it

[@YrCleddyf]

Carreg Cennen is a nice castle in Carmarthenshire, it was sieged by the English but on their way back to Dryslwyn castle they were ambushed and slaughtered by Welsh forces. Carreg Cennen, Dryslwyn and Dinefwr castles are all pretty close to one another, there was a timber motte and bailey castle in Ammanford but obviously thats long gone.

[@Glorfindel_117]

I think it's his wife, but I gotta say thanks to whoever filmed all these videos during their vacation. They must spend most of the day at each location, so thank you for helping with a better perspective than a handheld vlog style if it was just Shad!

[@klaxoncow]

The wife probably knows very well, you've got to let Shad go visit the castles. (In fairness, I imagine that, at least in part, the monetisation on this channel helps pay for the European vacation and she gets it. We film Shad getting obsessed with castles for a few days and that pays for us to have a European vacation in the first place. It's really not a bad deal, as it's not like castles aren't interesting and romantic in their own right too. But she should be insisting that the second week of their vacation is in Paris and NO CASTLES!)

[@panman1964]

Can't wait to see the interior video and what you have to say. I have visited both Castell Coch (side note its either "Castell Coch" or "Red Castle" and never "Coch Castle") and Cardiff Castle (also renovated by the 3rd Marquis of Bute and his architect William Burgess) on many occasions (yes I'm originally a Cardiff boy)

[@superkamehameha1744]

Shad and them castles should do official collabs with the castles and let him go crazy with the exploration and explanations

[@WookieWarriorz]

well theres 4000 castles in england alone so im sure theres many that he could reach out to and get a private tour.

[@davidansell9656]

I guarantee if he talked to Cadw (Welsh castle charity) they'd definitely hook him up 🤟

[@Laerei]

@@WookieWarriorz That many, huh? There's only one or two small castles left in my country, the rest of them turned into piles of rubble due to dozens of wars raged on our land by half a dozen foreign nations each of which had beef with just each other.

[@Veklim]

@@Laerei yeah, the last time Britain was successfully invaded was the Normans about 1000 years ago, and they built most of the castles we still have today, so that would be why we have so many.

[@RepressedObeseCat]

I liked LazerPig Visits a Tank Museum, behind the scenes and all that. LP probably not going to get invited back - Shad, promise the docents you're not going to carve your initials into anything. Or slap 'Visit the Shadlands" bumber stickers on the iron maidens.

[@TX_Blake]

Shad, we’re going to need you to visit Europe at least once or twice a year to keep this kind of analysis going. We won’t be satisfied until you have done a walkthrough of every large stone building that ever had a crenellation on it. Thanks in advance. 😊

[@RepressedObeseCat]

If he has the budget he should try to fit in some cons in the states and push his IP. But yes, I love these castle videos.

[@crusadernikolai1996]

I imagine he would love to, but trips like this are a bit costly

[@TX_Blake]

@@crusadernikolai1996 if each trip results in a dozen or more castle videos, I’m sure ad revenue would more than pay for the trip.

[@G1NZOU]

It'd be really neat for him to visit Guédelon.

[@TX_Blake]

@@G1NZOU absolutely!

[@jeromethiel4323]

A roof over your battlements, just makes sense if you can afford it. It not only provides protection from the weather, (which is good), it also provides protection from arching arrow fire. And the English longbow taught the French to fear archers. But even a wooden roof offers some protection from siege engines. The whole science and engineering of these castles makes me think, and that's a good thing. Why did they do that? Medieval people weren't stupid, they were just as smart as us. And just as inventive. They just didn't have the knowledge base that we have to work from. But that doesn't mean they weren't very good at what they understood.

[@craftpaint1644]

I think in this castle's situation the roofs are protecting the investment in it's restoration. I agree with your points though.

[@oldrabbit8290]

When I saw the roof, I thought "How am I supposed to scale the wall with the roof in the way?"

[@King.Leonidas]

that axes a question @@oldrabbit8290

[@alganhar1]

Erm, no? Castell Coch was not built as a Castle, it was built, from the ground up, as a Hunting Lodge that LOOKED like a Castle. And yes, I do know that for a fact, this Castle is far rom unknown to me as I spent well over ten years living less than five minutes from it, so visited it regularly....

[@jasonalen7459]

@@alganhar1 If it looks like a castle and protects like a castle... In all seriousness though, it's quite interesting that it's actually a hunting lodge. Seems pretty big for one, but I guess they would've been out there for long periods of time if they felt the need to make a place to eat and sleep in the forest.

[@grimmwolf9690]

This is my most favorate castle! Im soooo jelouse you got to visist it. I have always dreamed of one day building an exact 1/1 replica of it here in the states.

[@aishalotter9995]

Why not double it’s size ? Every thing is bigger in America!!!

[@robbpatterson6796]

I'm actually astounded more people haven't heard of Castle Coch. I love to see it on my way to Casnewydd, It's so aesthetically pleasing; especially when you see it through the trees on a Spring day. We have so many beautiful Castles in Cymru. So nice that you're checking them out. Thank you for checking out my (almost perfect) country and giving us the props we deserve; rather than the ambiguity left by England

[@amoebasheep]

​@rhysbishop7118 I imagine he is referring to a sort of loss of a distinct identity that we Welsh have in comparison to the Scottish and Irish, at least in the minds of other countries. It's entirely too common that I tell someone I'm from Wales and they either haven't heard of it, or they think it's in England. We are just as proud of our Celtic heritage as Ireland and Scotland, we have our own (unfortunately dying) language, and we proudly hate the English just as much, haha.

[@joesheepy]

@rhysbishop7118 Speaking from experience most outside of the UK know of England, Scotland and Ireland but not Wales. England treated Wales and the welsh very poorly for a long time. For example, something like the "welsh-not" is from as recent as the 19th and 20th century - where by they tried to physically beat the welsh language from its residents. Nid ydym yn hoffi'r saesneg.

[@hulking_presence]

@@joesheepy as a russian I read this with joy. Do to the english the same as you encourage ukrainians to do to us. And I hope the english will not keep you waiting with their answer 🤗 But if I'm being serious, stop with your petty separatism. Just become english already. Don't invite this kind of pain into your life. You write these things and somewhere in the future there is a version of yourself sitting in your basement under english artillery fire crying "whyyyyyy? What did we do to you?" as some other nation have been wailing for two years. You fucking know why. On the other hand, what was the last time you brits had a good war on your soil? 400 years ago?

[@ASmartNameForMe]

@rhysbishop7118 England is a notoriously poor neighbour

[@sbjchef]

Castle Coch is a folly built for a man to show off

[@Aiken47]

Thanks Shad, Taking the time to explain the details of the castles you visited is fantastic

[@jakerazmataz852]

Beautiful . And it's nice you pointed out the modern changes.

[@yourturn5059]

Yes! More castles!🙌 WE LOVE SHAD'S CASTLE VIDEOS!😁

[@violletladonpin]

About the pipes on the sides that are made of iron: yes, maybe they weren't made of iron in the medieval era, but there certainly could have been a type of pipe perhaps made with lead. I study Gothic cathedrals from the 1100-1500 era and many of them, especially Italian or Spanish, had pipes around them to drain the rain, and I believe they were made of lead or something like that. There is some still standing examples on france like Mont Saint Michel abbey that has plenty of these, mainly to collect water to the cisterns.

[@andrewwood1364]

As a castle nerd who found your channel for castle reviews years ago, it is so cool to see you at a castle in person. I hope you can see many many more in your time.

[@JonseyWales]

Loving these castle tours! Delighted you've come to the old country Shad. Can't wait for the next installment.

[@maxpowers9129]

I am so glad to see Shad making more content about castles. I can't get enough about castles. They are gorgeous buildings.

[@skiveman]

I like these castle tours. It's kind of like Shad sharing his holiday videos and also a return to old school Shad.

[@BeeLane-qr9fn]

Built in the Victorian times by Bute as a holiday home. It was almost never used. It is regarded as folly, as only the super rich can. Bute also owned Cardiff Castle and Bute park which he bequeathed to the city.

[@reubendorman]

A Victorian folly to show off and improve his land value, with a welsh name. Not my favourite local castle, that would be Kidwelly, carreg cannen, and dinefwr, if you ever go to a real welsh castle keep an eye out on the wales where there are missing stones, this is where hoardings ( if it by the battlements) or scaffolding was built

[@NeroPop]

These castle videos are genuinely my favorite videos on this channel now. Absolutely love them!!

[@daisyblossomflowerchild9702]

Thank you so much for the wonderful castle tour. I love hearing the hows and whys of the architecture. Also, I love how you casually stroll around as our knight, complete with sword, educating us while there's not currently a battle going on. ;) Thank you, Shad. :)

[@DemonicafroJB]

Every time I invite someone to see Coch Castle I get sprayed with mace

[@YrCleddyf]

Ik its a joke but in Welsh "Ch" sounds like you're clearing your throat Coch also means Red

[@303Yosh]

😆

[@jaytwokay3265]

I like that yall are spacing the castle videos out instead of just spamming them all at once.

[@timeydoesstuff]

I'm so glad you finally got to see some real castles!

[@michaelcamu625]

If he did another fictional castle review, he could reference these castles with much more accuracy than he did in those videos, because he was actually there! It would also be fun to see him reference some videos like this one and think back to them. Love these videos, keep making great content.

[@bradbrandon2506]

It's funny, being a fan of symmetry, ironically I totally agree with you on the asymmetrical design of this castle. I love it!

[@DeathaceGames]

I live not far from this in Cardiff, also it's only a 15 minute drive over the mountain to Caerphilly Castle. I love having all these amazing places of history right on my doorstep. There's some lovely ones further north into the Breacon Beacons too.

[@drzander3378]

I think you need to call them Bannau Brycheiniog now, otherwise you’ll get cancelled for the crime of cultural appropriation :~P

[@DavidSmith-vr1nb]

​@@drzander3378 They just swapped the order on the sign, it's not such a big deal.

[@spyrofrost9158]

My favorite castles are the smaller ones like this. So compact and beautiful to look at. Especially with, as you mentioned, the asymmetry and utility.

[@kimhorton6109]

Beautiful exterior. The rebuild has done a good job.

[@jeromethiel4323]

Hooray! More castle video! Keep 'em coming, Shad! This is the content i want more of.

[@NeBuLiSt]

Another one of my childhood exploring locations!!! and a great analysis as always!!!

[@rhysgarland9295]

Yes! I remember discussing this one with you at the medieval festival Shad, you mentioned that it was your favourite to have visited which made me really happy. I grew up around here & spent a huge amount of time at Castell Coch, so glad to see it getting love 👍

[@tindekappa9047]

The first youtuber I've seen do something that's essentially a vlog and censor people's faces. Props to you. Everyone's just bothering people on this site.

[@dystopik32]

Love this place, I'm in south Herefordshire so its fairly local.

[@jaded_gerManic]

Beautiful stonework, lovely and thoughtful design, moss garden on site and the pie-piece paving in the courtyard is incredible! I love it! How much? LOL Thanks Sir Author! My new favorite video! ❤️

[@TheSilverstamp]

I love these videos. One of my favorite things on the channel now. I really hope Shad will get to visit some of the German, Czech and other Cental European castles.

[@milanondrak5564]

Shad should visit Warwick Castle. He would be like a kid in a toy store.

[@craigevans2961]

Or beaumaris, as unfinished as it is.

[@avpfreak]

Quick thing I noticed: the staircase up from the courtyard is oriented in such a way that defenders standing on the stairs, looking down, would have their shield arm (assuming right hand dominant) facing outward to protect from missile fire from down below, whilst attackers climbing the stairs would have their shield arm against the interior wall, making them vulnerable to attacks from the ramparts across the way, unless they either swapped hands or scuttled up sideways. Just a lovely minor detail on how every aspect of these structures has defense in mind in some way!

[@zaco-km3su]

You mean bow shots? Maybe that's the case with the staircase but it would be just a bonus. They couldn't focus too much on that. You can move your shield in different ways.

[@zaco-km3su]

@@blizzardgaming7070 No, they're not almost always built clockwise. You can move the shield. About 1/3 are built the other way around.

[@gammafoxlore2981]

@@zaco-km3su The old meaning of missile. Not our modern concept.

[@zaco-km3su]

@@gammafoxlore2981 Missile means projectile. Arrows, (crossbow) bolts, bullets, etc.

[@PhilJonesIII]

@@blizzardgaming7070 Anticlockwise staircases are certainly not uncommon though.

[@soulslider5117]

Loving these castle videos, shad. Wish we could see ya visit them all over Europe!

[@anthonyduffy6953]

I love these castle videos. I hope hes got one of harlech castle i love that castle

[@chriscookesuffolk]

Out of all your videos these are the ones I prefer.

[@Grandwigg]

These videos have been amazing. I remember when he had 3d mussels of some styles and explained things. I wish I could fly him around to every castle ever. Or vr rig with full size explorable models.

[@CaesiusX]

*Shad,* thank you so much for this video. I live in the SW United States and a visit to the UK and Europe is beyond my means. So, I very much appreciate your videos (of all types). And in a case such as this, I greatly appreciate the historic and architectural detail provided. Tbh, it sometimes can feel as though I'm in a tour group right there with you. Be well! 🙋🏼‍♂️

[@theeightbithero]

I’m loving these videos! How much would it cost to send Shad on another trip to see castles?

[@Janovich]

19:47 Given how extremely large the crenellations are, wouldn't it be designed for a single soldier to stand his whole body on top of the crenellation gap? Consider it for the following advantages: 1. It would allow other soldiers to walk past behind him unhindered. 2. He would be protected by the shutters in full since the crenellation is so big. 3. The firing angle would be absolutely amazing 4. It would also explain the handle being designed that way, to also be used standing up there. 5. Makes it more practical that the shutters are split in two parts. 6. It not being a historical inaccuracy for all these reasons.

[@jim7217]

Thanks Shad - great stuff - and up close and personal with certain elements of castle design alongside your discussion of it - very good - thanks much.

[@jonathanmercer7109]

So glad you got to see Castell Coch, it is a beauty alright and a superb situation.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

I'd love to see you do a video on chateau de pierrefonds, A castle used for the TV show Merlin, It's a gem

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

That's a pretty massive castle, and I think a lot of it isn't period correct unfortunately. It's a gorgeous design regardless though.

[@amoebasheep]

I used to ride the train to university everyday, and look up at this castle on the hillside. It is near and dear to my heart, so I'm glad that Shad is just as enchanted by it.

[@p75369]

If the crenelations are a faithful reconstruction, it could be that in concert with the shutters and narrow walkway, you were intended to stand in them and use the shutters as adjustable arrow slits instead. And there's the pot lug holes on the interior of the crenelations, maybe there was a raised floor too?

[@Judith_Remkes]

The bit about the cast iron drains made my eyes roll, some things are just ten times more work to maintain, and this was very beautifully done. I was kind of expecting he'd point out the Exit lights, next, lol. It's rebuilt, it's never going to be perfect. Looking for faults is not very respectful to the rebuilders, I feel. But, in general, Shad was very positive!

[@2acritter4life]

When i get rich and want a castle built, so gonna call Shad for a solid consult.

[@mansfieldtime]

I love this because Tod from Tod's workshop just had a video about firing arrows from a castle. It was a surprising video. This one, had a bit of info I never even considered. But my BIG question, "How would YOU besiege Coch Castle?" You have a large army, pre gun powered. The defenders has a few body guards and several peasants that might flee to the castle. They might be able to send for reinforcements but no numbers as the army would need to be gathered. You biggest advantage is being 1 days march away and the castle does not yet know of your approach. What do you do?

[@bobo-cc1xw]

have a look at google maps it is on a big hill but has a lot of tree's around. Put a catapult up the mountain and rain death. In that area you are going have more than 1 day notice of anything big coming the way. It assumes you have beaten caerphilly already i would guess which is well designed to beat a siege

[@cadileigh9948]

You book yourselves in to get married there as my friends did

[@neofd3223]

Awesome!! I’ve been waiting for this video, I love Castell Coch been loads of times. Definitely one of my all time favourites.

[@nubberton1345]

I don’t what you’re saying, my “tiny” coch tower has a perfectly adequate size and a great personality!

[@mikewickenden8754]

Awesome! Loving the castle tours. It was actually how designing castles are built that got me to your channel

[@tsamoka6496]

I wonder how many times Shad has been mistaken for a tour guide at these different castles? Would be funny to see, I think! =^x^=

[@DollfieFace]

Used to go past this castle on the train a lot. Really sparks the imagination how it sits on the cliff, surrounded by woods

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Imagine Shad's excitement if he got transported to medieval times in one of these castles

[@KoaCharvel]

Until his glasses break.....also miss your wife and kids......

[@daviddrew3372]

He’d wind up chained to a wall until he managed to convince them that he was a wizard. Then he’d be burned at the stake if he made any mistake.

[@cleverusername9369]

Imagine Shad's excitement if he got transported to medieval times, period

[@Duececoupe]

Enter in 2024 and walking out bumping into a Knights Templar and a Hospitaller having conversation in 1289 or something....😉

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

​@@cleverusername9369unless he could learn Old English, Norman French, or Brythonic _really_ fast, he'd have a pretty miserable time.

[@benjones1917]

I've always loved Castell Coch. Thanks so much for visiting

[@dabbingperson9236]

Oh hey, it’s another one of my favourite Welsh castles.

[@jonalex2823]

I grew up 5 minutes from Castell Coch. Never got tired of seeing her

[@Ruddigore]

A fantastic video. You are putting out some super quality stuff and your presentation skills are second to none.

[@Kevin192291]

I ABSOLUTLY LOVE these type videos!!!! This is the type of video that I originally subbed to Shadiversity for, It is GREAT to see these again!!!

[@Aiken47]

Could the high crenellations have a temporary platform for defenders to use during times of battle then removed during tamer periods?

[@davidtownsend8875]

I suspect that the high lift-over height in the protected crenels means that those openings were not meant for close-range shooting downward, but for delivering dropped objects (stones or whatever).

[@jamesclarke5331]

I'm sure these videos aren't the cheapest to make, due to the travel from Aus to the UK. But I really enjoy them.

[@paintedblue1791]

If there not careful I can see Shad running off with this castle stone by stone to rebuild down under.

[@tkc1129]

That castle is absolutely beautiful!

[@Lttlemoi]

Any thoughts on the bridge towards the gatehouse? Would they have had a fixed bridge, or something they could remove when enemies were approaching?

[@p75369]

There is actually a small drawbridge segment, at the top of the ramp where it levels off.

[@alasdaircook3030]

Very happy to see Shad appreciating and finally getting to see the castles of my homeland.

[@TheKazragore]

Wait, you CAN'T destroy a castle by slapping a sword against it thousands of times? My disappointment is immeasurable, my day ruined.

[@FrostshadowStudios0310]

This ain't a video game, what'd you expect?

[@IronicIgnorance]

technically you could....it would be hundreds of thousands if not millions of times...but metal is stronger than stone so..long run. like years and years. at that stage the war would have ended and the lord would effectively be keeping you as a pet, occasionally bringing out some bread and wine. Showing his guests Greg the mad swordsman.

[@TheKazragore]

@@FrostshadowStudios0310 Do you even sarcasm?

[@02Machiavelli]

I bought your book Shad. Can't wait to read it.

[@vampirecount3880]

Its not the size of your tower, its how you use it !

[@emmmortem]

Are you still talking about castle Coch?

[@vampirecount3880]

@@emmmortem but of course

[@matthewcox4156]

Anyone who hasn’t been to castle Coch I’d suggest visiting in autumn, walking though fforest fawr which leads to the castle feels like your in a movie

[@grrman]

Very cool. Now Shad just needs his own isekai adventure into a medieval fantasy realm

[@cgourin]

You should visit the castle Guédelon in France a brand new medieval castle being built as a local initiative for 20 years using only time correct building methods. Researchers can test hypothesis of lost knowledge on specific points as well as the management of such a project. They shape the rocks from a nearby purpose dug carry, make their own lime, mortar and cement, build lifting machinery and scaffolding from the nearby forest. A small village slowly grew to support the build and complete it, forging tools, food and even clothing.

[@RichardMathews-gv7lb]

Would love to visit one day. Really is experimental archeology

[@reeceemms1643]

Day one 106 of asking for a video on the misconceptions of Medieval weddings. Or just a video on Medieval weddings such as how they were done, why they were done, and some of the rules and traditions of them. Plus how they can be incorporated into our fantasy stories and roleplay games if the story calls for it. That isn't just ripping off Game of Thrones. I also want to know if there is any text or examples somewhere of a lower class person marrying a upper class noble, and any of the repercussions of that. That has definitely happened somewhere.

[@drzander3378]

Christian weddings in Medieval Europe were nothing like the modern Church ceremony. Essentially, the bride and groom would agree to be married and that was that. There might be an exchange of gifts but not necessarily. In the case of the nobility/aristocracy, it was more involved because there were concerns about legitimate progeny. But most folks, there was nothing to it.

[@reeceemms1643]

@@drzander3378 what is legitimate progeny? That is something I never heard about before?

[@mjwoodroff8446]

@@reeceemms1643 Babies between the legally married couple

[@reeceemms1643]

@@mjwoodroff8446 oh. Does that count for babies conceived out of wedlock but born in wedlock? If the husband is the father?

[@suburbanbanshee]

Actually, the Middle Ages had an evolving situation for Christian weddings. Early on, no big deal but a big secular deal with dowry, betrothal gifts, brideprice, etc. Later, more focus on public witness of marriage, on the church porch. Later still, marriage in church with nuptial Mass, wedding canopy, and all the Sarum Mass stuff. Public sacramental celebration in church was meant to defend the rights of both bride and groom, because many hinky concubinage marriages took place, and the poorer side of a marriage usually suffered denial of rights.

[@tomosheax]

welcome to wales, shad. happy to see a couple of our castles on your channel, there are plenty to go around :)

[@augustus_tiberius.]

Well you know Shad, I heard that’s a pretty average size for a tower, and that fair maidens actually don’t like big towers….

[@zynski3451]

Your health seems to have really improved Shad. Castle therapy I guess!

[@Sonof_DRN2004]

I visited this as a kid, very cool, guy there taught us basic sword fighting. Gutted to find out it isn’t a medieval castle.

[@josuesepulveda6850]

A nother fantastic castle video Shad,keep them coming!

[@jamesturner6979]

For people who are wondering about the pronunciation, the “ch” in Coch is the same as the start of the Yiddish-American word “Chutzpah”.

[@rklammer]

This is my favourite Castle too. Having grown up by Colchester Castle and the various forts around the River Stour estuary, it wasn't until moving to Cardiff that got to appreciate really impressive castles first hand, and of the ones over here, Castell Coch is by far my favourite, such character!

[@NoOrdinaryRabbit93]

Castell Coch. The pronunciation is closer to Cork but not a bad go 😛. Loved visiting Castell Coch as a kid, it's beautiful. Hoping you do a vid om Cardiff Castle too

[@BillDavies-ej6ye]

A great video, thanks for producing it. The 'ch' is pronounced as in Scottish 'loch', or in German as in 'Bach.' A soft 'k' pronounced in the throat. The name of the letter 'h' is pronounced 'aitch.' That's English for you, blame the Normans. 19:40 The handles aren't cast iron, steel is relatively easy to twist when red hot, i.e., wrought iron. Cast iron began to be produced in Europe in the 14th century. Can't wait for your video describing the interior.

[@ASBO_LUTELY]

To pronounce it properly you have to pronounce the second part of the word like you're clearing your throat.

[@Dr_ShadowTime]

This is interesting because this is how you normally pronounce the CH in German. I always thought British people were not able to pronounce it. Could have something to do with most royal families being very closely related to German ones.

[@KeplersDream]

"You need half a pint of phlegm in your throat just to pronounce the place names. Never ask for directions in Wales, Baldrick. You'll be washing spit out of your hair for a fortnight."

[@tummytub1161]

I think it's pronounced with a pompous french accent, "Cosh".

[@DanH34]

I maintain that English- and German-speakers who actually put in the effort can each pronounce the other language perfectly. It's possible that some anglophones are put off by the slightly 'odd' sound that German can have to our ears (both 'posh' and foreign at the same time, especially some of the vowels); and I've always wondered what we sound like to Germans.

[@RichardMathews-gv7lb]

@@Dr_ShadowTimeWelsh people can and we can raise the stakes with Dd, LL, Ng, Ff etc and mutations. Don’t forget Welsh is from a different language family to English

[@alexrichards9564]

Greetings from Wales Shad, thanks for shedding light on it❤

[@magnusbuckus3266]

Waited to hear the pronunciation... Was disappointed. Castell Coch it's an 'r' sound into a back of the throat noise almost like a dry gargle

[@shadowbaby]

love the video shad keep up the good work

[@axton2k855]

hey, could you please make a video that talks about and demonstrates parrying?

[@sansivian]

Heres and idea, have locals to these castles to a walk around while filming that way Shad can do even more "tours" of existing castles that would be logistially challenging to get so many of them. We get the tours and Shad gets the vids/views.

[@WakarimasenKa]

One of the best looking castles I've ever seen.

[@dafudd7779]

Great video. Do you think that maybe the archer stood right up in there? From there, he would have been able to shoot through either opening, the higher or lower one and see straight down.

[@Emppu_T.]

Absolutely incredible

[@erho2967]

Thanks for being our On-Site Avatar

[@corwin7695]

That Age of Empires II clip hit my nostalgia SO HARD!

[@bripollard68]

It's great seeing you get excited visiting the castles around my hometown 🙂.