Journey Through Rochester Castle: Stronghold of the Normans

In this video Journey Inside Rochester Castle: Stronghold of the Normans, join Kevin Hicks as he steps back in time to explore the formidable walls of Rochester Castle-one of England’s most iconic Norman strongholds! Discover the castle’s rich history, the architectural brilliance of the towering keep and learn about the dramatic sieges that tested its defenses.
For more information about Rochester Castle, check out their website at www.english-he...
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OTHER LINKS:
Website: historysquad.ca
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IMAGE CREDITS:
Aerial shots of Rochester Castle: © BlackBoxGuild via Envato Elements
Siege Towers: Cassell's Illustrated Universal History, vol. 3, 1882 - Wikimedia Commons
Rochester Castle 15th Century painting © Heritage Image Partnership via Alamy
Rochester Castle gatehouse - © TudorHistory.org
King John Magna Carta engraving - @ traveler1116 via iStock
Undermining - © Heritage Image Partnership via Alamy
Gong Farmer in cesspit - Courtesy of English Heritage
MUSIC BY:
AnorMusic via Envato Elements

[@ricebrown1]

Best storyteller on KZbin. Our man Kevin is almost single handedly putting the entire History Channel to shame.

[@sunniclark6827]

Absolutely!!

[@Blooderfly17]

I second that! 💯💯

[@michaelkeller5008]

agreed!!

[@OBXDewey]

Yes he has.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow! 😃

[@JohnSmith-st5ud]

The absolute best man for this job! You can tell he is full of passion

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed the tour 😃

[@nickwebb9290]

Thank you for bringing Rochester Castle’s history alive for us Kevin 🙏

[@davidcreager1945]

Thank You for a facinating tour of this fantastic Castle ! I was amazed , learning that the most powerful person ( the King ) not only had no privacy , but was open to assination attempts .

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NateDaGreat808]

I’m American, but my mom is from Kent. And this is my favorite castle! :)

[@andrewschmidt5312]

As someone who does some volunteering for museums and laments the lack of interest in the past (and the consequences of that) it amazes me how well you attract and inform people with your great story telling and other skills. Education at it’s best.

[@thehistorysquad]

Andrew, I appreciate that, thank you.

[@TheRooneymandan]

Thanks a million. Your channel is my favourite. May I ask you why the Normans emerged from resource poor Normandy as pioneers of heavy cavalry and excellence in warfare but also as great engineers and visionaries? Please excuse my boldness and ignorance. ​@thehistorysquad

[@thehistorysquad]

@@TheRooneymandan They relied upon a European wide pool of resources, for example at the Battle of Hastings, many of the troops that fought for the Normans were in fact foreign mercenaries. Many of the architects and builders would have come from other parts of France and even Northern Italy.

[@TheRooneymandan]

@thehistorysquad Thanks Kevin. I'm enlightened but still curious as to why they seem to have emerged as the complete conquering product almost overnight?

[@TheRooneymandan]

Surely there was something that was the catalyst?

[@spiritchild9101]

Incredible that old castles like this are still standing. 🏰 Thank you for the tour and history.

[@philread386]

As a ten year old in 1960 I was taken to the castle and shown around. Knowing I was mad about aircraft he took me to the top of the keep. Across the river you could still see the slipways where Shorts launched their newly manufactured flying boats. What a day for a ten year old!

[@arthurdoucette1786]

Greetings once again from Nova Scotia, wow, what a story. I love the awesome way you have, in telling stories. Our one and only, "Kevin, the bowman/bard " thank you for sharing your gifts and your time, we are VERY lucky you started your channel, I know I wouldn't have the courage to go out and do it. Thanks again, be safe, and as always best regards, Arthur

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely, thank you so much Arthur, I appreciate your kind words.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Rochester, the only English city I know of that lost its city status. It's a story that deserves a full video.

[@lonestarbug]

@@neiloflongbeck5705 I as a Texan, please explain to me what that means.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@lonestarbug in the UK cities need a Royal Charter. Without it, you're living in a very large town, which may be large enough to swallow several cities. Rochester lost its city status due to the ineptitude of the local councillors.

[@lonestarbug]

@@neiloflongbeck5705 I see.

[@lonestarbug]

Thank you. I just now researched it. Area of Medway formed in 1998.

[@lonestarbug]

@@neiloflongbeck5705 And as my last name is Clark, my heritage is English.

[@bpfahl6176]

Mr. Hicks, you keep out-doing yourself! This was one of my favorites. It is an absolute delight to watch your enthusiastic, informative, and light-hearted history lessons. Many thanks!

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@julianhuntly9622]

I grew up in Rochester, and visited the castle many times over the years. I had never heard of the pigeon holes. There is always something new to be learnt. Thanks Kevin.

[@gonnafish]

Amazing castle and great history once again Kevin! I would never have guessed about the pigeons! Thank you!

[@johncordes7885]

Perfect gift for Friday morning. Thanks Kevin

[@colmleaf5641]

Your channel is fantastic many thanks for all your hard work. You bring history to life it's terrific!

[@thehistorysquad]

I appreciate that, thank you

[@missshonka2]

Marvelous Kevin Enjoyed it immensely

[@Spartacus45]

Back in the U.K. for a bit then Kev? 🇬🇧 What a stunning place to visit and your right, the castle looks nearly identical to The White Tower. 12 years in The Guards, so know The Tower inside and out. Great video Kev, thank you and have a safe journey home!! 🇨🇦 😉

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers buddy 👍

[@samuelzaagman6769]

I could watch these castle tours by Kevin for hours upon hours.

[@mmcleod8148]

Fantastic. You didn’t need to build a model. It was a beautiful tour. Thank you.

[@thehistorysquad]

😜

[@scrappydoo7887]

The thing is that he did. It's a beautiful show of skills and I'm sure it's an excellent hobby for Kev 👍

[@scrappydoo7887]

*I don't mean that he needed to. It's the commitment I was referring to

[@chrisbosley4685]

What a great tour of a beautiful castle and always with a wealth of architectural and historical knowledge from Mr. Hicks and company. Thanks for another great video.

[@thehistorysquad]

Our pleasure!

[@dcarbs2979]

It is very well proportioned.

[@ianasquith3902]

We used to do school trips to Rochester and Canterbury

[@midnightriot2454]

I remember in primary school when walking along the high street we had to find all the shop names inspired by Dickens :)

[@heatherwade2373]

Thank you Kevin, you’re the best. You save my sanity with your amazing videos.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks !!

[@East_Yorkshire_Scrambler]

More magnificent castles! Thankyou Kevin 🤙

[@StelViri]

Your castle videos are the best! :D Thank you :D

[@johnfranks9271]

Brilliant Kevin thank you Rochester has been part of my life through my college years and all the way back since I was a three year old child taken to the Friday market that was always held in Rochester the castle I have always found it fascinating and your explanation fills in some very interesting details.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wonderful. Glad you enjoyed it

[@chonconnor6144]

Loving these Friday video drops, bullseye everytime.

[@henrysara7716]

Great clip, Kevin. It's a pleasure to follow your steps around history.

[@rozzbozzgames]

Living in Kent since birth and visiting this Castle many times, I'd love to see EH reroof it at some point, keep the weather out and preserve it for future generations. Great video :)

[@jasoncornell1579]

It's no longer EH belongs to the city now

[@carlosrendon824]

I truly admire Kevin's knowledge and his ability to explain the history of castles.

[@CarolFelts-g9b]

I love listening and watching your channel Kevin, as my family originally came from Worthington,England and I have always wanted to go to the UK to see how many of my ancestors lived but with watching you I can hear and see how they lived. You give me all the interesting details but I’m glad I live now and not sure I’d have liked to live back then. Thanks Kevin, I’m glad I found you.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Carol, I'm glad you found us too! All the best.

[@BMO_Creative]

Just an amazing construction!

[@vickywitton1008]

Thank you Kevin!❤

[@_thejava]

Awesome! Thank you for making my Friday! 😊

[@jacobbevers8171]

I can’t believe KZbin didn’t put this in my feed for 7 hours. I need to know asap KZbin. Big love from Tennessee Kevin🤙

[@thehistorysquad]

😂

[@Baldmaxx]

Thanks! Greetings from Virginia Beach, Virginia USA. You're a national treasure, Kevin. Thank you for the awesome tour and storytelling.

[@thehistorysquad]

And thank you for the SUPER, it’s much appreciated, I’m glad you enjoyed the video 👍

[@SoloNewEngland]

Nice! Was looking for another one if the videos. I rewatched all the castle tour series a few days ago. I just returned from the UK so I was already feeling nostalgic lol

[@davidstrother496]

Thanks for taking us along on the tour, Kevin. It takes a lot to make bare stone walls interesting, but you did a masterful job. Cheers from Texas.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it Dave, it's great to get back to the castles when I can.

[@stevestannard6004]

Protect your border David. Those Dems are not patriots.

[@craigmac8392]

i grew up in rochester & it seems strange seeing n hearing the history of a castle so close to my upbringing & early life :) every alley way & street round rochester was my stomping ground lol. brilliant doc.

[@ahooper99]

Your castle tours are fabulous!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks

[@Dexterschnauzer]

absolutley facinating as always

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Brianroadtofaith]

Best documentary of Rocheater castle I have seen. Amazing work and I love it there. Thank you for your amazing work

[@thehistorysquad]

That’s very kind of you, thanks.

[@Brianroadtofaith]

@thehistorysquad your welcome I wish I knew you was there would be amazing to say hi. Thank you for all your hard work.i love the video with William marshal. Would you ever do a video on the knights templar or Temple church. Infact just over Rochester bridge there is Temple manor you would like

[@thehistorysquad]

@@Brianroadtofaith yes quite possibly one day I'll get to it. 👍

[@dokpikun-bg3en]

Absolutely wonderful, as always!! Thank you for this :)

[@thehistorysquad]

A pleasure 👍

[@VivReuss-oz1dj]

You really bring a pile of stone to life. I’ve seen castles but not through your eyes. You’d make an incredible tour leader if you are ever so inclined. I’d go on that trip!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Viv

[@evilladollyz7602]

Imagine how many eras that place has seen come and go. If walks could talk ...wow... Thank you my friend Kevin... Awesome video! ❤❤❤

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@michaelkeller5008]

Thanks for the tour, Kevin!

[@thehistorysquad]

You bet!

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Splendid, as expected.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Dave

[@Lordstephen7813]

That was awesome . Brought back memories . In about1966 My Nan and Grandad were live in caretakers of Charles Dickens's house just down the high street from the castle and as lads my brother and I would play up at the castle . 65 now so that was a few years ago. I remember the canon there used to be at the head of the stairs. Thank you so much for your hard work . I will share this with my lads.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, how lovely

[@sam7687-i9b]

Great one Kevin nice always enjoyable to watch and learn .

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks 👍

[@dokpikun-bg3en]

STUNNING

[@thatflightsimguy]

I recently got into history and I can't explain it but there is something lovely about imagining how things used to be but we can never be sure. It's like an itch you can't scratch. But it keeps me coming back.

[@doinke]

Absolutely amazing man you are sir, a great inspiration to me as always, history is the most important subject to understand really and without a doubt requires huge levels of focus and discipline to fully understand rather than just reading

[@7Cherubim]

When you look at the castle and the different details of it, you can imagine the people living there at the time. The sense of the past time is so very strong. Yet another wonderfully put together video, and so very informative.

[@chrisdonlon5603]

fabulous as always

[@kelizabeth3061]

ive been binging all of the castle tour videos the past few days 😭😭!! perfect timing thank you kevinnnnn 🫶🫶

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure 👍

[@keithwalmsley1830]

Another fantastic video, thanks Kevin, you are undoubtedly the best historian on KZbin IMO, keep up the great work!! ✌

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks again!

[@scrappydoo7887]

Its always great to see our favourite historian, bowman, veteran, police officer and all round great entertaining man uploading for us all 👍👍

[@thehistorysquad]

😁

[@kirkmorrison6131]

It came up just as I was heading to bed after a sleepless night. Heck I had put off bed and watch this video first

[@thehistorysquad]

😜 just what you need to take your mind off things

[@Smudge-1993]

Smokes on standby AND The History Squad? Great start to the weekend! Keep up the great work mate. ❤ from a subscriber.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Smudge 👍

[@tliltocatlalbopilosa1513]

Masterful presentation as always Kev. Every upload is a pleasure to watch. Thanks!

[@dganim9196]

Hi Kevin, An absolutely terrific presentation. You can get lost in the engineering of these castles. The forethought of the pigeon nooks and strategic placement of the well for peace and war time is amazing. Thank you both for the excellent video and tour.

[@jodieg6318]

Perfect timing, today is my birthday and I get a tour of the mighty Rotchester castle! 😊

[@thehistorysquad]

Happy Birthday Jodie!

[@benvincent6747]

Most interesting guide with a magnet to learn from Mr. Kevin. Thank you😊

[@ashtraydekay6624]

seeing the inside of some of the staircases, and the hallways, always brings me joy, thanks for adding those in!

[@louisemerriman1079]

Absolute treat . Thankyou kevin

[@bansenpy5553]

❤just in time

[@egallagher41]

Listening to your (brilliant) tale and looking at the castle reminded me of a film that I had seen "Ironclad" all about the siege and its history, great film but you do it so much better, thank you.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thank you! Ironclad, it was a good film though wasn't it 😉

[@garyi.1360]

Great tour, Kevin. It's like I was there. And that's nice because I haven't been to that part of the country.

[@alililley5697]

I love opening this app and seeing a new Medieval video from you!!! 🎉

[@jdstocco84]

I just got home from work and opened KZbin and saw Rochester Castle, and said "F**King a right, man!" I remember the name from the movie Iron Clad. Now I must start the show, it's gonna be a good one.

[@thehistorysquad]

That was a really good movie.

[@Batters56]

It’s on my visit list!

[@williammoore9794]

This is a great video. I went to Rochester Castle for the first time earlier this year, so I really appreciate getting more information about it. Thank you

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@crystalclear6864]

Tks kevin.such joy

[@OliverMartin-xk6rd]

Kevin continues to carry the message! Thank you for taking us along another stellar tour!

[@gazzertrn]

Another goodun Kev . Cheers .

[@bainpoultry1075]

Dear Kevin, I bet your account of Matthew Hopkins would be a great story and including the methods used on those poor souls God bless them. Your story telling is always by far the best!!!

[@thehistorysquad]

Food for thought, thanks!

[@Chris-mj9vm]

Oh yeah another castle upload 😁🎉

[@sfcsabo1319]

I absolutely love Kevin’s historic videos! I wish Kevin would do a collaboration with Time Team! That would be epic!

[@allanburt5250]

Excellent Kevin, been a long time since i was down there. Enjoy your visit back Cheers

[@anavergeplayer57]

another great video

[@monk_fps]

Always a good day when Kevin posts

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

Good one Kevin! Thanks for this one!

[@patcallahan485]

Only you can stand in front of a stone wall, start speaking, and make that wall come alive! Another amazing video, thank you!…. Orlando, Florida USA 🏝️😎

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Pat!

[@lainydepp]

Love the castle videos 😊❤

[@colinp2238]

Another bostin video, full of interesting facts of history. I can imagine you as a guide at these historic sites telling the tourists the stories and them standing there listening with their mouths open.

[@jackransom.]

gorgeous castle and beautiful arches, thanks! Can imagine the woodwork.

[@zact2342]

Great tour! Thank you for passing on these important and intriguing details

[@bostarbird5282]

Another wonderful tour of the past. The way you describe it all I could imagine what it must have looked like. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@BarbarosaAlexander]

Always good to listen while doing my nerd night crafting.

[@arthurthrasher1580]

Always great😊

[@kyledavidheiser7873]

Thank you! Your castle tours are my favorite

[@williampollock1274]

Thanks! I bet this Castle would have been something to see back then. An engineering marvel.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hey William, thanks again for the SUPER. The keep at Rochester here is very imposing but yes, can you imagine in its prime?

[@williampollock1274]

@@thehistorysquad I haven't watched for a couple months. But the way you keep up with your fans comments you will see that I've been binge-watching all afternoon. As a yank I'm off to bed while you are just waking up.😂👍😁

[@mitchel8522]

Yes, another castle tour. Magnificent Kevin!

[@thehistorysquad]

Many thanks!

[@buggyman95]

Always love your castle tours. Going to a castle is always a great day out in my opinion. You can really see what life was like as every member of a community had some impact on a castle

[@thehistorysquad]

So true!

[@buzsalmon]

Kev thank you so much for telling us all about this castle! And each and every one of your wonderful videos! You are the best ole copper brother I know ❤️ all your work.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers! Much appreciated 👍

[@PSDuck216]

Kevin, cracking good tour of the castle! Here’s a small but historical point. King John did not sign the Magna Carta. He and the other nobles affixed their seals to it with sealing wax. That’s how it was done in the day. The Victorians and other artists never researched this well enough. Even though I don’t comment each time, I view every one of your productions and give it a thumbs up. You warm my historian’s heart. Carry on! Cheers!

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers buddy, much appreciated.

[@lifagrass]

Another fantastic video! Felt like I was actually there with you while you took me thru the castles, not just watching thru a video! Thank you SO much!!!!

[@thehistorysquad]

That’s really good to hear, thanks

[@freefall146]

Just join the previous comment, Kevin is the best storyteller on the scene and the quality of content is matching.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks very much 👍

[@meredithc2755]

Fascinating! Everything was interesting, but the pigeon cubbies idea was a new one for me. Ingenious!

[@stephenrickstrew7237]

Thanks for another episode from a master Storyteller.. However … now you have mentioned siege towers .. I do hope they and their history “ thru the ages “ .. it might involve some model making would be worthy of the History squad’s Treatment.. Cheers and Thanks again …!

[@thehistorysquad]

Indeed, the 100 years war series isn't over yet 👍

[@margomaloney6016]

You are amazing - you know castle construction details like the back of your hand! I loved the info about the double row of pigeon nooks! Thanks for sharing, Kevin! 🥰

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it!