What Was Life Really Like for Medieval Nobility in Europe?

In the medieval feudal system, the nobility were generally those who held a fief, often land or office under vassalage in exchange for military allegiance to their sovereign.
Living alongside serfs, it was their duty to ensure that the peasants, craftsmen and clergymen were defended so that they could live in peace and act as judges to handle disputes.
To explore the often ostentatious and gluttonous lifestyles of the nobility, Eleanor Janega visits Hedingham Castle, perhaps the best preserved Norman keep in Essex, England.
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[@jess53nz]

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

[@WhoShortsVids]

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

[@SeanCSHConsulting]

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

[@peterlavelle3261]

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

[@WhoShortsVids]

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

[@MegCazalet]

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

[@jennh2096]

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

[@deborahcavel-greant6155]

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

[@badart3204]

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

[@debbylou5729]

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

[@suran396]

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

[@2msvalkyrie529]

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

[@nonamesarentreal6089]

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

[@jonnybgoode7742]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 irony

[@nonamesarentreal6089]

@jonnybgoode7742 Wow, you know a word

[@jonnybgoode7742]

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

[@booteefullmoosic]

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

[@jamesbooth3360]

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

[@shelleyleach9589]

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

[@wandac396]

My thoughts exactly.

[@marycarter5025]

They were.

[@doggod4]

*Led

[@hannahtaft456]

You and me both 🤔🤨

[@CALLMESIR...]

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

[@DefendTheStar]

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

[@erich2099]

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

[@kaylew108]

Are you sure?

[@peterlavelle3261]

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

[@BOBBOBBOBBOBBOBBOB69]

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

[@casualpreparedness2347]

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

[@thebowandbullet]

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

[@peterlavelle3261]

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

[@BriarRouge]

SAME.

[@voz805]

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

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

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

[@mustyfan1584]

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

[@rolandstockham1905]

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

[@aaronsinger]

That is fantastic, I envy you. I too grew up in 60s Britain and there was much to explore! We had a "parsonage" near our house, an abandoned mansion and grounds that we were free to explore. There was a secret room behind a cupboard and an external cellar probably used for cold storage. We roamed the grounds at will. We had bonfires on the grounds during Guy Fawkes. There was nothing keeping us out, no signs, and no sign of ownership. Now everything in England is accounted for and locked down. That old parsonage (Handforth, Cheshire) is a children's park now, the mansion gone. There was an abandoned RAF base in the area, too, with hangars and towers and derelict equipment. That is now a huge shopping center and motorway bypass going through grass fields. I wish I could have seen it all in the 19th century or before.

[@aaronsinger]

@@dannetterousseau4095 Thank you for your kind and unexpected comment. :)

[@pinkfloydmarch16]

I'm so jealous of your experience 😢

[@nancytestani1470]

Wow, cool

[@itsthesimplelife]

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

[@peterlavelle3261]

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

[@billieberube32]

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

[@Amanda-il8ks]

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

[@ianross04]

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

[@cellgrrl]

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

[@gmaureen]

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

[@Liubomyr7]

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

[@Michael-jx9bh]

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

[@billyjean3118]

On the ground floor?

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@billyjean3118 Yes

[@brenda1378]

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

[@72442conv]

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

[@lamoinette23]

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

[@Baskerville22]

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

[@crystalcastillo7575]

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

[@kevinjohnbetts]

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

[@MadamoftheCatHouse]

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

[@alexd.3048]

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

[@jgt2598]

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

[@WinstonSmithGPT]

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

[@peterlavelle3261]

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

[@toscadonna]

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

[@brenda1378]

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

[@user-om9qg3vr3r]

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

[@zralokvemigraci]

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

[@Ellen24493]

What a lovely message.

[@staceymurray3475]

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

[@jetsons101]

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

[@aaronsinger]

I'll have to check that out. I still have that image in my mind of cold, grey interiors even though I know better.

[@user-TonyUK]

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

[@aaronsinger]

That's a pretty big point, actually! The de Vere family is mentioned often in this video, and Robert de Vere of this castle was one of the twelve Barons who signed the Magna Carta.

[@jancole9100]

I don't think so.

[@user-TonyUK]

I KNOW SO @@jancole9100

[@Mr__Chicken]

Why the quotation marks around "original"?

[@user-TonyUK]

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

[@nikkifrancis8251]

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

[@samright4661]

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

[@TheBlownGSR]

You’re a damn genius.

[@SBel65]

I think it was called Black Adder…🤣

[@samright4661]

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

[@SBel65]

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

[@jeremyd1869]

That is a great idea.

[@philturner1826]

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

[@danieldayton3497]

Most apparently U are not of right mind

[@geoffcameron1138]

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

[@davidrobinson8705]

Mistake at the beginning! Motte is the keep/bit at the top. The Bailey is the bit that surrounds it. Castle building 101 🤷🏻‍♂️ Defend the Bailey then retreat to the Motte.

[@Lord_Warden_of_the_Marches]

I noticed that as well.

[@kennedy250980]

Sounded like a misread of motte vs moat

[@peterlavelle3261]

@@kennedy250980 she gets far too many definitions wrong, and mispronounces a hell of a lot of words all the way throughout this video - its excruciating and jarring for anyone English.... the American audience seems to be simping for her though, albeit through ignorance....

[@queenofwater8783]

This is where Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, was born and lived until his father, John de Vere, 16th Earl of Oxford, died (perhaps murdered). Edward then was sent to live with William Cecil, Lord Burghley and chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.

[@jakecavendish3470]

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

[@leeannbennett8200]

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

[@aaronsinger]

@@leeannbennett8200 Probably both. They needed small windows for defensive reasons, and those windows let in little light, but that was fine because the lowly servants could do without.

[@leeannbennett8200]

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

[@corinnelane8597]

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

[@peterlavelle3261]

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

[@GamerIvar]

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

[@kevinjohnbetts]

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

[@Jeremy_the_unfallible_n-a]

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

[@Heylon1313]

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

[@danieldayton3497]

Sorry to hear that

[@kathejohnson4241]

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

[@ianmcmillan5590]

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

[@chris.asi_romeo]

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

[@jennifermott5651]

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

[@garysmith3173]

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

[@kariannecrysler640]

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

[@universeexplorer6046]

Dr Janega is an excellent instructor and presenter.

[@PapriceP]

This lady is awesome.

[@PrometheusZandski]

What she is explaining is how the current UK society works. People of the nobility are granted unfettered access to riches, food, power and dominance over all the rest of the country. Common people have to fight and scrap for whatever they can get. Welcome to the new Midlevel England.

[@Herzankerkreuz67]

Correct, nothing has changed !

[@bluberirainbows]

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

[@Jay-ql4gp]

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

[@andrewmcalister3462]

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

[@AMX86]

Excellent series, great content. Thank you!

[@andyv911999]

This is an amazing series of videos, loving them

[@emmichwan]

0:46: 🏰 The video discusses the nobility in the medieval period. 4:23: 🏰 The video discusses the features of Chevron and Norman architecture in English castles. 8:55: 💼 Members of the nobility in England after the Norman conquests served in the military in exchange for their titles. 12:32: 💼 The nobility in medieval England were willing to engage in military conflicts to maintain control and gain land. 16:20: 🏰 Medieval castles were brightly painted with colorful geometric shapes, contrary to the popular perception of them being dark and dingy. 20:25: 🏰 The video explores the minstrel gallery and the architecture of the banqueting hall in De Vere family's private chambers. 24:26: 🏰 The video discusses the importance of wealth and land ownership in medieval times, particularly for noble families who owned castles and hunting parks. Recap by Tammy AI

[@jamesmaddison4546]

Bloody AI... do your own work 😂

[@DresGarB]

Fantastic content. I appreciate Eleanor's enthusiasm!

[@chrislaarman7532]

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

[@fredocarroll]

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

[@deborahking2955]

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

[@fredocarroll]

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

[@SeanCSHConsulting]

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

[@fredocarroll]

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

[@SeanCSHConsulting]

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

[@Tipi_Dan]

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

[@marshhen]

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

[@Desertbearsangel]

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

[@TheREALJWMGaming]

I'm a simple man, I see Dr Janega, I click

[@ApaProductions]

Yeah you are fucking simple

[@TheREALJWMGaming]

@@ApaProductions tits

[@cijmo]

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

[@brookebrowning1096]

Enjoy Dr Janega so much! Fascinating

[@jchow5966]

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

[@samright4661]

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

[@peterlavelle3261]

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

[@anmnou]

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

[@Emthe30something]

I LOVED this series!!! More please.

[@thomassanio8745]

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

[@elybaby4771]

Love her stuff!!!

[@mikedtw]

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

[@eddyd8745]

Really nice summary, thanks Eleanor.

[@cherylyoke4872]

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

[@jetsons101]

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

[@franklesser5655]

Pretty sure that the lowest windows are narrow as part of the fortifications, making them hard to get into. but still able to fire arrows out of.

[@robcreel4257]

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

[@ingriddurant2946]

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

[@GMac2776]

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

[@Paladin966]

Thoroughly enjoyed this series

[@Lizzy00088]

Excellent presentation!

[@paulcrombie9623]

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

[@TheHouseSpeciaI]

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

[@williamburroughs9686]

What you call windows at the bottom are really called arrow slits. They were built for the defenders to shoot out of. Made narrow so the enemy could not shoot back into them. Having too much woodland would not have been a problem when they were building the castle. As wood would have been needed in just about everything from cooking to heating, to building and so on. I would love to see another documentary of this castle once all of the renovations are complete.

[@peterlavelle3261]

i would love to see a documentary about this castle from someone who can pronounce English correctly, and gets their facts correct.... shame this presenter falls incredibly short of the mark...

[@williamburroughs9686]

@@peterlavelle3261 Here: Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold. They did a documentary in a castle in France. Don't worry, they speak English. You will love it.

[@BSG0005]

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

[@zahraazizi302]

Thank you dr.Janega for the amazing video

[@BradBorkowski]

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

[@michaelstephan5685]

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

[@mimionthecatwalk9711]

A playlist of these videos is needed.

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@chyannehainstock7842]

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

[@olifrg]

"if you're bringing a huge banquet up to the banqueting floor which is on the second floor you need to make sure it is piping hot in order to get across the yard". I have read quite a bit on medieval dining and the "removes" which we would now call "courses" and from what I have read it seems temperature was not an issue and that most dishes were served cold. I would love to know the sources that show it was served hot as this is not the impression I have been given from the current history, the fact the courses were indeed served hot is interesting.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

Thank you for shedding light on my ancestors.

[@tondakremble6660]

Love it & Dr. Janega! More, more!👏

[@williamrobinson7435]

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

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

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

[@nancytoothaker3224]

Really enjoying these, informative and entertaining as well

[@NikkiDoesStufff]

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

[@insulaarachnid]

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

[@chrisball3778]

My mum used to take me to Hedingham Castle sometimes when I was a kid. It's a really fantastic place. Confusingly Hedingham Castle is found in a village called Castle Hedingham. Great to have a tour of the place with Dr Janega.

[@karenlenk1724]

Love this series. Thank you.

[@traceymarshall5868]

'Rich guys tag!' Love it! Your commentary is insightful with a great sense of humor. You have a wonderful mixture of knowledge mixed with a sense of gaiety! 😊

[@matthieulamiable4757]

Life in our period look likes lot a different things to lots of different people. Your place in society can dictate everything, from what food you eat, where you can go, how educated you are and even how long you are likely to live for.

[@966Mako]

At 2:30 you got all the Motte and Bailey info backwards. The Motte is the mound of dirt with the Keep on top & the Bailey is the fortified enclosed area down below. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motte-and-bailey_castle It’s a worry you guys got that wrong.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

It, no doubt, will just be a mix up and not that she didn't know. They probably should put corrections in though in the edit but I assume an historian isn't doing the edits.

[@peterlavelle3261]

@@TheStevenWhiting i've been told by multiple Americans in this comment thread that she has a MA in Medieval History, and because of that her word is gospel - i've been told that despite being an Englishman I should "shut up with any criticism" of her inaccurate pronunciations & interpretations of our history

[@peterlavelle3261]

her pronunciation of English was terrible throughout.... calling the "DOOMsday Book" the "DOMEsday Book" was unforgivable for an Englishman (because of the societal connotations and impact of the register as part of the feudal system and Norman conquest)

[@peterlavelle3261]

Eleanor should learn what "arrow-slit" actually is nb: it's not for "servant's light" 😂

[@rrr92462]

Great narration. Excellent explanation of life during that period.

[@asprywrites6327]

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

[@michaeladolph7134]

Really enjoyed this video. Greetings from Germany

[@michelleduplooymalherbe2837]

wow, i found this so fascinating, i would LOVE to see the place in its original colours, it is nearly unimaginable - like she said we think of castles as dark gloomy places but people must have liked just like now nice things......

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

I dont normally like American history buffs, but this lady is really accurately knowledgeable and academically gifted, i enjoy her videos.

[@splanzer]

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

[@forlorndream1400]

You don't want all that wood near your castle as you want clear sightlines to shoot arrows at the enemy. You also don't want to leave a handy source of raw materials for building siege weapons.

[@archielatus]

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

[@johnhemphill1938]

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

[@jiwik731]

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