I have been lucky enough to have spent the last 30 years as a stonemason, specializing in the restoration of buildings of historical import. I learned from some of the finest masters in my home country of Canada, the USA and the UK, to whom I owe everything. Both my grandfathers were in the trade, one being from London and the other from Aberdeenshire, and together they gave me an early start, mixing mortar, carrying bricks and striking joints during the summer months from the time I was 13. They also gave me the insight to know that the only buildings I would ever work on in my life that would still be standing after I was gone, were the ones that were there long before I was born. So there I have spent my years, in the guts of monasteries and manor houses, keeps and cathedrals, with a Brummie and an Irishman from Antrim.
@@adamfrbs9259 Do an Amazon search for Willie Gavin: Crofter Man by David Kerr Cameron. The title character is my Great Uncle Willy, the one who stayed. Although this book is listed as fiction, it is actually a compendium of oral family stories of our family spanning through 3 generations, and those of some of the other local population thrown in for filler. Although the narrative of the story is focused on Willie, most of the confirmable tales are actually attributed to my Great grandfather John Gavin, the "boys usually being referred to are usually in fact Willy and my Grandfather Ralph, with one in particular tale being of a boy playing with matches under a hay wagon, which in life was my father with a Zippo and the TV Guide under a gasoline tanker. I'm pretty sure I've worked on that keep but I can't remember the name of it off hand. I've had several concussions, please forgive. Let me go through my records and see. We've done lots of work for the Trust. Better yet let me make a quick call and check back shortly. Let me know if it's the same place.
@@efisgpr Thank you. Most of my siblings and relatives are teachers and professors. I was the one who showed the most promise and decided to go a different way, much to the disappointment of many. I make more money than all of them and I don't have to rely on the taxpayer for my daily bread.
i’m so glad channels like this exist…im absolutely fascinated by the medieval time period…thank you so much…it’s also nice to know so many other have the same love for history as me
Loved this documentary! The narrator is nicely unpretentious and easy to listen to and learn from. Please make many more of these Medieval themed documentaries! As an American with an avid interest in England in the Middle Ages, I can’t get enough. Thank you
This is one of the best documentaries on castle construction I've seen. Rarely do they go into how the funds, resources and labor were raised to build the castles. Stone masonry is awesome.
Do people who are building this Castle have their own documentary about it they shown every step of the way through all the years since they started the successful finding it way more interesting this was a good one but they do it better
Hell...idk about you, but I live in the USA where a couple hundred years is old. And I'm amazed at the skill required to make, and the general history of, a well made old stone wall. So European castles? Pshhh. Practically getting moist just thinking about them... 🤪😜
What amazes me is the fact that these magnificent edifices are still standing today and yet anything built today is temporary. I always marvel at the engineering of these beautiful buildings. 🇦🇺👍🏻😁
there is a reason for that. it s called hide the truth with freemasonry . the real truth would seem unbelievable to most these structures must be destroyed because they don't erode or fall in storms and quakes. secret keepers know.
I think there is something profound in how long lasting they are - they are not unlike far more ancient structures and built on the "technology" of what was proven to work through war and time, and we have sort of lost track of that - which in a weird way is like doing science, in a time of almost anti-science. Now in our "high tech" times, we often believe the hype about new tech, weaponry, etc that is untested. On the other hand they just looked for what lasted forever (rocks) and built from that, like prehistorics used caves, peaks, etc
I have always been fascinated by English history and these castles especially. It is amazing to look upon buildings that have been around for hundreds of years, even 1000+. Not to mention they are beautiful works of art and took a great deal of skill to create. I loved this video! Much appreciated. Good on Britain for ensuring this history stays so beautifully preserved!
the docu called -building a castle with 13 century tools they are going make a castle just like in the 13 century Its in youtube i think you like that one as well
The French archeological castle buikd thats been going on for a while is one of the coolest recreation projects. All colleges and fields of history and art should take on such endless project of building massive city blocks of periods. Turn it into massive tourist learning centers
@@TRex-dd4ze if your a noble then yes it would be fun but most us would have been peasants and that was an awful life you proberly wouldn't live to see 30
Here in Finland,where i live,we don't have many castles.But what never stops amaze me is how little we know of these castles later times?It's well known and documented who built these, and when these were built,but not what happened then?How,and why did the people abandoned these?
I'm no expert, but I heard castles disappear due to gun powder. You've seen LOTR (Lord of the rings) where the goblins blew a hole in the castle wall with gunpowder. Plus it takes a long time & manpower to build these. And you can't run wiring & plumbing through the walls, well you can, but it takes more work than drywall.
The Roman roads would go as deep as 21 feet, big rocks, smaller and smaller with flat one on top. This was the reason some stretches are still, after 2000 years in existence.
The Road of Kings by Robert E.Howard When I was a fighting-man, the kettle-drums they beat; The people scattered gold-dust before my horse’s feet; But now I am a great king, the people hound my track With poison in my wine-cup, and daggers at my back. Gleaming shell of an outworn lie; fable of Right divine - You gained your crowns by heritage, but Blood was the price of mine. The throne that I won by blood and sweat, by Crom, I will not sell For promise of valleys filled with gold, or threat of the Halls of Hell! What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king.
Ahh the days when the labor force wasnt just a pair of hands but people who considered themselves craftsman and invested their heart and soul into every hammer strike and axe blow, very impressive, I can only hope to have that much investment into my own work
Can't help but, everytime I hear Richard the Lionheart mentioned, being reminded how very English it is that two if the arguably most fsmous mythological figures, King Arthur and Robin Hood, had they ever met, would have despised one another. The stories of Arthur state he wasxa staunch advocate of the Normans, while Robin attacked anyone he even thought to even resemble a Norman.
I'm a retired bricklayer and have traveled Europe. When I stand before a church or castle, I am amazed. And thanks for saying "masonry". It ain't masonary!
37:57 "was forced to borrow heavily from foreign bankers" an episode exploring that fact alone would be extremely fascinating in my opinion. following the money trail reveals so much more than what is visible on the surface
Thats why the freemasons were commissioned to oversee some of the most ornate and grand building projects in American History. They had all of the trigonometry and geometry preserved by the original freemasons of the British Isles.
forging knives as a hobby made me become highly aware of how hard it is to make things and made me appreciate and marvel at things people did before electricity and other modern conveniences and tools. I dont know how they did it actually.
Castles are awesome but I think that the cathedrals of Europe built by generations of medieval craftsmen are the pinnacle of amazing & aesthetically glorious architecture.
Noone ever stated that castles are a pinnacle of medieval architecture. Now it's a common knowledge that cathedrals are the pinaccle. So what are you trying to say?
@@laius6047 I'm not "trying" to say, I am stating my opinion that I like & appreciate medieval castles but i believe that the cathedrals built & begun during the middle ages are the highest level of craftsmanship in architecture in human history. Also, everyone does not believe that medieval era cathedrals are the pinnacle of architecture. It's not a universal opinion, but it's what I think, as I said.
I toured the Scloss in Heidelberg, Germany about 30 years ago. What had been rebuilt, anyway. Apparently after the last resident fled, the townspeople took the effort to go up the mountain and tear it apart stone by stone to build their own homes in the valley. There's a model of it in its heyday, and I gotta say, I wouldn't care to live in it, but I would like to be on the guest list of those who do.
There isn’t any architecture today that inspires the imagination of people like castles. Not even a 1000 foot skyscraper, or hydroelectric dam has the same magic. The world before gunpowder must have been unreal.
Too bad they’re lying to you and not telling you the truth about these bastion forts and castles. They were built prior to the formation of the US constitution. Do some research into Campbell of autodidact and John Levi. The actuality of building these structures with primitive technology is palpably laughable.
Think it’s cool I’m not the only one who enjoys learning new things! It’s just the best! Idk your in school growing up forced to learn what they want to teach and when you leave you have complete freedom to learn whatever you want haha! Love history and language learning languages breaks down many barriers! Maybe a second and third language should be taught in main public schools as a main course
Alot, well most of english castles where purposely distroyed to stop the aristocracy having strong holds to collect taxes once parliament took the place of lords and kings . This distruction was lead by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century after the civil war. If memory serves .. dont hold me to the date. British histoy is not my strong point. There was a huge champain to make most of the scatters castles compleatly un useable ever again as strong holds to keep others from using them in the future against parliaments place on England. Without fortification scttered all over the place, rebellion against parliment was a bit harder to ever to be considered. In theroy. Then there is just the cost of upkeep that even Buckingham palace stuggles with cost wise. Its a shame such feets of engineering history was mostly distoryed by politics.
This was the age of serfdom. Almost everyone was a serf and farmer who had to furnish about half their produce to the king and in addition do unpaid work for a period, every year. One could say the serfs furnished the labor and the masons were hired for skilled labor to build a castle. If you didn't like being a near slave, you could revolt or complain to the king who would promptly kill you.
And today nearly half of your income is stripped away via taxes and if you dare refuse to pay they’ll arrest you, and if you violently resist they’ll kill you. Not much changed
Very true we went through a reset/mud flood if you will and the hidden hand took over. Just look around the world and see the similarities in old world architecture: Buried windows, entrances to higher levels, ancient canals lined with blocks, Star forts around the world and other building feats that boggle the mind with little to no explanation.
Rubbish. Many modern buildings will easily last thousands of years. These castles are not even 1000 yet. And its hard to say its standing if it has no floors or roof.
What incredible Documentary, always wonder how they build those castle's Never had a clue what was evolved, it might be elementary knowledge to children in Britain and the United Kingdom but here in the states, it was some how left out of our schooling. Thank you again it puts a whole different perspective on how countries were conquered.
A UA-cam channel called, 'Absolute History' has a 5 part documentary called 'Secrets of the Castle', which shows hands-on building of an actual, (reproduction) castle, with period tools and techniques. I think it's been about a 50 year project, so far.
This is more of a general history of castles rather than the actual construction them. It's a nice documentary, aside from the overly dramatic sound effects; but the title is misleading.
@@SVAFnemesis Like I said, he barely even tried. The actor in 26:48 in the background can be seen striking a chisel with hammer without actually contacting the stone…imagine how hard that must have been to do.
Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam. " Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"
they are on every land on this planet. all over north America in the 1800's till freemasons took them down with wars and strife. they don't fall by themselves .built to last forever by better folks than us.
@@andzzz2 Great minds think alike. I checked this out and found I'd already given it a thumbs up. You're right. This is video is exactly what Big Birdy (I hate phony monikers) is talking about.
A few pictures of the Guedelon project in France would have been nice. They are building a 13th century castle exclusively with 13th century methods and tools.
Who moved the Marches? I grew up less than an hour's ride from the Marches and they are Not on the coast! they are the English/Welsh borders of Shropshire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and places like Powys. You know, the Border? The Marcher Lords were trusted 'employees' of the king, who were granted lands on the border, providing they kept law and order and subdued the Welsh. They pretty much had their own mini kingdoms, and built their own castles. It is called delegation. Also saves the crown a bundle And they have to raise armies when you need em!
Use Google and find out, you could have your answer within seconds. Come on man, how are we supposed to help you when we don't even know where you live or anything.
@@gregorybentley5707 people just want to talk to other people with similar interest im positive he knew he can go to google but he wanted to have a human interaction under the comment section his chooce to comment was not a practical one but a emotional one
I would LOVE to see the interior floors of Rochester Castle reconstructed. And maybe some other interior restorations, like the ones they’ve done at the Tower of London and Dover Castle. I feel like the overall integrity of the structure would be more solidified, thus preserving it longer by preventing it from crumbling into ruins.
Very disappointing. Where are the masons? Where are the tools that they used? How did they arrive at the measurements required to make it all work? In short, where are the Masters & Masons? A little less royalty re-enactment and a little more craftsmen if you please. A little less needlessly overly dramatic music wouldn't hurt either. Big thumbs down in this episode.
They took the bugle song from saving private ryan. It plays in the scene where the army realizes so many brothers had died and they read Lincolns civil war letter
If bankrupting your realms, not producing an heir and leaving your patrimony decimated through incompetent and inattentive administration is the criteria, then Richard I was “a great king.”
Why would your enemy stand idly by waiting the months or even years it would take to build your castle before laying seige? Why not attack and defeat you before youve completed your protective walls and keeps?
31:55 someone tell me about this medieval train bridge is that just recreation to go with the castle theme or was it a bridge originally and upgraded whats the story?
The train was invented in around 1800 in Wales I think. So the train tracks were surely added later. They either added it later or modified an existing passage way designed for horses and wagons.
@@brokentombot looks like a gatehouse but im just realizing the stone is so much newer it must be just a reproduction to go with the tourist area. thought it would be cool if they used part of a medieval bridge er something and modernized it to handle the weight er something. like moving a castle.
@@greensoplenty6809 Yeah. I think it's likely made to look like it was always there but obviously made in 1900s or sooner. Cool idea though. I live in the U.S. so we don't have any castles
@@brokentombot when i was a kid my mom took me to hearst castle, was a big disappointment to me, its more like big mansion villa kinda thing called a castle. im in california, spent the night at fort ross in 4th grade that was real cool, 1700's russian wooden fort from when california was russian.
@@greensoplenty6809 Hearst Castle is not a proper castle. Like you said it's just a mansion. I've visited forts all across the US. Nothing comes close to being a castle as they are all designed like a barracks and bunker more than a medieval fortress. I could be wrong but I've just never seen a real castle in the U.S. Which makes sense as the U.S. had military conflicts only in the era of gunpowder cannons so why make a big target? Best to keep low and spread out.
An interesting video about HISTORY. But it fails miserably in that it doesn't fulfill the title of the video. The emphasis of the video should have been on the workmen, at all levels, and what they, the workmen, did in performing their jobs! While kings and princes may have ordered the building of the castles, they have absolutely NOTHING to do with the actual building of the castles.
While I agree with the sentiment, they almost always worked closely with the master masons, who we would today cal lead architects in the same manner rich people work with architects today. It varied greatly from Lord to Lord and project to project but it's very untrue to say they were uninvolved.
I feel you are correct. I wanted to see how it was constructed and the composition of the mortar or cement used and more on the defenses. But much time was spent on the dramatization as is the curse of many a modern documentary.
It can't really be explained how they were actually built so they just talk about other things to distract you from their inability to answer their own question.
And the economics of the taxation that collected such excess wealth and HOW the workmen were manipulated by coinage into doing the king's bidding, instead of homesteading and raising their families.....just like today
Half way through watching this and giving up. Lots about different historical figures, but seems weak on actual construction techniques. Perhaps I'll give it another look another day.
I have been lucky enough to have spent the last 30 years as a stonemason, specializing in the restoration of buildings of historical import. I learned from some of the finest masters in my home country of Canada, the USA and the UK, to whom I owe everything. Both my grandfathers were in the trade, one being from London and the other from Aberdeenshire, and together they gave me an early start, mixing mortar, carrying bricks and striking joints during the summer months from the time I was 13. They also gave me the insight to know that the only buildings I would ever work on in my life that would still be standing after I was gone, were the ones that were there long before I was born. So there I have spent my years, in the guts of monasteries and manor houses, keeps and cathedrals, with a Brummie and an Irishman from Antrim.
Aberdeenshire is where the castle from my family roots is. Never been there.
You are a born writer.
@@adamfrbs9259 Do an Amazon search for Willie Gavin: Crofter Man by David Kerr Cameron. The title character is my Great Uncle Willy, the one who stayed. Although this book is listed as fiction, it is actually a compendium of oral family stories of our family spanning through 3 generations, and those of some of the other local population thrown in for filler. Although the narrative of the story is focused on Willie, most of the confirmable tales are actually attributed to my Great grandfather John Gavin, the "boys usually being referred to are usually in fact Willy and my Grandfather Ralph, with one in particular tale being of a boy playing with matches under a hay wagon, which in life was my father with a Zippo and the TV Guide under a gasoline tanker. I'm pretty sure I've worked on that keep but I can't remember the name of it off hand. I've had several concussions, please forgive. Let me go through my records and see. We've done lots of work for the Trust. Better yet let me make a quick call and check back shortly. Let me know if it's the same place.
@@efisgpr Thank you. Most of my siblings and relatives are teachers and professors. I was the one who showed the most promise and decided to go a different way, much to the disappointment of many. I make more money than all of them and I don't have to rely on the taxpayer for my daily bread.
I've been fortunately enough to have become the owner of a time machine, and to have gone back in time to see how they carved stone
As a disabled veteran with mobility issues I occupy a lot of my time watching these history documentaries. Very educational and entertaining.
I love how everyone has to use the "as a" like it gives you clout. No one cares.
Thanks for your sacrifices in the pursuit of protecting my freedom
@@navigator8222 At least it isn't as bad as Internet trolls who hide behind a screen name and start their comments with "I love how everyone..."
@@TheREALJosephTurner I bet you thought that was clever.
@@navigator8222 I love Chewbacca mom
i’m so glad channels like this exist…im absolutely fascinated by the medieval time period…thank you so much…it’s also nice to know so many other have the same love for history as me
Loved this documentary! The narrator is nicely unpretentious and easy to listen to and learn from. Please make many more of these Medieval themed documentaries! As an American with an avid interest in England in the Middle Ages, I can’t get enough. Thank you
Brainwashing the young at 3.40 the 'baron' appears to be a black man.
This is one of the best documentaries on castle construction I've seen. Rarely do they go into how the funds, resources and labor were raised to build the castles. Stone masonry is awesome.
Do people who are building this Castle have their own documentary about it they shown every step of the way through all the years since they started the successful finding it way more interesting this was a good one but they do it better
Hell...idk about you, but I live in the USA where a couple hundred years is old. And I'm amazed at the skill required to make, and the general history of, a well made old stone wall. So European castles? Pshhh. Practically getting moist just thinking about them... 🤪😜
@@jimr9499 What are your thoughts of cramming a modern stadium into the Colosseum, ala' Soldier Field? Flaccid?
What amazes me is the fact that these magnificent edifices are still standing today and yet anything built today is temporary. I always marvel at the engineering of these beautiful buildings. 🇦🇺👍🏻😁
16 minutes in and its in ruins....
They were built to last √
there is a reason for that. it s called hide the truth with freemasonry . the real truth would seem unbelievable to most
these structures must be destroyed because they don't erode or fall in storms and quakes.
secret keepers know.
@@KevinFreist your obsession with freemasonry is...special.
I think there is something profound in how long lasting they are - they are not unlike far more ancient structures and built on the "technology" of what was proven to work through war and time, and we have sort of lost track of that - which in a weird way is like doing science, in a time of almost anti-science. Now in our "high tech" times, we often believe the hype about new tech, weaponry, etc that is untested. On the other hand they just looked for what lasted forever (rocks) and built from that, like prehistorics used caves, peaks, etc
I have always been fascinated by English history and these castles especially. It is amazing to look upon buildings that have been around for hundreds of years, even 1000+. Not to mention they are beautiful works of art and took a great deal of skill to create. I loved this video! Much appreciated. Good on Britain for ensuring this history stays so beautifully preserved!
I love hearing about the engineering of the great castles, and the politics surrounding their needs/usage. Thanks for sharing!
You're very welcome!
the docu called -building a castle with 13 century tools they are going make a castle just like in the 13 century Its in youtube i think you like that one as well
@@dionbouw607 I've seen that one a couple years ago. It was fun!
6
The French archeological castle buikd thats been going on for a while is one of the coolest recreation projects. All colleges and fields of history and art should take on such endless project of building massive city blocks of periods. Turn it into massive tourist learning centers
Let's face it, will turn out ti be no more than tourist fleecing centres.
I am 90 Years old and have wondered about this all my life, now thanks to you,
I know. THANK YOU ……..
@@neddyladdy true but I think worth it
@@bobroy680 ok, that is your opinion. But why tell me this groundbreaking news now?
guédelon for those wondering
Really well done, covering all aspects of the building process. Bravo!
I could watch these types of history documentaries all day long, i love the channel thanks
In many ways I wish we still lived in that time
@@TRex-dd4ze if your a noble then yes it would be fun but most us would have been peasants and that was an awful life you proberly wouldn't live to see 30
Medieval times was so fascinating. Would love to be there, knowing full well how tough it would of been.
Given the odds, you'd probably be dead (smiley face).
Here in Finland,where i live,we don't have many castles.But what never stops amaze me is how little we know of these castles later times?It's well known and documented who built these, and when these were built,but not what happened then?How,and why did the people abandoned these?
I'm no expert, but I heard castles disappear due to gun powder. You've seen LOTR (Lord of the rings) where the goblins blew a hole in the castle wall with gunpowder. Plus it takes a long time & manpower to build these. And you can't run wiring & plumbing through the walls, well you can, but it takes more work than drywall.
The Roman roads would go as deep as 21 feet, big rocks, smaller and smaller with flat one on top. This was the reason some stretches are still, after 2000 years in existence.
After that came the engineers
Wow :O awesome
Your knowledge is limited to what everyone was taught in primary school LOL. Thanks anyway. Good luck in college!
Yeah, 20 feet or so for wide open spaces, 50-75 for interchanges, ramps, rest areas, weigh stations, etc.
Wow! Watching more of this now, im so excited! Finally a program that shows, superimposed, visuals of what things looked like in those days.
The Road of Kings
by Robert E.Howard
When I was a fighting-man, the kettle-drums they beat;
The people scattered gold-dust before my horse’s feet;
But now I am a great king, the people hound my track
With poison in my wine-cup, and daggers at my back.
Gleaming shell of an outworn lie; fable of Right divine -
You gained your crowns by heritage, but Blood was the price of mine.
The throne that I won by blood and sweat, by Crom, I will not sell
For promise of valleys filled with gold, or threat of the Halls of Hell!
What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king.
Gotta love Conan
Ahh the days when the labor force wasnt just a pair of hands but people who considered themselves craftsman and invested their heart and soul into every hammer strike and axe blow, very impressive, I can only hope to have that much investment into my own work
....unless your 'craft' is hauling stone on your back, lol.
💪🏻😎 Well back then people wasn't a emotional buthurt sensitive crybabies like today
Some actually are still craftsman and do care bout there work..there out there, but ya got to pay for it...
Thanks for posting and sharing. Wonderfully done.
Thank-you for uploading this!
Can't help but, everytime I hear Richard the Lionheart mentioned, being reminded how very English it is that two if the arguably most fsmous mythological figures, King Arthur and Robin Hood, had they ever met, would have despised one another. The stories of Arthur state he wasxa staunch advocate of the Normans, while Robin attacked anyone he even thought to even resemble a Norman.
I'm a retired bricklayer and have traveled Europe. When I stand before a church or castle, I am amazed. And thanks for saying "masonry". It ain't masonary!
Thank you Mark. As a master stone mason, I get it, Hat's off to you brother. !
Wow, fantastic documentary....
I love well -made documentaries like this one.
The narrator is Robert Glenister who's also the narrator of Robert Galbraith's books. Excellent storytelling.
Great video. Thanks for posting!
37:57 "was forced to borrow heavily from foreign bankers" an episode exploring that fact alone would be extremely fascinating in my opinion. following the money trail reveals so much more than what is visible on the surface
When I see a very old derelict structure, I always imagine it was once someone's pride and joy, or many someones it would seem.
I've always wondered about this. Thank you for sharing!
The Masons were Certainly Not Common People. That level of craftsmanship is VERY Noble.
Thats why the freemasons were commissioned to oversee some of the most ornate and grand building projects in American History. They had all of the trigonometry and geometry preserved by the original freemasons of the British Isles.
As a glass blower who dabbles in carpentry blacksmithing pottery and stone carving I am always thrilled to see the glories of craftsmanship past.
forging knives as a hobby made me become highly aware of how hard it is to make things and made me appreciate and marvel at things people did before electricity and other modern conveniences and tools. I dont know how they did it actually.
Millennia of skills passed from and added to by each generation.
Castles are awesome but I think that the cathedrals of Europe built by generations of medieval craftsmen are the pinnacle of amazing & aesthetically glorious architecture.
Noone ever stated that castles are a pinnacle of medieval architecture. Now it's a common knowledge that cathedrals are the pinaccle. So what are you trying to say?
@@laius6047 I'm not "trying" to say, I am stating my opinion that I like & appreciate medieval castles but i believe that the cathedrals built & begun during the middle ages are the highest level of craftsmanship in architecture in human history.
Also, everyone does not believe that medieval era cathedrals are the pinnacle of architecture. It's not a universal opinion, but it's what I think, as I said.
@@laius6047 common knowledge & popular opinion are not the same thing. It's no scientific fact, it's subjective & many disagree.
@@laius6047 woah 😳
Relax
We love you!
Don't be mean
I toured the Scloss in Heidelberg, Germany about 30 years ago. What had been rebuilt, anyway. Apparently after the last resident fled, the townspeople took the effort to go up the mountain and tear it apart stone by stone to build their own homes in the valley. There's a model of it in its heyday, and I gotta say, I wouldn't care to live in it, but I would like to be on the guest list of those who do.
You see many castles in such precarious places, it really makes you wonder, "how on earth did they transport supplies etc up there?!" 😳
Lotsa "volunteers".
Imagine the foundations and footings on the side of those steep cliffs to hold the weight of the walls..
Does make you wonder luv!
😄@@carlsaganlives4036
I Really Enjoyed this program... Thanks for Sharing
There isn’t any architecture today that inspires the imagination of people like castles. Not even a 1000 foot skyscraper, or hydroelectric dam has the same magic. The world before gunpowder must have been unreal.
The PPG building in Pittsburgh.
Monsters and sorcery
Soldier Field in Chicago.
As a former stonemason I love this stuff.
I got myself disabled from a 0iece of granite around 1400lb
Too bad they’re lying to you and not telling you the truth about these bastion forts and castles. They were built prior to the formation of the US constitution. Do some research into Campbell of autodidact and John Levi. The actuality of building these structures with primitive technology is palpably laughable.
@@-Evo take that bs over to infowars we're interested in facts here not another bs conspiracy theory.
@Louie P I build bridges for a living I don’t have time to be a wannabe youtuber
@Louie P I’m not complaining
Think it’s cool I’m not the only one who enjoys learning new things! It’s just the best! Idk your in school growing up forced to learn what they want to teach and when you leave you have complete freedom to learn whatever you want haha! Love history and language learning languages breaks down many barriers! Maybe a second and third language should be taught in main public schools as a main course
Abolish public schools and many wonderful things can happen.
Most excellent presentation of this topic / history that ive ever seen! So well done!!
They are so beautiful! The history!!! Yessss!
It hurts my heart to see the castles falling into disrepair😥😥
I know...it's precious thing in this era.
Alot, well most of english castles where purposely distroyed to stop the aristocracy having strong holds to collect taxes once parliament took the place of lords and kings .
This distruction was lead by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century after the civil war.
If memory serves .. dont hold me to the date.
British histoy is not my strong point.
There was a huge champain to make most of the scatters castles compleatly un useable ever again as strong holds to keep others from using them in the future against parliaments place on England.
Without fortification scttered all over the place, rebellion against parliment was a bit harder to ever to be considered. In theroy.
Then there is just the cost of upkeep that even Buckingham palace stuggles with cost wise.
Its a shame such feets of engineering history was mostly distoryed by politics.
This was the age of serfdom. Almost everyone was a serf and farmer who had to furnish about half their produce to the king and in addition do unpaid work for a period, every year. One could say the serfs furnished the labor and the masons were hired for skilled labor to build a castle. If you didn't like being a near slave, you could revolt or complain to the king who would promptly kill you.
And today nearly half of your income is stripped away via taxes and if you dare refuse to pay they’ll arrest you, and if you violently resist they’ll kill you. Not much changed
@@101trus we have wifi now bro
What?
Right: no slaves. Why because 99 percent were serfs.
Great content and presentation. 😊
Great video of where castles were built and how they were used. However, did not go into how they were actually constructed as advertised!
So you missed all the scaffolding and the talk about mortar and people making wells and carrying tons of rocks then? What do you people watch?
We can’t build like that today. These castles will still be standing when all our modern buildings have fallen.
thats because it wasnt us that built them , but the freemasons are hiding it
🤔
Very true we went through a reset/mud flood if you will and the hidden hand took over. Just look around the world and see the similarities in old world architecture: Buried windows, entrances to higher levels, ancient canals lined with blocks, Star forts around the world and other building feats that boggle the mind with little to no explanation.
Tartaria
Rubbish. Many modern buildings will easily last thousands of years. These castles are not even 1000 yet. And its hard to say its standing if it has no floors or roof.
What incredible Documentary, always wonder how they build those castle's Never had a clue what was evolved, it might be elementary knowledge to children in Britain and the United Kingdom but here in the states, it was some how left out of our schooling. Thank you again it puts a whole different perspective on how countries were conquered.
Great documentary. But which mason made the Chalice from the Palace?
I was hoping that this would be more about actual castle building , informative nonetheless.
A UA-cam channel called, 'Absolute History' has a 5 part documentary called 'Secrets of the Castle', which shows hands-on building of an actual, (reproduction) castle, with period tools and techniques. I think it's been about a 50 year project, so far.
It's a good series.
Why? Because it says castle builders
I’m gonna try and build my own little stone cottage with stone masonry techniques because a castle is too expensive to be feasible for me rn
Amazing information. Thanks for sharing.
This is more of a general history of castles rather than the actual construction them. It's a nice documentary, aside from the overly dramatic sound effects; but the title is misleading.
I lived on the Iberian peninsula for 14 years. The castles and cathedrals that took years to build! Hoowee
26:35 the dude in the background barely even tried to act like he was actually trying to hammer anything hahah
I was searching the comments to see if anyone else noticed. I salute you, sir.
@@LambchopsChopShop Keen eyes we have!
would you rather him actually strike his hammer on this piece of historical artifact? Other were striking props, he was on the actual ancient bricks.
@@SVAFnemesis Like I said, he barely even tried. The actor in 26:48 in the background can be seen striking a chisel with hammer without actually contacting the stone…imagine how hard that must have been to do.
@@SVAFnemesis I would have rather him not being so prominently in the shot.
Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !"
Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam. "
Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!"
Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..."
Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!"
Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky."
Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction."
Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"
Love that the reenactors’ clothes are so squeaky clean…. Particularly while working construction….
Thank you, France and England, for those magnificent Castle
And WALES
Wales is a part of england
they are on every land on this planet. all over north America in the 1800's till freemasons took them down with wars and strife. they don't fall by themselves .built to last forever by better folks than us.
How much would it cost to build a csstle from scratch?
Very well done on so many diff levels of presentstion!
I was expecting a more hands on how they did it. It was just an in general.
ua-cam.com/video/SURsW7BpCNc/v-deo.html&ab_channel=AbsoluteHistory
@@andzzz2 Great minds think alike. I checked this out and found I'd already given it a thumbs up. You're right. This is video is exactly what Big Birdy (I hate phony monikers) is talking about.
good luck with that.
freemasons don't want you to know. cowards keep secrets.
A few pictures of the Guedelon project in France would have been nice. They are building a 13th century castle exclusively with 13th century methods and tools.
A decades long project. The castle itself is well advanced and they plan to build around it. Notably a church.
Amazing documentary!
Who moved the Marches? I grew up less than an hour's ride from the Marches and they are Not on the coast! they are the English/Welsh borders of Shropshire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and places like Powys. You know, the Border? The Marcher Lords were trusted 'employees' of the king, who were granted lands on the border, providing they kept law and order and subdued the Welsh. They pretty much had their own mini kingdoms, and built their own castles. It is called delegation. Also saves the crown a bundle And they have to raise armies when you need em!
wonderful documentary
thank you!
This was very good
Is there a subject called modern castle design and build? I wish to attend some of these lectures if any around the world.
Use Google and find out, you could have your answer within seconds. Come on man, how are we supposed to help you when we don't even know where you live or anything.
Guedelon.
@@gregorybentley5707 people just want to talk to other people with similar interest im positive he knew he can go to google but he wanted to have a human interaction under the comment section his chooce to comment was not a practical one but a emotional one
Superb ! I was aspecting that ....that saxon
I would LOVE to see the interior floors of Rochester Castle reconstructed. And maybe some other interior restorations, like the ones they’ve done at the Tower of London and Dover Castle. I feel like the overall integrity of the structure would be more solidified, thus preserving it longer by preventing it from crumbling into ruins.
The Romans built stone forts in the 4th century, as well as city walls around places like London. Parts of the London Wall still stand.
Very good work
So, the 12th Century Archbishop of Canterbury was a black African? Really BBC? Really?
Why, did you know him?
🙋🏼♂️ I did. He was a cool cat with no thermostat too 😎
Moreover he has huge beard with zero or negligible mustache !
That means that Bishop was a Muslim 😂
Dude looked white as hell idk what you saw
bbc pun not intnded lmao
The title background music is so familiar!! It's from the PC game Panzer Elite Action XDD
Magnificent
Amazing video...
i appreciate them finding and hiring these guys from 1,000 years ago
Excellent
Very disappointing. Where are the masons? Where are the tools that they used? How did they arrive at the measurements required to make it all work? In short, where are the Masters & Masons? A little less royalty re-enactment and a little more craftsmen if you please. A little less needlessly overly dramatic music wouldn't hurt either. Big thumbs down in this episode.
maybe you would enjoy ideas arround this. just go and look for starforts,mudflood research
They are called Freemasons because they took the masonry for free. Then kept it and modified history from their lofty political positions.
Am glad the geniuses are coming back together with 😮
The utter beauty of these Castles, and the magnificent workmanship blows my mind ..
They sure don't build anything like they used to...😁
Beaumaris 🏰
Conny 🏰
Rhuddlan 🏰
Flint 🏰
Criccieth 🏰
Caernarfon 🏰
Aberystwyth 🏰
Castell y Bere 🏰
Dolbadarn 🏰
Château Gauillard 🏰
Tower of Chepstow Castle 🏰
Pembroke 🏰
Raglan 🏰
Harlech 🏰
Carcassonne 🏰
Caerphilly 🏰
Cardiff 🏰
Kidwelly 🏰
Dover 🏰
Amazing
How did they prepared mortar in those times ? What kind of mixture it was ?
Outstanding! Beautifully presented…
No mention of Tartaria?
Really interesting
Marvellous
The music in the beginning is for me a deja vu. Exploration B... used to play a game when I was a kiddo and I got a total memoryburst...
They took the bugle song from saving private ryan. It plays in the scene where the army realizes so many brothers had died and they read Lincolns civil war letter
The info re the Prince of Wales and Longshanks was fascinating .... did not know that part of Welsh history at all.
No mention of the moors.....?
European People Rock!
Thank you. Amazing information. Could you make a documentary about how Machu Picchu más built?
Pikachu wasn't built in a day.
As soon as someone figures out all sorts of details, like how the stone was moved!
Aliens
If bankrupting your realms, not producing an heir and leaving your patrimony decimated through incompetent and inattentive administration is the criteria, then Richard I was “a great king.”
old stonework here is called 'course rubble' , or it was at my time in college years back.
stonework that isn't uniformed in structure
that's what I called a lot of my college classes...
@@joejones9520 nice one👍
Why would your enemy stand idly by waiting the months or even years it would take to build your castle before laying seige? Why not attack and defeat you before youve completed your protective walls and keeps?
I love this
31:55
someone tell me about this medieval train bridge
is that just recreation to go with the castle theme or was it a bridge originally and upgraded whats the story?
The train was invented in around 1800 in Wales I think. So the train tracks were surely added later. They either added it later or modified an existing passage way designed for horses and wagons.
@@brokentombot looks like a gatehouse but im just realizing the stone is so much newer it must be just a reproduction to go with the tourist area.
thought it would be cool if they used part of a medieval bridge er something and modernized it to handle the weight er something. like moving a castle.
@@greensoplenty6809 Yeah. I think it's likely made to look like it was always there but obviously made in 1900s or sooner. Cool idea though. I live in the U.S. so we don't have any castles
@@brokentombot when i was a kid my mom took me to hearst castle, was a big disappointment to me, its more like big mansion villa kinda thing called a castle.
im in california, spent the night at fort ross in 4th grade that was real cool, 1700's russian wooden fort from when california was russian.
@@greensoplenty6809 Hearst Castle is not a proper castle. Like you said it's just a mansion. I've visited forts all across the US. Nothing comes close to being a castle as they are all designed like a barracks and bunker more than a medieval fortress. I could be wrong but I've just never seen a real castle in the U.S. Which makes sense as the U.S. had military conflicts only in the era of gunpowder cannons so why make a big target? Best to keep low and spread out.
An interesting video about HISTORY. But it fails miserably in that it doesn't fulfill the title of the video. The emphasis of the video should have been on the workmen, at all levels, and what they, the workmen, did in performing their jobs! While kings and princes may have ordered the building of the castles, they have absolutely NOTHING to do with the actual building of the castles.
While I agree with the sentiment, they almost always worked closely with the master masons, who we would today cal lead architects in the same manner rich people work with architects today. It varied greatly from Lord to Lord and project to project but it's very untrue to say they were uninvolved.
I feel you are correct. I wanted to see how it was constructed and the composition of the mortar or cement used and more on the defenses. But much time was spent on the dramatization as is the curse of many a modern documentary.
100% just made the same comment above before I saw yours.
It can't really be explained how they were actually built so they just talk about other things to distract you from their inability to answer their own question.
And the economics of the taxation that collected such excess wealth and HOW the workmen were manipulated by coinage into doing the king's bidding, instead of homesteading and raising their families.....just like today
Recommend a book titled "Pillers of the Earth" Ken Follet
The Grandest Castle of United Kingdom 🇬🇧 are The Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Castle of Dover.
Around the 7min mark, the trees that are growing on top of the first castle of England,look like a castle in their growth! 😮
Half way through watching this and giving up. Lots about different historical figures, but seems weak on actual construction techniques. Perhaps I'll give it another look another day.