Inside a Medieval Castle | How Tamworth survived 800 years of history.
In this video, Kevin Hicks takes you on a captivating tour inside the medieval castle of Tamworth in Staffordshire. Explore this medieval marvel as you journey through over 800 years of history. The site on which Tamworth Castle stands originally served as a residence of the Mercian kings in Anglo Saxon times, survived Viking invasions, was refortified by the Normans, later enlarged and survived more than one siege during the English Civil War. Tamworth Castle has witnessed it all and it remains today one of the best preserved motte-and-bailey castles in England.
For more information on Tamworth Castle, a great day out, check out their website: www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/
If you'd like to support the channel more and help us continue making fun, fascinating videos, please check out our PATREON page for perks. / thehistorysquad
OTHER LINKS:
Website: historysquad.ca
Facebook: / historysquad
Twitter: / history_hicks
CREDITS:
Saxon Mill illustration: © David Hobbs/TAMCM
Offa's Palace illustration: © David Hobbs/TAMCM
Original Norman Castle: © Mike Oakenfull/TAMCM
Living Accommodation illustration: © John Priest/TAMCM
AERIAL FOOTAGE:
Andrew Dalton - KZhead • Tamworth castle autumn...
Rise Above it All - KZhead • Tamworth Castle
John McHale - KZhead • Tamworth Castle & Tols...
MUSIC:
For What is Right, Trevor Kowalski/Epidemic Sound
The best youtuber/historian ever
And a fantastic Archer!!
@pinchevulpes Yes!! Thank God for modern medicine and methods!! 😂😂. So I take it you saw Kev's video of medieval arrow head removal? 😁😁. Pretty gory but great! Dave.
Maybe when it comes to medieval stuff.
@@Everett-eh4nn sorry Sir, didn't really get the meaning of your comment. Dave
😊💖
Kevin, you are hands down a born storyteller. Every episode is a masterclass. Thank you!
You can tell he's been a teacher.
I’m a Tamworth resident, I see this Castle everyday, it’s such a fantastic asset for the Town, my Town has such an amazing History
It is a great looking town. I went there some years ago to show my 3 wheeler.
I was born about half a mile away from the castle in 1959. It used to be a beautiful, quiet market town surrounded by farms but many of the real historic buildings were demolished in the 1960s. I can remember the 15th century Bell Inn, the original Middle Entry and the medieval shops on Church Street. I remember what was there before they built Ankerside and used to pick fruit at Kingslake's on the Fazeley Road, where Hobbycraft & New Look now stand. The population increased from 20k in 1970 to well over 100k now (some technically under Lichfield DC and North Warwickshire DC). The medieval town wasn't built to take such a large population and no longer seemed like home. I left for Shropshire in 2018 but still have family in the town.
@@suewood8538 same in my town.
It's not often you find a valuable relic like this, one you find yourself revisiting time and time again. And the castle isn't bad either. Cheers Kev :P
🤣
flattery will get you everywhere!
I live in the US, and when I saw the castle Tamworth, I said " I want to live in there"! I love the town, the rivers, flat boats and history. I'm so happy I found your channel.
Thanks Mary, welcome 👍🏻
When I went there they had a snow dome. I hope it's still there. Beautiful town.
yes it's still here and thriving, they built an ice rink too.
I've been in that castle about 30 times, I know it like the back of my hand, it's amazing inside. So much history.
wow@@matthewjdouglas6471 i want to live there. thank you.
I've only recently found this channel (within the past couple months), but I've already watched most everything available. You're an excellent presenter, and I always get excited to see a new video- especially a longer one like this. Thank you for spending the time it takes to make good educational content, Kevin!
It's my pleasure, thank you for watching 👍🏻
Mè too !
Greetings from Denmark. If you are going to visit Denmark one day, i can recommend you to visit the Manor of Selsø in the central Zealand, what makes this place so special is that it was abandoned in 1829 and left to basically rot while it was used for things such as a place for hatching pheasants, a dog kennel and drying laundry, it was bought in 1972 and the new owner decided to not let it modernise, but instead open it up as a museum, only restoring the most crucial part of the construction and a few rooms, which leaves us with a very unique place, frozen in a time before electricity and running water, a true time capsule. It is refurbished with all sorts of antique furnitures, and especially those cabinets with their intricate carvings are a wonder to see, along side all the other intriguing details from a time long gone, tiny servants chambers, huge mirrors, delicate wall paintings and so much more. Best wishes to you Mr. Hicks and thank you for all the wonderful content you create.
My pleasure 👍🏻
He should also visit Angeln.
I love the way Kevin's eyes twinkle when he says "Dungeon." 🤣 Never seen herringbone masonry like that before, wow. Thank you for another excellent and informative video, Kevin!
My pleasure!
I watch all of your videos here in Chicago and wish I could visit all of these great castles.
They're not going anywhere 😉 Visit when you can!
Kevin you are such a great story teller and presenter. I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Incidentally, did you know where the word Marmalade comes from??? Mary queen of scots regularly suffered from reoccurring malady, her servants would serve her some citrus fruit preserve from a jar to help her back to health. So when ever Mary became ill her servants would run for the jar of preserve shouting Ma'm Malade in other words "The the queen is sick. I hope i've described that in an understandable way. I love learning about the Etymology of words
Excellent, thanks for that Jim 👍🏻
Very fanciful - like the idea that James l of England enjoyed the beef he ate so much that he knighted it Sir Loin. Unfortunately, both stories are untrue.
I've been to Tamworth Castle, only small but well worth a visit. If you have young kids they usually have some activities in the castle during school hols.
When I was in Korea with the US Army we cooked a pig over a trench filled with charcoal. We had to assign people to watch it all night as it slow cooked. By the morning, all of the skin had been eaten by the guards who watched it overnight. It was so good. We used grounding yards from a Hawk Missile battery to skewer the pig.
Haha, love it 👍🏻
that's awesome. thanks for sharing and thank you for your service
The look of glee on Kevin's face when wants to address the dungeon, had me chuckling non-stop! (being a Woman of A Certain Age, I do NOT giggle -- I chuckle, I chortle, and maybe on occassion, I guffaw). This new video was a great way to start my weekend! 🤩
🤣 How lovely, thanks!
I LOVE the castle tour videos!
I love your series on castles. Beautiful, and a detailed, enthusiastic narrative! Well done! Interesting note on the executioner’s sword: usually, there were holes traditionally put into the tip, ostensibly so the tip could not be modified into a point. I had the opportunity to examine a German executioner’s sword once, even to hold it. The blade contained a prayer begging forgiveness for the ending of a life, and a special one that if he slew an innocent, that he did it swiftly and without pain; and an apology for doing so. Again, the prayer for forgiveness. All very touching. The blade was deeply etched, and showed much use and polishing. What an experience! So, your picture of the special sword was quite evocative. Thank you. It could have been noted that during the later High Middle Ages castles started to be made comfortable, as before they were only fortresses with living spaces. Thus, the beginning of fortified homes. Those artifacts are a reenactor’s dream. Loved seeing the willow wine barrel. An outstanding vid! Kudos! Cheers!
So glad you enjoyed this one, cheers 👍🏻
I love Lincoln castle. In the late 70s my Uncle dated a gal whos father was the warden of the castle, i was about 9/10 years old and we used to visit. Well my being a kid i was allowed to have the castle to myself as a playground, dungeons Tower etc. there are many Norman graffiti scratchings of men in norman armour etc hunting deer and of the course the dungeons lol. i have been back many times but cannot find the graffiti of the hunting scenes, but it has allways had a place in my heart. Great video Kev.
Lincoln is awesome, I went there some years back and got a special tour with the guide in the prison 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad thats a great place very solemn i allways feel sad there, and the prisoners graveyard.
Yes, I was just talking about that place. I'd love to cover Lincoln one of these days. @@tomhirons7475
@@thehistorysquad that would be great Kev.
Ah, let's see if I can pull it off, sites often want a fee which is often beyond us. @@tomhirons7475
Omg this popped up on my recommended and I live in Tamworth and have been to the castle multiple times and tbh it’s amazing to just be inside and look at the stuff that they have
Thank you Kevin, what a wonderful tour and talk through my home town castle. I’m Tamworth born and raised and to watch you take us through the castle was wonderful! I remember many years ago having a sleep over in the great hall. Thank you for reinforcing my town pride.
My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks 👍🏻
Kevin. This was so very enjoyable and very historically informative, thank you. I live in Lichfield and went to visit Tamworth Castle many years ago now(it’s only down a road from me). It’s time I went to visit again. Thanks…it was great to watch and learn so much from you. The last time I saw Tamworth Castle on TV was during a Ghost hunting episode lead by Yvette Fielding and her team, but most of that was in the dark😂 a few spooky moments were had. I don’t think I have ever noticed that ‘herringbone’ wall which was beautiful. I’m going to watch it all again now and enjoy it all again. I am saving and sharing this episode. I do enjoy your history videos, I learn so much👍👍👍.
Ah, that's lovely Wendy, thank you. I hope you enjoy your next visit to Tamworth, I know I did 👍🏻
Never miss one of his videos! He's such a great story teller! Always learn something interesting!
You’re knowledge of Castles is outstanding. I’ve all ways believed my understanding of them and there functions was to a higher standard than most people, but you have an understanding that I hope to achieve some day maybe when I’m your age
Could you do a piece on Mountsorrel castle it’s no longer standing but the ramparts are still clearly visible. William Marshall laid siege to it but had to lift it to go to Lincoln and meet the French and the rebels, sadly the child king order Mountsorrel castle to be demolished
Hi Kevin, another excellent video. I have a University degree in Western history, but there is so much European history that it is impossible to even begin to do more than scratch the surface of it. I of course, over the years ( I'm 67 years old), have focused on certain periods and aspects of it, and always have been fond of Medieval subjects. Your videos give me more insight into areas I might have not yet studied. They often pique my curiosity and serve as a springboard for further research and writing. Thank you!
My pleasure. If I can inspire people to look further into history, I'm doing my job. 👍🏻
I lived in Bonehill and went to QEGS in Tamworth. Spent many a time visiting the castle. Unless I missed it you didn't mention the 'Haunted Staircase', always worth a visit.
What a wonderful tour of the castle. I'm fascinated by these old places that span so many eras - and all the various influences that exist in the same space. The small details raised throughout your tour provide such a great snapshot into the lives of those who came before. I learned so much, thank you!
Thanks Kevin! What a great video. You Sir, are the David Attenborough of History. Love all your vids.
Wow, thanks
Again, your knowledge is outstanding Kevin, another excellent educational video!
The only school trip I remember from Primary School is the visit to Tamworth Castle. Fascinating!
Remarkably ad hoc easy to see how the Castle came before the Town and then both *"grew together"* (into one another) over time to present. That this was part of the "design of History" amazing.
Another fascinating presentation, thanks Kevin.
Very welcome
Love your videos, give me a whole new view on History, the period of History I really have a passion for is the Dark Ages, 400AD up to and including Alfred the Great so it was great to hear you mention his daughter Aethealfaeld and how she turned Tamworth into a strong hold.
Alright! Another Castle tour with you as our guide! I really think this is where your at you’re best, content wise. I love English towns and fortifications, especially those that were around in the Anglo Saxon/Norman transition. That period fascinates me.
These medieval castle videos are simply marvelous.
Hi Kevin!!! LOVE ❤ YOU and your channel! Wonderful topics I’ve always pondered and never found the answers like War Horse Transportation. Our ancestors were incredibly advanced, just can’t imagine how they did it with no telecommunication. Enjoy your teachings and you are now my FAVORITE KZheadr. 💗
Wow, that's kind of you, I appreciate you watching 👍🏻
What a great video, I live 15 miles away, at the other end of the Anker, yet never visited there, a must do now I think, thank you for great videos and brilliant content as usual
You should, it's a great place to visit 👍🏻
Hey Kevin, this was awesome! You should consider Doune castle possibly for a video, great surviving example (earliest structures date to the 13th century) and famously used for all the castle shots in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and ALOT of other films Glad you're posting these things on KZhead, real passion for history and storytelling makes the difference between a good creator and a GREAT one. Thanks for what you do!
It was used in "The Last Kingdom" series as well and in "Outlander".
That's very kind, thank you. Not sure I can get Julie to Scotland, but will work on her 👍🏻
@@janetbowersox83 Yup, easily half a dozen media properties have used Doune. They're famously lax allowing filming for productions, most other castles are very restrictive on letting filming happen on premises other than documentaries.
@@pinkushatejar thats understandable. I absolutely loved Monty Python! The coconuts still make me laugh! My daughter and I joke around about looking for a "shrubbery"! John Cleese was priceless in that movie!
Being a Tamworthian ive spent many aday at the castle or the grounds, though watching this has certainly opened my eyes...loved every minute of your historic tell
Excellent, thanks 👍🏻
Wow!! Yet another fascinating video Kev. Its an amazing Castle and I love how it shows how it changed through the decades. Still waiting for a look and maybe a video of you shooting your new Bow. Love to you and Julie, Dave. 👍👍
Sure Dave, it's coming 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad Great mate! I can't wait!! Take care Sir! I refer to my new bow as my Chackte Vega bow as it's my only bow with that has a lamination of that timber. My others are a Yew selfbow and Hickory/Osage. Does Julie shoot? Dave.
Once upon a time, but she doesn't now@@davesheppard8797
@@thehistorysquad I have to admit that I wouldn't fancy shooting against you!! 😂😂. Dave.
I live in Tamworth so I am super happy you come to see our castle.
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
As a Tammie I am proud to say many years ago I repaired some of the leaded lights at the castle . Great video on our castle and it's history .
Excellent, thanks!
i loved this tour. i have always had an interest in architecture, history and sociology. the woodwork is incredible. i wish i could see it in person. ty so much for the tour.
You do these videos so well Kevin, lots of interesting facts during this fascinating tour. Many thanks 🙏
What a fantastic Castle! Its nice to find them when they are still whole. Loved the stories of history to this!
Thank you for a fantastic video. I am a Townshend here in New Zealand and it's great to see and hear about the history that my ancestors were involved in.
That's lovely, thanks for watching 👍🏻
Just loved your presentation on Tamworth Castle what an incredible long and rich history!
I could spend a lifetime just wandering around, looking at everything inside, put on gloves and slide my hand over the walls, mantles, everything, and just imagining the people that built those places and the people who lived there. Those places are so amazing. They deserve to be kept alive and cherished.
I feel like I'd be tuckered out halfway through a tour with our man Kevin. See how he runs around like a kid on the playground? Great presentation, Kevin!
😂
Amazing video! Found this channel yesterday, and love it. Love the energy, enthusiasm and knowledge. Very well done!
Thank you and welcome to the channel, I hope you enjoy catching up on some of our older videos too 👍🏻
Another great castle video, thanks Kevin! I grew up in a home in Northern Indiana that the walls were originally done with lath and plaster. Probably late 1800's. Interesting to see they used that method way back in the 1600's. Thanks for sharing, Mark Sleppy
My pleasure, cheers Mark 👍🏻
Been there with my son, very nice place👍👍
The whole history of Mercia and Wessex is phenomenal. I have read all.13 volumes in the The Saxon tales and watches the entire 5 years of series of "The Last Kingdom". Amazing time in history! Beautiful.castle!
WONDERFUL tour, Kevin ! Your explanation of the history and associated architecture of this castle is amazing ! Thank you SO much for taking us on this adventure ! 🥰
My pleasure!
WOOOWWW| ...what a WONDERFUL place!!! Those English Medieval Castles and villages - as well as the whole countryside is just ASTONISHING!
I do love your castle tours! One day I'll get there and see them for myself.
I just love your videos, Kevin. So informative and educational, and you (and your delivery) make them so interesting!
Cheers 👍🏻
Hi Kevin - another fantastic video. Thank You. You bring history to life…love it too when you wear the costumes of the times. The BBC missed out on giving you your own programme. Children would really understand History then! Brilliant. 👌 XX
Listening to you speak about castles is as entertaining as listening to Phil Harding speak about archaeology! I have never been to England but thankfully KZhead has enlightened me to your fabulous channel and the Time Team show. It is always a pleasure watching someone passionate about something sharing their knowledge about it. ❤️
Wonderful! Thank you
The places you take us are so incredible, thank you so much Mr. Hicks!! My family will be watching this together tonight :)
How lovely, enjoy 👍🏻
I'm not even big into this early of history. His personality is just very entertaining. This history is starting to grow on me.
That's lovely to hear, history can be fun. Thanks 👍🏻
What is the difference between a T beam ceiling and a hammer beam ceiling? Thank goodness that this fantastic castle survived the Civil War when so many ones (Kenilworth and Pontefract come to mind) were destroyed! How many motte and bailey castles besides Tamworth and Windsor still exist? As always, you make history come alive. Many thanks for another informative video!
Thanks for watching, though I'm not sure about the intricacies of roof design, but hopefully there'll be a joiner on here who can help 👍🏻
I'm no joiner but I can say that Westminster Great Hall is the best example of a surviving hammer-beam roof in England, and I think there's another good one at Hampton Court. Images are only a Google away, so you'll be able to see the difference. York and Lincoln castles are both built upon motte and bailey originals. The York one survives as the Clifford Tower while Lincoln has two mottes, unusually. I'm sure there are others where the feature has survived but it's a long time since I've been to any castle other than the later non-Norman Welsh ones.
Great Rich, thanks for the reply there 👍🏻 Interestingly the one motte at Lincoln is where many of the condemned prisoners were buried after execution. I'd like to cover it one day. @@RichWoods23
RichWoods23, thank you for your info! I totally spaced the motte and bailey tower in York but was unaware of the ones in Lincoln. I will check out the Lincoln ones ASAP.
I love your enthusiasm, and excitement while exploring this castle. I'm very similar when I visit historical sites, especially castles.
A thousand years of history in one place. Amazing.
Another gem of a video Kev, love Castles , only managed to get to Tamworth twice years ago and very unfortunately neither time did I get to go to the Castle or see all the beautiful sights of Tamworth - more visiting relations but it's high on my list of places to properly visit and I know that if I didn't know much on the history of the Castle and Town before I certainly know a bit now thanks to your video. I love the way that you explain to us all the different rooms and furniture and what they would be used for but more so the structure of the Castle, roof beams and all. I do like to know about that side of Castles and their personal history which you relate across so well, educational, without being boring - quite the opposite I find I'm enthralled in your history lessons and could learn from you and listen to you all day. That's what sets you apart from the rest Kevin because of your love and enthusiasm for all things history from fireplaces to roof beams every part of a Castle tells a thousand stories and you are the best storyteller I know. Thank you and everyone involved in making these wonderful history videos. Any chance on doing something like York Minster up my neck of the woods?😀❤👍🏰
I'd have to see, permissions can be tricky and expensive, but York is a beautiful place. 👍🏻
Who doesn't love a castle 💕
I’m fascinated by the similarities in structures and everyday items…like that jug, which is very similar to ancient vessels I’ve seen from Central and South America…between people thousands of miles apart. Now I know how medieval chefs reconstituted swans and other birds! I’ve wondered about that! BTW I bought a broom like that in the Appalachia mountains, where there are people who still speak a form of 18thC English…oh joy, this wonderful! BTW, the Acoma Pueblo has been occupied fir 2000 years. Tamworth is amazing…wonderful video.
Well worth the watch. Good job on the history of this beautiful building. Very informative. Please do as many of these videos you can. Only way I’ll ever get to see this kind of history. Your the only KZheadr actually doin this kind of content and I for one will watch ever one you ever do. My wife and I really appreciate the effort and research you put into these types of video… your friends from Tennessee USA🤙
Thanks so much Jacob & Mrs, this is the last of the set we shot this year but we're planning our tour back to the UK in the spring so will have some more for you after that. I really appreciate you watching, thanks 👍🏻
Yes sir. We’ll be waiting🤙
That was wonderful. Thank you very much. And, I am so glad that I found your channel. It is a absolute pleasure to listen to you teaching me.
Thank you & welcome 👍🏻
Thank you for sharing.Tamworth castle! It is so wonderful to see one still intact! Good for the town operating it as a museum! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers Janet, you've been feeding the algorithm beautifully, I appreciate it 👍🏻
Kevin I’m from the States. I wish I could have had you as a history teacher in school. History and biology were my favorite subjects in school. I became a nurse. If you would have been one of my teachers I may have had a totally different profession!! Please keep up the amazing videos. I learn something new every time I watch you! ❤️📚🏰🗡️🛡️⚔️❤️
Hi Laura, thank you!
I could listen to this gentleman speak all day long.
You are like a professor lecturing the students about the history of the castle. The way you deliver your lecture is full of enthusiasm so the student had no choice but to listen intently to every word you say. I feel i belong to your students and i enjoy listening and seeing old artifacts, how it was built and how it survive. Thank you.
It's my pleasure 👍
Unbelievable it stands from such a long time, nowadays they make drywall houses and charge you like for a castle
That mischievous laugh at the mention of having a poop was entertaining. The castle surviving that long is amazing, with the fact that it has been added to over the years or repaired in that time period's construction is interesting. It's good to see how it meshes together rather well. Just got back from vacation where you see how it can be glaring and distracting when different times don't mesh together. Sometimes the late 19th/early 20th century part looking like a tumor on the old building.
That bed in the ladys chamber is absolutely amazing!
... and the bed bugs, well, they speak for themselves. love this guy.
Lard from the backfat of tamworth pigs makes outstanding cakes. Such an absolutely brilliant pig brewd and unlike many of its heritage breed peers it too survived as a breed. The bacon off it is amazing.
Kevin, your enthusiasm and extra side stories add so much and make each episode outstanding. Thank for your service and ensuring history is understood. May GOD bless
Thanks so much!
I just came across this channel, today my day off. All I wish to say is it’s the best I’ve come across!! I am addicted to medieval history!! I can’t wait til I come to see in person!! I love how you share all your knowledge to the point that I can picture it ALL!! Thanks for all you’re doing!!
Thanks so much, I'm glad you found us too, welcome. Feel free to check out our medieval playlist 👍🏻
I lived in Tamworth between 2010-12 and the castle grounds are such a nice place and the castle looks amazing.
Please make more of these castle videos, they are great! A remark though about "donjon": it does not mean "stone tower", it means "dominating" from Latin "dominio": dominate or "dominus": master. For short, it was the tower or other great building of the guy who was in charge. It was often just called "great tower" or "the tower" when it looked like a tower. Sometimes it was more a symbol than a real inhabited tower.
Very proud of living in our town and having this castle standing tall
Good on you 👍🏻
Those swords are unbelievably cool!
Fantastic video as always Kevin! I'm not too far from Tamworth so think I might try and make the trip over one weekend seems well worth the visit
You should! 👍🏻
Loved learning the entire history of Tamworth castle!
I love that the videos are always presented with accurate information and such enthusiasm. The lack of political statements is also nice, just focusing on the actual history.
Thanks for this. Your enthusiasm is contagious.
Glad we have Kevin to do Tamworth justice!
Thank you for your service.
Love Tamworth Castle... what fun. I lived in Sutton, and used to go to dances at the Belfry, where I met Elton John. We used to dance to his music. Great times back then. TY for the memories.
Thanks for sharing the way things worked back then, interesting castles you've come upon 😊
I LOVE these castle tours!! They’re amazing!
Stunning place! The lath and plaster reminds me of a place a Cousin of mine lived in, in Diss, Norfolk. All dark wood beams, wonky floors and lath and plaster walls.
My home town! Glad I stumbled across this.
Another great tour, and kudos to your wife behind the camera for a steady hand. Love the little stories that you weave in whilst touring. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you for an amazing tour from Canada! So much history and love in it! Learned about Staffordshire pottery from you -- will try to buy it for myself.
So great to see something representing my hometown 😊
Through high school I did several large projects on castles! I’ve always been so fascinated with them!
Love the presentation Kevin, enjoy every new video ❤
Really enjoyed that thanks for taking the time and effort to make it, it's really appreciated
seeing the modern apartment tower blocks rise up triumphant over the ancient castle is just astounding and surreal, isnt it? what a staggering little survivor gem she is. It is structures like this that make me an unabashed anglophile when it comes to crafts and architecture and so forth. as a glassblower i can genuinely replicate medieval stained glass sheets basically the same way they did it 800 years ago, albeit with digital controllers on my ovens of course LOL. Thanks for this one in particular. shes an absolute survival master work
i remember visiting Tamworth castle 60 years ago when i was in high school, so this was a nostalgic trip for me. One of my aunts had a pair of "Staffordshire dogs" which you can see on the mantlepiece in the Georgian room