Ep 5. Beyond the Castle Walls

Secrets of the Castle is a captivating and informative historical documentary series that takes viewers back to medieval times as we explore the inner workings of a castle and uncover the secrets of its construction. In season 1, episode 5, titled "Beyond the Castle Walls," we dive deeper into the world beyond the castle walls.

In this episode, we explore the important relationships the castle had with the surrounding community and the economic significance it held for the area. We discover how the castle was not just a home for the nobility, but also a center of trade and commerce in the region.

To understand this integral part of castle life, our host, Ruth Goodman, joins forces with a team of experts including archaeologist Peter Ginn and master craftsman Tom Pinfold to bring this historical period back to life.

To get a true sense of the economy surrounding the castle, Ruth and her team engage in a variety of activities that were popular during medieval times, including milling grain, shearing sheep, and making clay tiles. They also learn about the different types of tradespeople who would have surrounded the castle, from blacksmiths to goldsmiths, as well as the various markets where goods were sold.

But it's not all work and no play. As they immerse themselves in the local community, Ruth and her team also partake in a variety of recreational activities. They learn to dance like the peasants, practice archery and even play medieval board games.

Throughout the episode, Ruth and her team also explore the castle's defenses and the many ways it protected itself from invaders. They investigate a unique method used to monitor the surrounding lands and detect potential threats, a massive underground cistern that would have helped the castle survive a prolonged siege and other methods such as arrowslits and portcullises.

As always, the series seamlessly blends historical facts with modern insights and techniques to provide an immersive look into life as it was in medieval times. Beyond the Castle Walls offers viewers an in-depth and fascinating look at the social and economic life outside the castle walls.