logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
23m 35s

How to Build a Castle

History Hit
About this episode

Castles in Medieval Britain didn't just serve a military purpose, they were central to the social and cultural life of society. In the second episode of Gone Medieval's special series telling the story of castles, Matt Lewis looks at how castles were built by turning the spotlight on Conwy Castle in North Wales. Built as part of Edward I's campaign to consolidate his control over Wales, Conwy's unique construction and architectural innovations had an enduring influence on castle design across the whole of Europe.


Gone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis. The producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.


Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.


Listen to the first episode in this series, The Rise of British Castles, here >


Matt Lewis's video series Castles That Made Britain is available to watch on History Hit. Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original TV documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign up HERE for 50% off your first 3 months using code ‘MEDIEVAL’


You can take part in our listener survey here >

Up next
Today
Thor and Loki
Has Thor always been considered an all-powerful but ridiculed deity? Is it possible to pin down Loki's complex nature as simply a trickster?Matt Lewis embarks on a mythical journey with Carolyne Larrington to get to know the legendary gods Thor and Loki. Together they uncover the ... Show More
1h 14m
Oct 7
Odin, Asgard & the Norse Gods
Dr. Eleanor Janega gets chummy with the gods of Norse Mythology. She's joined by Professor Carolyne Larrington to explore Odin’s quest for wisdom and the heart-wrenching trials he undergoes; Loki's shapeshifting exploits, and the tragic saga of Baldr orchestrated by the wise but ... Show More
1h 12m
Oct 3
Norse Mythology: Creation Myths
Across October Gone Medieval embarks on an epic journey through Norse Mythology in a new series. From the first creation myth to Ragnarok, hosts Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega are joined by our Viking king for immersive storytelling, cinematic sound design, expert interviews, ... Show More
1h 5m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Henry VII: Rise of the Medieval Tudors
Henry VII was descended from some of the greatest Welsh princes. When word spread that he had a chance of taking the English throne, Welsh prophecies - which foretold that one day, one of their own would become king of the islands and would be crowned in London - looked to be com ... Show More
46m 2s
Jul 2024
Leeds Castle: The Loveliest Castle in the World
I visited Leeds Castle in Kent the first week of my trip to England - it's not far from Hever Castle. This castle boasts centuries of history and is known as one of the loveliest castles in the world. If you're watching the video you will be treated with pictures and vide ... Show More
10m 32s
Oct 2
A coin, a castle and a conquest: the Normans in the north of England
In 2021, 950 years after English Heritage’s Richmond Castle was founded in Yorkshire, an amateur archaeologist joined her first dig and turned up a stunning find. A silver coin dating to the decades following the Norman Conquest, bearing the face of William the Conqueror, fired u ... Show More
33m 53s
Sep 21
The Picts: Rulers of the North
Tristan Hughes journeys up to windswept Scotland to uncover the secrets of the Picts — fierce warriors, skilled artisans, enemies of Rome and rulers of the North.In this special episode of The Ancients - recorded on site at East Lomond hill fort and National Museums Scotland - Tr ... Show More
45m 45s
May 2024
Hadrian's Wall
It's the most famous Roman frontier in the world. A massive c.13-foot high wall that spanned the length of northern Britain, dividing the empire between Roman and 'barbarian' land. But how was it built? Who lived along it? And why was it named after Emperor Hadrian? In this episo ... Show More
51m 47s
Jan 2025
The Roman Invasion of Britain
43 AD. A large Roman armada sails across the perilous English Channel intent on conquest. It is the dawn of one of the most seminal moments in Britain’s ancient history. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by archeologist Duncan Mackay to follow in the foots ... Show More
46m 47s
Apr 2025
Speaking with shadows: The Workhouse at Framlingham Castle
We’re still busy behind the scenes, so in the meantime we wanted to share a special series with you called Speaking with Shadows. Framlingham Castle was home to the fiercely powerful Dukes of Norfolk for 400 years – so how did it end up as a workhouse in the 17th century? Join Jo ... Show More
37m 7s
Sep 1
The English Civil War
What sparks a nation to turn against its own king? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb dives into the turbulent and transformative decade that witnessed the English Civil Wars — a bloody clash that claimed nearly 185,000 lives and reshaped the very soul of Britain. From the power struggl ... Show More
44m 2s
Apr 2025
Suleyman the Magnificent's bid for world domination
Henry VIII lorded it over England. Francis I dominated France. Charles V was the main man in central Europe. Yet arguably none was as powerful as Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent – a true heavyweight of the 16th century. Speaking to Spencer Mizen, author Christopher de Bel ... Show More
37m 35s
Sep 2024
Medieval documents in danger
Just how far does our understanding of the medieval past rely upon written sources? And what happens when these precious fragments of knowledge are destroyed? Taking in shocking cases of destruction and disaster, Robert Bartlett tells Emily Briffett about the material that has be ... Show More
46m 11s