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History KS3: Secrets of the Castle

BBC Teach > Secondary Resources > KS3 History

Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn examine how the castles of the 13th century, known as the golden age of castle building, were constructed.

These clips are from the BBC Two series, Secrets of the Castle.

This series is suitable for teaching history at Key Stage 3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at 3rd Level in Scotland.

Building a medieval castle
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Building a medieval castle

Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn rediscover medieval castle-building techniques.

Inside a medieval castle
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Inside a medieval castle

Those cold stone walls need some cheering up! Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn discover that medieval castles were lavishly decorated inside.

Medieval daily life
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Medieval daily life

Not everyone in the 13th century lived in castles. Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn visit a much humbler home to see how medieval peasants lived.

Medieval trades and skills
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Medieval trades and skills

A medieval castle needed many skilled personnel to function. Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn meet some of the most important including the blacksmith and carpenter.

Medieval warfare
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Medieval warfare

Once you have built your castle, how do you defend it? Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn find out how attackers and defenders conducted medieval warfare.

The medieval world
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The medieval world

Medieval life was not completely static. Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn discover the effects trade, travel and pilgrimage had on daily life in the 13th century.