Top 10 WEIRD Facts About Medieval CASTLES

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Coming up:

10. The term castle is actually very confusing in the English language.
9. It was through conquering the local castle that land was taken from another ruler in medieval times.
8. The most significant defensible feature a castle could receive was through location and not design.
7. Contrary to what many people think, it is the gatehouse and not the central keep that was the most important and defended part of a castle’s structures.
6. The internal walls of castles were not bare stone.
5. As a general rule Castles didn’t have large windows.
4. Castles did have secret entrances or back doors.
3. Properly designed Castles are much better at their job than many people realize or what is depicted in movies.
2. The most historically effective way to take a castle was by starving it out.
1. Castles required far fewer people to defend than people think.

Source/Further reading:

[shadiversity]

Wow this has turned out so much better than I imagined, which is saying something because what I imagined was pretty damn good. Simon, you and Toptenz have done an absolutely spectacular job, it has been a true pleasure working with you sir!

[stevetaylor]

The easiest part of a castle to attack is the gift shop as its only guarded by two little old ladies.

[AvailableUsernameTed]

True fact: Bouncy castles do not weather sieges well.

[bar-studios]

Wrong on one: "The Most Effective Way To Take A Castle..."
Marry into the family.

[leovigild_]

The bit about color in the castles was quite interesting. The majority (by far) of films and tv shows that feature castles depict them as rather dreary places.

[NotAllBooksSmellNice]

Finally, a video with a proper authority helping with the facts

[TheSleepyowlet]

Why would you use *Schloss Neuschwanstein* as a visual for number 8 after so elaborately explaining what an actual medieval castle is? It's a fantasy castle that was completed 1886 - why not use Dover Castle, or the Wartburg - actual medieval castles?

[tyrant-den]

I want to see a movie about those five guys who defended that castle.

[robertg]

I’m fascinated with medieval castles. Visited a few. Kronborg Castle, Kastellet, Rosenborg Castle, Solvesborg Slott, Akershus Fortress, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Airth Castle Hotel, Tureborg Castle, Ragnhildsholmen, a couple royal palaces, and a couple I can’t remember the name of. Hands down my favorite one I ever visited was Bohus Fortress. If anyone out there ever visits Gothenburg, Sweden go a little north and visit Bohus Fortress. Most glorious place I’ve ever visited in my life

[martinsimek]

Thumbs up for keeping the summary of each point on screen the whole time. Makes it much more user friendly

[MrEiliv]

In Norwegian, a castle like Buchingham Palace or Neuschwanstein castle is called "slott" while a castle with a wall and towers to protect it is called "borg".

[rikosaikawa]

In 6th grade a teacher told me I was wrong when I stated that moats were sometimes used as cesspits to deter sieges. I brought in books I had to prove him wrong and he actually apologized to me during a school assembly

[bev]

I liked you showing our Stokesay Castle, Shropshire in this video at 4:55. A perfect example of a medieval manor house.

[Karagianis]

The siege issue was one reason why many of the castles in Wales are on the coast. They were designed with sea gates at the back that lead down narrow cliff side paths to the water so even with an enemy army at the gates, they could be resupplied by ship.

[tombaugh]

I love TopTenz, and I also absolutely love Shadiversity!! Been watching both chanels for a good while! Great combo guys!! Love it!!

[xander]

Just shows why I like you guys and your videos, you collaborate with my favourite Youtubers, your facts are pretty much 100% accurate, you know what you're talking about and get your information from pretty good sources.

You guys and Shad did an awesome job, well done!

Thanks for putting Corvin Castle as the thumbnail; I grew up within the same borders as it, itsalways nice to have ones country recognized

[nickhames]

Very thorough and informative video! Very cool to have such an in-depth video with quality explanations for the practicality of all the weird parts about castles!

[Aeturnalis]

Perhaps I'm not very chivalrous, but I'd certainly walk away when they started throwing hot tar on people.

[Beenbag]

Oh my god. Can it truly be? A Top Ten Chanel that isn't purely click bait and instead actually focuses on the facts itself?

Either way! I really enjoyed the video! So keep up the good job!