Castle Stories

Pitiful Peasants: Castle Stories Episode 8

Newcastle Castle

In this week’s episode of Castle Stories, we look at the lives of the most downtrodden people in Medieval society - the peasants. Were they really as ignorant, dirty and filthy as they’re always depicted in modern media? We’ll give you the lowdown on peasant life!

Inns and Outs: Castle Stories Episode 7

Newcastle Castle

Moving on from last week’s episode, we thought we’d take a bit of a dive into travel in the medieval period. What was it like to go on a journey in medieval England? How fast could you travel? What were the dangers and difficulties? Where did you sleep? And what is a bouncer, really? All of these questions are answered and more!

Travel and Trade: Castle Stories Episode 6

Newcastle Castle

How common was travel in the medieval period? Is it really true that people rarely went more than a few miles away from their place of birth? For what reasons did people travel when they could? We try to answer all these questions in this episode of Castle Stories.

Dying Young: Castle Stories Episode 5

Newcastle Castle

It’s a well known fact that life in the medieval era was nasty, brutal, and short. Well known it might be, but is it true? And how can you tell what the life expectancy of people hundreds of years ago was anyway? In this weeks episode David looks at the evidence for the idea that people in the Middle Ages lived only into their thirties and were old well before their time.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of infant mortality and complications of childbirth.

The Colour of Castles: Castle Stories Episode 4

Newcastle Castle

The image of the medieval period in modern media is pretty monochrome, with the main colours being the brown of mud or the grey of stone. Were the real middle ages so washed out? Find out in this episode of Castle Stories.

Pure Filth: Castle Stories Episode 3

Newcastle Castle

In the popular imagination, Castles, and in fact the whole medieval era, have a reputation for being absolutely filthy. But just how true is this mud stained, foul smelling view of the medieval period? Join us as we explore the reality of medieval hygiene….

Dank Dungeons: Castle Stories Episode 2

Newcastle Castle

Every good castle has it's very own dungeon. But what do we really know about these grim and forbidding prisons? Where they really full of racks and iron maidens and prisoners chained to the wall? Let's find out in this week’s episode of Castle Stories!

Spiral Stairs: Castle Stories Episode 1

Newcastle Castle

Have you ever heard that all Castle stair cases go round clockwise? Aye, so have we! In this first episode of Newcastle Castle’s podcast, Castle Stories, our Learning Officer David takes a look at the truth behind this Castle story, and where the idea came from in the first place…