The glee in his voice when talking about history is such a delight to be a part of.

I have watched so many UK history documentaries, including ones about castles, but this is far away and the most entertaining, informative, and lively one. This gentleman's enthusiasm and knowledge is wonderful!

No clickbait crap, no loud music... just a good informative video ❤ I subscribed😊

I would love to go on a castle tour with this guy! He is a national treasure!

Half an hour video of Kevin talking history. What a treat.

Apparently the doors are the oldest castle doors in Europe. They were originally thought to date from 1245, but using tree ring analysis, they have been dated to pre 1190, probably commissioned by William Marshal. They are among the earliest examples of Oak being sawn, rather than cleaved. The doors, clad in iron were never breached. The Parliamentary army found it easier to breach the castle walls during the civil war.

Mr. Hicks, your knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject matter shines through this entire video. Thank you, and your team, very much for this wonderful history lesson. In relation to your pop quiz, I imagine the iron plating on the doors had as much to do with fire resistance as it did with protection from battering ram, and later powder blasting.

The British Isles must have been a wonderful sight to see, with all the castles at full height and painted, with all their wooden houses inside...

As a woodworker, those original castle doors, with the bracings and the iron studs, absolutely floored me. Such a stunning piece of woorworking and iron smithing, and such a wonderful piece of History.

This gentleman, Kevin Hicks, is a joy to watch as he present his favorite (and now, mine as well) castle, Chepstow. What a wonderful educator!

Really appreciate this tour. As an American stone Mason now living in Bavaria I'm really amazed at the structural integrity and energy this beautiful castle represents. Thank you.

We tend to think these people were a bit backwards, but they were very clever, much more hands on than today. Great commentary, well spoken with interesting cadence. Thank you.

@4:20 A lesser-known defensive feature of the medieval castle was the ticket booth charging exorbitant prices for entry, this kept all but the wealthiest of enemies from entering the first bailey.

Imagine walking through this castle with VR headsets on, and seeing it as it existed in its heyday through augmented reality. Painted walls with shields and ornaments, fires dancing in the fireplace, weapons stacked up in the guard room. I hope I live to see that day.

There’s nothing I love more than listening to someone talk about something they are passionate about. 😊

The construction method you mentioned for arches in the cellar with earthen mounds reminds one of the legend of the construction of the Pantheon's Dome. Hadrian had a earthen mound formed to raise the dome and mixed in the earth were gold coins. When the peasants were asked to remove the dirt after construction they were allowed to keep all the coins they found as the legend goes. Greetings from Tennessee.

Kevin’s fast walk when he is explaining stuff is great 😂 you can tell how enthusiastic he is about this stuff and it is awesome to see.

I'd just like to say that I love your videos. I'm disabled and mainly bed bound. Through your videos you enable me to see incredible historical places and learn about our history. Without people making history accessible through videos, photos etc, I would be unable to see places like this castle. Thank you so much for making history accessible to everyone and creating a record of these historic sites for generations to come.

I can almost imagine myself as a child watching Mr. Hicks as host of History Squad on like PBS or something making history fun. Well done sir.

Ah those UK castles have fascinated me for 50 years. I've seen more documentaries about them than I care to count but this gent gives a wonderful tour. He clearly loves the subject & that only adds to the experience. Well done Sir!

I'd love to have this guy for a history teacher! He's so full of knowledge and enthusiastic!

I'm just a simple American living in the middle of the US. But I have always been fascinated by castles in general from all over the world. I used to imagine the battles and everyday life in these buildings when I was a kid.

Fantastic. He ought to have his own television series.

Hello, I cant believe how fabulous, intriguing and informative your historical films are; so many tiny details, battles and scandalous stories, it's so exciting and just mind-blowing to watch. Thank you oodles. I have just found you, subscribed and are catching up. To say I love your work, educational knowledge, presentation and overall historical expertise can't express how thrilled I am to have found your channel, it's a joy. Thank you. Xxx ❤ 😊

"These little bits of history I've learned over the years are a treasure." Sir, You are a treasure. Thanks for the history and stories!

He is so passionate about this and it makes it so easy and engaging to listen to him. I can almost imagine the castle as it was when he talks about it. It’s like he was there!

My late father was a historian specialized in military history. I remember spending summers in Europe with him visiting so many castles, but not completely realizing all the stories behind what I was looking at. I remember visiting Chepstow, thank you so much for taking me back with lots of detail and enthusiasm. ❤

He is AWESOME. I'm a huge history buff and this was such a fun, informative documentary.

I reckon the iron on the outside of the door was to prevent it from being burned as easily. Backed by the mass of wood behind them, the iron would have been very resistant to battering and piercing. And, presuming it is fairly thin, the iron would also likely bend a bit but not splinter like wood, whose splintering would provide additional surface area for tools to more effectively gouge and chip away at the door in a siege.

Amazing to think that Cheptow castle is the oldest stone built castle in Britain being erected in the year 1067, literally one year after the Norman invasion in 1066.

I have to say..this was more enjoyable than any bigger budget, mainstream 'behind the scenes' films of our wonderful history. Well done.

God that door is an absolute work of art an absolute treasure when you showed the otherside of that door my jaw dropped the detail and beauty was just absolutely stunning. Im so jealous i cant be there. Im originally from Ukraine in Kiev but live in NYC and sometimes it sucks being such a history buff and living in such a young country with not much as old history like europe and Great Britain. I wish my grandma was alive to see that you can pretty much stay home and travel the world from your living room couch. If someone told her in the 1930's that there would be technology like this she would say your crazy. My grandma loved to travel and was the reason i have become such a huge history nut.

It takes a great orator to keep me interested in castles and yet I was glued for the last 30 minutes here. Utterly fascinating! Being a carpenter, I was naturally impressed with all the woodwork. “We think we’re clever?” No, men weren’t exactly stupid back then. They made due with the technology of their days; and they did so brilliantly! Thank you Mr Kevin for a fascinating tour! 👍🇺🇸

I cannot convey how much I enjoyed this. I no longer have the physical ability or means to get to places like this and this was incredible, wonderful and you're a great guide!

I absolutely enjoyed this video. The Gentleman’s enthusiasm was quite contagious! His knowledge was spot on. Thank you!

Que hermosura!!! Cuánta historia...... felicitaciones desde la Ciudad de México 🇲🇽

The bit about how they built the archways was incredible. So simple and yet so brilliant. Thank you for this.

You can just tell our host, the one and only Kevin Hicks, is having a blast while showing us around his favorite castle while he gives us insight on many things we wouldn't even imagine. There's a point on the video that you say the knowledge and the stories you gathered about that place along the decades are treasures, and I couldn't agree more. Incredible video, blew my mind.

I love listening to you give history lessons. You are far more enjoyable than any history teacher. Thank you for the videos and bringing history to life.

Lovely tour! As a product designer and architecture snob its fascinating to see how the medieval mind had solutions and constructs. Sadly much of the wooden mechanics have been lost

You are a wonderful historian and I'm sure you were a teacher par excellence. I'm a retired history teacher from Ireland 🇮🇪. I'd loved to have been able to show my students your video. Well done and best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪

I couldn’t imagine what this castle looked like in its day. When the gentleman said the walls were finished and painted I was amazed because you couldn’t tell this by looking at it. I’d live in it with the rough condition. Cheers to the gentleman who led our tour and narrated the show. Great job.

Wow-I’m hooked. I love your videos on all these castles. It would be a dream for me to tour just one of these, but I feel like I’m there anyway watching your videos. Kudos to your camera person-awesome job!

I live in New England and our history is not as old as yours. The beautiful stone work that’s evident in the castle’s of Europe just blows me away. Thanks you for the time you spent showing us the secrets that are built into the building of this beautiful castle. It’s shows you that these stones were not just haphazardly stacked in place but each one had meaning and purpose. The knowledge that these people possessed is just mind boggling. As far as civilization has come they can’t hold a candle to these ancient craftsman. I’m glad I found your channel. I love all the content you film on u tube. Wish you could just go back for a day and see what life was like a thousand years ago. All the best.

Kevin was an excellent guide! Clearly an expert and I love how excited he is to share the things he’s learned over the years and I enjoyed learning it!

I'm an American Anglophile. Love British history and really enjoyed this tour. I'll find more Kevin. But I always wish they'd show what these places looked like in their own time. It's hard to just imagine.

I’m dying for more castle tours. You need picked up by television. What passion. I could watch these tirelessly.

What an amazing castle! Your history of the castle, knowledge of the architecture, and personal stories really bring it to life! I love all the little things you point out that are probably missed by most visitors. Thanks again for your enthusiastic videos and tour of the castle!

You mentioned that the original doors were inside the castle, and showed us the replicated ones were clad with iron. I would imagine there were two reasons... a) so a beseiger couldn't use a battering ram to get in, and b) to avoid the doors being set on fire to gain access.

Being made of wood the iron might have made the doors more resistant to fire. It would have been a lot easier to burn the doors down than to bust through them normally without the metal shielding

Honestly this is absolutely amazing to watch and the amount we could learn from this is incredible!

What an unbridled absolute joy of a legacy, Sir! You are part of so many lives and childhoods and I see no difference between you and the great scholars of Greece, Rome, China and the Middle East. You have found your purpose in life and it is true. I hope to return your generosity of knowledge someday, perhaps in a little cafe or pub discussing ancient architecture, which is my personal passion. Many blessings to you and those you hold dear!

If this guy had been my history teacher I would’ve actually learned a lot.

By far and away the best UK history documentary I have watched, thanks for the tour Kevin

I'd do love to see that beautiful castle restored completely exactly like it was!!! I'll bet it was extremely formidable!!!

I absolutely love history but moreso medieval history! Kevin made this little episode so entertaining and engaging and i genuinely feel i have learnt so much from him. Great video! Love the passion!

What's not to enjoy about this man explaining it all so detailed and lovingly. He has a gift of making it interesting for everyone. Usually you see a castle and think that's what it was built in the first place but then you learn you are looking at centuries of developments and repurposing of parts of the building. I really enjoyed your tour, sir! Keep it up for us peasants, will you. God bless you!

Never really thought much about castle doors before, they look incredible!

You remind me of when I went to Greece I had a tour guide named Kostas. He was so incredibly knowledgeable about every site we visited and his presentation of the information along with physically being there really brought history to life for me. Thank you so much for not just teaching us but for truly breathing life into the history of the places you show us.

That was so informative - and like all talented presenters, you manage to cheerfully anticipate - and answer - the questions many of us lay viewers might ask ourselves when we are watching. Your enthusiasm is contagious too. Great stuff!

I’ve always dreamed of visiting a castle such as that and getting an in depth tour of the areas the average visitor wouldn’t have access to. I could literally spend an entire day marveling at the construction and recreating it in my mind what it must have looked like in its prime. Thanks for the virtual walkthrough. I imagine this is as close as I will ever get to being there.

I wish I had a history teacher like you when I was younger. I can tell you truly love teaching history and it's much easier to learn from someone that loves what they do.

this guy is an amazing narrator. i could listen to him talk all day.

Espetacular! Parabéns pela competência na apresentação e pelos detalhes.

Covering the outside of the doors with metal made the doors more resistant to fire and it also improved their durability

I would have loved school a whole lot more if I'd had a history teacher like you ☺️ Great video!

I've been to Chepstow back in 2002. It's a beautiful castle and I really loved the village it's in. I'd like to visit it again.

Always good solid history, no messing from a chap who knows what he’s talking about.

This was really special to me. i am 48 and have lived in Canada for the last 12 years, but i am originally from Bristol in England. My Mum took us to many interesting places, and Chepstow Castle was one we visited on numerous occasions. then in my adult life I carried on my visits. this is a place i will never get tired of and it is also one of my favourite castles. this video brought back many happy memories, thank you😊

I’m sitting here saying “Oh! Wow!” Out loud to myself. This is my new favorite channel. All teachers should teach with the enthusiasm that this man has.

These castle tours that you do are great! My three-year old daughter has watched this one over and over again and loves it!

Fun video. I love that you taught how they turned the ships. The legend of the final battle being fought in that spot is fun too.

Filling the room with soil to hold up the stones during construction seems like such an obvious solution now that you mention it. Exactly the kind of problem I would have really over complicated! I seem to remember someone mentioning concrete hangars being made in a similar way at some point. With a long mound of gravel that was then dug out after the concrete had been poured on top. Really interesting video, with lots of neat little things pointed out that would otherwise be overlooked. Imagine all the people that has walked through those doors. With everyone of them having just as full of a life as ourselves, with friends and family, with good times and bad, with loss and with love. So much history in one place the mind boggles. Subscribed!

I took my Breton students (from Bourbriac) to visit Cardiff Castle in 2014. What a disinterested bunch of blighters. This has to be my favourite castle too, Kevin. My earlier knowledge of castles went with Castle Tonkedeg or Coatfriec near Lannuon (Lannion) in Brittany knocked down a bit by Richelieu in the 17th century. Yes, castle building back then owed a lot to Roman ruins. Even if I don't get back to the part of Britain again, I feel like I've now been there. Now I know how to say "meutrière " in English: Murder hole. You are great and wonderful flowing fountain of knowledge. Merci Kevin.

Now this, is how you document a castle! Wow! Would you show us around when we visit?? 😊 I love the details of castles that people never show. They literally miss the really cool parts of the architecture & essential spots . You however are on point & the camera perspective is amazing! Thank you Thank you!

The great thing about all these ancient/Semi ancient civilizations was 90% of stuff had a purpose. Structural design, Door ways, hall ways, stairs, rooms everything had a purpose for defence or general living. The stone/wood working techniques in some of these old castle/buildings are unbelievable and were made to stand the test of time or in their eyes sieges/battles. Amazing video!

Such a joy to see the glint in his eyes as he weaves us through such a stunning piece of history. Thank You, Mr.Hicks, Outstanding presentation. Peace.

I just discovered your channel and it's delightful. I'm unwell, and heartsick, today but this swept me away and I was able to have a brief vacation from life. Your passion for the castle is so obvious and makes your storytelling come alive. You're a born guide and storyteller.

I grew up in Chepstow and visited the castle mamy times when at school. Its an incredible structure . Doors were made by the Army Apprentice college which has now gone . Henry Martins tower is haunted , he was imprisoned and died there .

This is such a wholesome video! I love how authentic the guides enthusiasm is: and with good reason! Lots of fascinating stuff

When I saw Kevin shooting his longbow at Warwick, it was the only time I've ever seen a reenactor and thought that the level of skill I was witnessing matched how good they possibly were back yonder, his level of archery took you back in time by itself, a truly awesome sight

I absolutely love this man and the way he story tells. You can almost imagine being at that castle and what it originally looked like back in its day. Just wonderful 😊

I love castles and would love to go back in time to a fully operational castle and see how they looked in that time period

You are a pleasure to listen to and your explanation of all the castle features and history. Your enthusiasm is infectious.

I’ve lived in Chepstow most of my life and visited this castle many many times, all those years and I learnt more in this 30 min video. I’ll visit there again with a whole new outlook…..thank you.

Excellent work and entertaining to watch. As a Yank, I don't get to tour such amazing historical sites such as this castle. Your insights and colorful explanations are much appreciated!

This gentleman is incredible!! He had me enthralled with his joyous knowledge of this castle and all the hidden gems inside and around it. You can't help but be interested as his happiness at sharing such a wonderful building is infectious. I'd watch him tell me about the inside of a grocery store lol.

Kevin, thank you for the tour of Chepstow Castle, it's now my favorite castle in the world.

Thank you sir. Being a bloody Yank I don’t get anything more than a guided tour, IF I’m lucky enough to be there early enough to ignore up and pay for said tour. Then it’s limited on what’s known about the castle, depending on the love of history by the guide. When we went though the Edinburg castle we had a young (lates 20’s) guide, but thankfully he loved history, especially his own family history, and the tour was 20 times better than what the headphone tour was like. We did rent the headphones but left them off when we got to the main gate as this young man’s family was an instrument part of the masonry. Albeit a few generations back, but the knowledge he had was amazing. Not since then have I heard or seen that kind of passion of detail since getting to watch Kevin’s video. Thank you for taking so much time to explain how things really were back then. I’m a huge history buff, and seeing where the majority of about ancestors came from was quite intriguing as one can see where lots of ideas originated from in the colonial East coast of America. You did a brilliant job, I now have several other videos to enjoy as I’ve found a new favorite channel. P.S. I married a Scouser, now I understand how Great Britain ruled so much of the world for so long. LOL

From armour, longbows, and now this...medieval engenuity amazes me and Kevin makes it so entertaining ! Minutes well spent !

I love this castle, I took my children there many times. Then my grandchildren. It's amazing how clever the builders of this place were. Thank you for an entertaining and informative video.

I am an American and love castles. One day hopefully before I pass ill get the chance to see one in person. Fantastic show.❤

That was a wonderful tour, waking interest, packed with information and giving life to old stones. Your joy of teaching was overwhelming. Pupils need people like you, sparking their imagination and igniting their thirst for getting to know the world. Thank you sir!

Really enjoying this. He doesn’t waste a load of time gagging about. He knows so much he can talk endlessly without wasting time. Great video.

Another fascinating tour Kev. !! It's so much better and personal when you have such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide such as yourself. I loved how they built those massive arches but good Lord digging out all that dirt must've been backbreaking.

Amazingly informative! Would be great to see this castel rebuilt and this chap could be the advisor!

It's mind boggling to see the architecture still standing after all these years, truly incredible

In the early 90's I was stationed in Germany and fell in love with the castles. It was fascinating to look at the work that went into those huge structures. I love how this video explains where parts were changed or are missing. Thank you for such a great video.

This is truely amazing. Thanks for sharing such a marvelous walk through!

My mind just, went to another world, when he said how they kept the arches up, I simply didn't expected the room being filled with soil, amazing