How did medieval castles in Germany defend themselves? And why were they built the way they were? This video takes us through a castle like those we often see in films.

In the Middle Ages, people were resourceful when it came to battles. A group of scholars has worked to recreate medieval explosives and weaponry at Coburg Fortress in Upper Franconia.

In southwest Germany, about ninety percent of the medieval population were serfs. They cultivated fields and lands that they had been given by their lords. In return, the peasants had to provide the nobility and their entourage with food and labor.

In the middle ages, living off the land was very difficult and farmers had to get by with much lower crop yields. Baking was popular, and pig farming was generally successful since the animals could graze on acorns in nearby forests.

How do we know what people ate in the Middle Ages? Bones found at archaeological sites provide a clear answer to this question.

In this part we get an insight into medieval cuisine and learn, among other things, why game was not on the farmers' menu. Although many people believe that the farmers were exploited by their feudal lords, there is another side to the story.