Rebuilding Ludworth Tower
Ludworth Tower in County Durham gets a humorous rebuild in this playful video, starring James The Mason and Bruce Of Forsyth—with some goats joining the fun! During a long cold winter, what better way to spend time than digitally resurrecting a ruined medieval fortress?
The YouTube video "Northumbrian X: Ludworth Tower Redux" (uploaded August 13, 2025 by MODERN PEASANT) is a short, deliberately humorous take on historic reconstruction. It follows James The Mason and Bruce Of Forsyth as they digitally rebuild the ruined medieval Ludworth Tower using 3D modeling and creative design tools. Framed as a light-hearted "redux," the project is more artistic whimsy than serious archaeology.
The video is tongue-in-cheek in tone and features a charming rural cast: the builders are joined by two adorable goats, Shane and Oggie, who wander through the process adding comic relief. The whole thing feels like a quirky blend of heritage preservation, digital art, and gentle self-mockery—essentially watching enthusiastic locals "bring a medieval fortress back to life" in the virtual world while clearly having a laugh about it. Perfect for anyone who enjoys creative history projects served with a big side of British dry humor.
The Real Ludworth Tower
Ludworth Tower was built by the de Ludworth family and later passed to the Holden family, who added to the tower in 1411. Roger Holden gained a licence to crenelate in 1422, and Thomas Holden added a rectangular pele tower at least three storeys high. I missed this nugget until it was too late and included the peel tower in the structure...a bit of an error! :)
By 1785, Ludworth Tower was already a ruin. Most of the remaining structure collapsed in 1890, leaving only the barrel-vaulted basement, three-storey west wall, and fragments of a spiral stair visible today.
The tower's history spans over four centuries, from its medieval origins to its eventual decay. Today, the ruins stand as a testament to the region's pele tower heritage—a type of fortified residence common in the Anglo-Scottish border region.
Video credit: "Northumbrian X: Ludworth Tower Redux" by MODERN PEASANT (YouTube)
Historical facts sourced from Wikipedia and public records.