Battle Castle
 | This article, Battle Castle, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
Battle Castle is a Canadian documentary television series that will aired on History Television starting February 27, 2012. The show is about epic sieges on medieval fortifications. The show is co-produced by Parallax Film Productions Inc. and Ballista Media.
Battle Castle[1] uses location footage and immersive visual effects to reveal the history of six medieval sieges, explore the military engineering and legendary battles.
The series is produced by Ian Herring[2] and Tom Clifford. Directed by Ian Herring.[3] Written by Nicole Tomlinson[4], Hugh Hardy[5], Rebecca Snow[6]. Dan Snow[7] is the host.
Episodes
| Episode | Episode Title | Original Canadian Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Crac des Chevaliers" | February 27, 2012 |
| The siege on Crac des Chevaliers Castle in Syria. | Location: Syria
The build: Crac des Chevaliers was built by an elite order of Christian warrior monks in the 12th and 13th centuries. Called the Knights Hospitaller, these men designed the castle to dominate a key pass in what is now Syria and guard against Muslim attacks during the Crusades. Strategically positioned on a mountain spur, its steeply-sloped walls, hidden moat and deadly ramp entrance make it the “crown jewel” of crusader castles. The siege: This castle was besieged by Baybars, a Mamluk Sultan who rose from slavery to usurp a king. Armed with siege engines like the counterweight trebuchet, Baybars campaigned against the Christians in the latter part of the 13th century, determined to push them out of the Holy Land forever. In 1271, he came up against Crac des Chevaliers, challenging the castle - and its defenders - to a battle that would shift the balance of power in the Middle East. | |
| 2 | "Malaga" | March 5, 2012 |
| The siege on the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro in Spain. | Location: Spain
The build: Malaga was transformed into a military stronghold by Muslim leader Yusuf I and his successors in the 14th century. Situated in Granada in modern-day Spain, the city’s defenses were built to protect its key port against Christians from Aragon and Castile, during the Reconquista. Designed to guard a kingdom against annihilation, the city boasts not one, but two fortifications: Gibralfaro Castle – or Castillo de Gibralfaro – and the Alcazaba of Malaga. Its unprecedented military passageway, vast underground chamber system, and brilliant watchtower network earned Malaga its reputation as an eye of the empire. The siege: The castle was attacked by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1487 as part of a massive offensive against the city. Commanded by the King’s elite soldier, the Marquis of Cadiz, and defended by Hamet el Zegri, a Muslim warrior fuelled by the desire for revenge, the stronghold was hammered by powerful “lombard” cannons – a weapon that would change the nature of warfare forever. The city and its citizens were also targeted, and for months, the battle raged on. This sustained onslaught would prove to be the bloodiest siege of this centuries-old conflict. And its outcome would change the future of Europe. | |
| 3 | "Dover" | March 12, 2012 |
| The siege on Dover Castle in England. | Location: England
The build: Dover Castle was commissioned by King Henry II in the late 12th century as a mighty fortification to guard the region of Kent, situated at the shortest crossing between Britain and the Continent. Executed by the King’s finest engineer, Maurice, it cost more to build than any of Henry’s other projects. After the King’s death, his sons Richard, and then John, continued construction on the stronghold until it became the first concentric castle in Western Europe. Its magnificent square keep, intimidating fore building, and innovatively shaped towers live up to its legacy as “the key to England”. The siege: This castle was besieged by Prince Louis of France in the early 13th century. Son of Philip II, Louis came to England to attempt to usurp King John during the First Barons’ War. He seized several fortifications and marched into London. Then he turned his sword on Dover. Prince Louis’ siege machines -like the perrier -faced several layers of defenses, including a palisade, before he could even hope to storm the castle and attack its garrison, led by Hubert de Burgh. This vicious fight challenged Dover’s military power, and its outcome would determine the fate of the English crown. | |
| 4 | "Gaillard" | March 19, 2012 |
| The siege on Chateau Gaillard in France. | Location: France
The build: Chateau Gaillard was constructed by King Richard I in the late 12th century. Otherwise known as “Richard the Lionheart”, this legendary English king engineered the castle to counter French attempts to seize England’s holdings in continental Europe. His castle builders turned his vision into an unparalleled stronghold in less than two years. Perched high above the River Seine, its knife-like keep, arced-stone wall and multiple baileys speak both to its military purpose and to its King’s fiery character. The siege: This castle was attacked by Richard’s archenemy, Philip II of France. Bolstered by medieval weapons like the mangonel Phillip Augustus led an army through Normandy in 1203, arriving at Chateau Gaillard in the latter part of the year. He attacked a river fort and the adjacent town of Petit Andely, before even reaching Chateau Gaillard. The gruesome battle went on through the winter, claiming many lives and intensifying the historical struggle between English and French. | |
| 5 | "Malbork" | March 26, 2012 |
| The siege on Malbork Castle in Poland. | Location: Poland
The build: Malbork Castle was forged by the Teutonic Knights, a powerful order of German crusaders, in the 13th century. Historically known as Marienburg, it is the greatest fortification built by medieval knights during the Baltic Crusades, a mission to convert pagans to Christianity in Prussia and Lithuania. Believed to be the largest brick castle in the world, its unusual building blocks make its design stunning, both visually and militarily. Part of a network of castles with the same basic blueprint that stretch across modern-day Poland, its ingenious moat system, mysterious secluded tower, and lofty High Castle place it among the Teutonic Order’s most incredible military –and architectural - achievements. The siege: The castle was besieged by the combined forces of King Jagiello of Poland and Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania in 1410, shortly after the celebrated Battle of Tannenberg, fought by the knights’ Grand Master. The attackers brought an arsenal of siege weapons, including the trebuchet and light artillery. Inside Malbork, a united garrison, led by Heinrich von Plauen, fought for both their God and their lives with crossbows and heavy cannon. The outcome of this campaign would challenge the gains of the Polish crown and define the future of the Teutonic Knights. | |
| 5 | "Conwy" | April 2, 2012 |
| The siege on Caernarvon, Harlech and Beaumaris Castles in Wales. | Location: Wales
The build: Conwy was built by King Edward I of England in the late 13th century in Snowdonia, Northern Wales. Part of the famous “Iron Ring” of fortifications, it was designed by Edward’s top military architect, Master James of St. George, to suppress Welsh rebellions against English rule. A striking example of Edward’s distinct vision, this fortification is strategically positioned on the River Conwy. Its deadly entrance, lofty crenellated towers, and cleverly-designed river gate are statements to its determined King and its enduring domination. The siege: This stronghold was attacked by the Madog ap Llywelyn after he launched a campaign against the English in 1294. The leader, calling himself Prince of Wales, was armed with the powerful longbow. His army targeted several castles including Harlech – which was besieged - and Caernarfon – where the town and castle were sacked. Edward was present in the castle during the siege of Conwy and the outcome of the uprising would not only decide the destiny of England’s holdings in Wales – it would also inspire the King to attempt to perfect castle engineering by raising the mighty Beaumaris. |
Web Games
Two web games were developed to accompany the series.
The first game created is a web based strategy game. The object of the game is to use your resources wisely and siege the castle.
The second game Masters of Constantinople is a text game that tests your medieval knowledge in order to complete the various challenges.
External Links
- Battle Castle official website
- Parallax Film Productions website
- Battle Castle at the Internet Movie Database
- History Channel Canada official website
References
| This article, Battle Castle, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |