Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
BattleCastle.TV: host Dan Snow explains how Constantinople inspired Edward’s castle builders
Battle Castle host Dan Snow details how the mighty city of Constantinople influenced the shape of Caernarfon Castle’s towers. The fortification combines military engineering and palatial splendour fit for a king. Master James of St. George and his castle builders also raised Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris — combined, these fortifications are known as the Iron Ring. Conwy was commissioned by King Edward I in Snowdonia, Wales, and was tested with Madog ap Llywelyn led a medieval rebellion against the English and their Iron Ring of fortifications in the late 13th century. The secrets of this mighty castle’s build and details of the siege it faced are revealed in Battle Castle: Conwy.
Dan’s vlogs are released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
On Twitter
A micro tale of medieval sieges:
@Battlecastle Jan. 6,
In the depths of winter, we’re reminded that two of our Battle Castle six faced truly “chilling” sieges.
At Conwy, the mighty King Edward found himself a prisoner in his own castle.
And in Normandy, Philip Augustus and his French army prompted Chateau Gaillard’s garrison to release their own into the cold.
Many of these “useless mouths”, caught between the castle and enemy lines, suffered a horrific end …
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
In pictures: Guedelon’s double-drummed treadmill winch
Full Guedelon Facebook album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.114259835321158.22110.112233018857173&type=3 via @guedelon
Medieval read: King John – the classic villain
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12603356 via @BBC_magazine
Living history: reenactment in Wales
Full album: http://www.sgfnet.co.uk/owainglyndwr/OwainGlyndwr10/OGlyndwr2010/content/OGlyndwr10_226_large.html via the Owain Glyndwr Festival
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