MEDIA ADVISORY: New 2013 US series “Battle Castle” begins airing on PBS
KTCA – Minneapolis Thursday, January 10, 2013
KRSC – Claremore, OK Tuesday, January 22, 2013
WLPB – Louisiana Saturday, February 11, 2013
TBA: check local listings:
KERA – Dallas
KQED – San Francisco
KRMA – Denver
KRSC – Claremore, OK
KUON – Nebraska Network
WGTV – Georgia Network
WYCC – Chicago
MEDIA RELEASE
It’s an exciting time here at Parallax Film Productions – in less than a week, our current production Battle Castle will make its world broadcast premiere on History Television in Canada.
Leading up to the six-part series, there’s been so much going on online that it’s become an experience in and of itself. Here are this week’s highlights, direct from the Battle Castle universe:
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
BattleCastle.TV: host Dan Snow details Malbork’s impressive provisions
Battle Castle host Dan Snow explains the impressive grain stores at Malbork Castle in Poland. In medieval times, the Teutonic Knights would have lived off grain and other provisions during a siege. This staple was also one of their major exports. This stronghold, believed to be the largest brick castle in the world, was built by Christians during the Baltic Crusades. Historically known as Marienburg, this fortification was besieged by Polish and Lithuanian forces after the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410, and defended by Heinrich von Plauen.
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.
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
BattleCastle.TV: host Dan Snow shares how a small group of soldiers approached Chateau Gaillard
Battle Castle host Dan Snow details how a handful of French troops infiltrated one of Chateau Gaillard’s walls during the siege of 1203-1204. Philip Augustus of France and his army attacked the castle to try and push the English out of Normandy. Though King John reigned at the time it was besieged, the stronghold was built by his brother Richard I before he died. Battle Castle: Gaillard reveals how the Lionheart’s castle builders constructed the fortifications, which included securing the castle, an island fort, and the town of Petit Andely, and details the medieval weapons that the French used to attack it.
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
Battle Castle host Dan Snow reveals why 4 p.m. sunsets are a thing of beauty during a November shoot at Dover Castle in Kent, England.
This castle, known as “the Key to England” was attacked by Prince Louis of France with an array of weapons technology including the mangonel, perrier and siege tower. The stone castle was built mostly by Henry the II’s engineer Maurice, and defended by Hubert de Burgh, loyal to English King John.
Dan’s blogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
On Twitter
Medieval siege tip of the week:
@Battlecastle Nov 3,
Beware the elite’s desire to defend their own interests, as it can be the beating heart of any structural defence – M. Keen
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
Transform a snowstorm into a stronghold
http://www.dadsupercool.com/uncategorized/build-snow-castle via http://www.dadsupercool.com/
Build a castle out of cardboard, hats … even toilet paper
http://www.netmums.com/things/How_to_build_a_castle.2453/via http://www.netmums.com/
Dine at a castle in Canada (sort of):
http://tinyurl.com/3bz3r9w via liz__murray
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
Join us.
Battle Castle host Dan Snow details the unusual story of a Roman amphitheatre that sits at the foot of the Alcazaba of Malaga in the Andalusia region of Spain. The theatre was built in time of Augustus, and was later used as a quarry by Muslims to raise the city’s fortifications. Roman column shafts and capitals, still visible in the walls of the structures, are said to be a testament to the castle builders’ pragmatic approach to construction. Battle Castle: Malaga brings to life the medieval siege of 1487, when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella attacked the city and its Castillo de Gibralfaro in an attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Granada and complete the Reconquista, a Muslim Christian conflict that spanned centuries.
Dan’s vlogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
On Twitter
Medieval siege tip of the week:
@Battlecastle Oct 24,
There are two ways of taking a castle: by storming, or by negotiating – M. Prestwich
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
This Halloween, read up on medieval costumes
http://englishcomplit.unc.edu/chaucer/costume.htm via Laura Hodges
Up your chivalrous quotient with this guide to knight-speak
http://www.chronique.com/Library/Glossaries/glossary-KCT/glssindx.htm
curated by brion
Get prepped for the Battle Castle cooking adventure
http://www.nibblesnbites.com/medieval-cooking-challenge/via Nibbles-n-Bites
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
Join us.
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
Battle Castle: host Dan Snow reveals how bad timing changed Chateau Gaillard’s history
Battle Castle host Dan Snow details King John’s attempt at thwarting the siege of Chateau Gaillard. The King of England, also known as John Lackland, planned a two-pronged attack, meant to triumph over Philip Augustus of France and his army, who were positioned outside English King Richard I’s stronghold in Normandy. Battle Castle: Gaillard reveals how Richard the Lionheart’s castle builders constructed the fortifications, which included securing the castle, an island fort, and the town of Petit Andely, and details the medieval weapons that the French used to attack it. Dan’s blogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows .
Dan’s blogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows .
Battle Castle: Malbork — Middle Castle gate
The Battle Castle crew moves one of five gates that mark the entrance to the Middle Castle at Malbork, Poland. The gate is cobbled, with stone plates that marked the way for carts so that they didn’t damage the gate jams. Battle Castle: Malbork profiles the siege of 1410 when Polish and Lithuanian forces attacked the brick stronghold. The offensive, which was led by King Jagiello and Grand Duke Vytautas, occurred after the Battle of Tannenberg. The castle, historically known as Marienburg, was built by the Teutonic Order, crusader knights who occupied this area of the Baltic in medieval times.
More:
On Twitter
Medieval siege tip of the week:
@Battlecastle Oct 18,
In the mid-twelfth century, an average siege seems to last between four and six weeks – M. Keen
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
Entertain guests with a food experience from the Middle Ages
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIC5bUX5RGE via hestonsfeasts
Taking up the ancient and impressive sport of falconry
http://www.redgage.com/photos/maggs224/a-falconer-with-one-of-his-birds-at-the-medieval-market.html via maggs224
Tips for dressing medieval on a budget
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFzRm3L14PI&NR=1v via aglanceatmyworld
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
Join us.
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
Battle Castle: host Dan Snow details Conwy Castle’s peculiar curvature
Battle Castle host Dan Snow explores Conwy’s great hall and details the reason behind its unusual shape. This Welsh castle was built 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 blogs will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows
Battle Castle: Conwy – the winds of Wales
On Twitter
Medieval siege tip of the week:
@Battlecastle Oct. 12,
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
Creative forum for teaching medieval history
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=3067 via http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/
Kids food from the Middle Ages to your table
http://www.ifood.tv/blog/medieval-foods-for-kids via http://www.ifood.tv
Paper trebuchet takes down office monotony
http://twitter.com/#!/dale42/status/103257397958684672 via @dale42
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
Join us.
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
Battle Castle: Host Dan Snow reveals how Malbork’s Teutonic knights dined like kings.
Battle Castle host Dan Snow reveals what the Teutonic Knights at Malbork Castle in Poland ate and drank, and how their meals were prepared and brought to them during life in the Middle Ages. This stronghold, believed to be the largest brick castle in the world, was built by Christians during the Baltic Crusades. The fortification, historically known as Marienburg, was besieged by Polish and Lithuanian forces after the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410, and defended by Heinrich von Plauen.
Dan’s blog will be released every Thursday on YouTube, unveiling details related to the stories that will be profiled in the Battle Castle shows.
On Flickr
Battle Castle: Conwy – Dan Snow climbs a siege ladder
On-site photos taken during the filming of Battle Castle: Conwy as host Dan Snow attempted to defeat a stone wall using a replica of a medieval siege ladder. The ladder, built by Gary Ball, is similar to those used in the Middle Ages during the time that Conwy and King Edward I’s other Welsh castles were built. The show reveals the castle builders who engineered and raised these fortifications, as well as the weapons and battles that tested them in 1294 when Welsh leader Madog ap Llywelyn headed a medieval rebellion against the English and laid siege to their castles.
More: http://www.flickr.com/photos/battlecastle/sets/72157627664058083/show/
On Twitter
Medieval siege tip of the week:
@BattleCastle Oct. 6,
A military architect’s duty is to counter the ever-changing arsenal of the aggressor – M. Keen
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
Middle Age warfare, go-cart edition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmw8JEQvK48&feature=fvsr via r00bear
Medieval fashion meets modern life
http://www.brianshumway.com/projects/modern-medieval-new/ via brianshumway
History inspires Tarot cards with a twist
http://platypusart.com/wetherell/modern_medieval_tarot.html via Shayn Amber Wetherell and TimWetherell
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
Join us.
