As our current six-part series Battle Castle moves towards its explosive season finale on History Television in Canada, 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 29, our audience – and the press – continue to take notice of this genre-bending action documentary experience on air and online.
Here are this week’s transmedia highlights, direct from the Battle Castle universe:
It’s an exciting time here at Parallax Film Productions – with our current six-part series Battle Castle in the midst of its world premiere run on History Television in Canada, our audience – and the press – are talking about it on air and online.
Here are this week’s transmedia highlights, direct from the Battle Castle universe:
On YouTube
BattleCastle.TV: Conwy Castle Motion Comic
Conwy Castle’s motion comic reveals the bloody history of Edward I’s relationship with his neighbours the Welsh which resulted in the construction and sieging of his great Iron Ring of Castles in Snowdonia, North Wales. The castle’s build, as well as this siege, are profiled in Battle Castle Episode 4: Conwy Castle.
On Twitter
#BattleCastle/@battlecastle, March 15
Highlights from live tweeting leading up to and during the 9 pm ET simulcast of Battle Castle: Conwy on History Television:
@EFreilich The start of March Madness, Crosby’s return, and #BattleCastle tonight. SO MUCH GOOD TV!
@battleCastle 1 hr left until #ConwyCastle makes its world premiere on @HistoryTVCanada! Meet Tristian Jones, a Modern-Day Castellan http://ow.ly/9GBoE
@lostbraincells Here we go @battlecastle @becsnow Loved that opening part to camera from the beginning!
@ntomlinson I want one of those shields! #BattleCastle
@becsnow Are you watching battle castle and learning what the Hammer of the Scots did before he hammered the scots? #BattleCastle
@medievalists The Welsh are going to attack these unfinished castles! Kind of like attacking the unfinished #DeathStar #BattleCastle
3 ways to #gomedieval
This week, we featured #gomedieval moments from Conwy Castle:
Reads: The episode
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 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.
In Pictures: the Conwy Castle Flickr set
Video: The Conwy Castle Trailer
Official trailer for Battle Castle: Conwy, which made its world premiere Thursday, March 16 at 9 p.m. ET on History Television. This episode profiles the build and siege of Conwy Castle, as well as other castles in King Edward I’s Iron Ring. Also known as Edward Longshanks, this king of England built several strongholds in northern Wales in the late 13th century in an attempt to subjugate the local population.
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A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
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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
Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
Battle Castle: host Dan Snow details Malbork’s “VIP” prison
Battle Castle host Dan Snow shares the story of an elite medieval “guest” who was held captive in Malbork Castle’s prison and details the mystery behind his escape. This cell, which is said to have held “VIP” prisoners in the Middle Ages, is positioned in the High Castle. The 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.
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 Nov 17,
Several things are needed to construct siege engines: skilled engineers, considerable labour, accessible material … and so on – K. Nossov
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
Take in the Crown Jewel of crusader castles … lego-styles
http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/230059 via Krazy Kastle Krak Guy
Get 5 insider tips on how to siege a Battle Castle
http://lifeopslifeobs.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/5-tips-for-sieging-your-favourite-castle/ via Maija Leivo
Stock up on turrets
“What happens when a former Battle Castle PA is left alone in a warehouse full of boxes to stack? … Crenellations happen, that’s what!” Sean Dobbyn via Facebook
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
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Here’s what’s going on this week in our current production, Battle Castle:
On YouTube
Battle Castle: host Dan Snow discovers Crac des Chevaliers’ underground stores
Host Dan Snow descends deep into Crac des Chevaliers to explore its elaborate storage system and detail the role that it would have played during a siege. Dubbed the crown jewel of crusader castles, this castle is located in Northern Syria. It was constructed by Christian knights in the 12th and 13th centuries, and faced attack by a Muslim force armed with trebuchets and led by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars in 1271. The secrets of its build and details of the epic siege it faced are revealed in Battle Castle: Crac des Chevaliers.
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 Nov 10,
Chateau Gaillard a state-of-the-art castle, with successive lines of defence and round towers flanking the walls – M. Prestwich
3 ways to #gomedieval
Awesome medieval moments on the web, chosen by The Gatekeeper:
Explore reasons behind grave disturbances in the Middle Ages
http://bit.ly/t09IiA via @MedievalArchive
Discover ancient “castle” structures found in the Libyan desert
http://bit.ly/uFK19p via Military Architecture
Learn how medieval families came to be
http://bit.ly/upsKnx via @Medievalists
Want more Battle Castle action?
A world of castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends awaits …
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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 …
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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.
