Watch Battle Castle

Battle Castle is a historical documentary series that aired on the BBC in 2012. Presented by Dan Snow, the show explores some of the world's finest fortified structures and delves into the incredible stories of the battles that took place within their walls. Each episode focuses on a different castle, ranging from the medieval period all the way through to the Renaissance.

The series starts with the Battle Castle of Wales, Conwy Castle. Built by King Edward I in the late 13th century, it was an imposing structure by anyone's standards. However, it's inner workings were what truly made it special. With powerful defences, ruthless battlements, and an impressively designed moat, invaders were left with little chance of success. Alongside the immense architecture, Dan Snow dives into the human lineage which helped to build the castle and successfully defend it against Welsh opposition.

Throughout each episode, diverse castles within various countries are shown, including Crac des Chevaliers in Syria, Malbork Castle in Poland, and the fortifications around the medieval city state of Dubrovnik (formally known as Ragusa). The incredible history surrounding every castle, as well as personal accounts from historians, architects, and soldiers, bring the stories of these structures to life in vivid detail.

The show also features in-depth CGI reconstructions of the battles that took place within the walls of the castles. These scenes provide a real sense of what it was like to be involved in a medieval siege, with arrows flying from battlements and boiling tar being poured down onto invaders below.

One of the captivating aspects of the series is its exploration of the unique tactics that were used to successfully defend each castle. These often include a mix of traditional defences from catapults to crossbows, and more surprising methods such as fake walls designed to collapse onto attackers. The creative approach to defence only further underlines the immense intelligence and dexterous minds of the defensive players.

As well as showing the castles themselves, the series also takes the audience on journeys through towns and cities that were essential to the castle's survival. For example, in the episode about the Krak des Chevaliers, we learn about the importance of the farmers and food supply to the castle's survival. Furthermore, the many artisans and craftspeople that were required to construct such a formidable structure are also given their due recognition.

The timespan of the series allows for an examination of the advancements made in weaponry and fortifications over the centuries. In some episodes, such as the one about the Château Gaillard in France, we see how a lack of new technology led to its downfall. In this case, King Philippe Auguste relied on trebuchets and a new technique for mining beneath the castle's walls to ultimately bring it down.

The presentation of the series is professional and well-structured, allowing the audience to follow along with ease. Dan Snow's live re-enactments of key battles add a personal touch, and his interviews with historians and castle experts are informative without being dull.

In conclusion, Battle Castle is a captivating historical documentary series that showcases a mix of impressive architecture and the pervasive stories of battles that take place within its walls. The viewer is presented with an array of castles from different regions and time periods, allowing for a broader insight into the history and tactics of castle defence. The use of computer-generated imagery (CGI), as well as interviews with historians and other experts, bring the stories to life and give the audience a sense of what it was like to be in a medieval siege. With each episode focussing on a different castle, there is always a sense of novelty and unpredictability, making it an interesting and entertaining show to watch.