Castles: Britain's Fortified History

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Instruments of Invasion

BBC Four

Sam Willis

Ben Southwell

Michael Poole

Castles: Britain's Fortified History: Episode 1: Instruments of Invasion

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Episode 1

Episode 1: Instruments of Invasion

BBC Four - Castles: Britain's Fortified History, Instruments of Invasion

How the castle became a weapon with which unruly barons challenged the Crown.

Sam Willis shows how the castle arrived as an instrument of invasion with the Normans but became a weapon with which unruly barons challenged the Crown.

Sam Willis looks at the history of the castle from its first appearance with the Normans in 1066 to the longest siege on English soil at Kenilworth Castle 200 years later. The castle arrived as an instrument of invasion but soon became a weapon with which unruly barons challenged the Crown. Tintagel Castle, the place where King Arthur is said to have been conceived, is also on the itinerary. It remains one of the most evocative of castles to this day, drawing visitors from around the world with its tales of myth and legend.

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Factual: History

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Sam Willis traces the story of Britain's castles in our history, art and literature.

Historian Sam Willis traces the story of Britain's castles and their unique role in our history, art and literature.

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Castles: Britain's Fortified History

Episode 1: Instruments of Invasion

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