While there’s no denying their aesthetic appeal, part of the fascination with castles is their place in history. The castle Warwick in England began as one of William the Conqueror’s dozens of garrisons, saw the age of knights come and go, witnessed the War of the Roses, and was home to Richard III of Shakespeare fame. That’s just the first of the three episodes making up this 71-minute installment of the Learning Channel’s Great Castles of Europe series.
The second episode focuses on Scotland’s Glamis castle, no less historic as the place where Shakespeare set Macbeth, where Scotland’s last Catholic king murdered its Protestant owner and lived briefly and where the Queen Mother was born. Her embroidered name–along with those of her nine siblings–still graces her mother’s bed in the castle today.
Finally, Ireland’s Bunratty has silently witnessed many an attempt at invasion, from the Vikings through the endless battles between the English and the Irish. From its beginnings as a crude fort through its days as a local jail and its brief time as a Renaissance palace, the castle has withstood several fires and partial demolition to become the tourist attraction it is today. This video’s subtle depictions of the battles–personal and military–augment the beautiful scenery and insider’s look at these magnificent structures. History buffs will enjoy the frequent touch-point references, and novices will be glad for the rewind button. –Kimberly Heinrichs Check It Out