TTC Video - Great Castles of Europe
.MP4, AVC, 1280x720, 30 fps | English, AAC, 2 Ch | 12h 47m | 10.55 GB
Lecturer: Victoria L. McAlister, PhD Professor, Towson University | Course No. 30570
The castles of Europe are one of the glorious legacies of the Middle Ages. Beautiful and fascinating to explore, great castles dazzle us with their grandeur, and their power to evoke an age of lords and ladies, knights and peasants, battles and sieges. But beyond their architectural majesty and romantic allure, great castles offer something much more.
From the mighty fortresses of the Normans and the châteaus of France to the crusader castles of the Mediterranean, great castles are invaluable, historical artifacts that give us an incredible window into the medieval world, in all its drama, passion, and human striving. Castles were part of the very fabric of medieval society, and profoundly influenced the political, economic, demographic, and social evolution of Europe.
In the 24 compelling lectures of Great Castles of Europe, expert castellologist Victoria L. McAlister, of Towson University, guides you through the era of the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, highlighting numerous of the most memorable and historically significant castles of these extraordinary times. Professor McAlister's thrilling presentation combines her own in-depth research, insights, and enthralling commentary with exciting scholarship from the interdisciplinary field of castle studies, drawing from cutting-edge research in history, archaeology, architecture, art, and literature.
Great Castles of Europe offers you a deep and unforgettable encounter with some of history's most remarkable buildings, as you see how major historical events such as the Crusades, the Reconquista, and the War of the Roses impacted castles and their evolution. You'll also explore the experiences of the people who lived in them, from kings and queens to lords and castle holders, and the experiences of the knights, administrators, churchmen, peasants, and women of all ranks whose lives intersected with the functioning of life within the castle.
A Breathtaking, Historical Journey
In this vivid and compelling course, you'll take a panoramic excursion into the remarkable world of castles, uncovering the true story of these amazing structures and their place in medieval life. In doing so, you'll encounter the many and diverse historical roles of castles, at stunning sites such as:
- Caernarfon Castle of Wales. This soaring, monumental edifice, built to consolidate the English crown's hold on Wales, served as a weapon of political propaganda.
- The Alhambra of Spain. The exquisite interiors of the complex's Palace of the Lions were the sumptuous royal residence of the sultans of the Nasrid Dynasty.
- Denmark's Kronborg Castle. Immortalized by Shakespeare as Elsinore in Hamlet, this superbly elegant Renaissance castle served principally as a customs station for passing ships.
- Massive Malbork Castle. Located in Poland, this classic medieval castle served as the administrative hub of a political state and the center of huge commercial networks.
- France's Carcassonne. One of the most beautiful and iconic medieval walled cities in Europe, Carcassonne emblemizes military action at castles, seeing a devastating siege during its tumultuous history.
