Fortresses are a significant part of England's landscape. You'll take a aerial tour of some of the most famous, from Balmoral, still occupied by the Royal family, to some of the oldest castles, dating back to 1066. Find out how their place in society, culture and the power had a huge impact on English history.
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HOW MANY CASTLES ARE THERE? There are literally thousands of them. As the saying goes, "he who has the fortress, rules the land." Most were owned by the crown and, in fact, some still are. Those who lived inside the castle were a part of the royal order. Everyone outside the castle was not.
WHY HE'S CALLED WILLIAM THE CONQUERER The year 1066 was a very good year - if you are a man named William and you land on the shores of England from Normandy. William fought in the Battle of Hastings and ended up taking over power. See the castles he took over and built and the stories behind them.
HOW TO ATTACK A FORTRESS Fortresses seem inpenetratable. But once the canon was developed, a 30 pound shot would be hurled through the air and cause damage inside the walls of just about any fortress. The smiths who designed effective canons became indispensable.
