Dan Cruickshank explores the Palace of Westminster, examining its architecture and history.
The warrior dream of the medieval age was to build the world's first invincible fortress. Harlech Castle was that fortress, striking terror into the hearts of those who confronted it and taking military strategy into the modern age. Even today the castle is the most awe-inspiring in Britain - it commands a dramatic outpost on the Welsh coast and was the focus of the most bitter conflict between the English and Welsh as Edward Longshanks, King of England, pitted his wits against Llewellyn ap Gruffyd, Prince of Wales. Hiring the most renowned castle builder in the world - Master James of St George who worked in Italy and France - Edward Longshanks was determined to build an extraordinary fighting machine right in the heart of enemy territory. James invented a castle that quite literally grew out of the Welsh granite beneath it - taking as his model the largest crusader castle in Syria - and improving on it. Harlech re-invented the architecture of the castle. And around it was played out a fight to the death - the outcome of which would decide the shape of modern Britain.
This episode visits Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, one of the most mysterious country houses in Britain. Its great honey-coloured walls hold the secret to one of this country's golden ages and even a plot to seize the throne of England.
Investigates the engineering feat of building Durham Cathedral, the thinking behind which was a century ahead of any other British building. He also uncovers some of the cathedral's secrets and finds out more about the lives of the monks who worshipped there.
This episode visits the Circus, a perfect circle of palatial terraced houses in the centre of Regency Bath. Created by young architect John Wood and admired by Jane Austen, the Circus quickly became one of the most fashionable addresses in the country. But behind the elegant facade of Bath lies a tale of necromancy pagan ritual and human sacrifice.
Dan Cruikshank tells the story of the Forth Bridge, the great symbol of the Victorian railway age, whose dramatic construction claimed the lives of over fifty men.