‎Knights - Apple TV

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A fierce warrior-class emerges in medieval Europe around 1000 years ago: the knights. They live brutal lives, glorified by tales of chivalry and courtly love that have left us with a skewed idea of knighthood. In reality, it's a world of freezing castles and violent battles, where joust competitions, fair maidens and the crusades are the latest fads.

Documentary · 2015 · 52 min

Starring David Ritchie

Director Christian Feyerabend

EPISODE 1

Men in Iron

Who and what were the knights? How did they live? Castle-builders, royal henchmen, battle-enthusiasts and holy warriors all rolled into one, they are among history's enigmas. The lives of men like Heinrich Thangeln and Reinbold von Rappoldstein vividly illustrate how an ordinary rider could eventually become a knight.

51 min · Apr 7, 2015
EPISODE 2

Part 2: For Fame And Honor

Gaining honour, respect and glory is all-important to the medieval knight. And embarking on a crusade to the Holy Land in pursuit of the 'infidels' is one way of getting it. Of course, there's also the promise of land and untold riches. And by demonstrating their love of God in this way, the crusaders believed they could secure their access to paradise.

50 min · Apr 8, 2015
EPISODE 3

Part 3: The Last Of Their Kind

"He can kiss my behind" - the famous quote of Götz von Berlichingen to a bailiff, immortalised by the young Goethe. It's a sign of changing times. Like his ancestors, the young Imperial Knight Götz is destined to fight for his emperor to gain honour and defend the rights of his people. But who is to pay for all this fighting and fanfare?

50 min · Apr 9, 2015

David Ritchie

Narrator
Christian Feyerabend

Director
Christian Feyerabend

Writer