MAP: Ep 16 – Pillars of the Earth 4: “Battlefields”

MAP: Ep 16 – Pillars of the Earth 4: “Battlefields”

Author: The Archivist May 16, 2011 Duration: 41:55
The Anarchy heats up this week! There are beseiged castles, fierce battles and of course, double dealings! Join us as we continuing our trip through The Pillars of the Earth. This week we recap/review episode four "Battlefields" of the Starz Original series The Pillars of the Earth. Set in the the 12th century The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of King Stephen's reign over England and the 19 year period of Anarchy. Pillars of the Earth Synopsis This epic tale of passion and greed begins when a mysterious secret disrupts the succession to the English crown and an unlikely member of King Henry's family takes the throne. A power struggle between Henry's daughter, Maud, and nephew, Stephen, causes England to be torn by war as battles rage for the rightful heir. Meanwhile, Bishop Waleran Bigod and the Hamleigh family manipulate the conflict to satisfy their own ruthless ambitions. Within this tumultuous setting, Prior Philip fights insurmountable obstacles to keep Kingsbridge and his dream of building a magnificent cathedral alive. The task is daunting, but master-mason Tom Builder, his gifted stepson, Jack, and noblewoman Aliena work together to achieve their dreams. And in the process, the long-hidden secret is revealed. Episode 4 "Battlefields" Maud is besieged at Lincoln Castle and Robert of Gloucester can't come to her aid for some time. William applies to have his father’s title of Earl transferred to him and discovers a mysterious knight is also a rival for the Earldom. Meanwhile, Regan arranges to have Waleran absolve William of all past and future sins in an effort to conquer William's fear of hell. King Stephen, frightened by Jack’s appearance, orders an assassin to kill him. The battle between King Stephen and Maud sees each side’s leader being taken hostage. Philip is tortured into a confession when Waleran tells Maud that he is the man who betrayed Earl Bartholomew. Cast of Characters: Ian McShane as Waleran Bigod Donald Sutherland as Earl Bartholomew Rufus Sewell as Tom Builder Matthew Macfadyen as Prior Philip Tony Curran as King Stephen Alison Pill as Princess Maude Sarah Parish as Regan Hamleigh Robert Bathurst as Percy Hamleigh David Oakes as William Hamleigh Goetz Otto as Walter Hayley Atwell as Aliena Sam Claflin as Richard Liam Garrigan as Alfred Builder Skye Bennett as Martha Builder Gordon Pinsent as the Archbishop Eddie Redmayne as Jack Jackson Natalia Wörner as Ellen Anatole Taubman as Remigius You can listen to the episode below. Or download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. The music was provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com Use the icons below to download the .mp3 audio file, subscribe directly to iTunes or subscribe to the RSS feed.

Step into the world of Medieval Archives, where host The Archivist guides you through the sprawling, complex landscape of a thousand-year era. This isn't just a parade of dates and famous names. Instead, each episode is a deep exploration, peeling back the layers of popular legend to examine the tangible realities of medieval life. You'll hear about the strategic calculations behind what we call epic battles, the fragile alliances within courtly intrigue, and the quiet rhythms of survival in villages far from castle walls. The podcast is built on a foundation of historical evidence, carefully separating enduring fact from compelling fiction. By focusing on the people-from monarchs and saints to merchants and peasants-and the beliefs that guided them, the narrative connects these distant events to our understanding of today. Whether discussing the rise of a kingdom, the fall of a dynasty, or the evolution of a simple tool, the aim is to provide context and clarity. Tune in for a thoughtful, accessible journey that treats history not as a static record but as a continuous, human story. The medieval world was one of profound transformation, and this series seeks to illuminate how it was truly lived, felt, and shaped by those who were there.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Medieval Archives
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 45:55
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Duration: 26:53
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