The Real War of Thrones (Doc Series)

"The Real War Of Thrones: The True History of Europe" is a 2017 Pernel Media and France Television History Documentary series. Audio in English, with Subtitles in English as optional (click on CC). In the turbulent formative centuries of early Europe, power-hungry family dynasties fought for domination of the continent. They clashed with blood and iron on the battlefields – but the real wars were complex, personal power struggles played out in private. Behind stony castle walls was a world of strategic alliance, adultery, plot, treason and murder. The ruthless intrigue tore apart many legendary families, and shaped the way they ran their empires. The real power games played out between these few wealthy families have laid down the political and social foundations of modern Europe and the Western world. The Real War of Thrones tells the epic story of the rival dynasties that wrote the grand history of modern Europe. Through lavishly realised drama reconstruction, the series brings to life the experiences of the characters directly involved; their motivations, their strategy, what they stand to win and what they risk losing. Discover how thirst of power and human passions were the turning cogs in the formation of European nations. Episode 1: The conflicting ambitions of the Plantagenet king of England, Edward III, and the Valois king of France, Philip VI, bring intrigue, war, kidnapping and mayhem to France.

Episode 2: In 15th Century France confusion reigns with a king who goes mad, dauphins who die as teenagers, a queen who switches allegiances between rival dukes and multiple assassinations. And then, of course, there was the English king, Henry V, who also claimed the throne of France.

Episode 3: Louis XI of France faced a formidable range of enemies when he ascended the throne. English kings and Burgundian dukes had eyes for the monarchy of France. This is the story of how Louis battled, schemed, bribed and even arranged marriages, all in a quest to keep his kingdom.

Episode 4: Child hostages, marriages, battles, and betrayals - this is the story of Francis I, King of France and Charles V, King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor, and the rivalry that engulfed Europe in war. But in the end, did either of them "win"?

"The Real War Of Thrones: The True History of Europe" is a 2018 Pernel Media and France Television History Documentary series. Click on CC for English subtitles. Season Two of The Real War of Thrones: The Wars of Religion - Focuses on the hidden side of Europe's religious wars and the power games of the families that ruled the continent, crushing their enemies. Episode 1: In the middle of the Renaissance, the son of Francis I shake up the foundations of Europe. Henry II, the King of France, secures a claim to the Scottish crown by marrying young queen Mary Stuart to his son, the future Francis II, heir to the French throne.

Episode 2: The rise of Protestantism is dividing Europe. This is the beginning of the Wars of Religion. While celebrating an alliance treaty, Henry II dies during a jousting tournament. Espionage, conspiracies, treason - his son, the sickly Francis II, sees his life and his reign threatened by the Protestants.

Episode 3: In France, perfidy and treason plunge the French Kingdom into chaos. Behind new king Charles IX, Catherine de Medici rules in the background as master of the throne. However, she is unable to prevent a civil war.

Episode 4: In the name of religious tolerance, Catherine de Medici weds her Catholic daughter, Margaret of Valois, to the young Protestant heir of the Bourbon dynasty, Henry of Navarre. Protestants and Catholics are both in attendance. This event leads to the most infamous bloodbath in France's history.

Episode 5: Mary, Queen of Scots is forced to abdicate and flee to England, where Queen Elizabeth has her imprisoned. Refusing to acknowledge her cousin as her legitimate heir, Elizabeth accepts to wed one of Catherine de Medici’s sons. In Flanders, William I requests military assistance from France.

Episode 6: In France, Henry III still has no heir. Catherine de Medici is determined to prevent him from being the last of the Valois line and leaving the throne to Henry of Navarre. Yet again, the wind of revolt blows over the kingdom of France and leads to the assassination of Henry, Duke of Guise.