Medieval Britain

Towton 1461 | A History of the World

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary tells the story of the country's biggest and bloodiest ever battle in which 28,000 soldiers died i...

3: The Death of Kings | The Plantagenets

In the last century of their rule, four Plantagenet kings are deposed and murdered.

2: An English Empire | The Plantagenets

A clear sense of English nationhood emerges and parliament is born.

1: The Devil's Blood | The Plantagenets

Professor Robert Bartlett tells the story of England's longest-ruling royal dynasty. Henry II forges a mighty empire encompassing Eng...

0: Learning Zone | The Plantagenets

Professor Robert Bartlett explores the Plantagenets, England's longest ruling dynasty, in this version of the BBC Two series made especia...

1: The East: A New Dawn | How We Built Britain

David Dimbleby goes on an architectural tour of Britain. He climbs the tower of Ely Cathedral, explores great castles and lear...

2: Redemption at Lincoln | Cathedral

Documentary drama series that reconstructs momentous events that shaped the building of Britain's cathedrals. Today, the rebuilding of L...

1: Murder At Canterbury | Cathedral

Documentary drama series reconstructing the momentous events that shaped the building of Britain's cathedrals. Canterbury was Britain's f...

6: The Palace of Westminster | Britain's Best Buildings

Dan Cruickshank explores the Palace of Westminster, examining its architecture and history.

1: Harlech Castle | Britain's Best Buildings

This edition visits Harlech Castle in North Wales, the focus of the most bitter Anglo-Welsh conflict.

8: The King | Terry Jones' Medieval Lives

Terry Jones takes us on a tour of the Middle Ages. He asking just how much we know about our medieval kings, taking the three king ...

2: Isabella and Margaret | She-Wolves: England's Early Queens

How two French girls, a century apart, became queens of England. Isabella of France would be accused of murder ...

1: Matilda and Eleanor | She-Wolves: England's Early Queens

How Matilda almost became the first woman to be crowned queen of England in her own right, and how Eleanor of Aqu...

4: The Welsh Borders | History File

Edward I defeats Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, last prince of independent Wales. Edward's aim is British unity under English rule, but does he ju...

3: Magna Carta | History File

1215: the barons rebel against Bad King John, but was he solely to blame? Programme shows how power in medieval England was divided between kin...

2: The Power of the Church | History File

The murder of Thomas Becket stands as a symbol of the tensions between church and state in 12th Century England. By analysing churc...

1: The Norman Conquest | History File

For his part in the Norman Conquest, Alan the Red was rewarded with vast estates all over England. Programme visits Alan's castle in Yo...

2: Age of Worship | Seven Ages of Britain

This episode looks at the Middle Ages, from the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 to the death of Richard II in 1400.

S1E4: Nations | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The story of Edward I - the Hammer of the Scots - whose attempts to force English rule on Scotland and Wales strengthene...

S1E3: Dynasty | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Henry II built a great medieval empire - which was then torn apart by his scheming family.

1: The East: A New Dawn | How We Built Britain

David Dimbleby goes on an architectural tour of Britain. He climbs the tower of Ely Cathedral, explores great castles and lear...

5: Fire at York | Cathedral

Documentary drama series that reconstructs momentous events that shaped the building of Britain's cathedrals. Today, the story of York Minster Ca...

2: Redemption at Lincoln | Cathedral

Documentary drama series that reconstructs momentous events that shaped the building of Britain's cathedrals. Today, the rebuilding of L...

3: Flood at Winchester | Cathedral

Documentary drama series that reconstructs events that shaped the building of Britain's cathedrals.Winchester Cathedral faced destruction ...

1: Murder At Canterbury | Cathedral

Documentary drama series reconstructing the momentous events that shaped the building of Britain's cathedrals. Canterbury was Britain's f...

7: Radiance | Civilisations

Simon Schama starts his meditation on colour and civilisation with the great Gothic cathedrals of Amiens and Chartres. He then moves to 16th-cent...

5: Durham Cathedral | Britain's Best Buildings

Dan Cruickshank investigates Durham Cathedral, a structure utilising advanced engineering that was a century ahead of its time.

2: The Monk | Terry Jones' Medieval Lives

This week he investigates the truth behind the cloistered medieval monk.

3: Belief | Inside the Medieval Mind

As the church's grip on their beliefs increased, people came before religious courts and many were killed.

1: Knowledge | Inside the Medieval Mind

Robert Bartlett examines the way we thought during medieval times. As the Middle Ages wore on, a world which previously seemed enchan...

3: Impact of the Monk | In Search of Scotland

In the middle ages monasticism was a potent force in society with the monks having an important impact on lay activities. Fiona...

S1E2: Black Death | Lucy Worsley Investigates

How did the Black Death change Britain? Lucy Worsley examines the latest science and explores how the huge death toll affected ...

2: The Enemy Within | Rivals in Stone

Lincoln Castle and Lincoln Cathedral stand on opposite sides of a courtyard within the city's medieval walls. They are symbols of compe...

Episode 1 | Britain AD: King Arthur's Britain

Francis Pryor returns to investigate Dark Ages Britain and find out who the English really are. He will argue that by the time ...

S1E2: From Cradle to Grave | The Battle for Britain's Soul

Looking at what life was like in a Christian fundamentalist state, as Britain was in 700AD.

3: Aethelstan: The First King of England | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood tells the tale of King Alfred's grandson Aethelstan, showing how he fulfilled the fa...

2: The Lady of the Mercians | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood uncovers the story of Alfred's daughter Aethelflaed, who led armies, campaigned against the Vikin...

1: Alfred of Wessex | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood tells the story of King Alfred the Great and his children and grandson. Alfred fights a desperate guerril...

Episode 3 | Vikings

Neil Oliver uncovers the truth about King Canute and explores how Christian conversions saw the Viking Age finally come to an end and the doors to Europe...

Episode 2 | Vikings

Neil Oliver reveals the truth behind the legend of the Vikings. He heads out to Russia, Turkey and Ireland to trace the beginnings of a vast trading empire.

Episode 1 | Vikings

Neil Oliver heads for Scandinavia to reveal the truth behind the legend of the Vikings, exploring the mysterious world of the Vikings' prehistoric ancest...

1: Heroes for All Times | Ian Hislop's Olden Days

Documentary series in which Ian Hislop explores the British trait of obsession with the past. Here he examines King Arthur ...

S1E1: Beginnings | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama begins his history of Britain at the miraculously preserved Stone Age cottages of Skara Brae in Orkney a...

Episode 2 | Britain AD: King Arthur's Britain

Francis Pryor returns to investigate Dark Ages Britain and find out who the English really are. He will argue that by the time ...

Episode 1 | Saints and Sinners: Britain's Millennium of Monasteries

Dr Janina Ramirez begins her series by exploring how monasteries evolved from a cult of isolation and sel...

Alfred and the Economy | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses the economy and coinage under King Alfred.

Alfred and London | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses Alfred's biggest urban project, the 886 restoration of London.

Alfred's Kingdom | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood investigates life in Alfred's Kingdom.

Alfred vs The Vikings | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses the brutal battle between King Alfred and the Vikings and the following peace process.

The Salvation of Wessex | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood investigates the events of King Alfred's Salvation of Wessex.

Alfred Flees | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood investigates the conflict following Alfred of Wessex becoming King.

The Battle of Ashdown | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses the circumstances of the Battle of Ashdown.

The Viking Wars | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood tells the stories of the Viking War, as documented by an Anglo-Saxon manuscript.

3: The Great Famine and the Black Death | Michael Wood's Story of England

Michael Wood's portrait of one village across the whole of English history reaches the 14th century...

5: The Deserted Village | History File

Wharram Percy, E Yorks, is just one of 3,000 deserted medieval village sites in Britain. What secrets do its grass mounds and overgrow...

S1E5: King Death | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama continues his look at British history with the Black Death, the horror of medieval Britain. Those it did...

1: The Great Plague | Plague, Fire, War and Treason

This episode examines the Great Plague of 1665, one of the darkest moments in Britain's history, when over one-fifth of L...

2: The Great Fire of London | Plague, Fire, War and Treason

The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of Lo...

S1E2: Black Death | Lucy Worsley Investigates

How did the Black Death change Britain? Lucy Worsley examines the latest science and explores how the huge death toll affected ...

Walsham le Willows | Lucy Worsley Investigates

Lucy explores the records about the Black Death for the small village of Walsham le Willows, and what happened to the families...

Medieval treatment and beliefs on the cause of the Black Death | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama discusses the Medieval beliefs about what caused the Black...

How the Lollard religion grew from the Black Death | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama explains how the Lollard religion was developed from the Black Death.

How the Black Death changed social structure | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama explains how the Black Death changed Medieval social structures.

The symptoms of Black Death and how it spread | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama discusses the black death, explaining it's symptoms and how it spread.

The First Signs of the Black Death in Europe | Ken Follett's Jouney Into the Dark Ages

Author Ken Follett explores the first signs of the Black Death in Europe and the early...

How the Black Death Spread | Ken Follett's Jouney Into the Dark Ages

Professor Johannes Krause explains the modern scientific understanding of how the Black Death spread fro...

A Remarkable Doctor | Ken Follett's Jouney Into the Dark Ages

Author Ken Follett explores the work of a plague doctor in the Santa Maria Nuova hospital in Florence. Contains...

The Most Dangerous Job in the World | Ken Follett's Jouney Into the Dark Ages

As the plague comes to Winchester and the Catholic Church attempts to offer solutions, monks ar...

Which bacteria caused the plague? | Ken Follett's Jouney Into the Dark Ages

Professor Johannes Krause was part of a team that used DNA to research which bacteria caused the ...

One Family and the Black Death | Ken Follett's Jouney Into the Dark Ages

Author Ken Follett explores the impact of the Black Death in Britain through the lens of one family...

Social changes after the Black Death | Ken Follett's Jouney Into the Dark Ages

Author Ken Follett explores the societal changes that came about as a result of the Black Deat...

Black Death | Ken Follett's Journey Into the Dark Ages

Ken Follett tells the story of the Black Death through the true stories of a monk in Winchester, a doctor in Florence ...

1: Black Death | World's Worst Century

Was the 14th century the worst time in history to be alive? The population of Britain was ravaged by a plague that drove mankind to th...

Norman Family Tree Song (ABBA parody) | Horrible Histories

The song, titled ''Matilda(s) & Stephen ... & Henry,'' is a parody of ABBA and features characters from the Norman...

S2E3: 1066 | Lucy Worsley Investigates

Was winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066 all it took for William to become King? Lucy Worsley investigates the aftermath to reveal h...

5: Durham Cathedral | Britain's Best Buildings

Dan Cruickshank investigates Durham Cathedral, a structure utilising advanced engineering that was a century ahead of its time.

2: Domesday to Magna Carta | Michael Wood's Story of England

Michael Wood's unique portrait of one village through the whole of English history moves on to 1066, when the in...

1: Romans to Normans | Michael Wood's Story of England

Michael Wood uncovers the history of Kibworth's first 1,000 years, with a Roman villa, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and evide...

Episode 3 | 1066: A Year to Conquer England

Duke William leads his vast invasion fleet across the Channel to face King Harold. The two armies meet at battle in Sussex on 14 ...

Episode 2 | 1066: A Year to Conquer England

King Harold of England has to take on two invasion forces. His brother Tostig attacks the south coast, then King Harald Hardrada ...

Episode 1 | 1066: A Year to Conquer England

Dan Snow explores the political intrigues and family betrayals between Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans that led to war and the ...

1: The Norman Conquest | History File

For his part in the Norman Conquest, Alan the Red was rewarded with vast estates all over England. Programme visits Alan's castle in Yo...

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain

David Dimbleby charts the last 2,000 years of Britain through its art and treasure. The first part begins with the Roman invasion ...

S1E2: Conquest | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

In nine short hours, William the Conqueror triumphed at the Battle of Hastings - and England was changed forever. Simon...

S1E3: Normans of the South | The Normans

Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Normans on southern Europe and the Middle East, as they spread south in the 11t...

S1E2: Conquest | The Normans

Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Norman conquest of Britain and Ireland, and looks at how England adapted to its new masters.

S1E1: Men of the North | The Normans

A look at how the Normans developed from a band of marauding Vikings into the formidable warriors who conquered England in 1066.

1: The Normans and their Castles | Castle

Marc Morris consults the Bayeux Tapestry and archaeological evidence to discover how castles evolved over a 600-year period, and re...

3: The Arrival of Chess | Games People Played

Michael Dean and David BROWN from the Ashmolean Museum Oxford, discuss the arrival of chess in England at the time of the Norma...

3: Impact of the Monk | In Search of Scotland

In the middle ages monasticism was a potent force in society with the monks having an important impact on lay activities. Fiona...

1: 1066 | Historyonics

Nick Knowles sets out to find the truth behind the story of William the Conqueror and King Harold. Why and how did the two protagonists of the Battle ...

1: Instruments of Invasion | Castles: Britain's Fortified History

Sam Willis shows how the castle arrived as an instrument of invasion with the Normans but became a weapon w...

2: The Battle of Hastings | Battlefield Britain

Peter and Dan Snow on the battles that shaped our nation, using state-of-the-art graphics. The story of the turbulent events ...

6: The Philosopher (Alchemist) | Terry Jones' Medieval Lives

Terry Jones takes us on a tour of the Middle Ages, looking at the medieval scientist, or philosopher as they wer...

4: The Minstrel | Terry Jones' Medieval Lives

Terry Jones takes us on a tour of the Middle Ages. He reveals that minstrels were medieval spin doctors and could be warriors, ...

3: The Damsel | Terry Jones' Medieval Lives

In this episode, a look at the world of the medieval damsel.

1: The Peasant | Terry Jones' Medieval Lives

Terry discovers that the much-maligned medieval peasant was in fact literate, emancipated and healthy.

4: Peasants' Revolt to Tudors | Michael Wood's Story of England

A portrait of one village through the whole of English history. Amazing finds in the school archive help trac...

4: Power | Inside the Medieval Mind

Robert Bartlett lays bare the framework of the medieval class system, where inequality was part of the natural order and the life of serf...

2: Sex | Inside the Medieval Mind

Robert Bartlett unearths remarkable evidence of the complex passions of men and women during the Middle Ages.

5: Table Games | Games People Played

This week table games featuring a stone board from Norwich Castle.

1: Dicing with Destiny | Games Britannia

Series about the history of popular games in Britain. Ancient games were fundamental, but by the late Middle Ages gaming had become ...

1: Medieval London | Filthy Cities

Dan Snow gets down and dirty in medieval grime to discover how the London of today was forged in the filth of the 14th century.

Episode 2 | Saints and Sinners: Britain's Millennium of Monasteries

Janina Ramirez looks at how monasteries transformed society and rose to a position of immense power, only...

Christina: A Medieval Life

Historian Michael Wood presents a portrait of ordinary people living through extraordinary times, tracing the story of Christina Cok, a peasant of...

The Middle Ages: The Peasants' Revolt | History 11-13

The Peasants' Revolt by Keith Goodall is set in 1381, based on the true story of the grievances of the villeins forced ...

Viking invaders and settlers | Learning Zone

Neil Oliver visits three of the most important places associated with the Viking invasion and settlement of Anglo Saxon England.

Viking trade | Learning Zone

Neil Oliver visits Istanbul to see for himself why the Vikings made the long and treacherous journey to trade in its exotic markets.

Viking ships | Learning Zone

Neil Oliver travels to Oslo to find out how the Vikings' skills as shipbuilders and sailors enabled them to travel so far from their homeland.

Viking home life | Learning Zone

Artefacts found at a Viking settlement reveal another side to violent Viking life - as peaceful farmers and highly skilled craftsmen.

The Vikings - Literally (Song) | Horrible Histories

The Vikings tore up England in the 700s, literally!

Vikings & Garfunkel (Song) | Horrible Histories

Think the vicious Vikings were purely plunderers and pillagers? Think again!

Episode 2 | The Real White Queen and Her Rivals

Philippa Gregory tells the interweaving stories of the women who were decisive figures in the Wars of the Roses - Elizabeth W...

Episode 1 | The Real White Queen and Her Rivals

Philippa Gregory reveals the stories of three women at the heart of the Wars of the Roses - the 'White Queen' Elizabeth Woodv...

3: The Death of Kings | The Plantagenets

In the last century of their rule, four Plantagenet kings are deposed and murdered.

3: Richard III | Historyonics

Nick Knowles tries to discover whether Richard III was as dastardly as history records. He was ruthless and ambitious - but was he really respo...

S1E3: Princes in the Tower | Lucy Worsley Investigates

What really happened to the princes in the tower? Lucy Worsley uncovers the story of the two boys whose disappearance ...

Richard III: The Princes in the Tower

Did Richard III really kill his nephews so that he could be king? A stellar cast of experts including David Starkey and Philippa Gregor...

S1E3: Warwick | Secrets of Great British Castles

In this episode, Dan explores Warwick Castle whose walls echo with tales of betrayal, bloodshed, murder and financial ruin.

Bosworth | War Walks

Professor Richard Holmes travels to historic British sites. He visits the scene of Henry Tudor's victory over King Richard III, which changed the course...

Richard III: The New Evidence

This new documentary explores the results of scientific tests of Richard III's remains. Would his spinal deformity have prevented him from lead...

Richard III: The King in the Car Park

Was a skeleton found under a Leicester car park last September really Richard III? With exclusive access to the investigating team, thi...