Chronicle Medieval History

Queen Mary I of England, also known as Mary Tudor, was a queen driven by conscience and by faith. The first child of Henry VIII, she was the first woman to rule the country in her own right. But over her short five year reign, she gained a reputation as a ruthless and divisive monarch. She would send hundreds of her subjects to burn at the stake for what she believed was right. A vision of England, restored to its traditional Catholic faith.

Six hundred years ago, during a time of turmoil in the west, China held a vast unstoppable fleet, led by a forgotten admiral. One of the world's most accomplished voyagers, Zheng He remains a mystery outside of his home country. This is the story of how one explorer assembled the greatest armada the oceans had ever witnessed. In the age of discovery, could this naval superpower have conquered the world?

King Richard III's death, immortalised by Shakespeare's eponymous play, has been a hotbed of debate over the last few decades. The death at the Battle of Bosworth Field signified the end of the Plantagenets, and signalled the beginning of the reign of the Tudors. However, the cause of his death has been debated by historians for years. With new evidence, this documentary peels back the curtain on Henry's true murderer, and explores the life of the man who ended an entire dynasty.

The dynasty on which Game of Thrones is based is masterfully brought to life by Dan Jones in this four part series. Following one of the most shocking periods in British history, a new historical docu-drama brings to life the dynasty that dragged Britain out of the dark ages and into the modern world.

Merlin is the archetypal wizard, Welsh and Celtic in origin but with connections across the water in Cornwall and middle Europe, and, of course, the Arthurian legends. The powerful wizard is portrayed across folklore with many magical powers, including the power of shapeshifting, and is well-known for being King Arthur's mentor, ultimately guiding him towards becoming the king of Camelot. In this documentary, we take a deep dive into the fantastic world of Merlin and his influence in today's society.

The history of the Plantagenets continues with the story of King Henry III and his treacherous brother-in-law Simon de Montfort, the Earl of Leicester. This is the story of their bitter struggle for the soul of the nation and how one friendship turned into a civil war.

Many think of The Middle Ages as a gloomy period for cuisine, as famine ravaged many parts of the world. However, throughout Europe, medieval kitchens were often filled with innovative and healthy dishes. Let's take a deep dive into world of the medieval feast: from the preparation of bread, meat, wine and herbs consumed in castles to the banquets in the monasteries and the growing cities.

Dan Jones continues his compelling part-dramatised history of the Plantagenet dynasty with a look at the reign of Edward II. In a story of murder, intrigue, lust, betrayal and revenge, he explores what turned his queen, Isabella of France, from a loyal young wife into a bloodthirsty matriarch.

For centuries pilgrimage was one of the greatest adventures on earth, involving epic journeys across the country and around the world. In the Middle Ages, the Church encouraged people to journey to shrines across the country. The most popular was the shrine of Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral, a journey brought to life in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

In this fourth and final episode of Dan Jones' compelling docu-drama about the Plantagenets, we retell the shocking story of the boy king tyrant, Richard II. He was one of the most vicious and inventive despots in history, whose tyrannical rule would lead to abdication and revolt.

Sheep-farming archaeologist, Francis Pryor, presents a historical series which explores Britain A.D, through the British national character and the ultimate British icon King Arthur. Finding new and previously unexplained evidence, Francis Pryor overturns the idea that Britain reverted to a state of anarchy and disorder after the Romans left in 410 AD. Instead of doom and gloom Francis discovers a continuous culture that assimilated influences from as far a field as the Middle East and Constantinople. Through scrutinising the myth of King Arthur to find out what was really going on when the Romans left, Francis is confronted by evidence that confounds traditional views of the 'Dark Ages'.

On Palm Sunday 1461, the bloodiest battle in all of English history took place in a small Yorkshire town. The Battle of Towton saw over 28,000 people die during one of the largest snowstorms in British history. If these fallen soldiers could speak, what would they tell us? They would recount extraordinary tales of pagan rituals, plague, and the cruel land in which ordinary folk struggled just to stay alive. Now, centuries after they were buried, the medieval dead are about to rise from their graves. This series reveals true stories of medieval life by examining the skeletal remains that lie buried below the earth's surface.

Francis Pryor examines the relics of the Dark Ages to build a fuller picture of this much-maligned era. Popular belief has always held that the departure of the Romans led to barbarism in Britain, but archaeological finds have shed light on a cultured, literate society that embraced the growing Romanised Christian religion and embarked on a profitable trading relationship with the Byzantine Empire. With new archaeological evidence Francis discovers a far more interesting story.

The true story of William Wallace is uncovered in this documentary from Tony Robinson. One of Scotland's greatest national heroes and the chief inspiration for Scottish resistance to the English king Edward I, William Wallace was played by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart. But his real story goes far wider and deeper into medieval history than one could ever imagine.

The Anglo-Saxons have been long thought to have invaded Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire in 410 AD. Francis Pryor argues that the huge political changes that took place in Britain at the time were caused by a shifting of allegiances within this country rather than a violent invasion from elsewhere. Finding new and previously unexplained evidence Francis overturns the idea that Britain was crushed under Roman rule, then reverted to a state of anarchy and disorder after the Romans left in 410 AD. Instead of doom and gloom Francis discovers a continuous culture that assimilated influences from as far a field as the Middle East and Constantinople.

The Battle of Visby of 1361 is remembered as one of the most darkest moments of the medieval era. 1,800 local farmers on the Swedish island of Gotland were suddenly confronted by a very well-trained Danish army, and a bloodbath ensued. The battle left a unique archaeological legacy; masses of slaughtered soldiers and citizens lay scattered across the former battlefield, revealing the sheer bravery of the fallen farmers.

The death of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings has been shrouded in legend for centuries. Immortalised in the Bayeux Tapestry, the last Anglo-Saxon King was supposedly struck down by an arrow during the battle. However his story goes far deeper than his legendary defeat to William The Conquerer. Join Tony Robinson as he embarks on a journey to find out the truth behind the last Anglo-Saxon king.

The Battle Of Agincourt may well be the most famous battle of the entire Middle Ages. During the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, Henry V, the young king of England, lead his forces to victory on the plains of Azincourt in northern France. For the French, it was a catastrophe. Despite outnumbering the English by far, they lost over 6,000 men, in comparison to 400 on the English side. How did this young king secure one of the greatest military victories of all time? And what can archaeologists at the burial sites at Agincourt find to tell us about this grisly moment of medieval history?

There are few legends more famous than that of Robin Hood, the dispossessed nobleman hiding out in Sherwood Forest at the time of Richard the Lionheart. From Shropshire to Nottingham, join Tony Robinson on his quest to uncover the fact behind the fiction. Did Robin actually exist? What was he really like? Did he steal from the rich to give to the poor? Let's find out.

Tony Robinson goes in search of the truth about one of Britain's most maligned monarchs, Richard III. Robinson investigates whether Richard really did murder his two nephews, the Princes in the Tower, aged nine and 12, before usurping the throne. And if he did, what were his real motives? But before the investigations comes to a close, an astonishing fact emerges that leads one to question the entire legitimacy of the last 500 years of British royalty.

Tim Sutherland and the team make a return trip to Sweden, where they hunt for clues to a battle that took place on the island of Gotland. Having discovered a pit of crossbow bows in the neighbouring village of Mästerby, they believe below lies the secrets of a forgotten battle. This is the incredible story of the defenders of Mästerby. Leading Swedish archaeologist Maria Lyngstrom joins Tim and Simon in their quest to uncover the secrets of one of the Middle Ages' most elusive battles.

Perhaps the most famous battle in British history is the defeat at Hastings in 1066, when William the Conquerer's Norman forces took victory on the British south coast. Historian Dan Snow puts his walking boots on and sets off to see what the British landscape can teach us about this fascinating battle. From their violent arrival on these shores to their most sustaining legacies, Dan's trilogy of walks follow an evolutionary path through the Normans' era, from invasion to conquest, to successful rule and colonisation.

During the 14th century, the bubonic plague ripped through Medieval Europe, killing over a third of the population of Britain. For the everyday medieval family, the epidemic was a ruthless terror for decades. So far, the only evidence of the dead in England is from London, but the team have come across some mysterious skeletons in a pit in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, that point towards a plague burial. What can the skeleton of one woman tell us about life during the worst epidemic in history?

Dan's second walk explores what the invaders did next, as they aimed to cement their rule across a diverse nation. Despite William the Conqueror being confirmed as King, the Normans had only completed stage one of their colonisation, and few areas were as unstable as the Welsh borders. Challenging topography and a multitude of local chieftains made for an uncivilised region and Dan’s walk around the Monnow river system is dominated by the motte and bailey castles that sprang up throughout the Norman era.

Illness, disease and plagues were a gloomy part of everyday life in the Middle Ages. Living conditions for both the rich and poor were very unsanitary and life expectancy was very low. Leprosy and syphilis were two common diseases that plagued daily life. How did they handle treating disease, centuries before penicillin was invented? A single woman’s body found in Dixon’s Lane in York is going to help Malin Holst find some answers. Medieval approaches to disease may actually have been a little more advanced than we might think.

Dan's final walk takes him north, to lands brutally devastated by the Normans four years after the Invasion. The Harrying of the North campaign was the final act that brought the whole of England under Norman control. Dan's walk explores how the area became the setting for one of the Normans' greatest legacies – the abbeys and monasteries of northern England.

In 1501, England had been ravaged for decades by conspiracy, coups, and violence. Based off his best-selling book, Thomas Penn invites us into the dark and chilling world of the world of the first Tudor king, Henry VII. From his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, to his secret death and the succession of his son Henry VIII, this programme reveals the ruthless tactics Henry VII used to win - and cling on to - the ultimate prize, the throne of England. Exploring magnificent buildings and long-lost documents, Penn reveals the true story of this suspicious, enigmatic and terrifying monarch.

This is the world’s biggest archaeological experiment - a 25 year project to build a medieval castle from scratch, using only the tools and materials available in the 13th century. Join Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn as they travel to Guédelon, in the Burgundy region of France, where a group of archaeologists are attempting to build a 13th century-style castle. This a five-part journey you don't want to miss!

In the sixth century, Irish monk Columbanus and his disciples established over one hundred centres of scholarship and spirituality throughout a European continent that was divided after the fall of the Roman Empire. A missionary and an outsider from Ireland, he built the monasteries which became Europe's first universities, established a writing system, and risked his life when he demanded leadership from kings and even popes.This beautifully shot investigative documentary travels in Columbanus’ footsteps through Ireland, France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, uncovering his remarkable legacy and its relevance to contemporary Europe.

The 13th century was part of the golden age of castle building. Driven by the legacy of bloody crusades and vicious dynastic struggles, it was an era when castle design and architecture were adapting as quickly as the battle strategies and tactics devised to bring them down. Join Ruth, Tom and Peter as they get close and personal with the art of medieval combat and the building of the castle's defensive structures.

The Middle Ages are responsible for some of the most innovative and colourful art in history. Join Ruth, Peter and Tom as they make medieval paints, learn how to tile and practice lime-washing, all at Guedelon Castle.

Dr Suzannah Lipscomb unfolds the extraordinary story of the tumultuous love affair between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and asks: was it really love that brought them together - and was it love that tore them apart? Part 1 of 2.

The team delve into the secrets of the skilled communities who built medieval castles. The stonemasons working on the castle walls are dependent upon blacksmiths, whose metalwork was magical to the medieval mindset, and upon carpenters employing sophisticated geometry. Join Ruth Goodman, Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold as they learn all the traditional methods to construct a medieval castle.

In 1536, Henry VIII accused his second wife Anne Boleyn of charges including adultery, incest and conspiracy against the crown. Having been queen for just 1000 days, on May 19 she was beheaded by a swordsman in front of a crowd at the Tower of London. Suzannah Lipscomb how this royal couple went from a fairytale romance to tragic disaster. Was Anne really guilty? Did the trial change history forever?

13th century Europe was a busy, developing, connected place, where work, trade, pilgrimages and Crusades gave people the opportunity to travel across the continent and beyond. Join Ruth, Peter and Tom as they look at the castle’s place in the wider medieval world.

The Black Death’s reign of terror lasted for more than 400 years. By culling up to 50% of the population of Europe, the Great Plague guaranteed its place in the history books. Yet while accounts of the Black Death have focused graphically on those who died, the stories of those who survived have gone untold. Until now.

The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire with a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilisation stopped.

Tony Robinson takes a look at the facts behind the myth of Shakespeare's Macbeth, and finds a quite different character and story to that created by the 'Bard of Avon'. The original and real King Macbeth lived in the 11th century and reigned from 1040 to 1057.

The "Barbarians" are often blamed for the collapse of the Roman Empire, but in reality they were fascinating civilisations that produced magnificent art. Focusing on Huns, Vandals and Goths, Waldemar Januszczak follows each tribe's journey across Europe to settle in new lands and discovers the incredible art they produced along the way.

Although Christmas was celebrated very differently in Tudor times, if anything the celebrations were even bigger. Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn turn the clock back 500 years to rediscover how the farms of Tudor England celebrated the 12 days of Christmas. While Peter and Tom decorate the farmhouse with holly and ivy, Ruth prepares grand banquets for the farm workers. The Christmas Day feast was particularly special and featured a pig's head rather than a turkey as its centrepiece.

Was the first computer invented in the Dark Ages? Join Waldemar Januszczak as he embarks on a fascinating trip across Europe, Africa and Asia, visits the world's most famous collections and discovers hidden artistic gems, all to prove that the Dark Ages were actually an 'Age of Light'.

Dr Suzannah Lipscomb takes us back to Tudor times in search of the grisly household killers of the Medieval period.

The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire with a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilisation stopped.