Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years War
As England and France fought for possession of the French crown, The Hundred Years War would become the longest, bloodiest conflict in Medieval history. Historian Janina Ramirez explores 116 years of riotous, plague-ridden warfare, and the effect of the conflict on the artistic, cultural and religious life of the nations, which helped to forge the national identities of France and England.
Watch Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years War and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.
Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years War on BBC Select
Episode 1: Trouble in the Family 1337-1360
Janina Ramirez explores the fallout of the longest, bloodiest power struggle in history.
Historian Janina Ramirez explores the fallout of the longest and bloodiest divorce in history, when little England dared to take on the superpower France. Edward III rips up the medieval rule book and crushes the flower of French knighthood at the Battle of Crecy with his low-born archers. His son, the Black Prince, conducts a campaign of terror, helping to bring France to her knees.
Episode 2: Breaking the Bonds 1360-1415
England, wracked by plague and revolt, loses the upper hand in the fight against France.
England, wracked by plague and revolt, started to lose the upper hand in the war against France. As the French attacked English towns, the nation’s aging monarch died, replaced by his ten-year old grandson, Richard II. And, as historian Janina Ramirez reveals, the Peasant’s Revolt changed English history forever. It wasn’t until the battle of Agincourt that the tide began to turn.
Episode 3: Agents of God 1415-1453
French resistance to the marauding English came in the form of a young girl: Joan of Arc.
Henry V claimed the French crown for his heirs, but to secure it, his English troops had to conquer all of France. Potent French resistance came in the most unlikely form. An illiterate young peasant girl, Joan of Arc, led the fight. But she was soon betrayed and executed. And as historian Janina Ramirez reveals, it would take one final, bloody battle to end the Hundred Years War.
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