11 TV series about the Middle Ages for those who are in love with history

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

From Ragnar Lothbrok to the War of the Scarlet and White Rose.

1. Vikings

• Ireland, Canada, 2013-2020.
• Historical drama, thriller.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 5.
• Time of action: 793–821 years.

The semi-legendary Scandinavian leader Ragnar Lothbrok and his companions go to England, establish settlements there, and then discover France. Gradually, Ragnar from an ordinary Scandinavian becomes first a jarl, and then a king.

In the series, fantasy is bizarrely intertwined with historical facts: for example, real personalities easily interact with characters that never really existed. However, it is difficult to get angry with the creators for this approach. After all, much of what is known to scientists about that period is limited by ancient legends.

2. The last kingdom

• UK 2015 - present.
• Historical drama, thriller.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.
• Time of action: approx. 899.

The events unfold during the reign of King Alfred the Great. The story is told on behalf of the Saxon aristocrat Utred of Bebbanburg. The young man was raised by the Vikings, who killed his father and older brother. The young warrior will have to decide which side to take in the decisive battles for the fate of Britain.

The project is based on a series of books "Saxon Chronicles" by Bernard Cornwell and is not inferior in terms of entertainment to the famous "Vikings". The series is still pending, so fans can continue to follow the story of their favorite characters.

3. Pillars of the Earth

• Germany, Canada, Great Britain, Hungary, 2010.
• Drama, melodrama, thriller.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 1.
• Time of action: 1120.

England, XII century. Under very strange circumstances, the king's only heir dies. After some time, the country finds itself involved in an internecine feud. In parallel, a story about the life of a talented but unlucky master develops, who, together with his family, goes in search of a new job.

In just eight episodes, the authors were able to show in all their primeval glory religious persecution, bloody wars, intrigues in the struggle for the throne and cruel morals. In addition, a whole constellation of interesting actors starred here, including Ian McShane ("American Gods") and Eddie Redmayne.

4. Robin Hood

• UK, 2006-2009.
• Historical drama, adventure, thriller.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 5.
• Time of action: 1192.

A young nobleman, Earl Robin Huntingdon, returns home to England from the Third Crusade, where he fought alongside King Richard the Lionheart for five years. It turns out that now all power in the hero's native Nottingham is concentrated in the hands of the evil Sheriff Weissy. Then Robin renounces his title and lands, takes up a bow and arrow and becomes a noble robber to fight injustice.

The creators did not set themselves the goal of making a historically accurate series: there are quite modern costumes and English. Instead, the authors relied on a well-developed plot, sincere acting and stunts, which are really great here.

5. Fall of the Order

• USA, Czech Republic, 2017–2019.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 6, 8.
• Time of action: 1306.

It will focus on the arrests, persecution and persecution that at the beginning of the XIV century, members of the Knights Templar were subjected to by the King of France and the Catholic Church. To be saved, the knights and their leader Sir Landry must find the most valuable Christian relic - the Holy Grail.

If you know absolutely nothing about the Knights Templar, this series will help a little to fill the gap in education. The main role is played by Tom Cullen ("Endless World", "Black Mirror"). And in the second season, Star Wars veteran Mark Hamill joined the cast as an experienced knight mentor to aspiring warriors.

6. Empty crown

• UK, 2012-2016.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 3.
• Time of action: 1377-1485 years.

Both seasons of The Empty Crown are based on Shakespeare's plays about four English kings and span over a hundred years of British history. For the sake of this series, the BBC has gathered under its banner all the color of the theatrical community: Ben Whishaw, Jeremy Irons, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch and other equally eminent British play here.

We will not recommend The Crown for a casual pastime: we will not endure long Shakespearean monologues and not everyone can get bored. But if you're in the mood to watch the show in the best traditions of English drama, The Empty Crown is perfect for you.

7. Medici

• Great Britain, Italy, 2016-2019.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 9.
• Time of action: 1434.

The story of the transformation of the Italian Medici family from ordinary merchants into an incredibly powerful clan that had a huge impact on the spiritual, economic and cultural sides of society, but at the same time made many enemies.

The series "Medici" turned out to be as bright and extraordinary as the real life of this famous family, which in the period from the 13th to the 18th century actually ruled the economy not only of Florence, but of the whole of Italy. The creators embellished a lot, but in general, the show faithfully depicts the time of the outgoing Middle Ages and the upcoming Renaissance.

8. White Queen

• UK, 2013.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7, 8.
• Time of action: 1464.

British historical drama, based on the bestseller of the same name by Philip Gregory, tells the story of the war of the Scarlet and White Rose. By 1464, two kindred families - Yorks and Lancaster - are fighting for the throne of England. Elizabeth Woodville, having lost her husband - a Lancastrian supporter in the war, uses her beauty and youth to fall in love with the new King Edward of York. She wants to protect her children by becoming queen. However, the powerful cousin of the monarch is not happy with this marriage.

Fans of on-screen intrigues and conspiracies should definitely watch The White Queen, because it was the conflict between the Scarlet and White Roses that inspired the creators of Game of Thrones. In addition, the plot keeps you in suspense, and the characters want to empathize.

9. Black viper

• Great Britain, 1982-1989.
• Black comedy anthology.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.
• Time of action: 1485.

The events of the first season take place in the Middle Ages in Britain, around 1485. The stupid and cowardly Prince Edmund, nicknamed the Black Viper, dreams of seizing the English throne and becoming king. But these attempts usually end with the hero, through his own fault, gets into another ridiculous mess.

The first season is considered the most controversial in the entire series. He is not as vigorous and energetic as the subsequent ones, and was filmed almost entirely in nature. But still, lovers of medieval history should definitely not miss it: the creators subtly joke about the crusades, witchcraft and protracted conflicts between the crown and the church.

10. Black arrow

• Italy, 2006.
• Historical drama, adventure.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 5, 7.
• Time of action: second half of the 15th century.

The vassals of the Holy Roman Emperor Raniero di Rothenburg and the Duke of Castelrovo are going to battle against a common enemy - Bishop Cusano and his supporters. Black Arrow Noble Rogues keep their distance from the wars of the nobility: they fight injustice from any side, but in the end they still have to choose whom to support.

The little-known Italian TV series was based on the novel of the same name by Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson. The project is worth seeing in order to appreciate the beautifully twisted plot: the creators preferred to slightly change the events of the literary source and transferred the action from England during the conflict of the Scarlet and White Rose to the border between Italy and Germany.

Bonus: the funniest TV series about the Middle Ages

Miracle workers

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Black comedy anthology.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 0.
• Time of action: Middle Ages.

In the first season of this very hilarious anthology, the angels of the Heavens Corporation were trying to prevent the apocalypse. And in the second, the same actors play the inhabitants of a small medieval town: the daughter of the city cesspool cleaner Alexandra and the awkward young Prince Chunsley. Despite belonging to different classes, they both do not want to live up to public expectations. By chance, these two meet and try to change their fate.

At first glance, it may seem that the show is making fun of the Middle Ages, but in fact it tells about modernity with its current problems. You need to watch for the sake of sometimes silly, but terribly funny jokes. It is also worth appreciating the acting of Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi, as well as the lesser known, but also very talented Geraldine Viswanathan and Karan Sonya.