The Eleanor Crosses: England's Greatest Love Story
Medieval
•
45m
Edward I is one of the most notorious rulers of English history. With a reputation for military brutishness and political ruthlessness, he was rumoured to have once frightened a man to death. But in November 1290, one event brought this warrior king crashing to the ground: the death of his beloved wife, Eleanor of Castile. The royal entourage, who were based in Lincoln at the time, spent the dark days of December 1290 returning the body of the queen to Westminster Abbey. To mark this procession - the longest in English history - Edward did something quite remarkable. He ordered 12 crosses of golden stones to be erected along the route. Seven centuries later, Alice Loxton traces the footsteps of the cortege, uncovering what remains of the most romantic story of England’s history.
Up Next in Medieval
-
Peasants' Revolt - Part Two: London's...
In part two we investigate the fiery and frenetic days following 13th June 1381. With huge numbers of peasants having gathered around London... things were about to turn violent.
We follow their footsteps as they cross London Bridge and enter the city. Destruction starts quickly as they begin t...
-
The Knights Templar: With Dan Jones
They might be more famous today for their cameos in The Da Vinci Code and Assassin’s Creed, but in real life they were an army of valiant, daring Crusaders famous for their self-discipline, who fought in the Middle Ages' most bloody battles. They were allowed no sex, no personal possessions, and ...
-
King Arthur: Legend and Legacy
The familiar medieval Arthurian myths of a noble King ruling over his kingdom from camelot, supported by his Round Table of loyal and brave knights who seek for the Holy Grail and slay dragons, is a legend that has been engaged with by English kings ever since the 13th Century. By the 14th Centur...
