Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings
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About
Through this three part series Art Historian Dr Janina Ramirez tells the story of the Medieval monarchy as preserved through stunning illuminated manuscripts from the British Library's Royal Manuscripts collection.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
Ruling by the Book
Dr Janina Ramirez begins her journey with the first Anglo-Saxon rulers to create a united England, encountering books in the British Library's Royal manuscripts collection which are over a thousand years old and a royal family tree which is five metres long. Janina finds out about a king who had a reputation for chasing nuns and reads a book created as a wedding gift for a ten-year-old prince. She roams from Westminster Abbey to other ancient English spiritual sites such as Winchester, St Albans and Malmesbury, and sees for herself how animal skins can be transformed into the finest vellum.
What a King Should Know
Janina shows how medieval manuscripts gave power to the king and united the kingdom in an age of plague, warfare and rebellion. She discovers that Edward III used the manuscripts he read as a boy to prepare him for his great victory at the battle of Crecy and reveals how a vigorous new national identity bloomed during the 100 Years War with France. In the British Library's Royal Manuscripts collection Dr Ramirez finds out that magnificent manuscripts like the Bedford Hours, taken as war booty from the French royal family, were adapted for the education of English princes. She also explores how knowledge spread through a new form of book - the encyclopedia.
Libraries Gave Us Power
The story of the British Library's Royal Manuscripts collection reaches its end with the last great flowering of illumination, in the magnificent courts of the Tudors. She investigates astrological texts created for Henry VII, and unwraps his will - still in its original, extravagantly-decorated velvet and gold cover. She hears music written for Henry VIII, which went unperformed for centuries; and reads love notes between the king and Anne Boleyn, written in the margins of a prayer book. Janina also visits Bruges, the source of many of the greatest manuscripts, where this medieval art form collided with the artistic innovations of the Renaissance.
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Watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A talked-about documentary series originally produced in English and released in 2012, it's earned a solid 4.5/10 from 2 viewers worldwide.
About Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings
Through this three part series Art Historian Dr Janina Ramirez tells the story of the Medieval monarchy as preserved through stunning illuminated manuscripts from the British Library's Royal Manuscripts collection. Across 1 season and 3 episodes, originally airing on BBC Four.
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings Cast and Characters
The cast features Jeremy Ashbee (as Self - English Heritage), Janina Ramirez (as Self - Presenter), and Scot McKendrick (as Self). Their performances are a major reason Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings NowWhy People Are Watching Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings
Where can I watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings online for free?
You can watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings have?
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings has 3 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings good? What's the rating?
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings holds a 4.5/10 rating based on 2 reviews — a niche pick worth checking out.
Who is in the cast of Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings?
The main cast includes Jeremy Ashbee, Janina Ramirez, and Scot McKendrick.
Is Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings available in English?
Yes — Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings released?
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings first aired in 2012.
Do I need an account to watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings, check out Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years War, Time Team, Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain, Lucy Worsley Investigates, and Prejudice and Pride: The People's History of LGBTQ Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings for free?
You can watch Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings online for free on Bowood.TV. All 3 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings have?
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings currently has 1 season and a total of 3 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings about?
Through this three part series Art Historian Dr Janina Ramirez tells the story of the Medieval monarchy as preserved through stunning illuminated manuscripts from the British Library's Royal Manuscripts collection. It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings originally available?
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings first released?
Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings first premiered on January 9, 2012 (2012). The series has since concluded its run.
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