Six Centuries of Verse
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 15:13 IST
About
Sir John Gielgud is joined by an outstanding repertory of actors in this pioneering, imaginative series demonstrating the immense variety and emotional impact of English-language poetry, from the fourteenth century to the contemporary era.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
Chaucer - Ted Hughes
This introductory programme establishes the continuity and variety of poetry over six centuries, touching on different genres by using extracts from some of the many poems featured in the series - from Chaucer to Ted Hughes.
Old English
A look at the poetry composed between the mid-seventh century and the Norman Conquest, including Julian Glover's reading of part of his own adaptation of the heroic epic Beowulf.
Chaucer 1340-1400
Chaucer was the first great named poet in English. This programme focuses on The Canterbury Tales, with a reading of the introduction by Gary Watson and a detailed exploration of The Pardoner's Tale.
Medieval - Elizabethan 1400-1600
This programme explores the late Medieval period leading into the Renaissance, discussing poems dealing with love, death and ambition by Skelton, Wyatt, Raleigh, Marlowe and Shakespeare.
Shakespeare 1564-1616
A chronological look at Shakespeare's dramatic genius, using extracts from eight plays: Romeo and Juliet, Henry V, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra, Cymbeline and The Tempest.
Metaphysical and Devotional 1590-1670
The vigour and audacity of John Donne's love poetry is contrasted with his equally powerful devotional works. The programme then explores the work of Donne's disciple George Herbert, and Andrew Marvell.
Milton 1608-1674
Milton's dedication, his humanity and his blindness are all given illustration in Ian Richardson's reading of the sonnet to his dead wife, Katharine, while his eloquence is highlighted in Richardson's spectacular readings from Paradise Lost.
Restoration and Augustan 1660-1745
An overview of the great age of satire: among the works featured are Rochester's 'A Satire Against Reason and Mankind', Dryden's 'Absalom and Achitophel' and the mock-heroic 'MacFlecknoe', and Pope's masterpiece of mordant wit, 'The Dunciad'.
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Watch Six Centuries of Verse Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Looking for a place to watch Six Centuries of Verse online for free? You've landed on the right page. Six Centuries of Verse is a highly acclaimed English drama series from 1984 that you can stream right now on Bowood.TV in high quality, no signup required.
About Six Centuries of Verse
Sir John Gielgud is joined by an outstanding repertory of actors in this pioneering, imaginative series demonstrating the immense variety and emotional impact of English-language poetry, from the fourteenth century to the contemporary era. Across 1 season and 16 episodes, originally airing on Channel 4.
Six Centuries of Verse Cast and Characters
The cast features John Gielgud (as Self - Presenter). Their performances are a major reason Six Centuries of Verse has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Six Centuries of Verse Online
Bowood.TV lets you stream Six Centuries of Verse online free, instantly, in HD. There's nothing to install — open the page, hit play, done. Works perfectly on Jio, Airtel, Vi networks across India and on slow mobile data thanks to our adaptive video pipeline.
▶ Watch Six Centuries of Verse NowWhy People Are Watching Six Centuries of Verse
There's a reason Six Centuries of Verse keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. 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 Six Centuries of Verse
Where can I watch Six Centuries of Verse online for free?
You can watch Six Centuries of Verse 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 Six Centuries of Verse have?
Six Centuries of Verse has 16 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Six Centuries of Verse good? What's the rating?
Six Centuries of Verse holds a 8.0/10 rating based on 2 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of Six Centuries of Verse?
The main cast includes John Gielgud.
Is Six Centuries of Verse available in English?
Yes — Six Centuries of Verse was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was Six Centuries of Verse released?
Six Centuries of Verse first aired in 1984.
Do I need an account to watch Six Centuries of Verse on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Six Centuries of Verse without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Six Centuries of Verse for free?
You can watch Six Centuries of Verse online for free on Bowood.TV. All 16 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 Six Centuries of Verse have?
Six Centuries of Verse currently has 1 season and a total of 16 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 Six Centuries of Verse about?
Sir John Gielgud is joined by an outstanding repertory of actors in this pioneering, imaginative series demonstrating the immense variety and emotional impact of English-language poetry, from the fourteenth century to the contemporary era. It belongs to the Drama genre.
In which language is Six Centuries of Verse originally available?
Six Centuries of Verse 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 Six Centuries of Verse first released?
Six Centuries of Verse first premiered on May 2, 1984 (1984). The series has since concluded its run.
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