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The Devil's Crown

The Devil's Crown

1978 1 Seasons 13 Episodes ⭐ 7.8 Drama War & Politics

The Devil's Crown was a BBC limited series which dramatised the reigns of three medieval Kings of England: Henry II and his sons Richard the Lionheart and John. It was broadcast in thirteen 55-minute episodes between 30 April and 23 July 1978. Henry Plantagenet (latterly Henry II), sees his opportunity to seize the crown of England and create a kingdom of law and order. He cuts a deal with King Stephen in which Stephen will name him his heir, excluding his sons Eustace and William in exchange for a fragile truce. Stephen's sudden death elevates Henry to the throne. He may have been King of England, but the bulk of the Angevin Empire was in France, and it was this that Henry regarded as the Jewel in his Crown, maintained through a series of political marriages and complex allegiances. Henry pays homage to Louis VII, King of the Franks, for these lands, but it is clear that Henry is the shrewder and more ambitious of the two kings, having married Louis' ex-wife Eleanor of Aquitaine.

The Devil's Crown was a BBC limited series which dramatised the reigns of three medieval Kings of England: Henry II and his sons Richard the Lionheart and John. It was broadcast in thirteen 55-minute episodes between 30 April and 23 July 1978. Henry Plantagenet (latterly Henry II), sees his opportunity to seize the crown of England and create a kingdom of law and order. He cuts a deal with King Stephen in which Stephen will name him his heir, excluding his sons Eustace and William in exchange for a fragile truce. Stephen's sudden death elevates Henry to the throne. He may have been King of England, but the bulk of the Angevin Empire was in France, and it was this that Henry regarded as the Jewel in his Crown, maintained through a series of political marriages and complex allegiances. Henry pays homage to Louis VII, King of the Franks, for these lands, but it is clear that Henry is the shrewder and more ambitious of the two kings, having married Louis' ex-wife Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

If All the World Were Mine

Legend has it that the Plantagenets were descended from the Devil himself – a curse which does not deter the youthful

EP 2

The Earth Is Not Enough

Henry, with the Devil's luck, has married Eleanor of Aquitaine. The crown of England is also his – and now begins his

EP 3

A Rose, a Thorn

As the friendship grows between Henry and Becket, so does the Queen's mistrust of them both. And then appears another th

EP 4

The Hungry Falcons

The quarrel between Henry and Becket has culminated in Becket's murder; and when Eleanor leaves Henry to establish her o

EP 5

Before the Dark

With Eleanor imprisoned at Salisbury and his sons plotting rebellion at Louis' court in Paris, Henry finds comfort in th

EP 6

Richard Yea and Nay

King Henry is dead – defeated, deserted. Long live King Richard, the glorious, golden Crusader.

EP 7

Lion of Christendom

Inspired by Richard, his army moves south to the Holy Land for a new crusade. Eleanor has also journeyed south; her conc

EP 8

When Cage-Birds Sing

Richard Coeur de Lion has married Berengaria of Navarre... but his Crusade has failed. Embittered and disillusioned, he

EP 9

Bolt from the Blue

Released from captivity, Richard Is once more crowned King of England. Imprisonment has sapped both his vigour and his s

EP 10

In Sun's Eclipse

A chance arrow has extinguished the glory that was Richard. John, at last, is King of England – but his right to that

EP 11

The Flowers Are Silent

John's impulsive marriage to 12-year-old Isabella of Angouleme has brought rebellion in its wake, Arthur, attempting to

EP 12

Tainted King

The aged Queen Eleanor has died, John's murder of his nephew has caused the barons to desert him, his French lands are l

EP 13

To the Devil They Go

After six years, John has yielded to the Pope. The Interdict is lifted but the English barons remain discontented; they

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