The Normans

The Normans is a British television documentary series first aired on BBC Two in 2010. Over three episodes, it sees Professor Robert Bartlett's journey from Great Britain via Jerusalem to the Kingdom of Sicily to examine the expansion and ambition of the Normans between the 10th and 13th centuries.

Storyline

First Aired

2010-08-04
Last Aired

2010-08-25
Creator
Genre

Documentary
Seasons

1
Episodes

4
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

BBC Two

Keywords:

british history european history

Stream and watch The Normans

Season 1

1. Men from the North

In the first episode of an exciting three-part series, Professor Robert Bartlett explores how the Norm...More

In the first episode of an exciting three-part series, Professor Robert Bartlett explores how the Normans developed from a band of marauding Vikings into the formidable warriors who conquered England in 1066. He tells how the Normans established their new province of Normandy -'land of the northmen' - in northern France. They went on to build some of the finest churches in Europe and turned into an unstoppable force of Christian knights and warriors, whose legacy is all around us to this day. Under the leadership of Duke William, the Normans expanded into the neighbouring provinces of northern France. But William's greatest achievement was the conquest of England in 1066. The Battle of Hastings marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and monarchy. The culture and politics of England would now be transformed by the Normans.Less

60mins 2010-08-04

2. Conquest

In the second of this three-part series, Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Norman c...More

In the second of this three-part series, Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Norman conquest of Britain and Ireland. Bartlett shows how William the Conqueror imposed a new aristocracy, savagely cut down opposition and built scores of castles and cathedrals to intimidate and control. He also commissioned the Domesday Book, the greatest national survey of England that had ever been attempted.Less

60mins 2010-08-11

3. Normans of the South

Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Normans on southern Europe and the Middle East. T...More

Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Normans on southern Europe and the Middle East. The Normans spread south in the 11th century, winning control of southern Italy and the island of Sicily. There they created their most prosperous kingdom, where Christianity and Islam co-existed in relative harmony and mutual tolerance. It became a great centre of medieval culture and learning.Less

60mins 2010-08-18

4. Domesday

In this programme on the Domesday Book, Dr Stephen Baxter, medieval historian at King's College, Londo...More

In this programme on the Domesday Book, Dr Stephen Baxter, medieval historian at King's College, London, reveals the human and political drama that lies within the parchment of England's earliest surviving public record. He also finds out the real reason it was commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.Less