BBC - Medieval Lives.1to8of8.plus.extra.txt
Terry Jones' Medieval Lives
Famous for lampooning the schoolboy view of the medieval world in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Terry Jones has a real passion for, and detailed knowledge of, the Middle Ages.
In Terry Jones' Medieval Lives his mission is to rescue the Middle Ages from moth-eaten cliches and well-worn platitudes. Was medieval England full of knights on horseback rescuing fainting damsels in distress? Were the Middle Ages mired in superstition and ignorance? Why does nobody ever mention King Louis the First and Last?
Terry will start with a medieval archetype - the Knight, Peasant, Damsel and Monk, Outlaw, King, Merchant and Physician - and in the course of unravelling their role and function will meet a host of colourful real-life characters, recreating their world by visiting key locations.
Terry Jones and Alan Ereira are your guides to this most misrepresented and misunderstand period pointing you to things that will surprise and provoke. Medieval Lives accompanies a major BBC television series of the same name, and presents Medieval Britain as you have never seen it before - a vibrant society teaming with individuality, intrigue and innovation.
The authors
TERRY JONES is most famous as a member of Monty Python. He has directed several feature films including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life. He is the author of several children's books and of two books on medieval England: Chaucer's Knight and the highly acclaimed Who Murdered Chaucer?
ALAN ALEIRA was co-producer on the Crusades series. He has worked as a BBC radio and television producer, specialising in history since 1962. His credits include Battle of the Somme (Japan Prize 1978) and Armada (Royal Television Society Best Documentary Series, 1988). He is the author of The People's England, Crusades (along with Terry Jones) The Invergordon Mutiny and The Heart of the World.
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1x01 - The Knight
Real medieval knights, shining or otherwise, had little interest in rescuing damsels in distress. Terry Jones reveals they were more interested in the less noble pursuits of killing people, making money and being famous.
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1x02 - The Monk
The idea of a life of solitude and worship was all too often undermined by monks' talent for turning a profit. Sheep, iron-smelting, holy "relics", and even prayer, became money-spinners in the world of the medieval monastery.
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1x03 - The King
How much do we really know about our medieval kings? Jones finds flaws in Richard the Lionheart, admirable qualities in the much maligned character of Richard II, negative bias in Shakespeare's portrayal of Richard III - and even a king airbrushed out of history.
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1x04 - The Damsel
The familiar notion of medieval women as passive, shy and vulnerable was largely created by the Victorians - and, as Jones discovers, nothing could be further from the truth. In the Middle Ages, women ran business, led armies - and even abducted their lovers.
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1x05- The Alchemist
A look at medieval scientists, or philosophers. Not only did alchemists, physicians and engineers of the Middle Ages make key scientific discoveries but most had a more ethical approach than is found in today's commercialised world of science.
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1x06 - The Minstrel
An effete wandering lovey who entertained ~ the nobility with whimsical songs? Terry Jones reveals the medieval minstrel as radically different from this popular modern perception, and explains how, but for a Norman minstrel, the Battle of Hastings may never have taken place.
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1x07- The Outlaw
Is there any truth in the myth that outlaws behaved like Robin Hood and that all sheriffs were evil? Jones reveals that medieval officers were pen-pushing bureaucrats, while the greatest threat to peace came from gangs of upper-crust outlaws terrorising the country to get rich quick.
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1x08 - The Peasant
Extra...
BBC - Medieval Lives - Extra - Gladiators The Brutal Truth.avi
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Alternative nfo...
Terry Jones' Medieval Lives
Author/Presenter: Terry Jones
In Terry Jones' Medieval Lives his mission is to rescue the Middle Ages from moth-eaten cliches and well-worn platitudes. Was medieval England full of knights on horseback rescuing fainting damsels in distress? Were the Middle Ages mired in superstition and ignorance? Why does nobody ever mention King Louis the First and Last?
The Peasant
The Monk
The Damsel
The Minstrel
The Knight
The Philosopher
The Outlaw
The King
The Peasant
Back to Top
The Monk
The idea of a life of solitude and worship was all too often undermined by monks' talent for turning a profit. Sheep, iron-smelting, holy "relics", and even prayer, became money-spinners in the world of the medieval monastery.
Back to Top
The Damsel
The familiar notion of medieval women as passive, shy and vulnerable was largely created by the Victorians - and, as Jones discovers, nothing could be further from the truth. In the Middle Ages, women ran business, led armies - and even abducted their lovers.
Back to Top
The Minstrel
An effete wandering lovey who entertained ~ the nobility with whimsical songs? Terry Jones reveals the medieval minstrel as radically different from this popular modern perception, and explains how, but for a Norman minstrel, the Battle of Hastings may never have taken place.
Back to Top
The Knight
Real medieval knights, shining or otherwise, had little interest in rescuing damsels in distress. Terry Jones reveals they were more interested in the less noble pursuits of killing people, making money and being famous.
Back to Top
The Philosopher
A look at medieval scientists, or philosophers. Not only did alchemists, physicians and engineers of the Middle Ages make key scientific discoveries but most had a more ethical approach than is found in today's commercialised world of science.
Back to Top
The Outlaw
Is there any truth in the myth that outlaws behaved like Robin Hood and that all sheriffs were evil? Jones reveals that medieval officers were pen-pushing bureaucrats, while the greatest threat to peace came from gangs of upper-crust outlaws terrorising the country to get rich quick.
Back to Top
The King
How much do we really know about our medieval kings? Jones finds flaws in Richard the Lionheart, admirable qualities in the much maligned character of Richard II, negative bias in Shakespeare's portrayal of Richard III - and even a king airbrushed out of history.
Back to Top
Steve Goodey
Last Change: 26/03/2005 (dd/mm/yr)
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