Radio Times: Review by:; Mark Braxton

The second part of her trilogy sees Janina Ramirez behold more crumpled manuscripts, the better to define kingship in the Middle Ages. She visits Winchester Great Hall and Berkeley Castle to trace the story from “Hammer of the Scots” Edward I to disastrous Henry VI. With her handy tablet, hi-tech Janina touches on epochal events like Agincourt and Crécy. But the best bit sees illuminator Patricia Lovett showing how to apply gold leaf to vellum. It’s like a fiddly edition of Take Hart.

About this programme

2/3. Janina Ramirez explores how illuminated manuscripts contributed to the education of England's medieval princes and kings. She discovers why Edward III's childhood reading helped him prepare for the Battle of Crecy in 1346 - one of the most important conflicts of the Hundred Years War - and learns how texts plundered during foreign campaigns were adapted for use by the younger members of the royal family. She also examines how literature helped reinforce national identity in times of crisis and spread knowledge among the wider population.