The Devil's Crown

Episode 01

If All the World Were Mine

Apr 30, 1978 · 55 min

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

Episode 02

The Earth Is Not Enough

May 7, 1978 · 55 min

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

Episode 03

A Rose, a Thorn

May 14, 1978 · 55 min

As the friendship grows between Henry and Becket, so does the Queen's mistrust of them both. And then appears another threat – this time to her marriage.

Episode 04

The Hungry Falcons

May 21, 1978 · 55 min

The quarrel between Henry and Becket has culminated in Becket's murder; and when Eleanor leaves Henry to establish her own court at Poitiers, the deserted king turns to his sons for love and support.

Episode 05

Before the Dark

May 28, 1978 · 55 min

With Eleanor imprisoned at Salisbury and his sons plotting rebellion at Louis' court in Paris, Henry finds comfort in the arms of Alys, unaware that Alys is in fact Richard's young bride-to-be.

Episode 06

Richard Yea and Nay

Jun 4, 1978 · 55 min

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

Episode 07

Lion of Christendom

Jun 11, 1978 · 55 min

Inspired by Richard, his army moves south to the Holy Land for a new crusade. Eleanor has also journeyed south; her concern however, is not so much for souls, but to find a bride for Richard.

Episode 08

When Cage-Birds Sing

Jun 18, 1978 · 55 min

Richard Coeur de Lion has married Berengaria of Navarre... but his Crusade has failed. Embittered and disillusioned, he turns his back on the Holy Land and begins the dangerous journey home.

Episode 09

Bolt from the Blue

Jun 25, 1978 · 55 min

Released from captivity, Richard Is once more crowned King of England. Imprisonment has sapped both his vigour and his strength but, when war breaks out again in the Holy Land, he sees this as his long-awaited chance of glory — and so begins his final journey.

Episode 10

In Sun's Eclipse

Jul 2, 1978 · 55 min

A chance arrow has extinguished the glory that was Richard. John, at last, is King of England – but his right to that crown is quickly challenged by his nephew, Arthur of Brittany.

Episode 11

The Flowers Are Silent

Jul 9, 1978 · 55 min

John's impulsive marriage to 12-year-old Isabella of Angouleme has brought rebellion in its wake, Arthur, attempting to kidnap Queen Eleanor, has been captured by John. His sentence: mutilation.

Episode 12

Tainted King

Jul 16, 1978 · 55 min

The aged Queen Eleanor has died, John's murder of his nephew has caused the barons to desert him, his French lands are lost. Only Isabella remains and his right to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

Episode 13

To the Devil They Go

Jul 23, 1978 · 55 min

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