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 (Season 1)
If All the World Were Mine (Episode 1)
Writer: Ken Taylor
Air date: 1978-04-30
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: Legend has it that the Plantagenets were descended from the Devil himself – a curse which does not deter the youthful Henry.
The Earth Is Not Enough (Episode 2)
Writer: Ken Taylor
Air date: 1978-05-07
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
A Rose, a Thorn (Episode 3)
Writer: Ken Taylor
Air date: 1978-05-14
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
The Hungry Falcons (Episode 4)
Writer: Ken Taylor
Air date: 1978-05-21
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
Before the Dark (Episode 5)
Writer: Ken Taylor
Air date: 1978-05-28
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
Richard Yea and Nay (Episode 6)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-06-04
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: King Henry is dead – defeated, deserted. Long live King Richard, the glorious, golden Crusader.
Lion of Christendom (Episode 7)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-06-11
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
When Cage-Birds Sing (Episode 8)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-06-18
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
Bolt from the Blue (Episode 9)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-06-25
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
In Sun's Eclipse (Episode 10)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-07-02
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
The Flowers Are Silent (Episode 11)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-07-09
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
Tainted King (Episode 12)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-07-16
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
To the Devil They Go (Episode 13)
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1978-07-23
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: 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.
Seasons
Episodes 13