Lindisfarne
Gospels
Actor Robert Duncan takes us on a journey from the origins of
the manuscript through to its current pride of place on display
at the new British Library in London. Created over 1300 years
ago in "honor of God and St. Cuthbert," this illuminated
manuscript is one of Britain's greatest artistic treasures Ñ
and remains an outstanding example of Anglo-Saxon book painting
of the late seventh century. Through a series of interviews the
program explores the artistic creation, spiritual nature and regional
identity of the Lindisfarne Gospels, asking why and how the book
was produced and has survived to this day. The beauty of the Gospel
manuscript is interwoven throught the program with stunning imagery
drawn from a number of the key places associated with the book's
story from Holy Island, Chester-Le-Street, Durham, to Castle Auckland.
When the monks of Holy Island were forced to flee to the main
land due to persistent Viking raids the Gospels travelled with
them as part of Cutbert's relics. For several hundred years the
book journeyed across Northumbria and Cumbria before finding a
final resting place on the Wear at a place we know as Durham Cathedral.
25 min
Aiden (Died AD 651)
The enigmatic Irish bishop who brought with him the Irish Christianity
of Iona and seeded it in the landscape of Northumbria. When King
Oswald fought his first battle in 633, he erected a wooden cross
before the battle near Hexham. Once victory wa his and the kingdom
secured, he sent to Iona for a bishop. Aidan arrived two years
later, and so began the mystical Celtic Christian influence in
Anglo-Saxon England. This program looks at information about Aidan's
past, his Irish role as Anmchara (soul friend) to the King, his
spirituality and its inspiration for the modern world. 25 min
Bede (c. 673-735)
The first great English historian, who lived and worked in Jarrow
and whose writings survive as a testament to the wisdom and creativity
of his time. It is thanks to the life's work of Bede that we have
such an accurate account of what proved to be Northumbria's Golden
Age.25 min
Cuthbert (Died AD 687)
The greatest English saint, whose diplomacy allowed the two traditions
of Iona and of Rome to sit side by side in his own monastery on
Lindisfarne, and whose journey in death took longer than his journey
in life. Cuthbert was to become one of the most famous saints
of his time, becoming the patron saint of England. He traveled
the region to preach before spending nine years as a hermit on
the island of Inner Farne. The program travels the region tracing
the monks who fled with Cuthbert's remains to escape the Vikings.
After a spell at the specially built church at Cester-Le-Street,
Cuthbert was entombed at Durham where the lavish Norman Cathedral
was built over him. 25 min
Hild (614-680)
An Anglo-Saxon noblewoman whose early years are shrouded in mystery,
although we know she became a nun at the age of 33. Commissioned
to found monasteries by St. Aidan, her reputation as abbess was
so great that Whitby was chosen for the Synod in AD 664, where
the Roman style of Christianity was preferred to the Celtic, a
decision that has repercussions even today. She was a great enthusiast
for learning, and encouraged Caedmon, who received the fit of
poetry in vision, and sang his own religious compositions to help
interpret the Christian message to others. He is considered the
first vernacular English poet. 25 min
Oswald (c 605-642)
Actor Robert Duncan tells the story of Oswald, the warrior who
claimed his kingdom at the Battle of Heavenfield, near Hexham.
A convinced Christian, he determined that his people should be
converted, and called Aidan from Iona to found a mission on Lindisfarne,
which became a powerhouse of evangelism. When Oswald fell in battle,
miracles were straightaway attributed to his relics. His head
is today buried with St. Cuthbert in his tomb in Durham Cathedral.
25 min
Wilfrid (634-709)
Robert Duncan tells the story of Wilfrid, a man of immense learning,
energy and ability. His studies in Rome convinced him that the
Roman way of organizing the church was the right one, so he estabished
bishoprics in the continental style, adorning his new stone churches
with gold, filling them with relics and the latest music Ñ
Gregorian chant. Although personally charming with a magnetic
personality, he was often unpopular with rulers who considered
him a threat, and was imprisoned or exiled on several occasions.
But he always turned problems to advantage, converting more pagans,
influencing more kings and building more monasteries. 25 min
Augustine of Hippo
A bishop in North Africa in the 4th century and one of Christianity’s
most influential thinkers. A brilliant theologian and prolific
writer, his longing for God was restless and relentless. Chronicling
his spiritual journey in the "Confessions," Augustine
is forever pushing the boundaries of self-knowledge in order to
understand himself in relation to God. His pilgrimage holds meaning
today for anyone searching for the point where God and self meet.
24 min
Hildegard of
Bingen (1098-1179)
A German nun and abbess, Hildegard was an intellectual, writer,
composer, and artist. She wrote about music, art, medicine, natural
history and theology. Her musical compositions are being played
to this day. Hildegard is remembered also for her visions, which
she wrote about in great detail. She was a renaissance woman far
ahead of her time. 24 min
Hildegard
Hildegard of Bingen was one of the most remarkable women of the
Middle Ages-an Abbess and woman of God, a visionary, naturalist,
playwright, political moralist, and composer. Despite this outpouring
of religious creativity, her visions were called into question,
and she was put on trial by the Church in 1148. Hildegard’s
experiences provide valuable insight into life in the medieval
church and the amazing influence of a woman dedicated to God.
52 min
Julian of Norwich
Recognized today as one of 14th century England’s most compelling
Christian seekers. A contemporary of Chaucer and survivor of the
Black Plague, Julian received sixteen startling images of the
crucified Christ that forever changed her life. Her descriptions
of her visions in "Revelations of Divine Love" have
given birth to enduring images of God’s nurturing and familial
love that continue to inspire seekers today. 24 min
Byzantium
Relive the glory that was Byzantium in this Learning Channel special
series. Host John Romer provides his fascinating, carefully researched,
"on-location" interpretation of the powerful legacy
of ancient Greece and Rome, the first Christian empire and the
last flowering of classical civilization before it fell to the
plundering armies of the Ottoman Turks. Experience the majesty
of an empire that spanned eleven centuries and held sway over
three continents. Pass through the gates of Constantinople, "eye
of the world," where East met West, a capital city copied
and coveted the world over. Explore gigantic, subterranean water
cisterns and the magnificent mosque of Hagia Sophia. Visit the
treasury of St. Mark’s in Venice, resting place for some
of Christendom’s most revered antiquities-never before filmed
for television. Shot on location in nine countries, "Byzantium"
transports you to a world that history has nearly forgotten, but
one that you will most certainly never forget. 1 hr 30 min
Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction (1973, Dorset Video) by David Macaulay --- Animated and live action segments illustrating planning, building and cultural importance of cathedrals. Visit eight cathedrals through out France (Amiens, Chartes, Bourges, Reims, Beauvais, Notre-Dame de Paris and the Royal Abbey Church of St. Denis). Different from the book.
Castle (1983, Unicorn Projects) by David Macaulay --- Animated and live action segments to learn about castles built by King Edward I (who strove to bring the Welsh into the British empire). Visit ancient fortresses and the birth/death of a castle. Different from the book.
Knights of the Round Table (1953, MGM) Robert Taylor as Sir Lancelot, Ava Gardner is Queen Guinevere, Mel Ferrer plays King Arthur, and Anne Crawford is Morgan Le Fay --- Based on Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. (Can you spot ... a truck in the background of a battle scene?)
Charlemagne (1994, by France/Italy Beta Film/Lux
SPA/Pathe Television)
6 videos, 60 minutes each (done in France, actors speak English),
not that historically accurate, but gives a good flavor of the
times. (Example: Roland is Charlemage's nephew not his buddy pal,
shows Prince Charlemagne as a beer swilling lady chaser, etc.)
A five-hour epic produced for European television has now become
available at an attractive, low price and will help fill in this
important gap. While we have some concerns over the presentation
and historical interpretation depicted, there is nevertheless
much value for those seeking a visual representation of that era.
The life and times of Medieval Europe’s most heroic
and legendary figure are brilliantly dramatized in Charlemagne,
revealing the intense passions and bloody betrayals surrounding
an extraordinary leader who united the Western world under the
banner of Christianity and changed the course of history. It is
the story of one man, whose great loves and private sorrows must
be set aside for the greater good, a man whose destiny and quest
for a better world holds sway over his own happiness.
Lady Godiva (1955, Universal International) Maureen O'Hara plays Lady Godiva --- Time frame is the 11th century England. King Edward the Confessor wants Lord Leofric (a Saxon) to marry a Norman woman. He refuses and is jailed. There he meets the sheriff's daughter, Godiva, and they are wed. The increasing Norman influence leads to her famous ride.
The Crusades (1935, Paramount Pictures) Loretta Young is Princess Berengaria, Henry Wilcoxon is King Richard, Ian Keith plays Saladin, and Alan Hale is Blondel the minstrel --- There are certainly errors in this film, however, this is a fun way to introduce your family to the Third Crusade. (Can you spot ... during a chess game, Conrad takes four moves to one of Prince John? ... Richard the Lionheart wearing a wristwatch?)
Marco Polo (1982) Flashback mode of Marco Polo's famous travels with his father and uncle to the far East in 1270.
The Vikings (1958, distributed by United Artists) Kirk Douglas as Einar plays the son of Viking chief Ragnar (Ernest Borgnine), Tony Curtis plays Eric, Janet Leigh is Morgana --- Einar, a great Viking warrior, is a half brother to Eric, an ex-English slave to the Vikings. Neither brother know the true identity of the other. The Northumbria throne (Britain) becomes free and both brothers want the prize but for different reasons which involve the Welsh Prince Morgana. Based on the book by Edison Marshall, The Viking.
The Long Ships (1963) This is a movie about the Vikings with Richard Widmark playing Rolfe (which is a better movie than The Vikings listed above)
Ivanhoe (1982, Columbia Pictures/Rosemont Production Limited) James Mason is Isaac of York, Anthony Andrews portrays Wilfred of Ivanhoe, and Olivia Hussey plays Rebecca --- Based upon the novel by Sir Walter Scott
Braveheart (1995, B.H. Finance/20th Century Fox/Icon Entertainment International/Paramount Pictures/The Ladd Company). Mel Gibson plays Sir William Wallace --- I would NOT recommend this film. This movie goes far beyond violence and into the realm of sadism. Obviously, it is understandable that a two edged sword will do great damage without filming volumes of blood and accompanying sound effects. Moreover, the nudity during the wedding night is totally unnecessary. Most important, however, is that this movie abounds in historical error. (1) The beginning of the movie shows the unidentified barns of Ayr. Sir William Wallace was already a leader versus a child at this time and lost several relatives in this episode. Later on in the movie, the barns of Ayr episode continues without any indication that it is the same episode implying that Sir William Wallace was prone to violence versus fighting for liberty. (2) Sir William Wallace was never knighted. The Scots inherited their titles. So, after Sir William Wallace's father and elder brother died, he automatically became a "sir". Therefore, the knighting scene is inaccurate. (3) In the battle of Sterling Bridge, there was no bridge --- the decisive component of the battle stratagem. (4) Sir William Wallace never met the Princess of Wales. Wallace was killed in 1305, Prince Edward and Princess Isabel were married in 1309, and she had her first child in 1312 --- 7 years after the death of Sir William Wallace. (5) As the Scots were Christian by this time, they left off the body painting. (6) Braveheart portrays the Scots as poor and the English as being wealthier. Actually, the opposite was the case. England had a warrior monarch which required financing and subsequently their standard of living demonstrated same. On the other hand, Scotland had years of peace. (7) Sir William Wallace's wife was of nobility and did not have a hovel existence. Moreover, they were married for a longer period of time then the movie portrays and had a daughter. (8) This movie implies that Sir William Wallace was a bloodthirsty maniac, when in reality, he was a very chivalrous Christian gentleman. Actually, there are so many inaccuracies that it would take longer than this space permits to site them. Isn't it amazing that Hollywood focused in on the torture Sir William Wallace underwent? Kinda makes you wonder? Or, maybe confirm one's suspicions of Hollywood's moral baseness.
El Cid (1961, Allied Artists Pictures Corporation) Charlton Heston is El Cid (Rodrigo Diazde Bivar) and Sophia Loren is Chimene --- The legendary Spanish hero, El Cid to his followers, drives the Moors from Spain without compromising the high standards of Christian honor.
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) Errol Flynn plays Sir Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood), Oliva De Havilland is Lady Marian Fitzwalter (Maid Marian), Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and Claude Rains as Prince John --- (Can you spot a car when Will Scarlett gets off his horse to aid Much?) NOTE: Stay away from the most current Robin Hood which is so historically inaccurate that it would take a book to record all of them (like gun powder being used 200 years before it was invented, etc.). The movie with Flynn, however, is closer to the legends your children will read by Howard Pyle when they are older.
Becket (1964, Paramount Pictures) Thomas a Becket is played by Richard Burton, Sir John Gielgud is King Louis VII, and Peter O'Toole is King Henry II) King Henry II of England appoints his chum, Becket, to Archbishop of Canterbury. However, King Henry doesn't realize that Becket takes his position seriously until too late that Becket will oppose Henry's plans effectively. This, in turn, leads to Henry's famous question, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?"
The Lion in Winter (1968, Avco Embassy Pictures) Peter O'Toole portrays King Henry II, Katharine Hepburn is Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Anthony Hopkins plays Prince Richard --- Based on James Goldman's book The Lion in Winter, New York: Dell, 1968. Becket (1964, Paramount Pictures), as listed above, is a much better movie. I personally do not care for this movie for varying reasons with the foremost being the issue of historical accuracy. Nevertheless, some may wish to expose their older offspring to this movie. A great deal of this movie deals with adult themes that you may not wish your younger children to be exposed. (Can you spot the boat carrying the camera and crew when Hepburn is ferried to Henry's castle?).
Henry V (1989, BBC/Renaissance Films) Shakespeare play. Kenneth Branagh plays Henry V while Derek Jacobi is the narrator or chorus --- (Can you spot ... a dead soldier in the field winking at you? a French soldier wearing blue dies twice?)
The Agony and
the Ecstasy (1965, 20th Century Fox)
Movie is based on the book of the same name by Irving Stone about
Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel's ceiling for Pope Julius.
Charlton Heston portrays Michelangelo and Rex Harrison is Pope
Julius II. In the beginning of the movie, there is a short documentary
of this artist's works. Even though there are several historical
inaccuracies throughout this movie, it still gives a great understanding
of the priceless works of art that were painted and sculpted in
the Vatican (and, yes, the popes did have armies). A powerful,
historical drama set in the early 16th century. When Pope Julius
II (Rex Harrison) commissions Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) to
paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the project becomes a
battle of wills fueled by artistic and temperamental differences.
A rich and moving dramatization. 2 hr 19 min
Taming of the Shrew, (1967, Columbia Pictures) Richard Burton as Petruchio and Elizabeth Taylor is Katharina --- Even though this movie does not include the entire play, I found it a grand way to open up Shakespeare to my girls as it is extremely humorous. The timeframe for this Shakespearean play (whether or not it was Shakespeare or others that wrote "Shakespeare") would seem to be set in the Renaissance. However, there are many Reformation themes playing throughout the play as it was written during the great Reformation (e.g., Burton pushing the priest, the character Burton plays comedically takes on issues surrounding the sacraments of communion and marriage, etc.). This play also demonstrates that a "shrew" can be a male or female --- centuries before the so-called "women's movement".
Request: Any recommendations for Middle Ages movies? If so, e-mail us your ideas by here