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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.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 If All the World Were MineNext upApr 30, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
Legend has it that the Plantagenets were descended from the Devil himself – a curse which does not deter the youthful Henry.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), Brian Cox (Henry II), Charles Kay (Louis VII), Michael Hawkins (Richard De Lacy)
- E2 The Earth Is Not EnoughMay 7, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), Brian Cox (Henry II), Charles Kay (Louis VII), Michael Hawkins (Richard De Lacy)
- E3 A Rose, a ThornMay 14, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), Brian Cox (Henry II), Charles Kay (Louis VII), Michael Hawkins (Richard De Lacy)
- E4 The Hungry FalconsMay 21, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), Brian Cox (Henry II), Charles Kay (Louis VII), Michael Hawkins (Richard De Lacy)
- E5 Before the DarkMay 28, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), Brian Cox (Henry II), John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Philippe Auguste), Charles Kay (Louis VII), Michael Byrne (Richard Lionheart)
- E6 Richard Yea and NayJun 4, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
King Henry is dead – defeated, deserted. Long live King Richard, the glorious, golden Crusader.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), Brian Cox (Henry II), John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Ralph Michael (Hubert Walter), Michael Byrne (Richard Lionheart), Zoë Wanamaker (Berengaria of Navarre)
- E7 Lion of ChristendomJun 11, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Ralph Michael (Hubert Walter), Michael Byrne (Richard Lionheart)
- E8 When Cage-Birds SingJun 18, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Ralph Michael (Hubert Walter), Michael Byrne (Richard Lionheart)
- E9 Bolt from the BlueJun 25, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), Brian Cox (Henry II), John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Ralph Michael (Hubert Walter), Michael Byrne (Richard Lionheart), Michael Hawkins (Richard De Lacy)
- E10 In Sun's EclipseJul 2, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Ralph Michael (Hubert Walter), Lynsey Baxter (Isabelle)
- E11 The Flowers Are SilentJul 9, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jane Lapotaire (Eleanor of Aquitaine), John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Ralph Michael (Hubert Walter), Lynsey Baxter (Isabelle)
- E12 Tainted KingJul 16, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Lynsey Baxter (Isabelle)
- E13 To the Devil They GoJul 23, 1978 · 55 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: John Duttine (John), Christopher Gable (Charles Auguste), Lynsey Baxter (Isabelle)
Cast & crew
Created by Alan Cooke, Jane Howell, Ronald Wilson
