In Search of the Dark Ages

1. 1. In Search of Offa

   Jan 2, 1979

   In the first episode, and effectively the pilot, for his "In Search of ..." series, TV historian Michael Wood learns more about the Mercian King Offa - whose 1200 year old earthwork "Offa's Dyke" effectively traces the border between England and Wales for 150 miles (240 km).

2. 2. In Search of Boadicea

   Mar 11, 1980

   In part 2 of the series, pioneering TV historian Michael Wood, looks past the scythed war chariot and tries to discover the real Boadicea, her times and people.

3. 3. In Search of Arthur

   Mar 12, 1980

   In this third part of the series. Michael Wood tries to separate fact from legend concerning King Arthur.

4. 4. In Search of Alfred the Great

   Mar 14, 1980

   In part 4 of the series, Michael Wood reminds us that when asked to name the greatest Briton, Winston Churchill is often put forward. When Churchill himself was asked he had one clear answer "Alfred the Great". But who was this King and why was he so influential on the development of England?

About

In Search of the Dark Ages was a television series, written and presented by Michael Wood, and first shown in 1979. It is also the title of a book written by Wood to support the series, which was published in 1981. The television series consisted of a series of separate programmes, hence the collective title is often written as In Search of ... The Dark Ages. It began with In Search of Offa, recorded in 1978 by BBC Manchester, and shown on 2 January 1979. Subsequent programmes in the first series were on Boadicea, King Arthur and Alfred the Great, shown with a re-run of Offa over successive nights in March 1980. The first series was such a success when shown in an off-peak slot on BBC Two that a second series was broadcast in 1981, with subjects including William the Conqueror, Ethelred the Unready, Athelstan and Eric Bloodaxe.

First aired

1979-01-02

Era

70s

Length

2 seasons · 8 episodes

Genres

Documentary