The Real History of the King Arthur Legend

If you imagine a Catholic military order from the Middle Ages, it’s likely to be the Knights Templar - popularised by Dan Brown’s fictional thriller, The Da Vinci Code But in Medieval Europe, there was another, equally powerful religious society, which also had its English headquarters here in London. It was the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Better known, as the Knights Hospitaller. In this episode of Hidden London, London tour guide Katie Wignall explores the history of the Order of St John, visiting their base of operations here in Clerkenwell, London. The priory is one of the city’s hidden gems, with surprises around every corner. Formed in Jerusalem in the 11th century to care for pilgrims, the order went on to become an ambitious military organisation, owning lands and wielding influence across Europe. Join Katie as she uncovers the story of the Hospitallers’ rise to power, dramatic fall, and rebirth in the modern era…

The English village with a deadly past. Join Historian Louise Quick as she explores Eyam village, the site of a devastating plague outbreak and uncovers the extraordinary sacrifice that earned it the name “The Plague Village.” Special thanks to Owen and the Eyam Museum. To find out more and plan your own trip more information can be found here: You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

In the medieval feudal system, the nobility were generally those who held a fief, often land or office under vassalage in exchange for military allegiance to their sovereign. Living alongside serfs, it was their duty to ensure that the peasants, craftsmen and clergymen were defended so that they could live in peace and act as judges to handle disputes. To explore the often ostentatious and gluttonous lifestyles of the nobility, Eleanor Janega visits Hedingham Castle, perhaps the best preserved Norman keep in Essex, England.

Jerusalem has been one of the world's important cities for thousands of years. At its centre sits the Temple Mount, a site that holds huge significance for Christianity, Judaism and Islam. But what ancient secrets lie within this Holy site and what makes it so significant? Odyssey is your journey into the world of Ancient History; from the dawn of Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome. We'll be bringing you only the best documentaries that journey into the mysteries and ruins of worlds long lost.

What was it like to be a knight in the middle ages? What were your roles and responsibilities? How dangerous were medieval tournaments? History Hit's Luke Tomes and Louee Dessent are back at the medieval tiltyard outside the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds for the medieval tournament challenge. Can our knight in shining armour complete our medieval gauntlet, including picking up a glove from horseback, the quintain and full contact jousting against a real opponent? Louee and Luke get to learn about what it was really like to be a knight in the Middle Ages, donning a full suit of armour themselves and completing their own set of physical tests. Can you sprint in armour? How cumbersome is it? Is the Hollywood image of the clunky, slow-moving knight really that accurate? Watch the video where we answer these questions and more!

*We apologize for any sections with uneven audio levels, we are aware of the issue.* You'd suspect that working in a royal palace wood have been preferable to working in the fields. But these royal jobs are among the worst in history. Life was gruelling for those who found themselves working as a lance maker, falcon-keeper, whipping boy, food taster, groom of the chamber, royal messenger, royal washerwoman, fireworker, boot boy, and the dreaded purple maker.