Seven Ages Of Britain – Age Of Worship(Sunday 7 February)

BBC

BBC One

David Dimbleby continues to chart the history of Britain's greatest art and artefacts and tell the story of the nation through its treasures, in the second episode of Seven Ages Of Britain, which examines the Age Of Worship.

In the Middle Ages, Britain was caught in a power struggle between the Crown and the Church. The two were reconciled in the code of chivalry which ordered devotion to one's King as well as God; a story revealed in the fabulous objects left in Britain's cathedrals and castles, or safeguarded in museums.

Dimbleby also re-assesses the reign of Richard II, arguing that under his rule, England experienced a superb cultural renaissance, and travels to Munich in search of Britain's only preserved medieval crown.

Items tracked down (and places visited) include: Mappa Mundi (Hereford Cathedral); Thomas Becket pilgrim badges (Museum of London); Becket Miracle Windows (Canterbury Cathedral); the Coventry Doom (Holy Trinity, Coventry); the Bury Bible (Parker Library, Cambridge); Arthur's Round Table (Winchester Great Hall); effigies of Templar Knights (Temple Church); Eleanor Cross (Geddington); Edward III sword (Windsor Castle); Garter stall plates (St George's Chapel, Windsor); tomb of the Black Prince (Canterbury Cathedral); Anne of Bohemia's Crown (the Schatzkammer, Munich); Westminster Hall; Chaucer's Canterbury Tales; frontispiece of Chaucer's Troilus and Cressida (Parker Library, Cambridge); and the Wilton Diptych (National Gallery).