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The Best Episodes of In Search of the Dark Ages

Every episode of In Search of the Dark Ages ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of In Search of the Dark Ages!

Binge this in Unknown•Peaking at 8.5/10

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

Airs on
BBC Two
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Seasons2

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    In Search of the Dark Ages Season 1 Episode 4 - In Search of Alfred the Great
    8.5/10(19 votes)

    #1 - In Search of Alfred the Great

    S1:E4

    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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. In Search of the Dark Ages Season 2 Episode 1 - In Search of Athelstan
    8.5/10(30 votes)

    #2 - In Search of Athelstan

    S2:E1

    In this place, in 939, was buried the first king of all England. In his day a Norseman called him the greatest man in the European world, to a Frenchman he was the most famous king of modern times, an Irishman thought him the summit of the honour of the Western World. From Iceland, from Germany, and Wales, poets sang of his deeds, renowned through the whole globe whom God set over the English as king plainly so that mighty in war he might conquer other fierce kings and crush their proud necks. And yet who knows of Athelstan today?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. In Search of the Dark Ages Season 1 Episode 1 - In Search of Offa
    8.2/10(22 votes)

    #3 - In Search of Offa

    S1:E1

    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).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. In Search of the Dark Ages Season 2 Episode 4 - In Search of William the Conqueror
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #4 - In Search of William the Conqueror

    S2:E4

    1944: The greatest amphibious invasion in history lands on the Normandy beaches. Today the wreckage of war still stands in the shallows where 35 years ago armies drawn from much of the free world began the liberation of Europe. But great events are not new to these shores; for the whole of recorded history momentous waves of immigrants and invaders have crossed the narrow sea between England and the Continent and shaped our history. Nine-hundred years ago an amphibious invasion left these shores which was to have as great an effect on our destiny as 1944 may prove to have. From these beaches, in 1066, an army set sail for England. Its leader would become known to history as William the Conqueror.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. In Search of the Dark Ages Season 1 Episode 2 - In Search of Boadicea
    8.0/10(16 votes)

    #5 - In Search of Boadicea

    S1:E2

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. In Search of the Dark Ages Season 2 Episode 3 - In Search of Ethelred the Unready
    7.8/10(5 votes)

    #6 - In Search of Ethelred the Unready

    S2:E3

    AD1001: In this year there were constant hostilities in England because of the Danish army and they harried and burned almost everywhere. And they went about at will encountering no resistance. No fleet by sea, nor levies on land, dared approach them however far inland they went. Time after time, the more urgent a thing was, the greater was the delay from one hour to the next, and all the while the King and his counsellors were allowing the strength of their enemies to increase. In the end, our naval and land preparations were a complete failure and succeeded only in adding to the distress of the people, wasting money and encouraging their enemy. In every way, it was a hard time, for they never ceased from their evil deeds.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of In Search of the Dark Ages

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  7. In Search of the Dark Ages Season 2 Episode 2 - In Search of Eric Bloodaxe
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #7 - In Search of Eric Bloodaxe

    S2:E2

    In this year—954—in a certain lonely place called Stainmore, King Erik was treacherously betrayed and killed, along with his son Haeric and his brother Ragnald. From then on, King Eadred of Wessex ruled in these parts north of the Humber. And from that time to the present, the Northumbrians have been subject to the southern English and have grieved for want of a king of their own and for the liberty they once enjoyed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. In Search of the Dark Ages Season 1 Episode 3 - In Search of Arthur
    7.6/10(8 votes)

    #8 - In Search of Arthur

    S1:E3

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"In Search of Alfred the Great" is the best rated episode of "In Search of the Dark Ages". It scored 8.5/10 based on 19 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/14/1980. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "In Search of Athelstan".