Illustrated Medieval scene from the Romance of Lancelot

Medieval

Part three in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1100–1149

Turning points1141: Stephen v Matilda. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

William the Conqueror was the second king of England to be crowned in 1066

The coronation of William of Normandy on Christmas Day in 1066

A Victorian Christmas card

HistoryExtra's Christmas history quiz

A 13th-century fresco showing Isabella of Angouleme, Eleanor of Aquitaine and two squires

Eleanor of Aquitaine: the worst royal mother-in-law?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

HistoryExtra Medieval Masterclass with Dan Jones

Medieval Masterclass with Dan JonesRevolution 1348–1527 AD. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

HistoryExtra Medieval Masterclass with Dan Jones

Medieval Masterclass with Dan JonesRebirth 1216–1347 AD. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

HistoryExtra Medieval Masterclass with Dan Jones

Medieval Masterclass with Dan JonesDominium 750-1215 AD. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

HistoryExtra Medieval Masterclass with Dan Jones

Medieval Masterclass with Dan JonesImperium 410-750 AD. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Froissart illustration of Hugh Despenser the Younger's execution by being hanged, drawn and quartered. Despenser is on a ladder, as a man beside him disembowels him and tosses his entrails into a fire

‘Godly butchery’: the horrifying history of hanging, drawing and quartering

A woman slops here chamberpot from a window onto pedestrians in the street below in this woodcut

Were medieval cities really filthy?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Sex lives of medieval people. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Christmas feasts with Annie GrayEpisode 1: Medieval & Tudor revelry. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Chaucer reading his work to the court of Richard II

Katherine Swynford: the scandalous duchess and ancestress of royal dynasties

What can churches tell us?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Sex work: a brief history. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A 14th-century illustration of a farmer leading a pack animal through the ice and snow

The surprisingly modern Middle Ages. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The Ottoman “Age of Discovery”. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Anglo-Scottish border wars: everything you wanted to know. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Depiction of a musician and dancing fool in Paris, 14th century

What was life like for a court jester?

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Harry, Ron and Hermione on the set of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Photo by Peter Mountain/Warner Bros. Pictures/THA)

The real magic of Harry Potter: 15 details the wizarding world borrows from history

Medieval manuscript makers. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The rebel who defied William the Conqueror. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A mother receives her newborn baby in a c1490 text written for Henry VII. Childbirth in the Middle Ages exposed both mother and child to great peril but, writes Elma Brenner, midwives had the expertise to intervene when complications arose. (Photo by Bridgeman)

The medieval childbirth guide: 6 tips for pregnant mothers in the Middle Ages

Historical recipeCustard Tart. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

3 curious medieval ghost stories. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Historical recipeFake fish – a medieval apple pie for Lent. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Windows on to history. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Windows: an illuminating history. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Alfred the Great (849–899). (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Who was King Alfred the Great?

QuizWeird and wonderful history. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.