These are 15 of the best medieval series to watch. I’ve seen them all and love them, although some are better than others.
If you’re wondering what a backpacking website has to do with medieval stuff, it’s simply that I enjoy learning about this period in time and on my travels often visit medieval towns, etc.
Watching medieval series like this (except the fantasy-based ones) gives some good background on the places you may visit.
Disclaimer: I own none of the rights to the images in this article. They are used under fair usage terms to discuss the series.
Best Medieval Series
In the shadowed folds of history, where the echoes of bygone battles linger and the dust of ancient kingdoms settles, a tapestry of tales unfolds. The medieval realm was a stage for valour and treachery, where knights sought glory, and monarchs forged empires with the clink of sceptres.
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Tip: You can get a 1-month free trial of Amazon Prime (get with that link) where you can watch some of these medieval series if you don’t already have an account.
Vikings (2013-2020)
Vikings is hands down the best medieval series on Viking history you can see and a great look at medieval life in Northern Europe.
It’s based on real-life Viking characters and their conquests, although some of it is embellished for the sake of the show.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)
This one goes along the lines of Vikings as it’s set in the same period with similar vibes.
The Last Kingdom is set during the reign of Alfred the Great a man named Uhtred who was kidnapped by Vikings when he was a young Saxon boy during a Viking raid in England comes back to fight for his ancestral birthright.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Knightfall (2017-2019)
I had just finished watching this medieval series when writing this article and it was a great medieval TV show about the final stages in the history of the Knights Templar.
The Knights Templar are legends in the medieval world of the Crusades.
Knightfall follows the Templars in Paris as they battle politics, internal strife, and the mystery of the Holy Grail.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Pillars of The Earth (2010)
The Pillars of the Earth is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ken Follett, which is one of the best medieval fictional books you can read.
The show does the book justice and explores the world of a mason in the early 13th century who wants to build a cathedral.
There is a sequel series to this called World Without End set 150 years later but I didn’t find it as good as Pillars of the Earth.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Vikings Valhalla (2022 Onwards)
Vikings Valhalla isn’t as great as Vikings mentioned at the beginning but is a great medieval series to watch.
It’s set 100 years later on from the original Vikings timeline and focuses on Leif Erikson, Freydis, Harald Hardrada, and the Norman King William the Conqueror as they go on their adventures.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
The Legend of El Cid (2020-2021)
El Cid is one of the more recent ones on this list and shows the life of the legendary El Cid, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, who was a nobleman from the Castile region of medieval Spain in the 11th century.
He was a war hero and this follows his famous exploits.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
The White Queen (2013)
The White Queen is set in the time of the War of the Roses when the House of Lancaster and the House of York had a feud with each other.
This is the one to watch if interested in that period.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Medici (2016-2019)
This comes towards the end of the Middle Ages and just into the early modern era showing the lives of the famous Florence family Medici.
I loved this show. It’s not all action and goes deep into the politics of the Italian city-states of the time.
Get to season 2 and you will see one of the medieval movies most favourite actors join the show!
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Cathedral of The Sea (2018)
This one is little well known when compared to others here.
Set in 14th century Barcelona it follows a common labourer, who was known as serfs, as he tries to gain wealth and freedom while all the while sustaining the wrath of true noblemen and the church.
Available on Netflix:
Trailer:
The Hollow Crown (2012-2016)
The Hollow Crown is enjoyable as a medieval series. It’s based on William Shakespeare’s history plays.
It gives insight into the lives of Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Marco Polo (2014-2016)
Marco Polo follows the adventures of (you guessed it) Marco Polo, the legendary Venitian merchant who explored all along the Silk Road into Asia.
This shows his journey and time in Kublai Khan’s court. Great for a look at medieval China.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
The Name of the Rose (2019)
Set in Italy in 1327 a monk travels to the mountains of the north into the Alps to a very remote abbey where there have been many murders happening.
A retake on a classic book of the same name. It’s a good show to watch. A little slow at times but enjoyable.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
The Spanish Princess (2019-2020)
The Spanish Princess is the series that follows on from the aforementioned White Queen. It’s set in 16th-century London so is just on the edge of medieval times but is close enough.
It follows the famous princess from Spain, Catherine of Aragon, who goes to England to marry a prince only for him to die and then decides to try and get with the up-and-coming new heir to the throne.
Good ‘political’ intrigue in the royal court.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
I’m putting 2 fantasy medieval series at the end of the list here.
Everyone should have heard of Game of Thrones by now. Yes, it is fantasy but the entire setup and mood of the show is medieval.
The author of the books on which the show is based has said that events in medieval times influenced his writing, such as the War of the Roses.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
The Witcher (2019 Onwards)
Ah, The Witcher. Love it or hate it it’s one of the best medieval series that you should watch, even if it is fantasy-based.
I say love it or hate it because the acting can be patchy at times and the special effects are somewhat on the cheap side at times, but that doesn’t take away from the overall great medieval theme of the show.
Available on Netflix:
Trailer:
Rise of Empires: Ottoman
I’m adding this as an ‘extra one’ as it’s more of a docu-drama series but shows the rise of the Ottoman Empire in medieval times perfectly.
Available on NetFlix:
Trailer:
Vinland Saga (2019 Onwards)
I’m adding this as another ‘extra one’ at the end as it’s an anime series, but what an epic medieval anime series it is!
It’s based on the Japanese manga (comic book) series of the same name and is about a young boy whose father is murdered and then joins the group that killed him, plotting his revenge for the future.
Watch it on Crunchyroll:
Trailer:
Best Medieval Series
So step into the medieval world with these best medieval series to watch. They are all great, but I have a personal bias towards shows with Vikings in. Each to their own.
I’m sure you will find a medieval series to your liking.
For more medieval entertainment have a look at the 21 best medieval movies to watch.
And if you want to get some real factual information about medieval times then have a look at the 10 best documentaries about medieval times.
Finally, want some medieval books to read as well? Then have a look at the 15 best medieval books to read.
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