With the help of animated medieval paintings, the Middle Ages are brought to life in all its corruption, violence and greed, courage, enterprise and learning. Monty Python star and medieval scholar, Terry Jones, challenges stereotypes by examining the lives of various medieval archetypes. While many may know the earthy humor of Chaucer or Rabelais, few know the dark side of chivalry, or that serfs and women were not downtrodden at all. Special features include: Gladiators: the brutal truth, explains how this 'sport' was used as a tool of political power and how the Gladiators rose up and waged war against their owners.