The medieval world is not tidy. It runs on disputed succession, fragile alliances and power that shifts with the wind. One campaign can change a kingdom. One marriage can redraw a map.
This ranking weighs historical grounding, production quality, writing, performances and cultural impact. The focus stays within the medieval framework, broadly fifth to late fifteenth century in Europe, and within Japan’s recognised medieval era. A few entries sit at the medieval to early modern threshold but remain rooted in medieval political structures.
Here are twenty three historical series set in the medieval world, ranked from 23 to 1.
23. Cathedral of the Sea
Period: Fourteenth century Barcelona
A socially driven story centred on the building of Santa Maria del Mar. Strong atmosphere, uneven pacing.
Production
Spanish production released internationally via Netflix in 2018.
Where to watch
Netflix.
22. The Spanish Princess
Period: Late fifteenth century
Centres on Catherine of Aragon and late medieval Anglo Spanish diplomacy.
Production
Starz series released between 2019 and 2020.
Where to watch
Starz.
21. Arn
Period: Twelfth century
A Scandinavian lens on crusading politics. Distinctive in perspective, modest in scale.
Production
Swedish miniseries released in 2010.
Where to watch
Varies by region.
20. Knightfall
Period: Early fourteenth century France
Dramatises the suppression of the Knights Templar under Philip IV.
Production
History Channel series, two seasons from 2017 to 2019.
Where to watch
Netflix and Prime Video in selected territories.
19. King & Conqueror
Period: Eleventh century England and Normandy
Focuses on Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy in the lead up to 1066. The Norman Conquest reshaped England’s ruling elite and legal structures for centuries.
Production
BBC historical drama produced in the mid 2020s with large scale battle reconstruction.
Where to watch
BBC in the United Kingdom and international broadcasters.
18. Barbarians
Period: 9 CE
Pre medieval but foundational to later European power structures.
Production
German Netflix production released between 2020 and 2022.
Where to watch
Netflix.
17. El Cid
Period: Eleventh century Iberia
Politically layered and grounded in Reconquista dynamics.
Production
Spanish Prime Video series released from 2020 to 2021.
Where to watch
Prime Video.
16. The White Princess
Period: Late fifteenth century England
Examines Tudor consolidation after civil war.
Production
Starz original, eight episodes released in 2017.
Where to watch
Starz.
15. Resurrection: Ertuğrul
Period: Thirteenth century Anatolia
Epic in scope and culturally influential in portraying the Ottoman frontier.
Production
Turkish series aired from 2014 to 2019 across five seasons.
Where to watch
Netflix and regional platforms.
14. Marco Polo
Period: Thirteenth century Mongol Empire
Lavish and internationally focused, strong on court intrigue.
Production
Netflix original released between 2014 and 2016.
Where to watch
Netflix.
13. Medici
Period: Fifteenth century Florence
Urban republic politics at the close of the medieval era.
Production
Italian British co production, three seasons from 2016 to 2019.
Where to watch
Netflix.
12. Robin of Sherwood
Period: Twelfth century England
More folklore than strict chronicle history, but steeped in medieval social tension. It captures feudal authority and forest law with an unusual seriousness for its era.
Production
ITV series aired from 1984 to 1986, filmed largely on location in England.
Where to watch
Often available on BritBox and DVD.
11. Cadfael
Period: Twelfth century England
Set during The Anarchy, this monastic mystery series leans into social texture rather than battlefield spectacle. A quieter, more reflective medieval world.
Production
ITV adaptation starring Derek Jacobi, aired from 1994 to 1998.
Where to watch
BritBox and physical media depending on region.
10. The Tudors
Period: Early sixteenth century England
Stylised and dramatic, but rooted in late medieval political and ecclesiastical structures.
Production
Showtime series aired from 2007 to 2010 across four seasons.
Where to watch
Prime Video and digital platforms.
9. The Pillars of the Earth
Period: Twelfth century England
Civil war, cathedral building and church politics intertwined.
Production
Eight part international miniseries released in 2010.
Where to watch
Prime Video.
8. The White Queen
Period: Fifteenth century England
Dynastic warfare driven by political calculation.
Production
BBC miniseries released in 2013.
Where to watch
Starz and digital platforms.
7. Rise of Empires: Ottoman
Period: Fifteenth century
Hybrid documentary drama on the fall of Constantinople.
Production
Turkish Netflix production first released in 2020.
Where to watch
Netflix.
6. Wolf Hall
Period: Early sixteenth century England
Intimate and politically meticulous. Medieval institutions fray under pressure.
Production
BBC adaptation released in 2015.
Where to watch
BBC iPlayer and PBS Masterpiece.
5. Shogun
Period: Sengoku era Japan
Medieval in Japanese historiography. Politically intricate and visually disciplined.
Production
FX series released in 2024.
Where to watch
FX, Hulu or Disney Plus depending on region.
4. Vikings: Valhalla
Period: Early eleventh century
Tighter and more politically focused than its predecessor.
Production
Netflix original launched in 2022.
Where to watch
Netflix.
3. Vikings
Period: Ninth century
Culturally influential and visually definitive for the Viking Age.
Production
History Channel series, six seasons from 2013 to 2020.
Where to watch
Netflix and Prime Video.
2. The Hollow Crown
Period: Late fourteenth to early fifteenth century
Shakespeare rendered with historical weight and restraint.
Production
BBC series released between 2012 and 2016.
Where to watch
BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.
1. The Last Kingdom
Period: Ninth and tenth century England
Grounded, politically sharp and consistently character driven. It captures state formation, religious tension and the brutal logic of survival in a fractured land.
Production
Five seasons from 2015 to 2022.
Where to watch
Netflix.
Word on the Ranking
The highest entries combine disciplined storytelling with historical weight and cultural reach. They treat medieval authority as unstable and legitimacy as constantly contested.
In the medieval world, crowns are fragile and history is rarely tidy. The best series understand that and build their drama around it.
