History is filled with incredible narratives, but there are many events from the Middle Ages that stand out as excellent story candidates for future movies or TV shows. Historical fiction is a genre that never seems to die out. No matter how many historical tales are depicted on screen, more will always be left to tell. The medieval era is one period of history in particular that is extremely rich with fascinating events and figures. Consequently, the Middle Ages have become one of the most popular eras in which to write historical fiction.
The success of shows like The Last Kingdom and Vikings and movies like The King and The Last Duel demonstrate the widespread interest in medieval history movies. There almost seems to be an endless stream of these films and series that keep the genre relevant. By looking at some of the best historical film epics and studying key events, one can discern which stories will likely be next on the carousel of medieval epics. A number of impactful events in particular from the Middle Ages stand out as having the greatest potential for inspiring successful movies and TV shows.
10 St. Columbus Founds Iona
In the year 563, an Irish missionary named Columba founded a Christian monastery on the isle of Iona just off the coast of Scotland, playing a massive role in the religion’s growth in Britain. That is highly significant because Christianity quickly came to dominate the kingdoms of Britain. Those kingdoms went on to become the British Empire, which spread Christianity relentlessly across the globe. Columba likely faced hostility from local religious leaders, but his perseverance changed the world for centuries to come, making this an excellent story for a potential movie.
9 Li Yuan Begins The Tang Dynasty In China
Li Yuan began the Tang dynasty in China in the year 618. The Tang dynasty went on to rule China for three centuries, playing a critical role in the cultural and economic development of medieval China and Eastern Asia as a whole. Li Yuan, later known as Emperor Gaozu, is one of the lesser-known conquerors of the Middle Ages, but his achievements were incredibly impressive. A film centered around Li Yuan’s life could potentially make for one of the best biopics ever. The general creation of the Tang dynasty, which included plenty of military conflicts and personal drama, would also make a fascinating TV show or film series.
8 The Abbasid Revolution
In the middle of the 8th century, the Abbasid Revolution ended the Umayyad Caliphate and ushered in a more inclusive, multiethnic state in the Middle East, making it a highly significant historical event. The Abbasid Revolution is remembered as one of the most well-organized revolutions of the Middle Ages, making it an excellent candidate for a TV series or movie. The story could examine the logistics of such an undertaking while exploring the ethical/moral quarries of revolution and non-secular government. There are also loads of fascinating historical figures involved that could make for interesting characters.
7 Charlemagne Becomes Holy Roman Emperor
Charlemagne has always been a famous historical figure, and his inauguration as Holy Roman Emperor in the year 800 is one of the most critical events in medieval European history. This marked the shift of power in the continent to Western Europe where it has essentially remained ever since. Charlemagne would make a fascinating subject for a film that could explore the nature of power dynamics and how they shift from one place to another. By focusing specifically on Charlemagne’s rise to the position of Holy Roman Emperor, the film or show could examine the consequences of empire-building and make sense of Western Europe’s rise to power.
6 Rurik Establishes Dynasty In Rus
Dynasty-building always makes for an entertaining story, and the Varangian Chieftain Rurik’s establishment of the Rurik Dynasty in modern-day Russia is one of the most impactful examples of it. Rurik’s dynasty ruled from 862 until 1610, making it one of the longest-running dynasties in European history. Rurik’s rise from chieftain to king is the stuff of legends, and his story could make for an incredible movie or TV series, especially considering Rurik’s Viking heritage, which could attract legions of fans who already love Viking history. Rurik is a legendary figure, similar to Vikings‘ Ragnar Lothbrok in that respect, and his story needs to be told on the big screen.
5 Normandy Founded
The founding of Normandy in 911 would provide a perfect precursor to the hugely popular historical figure William the Conqueror. Normandy was immediately influential after its founding, and it was a critical region during the Hundred Years War. Normandy was also ruled by Vikings after the historical figure Rollo was given the region by King Charles the Simple, meaning it could play on preexisting interest in Viking history. This potential movie or show could follow Rollo specifically, or create fictional characters that could be used to convey the significance of Normandy’s creation.
4 The Battle Of Langshan Jiang
The Battle of Langshan Jiang in 919 would make a fantastic basis for a movie. This Chinese naval battle is the first recorded instance of the large-scale use of gunpowder in warfare. This is a moment that obviously changed history forever, introducing the substance that would revolutionize warfare and lead to the empire-building of the later Middle Ages. This battle could make for one of the best historical drama movies ever by foreshadowing the impact gunpowder would have on human history while conveying the terror and shock that this type of warfare must have created. Plus, it could make for a jaw-dropping spectacle.
3 The Road To Canossa
The Road to Canossa, in 1077, is often lauded by historians as one of the most dramatic moments in history. The Road to Canossa refers to the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV’s journey to Canossa Castle where he was forced to subjugate himself to Pope Gregory VII. This moment marks the climax of a long-running dispute over the respective places of ecclesiastical and secular power. A film about the Road to Canossa could explore the relationship between those types of power while following the intense personal rivalry between Henry IV and Gregory VII. This is a historical moment that seems made for the movies.
2 Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage To Mecca
Mansa Musa, the ninth Mansa of the Mali Empire, was one of the wealthiest people, if not the wealthiest person, in human history. In 1324, he began a pilgrimage to Mecca that would change North Africa and Arabia for years to come. He distributed so much wealth that it literally transformed the local economies of virtually everywhere he visited. A movie about Musa’s pilgrimage could follow the fascinating individual he was while taking the audience on a trip through medieval North Africa and Arabia, regions that are underexplored in modern filmmaking. The film could also examine the nature of material wealth and be used as a critique of modern-day billionaires.
1 Competition for the Florence Baptistery
The competition for the Florence Baptistery in 1401, which was a contest to design the Baptistery’s doors, is commonly thought of as one of the key factors in the start of the Italian Renaissance. The Renaissance changed the arts, philosophy, religion, and virtually every aspect of Western culture. By following the Renaissance’s roots in the competition for the Florence Baptistery, a potential movie or TV show could examine the causes of such a vast cultural revolution. Exploring what it takes to create widespread changes in attitude and philosophy would be poignant in today’s highly polarized political/cultural climate.
