In 1383, England launched a controversial military campaign known as Despenser’s Crusade, led not by a king—but by a bishop. Presented as a holy war, this crusade was deeply entangled with politics, power struggles, and the Papal Schism.
This documentary explores the Flemish revolt, the siege of Ypres, the role of Henry le Despenser, and how the failed campaign damaged England’s military reputation. We also uncover how Parliament rose in power by impeaching a crusade leader, reshaping the balance between Church, Crown, and Parliament.
Was this truly a holy war—or a political disaster disguised as religion?
Watch to uncover the full story behind one of England’s most controversial crusades.
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