In Search of the Dark Ages

In Search of the Dark Ages
First episode titlecard
Created by	BBC
Presented by	Michael Wood
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of series	2
No. of episodes	8
Production
Executive producer(s)	Roger Laughton
Running time	35-45 minutes
Release
Original network	BBC
Picture format	4:3
Original release	2 January 1979 (1979-01-02) – 9 April 1981 (1981-04-09)
Chronology
Related shows	In Search of the Trojan War

In Search of the Dark Ages is a BBC television documentary series, written and presented by historian Michael Wood, first shown between 1979 and 1981. It comprises eight short films across two seasons, each focusing on a particular character from the history of England prior to the Norman Conquest, a period popularly known as the Dark Ages. It is also the title of a book written by Wood to support the series, that was first published in 1981.

The series was made by BBC Manchester and narrated by Michael Wood, who was at that time a lecturer (and, eventually, Professor of History) at Manchester University. It consists of eight separate programmes, and the collective title is often written as In Search of... The Dark Ages (originally it was known simply as In Search of...). Each programme, except the finale, ran between 35 and 45 minutes. It began with a one-off pilot programme called In Search of Offa, filmed in 1978, and first broadcast in January 1979. When its reception was regarded as favourable, three further programmes were filmed in 1979. The series first aired on BBC Two in March 1980, beginning with Boadicea and including a repeat showing of the original Offa programme. The series was so well received that a second series was soon commissioned.

In terms of production, the programmes were filmed entirely on location with no studio-based scenes whatsoever. Wood's concept was that the entire production should occur in the actual places associated with the historical events on which he was reporting. Essentially, the films were mostly about touring the battlefields and cathedrals of England to view the actual places where the great events of history occurred. This "popular and serious style of history programming" was becoming increasingly prevalent at that time. The effect was enhanced by Wood often appearing on-screen, instead of being merely a voice-over, thereby giving the viewer an impression of journalistic immediacy. Further, many viewers would not have been aware of him emulating the style of another famous television academic, A.J.P. Taylor.

The series made the reputation of Michael Wood, and launched his broadcasting career. Its success has been attributed in part to his "down-to-earth and friendly style" (at the time of its first broadcast, Wood was not yet a practising academic), and in part to the romantic and legendary, sometimes semi-mythical, subject matter. Importantly Wood attempted to penetrate beyond popular myths surrounding a chosen figure, to uncover their real historical character. As The Times television reviewer remarked, Wood is "never at a loss for a striking analogy". At a time when documentaries were often the exclusive preserve of academics, Wood's youth, fashion, and enthusiasm were regarded as being the key to the success of the series.