Revolution of the Dead

''Revolution of the Dead'' explores the surge of creativity that emerged across the British Isles following the devastation of the Black Death.

The plague challenged societal norms and theological convictions, as exemplified by the writings of Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich. Literature flourished, giving birth to iconic works like Chaucer's ''Canterbury Tales'' and Langland's ''Piers Plowman.''

This "Art That Made Us" episode is a reflection of the times, with carvings depicting social unrest and an unwavering faith in mystics. Music was not left behind, with Dunstaple's compositions establishing the transition from the medieval to the Renaissance periods. An urbanization movement, driven by a wave of artistic regeneration, saw 14th-century culture imprinted on the land.