THE WEST – Episode 3: The Rule of Law (4K) [6 part series celebrating Western Civilisation] – YouTube

The West is the New Culture Forum’s landmark six-part documentary series exploring the history, achievements and genius of Western civilisation. Inspired by legendary TV programmes such as Civilisation, Kenneth Clark’s 1969 masterpiece, The West is a bold reminder of who we are — and why our culture is worth defending.

THE WEST – Episode 3: The Rule of Law (4K) [6 part series celebrating Western Civilisation] – YouTube

Episode 3: The Rule of Law
The West is a place where even kings must kneel before the law. Starting with the scourging of King Henry II for the murder of St Thomas a Becket, this episode explores how the West’s uniquely decentralised and distributed structure unleashed human possibility.

The competition between Western nations and the conflicting power centres within, including between church and state, created spaces in which shocking new ideas, projects and inventions could emerge and take hold. But it was the power of law to hold even kings and emperors to account – symbolised in the sealing of Magna Carta – which was the greatest secret of Western success.