Michael Wood examines life in a 14th-century English village marked by plague, war, and hardship. Using detailed historical records, he focuses on Codicote in Hertfordshire, charting its prosperity and struggles. The film brings the era to life by centering on the family of Christina Cok, a poor peasant woman, and her father Hugh, estranged husband William, and children John and Alice. By exploring the lives of the village's poorest residents, Wood offers a history from the ground up, contrasting with traditional narratives centered on royalty and nobility.