Prominent historical figures are depicted by actors wearing masks and costumes, which give the appearance of living artistic images in the style of their original cultures.
The first episode recounts Byzantine Emperor Alexius's appeal to Pope Urban II for military aid to fight Muslim Turks.
Jones takes the viewer from Syria to Jordan to shed light on the Arabs counter-crusade led by the Muslim leader Saladin.
Additionally, experts detail the political intrigue behind Saladin's rise to power as he tried to lead Muslims in winning back Jerusalem from the Christians.
The fourth episode examines the massacres during the siege of Acre, the 1192 Treaty of Ramla in which Richard was forced to concede Jerusalem to Saladin, and the establishment of the Empire of Latins in Constantinople after the Crusade of the Venetian statesman Enrico Dandolo.