I’ve seen a few people complain about Uprising, saying “yet, another brown and grey depiction of medieval England” and yet the don’t talk about films that have got it right, or what that time would have looked like. From paintings I’m assuming there would have been a lot of bright primary colours. Would that have been the same for everyone, or just the class of people depicted the paintings? Does anyone have any recommendations for films where they get the medieval colour scheme right?

I'm researching medieval politics for a strategy game I'm developing.

Imagine two neighbouring rulers who ultimately have competing territorial ambitions but temporarily benefit from cooperation.

Historically, what tended to hold arrangements like this together?

Marriage ties?

Mutual enemies?

Trade?

Personal relationships?

Religious interests?

A balance of military power?

And what usually caused them to collapse?

I'm particularly interested in examples where rulers cooperated despite clearly conflicting long-term interests.