Queen Mary I of England, also known as Mary Tudor, was a queen driven by conscience and by faith. The first child of Henry VIII, she was the first woman to rule the country in her own right. But over her short five year reign, she gained a reputation as a ruthless and divisive monarch. She would send hundreds of her subjects to burn at the stake for what she believed was right. A vision of England, restored to its traditional Catholic faith.
Six hundred years ago, during a time of turmoil in the west, China held a vast unstoppable fleet, led by a forgotten admiral. One of the world's most accomplished voyagers, Zheng He remains a mystery outside of his home country. This is the story of how one explorer assembled the greatest armada the oceans had ever witnessed. In the age of discovery, could this naval superpower have conquered the world?
King Richard III's death, immortalised by Shakespeare's eponymous play, has been a hotbed of debate over the last few decades. The death at the Battle of Bosworth Field signified the end of the Plantagenets, and signalled the beginning of the reign of the Tudors. However, the cause of his death has been debated by historians for years. With new evidence, this documentary peels back the curtain on Henry's true murderer, and explores the life of the man who ended an entire dynasty.
The dynasty on which Game of Thrones is based is masterfully brought to life by Dan Jones in this four part series. Following one of the most shocking periods in British history, a new historical docu-drama brings to life the dynasty that dragged Britain out of the dark ages and into the modern world.
Merlin is the archetypal wizard, Welsh and Celtic in origin but with connections across the water in Cornwall and middle Europe, and, of course, the Arthurian legends. The powerful wizard is portrayed across folklore with many magical powers, including the power of shapeshifting, and is well-known for being King Arthur's mentor, ultimately guiding him towards becoming the king of Camelot. In this documentary, we take a deep dive into the fantastic world of Merlin and his influence in today's society.
The history of the Plantagenets continues with the story of King Henry III and his treacherous brother-in-law Simon de Montfort, the Earl of Leicester. This is the story of their bitter struggle for the soul of the nation and how one friendship turned into a civil war.
Many think of The Middle Ages as a gloomy period for cuisine, as famine ravaged many parts of the world. However, throughout Europe, medieval kitchens were often filled with innovative and healthy dishes. Let's take a deep dive into world of the medieval feast: from the preparation of bread, meat, wine and herbs consumed in castles to the banquets in the monasteries and the growing cities.
Dan Jones continues his compelling part-dramatised history of the Plantagenet dynasty with a look at the reign of Edward II. In a story of murder, intrigue, lust, betrayal and revenge, he explores what turned his queen, Isabella of France, from a loyal young wife into a bloodthirsty matriarch.
For centuries pilgrimage was one of the greatest adventures on earth, involving epic journeys across the country and around the world. In the Middle Ages, the Church encouraged people to journey to shrines across the country. The most popular was the shrine of Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral, a journey brought to life in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
In this fourth and final episode of Dan Jones' compelling docu-drama about the Plantagenets, we retell the shocking story of the boy king tyrant, Richard II. He was one of the most vicious and inventive despots in history, whose tyrannical rule would lead to abdication and revolt.
Sheep-farming archaeologist, Francis Pryor, presents a historical series which explores Britain A.D, through the British national character and the ultimate British icon King Arthur. Finding new and previously unexplained evidence, Francis Pryor overturns the idea that Britain reverted to a state of anarchy and disorder after the Romans left in 410 AD. Instead of doom and gloom Francis discovers a continuous culture that assimilated influences from as far a field as the Middle East and Constantinople. Through scrutinising the myth of King Arthur to find out what was really going on when the Romans left, Francis is confronted by evidence that confounds traditional views of the 'Dark Ages'.
On Palm Sunday 1461, the bloodiest battle in all of English history took place in a small Yorkshire town. The Battle of Towton saw over 28,000 people die during one of the largest snowstorms in British history. If these fallen soldiers could speak, what would they tell us? They would recount extraordinary tales of pagan rituals, plague, and the cruel land in which ordinary folk struggled just to stay alive. Now, centuries after they were buried, the medieval dead are about to rise from their graves. This series reveals true stories of medieval life by examining the skeletal remains that lie buried below the earth's surface.
Francis Pryor examines the relics of the Dark Ages to build a fuller picture of this much-maligned era. Popular belief has always held that the departure of the Romans led to barbarism in Britain, but archaeological finds have shed light on a cultured, literate society that embraced the growing Romanised Christian religion and embarked on a profitable trading relationship with the Byzantine Empire. With new archaeological evidence Francis discovers a far more interesting story.
The true story of William Wallace is uncovered in this documentary from Tony Robinson. One of Scotland's greatest national heroes and the chief inspiration for Scottish resistance to the English king Edward I, William Wallace was played by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart. But his real story goes far wider and deeper into medieval history than one could ever imagine.
The Anglo-Saxons have been long thought to have invaded Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire in 410 AD. Francis Pryor argues that the huge political changes that took place in Britain at the time were caused by a shifting of allegiances within this country rather than a violent invasion from elsewhere. Finding new and previously unexplained evidence Francis overturns the idea that Britain was crushed under Roman rule, then reverted to a state of anarchy and disorder after the Romans left in 410 AD. Instead of doom and gloom Francis discovers a continuous culture that assimilated influences from as far a field as the Middle East and Constantinople.
The Battle of Visby of 1361 is remembered as one of the most darkest moments of the medieval era. 1,800 local farmers on the Swedish island of Gotland were suddenly confronted by a very well-trained Danish army, and a bloodbath ensued. The battle left a unique archaeological legacy; masses of slaughtered soldiers and citizens lay scattered across the former battlefield, revealing the sheer bravery of the fallen farmers.
The death of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings has been shrouded in legend for centuries. Immortalised in the Bayeux Tapestry, the last Anglo-Saxon King was supposedly struck down by an arrow during the battle. However his story goes far deeper than his legendary defeat to William The Conquerer. Join Tony Robinson as he embarks on a journey to find out the truth behind the last Anglo-Saxon king.
The Battle Of Agincourt may well be the most famous battle of the entire Middle Ages. During the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, Henry V, the young king of England, lead his forces to victory on the plains of Azincourt in northern France. For the French, it was a catastrophe. Despite outnumbering the English by far, they lost over 6,000 men, in comparison to 400 on the English side. How did this young king secure one of the greatest military victories of all time? And what can archaeologists at the burial sites at Agincourt find to tell us about this grisly moment of medieval history?
There are few legends more famous than that of Robin Hood, the dispossessed nobleman hiding out in Sherwood Forest at the time of Richard the Lionheart. From Shropshire to Nottingham, join Tony Robinson on his quest to uncover the fact behind the fiction. Did Robin actually exist? What was he really like? Did he steal from the rich to give to the poor? Let's find out.
Tony Robinson goes in search of the truth about one of Britain's most maligned monarchs, Richard III. Robinson investigates whether Richard really did murder his two nephews, the Princes in the Tower, aged nine and 12, before usurping the throne. And if he did, what were his real motives? But before the investigations comes to a close, an astonishing fact emerges that leads one to question the entire legitimacy of the last 500 years of British royalty.
Tim Sutherland and the team make a return trip to Sweden, where they hunt for clues to a battle that took place on the island of Gotland. Having discovered a pit of crossbow bows in the neighbouring village of Mästerby, they believe below lies the secrets of a forgotten battle. This is the incredible story of the defenders of Mästerby. Leading Swedish archaeologist Maria Lyngstrom joins Tim and Simon in their quest to uncover the secrets of one of the Middle Ages' most elusive battles.
Perhaps the most famous battle in British history is the defeat at Hastings in 1066, when William the Conquerer's Norman forces took victory on the British south coast. Historian Dan Snow puts his walking boots on and sets off to see what the British landscape can teach us about this fascinating battle. From their violent arrival on these shores to their most sustaining legacies, Dan's trilogy of walks follow an evolutionary path through the Normans' era, from invasion to conquest, to successful rule and colonisation.
During the 14th century, the bubonic plague ripped through Medieval Europe, killing over a third of the population of Britain. For the everyday medieval family, the epidemic was a ruthless terror for decades. So far, the only evidence of the dead in England is from London, but the team have come across some mysterious skeletons in a pit in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, that point towards a plague burial. What can the skeleton of one woman tell us about life during the worst epidemic in history?
Dan's second walk explores what the invaders did next, as they aimed to cement their rule across a diverse nation. Despite William the Conqueror being confirmed as King, the Normans had only completed stage one of their colonisation, and few areas were as unstable as the Welsh borders. Challenging topography and a multitude of local chieftains made for an uncivilised region and Dan’s walk around the Monnow river system is dominated by the motte and bailey castles that sprang up throughout the Norman era.
Illness, disease and plagues were a gloomy part of everyday life in the Middle Ages. Living conditions for both the rich and poor were very unsanitary and life expectancy was very low. Leprosy and syphilis were two common diseases that plagued daily life. How did they handle treating disease, centuries before penicillin was invented? A single woman’s body found in Dixon’s Lane in York is going to help Malin Holst find some answers. Medieval approaches to disease may actually have been a little more advanced than we might think.
Dan's final walk takes him north, to lands brutally devastated by the Normans four years after the Invasion. The Harrying of the North campaign was the final act that brought the whole of England under Norman control. Dan's walk explores how the area became the setting for one of the Normans' greatest legacies – the abbeys and monasteries of northern England.
In 1501, England had been ravaged for decades by conspiracy, coups, and violence. Based off his best-selling book, Thomas Penn invites us into the dark and chilling world of the world of the first Tudor king, Henry VII. From his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, to his secret death and the succession of his son Henry VIII, this programme reveals the ruthless tactics Henry VII used to win - and cling on to - the ultimate prize, the throne of England. Exploring magnificent buildings and long-lost documents, Penn reveals the true story of this suspicious, enigmatic and terrifying monarch.
This is the world’s biggest archaeological experiment - a 25 year project to build a medieval castle from scratch, using only the tools and materials available in the 13th century. Join Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn as they travel to Guédelon, in the Burgundy region of France, where a group of archaeologists are attempting to build a 13th century-style castle. This a five-part journey you don't want to miss!
In the sixth century, Irish monk Columbanus and his disciples established over one hundred centres of scholarship and spirituality throughout a European continent that was divided after the fall of the Roman Empire. A missionary and an outsider from Ireland, he built the monasteries which became Europe's first universities, established a writing system, and risked his life when he demanded leadership from kings and even popes.This beautifully shot investigative documentary travels in Columbanus’ footsteps through Ireland, France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, uncovering his remarkable legacy and its relevance to contemporary Europe.
The 13th century was part of the golden age of castle building. Driven by the legacy of bloody crusades and vicious dynastic struggles, it was an era when castle design and architecture were adapting as quickly as the battle strategies and tactics devised to bring them down. Join Ruth, Tom and Peter as they get close and personal with the art of medieval combat and the building of the castle's defensive structures.
The Middle Ages are responsible for some of the most innovative and colourful art in history. Join Ruth, Peter and Tom as they make medieval paints, learn how to tile and practice lime-washing, all at Guedelon Castle.
Dr Suzannah Lipscomb unfolds the extraordinary story of the tumultuous love affair between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and asks: was it really love that brought them together - and was it love that tore them apart? Part 1 of 2.
The team delve into the secrets of the skilled communities who built medieval castles. The stonemasons working on the castle walls are dependent upon blacksmiths, whose metalwork was magical to the medieval mindset, and upon carpenters employing sophisticated geometry. Join Ruth Goodman, Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold as they learn all the traditional methods to construct a medieval castle.
In 1536, Henry VIII accused his second wife Anne Boleyn of charges including adultery, incest and conspiracy against the crown. Having been queen for just 1000 days, on May 19 she was beheaded by a swordsman in front of a crowd at the Tower of London. Suzannah Lipscomb how this royal couple went from a fairytale romance to tragic disaster. Was Anne really guilty? Did the trial change history forever?
13th century Europe was a busy, developing, connected place, where work, trade, pilgrimages and Crusades gave people the opportunity to travel across the continent and beyond. Join Ruth, Peter and Tom as they look at the castle’s place in the wider medieval world.
The Black Death’s reign of terror lasted for more than 400 years. By culling up to 50% of the population of Europe, the Great Plague guaranteed its place in the history books. Yet while accounts of the Black Death have focused graphically on those who died, the stories of those who survived have gone untold. Until now.
The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire with a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilisation stopped.
Tony Robinson takes a look at the facts behind the myth of Shakespeare's Macbeth, and finds a quite different character and story to that created by the 'Bard of Avon'. The original and real King Macbeth lived in the 11th century and reigned from 1040 to 1057.
The "Barbarians" are often blamed for the collapse of the Roman Empire, but in reality they were fascinating civilisations that produced magnificent art. Focusing on Huns, Vandals and Goths, Waldemar Januszczak follows each tribe's journey across Europe to settle in new lands and discovers the incredible art they produced along the way.
Although Christmas was celebrated very differently in Tudor times, if anything the celebrations were even bigger. Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Tom Pinfold and Peter Ginn turn the clock back 500 years to rediscover how the farms of Tudor England celebrated the 12 days of Christmas. While Peter and Tom decorate the farmhouse with holly and ivy, Ruth prepares grand banquets for the farm workers. The Christmas Day feast was particularly special and featured a pig's head rather than a turkey as its centrepiece.
Was the first computer invented in the Dark Ages? Join Waldemar Januszczak as he embarks on a fascinating trip across Europe, Africa and Asia, visits the world's most famous collections and discovers hidden artistic gems, all to prove that the Dark Ages were actually an 'Age of Light'.
Dr Suzannah Lipscomb takes us back to Tudor times in search of the grisly household killers of the Medieval period.
The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire with a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilisation stopped.
The printing press was the world’s first piece of mass-production technology. Its invention changed the world as dramatically as splitting the atom or sending men into space. It ignited a cultural revolution which shaped the modern age. It changed the way our brains work, replacing a spoken culture with a written one. It is the machine that made us who we are today.
What was it really like to live just before the end of the first millennium? 1000 AD recreates life circa 999 AD, showing the everyday lives, loves and passions of the Anglo-Saxon people. Britain's system of social welfare, law and order and a yearning for knowledge made them the envy of Europe - and a country under threat from violent and opportunistic raiders, the Vikings.
Deep in the emerald jungle of Honduras lies the lost city of Copán. The enigmatic carvings of its ancient Maya builders guarded its secrets for thousands of years. The city was a major capital city during the 5th to 9th centuries AD, commonly referred to as the "Dark Ages" in the West.
Romantic visions of the explorer Hernando de Soto continue to celebrate the conquistador's arrival in North America 500 years ago as one of the most important events in the history of mankind. But archaeology tells a darker story.
They were bloodthirsty Scandinavian warriors and fine craftsmen. They opened trade routes, founded cities and captured ancient hubs. The Saxons of England feared them but mocked their careful grooming habits. In short, they were pirates with style. But who were the first Vikings and did they actually originate much earlier than we originally thought?
Visions of "Dracula" have haunted mythology and popular culture for centuries. But did he ever actually exist? This documentary hunts down his supposed real-life inspiration Vlad Tepes, or Vlad The Impaler, a celebrated 15th century Romanian prince.
The Vikings owe much of their success to the skilled craftsmen and women who made their sophisticated weapons and lightning fast ships. In this episode, we take a closer look at the weaponry and craftsmanship that allowed them to travel and conquer all around the world. (Episode 2 of 5)
The lives of Anne and Mary Boleyn are misunderstood. Anne, the beheaded wife of Henry VIII, has been both celebrated and damned, seen as both a schemer or a victim. Her sister Mary is less remembered and often dismissed as a fool and a whore. But what was the truth? This remarkable documentary goes on the hunt for answers, seeking out the fascinating truths of one of history's most beguiling sisterhoods.
In this episode, we trace the violent raids and invasions of the Vikings across the globe. From Lindisfarne in England to the coasts of North America, uncovering mysterious burials, we ask historians and archaeologists: what was the reason for these such expansive, brutal raids? The answer is much more complex than you might think. (Episode 3 of 5)
During the Viking Era, clans traversed the continent establishing kingdoms through invasion and warfare. The establishment of these kingdoms is remembered as the last of the great periods of barbarian attacks. It left Europe transformed, ripe for the rise of the new nations that marked the middle ages. Norsemen, another word for Vikings, conquered a quarter of France, half of England and a third of Italy (Episode 4 of 5)
Often remembered as the "Forgotten Tudor King", Edward was just nine his father, King Henry VIII died and the young boy became King. Surrounded by advisors, he became further distanced from his beloved elder sister Mary. But by now they were divided not just by power and status, but also by faith. Mary was a staunch Catholic, Edward a reforming Protestant and the first Protestant King. In the Tudor world, such matters were not an issue of personal choice but matters of life or death, treason or heresy.
The voyages of the Vikings to Britain, Iceland and North America often obscure the fact that the Scandinavian warriors also ventured far to the east across Europe and parts of Asia. From Constantinople to Georgia, these were the last of the great periods of barbarian attacks. It left Europe transformed, ripe for the rise of the new nations that marked the middle ages.
Join filmmaker and author, Elisabeth Thieriot, as she embarks on an epic journey of discovery to dispel the myths about "the December 21st 2012 end of the world" conspiracy theories surrounding Aztec and Mayan Calendars. Can we decode the calendar and what can it tell us about life in the Mayan dark ages?
The Battle of Towton in North Yorkshire, fought during the Wars of the Roses, was reputedly the bloodiest battle ever seen on English soil. In 1996, a mass grave of soldiers was discovered there by a farmer. This was the catalyst for a groundbreaking research project, which included a study of the skeletal remains, the battlefield itself contemporary arms and armour. Join these archaeologists as they discover the true history behind this remarkable event and develop a fascinating insight into the life of a medieval soldier.
The Harem has long been shrouded by mystery and erotic fantasies. In the 16th century the Turkish city of Istanbul was ruled by Suleiman the Magnificent. The center of his power was Topkapi Palace - at the heart of which was the harem. Into it came hundreds of women from all over the empire and beyond. It was a place where sex could equal power.
From late 535 AD to 536, written records from across the world suggest a huge climate catastrophe. Dubbed the year "without a summer", the sun was completely dimmed and shadows were invisible even at noon. The cause of of the "worst year to be alive in history" has been long uncertain.
Follow this team of explorers as they reveal several new facts about the man credited with discovering America. Was he really born in Genoa, Italy? Was he a spy for King John II of Portugal? Who really funded his voyage?
Researchers have now discovered that in 535 and 536 AD, a climatic cataclysm wreaked havoc on the world. Could a violent volcanic eruption of Krakatoa have caused two years of darkness, famine, drought and disease? In this second and final episode, we ponder whether this really was the worst time to be alive and learn how the catastrophe shaped the world as we know it.
The Stuart dynasty lived through arguably the most eventful, bloodthirsty and trying period in British history, and this series - hosted by Professor Kate Williams - reassesses the royal house's history and legacy in a whole new light.
Francis Pryor argues that Britain's early history was a vibrant period, when the island thrived under foreign influences from as far afield as the Middle East without losing any cultural identity. In this full series, he re-imagines the Dark Ages in Britain as a period of expansion, artistic achievement and vibrance.
Professor Kate Williams studies the reign of Charles I, who succeeded James I in 1625. In this fascinating second episode, we learn how religious upheaval and authoritarian rule led to civil war and a beheading.
For the best part of 400 years, explorers have searched the deep canyons & towering ice peaks of these mist-covered cloud forests trying to locate the lost cities of the Inca. They were all after one thing; gold. Any gold would do but there was one thing desired above all others, the Great Golden Disc of the Sun. The most sacred of all Inca relics. The Inca Holy Grail. It is in search of this Holy Grail that David Adams goes on his journey to Puncuyoc, sacred Sister City of Machu Picchu; the city sought but never found by Hiram Bingham.
Flamboyant and party-loving, Charles II, often known as the 'Merry Monarch' had one of the most thrilling lives of any British monarch. Two years after Oliver Cromwell's death in 1658, the exiled king returned to London to huge fanfare. He had several scandalous love affairs and even is credited with the British obsession with drinking tea. Join historian Kate Williams as she takes us through the fascinating reign of the exiled king.
The medieval court was a cruel place. Stephen Smith is joined by David Tennant to investigate the rules of navigating Richard II's court. The medieval king presided over the first truly sophisticated and artistic court in England. Painters, sculptors, poets, tailors, weavers and builders flocked to court to make their fortunes. But these were dangerous times. Being close to Richard brought many a courtier to a sticky end.
On the throne for only three years, King James II succeeded his brother King Charles II in 1685. He was a Catholic monarch of a Protestant nation and attempts had already been made to prevent him from claiming the throne. The last of the Stuart Kings would reign for only three short years and it would be his own daughter, Mary who would be his downfall. She, along with her husband William of Orange, would overthrow the House of Stuart.
The world-renowned Notre-Dame Cathedral still stands at 211 feet into the Parisian skyline. We take a look back at the cathedral's history before the catastrophic fire in 2019. Built in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully, it took almost 100 years to complete. Join us on this incredible journey to the heart of Paris' history and its wider significance for the Middle Ages.
This is the story of the most disturbing witch trial in British history and the key role played in it by one nine-year-old girl. Jennet Device, a beggar-girl from Pendle in Lancashire, was the star witness in the trial in 1612 of her own mother, her brother, her sister and many of her neighbours and, thanks to her chilling testimony, they were all hanged. Join Simon Artimage as he investigates the trial that sent shockwaves around medieval Britain. This is the real story behind the BBC's new hit comedy The Witchfinder.
Tony Robinson investigates what life was like for the common man in the Dark Ages. From charcoal-making to egg-collecting, life as a peasant in the early medieval ages often entailed getting your hands dirty. These are the worst jobs of the Dark Ages.
Waldemar Januszczak makes an epic journey of discovery across the Muslim world, revealing awe-inspiring architecture and art objects that peel back the history of Islam, from the Dark Ages to modern day. Along the way he meets local historians and experts—as well as an array of weavers, calligraphers, potters, and jewelers—who contribute their knowledge of this fascinating field of art history.
Most people in the Middle Ages never saw a doctor, instead they were treated by the local wise-woman, priest, or the barber. Before the invention of anaesthetics, people were treated by herbal remedies, violent teeth removal and a whole host of bizarre concoctions. Join Tony Robinson as he explores the worst jobs of the Middle Ages, from arming squires to leech collectors.
Using only traditional tools and 13th century techniques, join Ruth Goodman, Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold as they learn how to build a medieval castle in France. This complete series follows the trio as they uncover fascinating 13th century practices and discover what life was like for people living and working in the Middle Ages.
The French village of Montaillou was the last stronghold of Catharism in 14th century France. This faith had great appeal to illiterate villagers who had little understanding of the Roman Catholic Church they belonged to. However, in 1308 Pope Gregory IX enlists the Dominicans to root out and destroy the sect, who were persecuted and even burnt at the stake.
Through animation, location footage, archive and interviews, the Beowulf epic is examined in the light of the civilization that created it, the Anglo-Saxons. In this documentary, we investigate the Anglo-Saxons' religious beliefs, their everyday life, and explore the suggestion that the poem may have roots in an even more ancient fertility cult.
Spain, 1468: In a land where Christians, Muslims, and Jews have lived in tolerance for centuries, a young Spanish king and queen, Ferdinand II Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, proclaim themselves the Catholic monarchs and start an inquisition, now known as the Spanish Inquisition. This is the shocking story of the religious upheaval that lasted 56 years.
Historian Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb goes in search of the origins of the deadly craze of witch hunts and trials that infected the British Isles and Europe 400 years ago. In this first episode, she travels to Scotland and Denmark, and uncovers the story of how, by the end of 1590, Scotland was in the grip of its first ever mass witch trial. More than a hundred people were hunted down as witches in league with the Devil and many were burned at the stake.
Venice, once a centre of free thinking, suffers under a climate of terror brought about by the Inquisition. The church’s most powerful weapon will be a new type of inquisition, controlled by the Pope himself. He will use it to curtail the spread of a competing religion, and eliminate those who betray the faith. It will stop the flow of new ideas let loose by the printing press, and repress the birth of modern scientific thought. A new campaign in the battle for the souls of Europe's Christians is about to begin.
Dr Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the shocking story of Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder General, in the final part of this two-part series. The ruthless Puritan was the instigator of Britain's most brutal witch hunt in history. Why were these witchfinders allowed to commit these heinous crimes? And what would make you a witch in Medieval Britain?
In this fourth and final episode, we take a look at the demise of the Holy Inquisition that wreaked terror over Europe for centuries. When a Jewish boy is kidnapped by the Vatican, he becomes a symbol for an embattled pope. The boy's father and the Emperor unleash the forces that bring about the end of the Inquisition.
From late 535 AD to 536, written records from across the world suggest a mysterious climate catastrophe. Dubbed the year "without a summer", the sun was completely dimmed and shadows were invisible even at noon. The cause of of the "worst year to be alive in history" has been long uncertain. Was it a comet? An asteroid? A volcano? Archaeologist David Keys reveals the latter is to blame for the Dark Ages of famine and plague that shaped the world order of today.
Guillaume “Le Bâtard”, or William the Conqueror, transformed the Middle Ages and laid the foundations of a new Europe. We trace his journey from 1027 when he succeeded his father as Duke of Normandy at the age of eight, right up until his death in 1087.
The Vikings opened trade routes, founded cities, created new feats of engineering and captured ancient hubs. This complete series chronicles the incredible rise and fall of the Vikings, revealing new discoveries that turn Viking history on its head. We tell their incredible history with the help of the foremost experts on Viking warfare and way of life.
Most people regard the Vikings as violent robbers, but they were much more than their reputation suggests. In the first episode of this series, we take a look at the origins of the Viking people, the major events that shaped the civilisation and what daily life was like as a Viking in this early period.
Dr Janina Ramirez travels across Iceland to find out about one of the most compelling of the great Viking stories - the Laxdaela Saga. These 13th century sagas are not just great works of art, they are also priceless historical documents which bring the mysterious world of the Vikings to life.
As the Vikings begin to attack the coasts of Northern Europe, they begin to encounter a whole different kind of resistance. Charlemagne, the notorious Frankish emperor has no plans to give up his Christian territory to these new raiders. This is the fascinating history of the the Viking raids on Europe and the obstacles they faced: religion, power, and empire.
What's the link between Odin’s mythological eight-legged horse and the modern Icelandic horse? Brought over from Northern Europe by the Vikings over 1,000 years ago, the Icelandic Horse has recently been proved to be intrinsically linked to the Viking legend. Join us as we trace the mythology, history and training of this special Icelandic breed and explore the Norse legend of Sleipnir.
Throughout the 9th century, Viking raids on the region of Francia increased in numbers, sending shockwaves around Northern Europe. Following the death of Charles the Bald in 877 CE, the Vikings set their eyes on Paris, and a two month battle ensued. Join us as we explore the remarkable Siege Of Paris and the Vikings' legacy on Early Medieval Europe.
The Time Team crew trek to one of the outermost Shetland Islands, Fetlar, in an attempt to reveal the truth behind an ancient local myth. A cliff-top mound has long been known as the Giant's Grave. But what does it conceal? And could it be connected with some Viking pottery found in a nearby garden? What the team discovers could be one of their most legendary finds.
The Vikings didn't just spread fear and horror in Europe, but also they helped shape history modern history. The Viking Age is widely believed to have started in 793 AD but how did their violent domination come to an end? In this fourth and final episode, we take a look at the closing act of the Viking story.
The Middle Ages saw two hundred years of crusades where Christianity aimed to recover Jerusalem from Islamic rule. After the violent military campaign in the 13th century, Islam became the religion of people from Spain to Indonesia.
In September 1588, Spanish Armada captain Francisco de Cuéllar was shipwrecked off the Sligo coast. He spent seven months in war-torn Ireland, trying to escape death and marriage before eventually making his way to Madrid.
In 1095 AD, when West-Roman Christianity was spreading out in all directions, the First Crusade set out to recapture the Holy Land from Islamic rule. The 11th century the Seljuk takeover of the region threatened the local Christian populations, pilgrimages from the West, and the Byzantine Empire itself. It was not a battle of cultures, not a struggle against Islam, but a chaotic confrontation of warlords and princes.
TV presenters Fern Britton and Louise Minchin, weight-lifter Zoe Smith, former rock chick Meg Matthews, actors Kirstie Alley, Keith Allen, and Charlie Condou, comedian Chris Ramsey, ex-footballer Jermaine Jenas and long jumper Greg Rutherford sign up to be transported back to six periods of history, starting with the Elizabethan era where they are servants at a great hall preparing a banquet for the lord and his guests. Here they discover just how menial a menial life was.
The biggest catastrophe in Europe, the Thirty Years' War, was caused by Martin Luther's longing for a purer Christianity. Between 1618 and 1648, Europe lost over 8 million innocent people, in an orgy of violence between Protestants and Catholics. Often referred to as "Europe's apocalypse", how did a war between people of the same faith lead to such appalling catastrophe?
The Time Crashers have gone back to 1468, one of the few years England was not troubled by the Wars of the Roses. They are split into two unisex teams of squires, the Reds, and the Blacks, competing with each other to prepare their knights for a jousting tournament. The fastest team to accommodate the winning knight is rewarded with a feast whilst the losers must polish yet more armor.
Marco Polo’s legendary journey from Venice to the far reaches of the Mongol Empire, which he started in 1271, was a monumental leap of human exploration. His travels 700 years ago revealed an exotic world of riches the west had little knowledge of. But how does his journey look today?
A team of historians turns the clock back to the year 1500 to take on the role of the lay-folk who farmed and crafted within monastic lands. The presenters are put through their paces to give viewers a real-life account of what life would have been like in 1500, during the reign of the first Tudor King, Henry VII.
The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire as a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilization stopped.
The Tudor industry of wool production was known as `the jewel in the realm' of the English economy, it accounted for around half the country's wealth. The monasteries capitalized on this massively, owning flocks that numbered thousands of sheep and keeping a virtual monopoly on the export of wool to foreign countries.
When Marco Polo's journey has reached the Pamir Mountains on the edge of China, from where Marco Polo follows the Silk Road, down to the forbidding Taklamakan Desert and onto the Mongolian steppe. He makes his way to Xanadu, the heart of Kublai Khan’s power base. Along the way, we meet the modern guides on the ancient horse-drawn postal routes and discover the City of Women in modern-day Tibet.
The team focuses on preparing the staple foods of everyday Tudor life: bread and ale. A hard-working Tudor farmer could consume a two-pound loaf and drink eight pints of weak ale in a day. With the monasteries owning much of the farmland Ruth, Peter and Tom are well aware of the importance of praying for a successful harvest.
Marco Polo sets out to Kublai Khan's new capital city, Beijing. The city is designed to respect the ancient Chinese philosophy of feng shui. We follow along the Grand Canal to Hangzhou and the magical West Lake.
Lead was an important building material and Tom and Peter mine their own using Tudor techniques, while Ruth makes a stained glass window. On the rivers owned by the monastery, tenant farmers could rent fishing rights. Ruth makes baskets to catch eels in and sets about trying to find some.
Since her death 1300 years ago, Wu Zetian has been remembered as a callous tyrant, who brought calamity to China. But now, extraordinary new discoveries are revealing a very different picture of her reign.
The team explores the hospitality and housing of Tudor England. With no provision for the poor from the state, the monasteries played a key role in providing charity and housing for those in need.
The dynasty on which Game of Thrones is based is masterfully brought to life by Dan Jones in this four-part series. Following one of the most shocking periods in British history, a new historical docu-drama brings to life the dynasty that dragged Britain out of the dark ages and into the modern world.
Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold prepare for the dark winter ahead. But, not before they celebrate their bountiful harvest with a feast, put on a play, and reflect on how the landscape of Britain and the lives of its people were forever changed by the Dissolution.
This is the story of the dramatic and violent life of the Middle Ages' most important emperor: Charlemagne. His life as a political strategist, a passionate lover, a man that conquered most of Europe, and a cultural visionary.
Archaeologists and historians unfold a thousand years of the untold history of Mapungubwe, an ancient African city that now lies in ruins on the northern border of South Africa and was the center of all African trade for centuries.
In the year 1096, western Europe embarked on its first crusade to the Holy Land. Marching tens of thousands of people half way across the world to defend the Byzantine Empire from the rising power of the Seljuk Turks, but also to capture Jerusalem from the Fatimid Caliphate. What followed was a period of brutal conquest, with religion used to justify the most cruel violence.
This is the story of the dramatic and violent life of the Middle Ages' most important emperor: Charlemagne. His life as a political strategist, a passionate lover, a man that conquered most of Europe, and a cultural visionary.
This is the story of the dramatic and violent life of the Middle Ages' most important emperor: Charlemagne. But, one man seemed to evade Charlemagne's grasp: Widukind. The Saxon's legendary leader boldly resisted conversion to Christianity in the face of the Holy Roman Emperor. How did Charlemagne finally defeat the "child of the forest"?
This is the story of the Arabian ships and seafarers is often overlooked. But to remind us, there are the dhows of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, carrying cargo over waters that witnessed the birth of sea trade. Dhows helped spread Islam throughout the world, turning the Arabs into a major political force. The principal link in the lucrative trade between East and West also made Arab merchants a fortune.
This series reveals true stories of medieval life by examining the skeletal remains that lie buried below the earth's surface. Combining atmospheric, dramatic reconstructions of gripping stories with archaeological science, Medieval Dead takes viewers deeper into the Dark Ages than ever before.
The story of the Chinese Dragon seafaring is one of adventure, courage, and ingenuity that ranges far beyond transporting goods. The moment people were able to move long distances at sea, they became less isolated. Along with their cargoes came other people and new ideas. The resulting interaction would shape the face of the world.
A hoard of Medieval art seized by the Nazis goes missing at the end of the war. A dogged German art detective tracks the missing treasure from the New York art world to the unlikeliest of destinations: a small town on the Texas prairie.
Simon Reeve began his journey in Canterbury and has finally reached Istanbul. Here was once a busy medieval staging post for pilgrims to the Holy Land. Before falling to the Ottoman Empire, it was the centre of Roman Christianity under Emperor Constantine. His mother Helena, arguably the first pilgrim to the Holy Land, brought back relics from Jerusalem to fill the city's churches, which made it a major destination for pilgrimage in its own right for centuries to come. Simon visits the magnificent Hagia Sophia and a traditional Turkish bath, discovering that pilgrims brought public bathing back with them to Europe, showing how pilgrimage spread practical ideas as well as religious ones.
The ancient Mayans were thought to be a mysterious and peaceful people governed by astronomer-priests. But in 1965, Russian linguist Yuri Knorosov cracked the phonetic code of Mayan hieroglyphic writing in the confinements of his bustling Leningrad study. Today, researchers reveal stories of Mayan blood sacrifices as they uncover a world so foreign as to defy our understanding of it.
We are introduced to indigenous creation stories; discoveries by archaeologists, geneticists, linguists, and anthropologists about the arrival of various indigenous people that are believed to arrive via the land bridge from what is now Russia and Alaska. They were also believed to have sailed down the North American coast, settling in many areas and then developing differing languages, cultures, and customs.
This is the real story of normal people who lived in Anglo-Saxon Britain at the turn of the 1st millennium.
Indigenous people created significant changes to their environment through resource harvesting, farming, urban development, irrigation, controlled burning, and deforestation.
With the discovery of the new world in 1492 a war began against the indigenous Americans. Against their culture, their language, and their religion. That war has continued until today, but now it is entering a new phase.
Maize from Mesoamerica, Potatoes from the Andes, biodiversity of the Amazon, Camus from the Plains, seal hunting of the Arctic, whale hunting of the NW Coast, Bison jumps, and Fishing weirs. These are the foods that powered the Indigenous Peoples of The Americas throughout history before the arrival of the Europeans.
Nearly 1,000 years ago, the Vikings left Scandinavia and settled across Europe - spreading fear and horror in their wake. They gave their name to Normandy along the way - before their Norman descendants seized the English throne at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. But what do we really know about them?
Architecture and urban design. Whether living a nomadic existence or in sprawling urban centers, indigenous people throughout the Americas created their homes and community structures to fulfill the needs and values of their society.
This series reveals true stories of medieval life by examining the skeletal remains that lie buried below the earth's surface. Combining atmospheric, dramatic reconstructions of gripping stories with archaeological science, Medieval Dead takes viewers deeper into the Dark Ages than ever before.
Governance models were developed by each Indigenous nation to control their citizens and establish normative behaviors. The Americas are replete with a variety of examples: from patriarchal and matrilineal-based societies to complex political systems governing multi-nation empires.
For nearly 500 years the Norse people dominated the oceans, known by their remarkable ships and known for their death, destruction and burning down of anything in their way. They used sophisticated navigation methods and navigated safely over remarkably long distances.
Early indigenous people in North America were using the number 0 before any other people, had mapped the planets and stars, and had their own calendars and writing methods. We also see how the herbs and plants that they used often are utilized in our modern drugs, as in the Yew tree bears components in Tamoxifen for cancer treatment today and the Willow tree has acetylsalicylic acid for aspirin.
War, plague, the Great Fire, and the beheading of Kings Charles I. This is the tumultuous legacy of The Stuart Kings. Four Kings from the house of Stuart sat on the English throne from 1603 to 1688. It was a time of great religious struggle and political instability. The Gunpowder Plot nearly wiped out King James I. The Thirty Years' War broke out on the continent. A civil war erupted that led to the public beheading of King Charles I and the birth of a commonwealth headed by Oliver Cromwell. London was ravaged by the Plague and The Great Fire of London.
The Incas were legendary for their metalworking abilities. Learn about the magnificent art of various native communities before 1492. We see their hand paintings and paintings of animals. We see the baskets that were woven and the pottery designs. We are shown the masks that were made and how they played a part in ceremonies.
Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold turn the clock back 500 years to the early Tudor period to become tenant farmers on monastery land.
Tony Robinson explores the major uprising across large parts of England in 1381; it's origins, motives, and aftermath.
Historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Peter Ginn and Tom Pinfold turn the clock back 500 years to the early Tudor period to become tenant farmers on monastery land.
Tony Robinson explores the major uprising across large parts of England in 1381; it's origins, motives, and aftermath.
Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb unfolds the extraordinary story of the tumultuous love affair between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and asks: was it really love that brought them together - and was it love that tore them apart?
This is the story of the dramatic and violent life of the Middle Ages' most important emperor: Charlemagne. His life as a political strategist, a passionate lover, a man that conquered most of Europe, and a cultural visionary.
Sir William Wallace, Robin Hood, and King Harold are three of the most famous men of medieval Britain. Tony Robinson will unlock the truth behind some of the most prominent and almost mythical people from our history. Tony Robinson uncovers the real stories behind some of the greatest figures in history.
These are the origins of ancient Indigenous societies in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. This series tells us about indigenous peoples of the Americas before European colonialism. Each episode shows us a particular subject. We learn about their art, food, architecture, archaeology, government, science and technology etc.
Four hundred years ago, hundreds of innocent people were killed as an obsession to stamp out Satanism swept the British Isles. A brutal scourge plagued Britain in the 17th century, taking many innocent lives along with it. Dr Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the origins of the obsession for mass witch-hunts.
These are the origins of ancient Indigenous societies in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. This series tells us about indigenous peoples of the Americas before European colonialism. Each episode shows us a particular subject. We learn about their art, food, architecture, archaeology, government, science, technology, etc.
At the end of the 11th century, West Roman Christianity was spreading out in all directions. The First Crusade set out to recapture the Holy Land from Islamic rule. The Seljuk takeover of the region threatened the local Christian populations, pilgrimages from the West, and the Byzantine Empire itself. It was not a battle of cultures, not a struggle against Islam, but a chaotic confrontation of warlords and princes.
Samurai Bow explores the violence, beauty, and reverie which surround the Samurai's earliest weapon. With stunning dramatic reconstruction, we reveal the ancient way of the Samurai and explore how the bow could avert wars when put in the hands of a true master. Comparing the Japanese bow to another great war bow, the English Longbow we put them both through scientific tests to examine the specialties of each. Using stunning high-speed footage we reveal their power and precision and ask what makes the Yumi so special.
The team searched for the remains of one of the most opulent monuments of the Tudor dynasty, Richmond Palace, home of Queen Elizabeth I. It was a royal palace since the 14th century and was almost entirely demolished 300 years later.
The Tower Of London is the United Kingdom's foremost tourist attraction - an imposing stronghold that has been part of London's royal heritage for than 1,000 years. It has changed roles, from fortress to palace to prison; if the stones of this mighty citadel could talk imagine what stories they could tell. The events that have taken place here and the tragic and heroic characters that have passed through the gates have shaped the destiny of the United Kingdom.
The team hope to find the home of the Knights Templar, a major power in the 12th and 13th-centuries who protected pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. Templecombe in Somerset is the site of a priory, home to an order of fighting monks, that dates back to the 12th-century. The exact location of the original building has been confused by later construction. The Time Team set themselves the task of untangling the ruins and coming to grips with the history of the location.
Torture, treason, and bizarre executions were standard practices at The Tower Of London. The Tower is the United Kingdom's foremost tourist attraction - an imposing stronghold that has been part of London's royal heritage for more than 1,000 years. It has changed roles, from fortress to palace to prison; if the stones of this mighty citadel could talk imagine what stories they could tell. The events that have taken place here and the tragic and heroic characters that have passed through the gates have shaped the destiny of the United Kingdom.
Time Team travels to a Shropshire farmhouse in Aston Eyre and discovers the great hall of a medieval manor complex. The team's efforts are concentrated as much above the ground as beneath as they travel to Aston Eyre, Shropshire where a farmhouse converted from a medieval gatehouse is just the starting point for three days of hard work.
Every imaginable execution method took place at The Tower of London in its 1000-year-old past. The most grisly of all was live disembowelment. The method was so gross and barbaric that Queen Elizabeth I finally banned the practice. The last time it was used was in 1586 on the conspirators of the Babington Plot. The plot was the work of Francis Walsingham, the father of modern espionage.
One of Ireland's most sacred sites is where St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, set up his first church. On Cathedral Hill sits a magnificent church renovated from its medieval origins in the 18th century. the team look for the early monastic buildings where according to legend St. Patrick built a monastery and was buried. They are also digging up medieval finds, including roof tiles and glass, which indicate a high-status building. They soon identify the large double ditch which originally enclosed the monastery complex.
This is a unique look into what the world was like during the time period we now consider the Dark Ages. Houlgate Village provides an introduction to life during the Dark Ages. This film features authentic, atmospheric reconstructions of everyday life, expert commentary, and covers laws and religion, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and Alfred the Great.
Time Team travels to High Worsall, near Middlesbrough, a village that almost completely disappeared hundreds of years ago. The team endeavors to find 14th-century buildings and a manor house. Also, historians Robin Bush and Dawn Hadley are followed while they research the village and create a portrait of life in the village.
The Vikings ransacked Britain during the dark ages. The notorious raid of Lindisfarne – one of the most important centers of early English Christianity – is noted as the birth of the Viking Age. This raid attacked the sacred heart of the Northumbrian kingdom, desecrating the very place where the Christian religion began in Britain.
Time Team searches for remains of a Norman cathedral beneath the ruins of a Dominican friary in Thetford Grammar School in Norfolk.
Torture, treason, and bizarre executions were standard practices at The Tower Of London. The Tower is the United Kingdom's foremost tourist attraction - an imposing stronghold that has been part of London's royal heritage for more than 1,000 years. It has changed roles, from fortress to palace to prison; if the stones of this mighty citadel could talk imagine what stories they could tell. The events that have taken place here and the tragic and heroic characters that have passed through the gates have shaped the destiny of the United Kingdom.
In the 12th century, many towns were designed and laid out on regular lines. The people of Plympton believe there is enough evidence to plot the layout of the medieval town which surrounds the ruins of their castle, which was formerly owned by the immensely powerful and wealthy de Redvers family.
In 1314, King Edward II placed himself at the head of the invasion of Scotland in a mighty attempt to crush the Scots. In their desperate hour of need came Scotland's greatest medieval king, Robert, known simply as "The Bruce". The two forces would meet on the 23rd and 24th of June 1314 at a small stream within sight of Stirling Castle - the Bannockburn. The thunderous battle fought there would decide the fate of a nation.
Looking for evidence of a 15th-century dock, the team are in Smallhythe. The dock was once next to the mile-wide River Rother but its location is now an overgrown field, ten miles from the sea. And early excavations reveal nothing more recent than wood from a prehistoric forest. Medieval ship expert Ian Friel explains that the dockyard used to have high naval significance, and was visited by Henry V.
In the early morning of 14 October 1066, two great armies prepared to fight for the throne of England. On a hilltop 7 miles from Hastings were the forces of Harold, who had been crowned king nine months earlier. Facing them on the far side of the valley below were the troops of Duke William of Normandy, who believed he was the rightful king. By the end of the day, thousands lay dead on the battlefield, and the victorious William was one step nearer to seizing the throne.
This live dig centers on a ruined Norman church on a hill in Norfolk. This National Trust site promises to be the richest source of finds that Time Team has yet seen, with previous evidence of human occupation from most periods in antiquity.
For nearly two centuries, generations of knights from England and Western Europe marched to do battle with the Saracen hordes who occupied the Holy Land. Bitter and bloody, these great battles are known to history as the Crusades.
Tony Robinson and the experts turn their backs on Benidorm to travel a few miles up the coast to the small port of Denia in Spain to show what life was like 1000 years ago when Denia was an Islamic settlement run by a pirate king.
The battle of Naseby was fought on the foggy morning of 14th June 1645 and is considered one of the most important battles in the English Civil War. Sir Thomas Fairfax, Captain-General of Parliament's New Model Army, led his troops to victory over King Charles I. Charles escaped, but the destruction of his forces meant that his ultimate defeat was simply a question of time.
After three days of excavating Coventry’s lost medieval cathedral, the team discovers a burial chamber and decides to break their `three-day-dig' rule and stay on. The dig revealed many fascinating artifacts from as far back as the Saxon and Early English periods which had remained buried for over 400 years since King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries.
The Battle of Flodden was a brutal defeat by The Kingdom of England against The Kingdom of Scotland. It was essentially a retaliation for King Henry VIII‘s invasion of France in May 1513.
Time Team rubs shoulders with royalty when they visit Basing House in Hampshire. It was once one of the grandest homes in Tudor England and a haunt of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I - until it was destroyed by Cromwell during the Civil War.
Marco Polo’s legendary journey from Venice to the far reaches of the Mongol Empire, which he started in 1271, was a monumental leap of human exploration. His travels 700 years ago revealed an exotic world of riches the West had little knowledge of. But how does his journey look today?
King Offa is widely regarded as the greatest king in British history. Time Team head for Herefordshire in search of his legendary royal palace. It was from here that the great Anglo-Saxon king ruled the Kingdom of Mercia from 757 to 796.
In 1066, King Harold of England was killed at the Battle of Hastings. With him fell the house of Godwin and the long line of Saxon kings came to an end. Within two months, on Christmas day of that year, William the Bastard of Normandy was crowned in Westminster Abbey. Only then, having won his crown, did the new king unleash upon the land the crushing force of his ambition and truly became the conquerer.
Time Team goes in search of a lost Anglo-Saxon monastery on the rain and wind-swept Headland at Hartlepool. They have just 3 days to find the exact location of a monastery that 1,200 years ago had a thriving community of monks and nuns, presided over by Saint Hilda.
The Peasant's Revolt began in the 1340s after The Black Death had swept through England, killing between a third and half of the population. The huge death toll led to a severe shortage of labour and agricultural workers were in a position to demand better treatment and higher wages from their landlords.
When amateur archaeologist Derek Batten bought a plot of land advertised as a castle and moat, there was little sign of a castle other than a leafy mound surrounded by a ditch. The team uncover the truth about the site's past and even discover a link to William the Conqueror.
The Templar Knights were a mysterious group of warrior monks with links to the Holy Grail and the Temple of Solomon. This brotherhood vowed to band together and protect the most coveted religious relics from the dawn of Christianity.
Tony Robinson and the team spend three days in Bridgnorth, Shropshire searching for the remains of the medieval castle that once dominated this historic market town. All that remains is a huge ruined tower leaning at an angle far greater than that of its Pisan equivalent. With the town's records destroyed in a fire centuries ago, how many back gardens do the archaeologists have to investigate to recreate the lost plans?
The Wars Of The Roses were 30 years of horrific carnage as two bitter families fought for the English throne. The course of history was dramatically altered as a result of the conflict, ending the male lineage of the Plantagenet family through both the York and Lancaster lines, as the Tudor family established their dynasty which was to last for over 100 years.
The Celtic Gods of Ireland are shrouded in mystery and uncovering their secrets is no easy task. They are kept alive in a series of enduring stories, which have been passed down from generation to generation.
What was life under the feudal system really like? Medieval society was based on a restrictive system where serfs worked on the land of their lord in exchange for shelter and protection. The period experienced contrasts of boom and bust, with population growth, agricultural advancements, and the rise of knights and tournaments, but also the devastating impact of the Black Death and the Wars of the Roses, leading to the decline of feudalism.
Time Team is in Canterbury, a historic city known for its Roman and medieval religious significance. The team aims to uncover pagan and Christian sanctuaries and artifacts. They conduct excavations in various sites, including a Roman temple and a medieval industrial estate. Significant findings provide stunning insights into the city's history.
Nowhere on earth can compare to the unique beauty of Scotland. It was from this rugged landscape that a hero emerged 750 years ago. William Wallace and the story of his bravery in the face of oppression is a legend that has stood the test of time. Another legendary figure in Scottish history is Robert The Bruce, who gallantly fought for Scotland's independence against English rule.
Time Team revisits Athelney Abbey, the hideaway of Alfred the Great. They search for traces of King Alfred's fight against the Vikings. The team now has permission to dig and uncover more secrets of Alfred's Hideaway in the marshes.
Winchester was once a thriving city and the capital of King Alfred in the 9th century. A leper hospital existed outside the city boundaries, housing outcasts afflicted with leprosy. Time Team, a group of archaeologists, has three days to locate the remains of the 12th-century leper hospital.
Arthur, a legendary figure who fought against the Saxons and led battles as the leader of the Britons. The image of Arthur has been distorted and used for entertainment and propaganda throughout history. The origins of the Arthurian legend can be traced back to Geoffrey of Monmouth, who wrote about Arthur in his book "The History of the Kings of Britain" in 1136.
Tony Robinson and the team head to Glendon Hall in Northamptonshire to unravel the mystery of the human skeletons found under an outbuilding. In November 2004 Martin Hipwell was working in the garden converting a Victorian brick shed. He had to stop rather suddenly because as he dug up the old floors he came across a whole host of human skeletons. He contacted the local unit, Northampton Archaeology, which revealed 11 burials inside one of the buildings.
These are the legendary battles for Scottish Independence from England. From the daring attempt to scale Edinburgh Castle to the legendary Battle of Bannockburn, the long war of Scottish independence reached a fever pitch. Discover secrets about brave warriors like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
Time Team descends on the orchards of Kent to search for the lost Anglo-Saxon palace of Eastry, and discover two likely contenders. Over three days, they dig the longest trench in Time Team history.
In April 1066, Haley's Comet passed over England, causing mass panic. Many believed it to be a warning of a powerful force that would bring cataclysmic change. Later that year, William the Conqueror would wreak havoc on England. The Normans, descendants of Vikings, established themselves as a distinct race in Normandy. The Duke of Normandy, later called William The Conqueror, sought to spread Norman control and seize the English throne.
The team attempt to solve the secret history of a well-preserved female skeleton found in Launceston, Cornwall, and examine a possible connection to a leper hospital. Was a female skeleton found in Cornwall a leper, a Civil War casualty, or a plague victim?
In the summer of 1381, an army of medieval peasants marched on London. The Peasants Revolt was triggered by King Richard II's poll tax, which was seen as a cruel burden on the already impoverished peasants. But the revolt is unfairly characterized as an unorganized mob of poor farmers. It was a strategic uprising that included all walks of society.
The team investigates Scargill Castle, a medieval site in Yorkshire/Durham. The current owners have Invited them to try and unravel the history of the building and what it was designed to protect. Niall and Caroline, both archaeologists, received the castle as a wedding gift. The team is trying to uncover the castle's true appearance, but there's uncertainty about its structure.
In 1314, King Edward II led a massive invasion of Scotland in an effort to crush the Scots. However, it was during this critical moment that Scotland's greatest medieval king, Robert, famously known as "The Bruce," emerged to defend his nation. The momentous clash between the two forces took place on the 23rd and 24th of June 1314 at Bannockburn, a small stream within view of Stirling Castle. This thunderous battle would ultimately determine the destiny of the Scottish nation.
A peaceful waterside field beside the oldest bridge over the higher reaches of the River Thames in Oxfordshire poses the perfect setting for an assault. Time Team set out to uncover what looks like the remains of a large medieval castle buried under the grass. Could this be all that remains of a long-lost fortress built during one of the bloodiest episodes of English history?
The battles between England and France are among the most famous of the medieval period, including the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the Norman invasion of England, and the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
Time Team explores a graveyard in Scotland containing ancient gravestones dating back to the Dark Ages, along with hogback tombstones associated with Vikings. The team aims to solve the mystery of who was buried here and why, with the help of archaeologist Anna Richie.
Hernán Cortés, a Spanish colonist, arrived in the Imperial City of Tenochtitlan in 1519 and sought to conquer the Aztec Empire. Cortes forged alliances and manipulated local rulers, including Moctezuma, to gain control and influence.
The intrepid archaeological treasure hunters, led by Tony Robinson, head for Malton in North Yorkshire where a swathe of nettle-infested jungle conceals 2,000 years of English history including a medieval castle, a Jacobian mansion, and a Roman fort.
The Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066, was the most famous defeats of the medieval period. William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II of England, killing him and ending the Anglo-Saxon way of life. But 350 years later, France would be spectacularly defeated by The English Longbow on their own soil.
Time Team is invited to the Military Intelligence base at Chicksands to explore the site of a thirteenth-century unisex monastery. The site belonged to the Gilbertines, a British monastic order known for having nuns and monks living together. The team aims to uncover more about the monastery, searching for clues about the nuns' Cloister and the monastic remains.
The Mongol Conquests marked one of the most pivotal periods in medieval history, with one man at the center. Emperor Genghis Khan famously united the Mongol tribes and led them on a path of bloodthirsty conquest that spanned a century. He is known as a monster who massacred millions. The true legacy of Genghis Khan is much more complex. His strategic prowess, psychological warfare, and unique battlefield tactics enabled the Mongols to conquest much of 13th-century Asia with ease. The Mongol Empire's vast expansion was fueled by Genghis Khan's brilliant leadership.
The team meets Chris and Barbara Bradley on their farm in the Yorkshire Dales, where they investigate evidence of 1,000 years of farming on the land and uncover the remains of a medieval forerunner to the grand country house with connections to nearby Fountains Abbey.
The Wars of the Roses were a violent series of medieval civil wars between the rival York and Lancaster families within the house of Plantagenet. The power struggles, battles, and royal intrigues spanned over 30 years, leading to the decisive Battle of Bosworth and the rise of the Tudor dynasty. We will unravel the origins of the conflict, the role of key figures like Henry VI and Richard Duke of York, and the impact of the Hundred Years War.
Forsaking the usual attractions of a muddy field, Tony Robinson and the team don their wigs and best suits in the hope of blending in with the posh surroundings of Lincoln's Inn, London. Amid the grand buildings that make up one of the world's oldest and most distinguished law societies, they have been asked to discover the remains of a 13th-century palace that belonged to Henry III's Lord Chancellor.
The gripping feud between the houses of York and Lancaster finally comes to a violent head as the armies clash, alliances shift, and the struggle for power escalates. The Battle of St. Albans rocked the nobility and set the stage for the Wars of the Roses to begin. Amid plots and intrigue, the Duke of York takes control as protector, sparking vengeance amongst the Lancastrian nobility and, in particular, Queen Margaret of Anjou. Expert historians unravel the complexities of this medieval conflict, where loyalty and betrayal shaped the destiny of England.
The distinctive grass-covered remains of the deserted medieval village of Ulnaby are a landmark in the Durham countryside, and although they've been photographed, surveyed and written about, they've never been dug. Tony Robinson and the team have been invited to physically unearth the secrets of one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Britain.
The Wars Of The Roses rage on as King Edward IV of the House of York secures the throne. The deposed King Henry VI sought refuge in Scotland. But the uneasy peace will be short-lived. Only one family can emerge victorious. Eventually, Henry VI will be proclaimed dead of heartbreak. But historians have uncovered the long-suspected truth about his untimely demise.
Time Team has never excavated a watermill before. Despite the fact that they were plentiful in historic times, these features have been under-researched. Heading to the River Otter in Devon, the team excavated a site dating back at least to the Domesday Book of 1086, yet the last mill building on the site was pulled down as recently as the 1960s.
The Wars of the Roses in 1471 led to the Lancastrian cause collapsing after the Battle of Tewkesbury, securing the crown for Edward IV of York. Although Edward IV was a charismatic ruler, the uprisings did not quiet, including Margaret of Anjou's attempts to regain power.
A castle, reputedly as grand and important as Warwick, once dominated the Midlands village of Henley-in-Arden, but now there is only a hill. The eccentric American owner wants to know what his castle looked like in its heyday.
The Celtic Gods of Ireland and Scotland are shrouded in mystery and uncovering their secrets is no easy task. They are kept alive in a series of enduring stories, which have been passed down from generation to generation.
Investigating a Bronze Age barrow in the New Forest, Tony and the team uncover a Saxon Cemetery with a startling array of grave goods - spears, shields, jewelry - and a collection of rare buckets unique in Britain. A Byzantine brass bucket - one of only 11 in the world - was found during a three-day live dig in a Saxon cemetery a year ago. Time Team is now returning to find out more about the people who lived and died here.
This is the legendary tale of Rob Roy McGregor, a figure who has long captivated the hearts and imaginations of the Scots. In the 1670s, amidst political turmoil and persecution, Rob Roy was born to a Campbell mother and a McGregor chieftain father, setting the stage for a life of courage, honor, and adventure.
Time Team meets Morris and Pat Jones who, when digging a small pond in their Northamptonshire garden, unearthed a skeleton - laid out with a knife, ceremonial pottery, and a valuable buckle.
This is the story of Scotland's iconic national hero, William Wallace. In the turbulent times of the late 13th century, Wallace, a valiant patriot, stands accused of high treason against the formidable King Edward. Wallace's trial for this heinous crime unfolds, set against a backdrop of political intrigue and national struggle.
The people of Nether Poppleton, near York, are itching to know more about their village. Mysterious earthworks cover a field around their church and they have bought the land to protect them, but what do they mean? Is the village originally Saxon, Norman, or medieval?
The team pieces together the story behind Penny Rainbow's Surrey home, which is all that remains of a grand palace that inspired the design of Hampton Court. Wayneflete Tower is all that remains of a grand palace built during the Wars of The Roses. Over three days they piece together the story of a site that evolved into one of the most stunning buildings of early Tudor times.
This is the captivating life of Richard the Lionheart. We will delve into his charismatic leadership, his role in the Third Crusade, and his enduring impact on England. Discover the challenges he faced, his heroic battles, and his return to England in 1194.
The team investigate King Edward III's Queenborough Castle at the mouth of the Thames, the last medieval royal palace. They explore whether the castle's purpose was defense, or to protect the royals from the plague.
This is the chilling tale of the Gunpowder Plot. In Westminster in 1605, a group of Catholic conspirators, led by charismatic Robert Catesby, hatched a daring plan to assassinate the King, Queen, and Parliament members by igniting 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the British Parliament.
Tony and the team descend on the sleepy village of Wicken on the edge of the New Town to unravel its complex history and adjudicate in a fiercely fought local contest. Although in theory, it's one village now, Wicken was formed when two villages merged over 400 years ago.
Join us on a journey back in time as we explore the top 3 dark age burial grounds discovered by Time Team's intrepid medieval archaeologists. Unearthed from the depths of history, these massive graveyards and burials shed light on the intriguing worlds of the Anglo-Saxons and Medieval Celts.
Tony Robinson and the team travel to the Welsh border in search of the abandoned Poulton Abbey that was once briefly used by Cistercian monks. Mick is delighted to be researching his favorite subject, monastic history. Though local archaeologists have found a chapel and plenty of other remains (including skeletons), there is no sign of the abbey.
This is the ruthless world of Viking raiders. Their infamous attack on Lindisfarne Monastery gave them their brutal reputation and instilled fear in the hearts of all Europeans. Their infamy was made possible because of their lightning-fast longships and the crucial weapons they wielded. Explore the end of the Viking Age as they transition from raiders to settlers. Plus, get a glimpse of the Eastern Vikings known as the Varangians.
Harold's Field has long been rumored as a site where Harold Godwinson, later to become King Harold, built a hunting lodge in 1065 after defeating the Welsh. The site is a scheduled monument, protected from excavation; but a local petition has succeeded in persuading Cadw to allow digging.
The Medieval period of history was extremely violent. Lands were regularly invaded, leading to long wars, frequent battles, and siege situations that could last months. This was the period of the Norman conquest and the battle of Hastings in England. Warfare strategy, tactics, and weapons technology were transforming to adapt to these new battle situations.
The team visits Northern Ireland to locate one of the most important sites in Anglo-Irish history - a hilltop castle above the city of Dungannon, home of the powerful O'Neill dynasty, whose story culminates in the hugely significant flight of the Earls.
The renowned reputation of Scottish clans as formidable warriors traces its roots back to the Picts, who, despite Hadrian's Wall, continuously plundered Roman Britain through sea raids. With a blend of Viking and Celtic blood, an array of weaponry, including battle axes and blades, was developed.
The team is on Phil's home turf, where 200 years ago some of the cathedral's most beautiful buildings were demolished, including a bell tower and two chapels. Moreover, there is a mystery surrounding leg-bones discovered under one of the chapels. Could they belong to Bishop Beauchamp, who built one of the chapels?
The nomadic Mongols essentially lived on horseback. The constant internal conflicts and battles with neighbors, like the Tartars, persisted until Genghis Khan, an orphaned son of a chief and considered a bastard, ascended to the position of the Great Khan. Under Temujin's leadership, the Mongol tribes unified, creating an unstoppable cavalry army.
Tony Robinson and the team travel to the picturesque expanses of the Suffolk coast to investigate a very special back garden. When the new owners of a house in Blythburgh investigated their potting shed they were shocked to discover a cupboard full of human skulls. Could these remains have something to do with what's lurking amongst the shrubs and trees: the superb ruins of a medieval priory that has lain hidden for years?
The Wars of the Roses were a violent series of medieval civil wars between the rival York and Lancaster families within the house of Plantagenet. The power struggles, battles, and royal intrigues spanned over 30 years, leading to the decisive Battle of Bosworth and the rise of the Tudor dynasty. We will unravel the origins of the conflict, the role of key figures like Henry VI and Richard Duke of York, and the impact of the Hundred Years War.
The team investigates reports of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery lost in the ground in Lincolnshire. All they find on day one is two teeth, but on the next morning, they begin to discover a wealth of finds very, very quickly.
King Henry V of England led around 6,000 men into a significant battle against a French force of approximately 30,000 near the village of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War. The battle was fought on a wet and plowed field, where English longbowmen played a crucial role, leading to a remarkable English victory with around 10,000 French casualties compared to less than 300 English losses.
The Celts were an ancient civilization that first mastered iron and dominated Northwest Europe. The Celts lacked a sense of national identity and lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, leaving behind simple homesteads. Despite being illiterate in their own languages, the Celts survived into modern times, with their languages persisting in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany.
The historic Battle of Hastings took place on October 14, 1066, between the English and the invading Normans for the throne of England. The conflict arose from the complex political question of who had the rightful claim to the English throne. The Battle of Hastings was decisive, with the Normans utilizing tactics like feigned retreats and the use of cavalry, leading to King Harold's defeat and the eventual coronation of William The Conquerer as King William of England.
Dan Cruickshank explores the secrets of the bridges that have made London what it is. Along the way, he uncovers stories of the sublime ambition of London's bridge builders. Dan Cruickshank explores the mysteries and secrets of the bridges that have made London what it is.
The French army, confident and well-prepared with over 30,000 troops, faced a smaller, sick, and exhausted English force of 6,000 in the Battle of Agincourt. The historical significance of the longbow, tracing its origins to the Battle of Hastings, played a crucial role in English victories at Crecy and Poitiers. The Battle of Agincourt in 1415 saw Henry V's disciplined English forces, though outnumbered, utilizing longbowmen effectively to achieve a decisive victory, solidifying the longbow's reputation as a formidable weapon.
Medieval foodie Clarissa Dickson Wright tracks down Britain's oldest known cookbook, King Richard II's 700-year-old scroll "The Forme of Cury", and compares its contents with the way we eat today, as well as re-creating some of the dishes for a group of food and medieval history experts. The king's kitchens were highly organized, with up to 300 staff working in various roles, and the cookbook reflects the culinary techniques and terminology of the time. Some of the recipes, such as a luxurious sweet and sour fish dish and pears poached in red wine, highlight the use of exotic spices and ingredients in medieval English cooking.
Born in 1452 in Vinci, Tuscany, Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance polymath known for his diverse talents, including painting, sculpture, science, engineering, and a deep curiosity about the world. Leonardo challenged prevailing scientific notions, making groundbreaking contributions to anatomy, including sectional anatomy of limbs and studies of the heart. Leonardo's art and scientific studies were inseparable; he believed drawing was an extension of creative thought. His architectural vision emphasized spatial sculpture, impacting the architectural practices of his time. Leonardo's legacy includes innovative designs for machinery, military applications, and transportation. His unique approach to science and art defines him as a true genius of the Renaissance.
King Alfred of Wessex faced a crisis in 878 AD when a mounted force of Danes crossed into Wessex, catching him defenseless as his army had been disbanded for Christmas. Defeat and Resilience: Despite the initial defeat, King Alfred was not finished. Alfred vowed to return victorious, earning the nickname "Alfred the Great" for his qualities of restraint, loyalty, generosity, chastity, and continence.
Galileo was born in 1564 in Pisa during the Renaissance. In 1609, Galileo invented a telescope with 30x magnification, allowing him to make groundbreaking astronomical observations. His discoveries included the moons of Jupiter and evidence supporting a moving Earth, challenging the geocentric view. As Galileo became more open about his heliocentric views, he faced opposition from the church. The Pope's Inquisition found him "vehemently suspect of heresy" and forced him to recant his views to avoid torture. Galileo died under house arrest, leaving a legacy as a key figure in the Scientific Revolution and a proponent of the union of natural philosophy and mathematics.
This is the chilling tale of the Gunpowder Plot. In Westminster in 1605, a group of Catholic conspirators, led by charismatic Robert Catesby, hatched a daring plan to assassinate the King, Queen, and Parliament members by igniting 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the British Parliament. The dramatic events unfolded as Guy Fawkes, a Catholic soldier, was caught red-handed. We will delve into the historical intrigue, betrayal, and subsequent arrest and trial of the conspirators.
From the mysterious disappearance of King Louis in 1216 to the rise of young Henry III, the story of the English throne contains a thousand years of drama, betrayal, and bloodshed. This captivating drama will explore key historical events, including Queen Isabella's rebellion and Edward III's strategic maneuvers during the Black Death, leading to the resolution of the Wars of the Roses with Henry Tudor's ascent to the throne.
In April 1066, Haley's Comet caused panic across Europe. Many feared the world was ending. Within six months, two powerful monarchs in Western Europe were slain, leading to William the Conqueror's rise in England and the end of the Anglo-Saxon way of life. William's rule in England involved building castles, suppressing rebellions, and implementing the Domesday Book in 1085 for a thorough land survey. William's remorseful reflections on his actions in England as expressed in later accounts.
Time Team archaeologists have dug up the best preserved medieval village in Britain. The distinctive grass-covered remains of the deserted medieval village of Ulnaby are a landmark in the Durham countryside, and although they've been photographed, surveyed, and written about, they've never been dug. What can Ulnaby and other lost villages like it tell us about normal life in Medieval Britain?
The Great Plague of London caused widespread devastation. The streets were filled with carcasses waiting for burial and the agonizing cries of the dying echoed in the streets.
The Honjo Masamune is the most renowned and legendary samurai sword in Japanese history. Crafted by the master swordsmith Goro Nyudo Masamune, it is regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese sword craftsmanship. It played a notable role in Japanese feudal society, being passed down through generations of rulers and warriors. Its ownership often symbolized authority and prestige. However, the Honjo Masamune's fate became uncertain after World War II. Like many other Japanese swords, it was surrendered to the Allied forces during the post-war period. Despite efforts to preserve such swords as cultural artifacts, the Honjo Masamune's whereabouts remain unknown. The sword's disappearance adds to its mystique, fueling speculation and intrigue among historians and collectors.
In 1278, a monumental battle occurred between Rudolph of Habsburg, the new German King, and Ottokar II, the Bohemian King of the Přemyslid dynasty, in Eastern Austria. The conflict between Rudolph and Ottokar had been building for five years, representing a final showdown between two powerful rulers who could not coexist. Rudolph's victory marked a turning point in European power dynamics, establishing the Habsburgs as a dominant dynasty with lasting political impact, particularly in Central Europe. Despite the enormous scale of the battle, few traces have been found, but archaeologists hope modern technology will unveil more details.
The Viking Berserkers were legendary warriors known for their drug-fueled frenzy and prowess in battle. Berserkers were elite Viking warriors believed to possess supernatural abilities, fueled by psychoactive substances. The raid on Lindisfarne in 793 marks the beginning of the Viking Age, with Vikings targeting vulnerable, wealthy targets like monasteries and villages. . Despite their fearsome reputation, Berserkers were eventually outlawed due to their extreme violence, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards such behavior.
King Arthur, Britain's iconic monarch and leader of the Knights of the Round Table, remains a captivating figure, symbolizing honor and courage. His tales, including wielding the mighty Excalibur and questing for the Holy Grail, continue to captivate audiences. Historical Mystery: Despite King Arthur's fame, historical evidence regarding his existence remains elusive, particularly as the Dark Ages offer few concrete records. The legend of King Arthur's death, taken to Avalon for healing, adds to the mystery surrounding his final resting place.
The Eagle Warriors were elite shock troops of the Aztec empire, known for their ruthless tactics and dedication to warfare. The Aztecs were skilled warriors, trained from infancy for battle. Their society was militarized, and they used unconventional tactics such as capturing prisoners for sacrifice rather than solely aiming to kill in battle. Central to Aztec religious beliefs, human sacrifice was conducted on a massive scale to appease the gods. The Eagle Warriors, equipped with obsidian-tipped weapons, specialized in capturing enemies alive for sacrifice. They were the elite forces of the Aztec army.
Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia, was known for his cruelty and sadism, but legend suggests he possessed a secret library hidden beneath the Kremlin, containing priceless ancient literature.
Feudal Japan's Shadow Warriors, the ninja, were unconventional warfare experts, specializing in deception, ambush, infiltration, assassination, and espionage. Despite facing overwhelming odds and the wrath of feudal overlords, the ninja's ingenuity and resilience lead to unexpected victories and alliances, shaping the course of Japanese history.
France's leading forensic pathologist, Philippe Charlier, delves into the mystery of Saint Joan of Arc's remains, which were supposedly discovered in 1867 after being lost for centuries. Charlier, known as the "Indiana Jones of graveyards," approaches the investigation like a medical case, viewing the bones as patients rather than archaeological artifacts. The relics, including bones and a textile fragment, spark debate over their authenticity, with some believing them to be a hoax. Through various scientific methods including DNA analysis, CT scanning, and chemical analysis, Shaler attempts to determine if the remains truly belong to Joan of Arc.
The Varangian Guard were brutal Viking mercenaries serving the Byzantine Empire. Renowned for their brutality and loyalty, they became the elite fighting unit of the Emperor Basil II, tasked with suppressing revolts and protecting the Emperor. They are the prime example of military brutality in the dark ages.
In the 16th century, the Inca Empire faced Spanish conquistadors and fled deep into the jungles of Peru, where they built a last stronghold called Vilcabamba. American explorer Hiram Bingham, driven by a desire for fame, sought to uncover the lost city of Vilcabamba.
The Real Assassin's Creed: Deadliest Special Forces Of The Dark Ages | Ancient Black Ops
Is there any truth to the legend of King Arthur? Archaeologist Leslie Alcock, a charismatic figure, led an excavation in the 1960s in Somerset, aiming to prove Camelot's existence. Despite challenges and doubts from academics, Alcock's team discovered evidence of fortifications at Cadbury Hill, suggesting a Dark Age castle. While Alcock's work faced criticism, his legacy includes advancing understanding of Dark Age Britain and inspiring future archaeologists.
The team investigate King Edward III's Queenborough Castle at the mouth of the Thames, the last medieval royal palace. They explore whether the castle's purpose was defence, or to protect the royals from the plague.