In Search of Medieval Britain
2008 · 1 Season · 6 Episodes ·
Art historian Alixe Bovey follows the Gough Map, the oldest surviving road map of Britain, in search of the country as it was in the medieval era.
E11. NorthDr Alixe Bovey journeys north beginning at York, stopping off at the medieval street, 'Shambles', which was used mainly by butchers and traders working with other parts of butchered animals. York became the leading centre of stained glass-making thanks to the techniques used in building York Minster cathedral with its magnificent stained glass windows. The next stop is the Yorkshire Dales, and a visit to the once wealthy Fountains Abbey, the biggest and best preserved in the county, and then on to Durham Cathedral, a difficult if not near impossible journey in ...E22. WalesDr Alixe Bovey heads west from Gloucester to Wales following in the footsteps of the armies of English King Edward I as he carries out a campaign of aggressive wars in order to conquer and rule the country. He built an array of castles around Wales including Caerphilly castle (though built not by Edward, but a local English baron) the most impressive and impregnable ever built. She visits Newport in Wales where the remains of a medieval ship was found in 2002, and then on to Glamorgan, the location Cosmeston, a recreation of a medieval village. The journey ends with a...E33. London and the South EastDr Alixe Bovey begins her journey on the east coast of Kent, in particular the then important international trading port of Sandwich, although its popularity would not last as erosion and tidal silts eventually blocked its access to the river Thames. A visit to Canterbury cathedral reveals some amazing and complex stone carvings. Next on the journey is the royal castle at Rochester, a strategic fortified defensive position protecting the coast against French invasion. Dr Bovey's journey ends with a visit to London and discovers what medieval life was like for ...E44. HeartlandsAlixe Bovey visits Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, Lincoln Cathedral in Lincolnshire, and discovers some ancient laws and rights for commoners, including the right to graze horses. Her journey concludes with visits to Sherwood Forest, Derby and discovers medieval ale making in Nottingham.E55. ScotlandDr Alixe Bovey begins her journey on the East coast of Scotland with a visit to an abandoned monastery on the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth. A visit to Crail in Fife provides an insight into the massive fishing industry which proliferated at the time. Stirling provides much of the history of warfare between the Scots and the English, including the Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn. King David played a big part in establishing Scotland as a separate kingdom by building cathedrals to establish a Scottish religious identity, including the imposing Melrose...E66. West CountryWinchester cathedral was the birthplace of monastical polyphony music, a musical variation of the monotonous 'plainsong' in use 1000 years ago. This variation would lead to the development of a more entertaining type of music which would develop in style in the coming centuries. A visit to Glastonbury Abbey reveals the legend of King Arthur, and debates whether he ever existed. Dr Bovey continues her journey into cider country, including a visit to an ancient cider mill at Honiton, and discovers the extent of the spread leprosy through towns and villages as far west ...
