• 2008
  • 30m
In Search of Medieval Britain

Summary 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. View more details

  • 2008
  • 30m

In Search of Medieval Britain

Directed : Unknown

Written : Unknown

Stars : Alixe Bovey

All cast & crew

7.6

Details

Genres : History Documentary

Release date : Apr 9, 2008

Countries of origin : United Kingdom

Language : English

Production companies : British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Summary 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. View more details

Details

Genres : History Documentary

Release date : Apr 9, 2008

Countries of origin : United Kingdom

Language : English

Production companies : British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Photos

In Search of Medieval Britain (2008) In Search of Medieval Britain (2008) In Search of Medieval Britain (2008) In Search of Medieval Britain (2008) In Search of Medieval Britain (2008) In Search of Medieval Britain (2008) In Search of Medieval Britain (2008) In Search of Medieval Britain (2008)

Episodes

View All Seasons
Episode 1 • Apr 09, 2008
North
Dr 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 medieval times. The lands north of Durham were unknown terrain, and also a hotly contested border between Scotland and England, the border changing hands several times over the years along with nearby Norham castle, and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Episode 2 • Apr 16, 2008
Wales
Dr 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 visit to the sacred pilgrimage of the cathedral of St David's.
Episode 3 • Apr 23, 2008
London and the South East
Dr 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 Londoners and visitors, including the suffering caused by the Black Death.
Episode 4 • Apr 30, 2008
Heartlands
Alixe 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.
Episode 5 • May 07, 2008
Scotland
Dr 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 Abbey, one of the richest in the country of the period. She concludes with a visit to the border country where villainy and lawless 'border reivers' did whatever they wanted without regard to the rule of law, and discovers that one of America's most famous heroes, astronaut Neil Armstrong, is a direct descendant.
Episode 6 • May 14, 2008
West Country
Winchester 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 as Exmouth. Visits to Exeter cathedral, Dartmoor and Dartmouth conclude this journey through the West Country.
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