# Start End Original Translated
1 00:00:19,333 00:00:21,609 We might be a small island, We might be a small island,
2 00:00:21,633 00:00:24,243 but we've got a big history. but we've got a big history.
3 00:00:24,267 00:00:25,443 Everywhere you stand, Everywhere you stand,
4 00:00:25,467 00:00:28,009 there are worlds beneath your feet. there are worlds beneath your feet.
5 00:00:28,033 00:00:29,443 And so every year, And so every year,
6 00:00:29,467 00:00:32,209 hundreds of archaeologists across Britain hundreds of archaeologists across Britain
7 00:00:32,233 00:00:34,209 go looking for more clues. go looking for more clues.
8 00:00:34,233 00:00:37,509 Who lived here, when, and how? Who lived here, when, and how?
9 00:00:37,533 00:00:39,843 You can even see the architecture of the bone You can even see the architecture of the bone
10 00:00:39,867 00:00:41,209 inside the jaw there. inside the jaw there.
11 00:00:41,233 00:00:45,276 Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle
12 00:00:45,300 00:00:49,176 drawing together everything from skeletons to swords, drawing together everything from skeletons to swords,
13 00:00:49,200 00:00:51,376 temples to treasure. temples to treasure.
14 00:00:51,400 00:00:53,730 She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she? She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she?
15 00:00:55,467 00:00:59,376 From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest
16 00:00:59,400 00:01:03,076 on sea, land, and air. on sea, land, and air.
17 00:01:03,100 00:01:04,676 We'll share all of the questions We'll share all of the questions
18 00:01:04,700 00:01:07,309 and find some of the answers and find some of the answers
19 00:01:07,333 00:01:10,409 as we join the teams in the field as we join the teams in the field
20 00:01:10,433 00:01:12,733 digging for Britain. digging for Britain.
21 00:01:17,233 00:01:20,509 For me, the Tudor Age conjures up images For me, the Tudor Age conjures up images
22 00:01:20,533 00:01:25,309 of magnificent kings and queens, daring adventurers, of magnificent kings and queens, daring adventurers,
23 00:01:25,333 00:01:27,776 and an explosion of literature and an explosion of literature
24 00:01:27,800 00:01:30,309 under writers like William Shakespeare. under writers like William Shakespeare.
25 00:01:30,333 00:01:32,276 But this period was about much more But this period was about much more
26 00:01:32,300 00:01:34,209 than just those personalities. than just those personalities.
27 00:01:34,233 00:01:36,676 It was a time of enormous political, It was a time of enormous political,
28 00:01:36,700 00:01:38,709 social, and economic change, social, and economic change,
29 00:01:38,733 00:01:42,509 which heralded the beginning of modern Britain. which heralded the beginning of modern Britain.
30 00:01:42,533 00:01:46,909 And I'm hoping that archaeology can offer us fresh insights And I'm hoping that archaeology can offer us fresh insights
31 00:01:46,933 00:01:48,676 into the Tudor world into the Tudor world
32 00:01:48,700 00:01:52,476 and even provide us with glimpses of the everyday lives and even provide us with glimpses of the everyday lives
33 00:01:52,500 00:01:55,900 of those who witnessed that momentous era. of those who witnessed that momentous era.
34 00:01:59,700 00:02:03,676 I'm searching for the vanished world of Tudor Britain. I'm searching for the vanished world of Tudor Britain.
35 00:02:03,700 00:02:05,176 Just beautiful. Just beautiful.
36 00:02:05,200 00:02:08,543 I get hands on with discoveries at Shakespeare's house... I get hands on with discoveries at Shakespeare's house...
37 00:02:08,567 00:02:10,043 I want to find Shakespeare's sock. I want to find Shakespeare's sock.
38 00:02:10,067 00:02:12,476 I so want to find Shakespeare's socks. I so want to find Shakespeare's socks.
39 00:02:12,500 00:02:14,870 ...learn about the popcorn of Tudor theater... ...learn about the popcorn of Tudor theater...
40 00:02:16,933 00:02:19,743 ...and investigate a mysterious wreck ...and investigate a mysterious wreck
41 00:02:19,767 00:02:22,767 from this age of exploration and trade. from this age of exploration and trade.
42 00:02:27,633 00:02:31,343 My journey begins in the heart of London My journey begins in the heart of London
43 00:02:31,367 00:02:34,927 with a love story and the birth of British theater. with a love story and the birth of British theater.
44 00:02:36,067 00:02:40,043 Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo? Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?
45 00:02:40,067 00:02:41,609 Perhaps the most famous line Perhaps the most famous line
46 00:02:41,633 00:02:44,076 from the greatest love story ever written. from the greatest love story ever written.
47 00:02:44,100 00:02:46,343 And I'm sure, like me, you can remember And I'm sure, like me, you can remember
48 00:02:46,367 00:02:51,043 the first time you read or watched "Romeo and Juliet." the first time you read or watched "Romeo and Juliet."
49 00:02:51,067 00:02:56,376 But the very first time those words were spoken was here But the very first time those words were spoken was here
50 00:02:56,400 00:03:01,100 at the newly discovered Tudor theater in London's Shoreditch. at the newly discovered Tudor theater in London's Shoreditch.
51 00:03:03,200 00:03:05,176 By a remarkable coincidence, By a remarkable coincidence,
52 00:03:05,200 00:03:08,843 as this site was being cleared to make way for a new theater, as this site was being cleared to make way for a new theater,
53 00:03:08,867 00:03:12,109 the remains of a much older theater were discovered. the remains of a much older theater were discovered.
54 00:03:12,133 00:03:14,209 It wasn't just any old theater, It wasn't just any old theater,
55 00:03:14,233 00:03:17,043 but London's original Tudor playhouse but London's original Tudor playhouse
56 00:03:17,067 00:03:19,676 where Shakespeare first became an actor where Shakespeare first became an actor
57 00:03:19,700 00:03:21,430 and began his career. and began his career.
58 00:03:25,300 00:03:26,476 Morning, Jo. Morning, Jo.
59 00:03:26,500 00:03:28,043 Oh, good morning. Oh, good morning.
60 00:03:28,067 00:03:30,876 Jo Lyon of the Museum of London Archaeology Service Jo Lyon of the Museum of London Archaeology Service
61 00:03:30,900 00:03:32,643 is supervising the dig. is supervising the dig.
62 00:03:32,667 00:03:36,043 Her team have just six weeks left to excavate the site Her team have just six weeks left to excavate the site
63 00:03:36,067 00:03:39,467 and learn all they can before it's covered over. and learn all they can before it's covered over.
64 00:03:40,633 00:03:42,076 So this is the very first place So this is the very first place
65 00:03:42,100 00:03:44,609 where Shakespeare worked as a playwright? where Shakespeare worked as a playwright?
66 00:03:44,633 00:03:47,076 Yeah, absolutely, and there's so much here. Yeah, absolutely, and there's so much here.
67 00:03:47,100 00:03:48,943 There's literally meters of Tudor archaeology. There's literally meters of Tudor archaeology.
68 00:03:48,967 00:03:50,376 Really? Really?
69 00:03:50,400 00:03:52,676 Actually, it is the most important site Actually, it is the most important site
70 00:03:52,700 00:03:54,270 I have ever done in my life. I have ever done in my life.
71 00:03:55,567 00:03:59,076 The dig is a real jumble of medieval, Tudor, The dig is a real jumble of medieval, Tudor,
72 00:03:59,100 00:04:01,043 and later archaeology. and later archaeology.
73 00:04:01,067 00:04:03,043 A few bits of glass and pot coming out. A few bits of glass and pot coming out.
74 00:04:03,067 00:04:04,509 And they think they've discovered And they think they've discovered
75 00:04:04,533 00:04:06,076 the remains of a pub, the remains of a pub,
76 00:04:06,100 00:04:08,476 which may have been part of the theater complex. which may have been part of the theater complex.
77 00:04:08,500 00:04:09,843 Supporting the chimney... Supporting the chimney...
78 00:04:09,867 00:04:12,043 But what's really exciting the archaeologists But what's really exciting the archaeologists
79 00:04:12,067 00:04:14,409 lies in the far corner... lies in the far corner...
80 00:04:14,433 00:04:18,376 the remains of one small but significant section the remains of one small but significant section
81 00:04:18,400 00:04:20,230 of the theater's floor. of the theater's floor.
82 00:04:20,933 00:04:23,209 Now were standing exactly as an audience member Now were standing exactly as an audience member
83 00:04:23,233 00:04:25,909 would have stood back in the day. would have stood back in the day.
84 00:04:25,933 00:04:28,143 We're standing at the back of the yard. We're standing at the back of the yard.
85 00:04:28,167 00:04:29,409 You can buy a cheap ticket You can buy a cheap ticket
86 00:04:29,433 00:04:31,576 and go and stand in the yard and watch the play, and go and stand in the yard and watch the play,
87 00:04:31,600 00:04:33,243 or you can sit in the galleries. or you can sit in the galleries.
88 00:04:33,267 00:04:34,476 And you'll see that the floor And you'll see that the floor
89 00:04:34,500 00:04:36,643 slopes slightly in that direction, slopes slightly in that direction,
90 00:04:36,667 00:04:40,843 and that's on purpose so that you can have a better view. and that's on purpose so that you can have a better view.
91 00:04:40,867 00:04:42,509 So the people at the back can still see So the people at the back can still see
92 00:04:42,533 00:04:43,876 over the heads of the people in front? over the heads of the people in front?
93 00:04:43,900 00:04:45,843 And what about this wall here? And what about this wall here?
94 00:04:45,867 00:04:47,843 Is this the foundations of a wall? Is this the foundations of a wall?
95 00:04:47,867 00:04:50,176 So this is the edge of the galleries. So this is the edge of the galleries.
96 00:04:50,200 00:04:52,276 The galleries would be coming up behind us The galleries would be coming up behind us
97 00:04:52,300 00:04:55,243 off of this foundation wall, and we'd be stood at the back. off of this foundation wall, and we'd be stood at the back.
98 00:04:55,267 00:04:58,343 And that means the stage would have been sort of over there, And that means the stage would have been sort of over there,
99 00:04:58,367 00:05:00,576 perhaps 10 meters away from here. perhaps 10 meters away from here.
100 00:05:00,600 00:05:02,076 Isn't that amazing? Isn't that amazing?
101 00:05:02,100 00:05:04,043 400 years ago, there were people 400 years ago, there were people
102 00:05:04,067 00:05:07,576 standing exactly where we are watching Shakespeare. standing exactly where we are watching Shakespeare.
103 00:05:07,600 00:05:09,243 Looking at a young William Shakespeare Looking at a young William Shakespeare
104 00:05:09,267 00:05:12,197 performing "Romeo and Juliet." performing "Romeo and Juliet."
105 00:05:12,800 00:05:14,243 You know, for me, that's amazing. You know, for me, that's amazing.
106 00:05:14,267 00:05:16,476 It does send a bit of a shiver down the spine, doesn't it? It does send a bit of a shiver down the spine, doesn't it?
107 00:05:16,500 00:05:18,100 Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.
108 00:05:20,800 00:05:23,043 They're discovering fragments of pottery all the time, They're discovering fragments of pottery all the time,
109 00:05:23,067 00:05:27,143 but amongst them are some really interesting objects, but amongst them are some really interesting objects,
110 00:05:27,167 00:05:30,443 including this almost-intact wine goblet, including this almost-intact wine goblet,
111 00:05:30,467 00:05:33,109 which dates to exactly the time of the theater. which dates to exactly the time of the theater.
112 00:05:33,133 00:05:37,276 That's really lovely and such a gorgeous color. That's really lovely and such a gorgeous color.
113 00:05:37,300 00:05:39,076 It could perhaps have been a stage prop It could perhaps have been a stage prop
114 00:05:39,100 00:05:41,130 or belonged to a theatergoer. or belonged to a theatergoer.
115 00:05:42,133 00:05:45,743 Just a couple of days ago, we had this amazing find, Just a couple of days ago, we had this amazing find,
116 00:05:45,767 00:05:50,109 which is an absolutely complete jug. which is an absolutely complete jug.
117 00:05:50,133 00:05:51,809 There's not a flaw in it. There's not a flaw in it.
118 00:05:51,833 00:05:53,876 There is no chip out of it, nothing. There is no chip out of it, nothing.
119 00:05:53,900 00:05:56,876 So, they're called bellarmine or Bartmann jugs, So, they're called bellarmine or Bartmann jugs,
120 00:05:56,900 00:06:00,343 and they all have this bearded male face on them. and they all have this bearded male face on them.
121 00:06:00,367 00:06:02,476 It's really distinctive. It's really distinctive.
122 00:06:02,500 00:06:03,943 Isn't that amazing? Isn't that amazing?
123 00:06:03,967 00:06:07,743 I mean, it's just fantastic to have a piece of that intact. I mean, it's just fantastic to have a piece of that intact.
124 00:06:07,767 00:06:08,943 So what would this have been used for? So what would this have been used for?
125 00:06:08,967 00:06:10,943 What would have been in it, do you suspect? What would have been in it, do you suspect?
126 00:06:10,967 00:06:12,443 - Beer. - Beer. - Beer. - Beer.
127 00:06:12,467 00:06:14,143 So possibly someone buying their beer, So possibly someone buying their beer,
128 00:06:14,167 00:06:15,676 making their way to the theater? making their way to the theater?
129 00:06:15,700 00:06:18,770 Yeah, why not? It could work. Yeah, why not? It could work.
130 00:06:24,300 00:06:26,576 Well, the digging that's going on all around me Well, the digging that's going on all around me
131 00:06:26,600 00:06:28,643 will finish in just a few weeks' time, will finish in just a few weeks' time,
132 00:06:28,667 00:06:31,409 and then the site will be handed over to the developers, and then the site will be handed over to the developers,
133 00:06:31,433 00:06:34,909 and very fittingly, a new theater will be built here. and very fittingly, a new theater will be built here.
134 00:06:34,933 00:06:37,143 We're just so privileged to get this glimpse We're just so privileged to get this glimpse
135 00:06:37,167 00:06:38,809 into Shakespeare's world, into Shakespeare's world,
136 00:06:38,833 00:06:42,443 because, despite the fact the Tudors were so influential because, despite the fact the Tudors were so influential
137 00:06:42,467 00:06:44,143 in shaping modern Britain, in shaping modern Britain,
138 00:06:44,167 00:06:46,597 they're not an easy bunch to track down. they're not an easy bunch to track down.
139 00:06:55,733 00:06:57,343 In later centuries, In later centuries,
140 00:06:57,367 00:06:59,643 many of the old Tudor buildings fell out of fashion many of the old Tudor buildings fell out of fashion
141 00:06:59,667 00:07:02,909 and were either completely renovated or pulled down, and were either completely renovated or pulled down,
142 00:07:02,933 00:07:05,743 erasing much of our Tudor past. erasing much of our Tudor past.
143 00:07:05,767 00:07:09,443 And since Victorian times, the fashion for deep cellars And since Victorian times, the fashion for deep cellars
144 00:07:09,467 00:07:12,776 has obliterated many traces from earlier periods has obliterated many traces from earlier periods
145 00:07:12,800 00:07:14,876 beneath the ground, as well. beneath the ground, as well.
146 00:07:14,900 00:07:18,043 So, today there are only fragments So, today there are only fragments
147 00:07:18,067 00:07:19,909 of Tudor Britain left behind, of Tudor Britain left behind,
148 00:07:19,933 00:07:24,203 even in this, the capital of their kingdom, London. even in this, the capital of their kingdom, London.
149 00:07:26,133 00:07:28,876 The river Thames was of vital importance The river Thames was of vital importance
150 00:07:28,900 00:07:31,209 to the Tudor kings and queens. to the Tudor kings and queens.
151 00:07:31,233 00:07:35,243 London was firmly placed at the center of their political power, London was firmly placed at the center of their political power,
152 00:07:35,267 00:07:36,909 and they ruled their kingdom and they ruled their kingdom
153 00:07:36,933 00:07:40,543 from a series of palaces dotted along the river. from a series of palaces dotted along the river.
154 00:07:40,567 00:07:44,943 Westminster, however, was not the real seat of Tudor power. Westminster, however, was not the real seat of Tudor power.
155 00:07:44,967 00:07:48,727 That was several miles downriver at Greenwich. That was several miles downriver at Greenwich.
156 00:07:53,400 00:07:56,309 This palace was located on the riverfront This palace was located on the riverfront
157 00:07:56,333 00:07:57,876 at the site of what is now at the site of what is now
158 00:07:57,900 00:08:01,676 Christopher Wren's iconic Old Royal Naval College. Christopher Wren's iconic Old Royal Naval College.
159 00:08:01,700 00:08:04,143 If I asked you to name a Tudor palace, If I asked you to name a Tudor palace,
160 00:08:04,167 00:08:06,476 chances are you'd say Hampton Court. chances are you'd say Hampton Court.
161 00:08:06,500 00:08:09,209 But the palace that once stood here But the palace that once stood here
162 00:08:09,233 00:08:13,043 was much more important and much more interesting. was much more important and much more interesting.
163 00:08:13,067 00:08:16,576 But it's been largely erased from public consciousness. But it's been largely erased from public consciousness.
164 00:08:16,600 00:08:18,843 We've only just begun to understand We've only just begun to understand
165 00:08:18,867 00:08:21,043 the grand scale of the palace here, the grand scale of the palace here,
166 00:08:21,067 00:08:24,909 thanks to a series of digs over the last 30 years. thanks to a series of digs over the last 30 years.
167 00:08:24,933 00:08:27,776 Julian Bowsher has been closely involved Julian Bowsher has been closely involved
168 00:08:27,800 00:08:30,870 with revealing this forgotten Tudor world. with revealing this forgotten Tudor world.
169 00:08:31,567 00:08:34,043 The Tudor palace built by Henry VII The Tudor palace built by Henry VII
170 00:08:34,067 00:08:36,876 was one of the greatest of the new palaces of the time was one of the greatest of the new palaces of the time
171 00:08:36,900 00:08:39,776 because of Henry VIII himself, who was, in fact, born here. because of Henry VIII himself, who was, in fact, born here.
172 00:08:39,800 00:08:41,809 He was born probably over in this corner here. He was born probably over in this corner here.
173 00:08:41,833 00:08:43,409 Right. Right.
174 00:08:43,433 00:08:45,209 He married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, He married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon,
175 00:08:45,233 00:08:48,309 in the church of the friary just over here. in the church of the friary just over here.
176 00:08:48,333 00:08:49,776 He married Anne of Cleves He married Anne of Cleves
177 00:08:49,800 00:08:52,443 right over at the other end at the private chapel. right over at the other end at the private chapel.
178 00:08:52,467 00:08:54,943 His daughter Elizabeth was born over here. His daughter Elizabeth was born over here.
179 00:08:54,967 00:08:57,343 It's very connected with Henry VII, It's very connected with Henry VII,
180 00:08:57,367 00:08:58,776 Henry VIII, Elizabeth. Henry VIII, Elizabeth.
181 00:08:58,800 00:09:00,376 They're all here. They're all here.
182 00:09:00,400 00:09:02,170 You can almost feel them around you. You can almost feel them around you.
183 00:09:03,067 00:09:05,509 Archaeological finds made at the palace Archaeological finds made at the palace
184 00:09:05,533 00:09:07,409 can tell us more about the lives can tell us more about the lives
185 00:09:07,433 00:09:10,476 of the Tudor kings and queens who lived here. of the Tudor kings and queens who lived here.
186 00:09:10,500 00:09:12,643 We've got a Tudor tile here We've got a Tudor tile here
187 00:09:12,667 00:09:17,376 that came from the Chapel Royal that we excavated in 2005, that came from the Chapel Royal that we excavated in 2005,
188 00:09:17,400 00:09:20,070 and it's the private chapel of the palace. and it's the private chapel of the palace.
189 00:09:20,667 00:09:22,676 It's on this floor, if you like, It's on this floor, if you like,
190 00:09:22,700 00:09:25,176 that Henry married Anne of Cleves. that Henry married Anne of Cleves.
191 00:09:25,200 00:09:27,443 The Tudors used a potent new symbol The Tudors used a potent new symbol
192 00:09:27,467 00:09:31,609 to stamp their authority on Britain, the Tudor rose. to stamp their authority on Britain, the Tudor rose.
193 00:09:31,633 00:09:34,043 That looks very Tudor to me, this rose. That looks very Tudor to me, this rose.
194 00:09:34,067 00:09:35,276 What is it? What is it?
195 00:09:35,300 00:09:39,376 It's lead-cast decoration Tudor rose It's lead-cast decoration Tudor rose
196 00:09:39,400 00:09:42,176 with even traces of gilt around the side, with even traces of gilt around the side,
197 00:09:42,200 00:09:45,576 and there would actually have been these all over the ceiling. and there would actually have been these all over the ceiling.
198 00:09:45,600 00:09:47,076 So these would have been colorful? So these would have been colorful?
199 00:09:47,100 00:09:48,809 Yes, yes, indeed, yes. Yes, yes, indeed, yes.
200 00:09:48,833 00:09:50,909 It's a real stamp of Tudor identity, isn't it? It's a real stamp of Tudor identity, isn't it?
201 00:09:50,933 00:09:53,509 Absolutely, saying, "This is our palace, Absolutely, saying, "This is our palace,
202 00:09:53,533 00:09:55,576 Greenwich Palace, the center of England. Greenwich Palace, the center of England.
203 00:09:55,600 00:09:58,109 We're here to stay. This is Tudor. This is us." We're here to stay. This is Tudor. This is us."
204 00:09:58,133 00:10:01,576 There's nothing of those buildings remaining up here now, There's nothing of those buildings remaining up here now,
205 00:10:01,600 00:10:03,809 but down amongst the shifting mud but down amongst the shifting mud
206 00:10:03,833 00:10:05,843 and gravel of the Thames foreshore, and gravel of the Thames foreshore,
207 00:10:05,867 00:10:10,097 there are tantalizing traces of Greenwich's Tudor past. there are tantalizing traces of Greenwich's Tudor past.
208 00:10:15,100 00:10:19,076 On the foreshore, in front of where the palace once stood, On the foreshore, in front of where the palace once stood,
209 00:10:19,100 00:10:21,409 a team from the Thames Discovery Programme a team from the Thames Discovery Programme
210 00:10:21,433 00:10:23,443 think they may have found a structure think they may have found a structure
211 00:10:23,467 00:10:25,867 that linked the palace to the river. that linked the palace to the river.
212 00:10:27,300 00:10:29,909 Leading the team is Nathalie Cohen. Leading the team is Nathalie Cohen.
213 00:10:29,933 00:10:32,109 - Nathalie, hi. - Hello. - Nathalie, hi. - Hello.
214 00:10:32,133 00:10:34,109 - How are you doing? - Good, thank you. - How are you doing? - Good, thank you.
215 00:10:34,133 00:10:36,743 So what have you got here down on the shore? So what have you got here down on the shore?
216 00:10:36,767 00:10:39,376 We've picked up a whole series of timbers We've picked up a whole series of timbers
217 00:10:39,400 00:10:42,109 running along the front of this wall here. running along the front of this wall here.
218 00:10:42,133 00:10:44,609 We think it's part of a jetty structure We think it's part of a jetty structure
219 00:10:44,633 00:10:47,009 that may have related to the Royal Palace, that may have related to the Royal Palace,
220 00:10:47,033 00:10:49,403 sort of immediately behind us here. sort of immediately behind us here.
221 00:10:50,667 00:10:52,309 So what would this have been in the jetty? So what would this have been in the jetty?
222 00:10:52,333 00:10:54,109 It appears to have been part of the baseplate, It appears to have been part of the baseplate,
223 00:10:54,133 00:10:56,376 I would think, pegged to the foreshore I would think, pegged to the foreshore
224 00:10:56,400 00:10:58,409 or pegged to another piece of baseplate or pegged to another piece of baseplate
225 00:10:58,433 00:10:59,773 through those peg holes there. through those peg holes there.
226 00:11:03,500 00:11:06,609 You can just imagine the royal barge landing here You can just imagine the royal barge landing here
227 00:11:06,633 00:11:10,309 and Henry VIII or Elizabeth disembarking with a fanfare, and Henry VIII or Elizabeth disembarking with a fanfare,
228 00:11:10,333 00:11:12,573 surrounded by courtiers. surrounded by courtiers.
229 00:11:16,067 00:11:18,676 This now mundane stretch of the river This now mundane stretch of the river
230 00:11:18,700 00:11:21,470 was once the most exclusive in London. was once the most exclusive in London.
231 00:11:26,567 00:11:29,209 It's not just structures like piers and jetties It's not just structures like piers and jetties
232 00:11:29,233 00:11:31,576 that can be found here on the Thames foreshore. that can be found here on the Thames foreshore.
233 00:11:31,600 00:11:33,943 There's archaeology literally everywhere you look. There's archaeology literally everywhere you look.
234 00:11:33,967 00:11:38,376 There's pottery, bones, shell, fragments of clay pipe. There's pottery, bones, shell, fragments of clay pipe.
235 00:11:38,400 00:11:40,043 It's probably one of the richest veins It's probably one of the richest veins
236 00:11:40,067 00:11:42,427 of archaeology anywhere in Britain. of archaeology anywhere in Britain.
237 00:11:48,433 00:11:50,543 There are other people looking for clues There are other people looking for clues
238 00:11:50,567 00:11:53,427 here on the foreshore... the mudlarks. here on the foreshore... the mudlarks.
239 00:11:55,267 00:11:58,176 They have a special license that allows them to dig They have a special license that allows them to dig
240 00:11:58,200 00:12:01,530 for the historical objects that litter the Thames beaches. for the historical objects that litter the Thames beaches.
241 00:12:02,300 00:12:06,109 Over the years, they've made some remarkable discoveries. Over the years, they've made some remarkable discoveries.
242 00:12:06,133 00:12:08,743 You might think they'd be using metal detectors, You might think they'd be using metal detectors,
243 00:12:08,767 00:12:10,809 but, in fact, they work by hand, but, in fact, they work by hand,
244 00:12:10,833 00:12:12,709 because the sheer quantity of metal here because the sheer quantity of metal here
245 00:12:12,733 00:12:14,776 makes detectors useless. makes detectors useless.
246 00:12:14,800 00:12:16,743 We've got an Elizabethan fastener there, We've got an Elizabethan fastener there,
247 00:12:16,767 00:12:18,209 and you can imagine on your jacket, and you can imagine on your jacket,
248 00:12:18,233 00:12:19,509 this would actually fasten like that. this would actually fasten like that.
249 00:12:19,533 00:12:20,943 Oh, like hooks and eyes? Oh, like hooks and eyes?
250 00:12:20,967 00:12:22,143 Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a fastener. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a fastener.
251 00:12:22,167 00:12:24,776 - So that's Elizabethan. - It's Elizabethan. - So that's Elizabethan. - It's Elizabethan.
252 00:12:24,800 00:12:27,076 And then on top of that, these are in abundance down here. And then on top of that, these are in abundance down here.
253 00:12:27,100 00:12:28,476 These are Tudor pins. These are Tudor pins.
254 00:12:28,500 00:12:30,709 A woman of distinction would have had a thousand pins on her. A woman of distinction would have had a thousand pins on her.
255 00:12:30,733 00:12:33,909 I think Elizabeth I had 2,000 pins on her. I think Elizabeth I had 2,000 pins on her.
256 00:12:33,933 00:12:35,209 Doing what? Doing what?
257 00:12:35,233 00:12:37,743 Well, for hair, for clothing. Well, for hair, for clothing.
258 00:12:37,767 00:12:41,109 An Elizabethan ruff had 150 pins-plus on it. An Elizabethan ruff had 150 pins-plus on it.
259 00:12:41,133 00:12:43,109 And these are Tudor lace ties, And these are Tudor lace ties,
260 00:12:43,133 00:12:44,843 so exactly the same as you get on your shoelaces. so exactly the same as you get on your shoelaces.
261 00:12:44,867 00:12:46,043 Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
262 00:12:46,067 00:12:48,676 Like on jackets, on shirts and stuff, Like on jackets, on shirts and stuff,
263 00:12:48,700 00:12:49,943 where you'd have crisscrosses where you'd have crisscrosses
264 00:12:49,967 00:12:51,409 of, like, leather thongs and stuff, of, like, leather thongs and stuff,
265 00:12:51,433 00:12:53,433 these would be on the end so they could be treaded. these would be on the end so they could be treaded.
266 00:12:57,733 00:12:59,543 Well, the tide has come in now Well, the tide has come in now
267 00:12:59,567 00:13:02,076 and covered up all of that archaeology and covered up all of that archaeology
268 00:13:02,100 00:13:04,076 on the Thames foreshore. on the Thames foreshore.
269 00:13:04,100 00:13:07,043 It's disappeared very much like Greenwich Palace itself It's disappeared very much like Greenwich Palace itself
270 00:13:07,067 00:13:09,743 has disappeared from public consciousness. has disappeared from public consciousness.
271 00:13:09,767 00:13:12,143 But we know now not just from history, But we know now not just from history,
272 00:13:12,167 00:13:13,943 but archaeology, too, but archaeology, too,
273 00:13:13,967 00:13:17,427 that this was the spiritual home of the Tudors. that this was the spiritual home of the Tudors.
274 00:13:21,600 00:13:24,343 The raising of the Mary Rose in 1982 The raising of the Mary Rose in 1982
275 00:13:24,367 00:13:25,843 was one of those rare events was one of those rare events
276 00:13:25,867 00:13:28,543 that's etched into the national consciousness. that's etched into the national consciousness.
277 00:13:28,567 00:13:30,043 But the recovery of the hull, But the recovery of the hull,
278 00:13:30,067 00:13:32,909 along with thousands of artifacts and hundreds of bones, along with thousands of artifacts and hundreds of bones,
279 00:13:32,933 00:13:35,943 was just the beginning of a 30-year project was just the beginning of a 30-year project
280 00:13:35,967 00:13:37,567 that's still going on today. that's still going on today.
281 00:13:37,633 00:13:40,043 Well, if you'd like to come in here, Alice, Well, if you'd like to come in here, Alice,
282 00:13:40,067 00:13:44,643 this is going into our holiest of holies, our holy grail. this is going into our holiest of holies, our holy grail.
283 00:13:44,667 00:13:46,843 Christopher Dobbs has been closely involved Christopher Dobbs has been closely involved
284 00:13:46,867 00:13:49,643 in planning the new Mary Rose Museum, in planning the new Mary Rose Museum,
285 00:13:49,667 00:13:51,209 which for the first time which for the first time
286 00:13:51,233 00:13:53,876 will display the objects and the hull together. will display the objects and the hull together.
287 00:13:53,900 00:13:58,909 Baskets and barrels and chests and fantastic bowls and plates, Baskets and barrels and chests and fantastic bowls and plates,
288 00:13:58,933 00:14:02,043 but this one, this absolutely superb bowl here, but this one, this absolutely superb bowl here,
289 00:14:02,067 00:14:04,343 I think that this is probably a mess bowl. I think that this is probably a mess bowl.
290 00:14:04,367 00:14:06,443 And to actually serve individually And to actually serve individually
291 00:14:06,467 00:14:09,643 into plates or bowls to 500 down in the ovens into plates or bowls to 500 down in the ovens
292 00:14:09,667 00:14:11,376 would have been just too difficult. would have been just too difficult.
293 00:14:11,400 00:14:14,276 So they almost certainly transferred the food So they almost certainly transferred the food
294 00:14:14,300 00:14:17,476 from one whole mess into a bowl like this. from one whole mess into a bowl like this.
295 00:14:17,500 00:14:20,576 And that then led us to possibly identify this. And that then led us to possibly identify this.
296 00:14:20,600 00:14:23,476 I mean, it might look like a very minor object, I mean, it might look like a very minor object,
297 00:14:23,500 00:14:25,509 but it could well be a mess tag, but it could well be a mess tag,
298 00:14:25,533 00:14:27,443 so you'd almost have like a luggage label, so you'd almost have like a luggage label,
299 00:14:27,467 00:14:30,909 because they may have cooked actually in cloth bags because they may have cooked actually in cloth bags
300 00:14:30,933 00:14:32,909 in the cauldron, because that would mean in the cauldron, because that would mean
301 00:14:32,933 00:14:35,543 you could keep all the food for 8 or 10 people together. you could keep all the food for 8 or 10 people together.
302 00:14:35,567 00:14:37,543 And you could tie like a luggage label onto this, And you could tie like a luggage label onto this,
303 00:14:37,567 00:14:38,943 and that's what they were used in later wrecks. and that's what they were used in later wrecks.
304 00:14:38,967 00:14:40,409 It does look as though something's been tied onto that. It does look as though something's been tied onto that.
305 00:14:40,433 00:14:42,909 Yes, it was definitely a tag of some sort. Yes, it was definitely a tag of some sort.
306 00:14:42,933 00:14:44,276 Yeah. Yeah.
307 00:14:44,300 00:14:46,409 It's almost overwhelming It's almost overwhelming
308 00:14:46,433 00:14:50,043 being surrounded by the worldly goods of 500 men, being surrounded by the worldly goods of 500 men,
309 00:14:50,067 00:14:53,467 all interred in one catastrophic moment. all interred in one catastrophic moment.
310 00:14:54,433 00:14:58,109 There's everything from dice to musical instruments. There's everything from dice to musical instruments.
311 00:14:58,133 00:15:00,743 Look at that one. That's absolutely perfect. Look at that one. That's absolutely perfect.
312 00:15:00,767 00:15:04,376 And even the combs they used to get rid of their lice. And even the combs they used to get rid of their lice.
313 00:15:04,400 00:15:05,576 I mean, look at that. I mean, look at that.
314 00:15:05,600 00:15:09,476 I can't believe that's a Tudor dagger handle, I can't believe that's a Tudor dagger handle,
315 00:15:09,500 00:15:10,830 knife handle. knife handle.
316 00:15:11,733 00:15:14,433 It's just beautiful. It's just beautiful.
317 00:15:15,667 00:15:18,276 Even mundane objects like grindstones Even mundane objects like grindstones
318 00:15:18,300 00:15:20,209 used to make flour on board used to make flour on board
319 00:15:20,233 00:15:22,576 have a haunting quality to them. have a haunting quality to them.
320 00:15:22,600 00:15:25,043 Many people think that the Mary Rose is something... Many people think that the Mary Rose is something...
321 00:15:25,067 00:15:26,876 the project is something that finished 20 years ago the project is something that finished 20 years ago
322 00:15:26,900 00:15:28,309 or something, but it doesn't. or something, but it doesn't.
323 00:15:28,333 00:15:31,309 Daily we're finding out new things and new stories Daily we're finding out new things and new stories
324 00:15:31,333 00:15:33,676 and being able to tell things in new ways. and being able to tell things in new ways.
325 00:15:33,700 00:15:36,309 There's just a phenomenal number of objects There's just a phenomenal number of objects
326 00:15:36,333 00:15:38,176 recovered from the Mary Rose. recovered from the Mary Rose.
327 00:15:38,200 00:15:40,209 Look at these beautiful longbows. Look at these beautiful longbows.
328 00:15:40,233 00:15:42,543 There are hundreds of them. There are hundreds of them.
329 00:15:42,567 00:15:45,643 And, of course, we don't just have the personal objects And, of course, we don't just have the personal objects
330 00:15:45,667 00:15:47,876 that these people carried around with them. that these people carried around with them.
331 00:15:47,900 00:15:50,376 We do actually have the skeletons We do actually have the skeletons
332 00:15:50,400 00:15:52,276 of the people themselves. of the people themselves.
333 00:15:52,300 00:15:54,143 During the excavations, During the excavations,
334 00:15:54,167 00:15:58,967 the remains of 179 individuals were carefully recovered. the remains of 179 individuals were carefully recovered.
335 00:16:01,633 00:16:04,043 As an anatomist, these bones provide me As an anatomist, these bones provide me
336 00:16:04,067 00:16:07,176 with a unique insight into the lives of these men. with a unique insight into the lives of these men.
337 00:16:07,200 00:16:09,109 I can see some interesting things. I can see some interesting things.
338 00:16:09,133 00:16:11,076 I'm meeting Dr. Alex Hildred, I'm meeting Dr. Alex Hildred,
339 00:16:11,100 00:16:13,409 who's a curator at the Mary Rose Trust, who's a curator at the Mary Rose Trust,
340 00:16:13,433 00:16:16,276 to uncover the stories of these men. to uncover the stories of these men.
341 00:16:16,300 00:16:18,676 There were particular places which must relate There were particular places which must relate
342 00:16:18,700 00:16:22,676 to blocking access routes to getting off the ship, to blocking access routes to getting off the ship,
343 00:16:22,700 00:16:25,376 where you've got 20 or 30 individuals where you've got 20 or 30 individuals
344 00:16:25,400 00:16:27,043 and far more bones and far more bones
345 00:16:27,067 00:16:29,343 than you can actually put into those individuals. than you can actually put into those individuals.
346 00:16:29,367 00:16:31,609 People fighting to get off the sinking ship. People fighting to get off the sinking ship.
347 00:16:31,633 00:16:32,943 Especially as there was netting Especially as there was netting
348 00:16:32,967 00:16:34,909 across the only really open bits of the ship, across the only really open bits of the ship,
349 00:16:34,933 00:16:36,176 had anti-boarding netting. had anti-boarding netting.
350 00:16:36,200 00:16:37,243 I think it would have been horrendous I think it would have been horrendous
351 00:16:37,267 00:16:38,843 trying to get off the ship. trying to get off the ship.
352 00:16:38,867 00:16:41,609 The gun ports were so tightly fitted to their guns The gun ports were so tightly fitted to their guns
353 00:16:41,633 00:16:44,109 that you wouldn't have been able to get through those easily. that you wouldn't have been able to get through those easily.
354 00:16:44,133 00:16:46,043 Did anybody manage to get off? Did anybody manage to get off?
355 00:16:46,067 00:16:49,776 About 35 survivors, but then people didn't swim naturally. About 35 survivors, but then people didn't swim naturally.
356 00:16:49,800 00:16:51,376 It was quite rare to be a swimmer. It was quite rare to be a swimmer.
357 00:16:51,400 00:16:53,843 So 35 survivors. So 35 survivors.
358 00:16:53,867 00:16:55,443 35 out of how many? 35 out of how many?
359 00:16:55,467 00:16:57,943 415 listed. 415 listed.
360 00:16:57,967 00:17:00,209 The men on board were there to fight. The men on board were there to fight.
361 00:17:00,233 00:17:02,709 And many of them would have wielded longbows, And many of them would have wielded longbows,
362 00:17:02,733 00:17:04,643 which were amongst the most feared weapons which were amongst the most feared weapons
363 00:17:04,667 00:17:06,509 in the medieval world. in the medieval world.
364 00:17:06,533 00:17:10,143 One skeleton in particular provides a direct link One skeleton in particular provides a direct link
365 00:17:10,167 00:17:12,376 to these devastating bows. to these devastating bows.
366 00:17:12,400 00:17:14,709 This chap was found pretty much by himself This chap was found pretty much by himself
367 00:17:14,733 00:17:16,543 in the hold of the ship in the bow, in the hold of the ship in the bow,
368 00:17:16,567 00:17:20,909 but just literally above him was a wrist guard but just literally above him was a wrist guard
369 00:17:20,933 00:17:22,643 with the arms of England on it. with the arms of England on it.
370 00:17:22,667 00:17:26,109 So it's interesting to suggest with one of tallest individuals, So it's interesting to suggest with one of tallest individuals,
371 00:17:26,133 00:17:29,243 who's very robust, that he may well have been an archer, who's very robust, that he may well have been an archer,
372 00:17:29,267 00:17:31,309 and that's what's been suggested in the past. and that's what's been suggested in the past.
373 00:17:31,333 00:17:33,043 He's incredibly well-built. He's incredibly well-built.
374 00:17:33,067 00:17:34,443 Now, some of that's going to be genetic, Now, some of that's going to be genetic,
375 00:17:34,467 00:17:36,709 but some of it might be what he's actually doing but some of it might be what he's actually doing
376 00:17:36,733 00:17:38,543 with his body, as well. with his body, as well.
377 00:17:38,567 00:17:43,543 But this skeleton has got this rather interesting condition But this skeleton has got this rather interesting condition
378 00:17:43,567 00:17:47,043 at the shoulder where the tip of his shoulder has failed to fuse. at the shoulder where the tip of his shoulder has failed to fuse.
379 00:17:47,067 00:17:49,543 I mean, what we're looking at is the end of the scapula, I mean, what we're looking at is the end of the scapula,
380 00:17:49,567 00:17:52,243 which starts off as a separate little bone like this which starts off as a separate little bone like this
381 00:17:52,267 00:17:54,343 but should fuse during development, but should fuse during development,
382 00:17:54,367 00:17:59,143 but here in an adult skeleton, it has stayed separate. but here in an adult skeleton, it has stayed separate.
383 00:17:59,167 00:18:01,543 And there's been a suggestion And there's been a suggestion
384 00:18:01,567 00:18:04,843 that this is to do with heavy use of the shoulder. that this is to do with heavy use of the shoulder.
385 00:18:04,867 00:18:08,276 Well, archers... Well, anybody, any male in England at the time Well, archers... Well, anybody, any male in England at the time
386 00:18:08,300 00:18:11,109 would have to shoot a bow at least once a week would have to shoot a bow at least once a week
387 00:18:11,133 00:18:12,376 from the age of about 7. from the age of about 7.
388 00:18:12,400 00:18:14,176 So if somebody was good, So if somebody was good,
389 00:18:14,200 00:18:15,743 needless to say, they probably would have been encouraged needless to say, they probably would have been encouraged
390 00:18:15,767 00:18:17,143 to do it more than once a week. to do it more than once a week.
391 00:18:17,167 00:18:19,476 Knowing that archery was widespread, Knowing that archery was widespread,
392 00:18:19,500 00:18:21,209 I suspected other skeletons I suspected other skeletons
393 00:18:21,233 00:18:24,043 might reveal a different telltale sign might reveal a different telltale sign
394 00:18:24,067 00:18:26,209 of the damage archery might cause. of the damage archery might cause.
395 00:18:26,233 00:18:30,043 So this here is evidence So this here is evidence
396 00:18:30,067 00:18:32,043 for what we call rotator cuff disease, for what we call rotator cuff disease,
397 00:18:32,067 00:18:35,276 so this frilly bone here with the little holes in it, so this frilly bone here with the little holes in it,
398 00:18:35,300 00:18:38,476 the pitting in it, which looks like osteoarthritis. the pitting in it, which looks like osteoarthritis.
399 00:18:38,500 00:18:39,743 Now, it's not osteoarthritis Now, it's not osteoarthritis
400 00:18:39,767 00:18:41,176 because it's not happening on the joint surface, because it's not happening on the joint surface,
401 00:18:41,200 00:18:42,743 but it's happening where the muscles insert but it's happening where the muscles insert
402 00:18:42,767 00:18:44,043 that stabilize the shoulder. that stabilize the shoulder.
403 00:18:44,067 00:18:47,209 And this is associated with stress And this is associated with stress
404 00:18:47,233 00:18:48,909 and strain on those tendons. and strain on those tendons.
405 00:18:48,933 00:18:52,609 We get rotator cuff disease happening in young people We get rotator cuff disease happening in young people
406 00:18:52,633 00:18:56,209 when they are cricketers or baseball pitchers. when they are cricketers or baseball pitchers.
407 00:18:56,233 00:18:59,473 - Or archers, maybe. - Maybe, maybe. - Or archers, maybe. - Maybe, maybe.
408 00:18:59,533 00:19:03,309 It is such a privilege to look at the bones from the Mary Rose. It is such a privilege to look at the bones from the Mary Rose.
409 00:19:03,333 00:19:05,476 It's something that I've wanted to be able to do It's something that I've wanted to be able to do
410 00:19:05,500 00:19:07,043 for a long time. for a long time.
411 00:19:07,067 00:19:08,176 And I think coming here And I think coming here
412 00:19:08,200 00:19:09,709 and looking at the collection, as well, and looking at the collection, as well,
413 00:19:09,733 00:19:12,043 I'm completely bowled over by it. I'm completely bowled over by it.
414 00:19:12,067 00:19:13,576 There are so many objects There are so many objects
415 00:19:13,600 00:19:16,409 and so well-preserved from the wreck. and so well-preserved from the wreck.
416 00:19:16,433 00:19:18,409 And they really do make sense And they really do make sense
417 00:19:18,433 00:19:19,743 when you look at them all together. when you look at them all together.
418 00:19:19,767 00:19:22,576 When you've got the ship and all these objects within it When you've got the ship and all these objects within it
419 00:19:22,600 00:19:24,343 and the people themselves, and the people themselves,
420 00:19:24,367 00:19:28,443 we've got this very complete picture of the lives we've got this very complete picture of the lives
421 00:19:28,467 00:19:31,567 of these mariners in the Tudor period. of these mariners in the Tudor period.
422 00:19:47,633 00:19:49,043 I'm in West Wales, I'm in West Wales,
423 00:19:49,067 00:19:52,276 on my way to the site of Strata Florida Abbey, on my way to the site of Strata Florida Abbey,
424 00:19:52,300 00:19:54,743 which in its heyday in the medieval period which in its heyday in the medieval period
425 00:19:54,767 00:19:58,443 was among the most important religious places was among the most important religious places
426 00:19:58,467 00:20:00,067 in the whole of Britain. in the whole of Britain.
427 00:20:03,433 00:20:05,776 Strata Florida stood in the shadow Strata Florida stood in the shadow
428 00:20:05,800 00:20:08,643 of the wild and remote Cambrian Mountains, of the wild and remote Cambrian Mountains,
429 00:20:08,667 00:20:12,697 far from the bustling towns and cities of Tudor Britain. far from the bustling towns and cities of Tudor Britain.
430 00:20:13,400 00:20:16,076 It was founded by Cistercian monks It was founded by Cistercian monks
431 00:20:16,100 00:20:19,476 striving for a life of hard work and solitude. striving for a life of hard work and solitude.
432 00:20:19,500 00:20:22,609 Not much of their great abbey remains today. Not much of their great abbey remains today.
433 00:20:22,633 00:20:24,909 All that can be seen are the desolate ruins All that can be seen are the desolate ruins
434 00:20:24,933 00:20:29,233 of the abbey's once-grand church and its famous archway. of the abbey's once-grand church and its famous archway.
435 00:20:30,633 00:20:32,676 But in a field nearby, a team But in a field nearby, a team
436 00:20:32,700 00:20:35,309 from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David
437 00:20:35,333 00:20:37,143 have spent the last few summers have spent the last few summers
438 00:20:37,167 00:20:41,043 slowly uncovering the remains of this Cistercian monastery. slowly uncovering the remains of this Cistercian monastery.
439 00:20:41,067 00:20:44,009 What they've found lying hidden in the landscape What they've found lying hidden in the landscape
440 00:20:44,033 00:20:45,533 is truly remarkable. is truly remarkable.
441 00:20:47,033 00:20:49,743 Leading the team are Professor David Austin Leading the team are Professor David Austin
442 00:20:49,767 00:20:51,527 and Dr. Jemma Bezant. and Dr. Jemma Bezant.
443 00:20:52,933 00:20:55,743 They've undertaken a geophysical survey, They've undertaken a geophysical survey,
444 00:20:55,767 00:20:59,209 which has revealed evidence of the buried abbey site. which has revealed evidence of the buried abbey site.
445 00:20:59,233 00:21:00,743 So is that where we are just there? So is that where we are just there?
446 00:21:00,767 00:21:02,943 This is where we are here, in this corner. This is where we are here, in this corner.
447 00:21:02,967 00:21:04,843 You've got the church... You've got the church...
448 00:21:04,867 00:21:07,309 The abbey church is over there. The abbey church is over there.
449 00:21:07,333 00:21:09,609 But also, I mean, there's an enormous building complex But also, I mean, there's an enormous building complex
450 00:21:09,633 00:21:10,876 just behind you just behind you
451 00:21:10,900 00:21:14,643 and another really large complex over by the river there. and another really large complex over by the river there.
452 00:21:14,667 00:21:16,476 And huge industrial activity down here. And huge industrial activity down here.
453 00:21:16,500 00:21:18,776 See these enormous signals there? See these enormous signals there?
454 00:21:18,800 00:21:20,143 So what do you think this is? So what do you think this is?
455 00:21:20,167 00:21:21,509 Well, we think it's iron workings, Well, we think it's iron workings,
456 00:21:21,533 00:21:24,776 'cause we've excavated an iron forge over here, 'cause we've excavated an iron forge over here,
457 00:21:24,800 00:21:27,076 so it's the whole of this southern area. so it's the whole of this southern area.
458 00:21:27,100 00:21:29,576 At some point is processing metal, At some point is processing metal,
459 00:21:29,600 00:21:31,043 coming out of their mines, coming out of their mines,
460 00:21:31,067 00:21:33,809 and their mines are just up on the hillslope over here. and their mines are just up on the hillslope over here.
461 00:21:33,833 00:21:37,309 It's amazing to think that this agricultural landscape It's amazing to think that this agricultural landscape
462 00:21:37,333 00:21:39,343 - was so busy... - Yeah. - was so busy... - Yeah.
463 00:21:39,367 00:21:41,443 ...full of industry, full of people. ...full of industry, full of people.
464 00:21:41,467 00:21:44,597 Exactly, this would have been a really busy place. Exactly, this would have been a really busy place.
465 00:21:46,200 00:21:47,776 This summer, the team are hoping This summer, the team are hoping
466 00:21:47,800 00:21:50,176 to reveal the full scale of the abbey to reveal the full scale of the abbey
467 00:21:50,200 00:21:51,709 and also to find evidence and also to find evidence
468 00:21:51,733 00:21:54,333 of the great events it bore witness to. of the great events it bore witness to.
469 00:21:56,200 00:21:59,176 I hadn't realized how important Strata Florida was, I hadn't realized how important Strata Florida was,
470 00:21:59,200 00:22:01,609 but the whole of this valley but the whole of this valley
471 00:22:01,633 00:22:05,343 would have been home to a massive monastic community, would have been home to a massive monastic community,
472 00:22:05,367 00:22:08,809 and we're just starting to get a real feeling and we're just starting to get a real feeling
473 00:22:08,833 00:22:12,473 for the extent of that from the excavations here. for the extent of that from the excavations here.
474 00:22:14,967 00:22:17,843 The excavations have uncovered the foundations The excavations have uncovered the foundations
475 00:22:17,867 00:22:20,043 of a huge stone building, of a huge stone building,
476 00:22:20,067 00:22:22,676 which the team believe is the great gatehouse which the team believe is the great gatehouse
477 00:22:22,700 00:22:25,343 guarding the entrance to the abbey. guarding the entrance to the abbey.
478 00:22:25,367 00:22:29,827 Gradually the dig has begun to reveal its original layout. Gradually the dig has begun to reveal its original layout.
479 00:22:32,067 00:22:34,276 You can just make out the plan of the building You can just make out the plan of the building
480 00:22:34,300 00:22:36,500 from the remaining walls. from the remaining walls.
481 00:22:37,533 00:22:39,209 The gatehouse would have dominated The gatehouse would have dominated
482 00:22:39,233 00:22:41,533 this flat valley floor. this flat valley floor.
483 00:22:42,633 00:22:46,043 And the road the gatehouse guarded would have stretched And the road the gatehouse guarded would have stretched
484 00:22:46,067 00:22:48,327 to the abbey church in the distance. to the abbey church in the distance.
485 00:22:51,800 00:22:53,109 You really get a sense You really get a sense
486 00:22:53,133 00:22:55,743 of how visiting dignitaries would have felt, of how visiting dignitaries would have felt,
487 00:22:55,767 00:22:59,076 confronted by this imposing structure. confronted by this imposing structure.
488 00:22:59,100 00:23:02,509 The gatehouse dig has yielded some evocative finds The gatehouse dig has yielded some evocative finds
489 00:23:02,533 00:23:04,709 which hint at the piety of the monks which hint at the piety of the monks
490 00:23:04,733 00:23:08,043 who once called this place home. who once called this place home.
491 00:23:08,067 00:23:13,043 We've got a nice find from inside the gatehouse. We've got a nice find from inside the gatehouse.
492 00:23:13,067 00:23:14,476 This piece of Bath stone This piece of Bath stone
493 00:23:14,500 00:23:17,643 that probably would have lined the archway, that probably would have lined the archway,
494 00:23:17,667 00:23:19,676 and you can see here, if you look very carefully, and you can see here, if you look very carefully,
495 00:23:19,700 00:23:21,876 - an incised cross. - Yeah, yeah. - an incised cross. - Yeah, yeah.
496 00:23:21,900 00:23:23,709 And it's almost like a good-luck talisman. And it's almost like a good-luck talisman.
497 00:23:23,733 00:23:25,243 We think people would have just touched that We think people would have just touched that
498 00:23:25,267 00:23:26,943 as they passed through the gateway as they passed through the gateway
499 00:23:26,967 00:23:29,343 on their way into the abbey church. on their way into the abbey church.
500 00:23:29,367 00:23:32,843 Other finds remind us of the great wealth the monks enjoyed, Other finds remind us of the great wealth the monks enjoyed,
501 00:23:32,867 00:23:35,576 which they lavished on their grand buildings. which they lavished on their grand buildings.
502 00:23:35,600 00:23:36,843 Are these floor tiles here? Are these floor tiles here?
503 00:23:36,867 00:23:38,409 These are floor tiles here, yes. These are floor tiles here, yes.
504 00:23:38,433 00:23:41,043 You can see this nice one shaped like a griffin You can see this nice one shaped like a griffin
505 00:23:41,067 00:23:42,209 or a dragon, if you like. or a dragon, if you like.
506 00:23:42,233 00:23:43,843 You can see the wings and the head. You can see the wings and the head.
507 00:23:43,867 00:23:46,376 And we know it was an impressive building. And we know it was an impressive building.
508 00:23:46,400 00:23:47,643 It was a large building, It was a large building,
509 00:23:47,667 00:23:50,397 so maybe it had this large impressive floor. so maybe it had this large impressive floor.
510 00:23:54,933 00:23:59,243 You tend to think of Cistercian monks seeing out solitude, You tend to think of Cistercian monks seeing out solitude,
511 00:23:59,267 00:24:02,276 finding some remote corner of the Welsh countryside. finding some remote corner of the Welsh countryside.
512 00:24:02,300 00:24:03,709 Now, it certainly is that today, Now, it certainly is that today,
513 00:24:03,733 00:24:06,543 but it wouldn't have been like that in the medieval period. but it wouldn't have been like that in the medieval period.
514 00:24:06,567 00:24:10,043 And those monks were incredibly wealthy landowners, And those monks were incredibly wealthy landowners,
515 00:24:10,067 00:24:13,476 controlling all the agricultural land around here, controlling all the agricultural land around here,
516 00:24:13,500 00:24:15,443 as well as the lead mines. as well as the lead mines.
517 00:24:15,467 00:24:19,543 And the wealth they accumulated would be their downfall. And the wealth they accumulated would be their downfall.
518 00:24:19,567 00:24:22,909 After divorcing his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, After divorcing his first wife, Catherine of Aragon,
519 00:24:22,933 00:24:25,109 Henry had set himself on a collision course Henry had set himself on a collision course
520 00:24:25,133 00:24:26,809 with the Catholic Church. with the Catholic Church.
521 00:24:26,833 00:24:29,176 The Pope excommunicated the king, The Pope excommunicated the king,
522 00:24:29,200 00:24:30,809 and Henry responded and Henry responded
523 00:24:30,833 00:24:34,143 by declaring himself the head of his own church. by declaring himself the head of his own church.
524 00:24:34,167 00:24:37,043 The break with Rome was final. The break with Rome was final.
525 00:24:37,067 00:24:40,676 After Henry's schism with Rome in 1534, After Henry's schism with Rome in 1534,
526 00:24:40,700 00:24:43,943 the time had come to finally crush the abbeys, the time had come to finally crush the abbeys,
527 00:24:43,967 00:24:46,043 which Henry's ministers had described which Henry's ministers had described
528 00:24:46,067 00:24:50,076 as bastions of corruption and papal power. as bastions of corruption and papal power.
529 00:24:50,100 00:24:51,809 And rather conveniently, And rather conveniently,
530 00:24:51,833 00:24:55,833 the king could seize the monasteries' wealth for himself. the king could seize the monasteries' wealth for himself.
531 00:24:58,967 00:25:02,176 Here at Strata Florida and across the country, Here at Strata Florida and across the country,
532 00:25:02,200 00:25:06,109 the crown seized the monks' wealth and land. the crown seized the monks' wealth and land.
533 00:25:06,133 00:25:09,243 The king then sold off the monasteries' assets quickly The king then sold off the monasteries' assets quickly
534 00:25:09,267 00:25:11,927 to free up much needed revenue. to free up much needed revenue.
535 00:25:13,300 00:25:15,876 The greatest beneficiaries of this process The greatest beneficiaries of this process
536 00:25:15,900 00:25:17,576 were the middling gentry, were the middling gentry,
537 00:25:17,600 00:25:21,176 who now had the lands to create new estates. who now had the lands to create new estates.
538 00:25:21,200 00:25:25,876 Evidence for this lies just beside the abbey ruins. Evidence for this lies just beside the abbey ruins.
539 00:25:25,900 00:25:28,043 So what have we got here? So what have we got here?
540 00:25:28,067 00:25:32,043 Well, this if part of the arrangement of the gentry house, Well, this if part of the arrangement of the gentry house,
541 00:25:32,067 00:25:34,143 which lies behind us here. which lies behind us here.
542 00:25:34,167 00:25:35,909 It's now a farmhouse. It's now a farmhouse.
543 00:25:35,933 00:25:37,743 But it was a gentry house, But it was a gentry house,
544 00:25:37,767 00:25:39,709 probably originally built around 1600. probably originally built around 1600.
545 00:25:39,733 00:25:42,209 When you say a gentry house, who were these gentry? When you say a gentry house, who were these gentry?
546 00:25:42,233 00:25:43,909 Who would have been living in that house? Who would have been living in that house?
547 00:25:43,933 00:25:46,643 It would have been a member of the Steadman family. It would have been a member of the Steadman family.
548 00:25:46,667 00:25:49,709 They come with the Earls of Essex They come with the Earls of Essex
549 00:25:49,733 00:25:51,676 here in the early part of the 16th century, here in the early part of the 16th century,
550 00:25:51,700 00:25:54,876 and the Earls of Essex acquire the lands of the abbey and the Earls of Essex acquire the lands of the abbey
551 00:25:54,900 00:25:56,176 cheap off the crown, cheap off the crown,
552 00:25:56,200 00:26:00,276 and then the aristocrats sell on to the local gentries, and then the aristocrats sell on to the local gentries,
553 00:26:00,300 00:26:03,376 and so this money filters down through the system. and so this money filters down through the system.
554 00:26:03,400 00:26:05,643 And indeed a lot of the houses in the surrounding area And indeed a lot of the houses in the surrounding area
555 00:26:05,667 00:26:08,709 used the abbey as a quarry and took stone from here. used the abbey as a quarry and took stone from here.
556 00:26:08,733 00:26:11,209 So it's not surprising that, in fact, So it's not surprising that, in fact,
557 00:26:11,233 00:26:12,909 the abbey is in such a ruin the abbey is in such a ruin
558 00:26:12,933 00:26:15,109 and there's not much of it surviving. and there's not much of it surviving.
559 00:26:15,133 00:26:18,043 It is surviving, but it's not there, it's here. It is surviving, but it's not there, it's here.
560 00:26:18,067 00:26:20,443 It's a quarry. It's an asset. It's a quarry. It's an asset.
561 00:26:20,467 00:26:22,543 We're in the early stages of capitalism. We're in the early stages of capitalism.
562 00:26:22,567 00:26:23,676 You don't leave assets You don't leave assets
563 00:26:23,700 00:26:25,309 lying around the landscape doing nothing. lying around the landscape doing nothing.
564 00:26:25,333 00:26:26,973 You strip them. You strip them.
565 00:26:29,567 00:26:31,843 Due to the actions of Henry VIII Due to the actions of Henry VIII
566 00:26:31,867 00:26:36,227 the landscape and belief system of Britain had changed forever. the landscape and belief system of Britain had changed forever.
567 00:26:37,333 00:26:41,176 Strata Florida represents this change in microcosm. Strata Florida represents this change in microcosm.
568 00:26:41,200 00:26:42,809 A new Protestant church A new Protestant church
569 00:26:42,833 00:26:46,576 was built right next to the ruins of the Catholic abbey. was built right next to the ruins of the Catholic abbey.
570 00:26:46,600 00:26:47,876 It's a sweet little church. It's a sweet little church.
571 00:26:47,900 00:26:49,076 It's a bit of a contrast It's a bit of a contrast
572 00:26:49,100 00:26:51,176 to what the abbey church would have been like. to what the abbey church would have been like.
573 00:26:51,200 00:26:55,043 Yeah, abbey church, massive, hugely ornate, Yeah, abbey church, massive, hugely ornate,
574 00:26:55,067 00:26:57,576 full of sculpture, full of vivid paint. full of sculpture, full of vivid paint.
575 00:26:57,600 00:27:00,443 And you come in here, and this plainness And you come in here, and this plainness
576 00:27:00,467 00:27:04,909 and the simplicity is a wonderful counterfoil and the simplicity is a wonderful counterfoil
577 00:27:04,933 00:27:06,843 to all that glory and magnificence to all that glory and magnificence
578 00:27:06,867 00:27:10,043 that lay in that church on the other side of the wall. that lay in that church on the other side of the wall.
579 00:27:10,067 00:27:12,343 It's very much a secular power, It's very much a secular power,
580 00:27:12,367 00:27:15,409 and that's one of the great marks of Protestantism. and that's one of the great marks of Protestantism.
581 00:27:15,433 00:27:18,076 There is an organized church, but it's a state church, There is an organized church, but it's a state church,
582 00:27:18,100 00:27:21,243 and the head of that church now is a secular authority, and the head of that church now is a secular authority,
583 00:27:21,267 00:27:22,709 is a secular king. is a secular king.
584 00:27:22,733 00:27:25,973 That's what Henry VIII delivers. That's what Henry VIII delivers.
585 00:27:27,167 00:27:29,043 We can only guess at what the monks We can only guess at what the monks
586 00:27:29,067 00:27:30,543 who once lived and worked here who once lived and worked here
587 00:27:30,567 00:27:32,709 must have made of the dissolution. must have made of the dissolution.
588 00:27:32,733 00:27:37,303 Their lives were torn apart and their world turned upside down. Their lives were torn apart and their world turned upside down.
589 00:27:38,067 00:27:39,309 The ruined monasteries The ruined monasteries
590 00:27:39,333 00:27:41,709 that lie scattered across the British landscape that lie scattered across the British landscape
591 00:27:41,733 00:27:45,376 provide a lasting reminder of the dissolution. provide a lasting reminder of the dissolution.
592 00:27:45,400 00:27:49,409 It marked the beginning of a new chapter in British history. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in British history.
593 00:27:49,433 00:27:51,143 Not only did ordinary people Not only did ordinary people
594 00:27:51,167 00:27:54,543 find themselves living in a Protestant country, find themselves living in a Protestant country,
595 00:27:54,567 00:27:58,076 they also witnessed an unprecedented redistribution they also witnessed an unprecedented redistribution
596 00:27:58,100 00:28:00,143 of wealth and land of wealth and land
597 00:28:00,167 00:28:02,643 that would have far-reaching consequences that would have far-reaching consequences
598 00:28:02,667 00:28:04,397 for our island nation. for our island nation.
599 00:28:08,367 00:28:10,309 It was during the Tudor Age It was during the Tudor Age
600 00:28:10,333 00:28:14,276 that we began to look beyond our own shores to the New World. that we began to look beyond our own shores to the New World.
601 00:28:14,300 00:28:17,743 After Columbus discovered America in 1492, After Columbus discovered America in 1492,
602 00:28:17,767 00:28:20,443 waves of daring merchant adventurers waves of daring merchant adventurers
603 00:28:20,467 00:28:23,143 set out on voyages of discovery set out on voyages of discovery
604 00:28:23,167 00:28:26,543 to find new lands and boundless wealth. to find new lands and boundless wealth.
605 00:28:26,567 00:28:28,909 And those voyages are all the more remarkable And those voyages are all the more remarkable
606 00:28:28,933 00:28:30,609 when you consider that those men when you consider that those men
607 00:28:30,633 00:28:34,673 were traveling to the very edges of the known world. were traveling to the very edges of the known world.
608 00:28:40,633 00:28:43,043 The remains of one of these merchant ships The remains of one of these merchant ships
609 00:28:43,067 00:28:47,497 is now being preserved at a saltwater lake in Portsmouth. is now being preserved at a saltwater lake in Portsmouth.
610 00:28:48,333 00:28:51,076 Today, a team of divers is going to inspect it Today, a team of divers is going to inspect it
611 00:28:51,100 00:28:53,076 for signs of decay. for signs of decay.
612 00:28:53,100 00:28:56,543 Well, this is what we've got to do today, guys. Well, this is what we've got to do today, guys.
613 00:28:56,567 00:29:00,676 Gustav Milne has played a key role in researching this ship. Gustav Milne has played a key role in researching this ship.
614 00:29:00,700 00:29:03,470 Time waits for no man. What are you waiting for? Time waits for no man. What are you waiting for?
615 00:29:10,867 00:29:13,243 The ship was originally discovered in a channel The ship was originally discovered in a channel
616 00:29:13,267 00:29:15,643 in the Thames Estuary during dredging in the Thames Estuary during dredging
617 00:29:15,667 00:29:17,927 and then moved here for safekeeping. and then moved here for safekeeping.
618 00:29:19,900 00:29:22,443 If the ship was simply brought to the surface, If the ship was simply brought to the surface,
619 00:29:22,467 00:29:25,727 it would soon begin to rot away. it would soon begin to rot away.
620 00:29:27,067 00:29:29,476 By studying the remaining timbers, By studying the remaining timbers,
621 00:29:29,500 00:29:32,709 it's been estimated it was a sizable merchant vessel it's been estimated it was a sizable merchant vessel
622 00:29:32,733 00:29:36,533 of up to 300 tons and 80 feet in length. of up to 300 tons and 80 feet in length.
623 00:29:38,300 00:29:40,843 Perhaps surprisingly for a merchant vessel, Perhaps surprisingly for a merchant vessel,
624 00:29:40,867 00:29:44,109 they discovered four cannon at the wreck site. they discovered four cannon at the wreck site.
625 00:29:44,133 00:29:47,503 You can just make out one of the surviving gun ports. You can just make out one of the surviving gun ports.
626 00:29:48,767 00:29:52,509 These ships carried merchant adventurers across the globe These ships carried merchant adventurers across the globe
627 00:29:52,533 00:29:56,103 and needed protection in uncharted waters. and needed protection in uncharted waters.
628 00:29:58,067 00:30:00,276 Despite all we know about this wreck, Despite all we know about this wreck,
629 00:30:00,300 00:30:03,600 its precise identity remains a mystery. its precise identity remains a mystery.
630 00:30:10,033 00:30:12,643 However, a vital clue was found However, a vital clue was found
631 00:30:12,667 00:30:15,027 on one of the recovered cannons. on one of the recovered cannons.
632 00:30:17,000 00:30:18,776 A team from the Royal Armouries, A team from the Royal Armouries,
633 00:30:18,800 00:30:22,276 led by Phil McGrath, discovered an intriguing link led by Phil McGrath, discovered an intriguing link
634 00:30:22,300 00:30:25,643 with the most powerful financier of the Tudor Age, with the most powerful financier of the Tudor Age,
635 00:30:25,667 00:30:27,467 Sir Thomas Gresham. Sir Thomas Gresham.
636 00:30:30,633 00:30:35,209 The first thing that struck us was, on the surface, The first thing that struck us was, on the surface,
637 00:30:35,233 00:30:39,409 quite clearly we have the "T" and the "G" quite clearly we have the "T" and the "G"
638 00:30:39,433 00:30:41,176 for "Thomas Gresham," for "Thomas Gresham,"
639 00:30:41,200 00:30:44,776 and then above that, we have the family crest and then above that, we have the family crest
640 00:30:44,800 00:30:48,000 in the form of a grasshopper. in the form of a grasshopper.
641 00:30:50,600 00:30:53,209 Gresham's legacy can still be seen Gresham's legacy can still be seen
642 00:30:53,233 00:30:55,873 in London's financial heart. in London's financial heart.
643 00:30:57,633 00:30:59,476 The dissolution of the monasteries The dissolution of the monasteries
644 00:30:59,500 00:31:01,476 released a huge amount of capital released a huge amount of capital
645 00:31:01,500 00:31:03,076 into the British economy, into the British economy,
646 00:31:03,100 00:31:05,476 and that money eventually filtered down and that money eventually filtered down
647 00:31:05,500 00:31:08,043 to entrepreneurs like Sir Thomas Gresham. to entrepreneurs like Sir Thomas Gresham.
648 00:31:08,067 00:31:11,043 It was men like Gresham who would help create It was men like Gresham who would help create
649 00:31:11,067 00:31:13,867 the City of London that we know today. the City of London that we know today.
650 00:31:17,233 00:31:19,776 He founded the Royal Exchange, He founded the Royal Exchange,
651 00:31:19,800 00:31:22,800 which was the forerunner of today's Stock Exchange. which was the forerunner of today's Stock Exchange.
652 00:31:26,067 00:31:28,376 Sir Thomas Gresham worked directly Sir Thomas Gresham worked directly
653 00:31:28,400 00:31:30,376 for the Tudor kings and queens for the Tudor kings and queens
654 00:31:30,400 00:31:32,743 and even helped save Britain from bankruptcy and even helped save Britain from bankruptcy
655 00:31:32,767 00:31:36,176 by manipulating the foreign exchange markets. by manipulating the foreign exchange markets.
656 00:31:36,200 00:31:39,843 So the Gresham ship provides us with a tangible link So the Gresham ship provides us with a tangible link
657 00:31:39,867 00:31:42,967 back to the beginnings of modern capitalism. back to the beginnings of modern capitalism.
658 00:31:46,133 00:31:48,709 In the labs of University College London, In the labs of University College London,
659 00:31:48,733 00:31:51,543 they're working to discover more about the ship's role they're working to discover more about the ship's role
660 00:31:51,567 00:31:53,197 and her crew. and her crew.
661 00:31:55,433 00:31:58,343 Many of the artifacts recovered are metallic, Many of the artifacts recovered are metallic,
662 00:31:58,367 00:32:00,276 and during a reaction with salt water, and during a reaction with salt water,
663 00:32:00,300 00:32:02,243 some of these objects have become encased some of these objects have become encased
664 00:32:02,267 00:32:05,097 by what archaeologists call concretions. by what archaeologists call concretions.
665 00:32:05,800 00:32:07,909 By removing these concretions, By removing these concretions,
666 00:32:07,933 00:32:12,109 the team hope to reveal the secrets of the Gresham ship. the team hope to reveal the secrets of the Gresham ship.
667 00:32:12,133 00:32:16,043 Processing this work is dirty, messy, heavy work. Processing this work is dirty, messy, heavy work.
668 00:32:16,067 00:32:20,509 We're using large tools, not delicate scalpels, We're using large tools, not delicate scalpels,
669 00:32:20,533 00:32:23,043 and we're creating a lot of mess. and we're creating a lot of mess.
670 00:32:23,067 00:32:25,543 A huge variety of objects A huge variety of objects
671 00:32:25,567 00:32:28,809 have emerged from within the concretions. have emerged from within the concretions.
672 00:32:28,833 00:32:32,209 Now, this, I think, is the most exciting find Now, this, I think, is the most exciting find
673 00:32:32,233 00:32:34,043 that we discovered from the concretions, that we discovered from the concretions,
674 00:32:34,067 00:32:36,643 and what we have here, we have an additional cannon, and what we have here, we have an additional cannon,
675 00:32:36,667 00:32:38,809 which is represented by this powder chamber. which is represented by this powder chamber.
676 00:32:38,833 00:32:40,376 That is fantastic. That is fantastic.
677 00:32:40,400 00:32:43,676 That really is a find and a half, worth all that bashing. That really is a find and a half, worth all that bashing.
678 00:32:43,700 00:32:45,276 We thought we had four cannons. We thought we had four cannons.
679 00:32:45,300 00:32:47,043 We have an additional powder chamber now, We have an additional powder chamber now,
680 00:32:47,067 00:32:49,497 which suggest that there was another cannon on board. which suggest that there was another cannon on board.
681 00:32:50,400 00:32:52,043 Their research has shown Their research has shown
682 00:32:52,067 00:32:54,809 just how heavily armed this ship was, just how heavily armed this ship was,
683 00:32:54,833 00:32:57,309 and it's also revealed the cargo and it's also revealed the cargo
684 00:32:57,333 00:33:00,609 which needed such formidable protection. which needed such formidable protection.
685 00:33:00,633 00:33:02,943 They've discovered numerous metal ingots, They've discovered numerous metal ingots,
686 00:33:02,967 00:33:05,267 some of which are solid lead. some of which are solid lead.
687 00:33:06,467 00:33:08,176 These would have been very valuable These would have been very valuable
688 00:33:08,200 00:33:11,300 and vital for industry and warfare. and vital for industry and warfare.
689 00:33:12,133 00:33:15,343 This is the first time I've seen these ingots, This is the first time I've seen these ingots,
690 00:33:15,367 00:33:19,343 and these are, one, extremely heavy. and these are, one, extremely heavy.
691 00:33:19,367 00:33:21,876 Just get a load of that. Just get a load of that.
692 00:33:21,900 00:33:23,576 - No I can't. Sorry. - I can't lift that. - No I can't. Sorry. - I can't lift that.
693 00:33:23,600 00:33:25,376 We've got three of a cargo We've got three of a cargo
694 00:33:25,400 00:33:30,376 of potentially 2,000 of these ingots. of potentially 2,000 of these ingots.
695 00:33:30,400 00:33:32,243 Imagine 2,000 of those in a ship. Imagine 2,000 of those in a ship.
696 00:33:32,267 00:33:34,843 That is a robust vessel. That is a robust vessel.
697 00:33:34,867 00:33:37,109 But some of the most moving objects But some of the most moving objects
698 00:33:37,133 00:33:39,833 are those that tell us about the ship's crew. are those that tell us about the ship's crew.
699 00:33:41,100 00:33:44,676 The small metal finds associated with the concretions The small metal finds associated with the concretions
700 00:33:44,700 00:33:46,676 I think have been particularly exciting. I think have been particularly exciting.
701 00:33:46,700 00:33:50,043 We have a couple of spoons, silver spoons, tableware, We have a couple of spoons, silver spoons, tableware,
702 00:33:50,067 00:33:51,676 possibly from the captain's table. possibly from the captain's table.
703 00:33:51,700 00:33:53,709 They're fairly high-status objects. They're fairly high-status objects.
704 00:33:53,733 00:33:55,873 So what do you make of this? So what do you make of this?
705 00:33:56,667 00:34:00,443 Wow, is this a candleholder? Wow, is this a candleholder?
706 00:34:00,467 00:34:03,267 The other possibility is a salt holder. The other possibility is a salt holder.
707 00:34:04,300 00:34:07,409 The intriguing finds which the team at UCL The intriguing finds which the team at UCL
708 00:34:07,433 00:34:10,343 carefully smashed out of those concretions carefully smashed out of those concretions
709 00:34:10,367 00:34:14,643 provide us with a snapshot into bustling Tudor London. provide us with a snapshot into bustling Tudor London.
710 00:34:14,667 00:34:17,043 You can just imagine the Gresham ship You can just imagine the Gresham ship
711 00:34:17,067 00:34:21,809 sailing up the Thames laden down with iron, tin, and lead. sailing up the Thames laden down with iron, tin, and lead.
712 00:34:21,833 00:34:25,043 These ships brought prosperity to the city, These ships brought prosperity to the city,
713 00:34:25,067 00:34:28,043 and they fueled whole new sectors of the economy, and they fueled whole new sectors of the economy,
714 00:34:28,067 00:34:31,676 like entertainment, which sprang up in a big way like entertainment, which sprang up in a big way
715 00:34:31,700 00:34:35,170 to help Londoners spend their hard-earned cash. to help Londoners spend their hard-earned cash.
716 00:34:39,733 00:34:43,643 This is Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of a man This is Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of a man
717 00:34:43,667 00:34:47,243 who would directly benefit from London's new prosperity, who would directly benefit from London's new prosperity,
718 00:34:47,267 00:34:51,943 our most celebrated playwright, William Shakespeare. our most celebrated playwright, William Shakespeare.
719 00:34:51,967 00:34:55,143 His plays and poems are the most well-known His plays and poems are the most well-known
720 00:34:55,167 00:34:58,643 and widely studied works of literature ever produced, and widely studied works of literature ever produced,
721 00:34:58,667 00:35:00,509 and his legacy is immense. and his legacy is immense.
722 00:35:00,533 00:35:03,543 Our everyday language is peppered with words Our everyday language is peppered with words
723 00:35:03,567 00:35:06,376 and phrases from his writing. and phrases from his writing.
724 00:35:06,400 00:35:09,376 But despite all that fame and influence, But despite all that fame and influence,
725 00:35:09,400 00:35:13,543 the man himself remains an enigma. the man himself remains an enigma.
726 00:35:13,567 00:35:17,967 Only a few fragments of evidence survive from his lifetime. Only a few fragments of evidence survive from his lifetime.
727 00:35:22,867 00:35:25,609 This summer, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust This summer, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
728 00:35:25,633 00:35:29,309 are hoping that archaeology can shed some new light are hoping that archaeology can shed some new light
729 00:35:29,333 00:35:31,076 on this remarkable man. on this remarkable man.
730 00:35:31,100 00:35:35,330 They're digging at the site of his last home, New Place. They're digging at the site of his last home, New Place.
731 00:35:36,767 00:35:39,376 We're nearly at the first stage. We're nearly at the first stage.
732 00:35:39,400 00:35:42,176 Richard Kemp was involved in organizing the dig Richard Kemp was involved in organizing the dig
733 00:35:42,200 00:35:45,409 and has brought me to the city's Guild Chapel. and has brought me to the city's Guild Chapel.
734 00:35:45,433 00:35:48,043 This medieval church would have stood right next door This medieval church would have stood right next door
735 00:35:48,067 00:35:50,843 to Shakespeare's house and today provides us to Shakespeare's house and today provides us
736 00:35:50,867 00:35:53,476 with a fantastic bird's-eye view of the dig. with a fantastic bird's-eye view of the dig.
737 00:35:53,500 00:35:58,076 Now, Shakespeare's house basically occupied this space. Now, Shakespeare's house basically occupied this space.
738 00:35:58,100 00:36:00,176 So what would the house have been like? So what would the house have been like?
739 00:36:00,200 00:36:03,276 Well, according to the historic sources that we've got, Well, according to the historic sources that we've got,
740 00:36:03,300 00:36:06,343 we've got a C-shaped house around an open courtyard. we've got a C-shaped house around an open courtyard.
741 00:36:06,367 00:36:07,476 But there's not much evidence But there's not much evidence
742 00:36:07,500 00:36:09,176 of this C-shaped house at the moment. of this C-shaped house at the moment.
743 00:36:09,200 00:36:10,843 No, there isn't because No, there isn't because
744 00:36:10,867 00:36:13,876 the whole thing was knocked down in 1702 the whole thing was knocked down in 1702
745 00:36:13,900 00:36:16,470 by the construction of a Georgian mansion. by the construction of a Georgian mansion.
746 00:36:17,533 00:36:19,443 The area at the back of the site The area at the back of the site
747 00:36:19,467 00:36:21,843 is exciting the archaeologists because it's here is exciting the archaeologists because it's here
748 00:36:21,867 00:36:24,397 that the house's rubbish would have been buried. that the house's rubbish would have been buried.
749 00:36:25,500 00:36:27,409 There's a real mix or archaeology here, There's a real mix or archaeology here,
750 00:36:27,433 00:36:30,409 and the team have found 14th-century pottery and the team have found 14th-century pottery
751 00:36:30,433 00:36:33,473 right next to 18th-century rubbish. right next to 18th-century rubbish.
752 00:36:34,067 00:36:36,343 An intriguing feature has emerged, An intriguing feature has emerged,
753 00:36:36,367 00:36:39,267 a large mysterious pit. a large mysterious pit.
754 00:36:40,067 00:36:42,443 Kevin Colls, the lead archaeologist on site, Kevin Colls, the lead archaeologist on site,
755 00:36:42,467 00:36:46,567 and Richard have conflicting theories as to what this is. and Richard have conflicting theories as to what this is.
756 00:36:47,433 00:36:48,709 I think it's a pit I think it's a pit
757 00:36:48,733 00:36:50,643 that's obviously been used to burn something, that's obviously been used to burn something,
758 00:36:50,667 00:36:53,776 and we're digging it out now to see if we can find the bottom, and we're digging it out now to see if we can find the bottom,
759 00:36:53,800 00:36:55,443 where hopefully there's charcoal where hopefully there's charcoal
760 00:36:55,467 00:36:59,076 and lots and lots of burning that we can find evidence for. and lots and lots of burning that we can find evidence for.
761 00:36:59,100 00:37:01,643 Richard has a more intriguing theory. Richard has a more intriguing theory.
762 00:37:01,667 00:37:04,043 He thinks it's a filled-in well. He thinks it's a filled-in well.
763 00:37:04,067 00:37:08,343 If it is a well, it goes deeper, and the stuff's waterlogged. If it is a well, it goes deeper, and the stuff's waterlogged.
764 00:37:08,367 00:37:11,209 When it's waterlogged, you get even more evidence preserved, When it's waterlogged, you get even more evidence preserved,
765 00:37:11,233 00:37:13,743 all the organics like socks. all the organics like socks.
766 00:37:13,767 00:37:15,209 I want to find Shakespeare's sock. I want to find Shakespeare's sock.
767 00:37:15,233 00:37:18,043 I so want to find Shakespeare's socks and shoes I so want to find Shakespeare's socks and shoes
768 00:37:18,067 00:37:22,243 and stuff that gets thrown away and normally rots down. and stuff that gets thrown away and normally rots down.
769 00:37:22,267 00:37:24,143 Yeah, I suppose we're familiar with the idea Yeah, I suppose we're familiar with the idea
770 00:37:24,167 00:37:25,676 that things survive in peat bogs, that things survive in peat bogs,
771 00:37:25,700 00:37:27,943 but equally well, things might survive in the bottom of a well. but equally well, things might survive in the bottom of a well.
772 00:37:27,967 00:37:29,376 Exactly, exactly. Exactly, exactly.
773 00:37:29,400 00:37:32,409 Now, maybe this is just a pit, but if it is a well, Now, maybe this is just a pit, but if it is a well,
774 00:37:32,433 00:37:33,643 it will take the team a while it will take the team a while
775 00:37:33,667 00:37:35,409 to get down to the waterlogged levels, to get down to the waterlogged levels,
776 00:37:35,433 00:37:38,573 where there could be surviving Tudor rubbish. where there could be surviving Tudor rubbish.
777 00:37:39,367 00:37:40,943 Have you ever done any archaeology before? Have you ever done any archaeology before?
778 00:37:40,967 00:37:42,609 - No. - Are you enjoying it? - No. - Are you enjoying it?
779 00:37:42,633 00:37:45,303 Oh, I love it, I love it. It's absolutely wonderful. Oh, I love it, I love it. It's absolutely wonderful.
780 00:37:46,400 00:37:48,276 Just being here, you really get a sense Just being here, you really get a sense
781 00:37:48,300 00:37:51,509 of the excitement and passion of everyone on site, of the excitement and passion of everyone on site,
782 00:37:51,533 00:37:54,676 all hoping to find something Shakespearean. all hoping to find something Shakespearean.
783 00:37:54,700 00:37:56,909 We don't do pot washing all the time. We don't do pot washing all the time.
784 00:37:56,933 00:37:58,743 We do trowling, as well. We do trowling, as well.
785 00:37:58,767 00:38:01,176 But you can say "finds processing." But you can say "finds processing."
786 00:38:01,200 00:38:05,043 That always sounds better than washing pots with toothbrushes. That always sounds better than washing pots with toothbrushes.
787 00:38:05,067 00:38:07,067 Yes, yes, yes, it certainly does. Yes, yes, yes, it certainly does.
788 00:38:08,467 00:38:10,909 It pretty much gets no better than this, really. It pretty much gets no better than this, really.
789 00:38:10,933 00:38:13,576 You normally dig sites which are Roman or Iron Age, You normally dig sites which are Roman or Iron Age,
790 00:38:13,600 00:38:16,409 and you can't really put yourself into the shoes and you can't really put yourself into the shoes
791 00:38:16,433 00:38:19,209 of the people who lived and worked on that site. of the people who lived and worked on that site.
792 00:38:19,233 00:38:21,076 But the archaeology of this particular site But the archaeology of this particular site
793 00:38:21,100 00:38:24,576 is just all about one man, and it's his life and times, is just all about one man, and it's his life and times,
794 00:38:24,600 00:38:27,643 and you can really begin to feel you're linking to the person and you can really begin to feel you're linking to the person
795 00:38:27,667 00:38:29,643 as we're excavating down through material as we're excavating down through material
796 00:38:29,667 00:38:32,443 which he would have walked on or threw away. which he would have walked on or threw away.
797 00:38:32,467 00:38:33,143 Yeah. Yeah.
798 00:38:33,167 00:38:34,543 Kevin and the team Kevin and the team
799 00:38:34,567 00:38:37,076 have already made some fascinating discoveries. have already made some fascinating discoveries.
800 00:38:37,100 00:38:39,909 We've got this stone roof tile here We've got this stone roof tile here
801 00:38:39,933 00:38:42,043 with the hole where the nail would have been with the hole where the nail would have been
802 00:38:42,067 00:38:43,643 to hold it in place. to hold it in place.
803 00:38:43,667 00:38:44,843 And that begins to build a picture And that begins to build a picture
804 00:38:44,867 00:38:46,543 of what the building may have looked like, of what the building may have looked like,
805 00:38:46,567 00:38:50,276 so you've got fantastic yellow stone tiles on the top. so you've got fantastic yellow stone tiles on the top.
806 00:38:50,300 00:38:53,809 We're also finding more sort of domestic household objects. We're also finding more sort of domestic household objects.
807 00:38:53,833 00:38:55,176 - Is that a plug? - It is a plug. - Is that a plug? - It is a plug.
808 00:38:55,200 00:38:57,609 It is indeed, a copper plug. It is indeed, a copper plug.
809 00:38:57,633 00:39:00,643 Then we move on to more Tudor pottery now, Then we move on to more Tudor pottery now,
810 00:39:00,667 00:39:04,409 so you've got this green-glaze Tudor cooking pot so you've got this green-glaze Tudor cooking pot
811 00:39:04,433 00:39:06,809 with burning on the bottom. with burning on the bottom.
812 00:39:06,833 00:39:09,709 So this was... this pot was put over heat. So this was... this pot was put over heat.
813 00:39:09,733 00:39:12,309 This was used, yes, exactly, exactly. This was used, yes, exactly, exactly.
814 00:39:12,333 00:39:13,609 You can see it's... Yeah, you can see the edge You can see it's... Yeah, you can see the edge
815 00:39:13,633 00:39:15,143 coming up there almost like a skillet. coming up there almost like a skillet.
816 00:39:15,167 00:39:16,443 Exactly, like a frying pan, Exactly, like a frying pan,
817 00:39:16,467 00:39:18,209 and that's perfectly in line and that's perfectly in line
818 00:39:18,233 00:39:20,276 with the sort of 16th-century date with the sort of 16th-century date
819 00:39:20,300 00:39:21,376 that we're looking for, really. that we're looking for, really.
820 00:39:21,400 00:39:22,676 Could have been used by Shakespeare. Could have been used by Shakespeare.
821 00:39:22,700 00:39:24,176 You could be holding something that's been touched You could be holding something that's been touched
822 00:39:24,200 00:39:25,700 by William Shakespeare, yeah. by William Shakespeare, yeah.
823 00:39:30,933 00:39:32,843 Shakespeare only lived here at New Place Shakespeare only lived here at New Place
824 00:39:32,867 00:39:34,409 for around 20 years. for around 20 years.
825 00:39:34,433 00:39:37,643 Archaeologically speaking, finding traces of him Archaeologically speaking, finding traces of him
826 00:39:37,667 00:39:40,276 is going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. is going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
827 00:39:40,300 00:39:45,543 But nevertheless, it's so exciting to be able dig here, But nevertheless, it's so exciting to be able dig here,
828 00:39:45,567 00:39:47,709 where we know he lived where we know he lived
829 00:39:47,733 00:39:51,376 and where we imagine we might be able to get a closer glimpse and where we imagine we might be able to get a closer glimpse
830 00:39:51,400 00:39:53,230 of the Bard himself. of the Bard himself.
831 00:39:56,667 00:39:59,709 This site was first dug by the Victorians This site was first dug by the Victorians
832 00:39:59,733 00:40:01,509 in a time before archaeology in a time before archaeology
833 00:40:01,533 00:40:03,833 was a rigorous modern discipline. was a rigorous modern discipline.
834 00:40:04,567 00:40:08,376 Rather intriguingly, they built a number of puzzling walls Rather intriguingly, they built a number of puzzling walls
835 00:40:08,400 00:40:12,330 and sealed brick boxes to preserve what they found. and sealed brick boxes to preserve what they found.
836 00:40:15,467 00:40:17,709 You can feel the buzz of anticipation You can feel the buzz of anticipation
837 00:40:17,733 00:40:20,533 as the team prepare to open one of these boxes. as the team prepare to open one of these boxes.
838 00:40:22,467 00:40:25,009 Here we are basically excavating the cellar area. Here we are basically excavating the cellar area.
839 00:40:25,033 00:40:27,709 There's all these almost brick boxes, There's all these almost brick boxes,
840 00:40:27,733 00:40:30,143 so we're just about to open the last one of them so we're just about to open the last one of them
841 00:40:30,167 00:40:32,609 and see what we can find. and see what we can find.
842 00:40:32,633 00:40:34,103 It's really exciting! It's really exciting!
843 00:40:36,167 00:40:38,209 So it's like the opening of Tutankhamen's tomb. So it's like the opening of Tutankhamen's tomb.
844 00:40:38,233 00:40:39,676 Almost. Almost. Almost. Almost.
845 00:40:39,700 00:40:41,509 I know how Howard Carter felt. I know how Howard Carter felt.
846 00:40:41,533 00:40:43,376 That's the side, I should think. That's the side, I should think.
847 00:40:43,400 00:40:46,309 It's thrilling to think that after 150 years It's thrilling to think that after 150 years
848 00:40:46,333 00:40:48,976 its contents will be revealed. its contents will be revealed.
849 00:40:49,000 00:40:51,409 Ah. Ah.
850 00:40:51,433 00:40:52,976 Snails have got in there. Snails have got in there.
851 00:40:53,000 00:40:54,309 Snails. Snails.
852 00:40:54,333 00:40:57,509 Well, not exactly like Tutankhamen's tomb, Well, not exactly like Tutankhamen's tomb,
853 00:40:57,533 00:40:59,573 but there is something else in here. but there is something else in here.
854 00:41:01,067 00:41:02,876 That's interesting. That's interesting.
855 00:41:02,900 00:41:06,143 So, Kevin, what do you think we've got here? So, Kevin, what do you think we've got here?
856 00:41:06,167 00:41:09,676 What I think we've got here is 1702 cellar walls What I think we've got here is 1702 cellar walls
857 00:41:09,700 00:41:12,043 of the property that replaced Shakespeare's house of the property that replaced Shakespeare's house
858 00:41:12,067 00:41:13,043 on this site. on this site.
859 00:41:13,067 00:41:14,509 Whether any of these bricks Whether any of these bricks
860 00:41:14,533 00:41:17,609 are reused from Shakespeare's house, we'll have to look at. are reused from Shakespeare's house, we'll have to look at.
861 00:41:17,633 00:41:20,409 So these could be Tudor bricks, but they've been reused? So these could be Tudor bricks, but they've been reused?
862 00:41:20,433 00:41:23,209 Yes, basically the thinness of these bricks Yes, basically the thinness of these bricks
863 00:41:23,233 00:41:25,309 seem to suggest that these are quite old, seem to suggest that these are quite old,
864 00:41:25,333 00:41:28,309 so these might be 16th-century bricks, Tudor bricks. so these might be 16th-century bricks, Tudor bricks.
865 00:41:28,333 00:41:30,943 It definitely feels like we're getting closer, It definitely feels like we're getting closer,
866 00:41:30,967 00:41:33,809 but Shakespeare seems to be just out of reach but Shakespeare seems to be just out of reach
867 00:41:33,833 00:41:34,873 here at the dig. here at the dig.
868 00:41:39,700 00:41:43,709 Shakespeare didn't leave much evidence behind for historians. Shakespeare didn't leave much evidence behind for historians.
869 00:41:43,733 00:41:46,043 So the few documents that survive So the few documents that survive
870 00:41:46,067 00:41:48,476 have proved vital in piecing together have proved vital in piecing together
871 00:41:48,500 00:41:51,530 what little we do actually know about his life. what little we do actually know about his life.
872 00:41:52,400 00:41:55,609 I've come to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives I've come to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives
873 00:41:55,633 00:41:57,476 to see a key piece of evidence to see a key piece of evidence
874 00:41:57,500 00:42:01,370 that tells us both about New Place and the man himself. that tells us both about New Place and the man himself.
875 00:42:02,167 00:42:04,676 Dr. Paul Edmondson is a leading authority Dr. Paul Edmondson is a leading authority
876 00:42:04,700 00:42:07,743 on Shakespeare's life and works. on Shakespeare's life and works.
877 00:42:07,767 00:42:09,876 This is known as the New Place fine, This is known as the New Place fine,
878 00:42:09,900 00:42:11,076 and it established and it established
879 00:42:11,100 00:42:14,309 Shakespeare's legal entitlement to the property, Shakespeare's legal entitlement to the property,
880 00:42:14,333 00:42:16,909 which Shakespeare paid £60 for. which Shakespeare paid £60 for.
881 00:42:16,933 00:42:20,843 And because the purchase deed was usually half the cost And because the purchase deed was usually half the cost
882 00:42:20,867 00:42:23,676 of the overall property, of the overall property,
883 00:42:23,700 00:42:27,276 we suspect that therefore Shakespeare paid £120 we suspect that therefore Shakespeare paid £120
884 00:42:27,300 00:42:29,043 - for New Place. - That must have been - for New Place. - That must have been
885 00:42:29,067 00:42:30,443 a decent amount of money back then. a decent amount of money back then.
886 00:42:30,467 00:42:32,043 Quite a lot in those days. Quite a lot in those days.
887 00:42:32,067 00:42:36,076 Just remember that a schoolmaster at that time Just remember that a schoolmaster at that time
888 00:42:36,100 00:42:38,709 earned £20 a year. earned £20 a year.
889 00:42:38,733 00:42:42,143 It just kind of gives you the scale of the investment. It just kind of gives you the scale of the investment.
890 00:42:42,167 00:42:46,243 And a kind of juicy fact about this particular purchase And a kind of juicy fact about this particular purchase
891 00:42:46,267 00:42:50,143 is that the person who lived there before Shakespeare is that the person who lived there before Shakespeare
892 00:42:50,167 00:42:53,243 was murdered by his son Fulke Underhill, was murdered by his son Fulke Underhill,
893 00:42:53,267 00:42:54,676 - who was executed at Warwick. - Really? - who was executed at Warwick. - Really?
894 00:42:54,700 00:42:59,376 Yeah, and the surviving son, Hercules Underhill... Yeah, and the surviving son, Hercules Underhill...
895 00:42:59,400 00:43:01,376 - Fantastic name. - Isn't that fantastic? - Fantastic name. - Isn't that fantastic?
896 00:43:01,400 00:43:04,809 ...is the one who's involved in this purchase deed. ...is the one who's involved in this purchase deed.
897 00:43:04,833 00:43:08,143 It's the biggest privately owned residence in Stratford. It's the biggest privately owned residence in Stratford.
898 00:43:08,167 00:43:11,376 Yeah, and, Paul, even though this isn't a document Yeah, and, Paul, even though this isn't a document
899 00:43:11,400 00:43:13,643 that Shakespeare wrote himself, that Shakespeare wrote himself,
900 00:43:13,667 00:43:16,643 we can imagine that he would have held it in his hand. we can imagine that he would have held it in his hand.
901 00:43:16,667 00:43:18,076 Oh, absolutely. Oh, absolutely.
902 00:43:18,100 00:43:20,043 He saved money on it, too, He saved money on it, too,
903 00:43:20,067 00:43:22,076 because you'll notice that there's a space here because you'll notice that there's a space here
904 00:43:22,100 00:43:25,109 for a grand capital letter which has never been filled in, for a grand capital letter which has never been filled in,
905 00:43:25,133 00:43:27,809 'cause it would have been more money, which is good to know. 'cause it would have been more money, which is good to know.
906 00:43:27,833 00:43:30,533 "Paid my 60 quid. That's enough. Thanks very much." "Paid my 60 quid. That's enough. Thanks very much."
907 00:43:32,067 00:43:34,043 Well, the team haven't found anything Well, the team haven't found anything
908 00:43:34,067 00:43:35,643 that can change our understanding of Shakespeare that can change our understanding of Shakespeare
909 00:43:35,667 00:43:37,209 just yet. just yet.
910 00:43:37,233 00:43:40,276 But I do feel I've got a sense of this man, But I do feel I've got a sense of this man,
911 00:43:40,300 00:43:42,930 his wealth, and his thriftiness. his wealth, and his thriftiness.
912 00:43:51,900 00:43:53,476 And there's another place And there's another place
913 00:43:53,500 00:43:56,570 where clues about his life can be found. where clues about his life can be found.
914 00:44:02,867 00:44:04,676 Like many young men of his time, Like many young men of his time,
915 00:44:04,700 00:44:06,876 Shakespeare left his home in the provinces Shakespeare left his home in the provinces
916 00:44:06,900 00:44:09,876 and came here to London to seek his fortune. and came here to London to seek his fortune.
917 00:44:09,900 00:44:12,543 The streets weren't exactly paved with gold, The streets weren't exactly paved with gold,
918 00:44:12,567 00:44:16,209 but nevertheless, it was here in the thriving city but nevertheless, it was here in the thriving city
919 00:44:16,233 00:44:18,073 that he made his name. that he made his name.
920 00:44:19,567 00:44:22,443 We've already seen Shakespeare's earliest theater We've already seen Shakespeare's earliest theater
921 00:44:22,467 00:44:23,809 being excavated. being excavated.
922 00:44:23,833 00:44:25,243 But discoveries at the Rose But discoveries at the Rose
923 00:44:25,267 00:44:28,543 and the Globe playhouses in the late 1980s, and the Globe playhouses in the late 1980s,
924 00:44:28,567 00:44:30,543 have helped build a picture of the world have helped build a picture of the world
925 00:44:30,567 00:44:32,697 in which he lived and worked. in which he lived and worked.
926 00:44:34,367 00:44:36,709 This very ordinary-looking building This very ordinary-looking building
927 00:44:36,733 00:44:40,343 contains an extraordinary archaeological collection. contains an extraordinary archaeological collection.
928 00:44:40,367 00:44:43,376 It's the Museum of London's archives, It's the Museum of London's archives,
929 00:44:43,400 00:44:46,043 and it's the largest stores of its kind in Europe, and it's the largest stores of its kind in Europe,
930 00:44:46,067 00:44:50,443 housing over 750,000 individual objects, housing over 750,000 individual objects,
931 00:44:50,467 00:44:55,543 including those found at the Rose and the Globe playhouses. including those found at the Rose and the Globe playhouses.
932 00:44:55,567 00:44:57,576 I'm here to see Julian Bowsher, I'm here to see Julian Bowsher,
933 00:44:57,600 00:45:00,600 who has led the research into these playhouses. who has led the research into these playhouses.
934 00:45:01,700 00:45:03,876 Julian, we meet again. Julian, we meet again.
935 00:45:03,900 00:45:05,043 - Alice, how are you? - Hello. - Alice, how are you? - Hello.
936 00:45:05,067 00:45:06,067 Good to see you again. Good to see you again.
937 00:45:06,733 00:45:09,109 Through this labyrinthine area. Through this labyrinthine area.
938 00:45:09,133 00:45:12,709 Here, finds from across London are brought to be washed, Here, finds from across London are brought to be washed,
939 00:45:12,733 00:45:15,176 dried, and cataloged. dried, and cataloged.
940 00:45:15,200 00:45:18,276 The same system was used for the thousands of finds The same system was used for the thousands of finds
941 00:45:18,300 00:45:19,843 from the Rose and Globe digs. from the Rose and Globe digs.
942 00:45:19,867 00:45:22,809 ...come in here, where it'll get dried out. ...come in here, where it'll get dried out.
943 00:45:22,833 00:45:25,676 After 20 years' work, Julian and his team After 20 years' work, Julian and his team
944 00:45:25,700 00:45:27,576 have just published their findings. have just published their findings.
945 00:45:27,600 00:45:30,643 The artifacts recovered offer us fascinating clues The artifacts recovered offer us fascinating clues
946 00:45:30,667 00:45:32,827 about life in Shakespeare's theaters. about life in Shakespeare's theaters.
947 00:45:33,700 00:45:35,643 Well, the interesting thing, really, about the playhouse Well, the interesting thing, really, about the playhouse
948 00:45:35,667 00:45:37,809 is that it's the beginning of modern theater. is that it's the beginning of modern theater.
949 00:45:37,833 00:45:40,109 These are purpose-built venues, These are purpose-built venues,
950 00:45:40,133 00:45:41,809 and you had to go through a door and pay money. and you had to go through a door and pay money.
951 00:45:41,833 00:45:43,443 And this is what you paid. And this is what you paid.
952 00:45:43,467 00:45:45,709 You paid a penny to get in to the main door You paid a penny to get in to the main door
953 00:45:45,733 00:45:47,576 so you could stand in the center. so you could stand in the center.
954 00:45:47,600 00:45:48,876 Or you could pay another penny Or you could pay another penny
955 00:45:48,900 00:45:51,043 to get into the galleries around the edge to get into the galleries around the edge
956 00:45:51,067 00:45:52,609 and a third one to sit at the top, and a third one to sit at the top,
957 00:45:52,633 00:45:53,943 where you get the best view. where you get the best view.
958 00:45:53,967 00:45:58,309 So they all went into one of these ceramic money boxes, So they all went into one of these ceramic money boxes,
959 00:45:58,333 00:46:00,176 of which we've just got the lid. of which we've just got the lid.
960 00:46:00,200 00:46:02,109 So this would have been a completely sealed pot? So this would have been a completely sealed pot?
961 00:46:02,133 00:46:04,776 Oh, yes, like piggy banks, so you've got a little slot Oh, yes, like piggy banks, so you've got a little slot
962 00:46:04,800 00:46:08,243 in the side there where the coin's going to go, in the side there where the coin's going to go,
963 00:46:08,267 00:46:09,609 and at the end of the day, and at the end of the day,
964 00:46:09,633 00:46:12,043 they would have gone back to the sort of management area, they would have gone back to the sort of management area,
965 00:46:12,067 00:46:14,609 if you like, which is where they were smashed. if you like, which is where they were smashed.
966 00:46:14,633 00:46:15,943 That's why we have the pieces. That's why we have the pieces.
967 00:46:15,967 00:46:17,643 And the whole lot, all the money, And the whole lot, all the money,
968 00:46:17,667 00:46:20,409 emptied into a box, and that's the box office. emptied into a box, and that's the box office.
969 00:46:20,433 00:46:22,576 And is that where we get the term "box office" from, then? And is that where we get the term "box office" from, then?
970 00:46:22,600 00:46:25,209 Absolutely. Yes, yes. Yes. Absolutely. Yes, yes. Yes.
971 00:46:25,233 00:46:27,509 So a lot of the other evidence we're looking for So a lot of the other evidence we're looking for
972 00:46:27,533 00:46:30,243 is what people are consuming inside the building. is what people are consuming inside the building.
973 00:46:30,267 00:46:34,109 We know about people who'd have the kind of usherette's tray We know about people who'd have the kind of usherette's tray
974 00:46:34,133 00:46:37,409 of pints of beer, even, bottled beer. of pints of beer, even, bottled beer.
975 00:46:37,433 00:46:41,509 And here we've got one of the most common comestibles And here we've got one of the most common comestibles
976 00:46:41,533 00:46:43,309 that they've got, hazelnuts, that they've got, hazelnuts,
977 00:46:43,333 00:46:46,343 found underneath the galleries 'round the edge. found underneath the galleries 'round the edge.
978 00:46:46,367 00:46:48,676 So these hazelnuts are the popcorn So these hazelnuts are the popcorn
979 00:46:48,700 00:46:50,643 and peanuts of the Tudor era? and peanuts of the Tudor era?
980 00:46:50,667 00:46:52,443 It's the Tudor popcorn. It's the Tudor popcorn.
981 00:46:52,467 00:46:54,909 And, of course, the other new comestible And, of course, the other new comestible
982 00:46:54,933 00:46:58,603 that we find in the theaters is the evil weed. that we find in the theaters is the evil weed.
983 00:46:59,433 00:47:01,709 Tobacco, that'd only been brought to Britain Tobacco, that'd only been brought to Britain
984 00:47:01,733 00:47:05,076 about 30 years before in the 1550s or so. about 30 years before in the 1550s or so.
985 00:47:05,100 00:47:09,276 And these very typical Tudor pipes. And these very typical Tudor pipes.
986 00:47:09,300 00:47:10,743 They're all very tiny They're all very tiny
987 00:47:10,767 00:47:13,209 because I think it's probably related to the price of tobacco. because I think it's probably related to the price of tobacco.
988 00:47:13,233 00:47:15,309 - Right. - You can't fit much in there. - Right. - You can't fit much in there.
989 00:47:15,333 00:47:17,443 So this is the new fad? So this is the new fad?
990 00:47:17,467 00:47:19,776 It is, and certainly quite popular. It is, and certainly quite popular.
991 00:47:19,800 00:47:22,576 As well as objects associated with the audience, As well as objects associated with the audience,
992 00:47:22,600 00:47:26,543 some of the finds might relate to the actors themselves. some of the finds might relate to the actors themselves.
993 00:47:26,567 00:47:28,343 This is a brush. This is a brush.
994 00:47:28,367 00:47:32,176 A very tiny, delicate brush made of bone, A very tiny, delicate brush made of bone,
995 00:47:32,200 00:47:33,909 a nice little bone handle, a nice little bone handle,
996 00:47:33,933 00:47:37,309 with just a fragment of its bristles left. with just a fragment of its bristles left.
997 00:47:37,333 00:47:39,909 The exciting thing about this is it's just the sort of brush The exciting thing about this is it's just the sort of brush
998 00:47:39,933 00:47:42,709 that actors would use for makeup, that actors would use for makeup,
999 00:47:42,733 00:47:44,176 and don't forget that Shakespeare and don't forget that Shakespeare
1000 00:47:44,200 00:47:45,876 was an actor, as well. was an actor, as well.
1001 00:47:45,900 00:47:49,209 So we're looking at Shakespeare and his fellows So we're looking at Shakespeare and his fellows
1002 00:47:49,233 00:47:52,209 probably rushing off to do the final bit of makeup probably rushing off to do the final bit of makeup
1003 00:47:52,233 00:47:53,773 before walking onto the stage. before walking onto the stage.
1004 00:47:54,633 00:47:56,109 Which is really rather nice. Which is really rather nice.
1005 00:47:56,133 00:47:57,943 Isn't that lovely? Isn't that lovely?
1006 00:47:57,967 00:48:00,276 But these stores also contain evidence But these stores also contain evidence
1007 00:48:00,300 00:48:03,076 of Elizabethan London's darker side. of Elizabethan London's darker side.
1008 00:48:03,100 00:48:05,743 Outside the city walls, prostitution, gambling, Outside the city walls, prostitution, gambling,
1009 00:48:05,767 00:48:09,176 and brutal blood sports were commonplace. and brutal blood sports were commonplace.
1010 00:48:09,200 00:48:12,409 Next to the playhouses on Bankside, Next to the playhouses on Bankside,
1011 00:48:12,433 00:48:13,876 there were animal-baiting pits. there were animal-baiting pits.
1012 00:48:13,900 00:48:15,343 So right alongside the playhouses? So right alongside the playhouses?
1013 00:48:15,367 00:48:16,709 Yeah, next to the playhouses. Yeah, next to the playhouses.
1014 00:48:16,733 00:48:19,709 And they had bears, horses that were being baited And they had bears, horses that were being baited
1015 00:48:19,733 00:48:23,343 by very powerful mastiff dogs like this. by very powerful mastiff dogs like this.
1016 00:48:23,367 00:48:26,609 This was found in one of the bearbaiting rings This was found in one of the bearbaiting rings
1017 00:48:26,633 00:48:28,643 next door to The Rose. next door to The Rose.
1018 00:48:28,667 00:48:31,909 So do you think it would have been a different class of person So do you think it would have been a different class of person
1019 00:48:31,933 00:48:35,776 that was going to the bearbaiting and the theater? that was going to the bearbaiting and the theater?
1020 00:48:35,800 00:48:37,309 I'm afraid not. I'm afraid not.
1021 00:48:37,333 00:48:42,176 They regarded it all as part of an afternoon's entertainment. They regarded it all as part of an afternoon's entertainment.
1022 00:48:42,200 00:48:45,643 One of the interesting pieces we've found is a bone. One of the interesting pieces we've found is a bone.
1023 00:48:45,667 00:48:50,943 It's a femur, the upper thigh bone of a European brown bear. It's a femur, the upper thigh bone of a European brown bear.
1024 00:48:50,967 00:48:55,343 In fact, we've found teeth marks here In fact, we've found teeth marks here
1025 00:48:55,367 00:48:57,876 which our four osteologists have identified which our four osteologists have identified
1026 00:48:57,900 00:49:00,643 as precisely the sort of teeth made by a mastiff. as precisely the sort of teeth made by a mastiff.
1027 00:49:00,667 00:49:03,909 And playhouses and the bearbaiting arenas And playhouses and the bearbaiting arenas
1028 00:49:03,933 00:49:06,043 were outside the city. were outside the city.
1029 00:49:06,067 00:49:07,309 The city was becoming The city was becoming
1030 00:49:07,333 00:49:11,443 under increasingly puritanical jurisdiction, under increasingly puritanical jurisdiction,
1031 00:49:11,467 00:49:14,109 and these sorts of activities were slightly frowned upon and these sorts of activities were slightly frowned upon
1032 00:49:14,133 00:49:15,776 by the city fathers. by the city fathers.
1033 00:49:15,800 00:49:18,409 So they're very much situated outside the city, So they're very much situated outside the city,
1034 00:49:18,433 00:49:20,376 particularly in areas like Bankside. particularly in areas like Bankside.
1035 00:49:20,400 00:49:24,509 The plays, the blood sports, the brothels, the drinking dens, The plays, the blood sports, the brothels, the drinking dens,
1036 00:49:24,533 00:49:26,209 the gambling dens. the gambling dens.
1037 00:49:26,233 00:49:29,233 - The seamier side of Tudor life. - Absolutely, yes. - The seamier side of Tudor life. - Absolutely, yes.
1038 00:49:34,267 00:49:35,643 The archaeology of Tudor London The archaeology of Tudor London
1039 00:49:35,667 00:49:39,076 gives us a real insight into the city during this period gives us a real insight into the city during this period
1040 00:49:39,100 00:49:41,243 and allows us to peer more closely and allows us to peer more closely
1041 00:49:41,267 00:49:43,043 at all levels of society, at all levels of society,
1042 00:49:43,067 00:49:45,909 from kings and queens down to the ordinary people. from kings and queens down to the ordinary people.
1043 00:49:45,933 00:49:48,543 It's like Shakespeare's plays in that respect. It's like Shakespeare's plays in that respect.
1044 00:49:48,567 00:49:51,209 We get to peer inside the royal palaces We get to peer inside the royal palaces
1045 00:49:51,233 00:49:52,676 and look at the rabble and look at the rabble
1046 00:49:52,700 00:49:56,300 who attended the bearbaiting arenas and the playhouses. who attended the bearbaiting arenas and the playhouses.
1047 00:50:09,567 00:50:13,443 The digs and dives I've visited across Britain this year The digs and dives I've visited across Britain this year
1048 00:50:13,467 00:50:16,743 have allowed me to reach out and touch the men and women have allowed me to reach out and touch the men and women
1049 00:50:16,767 00:50:18,697 who lived during the Tudor Age... who lived during the Tudor Age...
1050 00:50:19,600 00:50:21,976 ...the wealthy monks, who once thrived ...the wealthy monks, who once thrived
1051 00:50:22,000 00:50:25,209 in the now-desolate ruins of Strata Florida in the now-desolate ruins of Strata Florida
1052 00:50:25,233 00:50:28,303 and suffered the full fury of Henry VIII... and suffered the full fury of Henry VIII...
1053 00:50:30,333 00:50:33,109 ...the newly rich merchants and financiers ...the newly rich merchants and financiers
1054 00:50:33,133 00:50:35,009 who sent ships and crews who sent ships and crews
1055 00:50:35,033 00:50:38,173 to trade at the edges of the known world... to trade at the edges of the known world...
1056 00:50:39,467 00:50:43,009 ...and the men who fought and died for their king, ...and the men who fought and died for their king,
1057 00:50:43,033 00:50:46,133 as the Mary Rose went to the bottom of the sea... as the Mary Rose went to the bottom of the sea...
1058 00:50:49,000 00:50:51,743 ...and, most thrillingly of all, ...and, most thrillingly of all,
1059 00:50:51,767 00:50:53,409 Shakespeare himself. Shakespeare himself.
1060 00:50:53,433 00:50:56,133 It does send a bit of a shiver down the spine, doesn't it? It does send a bit of a shiver down the spine, doesn't it?
1061 00:50:57,567 00:51:00,576 But as always, archaeology has unearthed But as always, archaeology has unearthed
1062 00:51:00,600 00:51:03,409 just as many questions as answers, just as many questions as answers,
1063 00:51:03,433 00:51:06,773 and so the digging for Tudor Britain continues. and so the digging for Tudor Britain continues.