Corridors of Power (Westminster Abbey, London) | Series 17 Episode 1 | Time Team

After you watch this episode, check out an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview of Time Team’s brand new 2021 digs on the Time Team Official KZbin Channel!
Iron Age settlement (Cornwall): • FIRST LOOK: Time Team ...
Roman villa (Oxfordshire): • FIRST LOOK: Time Team ...
Tony Robinson, Professor Mick Aston and the team investigate one of Britain's greatest historic landmarks: Westminster Abbey. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of Parliament Square, the archaeologists have three days to pin down the location of a lost sacristy, a stronghold that was built by Henry III almost 800 years ago and said to have housed the biggest collection of treasure this side of the Alps.
Series 17, Episode 01
Time Team is a British TV series following specialists who dig deep to uncover as much as they can about Britain's archaeology and history.
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[@ishineandburn]

Haha I remember watches these episodes rattling off smack. I was always in that state back then. But now completely turned my life around. Thank you time team you helped keep my hopes and dreams alive

[@goldieandblackie]

Your still a smack head today.

[@dannydyerschocolatehumuncl2418]

I remember doing exactly the same. Hope you're going well

[@alextw1488]

Paul Blinkhorn's t-shirt provides important dating evidence. This show was filmed post May 2005 and pre May 2019. Up the Reds!

[@klackon1]

I didn't look at it properly, so thought it related to his favourite Rugby League team - St. Helen's.

[@alextw1488]

@@klackon1 I've noticed him wearing Saints' regalia too but these were definitely European Cups🙂 Makes you think about the tokens and favours people have carried and worn throughout history.

[@blackbob3358]

@@alextw1488 used to like him, until i saw that . proper scoucers do'nt do that.. sad really....ALAW.

[@maxsdad538]

The heading "Season 17 Episode 1" provides even better dating evidence, Slick. It aired April 18th, 2010.

[@carolynrees1779]

Time team is timeless

[@cdd4248]

I love TT - I get absolutely lost in archeology and history for 40+ minutes and it is such a treat!

[@hollyevolving]

Warwick Rodwell's energy and intensity are also really enjoyable, along with everything else in this episode. How much he cared and how excited he was just radiate through the screen.

[@DJMarcO138]

I love all of Time Team, and it's always an especially good episode with Helen AND Bettany. I also love the little interactions...Phil and Raksha are fun pair when they work together. Tony antagonizing everyone. Seeing Mick get excited about a dig - all good fun!

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

Great to watch, in the new Time Team I will miss the old crowd members who have sadly died or gone onto other things.

[@markgarin6355]

They will probably did up the ones that have gone...in a future episode.

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

@@markgarin6355 Ooh, cruel...

[@asdomega]

Who died?

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

@@asdomega It was 20 years ago,Mick Aston has gone to the great dig in the sky.

[@alanbrown9928]

@@yereverluvinuncleber he died in 2013

[@molanlabexm15]

This show is so comfy and wholesome.

[@davidrenton]

i remember watching Time Team back when it 1st aired, but fell of what must be 20 years ago, now on a TT binge,

[@bigmull]

Brings back many memories from when i was the Head Custodian of The Chapter House and Pyx Chamber.

[@breal1577]

I was head of the wu tang 36 chambers. Nice to meet you. Protect your neck. 🙏

[@YouarethinkinglikeAlbertFish]

Be thankful you weren't in Slytherin!

[@orwellboy1958]

I remember the first Time Team, they weren't even allowed to break the ground, this just proves how far they had come.

[@Clearphish]

Galilee = French - Galerie, an Indoor or outdoor room (of an apartment, of a building), much longer than it is wide and which serves as a passage, a release or which allows several rooms on the same floor to be connected.

[@ssrc30]

The Abbey really is one of the most incredible places. So much history happens there even to this day. I was there in early 1999 and have never forgotten it. Can't wait to go back.

[@lynnefigg4204]

I agree with you. I still watch all of the old Time Team series. Miss all of the older people. Lynne.

[@brothermaleuspraetor9505]

I love this type of Stone Masons' architecture. The male/female towers of the Sun and the Moon, the triangular entranceway with the spirit/soul maintaining balance because of the very presence of the two towers, and the two smaller apertures either side of the main entrance door. A detailed rosette, carved from many pieces of sandstone, all inter-locking perfectly to create the final stunning flower head. Then as with a Cathedral or Abbey of this size- you will have flying buttresses; ADditional vertical structure, supporting the walls with arches incorporated into the integral connection from wall to buttress and this itself makes for a beautiful architectural feature. You can see them all stood in a row and it just amplifies the grandeur of the structure even more! I love it all!!!🥰 Then inside, too, you see vaulted arches, round circles within the arches - on doorways, ceilings, windows and corridors.. Curved, truncated columns blossoming at the top- even just on a doorway.. Oh, Such beautiful carvings in the stone. I love towers and round turrets, spiral staircases and my favourite feature of all... The stained glass windows! I love how the colourful light streaks through the window across a room, corridor or balcony. Beautiful craftsmanship, never ceases to bring a tear to my eye, seriously it moves you, with it's immensity. People poured their love and heart into this work and it is passed onto you when you lay your eyes upon it, especially for the first time.🥲

[@jujucox694]

Mick was delightful.

[@MendTheWorld]

Bettany Hughes! 😍. Already a bonus in this episode!

[@terencebennison6275]

Never enough time team days on digs such as this! This was special.

[@carolynrees1779]

Time team is timeless

[@tumbler9025]

Finally caught up to newest Vid Love the show love History keep up all the great work that all of you do ).

[@martinmarsola6477]

A wonderful journey. Thank you. 🇬🇧😊👍🇬🇧

[@jerryumfress9030]

I'm fascinated with this series. My ancestors came over from England in the 1760s, I feel a kinship with that part of the world

[@albundy9597]

Yeah right, makes a change though, usually Americans like to say they are Irish.

[@2_thumbs_up_baby]

Love this channel 💜

[@stephendoherty2010]

A most excellent show! Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@stuartbrown3239]

Great episode Loved it

[@annfahy9089]

Love these programmes

[@fredkamsteeg2715]

Great to see this first excavation of Time Team in 2010 and to see the massive works now being done on Google Maps.

[@c.a.mcdivitt9722]

One has to appreciate that "Corridors of Power" can mean the sancrosect- or the fact they nearly dug up the power line...

[@richardgrace4500]

I was hoping for power line... would have been the most shocking episode 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dancingwiththedarkness3352]

A grand theater for the rituals and politics of power. Where the greatest and the least come together under the roof of their common religion, where all are equal under God. Kings rise and fall, wars and revolutions come and go, but this place remains, where kings begin and end.

[@mikehancho2082]

How you know you made it big as an archaeologist. Being invited/obtaining a permit to dig on the grounds of Westminster Abbey.

[@ponyrang]

Wow... !!! My best friend, Great... We liked and enjoyed to the end. Thanks Have a happy day!

[@alangarlic3660]

My favorite archeologist

[@annethomas9302]

Music is fantastic.

[@smileynoshots5219]

3:03 hair looking good with the wind blowing, I like it 😆

[@johankan3757]

Tnx for this video

[@cagrangersealninja3720]

Instant like 👍

[@annethomas9302]

Mind boggling.

[@StanSwan]

I grew up Catholic and was an alter boy. The secracy was behind the wall behind the alter. The priests would bless the water and wine there.

[@jodylarson5317]

sacristy* ... same root word as for sacred

[@albundy9597]

and maybe do a bit of shirt lifting.

[@kmanyrivers]

Long live Mick!

[@robertmcgovern8850]

40:00 "you won't go in anywhere older in London." Errm ... temple of Mithras?

[@sithus1966]

What is interesting now is that Google Maps images show continuing excavations of this area.

[@christinavuyk2026]

Oooh those must have been high status guys in those chalk graves 😄

[@alisterx8698]

LETS SEE PHIL!!!

[@stevemarshall3481]

I've watched this particular episode several times, certainly one if the best they done in my eyes👍one question, what's in the cellar ??

[@ssrc30]

I believe there's a crypt or a catacombs down there but don't quote me on that. Could be a games room with a sauna 😛

[@anotherbrickoutthewall9237]

Ohhh arrre Tony Church! I'll have to dig out my Sunday best.... Stone the crows

[@thesandsie13the2nd]

i'm thinking Phil saying ' hello what the devil is that?' is not what you want to hear

[@captainbackflash]

Baldrik knows his trenches!

[@alisterx8698]

Love to have them in the U.S on the east coast in my home state of New Hampshire. Have Vikings mounds and carvings…..Phil could figure it out.

[@theoldfart8632]

Not much to figure out. My ancestors, the ”Vikings”, were living in north America for exactly a 1000 years ago. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_colonization_of_North_America

[@dragoon3359]

@@theoldfart8632 that's like saying don't look at the Roman ruins in England because they are just roman

[@alisterx8698]

Tell that to the people that are denying it within the archaeological community it’s not recognized as Viking it’s a suspicious 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻

[@alisterx8698]

@@dragoon3359 That’s like saying yes to something and not understanding the full picture

[@anthonyanderson9326]

Time Team should be everywhere!!!

[@alangarlic3660]

Phil is soooo cool

[@andrewtaylor7377]

120 long. Doesn't have to be in one direction. It appears to be the total length of the corridor.

[@DHealey]

Yes, I was just about to put the same comment. In fact I copied the image from the video and measured it around the L section and it is almost exactly 120ft according to the scale Helen is using.

[@angiesadler2896]

I love this show!! But you left me hanging here. What was the carbon dating on the bone?? Was it found to be from the Dunstan period? I am dying to know! Thanks so much.😊

[@nellwhite7581]

they have a web site

[@musical3lottie]

The carbon dating was right at the end, in the voiceover - 'early 11th century, around the time King Canute built the first palace next to Dunstan's abbey'.

[@kevinkent6710]

Digging twice on the same place? Never, it's a repeat and or re uploaded? Still watching it.

[@siliconjim2554]

"We used dream of living in a corridor."

[@blackbob3358]

it'll stand the test of time, Siliconjim.. it's in t' head now. mi chuckle of the day.

[@fredfonebone5108]

Well WE had it tough…

[@a.j.carter8975]

❤ an who'd have thought we'd be sat here now ,watchin this, drinking Chateau de Chasselas?

[@dougmilliganjr3421]

If you turn the corner it looks pretty close to 120’ long in the entirety of the room

[@lucypavez6067]

So was there a date given for the Saxxon bones????

[@venator76]

I think Tony is referring to the bones when he says early 11th century at 47:02.

[@a.j.carter8975]

According to the Abby's website. 11th century. The excavation was subsequently completed. Have a shufti on google❤

[@barbarossarotbart]

It is interesting taht the offical website of Westminster Abbey does not mention this dig but a later dig on the same site in which the missing sacristy was found.

[@cmenjivar813]

6:17 - So beautiful.

[@sandraerskine3001]

What happens to all of the holes, trenches, etc. that were created during the 3 day digs after the Time Team has left? Is everything just left as is or do other archeological teams take over the dig for a more thorough examination of the sites?

[@katerinakemp5701]

No they have a team led by Kerry after the site has been recorded, then all the dig sites are set to rights all is backfilled grass is put back you wouldn't even know that a team of archeologists had been there.

[@garymitchell5899]

Yeah so they left the hole etc and visiting Americans then have a place to stay. I often see them even now.

[@dotcassilles1488]

Lol. Once all the recording of archaeological evidence is done the fill is usually placed back into the holes to protect and preserve the larger stones/walls etc. Information on the environment location will be drawn in a grid pattern on a map so later digs can happen if they let the local archaeology society or others dig. The fill is usually alot easier to remove than if an area has never been dug apart from when the site was occupied. Blessings from South Eastern Australia, Dot

[@agespottoo8910]

I was just turned on to this site and it is absolutely fascinating. One question which is where did the 3 day time limit come from? Big thumbs up and howdy from Texas.

[@elenavaccaro339]

All of the Team have regular posts, other jobs. Phil is a professor of Archaeology, can't remember which University. They come together for a long weekend.

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@elenavaccaro339 Phil works for Wessex Archeology, he won't be in the new TT, still working on the Waterloo Site in Belgium.

[@elenavaccaro339]

@@katerinakemp5701 Thanks. Will look for information on that.

[@stevejm9942]

It's all to do with production costs. Anything longer than 3 days wouldn't be economical. It has nothing to do with the fact the archaeologists work at Universities because time team is filmed during the summer when students are on holiday.

[@dotcassilles1488]

I believe that most of the digs were actually paid for by an early type of crowd funding and donations from interested people/businesses (donations). Most of the crew were volunteers or archaeology students who were completing required field studies for their degrees by volunteering.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Love the great info. The adddddzzzzz, not so much. I know you heed money, but isn't there a limit?

[@mayaflynnster]

What exactly is a "slightly different" East/West alignment? *(asterisk) Anybody know?

[@josephbohme7917]

When did they film this? Answer......? Aired 18 April 2010. episode #210.

[@Damien_Clarke]

I know that *Field Archeologists* are noted for their ability to dig and discover; e.g. Phil Harding. But, what are their *Landscaping Skills* when it comes to putting it all back?

[@alexanderdonnelly424]

They should be having a look for a tunnels?

[@astridwenham3790]

When will there be a new dig? I thought they said September?

[@philipwinter8729]

There have been 2 new digs but still in production. If you contribute via Patreon you will get the full story & background videos.

[@cyndybutler7330]

Being that I’m 67 percent English I find this interesting 👍😁 the Scandinavian and Irish that makes up the rest of me is interested too lol

[@larryzigler6812]

100% odd.

[@cyndybutler7330]

@@larryzigler6812 we all got to be something 😂🤣😂🤣 if you can’t joke with the English your britches are to tight

[@larryzigler6812]

@@cyndybutler7330 Like Phil's ?

[@daveseddon5227]

First aired 18th April 2010 UK

[@Darren_92]

lie was 25th December 1902 Germany

[@daveseddon5227]

@@Darren_92 Oh, OK but you'll need to provide documentary proof of your claim before I edit my comment. I didn't think that any of the pre WW1 episodes of Time Team had survived but I wouldn't mind being wrong for once in my life! 🙂

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@daveseddon5227 🤣🥰🤣

[@Darren_92]

@@daveseddon5227 Germany stole the whole of London for a short time in 1902 but it was then put back when traded for half a snickers

[@daveseddon5227]

@@Darren_92 Please check your facts! There was no such thing as a Snickers bar, in the UK, in 1902! Prior to 1990 it was a Marathon bar!

[@gazwebby131]

why is there some missing 17 -7

[@alangarlic3660]

Hi Philip

[@rachelkristine4669]

Gotta honest question......during the reformation, we all know Henry the 8th dissolved & destroyed many monasteries......that being said, WHY, didn't he have the Abbey destroyed?! 🤔

[@DS9TREK]

Where would kings buried and coronated have if he had?

[@deltadom33]

It day 3 it’s another normal day at Westminster abbey Is. There any remnants of the Thomas the confessors building.

[@daveh3997]

Who was Thomas the Confessor?

[@deltadom33]

@@daveh3997 got it wrong ☹️

[@sodadrinker89]

You're mixing Thomas Becket, with Edward the Confessor.

[@kathywolf4558]

Does anyone have an idea of how tall the chalk burial person is? In the vid that person looks to be at least 6ft6 to 6 ft 8.

[@smokedbandit5607]

I noticed the same thing! Very mysterious they never mentioned that or give a date for the burial

[@Nekogal21]

@@smokedbandit5607 it was said near the end of the video. Early 11th century

[@jamesthompson2981]

How many ads?

[@VisorView]

I find it hard to believe that after the internet has been around all this time that people using it do not know that a couple of clicks installs an ad-blocker and that you will never see another ad anywhere at all. I watch all videos end to end without a break, and have done so for ten years at least. They simply do not exist any more.

[@private15]

And what does it cost? And who is getting rich with that plan. Money grabbers!!!! Everyone that resents the rich getting richer give google+ comment a thumbs down!!!!

[@DS9TREK]

If everyone blocked the ads, free services like KZbin would cease to exist. Google isn't a charity here to entertain you.

[@Lisa-cc6oz]

What is the name of the music please at the beginning

[@AndrewTBP]

_Zadok the Priest_ George Frideric Handel 1727

[@butterflyladeda1080]

It's worth chasing up Handel's four coronation anthems for King George II.

[@Graham_Rule]

35:51 is that Tony standing on Newton's grave and not even noticing?

[@albundy9597]

Newton's past caring.

[@5chr4pn3ll]

This episode was already uploaded by you a year ago. Why re-upload it?

[@wareforcoin5780]

Probably fixed something we didn't even notice.

[@thegray5730]

On the other side behind poet's corner, they found another 50 skeletons crammed under a lavatory. Happy Halloween.

[@Tiger89Lilly]

Do you know the date?

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Well at least the Dutch army is present, or one oft their NATO jacks is :)

[@philjohnson1744]

Dang, I need a tan suit to go with the hair...

[@alangarlic3660]

Love time team except for u know who

[@KCsFunHouse]

I really hope that all the people in the background inside the Abbey aren’t actually on phones, hopefully it’s some kind of translating device to get the history of the building. A building like that why would you go to it just to hang out on the phone?

[@k.jespersen6145]

There are self-guided audio tours for the Abbey. They used to be on rented equipment. However, many historical sites have shifted to making applications with the recordings available through webshops so that people use their own phones and the costs of maintaining and sanitizing equipment vanish. The Abbey may have switched to that scheme.

[@kcarter0265]

It is self guided audio tours, I went in 2015 and it was a really cool way of learning about it while respecting the quiet of the abbey.

[@alangarlic3660]

We need Philip in America

[@austinvansickle8298]

Open that bad boy up and get the gold

[@SilverOasisEntertainment]

RIP Queen Elizabeth II, 2022

[@coodaytah6312]

That cop reaallllly loves his job 🙄

[@alangarlic3660]

Give em hell Phil stay outta your?!x!? Trench@#$!

[@alangarlic3660]

I know that even and even half as Smart as Philip

[@conradfisher2563]

So basically it was a green room.

[@bosse641]

Faye has a lot of Viking genes I think. Beautiful.

[@blackbob3358]

seems you got summat in "yer genes" ya might like ta get rid of, mr Grybakk ?

[@snazzypazzy]

There's no such thing as Viking genes. Check out the newest research on genetics from Viking age graves all across Europe. They were all sorts of people.

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@blackbob3358 🤣🥰🤣

[@BC-ui9yt]

Faye. Sigh (and swoon)

[@alangarlic3660]

If he ever comes to u.s.a I'll show him neoglithic sites no one hasn't ever seen and he can educate me and i promise I'll never walk on your dig that's your space and only you're space

[@martin190865]

curious everbody is on their phone at 8:10 anyway love time team always have

[@ellen9575]

Does anyone know if they got an answer to the bone carbon dating?

[@a.j.carter8975]

According to the Abby's website. 11th century. The excavation was subsequently completed. Have a shufti on google❤

[@alangarlic3660]

That was part of a walking stick or a cane

[@newwavepop]

was sort of hoping to get the results of that Carbon Dating test.

[@a.j.carter8975]

According to the Abby's website. 11th century. The excavation was subsequently completed. Have a shufti on google❤

[@jh-ec7si]

Tony says at the end it's early 11th

[@DemianX6x6x6X]

what a strange shot at 8:20; everyone on their phone in such a place (and im not even christian)

[@davidrenton]

people have said that they are probaly using a guide app, maybe it's using AR and translated as most will be tourists.

[@alangarlic3660]

U simply didn't do that

[@paddykelley9486]

Why always only 3 days?

[@taxiuniversum]

Question from a clueless German: Is the weather in England almost always shit? 😄🤷🏼‍♂️🤔

[@goldieandblackie]

Just like gas imports from Russia fool.

[@davidrenton]

no to the contrary, in London it barely rains, being far dryer than Paris, Rome, New York and even Miami. If you get a good summer it's the best , why it's get dark at 10p.m. No annoying insects biting you, you don't sweat continously, nothing like a nice beer at a pub by the thames. The record temp for London is 40C London is neither foggy , and we do get plenty of blue skies.

[@darlenekovach7983]

Did MIck knit his sweaters himself?

[@stephenarbon2227]

apparently they were gifts from admirers.

[@garymitchell5899]

So really it was obviously not the sacresty from the start. Bit of a cheat from Timeteam.