The Abbey Habit (Poulton, Cheshire) | S14E12 | Time Team

After you watch this episode, check out the official commentary video on the Time Team Official KZbin Channel! • Time Team Commentary: ...
Tony Robinson and the team travel to the Welsh border in search of the abandoned Poulton Abbey that was once briefly used by Cistercian monks. Mick is delighted to be researching his favourite subject, monastic history. Though local archaeologists have found a chapel and plenty of other remains (including skeletons), there is no sign of the abbey. As the hunt drags on without any major progress, some of the team come up with a controversial theory. The team are joined by Mike Emery and Alan Wilmshurst from the Poulton Research Project, architectural historian Jonathan Clark, local historian Alan Thacker, and Finds specialist Debbie Klemperer.
Series 14, Episodes 12
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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#TimeTeam #BritishHistory #TonyRobinson #PoultonAbbey #Cheshire

[@christopherfisher6293]

One of the most gentle and informative programs on TV. No bad language no hysteria, no posing. Throughly enjoyable no matter what they dig !!!

[@ek8710]

2005 tv was great :(

[@the_rover1]

mixed with a tad gentle banter. I love it.

[@therealjamespickering]

Just imagine a world where TV was dominated by high-quality, intellectually stimulating programs.

[@andrewaajohnson7584]

What was exceptional was that if they didn't know, they said so and didn't make something up to fill-in the blanks . Good quality British programming no bullshit! Superb!👍👍👍👍👍

[@thomasevans5467]

Absolutely pristine language, as long as you omit ; “Stone the Crowes!”.

[@magdahearne497]

Love Time Team...it's my happy place 💖

[@mysticjen379]

Me too!

[@AR-mu4zq]

Same it's keeping me "grounded" during 2020/21

[@Tawadeb]

Same here

[@AngelaStone5678]

Me too!😘

[@gerthinatorgaming5952]

I couldn't agree more

[@jenkcomedy]

The two things I look forward to most in Time Team classics- Mick's violently jubilant sweaters and Phil's cut-offs.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

His old groupies used to knit them and send them in to TT for him.

[@jenkcomedy]

@@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR I love a pair of hand knit jean shorts XD

[@DK640OBrianYT]

Such a delightful episode. Mick in almost ecstacy to begin with. An absolute malstrom throughout and Helen left behind with a heart warm laugh to end it off. This is what made the entire series worthwhile. Damn, I miss them all so much, so I settle with having had the privilege of being able to enjoy their company throughout 20+ years, with the 1991 4-episodes Time Signs being the first stepstone into British Archeology. Standing ovation.

[@kcsunshine4008]

They’re coming back in 2021... no Mick ( obviously) , no Tony and no Phil....online and sponsored by Patreon

[@bethbartlett5692]

💫❤💫

[@Ripleys_mom]

I'm an American and so thankful to have stumbled on this wonderful series.

[@bassdivamtm]

They started up again❤️

[@jaqi_eff6610]

I live in Wales and everywhere I go I find myself gazing at lumps and bumps in fields, are there any unusual earthworks near a stream, was the stream man made or natural ... the list is endless lol Thank you Time Team. The music gives me goosebumps and everything about this show has me entranced 🥰 xx

[@jrnsurlan405]

Me too. Those drums…

[@harridan.]

i live in New Mexico, US, and though the archeology is nothing like the U.K, (dammit) there's still a good bit of prehistoric evidence. the road i take to get to albuquerque was a stagecoach run, prior to that it was the route taken by Spaniards from Santa fe to Mexico City, and of course it was a prehistoric route before that. it was a waterway, of course. one learns to read the land, it has a great deal to say wherever one lives. Look to the high, defensible places near water....Look to the stones laid in a row half buried; sit in silence and listen for the echoes of the past... and read Ellen Meloy

[@guinevere4365]

I love this show and feeling like I’m a part of the group and we are family. The English country villages are absolutely wonderful. Thank you Mick and Phil and Tony and everyone for starting it all. 🤠🌈💕🎵🎶💚😎🐾🐾🇺🇸❤️👍🏻

[@martialme84]

The people in this series are so fantastic! I´d go plunder the caribbean with phil anytime! But they´re all great. So real. None of the fake bs that´s pretty much all there is on tv.

[@glendamears3618]

Looks so Scarey in that chopper with the Door open and the guys so excited hanging out the Door could fall. Gives me shivers😮😊❤

[@jackyryan5226]

These shows are so relaxing

[@solojo928]

YES!!! I agree! I find this show very peaceful.

[@mast3ma009]

good stuff

[@HBMR334]

no drama, normal people. It is sooo nice

[@LilieDubh]

Even when things don't go according to plan, Time Team finds things that create new stuff for the history books. Way to go!

[@tristanpatterson3843]

The wear on that stone staircase gives you a real feeling of history.

[@focuselp]

I thought 'if the Abbey was only there for 60 years then that's an aweful lot of wear'.

[@davidbodeker6752]

Terrific episode demonstrating the deep body of knowledge and sleuthing skills of each Team member.

[@Nemhaine42]

Legend has it Helen is still digging that hole to this day XD

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

Haha I was thinking that. G :)

[@mysticjen379]

And no “distinctive” pieces of medieval pot have yet turned up!

[@kacperwoch4368]

I was looking for this comment

[@jimbob0592]

Nope. John says there's nothing on the Geofizz. She cant be in there.

[@tyrannosaurus696]

Somewhat ruined by John's statement, "It's good to see a woman work innit".

[@kathycarlson7947]

I always learn something new when I watch an episode again. This is comforting, informative, inspiring, and just plain lovely.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

What did you learn from this episode???

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

I think I just remember again, "how did they see that?" An enjoy trying to figure out again.....

[@batdoguk]

The large field to the left of the right-angle at 25:57 usually had crops growing during the digging season and there was always a square patch (immediately to the left of the right-angle of the stream) where the crop growth was stunted. Always wondered what was under there. I mentioned it to Mick when they filmed this episode.

[@HawkqOjOp]

I do see sort of a large rectangle in that field you refer to, or perhaps that's just a pattern of deader crop remnants. I can picture an abbey in there though! You were blessed to have had the opportunity to speak with Mick. I know he was fonder of the lessor posh history but certainly still an expert on the religious buildings and communities.

[@dsystar9264]

I just enjoy watching the Time Team and their digs

[@soniahamilton9914]

I was thinking that too. TT is strict with their time of 3 days, have they ever extended one more day to dig?

[@Cadadadry]

@@soniahamilton9914 Yes they have. You can find "special" episodes where TT is coming back to go on digging a previous site ; there's even at least one four days dig if I recall correctly...

[@JohnJohnson-tw8qk]

Love watching these time teams again

[@richardwaldron1684]

34:06 "you haven't been on the right courses" :D haha, brilliant. Excellent episode, thanks for posting.

[@mudgetheexpendable]

7:40 the Pythonesque animation had escaped my memory! about ruptured something laughing, thanks for the perfect mood-lightener

[@ab-lx2bk]

We will miss you Victor Ambrus!

[@elizabethschaeffer9543]

Victor was amazing. His art work is so skilled, but he makes it looks so easy. Yes, we will miss you! And the little black puppy.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

And mick..RIP

[@DonniePalmer57]

I am grateful I found Time Team. such fascinating stuff

[@glendamears3618]

Yeah Kathy, I've watched them over n over. I love these people I can't get enough 😊❤

[@malcolmformosa1772]

Me and my eldest daughter we are all watching from all the way down under from Mount Gambier in the State Of South Australian.🥇🇦🇺🦘⚜️👑⚜️

[@ellipirelli4007]

Mommy are you watching the pirate ☠ again ? - Joanna4 years old talking about Phill 🤣🤣🤣

[@magdahearne497]

😅 love it...best pirate ever 💖

[@Musketeer009]

oooooooo arrrrrrrrrrrr!

[@peterknowles3198]

Fantastic 🤣🤣

[@MIKE-se8ye]

Cracker Jack of a comment! LOL He would indeed play a great John Silver! (Though perhaps digging for treasure with a trowel might be a tad slow under duress?) GREAT EYE MISS JOANNE!

[@mysticjen379]

🤣

[@martinmarsola6477]

Miss seeing you, Mick Aston. RIP mate.✝️❤️

[@vickireynolds4055]

I'm sorry, but as soon as you said you were looking the Abbey, I immediately went to Monty Python, "Hey, Abbott!" Sorry, lot of pain, very little relief less sleep. Monty Python, Mel Brooks, and Black Adder are taking turns in my poor little brain! Seriously, I really do love this series!! I wanted to be an archeologist, until I realized first that there were a lot of spiders and snakes and hot weather. By the time I realized there were other times and countries I liked, I was too old! Thanks for sharing on KZbin!!

[@ginnysnyder9703]

I just love Time team....I am American with European Ancestry and I have learned soooo much at 70 thru these shows ! I love the history !!!!!

[@alanatolstad4824]

I loved how this episode started: Phil in shorts, Stewart on the bike, and Mick in a T-shirt! I didn't like how it ended: with Helen, a solitary figure in an empty field, at sundown.

[@mysticjen379]

Buried with a shovel... (See thread further up!)

[@leezardo9324]

Beautiful spot. Thanks for sharing.

[@yiasemi]

Mike Emery, the archaeologist in charge of the dig is the brother of the Fiennes actors which explains his natural screen presence. If you don't get the familial resemblance it's because he was adopted. Searching for the project is fascinating, for example they discovered prehistoric evidence under the chapel just after Time Team left.

[@FigaroHey]

Wait, so he's adopted and doesn't look like his actor-brothers, but has nevertheless inherited their acting ability, despite being adopted. You seem a bit confused about how genetics works.

[@yiasemi]

@@FigaroHey Or maybe I'm suggesting that nurture plays a part

[@bethbartlett5692]

Awesome update !

[@thhseeking]

My first thought was Ozzy Osbourne :P As for finding prehistoric evidence after Time Team left, that goes towards what I keep explaining to people who criticise TT for only excavating for three days. They don't realise that the reports that TT make are used for further studies when funds are available for institutions to follow-up, or in this case continue after TT have done their bit to help.

[@barbarossarotbart]

@@thhseeking I did not took TT serious until I've learned that the results of their excavations are used as foundation for later excavations. Because of that I like it now.

[@staystrong8966]

Legend has it Helen is still digging for that Abbey.

[@alicehardy9094]

Oh, so interesting . . . kept me glued to the program, holding my breath most of the time. BUT, oh so disappointing! So sad to hear Helen calling out at the end!! Don't want to say anything more and spill the beans. Excellent program. Thank you.

[@MikeH-sg2ue]

Keep digging Helen! Yet another great episode, helping to explain some history!

[@jaded_gerManic]

"...abby-ish." Lol, love you Tony! 💜👾

[@bobbybigboyyes]

Brilliant as always!

[@Lucas26vvv]

5:10 That’s my uncle! Really lovely man. He still laughs about being in this, and is still digging (albeit at a different site) with his own company along with Mike Emery (Ralph Fiennes’ foster brother). I’ve done stints of work experience at this site and enjoyed every minute of it. To my knowledge they never did for sure find the chapel. Also, they didn’t mention the site was somewhat haunted 👀

[@robertburns9590]

I wonder how frustrated the team must get when they have to leave a site where there is so much left to do.

[@FisHLoC]

When Phil turns up in shorts you know he’s there to get sh*t done.

[@rick5793]

It would seem logical to me to do an air survey BEFORE you would start digging. It Appears to me that would save a lot of time and needless work BUT I'm not an archaeologist nor do I pretend to be. I find these shows not only entertaining but more importantly educational. I'm still learning at 70.

[@LoneKharnivore]

No, you're absolutely right. Proper archaeology starts with a study of existing maps and documents, aerial photography, and so on. Then you plan and carry out a full geophysical survey. Then if there seems to be a good reason to dig you carefully design and plan your excavation strategy to get the most knowledge with the least damage to the site. Time Team is not and has never been proper archaeology, it's contrived urgency for the sake of television and very poor science. I knew people who worked on it and they were asked to rebury finds and dig them up again for the cameras, which is appalling.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

@@LoneKharnivore Who were these people?

[@lissaallan]

I wait to watch these and I'm so happy

[@adamtodd8907]

Same as a 28 year old I claim to be the time team generation 🤓😅

[@beckyblack2333]

Stewart and his bicycle. Love it.

[@martinperry5072]

What I find amusing about this episode is the idea that Cistercian monks could be bribed to move to posher digs. Surely they are above such temptations given their treatment of the locals.

[@Oscar_Leroy]

Mick at 9:32 "you're carrying all the stuff...I'll come with you"

[@grendel_nz]

Excellent to find an ep, possibly season, I haven't seen before 👍🏼😎🤠

[@MarkWRay-ty3om]

R.I.P Mick. You will be missed.

[@earlofsmeg]

Phil: Mick, why aren't you doing anything? Mick: Cheeky devil. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@annamarie9858]

😂the Monty Python abbey luring snippet was perfection! TTC rocks!

[@benediktmorak4409]

NO spoiler to come.. I have seen the trailer for the new 2021 season... -they - really have gone to the market and done some serious shopping. best part, and that i can say, because Professor Mick Aston is digging now in heaven, the -Mickmobile-!

[@timburton9176]

Phil is my favorite

[@khathazthropy3266]

This show got me through the pandemic 💖💖

[@exploretheunknown9988]

I knew there was more to the "screaming house" when you mention about burial site and a monk (which i mention on exploring with bex......)and also what was seen in ghost theory video through that hatch..fascinating history...love it Aimee x

[@bassdivamtm]

Love Time Team❤️

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

Fantastic detective work gang. TFS, G :)

[@Andyb2379]

2024, still fantastic. They just don’t make quality programmes like this nowadays.

[@GaryNoone-jz3mq]

Will miss Mick. Rest in Peace 🙏

[@Musketeer009]

Many many many years later, a lone skeleton was ploughed up in a lonly field out in the middle of nowhere. The question is 'Who was she'?

[@drsin6856]

Or another question what was she doing there?

[@RobBoudreau]

And why was she buried with a shovel?

[@thecalicoheart7946]

😂

[@red.aries1444]

I don't think it would be possible to say that the shovel is a grave good. It will the question how deep is the skeleton buried in the ground and in which position you'll find it. If the hole isn't very deep there would be the possibility, that someone wanted to get rid of a dead body, had dug a hole, the shovel broke, he droped it into the hole and slides the soil with his feets into the pit. It will look like an old crime scene. If the hole is deep enough she could have dug the hole by herself, maybe searching for treasures, then the side walls collapsed and covered her. Just a tragic accident - or a suicide and self burial? :-)

[@mysticjen379]

@@RobBoudreau Or was the shovel buried with her? 🤣

[@Stuparod]

Extraordinary olde school archaeology.. The benefits of geofizz leap out - as the whole site would have been sorted, abbey found with it.. Great episode

[@EIixir]

It's amazing that they are still digging at this site. I can't find anything to say they have found the abbey though.

[@julias-shed]

One of those could have done with another day episodes 😃

[@magdahearne497]

Let's face it, it doesn't matter how many days an episode had...it would never be enough 😅

[@Pauldjreadman]

I thought there was one. I couldn't find it as I swear they got an extension off camera?

[@katerinakemp5701]

@@Pauldjreadman1st episode was Romans in Turkdean 2nd episode was Return to Turkdean.

[@georgedorn1022]

@@Pauldjreadman In Series 7 Episode 7 (St Mary's Cathedral, Coventry) one of the diggers stays on an extra day to excavate a burial.

[@1234cheerful]

7:35 shades of Monty Python and Terry Gilliam!

[@ici_coop]

What a special little gem that Alan Thacker is 💎

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks so much for posting

[@faithlesshound5621]

I heard a theory a couple of years ago that the Middle English poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" was written by a cleric who travelled to Dieulacres Abbey in Leek from an associated house in Cheshire or North Wales: could it have been Poulton Abbey?

[@Moonrunner58]

You might consider the history of Poulton Lancelyn, near Clatterbridge on the Wirral. It was formerly Cheshire up to 1974.?

[@julietterichards5214]

Its my happy place too love this soo much 💗

[@stevecompton6283]

Good to see Ozzy Osborne getting involved.

[@soccermom1245]

YAY!! I learned what "grange" means - the farm of a monastery.

[@FigaroHey]

Sometimes. c. 1300 as "group of farms, small village," also "a granary, barn" (early 14c.), "outlying buildings of a monastic or other estate" (late 14c.), "small farm" (mid-15c.), and compare granger; from Anglo-French graunge, Old French grange "barn, granary; farmstead, farm house" (12c.), from Medieval Latin or Vulgar Latin granica "barn or shed for keeping grain," from Latin granum "grain," from PIE root *gre-no- "grain." Sense evolved to "outlying farm" (late 14c.), then "country house," especially of a gentleman farmer (1550s). In the US 'grange' refers to a farmers' cooperative and agricultural interest promotion organization established in the mid-1800s. If you don't know what a word means, there's a thing called a dictionary which can tell you.

[@HelenM1994]

I went to school in Leek, where it was said an abbey used to be; Dieulacres. I would imagine it was the same place. Didn't expect to hear Leek being mentioned at all!

[@pvtspoon]

RIP Victor Ambrus.

[@aflashylege]

I love the Abbey digs

[@CanChikMay]

Nicely done

[@peterlomax7143]

I really enjoyed the different phases of the grange. There must of been appoint where altering was not the solution. What fascinates me is the two houses close by and I wonder which is the replacement of the grange.

[@MrBazzabee]

Brilliant is Time Team.

[@JONNYDAVIS123]

@Christian Buczko The UK certainly is not typical for the time of year. Just above 10C 50F would be closer to more typical for early February. However, the UK will be warming up considerably from the start of the 3rd week of February. 60's F are forecast, which would be closer to the typical normal mild winter weather in the UK rather than the much cooler than normal weather that the UK experienced at the start of Feb.

[@ellenl.5581]

Phil has my heart.

[@lucillejohnson4483]

Phil is now a married man.

[@TheMCArchitectTV]

Great episode

[@oafless]

love these!

[@lindamavrikis2229]

Please God Keep uncle Phil safe so they can make a new series

[@ELCADAROSA]

My understanding is that he will not be involved in the new digs. 😢 I’ll miss his quick sense of humor on the new shows.

[@lindamavrikis2229]

@@ELCADAROSA he is the most hardworking and he has taught himself, I love old Phil

[@mrrdavid]

I totally enjoyed this video I watch the Curse of Oak Island more so for the what if side of it so to speak but I found your comments about very interesting I have see you on TikTok but don’t like the platform I want to see, learn more and will definitely be following you

[@RalfOltmanns]

I wonder if and when Helen's children started their first archaeological excavations in their sandbox :D

[@dennispepperack2973]

Greetings from Tampa - another scenic site!

[@firefox5926]

46:55 you know some say that to this day if you pass by that field you can still see a shadowy figure digging and hear her haunting pleas for release lol

[@jamesbingham4538]

Any connection between Mike Emery and Ozzie Ozborne, nod, nod, wink, wink? Beyond the glasses and haircut. Good work mates just asking.

[@janeladik1580]

That was great.

[@RalfOltmanns]

Oh, boy, all those gentlemen charging in to give Helen a hand ... ;)

[@danhanqvist4237]

I find it fascinating that buildings as recent as from the 19th century can ruins hidden under the ground with nothing visible above ground.

[@RoyPounsford]

Phil and Helen are the making of programme

[@AndyMartin401]

Brilliant

[@CheshireTomcat68]

Helen is still there, digging that hole!

[@motaman8074]

The graphics showed hints of Monty Python.🦶

[@unclerojelio6320]

Helen!

[@bobschenkel7921]

Time "Bandits" Team?, with the "Monty Pythonesque" animation. Nice.

[@WayneBorean]

Poor Helen.

[@johnking5174]

This first aired on Channel 4 on April 1st 2007.

[@palletcabin-YR_Author]

Poor Helen!

[@FrostyBalls01]

I think if it was up to Tony he would stop by around 10:30am on day one and they would already have what they went for dug up. Sometimes they show what they have found. Gold coins old pots bones Saxon houses and Tony is like where’s the villa we came to find. I love Tony my favorite tv host.

[@conorcoltman5756]

Random question TT. The ancient seeds that you have found over the years. Has anyone ever tried germinating them? Thanks.

[@JerryB507]

In one of the commentaries on Time Team Official, Helen mentioned that Phil has germinated some. She didn't say how they turned out.

[@conorcoltman5756]

@@JerryB507 Thanks Jerry B. It would be interesting to know the outcome.

[@welshdai4094]

Love abit of history

[@TheDiveO]

7:35 Monty Python rubbing off on Time Team, sweet!

[@otroflores91]

I rather liked this episode. Did they ever revisit this site?

[@G_Robb]

I wish we could find amazing artifacts in America as well. Most natives didn't really make fixed structures and unfortunately none of them had a written language. It'd be nice to know about their history before Europeans and hundreds if not thousands of years before. I love archaeology!

[@greenshp]

You're wrong. For example, in Illinois there are vast areas of burial mounds that have b een excavated for decades (see Dixon Mounds, and others) and in Colorado are houses carved into cliffs - vast communities. These have also been excavated and studied, for years.

[@kenwarren457]

The Hopewell earthworks in Ohio cover several thousand acres and date to around 2000 years ago.

[@KingNoTail]

@G Robb Uhh, they do excavations all the time.