The Mysterious 900-Year-Old Medieval Castle Of Bridgnorth | Time Team | Chronicle

[@leecarlson9713]

There is a very good reason for the three day time limit. Mick Aston had a vision of making archaeology interesting to the average person. But most of the professionals who would be helping to make this come true had regular jobs- professors at various universities, or employed by companies, etc.- so they couldn’t spend a lot of time on a prolonged dig. So a three day dig, over Friday, Saturday and Sunday made it possible for the archaeologists and the support teams to do a dig. And the television company could budget a three day dig. Just consider some of the expenses-food, housing and equipment for all the people involved. I believe the professionals worked for free.

[@leecarlson9713]

Love the look on Tony’s face-sheer terror- when Robinson lights the gunpowder!

[@denisecarpenter2981]

I love how average citizens there are so interested in the history and archaeology of their country. It is so awesome. Love this show.

[@rico7180]

Wish all the castles built stayed built and in great condition. That'd be so amazing to live in a castle 900 years old. The history alone would be indescribable

[@TadTheTinker]

That dream is not entirely impossible. There are a precious few castles that are still occupied.

[@RenaissanceEarCandy]

You can thank Oliver Cromwell for that, the bastard. Imagine if we could rebuild all the ruined castles in the UK. Restore our history

[@pigoff123]

My brother lived in the guards quarters of a castle. It was made into apartments.

[@gilesellis8002]

Tower of London

[@gilesellis8002]

@@RenaissanceEarCandy Look what happened to Him exhumed and the Rest

[@naikrovek]

these guys really need more than just 3 days, holy hell. i realize it doesn't make as good of a television episode if there's no time pressure but geez give 'em 5 days.

[@suIIied]

For real. TV time constraints doesn't lend itself to archaeology.

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

I was just thinking that exact thing as I opened the comment section and immediately saw your comment. I've always thought three days was ridiculous whenever I watched this. I don't see how it's possible.

[@ajj9694]

They all had regular ongoing jobs as archaeologists during the week which is why the tv format was developed- 3 days over the weekend to do the dig and then they were back to work the next week.

[@73honda350]

As an American, I find it interesting to have 900 years of substantial, physical history so evident yet rather taken for granted by locals.

[@memofromessex]

I don't live anywhere special, but there's houses a short walk away older than the US!

[@mlight7402]

I live in an American city with archaeological finds of an agrarian society dating to 2000 BC. The evidence is in the museums, and yet few are aware of this history.

[@keithday3658]

Easy to be complacent when we have sooooo much physical history going back to the roman times. My old house in the UK was built before the Mayflower got to the US. I guess when you only have a few hundred years of history it's hard to relate

[@kurtcurtis2730]

My goodness Keith how old are you??? Never mind - maybe someday you’ll visit the continent’s across the pond and learn about the ancient civilizations here.

[@memnok9980]

Yep. i live in Michigan. Not much here..lol. I'd be out every weekend visiting these castles if I lived in England.

[@terfalicious]

Love shows like this - only a drop in the bucket of time has passed, and how little we know. Makes one wonder about truly ancient sites like Gobekli Tepe and the likes!

[@Celtic2Realms]

Robin with the gunpowder gets me every time. Great fun

[@NorwayT]

Fascinating History! And the Good Ole' Time Team is brilliant! I really enjoyed the episodes with Robin Bush. He had a very sympathetic character and passion for teaching the viewer History. In addition to all the fascinating stories of life in the past, Time Team is equally worth watching just to hear Phil's delightful Banter & Laughter! 🤣👍 In fact, if ever I have had a taxing day, all I need is a rerun of one of the old Time Team episodes, and as soon as I hear Phil laughing, I can't help but laugh with him! Truly -The biggest find in British Archaeology is Dr. Phil Harding! Imagine how many young Archaeologists he has inspired with his Total Dedication, Keen Field Archaeology Insights, Flint Knapping Skills and Humor! There are few - if any - better advertisements for Archaeology than a bloke like Phil, who always seems Happy and Cheerful (as long as you don't step in his trench uninvited! 😊) God Bless You, Phil for all the wonderful hours you have supplied us with, in the Great Land of Archaeology!

[@Go-Dawgs]

I have to say my favorite Smarts come from Dr Francis Pryor, but Mick is smart and lovely to watch here in early episodes. But I agree with you about Robyn Bush. He gives us information we would never look up or find if we tried. That is just as important to understanding all of this Wonderful History. I am actually jealous. We have None, Zero places like these. This is Important Work and Thank God For Time Team teaching us in this way!

[@deborahparham3783]

Well said! Phil is currently working on the Waterloo dig and helping military veterans with PTSD. Gotta love the man.

[@lindadeal3344]

​@@deborahparham3783 they are all so knowledgeable about the history and are entertaining!

[@shri081]

Again a great example of instinct as compared to observations and data when it came to Phil’s trench….that human touch and ingenuity which has always marked TT episodes…through both the wins and failures…god I love it when I find a TT episode I haven’t seen before…

[@bzgraphicartist]

45:30 This is one of my all time favorite moments in Time Team!

[@momcat2223]

Completely understanding archeology is rarely done above ground, I must say this episode includes some of the most extensive digging I've seen from Time Team. I'd be interested to know how long it took to put this area back to rights...backfilling holes, sodding, and restoring plantings.

[@mistyvaughn6356]

Suddenly the launching cow from Monty Python and the Holy Grail isn't such a stretch 😂

[@joshschneider9766]

Heh it was actually a tunnel that was then packed with gunpowder and blown this castles case. No other way to explain it's leaning.

[@HistoricalGreats]

Thank you for the amazing episode! 00:00:00 - The 900-year-old Bridgnorth Castle in Shropshire 00:05:00 - The design of common medieval castles and the fortification techniques involved 00:10:00 - The history of the medieval castle of Bridgnorth and its infamous owner 00:15:00 - Search for the Norman Castle in Bridgnorth, using maps and digging out more back gardens in the town 00:20:00 - The layout of the Bridgnorth Castle 00:25:00 - The team conducts geologic tests to understand the depth of the natural bedrock below the topsoil 00:30:00 - Uncovers a 12-foot defensive ditch and Causeway 00:35:00 - Unearths various artifacts dating back to the 16th and 17th century 00:40:00 - Explores the outer walls of the castle 00:45:00 - The history of the Bridgnorth Castle and how it got its tower at a crazy angle

[@leedsleedsleeds1747]

My home town where I grew up. Bridgnorth is full of history

[@joshschneider9766]

Man the lean on that tower yet it hasn't fallen. A true testament to the ancient masons.

[@James-kv6kb]

I love the way the British people just stand in the background watching

[@Jay-ql4gp]

I built a miniature trebuchet once. It was fun. And I won a contest with it. Thank you so much for the video!

[@aariley2]

I am amazed they didn't find a ton of skeletons.

[@juliancate7089]

The reputation ascribed to Robert de Belleme was probably an exaggeration from an enemy chronicler named Orderic, who hated the de Belleme family for displacing his sponsors, the Giroie family. So, while he was certainly a brutal man by our standards, he was really no worse than other men of his time and station. He was a warrior devoted to fighting and winning. Making nice with one's enemies or the peasants would have been an alien concept. He certainly compares favorably to the mass murderers of the 20th Century.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks so much for posting.

[@ViolentRainbow]

Damn this episode is 22 years old!

[@AnnabelleBeaudoin]

Great video as always ❤

[@jeannienash5249]

Yes I really love that too!

[@HanseaticConsortium]

Phil is the coolest. Ever

[@GiGiGoesShopping]

Missing in the telling of the story is what artist/craftsmen constructed the mosaic flooring? The same team as built the rest of the structure or more a traveling band of mosaic artists? On par with charcoal burners or thatchers? 🤔

[@Jet_Rod_94]

I'd assume it has to with the Skeh-duel vs. Skewl pronunciation dealing with tongue placement and mobility.

[@lindadeal3344]

Cromwell was a jerk!

[@ThaRealChuckD]

@35:25 It looks like a fishing arrowhead. With deer you don't really need an arrowhead shaped like that.

[@bruceklassen8261]

Very cool episode

[@GiGiGoesShopping]

As an Anglophile I'm aware many Brits pronounce schedule differently than an American. My query/observation is the word school ( same sch) doesn't follow that pattern.

[@Jet_Rod_94]

I'd assume it has to with the Skeh-duel vs. Skewl pronunciation dealing with tongue placement and mobility.

[@Tipi_Dan]

Reconstructed, it's a very nice castle. I think.

[@JackReynolds-w7g]

You can blame the Parliamentarians for destruction of these beautiful castles. At the end of England's last civil war, the assholes destroyed them to erase everything Royalist.

[@laurenharris4591]

Agreed, it was years ago and I still get mad about it

[@gjohnston6052]

Henry VIII destroyed some. Bloody Royalist. (My attempt at python)

[@martianvideo]

44;07 What a character 😁

[@destonlee2838]

I'd find it darn sweet to share a cuppa with Mr harding and talk soil accumulation and deposition standards, analysis and interpretation. Does he teach at a college or university. I've diging to do. Delightedly curious.

[@Go-Dawgs]

Those "scheduled areas" are important to keep unprofessional digging stopped, but why hamper & stop true professional archeology teams with written results reports, accurately compiled by Professors? This group puts things back better after complete measurements, grid drawings, and photos. They don't disturb & steal. I wish these areas could be studied better.

[@thomas-i5o7h]

Very interesting old tower. I do wonder about it's stability tho. What happens if it decides to fall over one day ?

[@costrio]

I think that archeologists are good for the environment in that they clean up some of the garbage from previous generations. Recycling at its noblest?

[@THINKincessantly]

Absolutely, wait til we start the project on removing all the garbage washing ashore and roaming the halls of justice!--Fuse is burning hot and fast! Massive clean-up coming like a tidal wave!

[@rossmeldrum3346]

I find it funny how we here in America think we have history with buildings 250 years old, and the Brits are saying here hold my Guinness. Do you want Georgian, Tudor, Medieval, Roman, Iron Age or Stone Age.

[@jasonhare8540]

Flaming grapefruit .... I thought Tony was swearing for a minute 🤣

[@lidiadegtyareva9000]

thumbnail picture - Jamie Frazer?

[@PtolemyJones]

Gator's efforts seem more hindrance than asset much of the time. This site might just require more repair after they are done than most of their digs. Maybe all!

[@patricialong5767]

History is fascinating and architecture: interesting as well! Under siege by children: Now that must be truly terrifying! HAHA!

[@adamsjerome1839]

Cold and drafty.

[@Coupal1]

Robert de Belleme's mother was Mabel 'l'Empoisonneuse' (the Poisoner) de Montgomery (de Talvas), dame de Bellême. She was a terrible woman. According to Orderic Vitalis, Mabile was "a forceful and worldly woman, cunning, garrulous and extremely cruel". "Amongst her victims was Hugh de la Roche d'lgé, in the Canton de Belesme, from whom she had wrested his castle on the rock, and had deprived of the inheritance of the lands of his fathers. In the extremity of his distress he undertook a desperate enterprise. She was murdered by Hugh Bunel, son of Robert "de Jalgeio" from whom she had taken his castle, who found her "relaxing in bed after a bath [and] struck off her head with his sword" for revenge. I presume Robert inherited his cruelty from his mother.

[@brennanlangless8912]

The biggest question I have is how the fluff they originally made the tower be at such a cockeyed angle

[@TadTheTinker]

Would have been built plumb. Angle may have been caused by sappers during a siege at the end of the castle life.

[@denniskirsch7354]

They tell you exactly why it leans that way in the episode. As an attempt to force a surrender, a hole was dug on one side, filled with gunpowder, and... Well, we clearly see the results.

[@lindadeal3344]

Cromwell's responsible for the angle...he was a dirty bugger!

[@Tacosauce81]

I've never seen a plywood trench box before 😂

[@Sk8Bettty]

Plumbers in England must be well paid!!

[@ctb7376]

imagine as a kid being tied to a trebuchet and the order is given to fire at that,what fun

[@earlofsmeg]

Robin can sure run for his size. 😆

[@janicehill5605]

Patience Tony 😂😂

[@DeAlpineBro]

Scharfenberg Munz...My ancestors from Germany.

[@andrewhines1941]

Why is Hugh Laurie featured?

[@jonnywatts2970]

Anybody know why they always limit themselves to 3 days?

[@componenx]

They all had regular jobs, so the only way they could do this show is through long weekends. It also kept the costs down.

[@golgumbazguide...4113]

Explore golgumbaz

[@JustanOlGuy]

🌎

[@KidMetairie]

Life’s a ditch.

[@Sigfried033]

And then it's filled.

[@denniskirsch7354]

I dig it.

[@bethbartlett5692]

The Earl "Robert's" behaviors describe multiple-Personalitt Disorders (Overt Sociopath/Narcissist Personally Disorder, Sadistic, Extreme Self Grandeur, Compulsive Personality Disorder, and likely more)

[@johnzubil2875]

I'm not sure I subscribe to the inverted roof theory.

[@alexmendoza4261]

Not kids again,

[@unitunitglue5143]

🤣 They found Gondor.

[@danielschultz2820]

I'm sorry, but after watching these episodes over and over, I'm still of the opinion that Tony is a real pain in the butt.

[@deborahvretis3195]

Tony is annoying! Stop arguing with actual archeologists.

[@nancyhammons3594]

I'm curious to know what the people living in 23 feel about their garden being dug up.

[@hanslund308]

Why the 3 days? It is kinda stupid

[@woodruffashbourne8372]

The experts all have regular jobs, so they can only do the show on weekends.

[@matthiasbalke9089]

This is a comment.

[@Rafveniozo]

This is a reply to a comment.

[@gruntergrilla9333]

But is it a respectful comment? Huh?!

[@RatelHBadger]

​@@gruntergrilla9333 I respectfully respond to your question.

[@mandywalkden-brown7250]

You lot are nuts! 😂

[@RatelHBadger]

@@mandywalkden-brown7250 that's not a very respectful response

[@HeathsHarleyQuinn]

It's such a shame that the majority of the comments on this video are absolute trash.

[@mgirlblue1]

Tony needs to chill lol a lil puff puff pass if you ask me lol

[@jhosk]

This show always irritates me, three days for archeology is atrocious

[@denniskirsch7354]

I definitely get where you're coming from, but their contributions to the field are actually quite amazing. Beyond that, I think it would be safe to assume some of their digs get continued by an entity, such as a university, who has the capacity to do a deep dive into that particular site.

[@keepitsimple4629]

And they never find anything, except a piece of a piece of pottery.

[@HeathsHarleyQuinn]

So you didn't make it to the end of this episode then I take it?​@@keepitsimple4629

[@woodruffashbourne8372]

The experts all have full time jobs, so they can only do the show on weekends.

[@pedenmk]

A bunch of ugly blokes and a cute blonde. Many thanks from western North Carolina. Great episode.