Time Team S14-E03 School Diggers, Hooke Court, Dorset

Hooke Court, in Dorset, is home today to a residential study centre and a small private school and nursery. Most of its surviving structures are believed to date from the English civil war in the mid 1600s, when the house was reported to have been burnt down by Parliamentarian troops.
But the house is also full of interesting features that point to a much earlier original construction date. And there are various clues that suggest it was once much grander than it appears now.
Peter and Mandy Cooper moved into the property in 1994 after carrying out extensive restoration work. Mandy, who runs the education centre, called in Time Team to investigate, so that she could tell the children (who played an active part in Time Team's visit), visitors and local people more about the history of Hooke Court.

[@angelitabecerra]

The best part about this episode is how engaged and interested the entire school is, especially the children

[@rileyhoffman6629]

These lucky students will remember a magical three days (if the teacher is clever, stretching the lesson into weeks) forever. Yay!

[@abbysynthe5095]

Every single one of the time team people seemed to have such a great time with the kids, teaching them about what's going on and engaging them. I love episodes like this.

[@shnops]

Imagine being able to have a job that brings thrills of discovery and being able to uncover mysteries almost daily . Phil Harding has maintained his passion for his profession for 50 years !

[@AimeeHarrisonDesigns]

I am watching every episode but I had to comment that I love how very much they are including the school children. Undoubtedly a few future archaeologists among them!

[@TheBlueRoan316]

My favorite episode by far. Loved seeing the kids involved and how patient the Team was with them.

[@Dem0D1ck]

Angela Hernandez I don't know if I would use the term "patient", I think a better term would be "inclusive".

[@johnbiggscr]

Love how they got the kids involved. Hope at least one of them was inspired to further a career in archaeology.

[@Kaffeeteria]

I love how they always involve and encourage the kids.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

They seem to understand the concept of learning Hands-On. Kids very tactile. Classrooms today are very sterile. Granted they have all the technology in the world oh, but it's a different kind of Hands-On. Parents today are worried their children will get dirt under their nails. They continuously douse them with hand sanitizer. But digging in the dirt and finding things is part of the human experience in my opinion. Not necessarily to excavate for archaeology but to discover our own world. I remember going out with my little shovel and bucket and digging around and finding bits of mica. This mineral fascinated me then and it still does to a degree today. You can see through it it's in layers how did that happen? I may have to look that up now! LOL but I would sit there with little pieces of mica and peeling them apart and trying to figure out what it really was. It almost seemed like plastic. Or digging around in finding chunks of granite. I don't think I was seven years old when I was doing that. That would have been up in New Hampshire the granite state!

[@weixianng]

sounds cliche but they really are the future. There might be the next great archaeologist or historian among one of them.

[@WyattRyeSway]

I do too. Best hands on learning and the team is patient with all the questions

[@cautiouswheat0171]

Wei Xian Ng deddeeeeeieoooedoe Deodoreoeoeoeeeeoddodooooddddoddpd Dleodosd Dos Dpeddedoedlddoddedd. .n. Obsessed

[@mocat1]

It must have been really fun for both the kids and the archaeologists and the others, showing and teaching the kids and the teachers. This episode is now definitely in my faves list.

[@jamesrivis620]

One of the best yet ! Loved how the kids and head teacher were involved.

[@cherylmoppin9833]

This was so sweet. To see the children’s enthusiasm was heart warming.

[@Wotdermatter]

I have been involved with falconry for some 55 years. The bell displayed at 20:40 was more probably used on a hawk, or a Goshawk but not a falcon, as they would carry a lighter unit. The reason for saying so is because of the configuration of the bell and the shield on the bell. This would be used to identify the owner should the bird decide to take off or went missing. It is doubtful if it was used on a horse as horse bells were different and did not usually have a slot with a hole at each end, across the bottom. Also, horse bells were larger. The bell was attached to the leg of the bird by using a bewit, a small strap made with leather that went through the piece on top of the bell. My thought is further confirmed at 29:30 when the word MEWS is used. A mews was/is a place where birds of prey were housed as they still are by falconers, especially when they were/are moulting and not usually flown for hunting but maybe only lightly to keep them in good condition, to a lure.

[@donaldwatson7698]

Interesting. They did confirm a dovecote on the site. Would the falconers possibly have used the pigeons to train the birds of prey? Or would they train for ground quarry only?

[@canuzzi]

@@donaldwatson7698 At least they would use the pogeons to feed the falcons ;)

[@lauravalancy2521]

alanrtment porter... there were very likely multiple purchases for the doves/pigeons and the hawks/falcons and many other things on the estate 🙄 let’s be kind

[@patd.3368]

Thanks for this most interesting post. It’s Fascinating. Falcons are such remarkable birds ...knowing much about them must make for very fulfilling days

[@basstrammel1322]

"I have been involved with falconry for some 55 years" Is quite an intriguing introduction. You should use that phrase in every possible situation.

[@cindydintn]

Dear Sir Tony: Thank you for being so kind to those children. They will remember that moment for the rest of their lives!

[@cindydintn]

I am sorry I will probably never get meet you. I think I would enjoy listening to your stories for hours.

[@joshtalbott9528]

This is my favorite time team to date. The interactions with the kids are so cool. it also really brings forward more of the team's personalities

[@chrispascoe8116]

What a treat for these kids..... a living history lesson. :D

[@almostcrazycosplay]

Absolutely loved seeing how involved and interested the kids were. Great episode. Interesting to wonder at how many "lost" medieval manor houses are out there. :)

[@gregb6469]

Probably quite a few, buried under later Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, and Victorian buildings.

[@bokhans]

I love these episodes when they get kids involved.

[@kennlyd9268]

I went to hooke court from 1982 to 1985 was known as St. Francis School for Boys a boarding school and the moat didnt go all the way around like it does in this there was a swimming poole there. What i found cool was the bridge they built over the moat was built ontop of the original pilons from rampasham bbc world service that were over the moat when i was there. Chris Read was my teacher. The newer looking building in front og the main house was 2 dorm houses Bernard and Leo and the Dinning room and to the right was the offices and laundry room. The metal staircase that Tony goes up in the begining leads to the top floor, that was the chapel as the school was run by Friers from the Society of St. Frances. brings back memories.

[@Nangleator22]

I just realized in this one, that I've never seen a boom mic problem in all the shows. Cheers on not being noticed, great boom mic guy!

[@lauravalancy2521]

Nangleator22 😮😮😮😮😮

[@AndyGabrielPowell]

A great example of Time Team that demonstrates to those who ended the series that this show was far more inclusive than they thought. It also demonstrates the true passion of the people who made this such a superbly addictive series. So very glad it's being put back together via Patreon.

[@lisakilmer2667]

Beautiful episode, one I'd missed. They are always good with children but this one was better than the others.

[@davejohnson5847]

Awesome to see how much they involved the kids from the school in this dig. Something they will always remember :)

[@Odanti]

I love this dig! I have watched this dig over and over again. Bring back the original students, and do another dig with them. It would be fascinating to find out if any student went into studying archaeology. Bring back Dr.Jonathan, please. I'd like to know what Toni thinks about meeting the kids again as adults?

[@zedwms]

I love how they involved the children. Twenty years from now there's going to be a wave of archaeologists who are going to hail from Hooke Court. Good on Time Team.

[@EdEditz]

I was going to comment the same thing. Great how they involve the kids and how enthusiastic they are. :)

[@Libbathegreat]

John's pie is never very humble XD. With repeated viewings, John's really grown on me and I think he's now my favorite of the regulars. Also, the headteacher at this school is delightful, love her enthusiasm.

[@mikeholton3914]

the degree of inclusion and teaching the Time Team Archaeologists afford to these children is priceless. this is what here in the United States is akin to is a "Field Trip" these lucky kids get to have one without leaving their school grounds. Just imagine the interest this could peak in a child to make him or her yearn for a career in Archaeology (im 59 and watching this series I envy these kids the opportunity to do something I desperately wish I could have done when I was their age! Kudo's once again to the Time Team!

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

Oh so true 😮

[@Dem0D1ck]

Like so many other commenters here, loved how the show included the kids. It's the history of their country, and they seemed to be sincerely interested in it. Too bad the BBC never aired this show in the U.S., it's very interesting.

[@TheSpikehere]

The BBC didn't air it here in Limeyland either. It was made by the commercial station Channel 4 not, by Aunty Beeb.

[@doncook2054]

@SJS Spot on ...

[@jeremypearson6852]

I’m an expat living in the US and I think some viewers would have trouble with Phil’s accent. History and culture is one of the main things I miss about the UK.

[@kathysenn7664]

This episode gives me goose bumps-- today, 11/15/2019!! the details revealed in the digging are phenomenal, down to the pigeon bones and crotal bell (spelling?!?)!! I started liking the past comments concerning the involvement with the kids and decided to add my own.. I love their insights, comments and laughter.. their heads bent over the geophizz samples.. their hands holding shovels and trowels.. very emotional!! The excitement of the archaeologists, historians and various experts is palpable and contagious!! Many thank yous to everyone involved in this wonderful travel back in time-- I can hear the clatter of pottery and pidgeon noises and bleats of sheep,, I can see the ladies doing needlework, the arrows being made and bows bent by the handymen,, festive parties in the great hall-- glasses raised while maids scuttle back and forth from the kitchen with divers plates and bowls of food stuffs!! It's got my imagination fired up-- Thanks again!! =)

[@McRambro]

Time team needs a reboot so that kids can get interested in this sort of thing.

[@BJ-bi9xv]

is phil the only one discovering anything 😂 ever episode he finds something important.

[@michaelsacco2143]

I have watched all in this series. This is one of my favorites.

[@donaldwatson7698]

39:25 Even Mick's umbrella has his jumper colors.

[@lauravalancy2521]

Donald Watson 😍😂🤣😍😂

[@sgrannie9938]

Love Mick’s colourful umbrella 😊

[@JETWTF]

Grandpa Tony dealing with the children at the start of day 2 was adorable. They goofed on the days remaining, he made a joke about the goof, they laughed, Obviously the goof and joke was unscripted. He would have made a great teacher.

[@rileyhoffman6629]

He IS a good teacher, yes? Fabulous episode.

[@danajeannenorris3036]

I'd love to know if these kids, now adults, developed an interest in history and archeology from this.

[@GingerTomMom]

This really is my favorite episode of all I have seen thus far.

[@danajeannenorris3036]

They are wonderful with the children; they're never going to forget this and I bet most of them will be interested in history now!!

[@Hannah_Em]

I remember taking a trip to Hooke Court in primary school - little did I realise at the time what history was present!

[@seraphale]

I would have given my left hand to have had a school trip like this!!

[@jeremypearson6852]

This is one of the best episodes I’ve seen because they involved all the kids and some teachers. Who knows if that will inspire one of the kids to take up archeology. Also, sometimes not having a clear result in the end still allows it to retain some mystery.

[@benediktmorak4409]

Time team for sure made a bunch of new fans. AND maybe the one or other will become an archaeologist?

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Pity three days was (by far) not enough once again.... Really annoying. Loved the involvement of the children though.

[@Fox1nDen]

I have an ancestor Ailfric which by the way is Irish slang for "so wealthy he has to do nothing himself" who was spared on his landholdings by William the Conqueror because Ailfric's ancestor may have also come from Normandy, in the Esse area.

[@michaelfotheringham7829]

Again, the use of words is very interesting. A Garderobe is a medieval toilet. In modern Norwegian a Garderobe is a Wardrobe for hanging/storing clothes. Both connected with the bedchamber perhaps. The two meanings must have their historic root on the same thing.

[@neonskyline1]

Still use the word here in Poland

[@canuzzi]

It is also in use in Germany. And they explain it a bit here. It was put together - toilet and wardrope as the amoniac gases from the toilet kept away moth from the clothes.

[@sharimullinax3206]

I love Paul Blinkhorn's laugh.

[@scudleivers2439]

14:00... ''Whoops''... a comment used by Tony McInerray from ''Blackadder''... Brilliant....

[@Hiffinhoffin]

just once I'd love to hear tony exclaim that he has a cunning plan...

[@Pauldjreadman]

I bet at the start the crew made jokes about that. I can only guess :)

[@phoule76]

someone said it in one of the earliest episodes, I remember seeing it a couple of weeks ago

[@00BillyTorontoBill]

i think I remember he says it...but its to Stewart....its stewarts cunning plan. now im going to have to re watch the whole series again ! Thanks !

[@jamesrivis620]

I would love to see a repair after a dig and how it was accomplished.

[@lindalee7322]

Me, too. I don't have the link to it, but they have a special where they introduce the people responsible for setting up everything, booking their lodgings, getting permits, preparing the meals for everyone according to their food preferences (including the vegetarians and vegans), film crew, and so on. There are about 100 people involved altogether, most of whom we never see during any episode.

[@Jigger2361]

... i once cleaned up an archaeological trench on city property after our dig and the adjacent homeowner called me months later saying i broke his lawnmower due to my bad repair etc. The guy was a city councillor at the time and quite a moron, after a firey debate on the lawn I paid the 80 bucks and moved on. I wonder if TT ever got such a call. Knowing people they must have

[@kvarietyfan]

I keep remembering ; three stones make a wall. LOL 14:04 I counted.

[@eboracum2012]

Contents of the garderobes were gathered by the gerfermonger, or something similiar, I believe. Interesting name for the task.

[@user-hy7zb2vl3t]

Might cone from the noise you make when digging it out😊

[@justaguitardude]

i bet the time teams effect on some of these kids has some of them out there digging in the dirt looking for history today! pretty cool!

[@nutsaboutnames3805]

These kids would be of university age by now, so maybe some of them are studying / have studied archaeology or history at uni :D

[@Fox1nDen]

I would have stocked the "moat" with trout and panfish.

[@MrKmoconne]

Are any of the children who were present during this episode reading this and what were your memories??

[@john9982]

I wonder how many of those children are now archeologists because of this episodes?

[@JETWTF]

A moat is also a water filled ditch that isn't defensive but decorative too. A moat also doesn't have to be filled with water, could be just a sloshy muddy mess at the bottom of the trench after it rains and dry the rest of the time. Amazes me how they stick with stereotypes like an episode where they thought it was a castle but turned out to be a posh house that was designed like a castle when a castle is just a posh house with castle defenses.

[@slowburntm3584]

@25:20 Nothing like some decapitation comedy to get the young'ns into looking for a human head!😱😂😂

[@dinx556]

Really good.

[@dancingwithnature5303]

28:19 Is this a dagger which I see before me?

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

_Is that a _*_digger_*_ I see before me?_

[@graceamerican3558]

What do do we look for? LUMPS & BUMPS. 😄

[@ruthsmith2434]

I saw a dovecote in Ireland. First time I knew about them.

[@Jigger2361]

...whoa! Helen's amazing complexion at 37:43 !

[@tomtinkersrezlife278]

I love time team and miss it but any one else notice that historian guy could pass for Frankenstein lol 😂❤️

[@j.b.4340]

@ 39:20 , pigeons are called Rock Doves.

[@DjPom3]

legend

[@mariecarie1]

19:43 Meet Larry, Harry's forgotten and far less interesting little brother.

[@fritzalot]

Do you have Time Team tee shirts and mugs, jewelry and other merchandise?

[@tammydriver5759]

What did Mick do to his arm?

[@ltquillbydaily1490]

I went here on a residential trip with my school, the breakfast was horrible

[@gregb6469]

That's so the kids won't linger over their food and be late for the first class of the day.

[@ltquillbydaily1490]

Greg B In 3/4 we have to stay together and breakfast starts and ends at a certain time so we were never late

[@ltquillbydaily1490]

***** Dont worry I feel you

[@ltquillbydaily1490]

Leopararouen Nope..

[@christianpatriot7439]

Why would the most important room be in a stand alone building considering what the English weather can be like?

[@Fox1nDen]

oohhahhhhh, palimpsest, one of my favorite words.

[@leonacollins1785]

palincest

[@tankgirl2074]

It's a neat word. Leona... sorry! The correct word IS "palimpsest" pal·imp·sest /ˈpaləm(p)ˌsest/ noun noun: palimpsest; plural noun: palimpsests a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain. something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form. "Sutton Place is a palimpsest of the taste of successive owners" Palincest has several usages. One is a graphic art form A second is a English literary novel technique. Writer Anthony Burgess described it as "The piling on of extra connotations is of the essence of palimpestuous or palincestuos technique"- the sense of imperfection and fallenness that Burgess identifies in both humanity and language. (read more in: Novel Style: Ethics and Excess in English Fiction Since the 1960s, by Ben Masters) Interestingly, Palincest does not appear in dictionaries, nor the Oxford English Dictionary.

[@tphvictims5101]

Tuesday 2 2018 1:20am.

[@phoule76]

hey, teacher! leave those kids alone!

[@dmcgee3]

39:25 is Mick unaware that doves and pigeons are the same bird?

[@krystinal586]

LOL @ 7:15

[@christianpatriot7439]

For the sake of archaeology, it's a shame that great halls didn't have standardized dimensions, or at least standardized according to the owner's rank in the peerage. The higher up in the peerage you are the more important your guests would be so the bigger your great hall would need to be.

[@adkviking69shofner98]

Watching this pn LSD and then the hand with the bones lol

[@TeresaTrimm]

First aired January 28, 2007

[@DogOfKrondor]

3 people who obviously don't like learning anything. ignorance must be bliss.

[@CompetitiveAudio]

Dog OfKrondor since it's 3 out of 35,846 views I think there's hope for mankind HAHA...

[@gregb6469]

As of 28 July 2016, the vote is 182 up, 4 down.

[@neonskyline1]

You could make a film handing out money and it would have dislikes

[@jorenthar9186]

Is that history guy noel fieldings dad?

[@neonskyline1]

One looks like Stephen Fry

[@MrGoat47]

their expert looks like phil

[@wilfredmay5231]

Today Gaderobe in the Swedish language is where you would hang your clothes. Probably in a restaurant.

[@rosestewart1606]

They spent so much time looking for a medieval building when they had just torn one down 40 years ago....

[@ancilodon]

Pretty common occurrence in England. And the rest of Europe, one may well assume.

[@TheSpikehere]

@31:40.... "I hate to say it, but I'm not for turning.".... Nice little bit of political humour from John. Which will be lost on our younger viewers.

[@gregb6469]

I got it as soon as he said it! :)

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

@@gregb6469 So did I. That shows how old we are!

[@Tipi_Dan]

I just realized the first face on the Time Team logo has Carenza's profile and Tony's eyes.

[@ruthbowman5928]

Catching up in June 2021, I am just now at this episode. I too have noticed the profile and now see the eyes. Do you see changes in the new logo on the Patreon site?

[@bokhans]

1,2,3 crash 😂

[@phantomkate6]

Moving away from actual archaeology eventually killed the show. The kids are cool, but that's a different focus for a different audience entirely. Hopefully Time Team will be brought back someday!

[@wbrewer5352]

The show is not really about archaeology - it's about the stories archaeology can help reveal. So "local" participation (in this case the kids) was often encouraged to further the show's main educational purpose. I enjoyed seeing these kids get involved in something they normally wouldn't - even if by their accents I can tell they are from wealthy backgrounds and certainly not Dorset locals, most of whom wouldn't be able to afford to attend the programs offered at Hooke Court.