Time Team Special: King of Bling | Classic Special (Full Episode) - 2005 (Prittlewell, Essex)

FULL EPISODE | CLASSIC TIME TEAM SPECIAL
Time Team turn their attention to an important Royal Saxon tomb in Prittlewell, near Southend in Essex. During a routine road widening in late 2003, an impressive array of Saxon objects were uncovered, leading to an excavation by MOLA. Further excitement centred around the discovery of an intact wood-lined burial chamber, and its precious high-status contents were comparable to similar regional discoveries in Broomfield, Taplow, and Sutton Hoo. In this Classic Time Team Special from 2005, Tony Robinson is joined by Mick Aston, Helen Geake and Sam Newton to investigate further.
Original broadcast date: 13th June 2005.
Discover more about the Prittlewell princely burial here: www.prittlewellprincelyburial...
See more of Dr Sam Netwon and his lyre on Patreon: / timeteamofficial
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[@TimeTeamOfficial]

Help Time Team to produce more new episodes by becoming a member on Patreon: www.patreon.com/TimeTeamOfficial

[@eilrobichaud]

Already a Patreon, only wish I could give more. One thing is for sure, it makes me want to visit the United Kingdom with an archaeological group in the near future… Thank you for continuing to show why it’s so important that we find, protect, and better understand our past as we going to the future.

[@lumu76]

Closed captions please!

[@dl7596]

@@lumu76 I was going to say exactly the same thing.

[@dl7596]

@@lumu76 btw, Waaaay down in the comments, I found this, "@TimeTeamOfficial 18 hours ago Updated subtitles are on the way very soon."

[@ShortwickCreations]

Is there anywhere I could purchase the collection of Time Team seasons?

[@terryt.1643]

A wonderful “lost episode” that I’ve never seen before. Thanks to all who made it and those who made it available to old fans. 🥰💕❤️👍👍

[@patriciatoomingtheplantpar2558]

It was only dropped into KZbin 6 days ago to this date, so hasn't been "lost" very long.

[@dwightehowell8179]

@@patriciatoomingtheplantpar2558 Mick Aston has been dead for many years and I have never seen it either. This video has existed for a long time.

[@lorrainesinclairmegson-mk7tp]

@@patriciatoomingtheplantpar2558 Mick Aston passed away in 2013

[@susanpallister8037]

This episode originally aired June 13 2005

[@pup1008]

Knowing "Sarf End" as I do, they did well to put that security up around the site!

[@TheSteveBoyd]

This was a real treat. Not only is it a Time Team Special I hadn't seen before, but one of the best ones I've seen! Here in the U.S., where our "History Channel" and "The Learning Channel" consist of ridiculousness like "Ancient Aliens" and "My 6,000 Pound Arse" (okay, I made that second one up - but just barely!), this is not only new to many of us, but for me it's like a burst of oxygen in a stale intellectual silo. ☮

[@barrydysert2974]

Well put !:-)

[@pluffer241]

I've tried but I cannot watch US documentaries. They're dreadful.

[@allysmith2284]

Bravo! How eloquently put! It assigns both the US and other countries to relatively newborn status!

[@mannyvega4505]

There is a reason why they do not teach proper History in the US. The minute minorities pushed for real historical education, you got immediate book bans and "woke-virus" backlash. This is why our American "History" channel is the way it is. All WWII because it was the last time the US was relevant and false history in order to erase the sins of the past :(

[@RKHageman]

@@pluffer241 Most of them *aren’t* dreadful, in reality- IF you watch public television such as PBS and the like. The PBS series NOVA has been going for decades and is great scientific and historical stuff. The National Geographic Society has been producing stellar documentary films for half a century. I grew up on Nat’l Geographic Specials, as did most of my generation. It’s the cable/satellite channels that run to wacky sensational rot because it gets them viewers.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Just great to see Sir Tony and his old sidekick Mick Aston, very good stuff indeed! Thanks, Tony and team! ⭐👍

[@girlnorthof60]

Time Team gold, a treasure dug directly from the archives... 🥰

[@donnabrown5676]

I so miss Mick Aston. The knitted ware he wore were the best in fashion in 4 EVER. PLUS brilliant man.

[@Blisterdude123]

I love to imagine Mick would've insisted Tony was the sidekick, provoking a round of bickering.

[@markholroyde9412]

"Sir Tony" hilarious, a goofball that is known for being a dope acting stupid 30 years ago you lapdogs are funny.🤣

[@threadofhope]

Mick Aston w/ice cream in a stripey jumper is perfection!

[@twin40dave]

Thats amazing 👏 was great to see mick again God rest his soul 🙏 😊 so sadly missed

[@twin40dave]

@@tylerjwatson yes such a sad loss, 😔

[@BeardClipper]

I was thinking exactly this as I watched it. What an excellent episode!

[@amys2650]

This made my day heck my week. I thought I had watched every Time Team episode there was and then there was this. Miss this crew especially Mick Aston, Victor (Artist) and Robin Bush (Historian) RIP to the three of them. I hope there are all enjoying everything they loved in life.

[@user-fq8rs7rz3i]

They’ve all died? RIP.

[@silmarian]

I would love to see a ‘20 years later’ follow up to this, even if it was only a 15 minute thing.

[@maxdecphoenix]

so go read the wikipedia entry. Carbon-dating of some artifacts pushed the date back to 580AD, they now believe the remains are Saexa, a brother of the king Saeberht mentioned here. There was never any DNA testing done on the recovered dentin, and the wing of the museum to house all the finds opened in 2019.

[@markholroyde9412]

You wont get that LOL, its been "stolen" and is prob hanging around in a nasty elitists house.....called a Museum

[@549RR]

Wow! One I’ve never seen before, and I’d thought I’d been so thorough in my pursuit of the archival episodes. How gorgeous!

[@larrybesel9423]

Thank you for making history more available in a great format

[@benjaminblakemore9704]

I love this man, Tony is so nostalgic for my life 😢😊😊

[@cherylmaden5989]

Got black adder and Monty Python, Benny Hill and Dr. Who from my dad. Rip dad. Thanks for exposing me to this from toddler good on. It was a gift I still appreciate ❤🤓🥲

[@Tawadeb]

What a fabulous programme and a great excavation by the archeologists!!! Loved the eulogy poem by Dr Sam and the lyre in his grandsons church Wonderful!!! Thank you

[@Brandeena233]

That buckle is incredible. I know gold doesn't tarnish compared to everything else in the burial, but it honestly looks like it was made yesterday.

[@beastshawnee]

except that it’s so heavy- it could be. I can make all these type of fold things but have no royalty to work for-which is good because I would tell them all off.

[@nazufani4016]

"With me, Tony Robinson". YAY!!!! "Yes, M'Lord" 🙃 Baldrick! My favorite character in Blackadder. 👍🌻

[@johnbacon1854]

I was born in Southend in 72. I grew up just over a mile south of Prittlewell and worked at a site a quarter mile or so from this plot of land. I walked past it and over it dozens of times. To think that this important person and piece of history was so close is crazy to think. It also makes me proud to come from there though given the Towns history. In the early 2000s I worked on my family tree and was able to go back to almost the mid 1800s. Not that far really wehn you pitch it against this sort of history, but along the way I found out some really interesting things about the town and surrounding areas and how it had gone from very much farm land to the town it had become. If only we could go back in real terms if only for a short period to see feel and hear what life was like then. Time Team and all those involved you did a fantastic job with this site and I am very thankful I got to see this episode and enjoy that distant history from long ago.

[@desertfoxxx98]

My family has done the same and we can be traced back to around the year 100AD. Which is insane.

[@Just_Sara]

I went to school with a gal who was able to trace her family back to the year 6 - yes, 6 - to a man named God Wolf, or so she told me.@@desertfoxxx98

[@sapiotone]

I grew up on Priory Crescent. None of us kids would play on that patch of ground. Not even to watch trains from the fence. Reason being, the place was haunted... yet "haunted' was never a reason to stop us playing all around the priory despite the ghost stories. Perhaps that's the difference between stories and local lore? The stories added colour to our lives, whereas lore was something to be respected

[@rdf8312]

Fascinating! I was also born in S-O-S but in 1944. My schooling was half a mile away at Southend High School for Boys. My first job was at the EKCO factory, making TVs, just round the bend from this Saxon site. My second job was a mile away at Southend General Hospital 1962-1966.

[@Tawadeb]

@@sapiotoneyou all had a feeling it was sacred ground

[@whiskeysixindigo7371]

That's cool that in the UK you can dig down a few feet and find ancient rome, medieval times or even stone age finds If you dig down here in the U.S. all you get is mud.

[@snesguy9176]

Well if your in the right area you might get lucky and find an arrowhead 😂. But yeah I really envy them being able randomly find a roman coin in their yard.

[@christinewilde110]

I think if we all dig deeper than we can imagine we would find much more. We haven't a clue what is down there. They stop when we find something........Egypt has lots more under the Temples but they won't excavate.

[@bdi11000]

where i live many artifacts western ohio

[@cherylmaden5989]

Or in Florida, we get either swamp or the water table( limestone)😊

[@tomfeline7352]

We love you Baldric ❤

[@JulieBullard-zc5gv]

That was a wonderful historical experience. Thank you. The song at the end ❤ BRAVO

[@simongentry]

the time team specials tied in everything the team were, all there personalities! it has always been about their interactions, adlibs. man they had the perfect formula.

[@debrah7548]

Yes!

[@barryeva8862]

So agree

[@judithburke1539]

Indeed!

[@jppcasey]

Always nice to see and hear Tony. He's the absolute best.

[@luapnosboh7421]

Baldrick have you been eating dung again ! No sir just diggin in it ! Great 👍 absolutely brilliant TT love to lose misen in history just like I did back in 94 never stop tony

[@DWKThedogbreaths]

Long live Mick Aston, R.I.P. the most interesting man on telly, sorely missed

[@R08Tam]

Lovely to see Mick Aston again

[@debbiemoffat7723]

Wow always loved this show. Want more please.

[@samael335]

You'll certainly never lose Mick Aston in a crowd.

[@davidbarton5438]

Mick is in his element here

[@philipcgannon5696]

Excellent program and what a find coming from Essex I am very proud of this discovery thank you Time Team

[@sylviaquinn4217]

My daughter lives in Prittlewell and I've always been a big of a history buff. All leading to us being fascinated by this discovery! Still watching this in 2023.

[@TheBro_UK-yw2gu]

I bumped into Mick and Phil in a pub in Oxford centre some years back. It's nice to see him on screen, he was such an expert.

[@rossmcleod7983]

Love this show. Old enough to remember the day and I long for it.

[@SuperWaaaaagh]

Finally!!!!! Being an essex boy from Southend, this episode is/was my all time favourite. Been a struggle to find it online, so thank you for uploading. I really wish more work was done/attempted to uncover more of the east saxon history...I'll bet there is so much undiscovered archaeology around Southend. I remember being a boy in westcliff, and my father (along with all my neighbours) used to find so many potential artifacts in theor gardens when landscaping. I wish I could go back in time as an adult and inspect all the things that were thrown away

[@terryt.1643]

Doesn’t it just shatter you to look back and think of lost opportunities? I know how you feel. I’ve often wished for a Time Machine. 😊

[@SuperWaaaaagh]

@@terryt.1643 100% my friend

[@Tawadeb]

Wow what a shame there werent more excavations

[@SuperWaaaaagh]

@Tawadeb it's so heavily built up around Southend now, I think the best chance archaeological study would have is in people's back yards. So many generations of building and rebuilding, its hard to know or imagine whats been lost, destroyed or what might still be there.

[@Tawadeb]

@@SuperWaaaaaghYes i noticed it was very urbanised. True about peoples back yards being the best place to dig!!

[@randyspencer5937]

I’m from Kentucky in the USA and I love your show

[@janielaurel]

I love Sam Newton's mastery of what I am assuming is "olde english" ... The elegy at the end of this video is exemplary. :) - and I wonder if I could hire these guys to build a lyre for ME.

[@leah-wp3dx]

Thank you so much Time Team!

[@bryanb1259]

Awe bless Mick❤

[@SuperWaaaaagh]

He is a legend. I'll bet he's looking down with pride that time team is back, without the channel 4 'dumbing down'

[@lindagomez3114]

Can you imagine finding this all.. Mind blowing and Amazing!!! Right on Time Team!!! You rock!!!🎉

[@thejoyofthelordismystrengt8325]

Sir Tony, thank you for many hours of pleasure and education through Time Team. I am a retired police chief and started watching the series starting with your first shoe in 1994 by way of Amazon Prime. Again thank you from your American fan.

[@kimberlypatton205]

I think it must be one of the most significant digs of the last 200 years! Phenomenal! And the glass is intact- amazing!

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

I would of sold them on the black market if I found them with my metal detector..

[@sdole9448]

I'M SO GLAD THE SPECIALS, ESP THIS ONE, ARE BACK!!!!!!!!

[@paulaburnett5587]

Love Time Team here in the US. I enjoy early English history and how everything was done for a reason. That this was mostly in wood makes it hard for them to know exactly when the years are since it has wasted away and there is nothing to to give them a clue as to when it was. The soil has just eaten away the bones of the person buried and that only some teeth were left but not enough to date is amazing to me. Great show..enjoyed it very much. Thank you.

[@katherinemarie1471]

Keep them coming!!! Brilliant, exciting and epic.

[@mikeblair2594]

I've seen all of the time team episodes over the last eight years, several times for some of them. I can't remember seeing this one although I've seen the title many times. I wonder why I never took the time to watch it. It's absolutely fascinating.

[@paulfinney4197]

Probably the best time team/special episode ever. The ‘foreword/preface’ of this episode gives me tingles and the music aligned with it is so inspiritive, best ever.

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

This dig was amazing to have THIS many finds, and to have So much of items found. Such a shame that there was not much of the body left at all, even not enough to do a DNA on. Being a genealogy researcher, I find it so important that genealogy is incorparated in Archaeology, and that between the two, Dr. Sam Newton was able to find,as to whom was buried at the site. Amazing work, from all involved.

[@NorwayT]

I thought I had seen absolutely every second of Time Team, but this was a "Lost Gem" that delighted me no end! 👍

[@lhs761]

They had incredible memories. Their knowledge and history was oral. Incredible brain capacity.

[@joshschneider9766]

As a glassblower I am inexorably drawn to making simple vessel shapes with ornate mosaic patterns of my own design. If I could have achieved the patterns I use now back in Saxon times I'd have been stupendously wealthy 😂

[@judithburke1539]

If you live in England, and souvenirs are sold in the museum, you might be able to see if they would be interested in reproductions of the glass items that were found. Not sure why my mind went in that direction, but there it is.😊

[@pammatheny128]

Bravo ! absolutely lovely insights. Thank you all !

[@caittails]

And now we know this actually PREDATES all the people they thought this could be! This find is so fascinating, and there’s still so much to learn from it.

[@jefflanam]

I hope they do a follow up. The carbon dating indicates an earlier date, too early for Sæberht. The good news is that the burial site will be preserved and the road is being diverted. Maybe Dani could do a short video? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prittlewell_royal_Anglo-Saxon_burial

[@Tawadeb]

Oh interesting!!

[@willhouse]

Yeah... I am utterly fascinated by how the 580-ish date makes this burial even *weirder* in terms of christian influence on pagan power. If only we could hear Mick's response, too!

[@Tawadeb]

@@willhouse Its all just guesses about what went on back then... i had heard late Roman Britain was 50% Christian. Its absurd to say Augustine brought Christianity to England. Way too late a date. Great to hear if believers back then

[@willhouse]

@@Tawadeb There's yet another interesting aspect of religion here in the class structure. Would everyday workers have held different beliefs from the wealthy? Did Christianity's rise in Europe happen amongst rulers first, or did it take hold amongst the regular folks?

[@Tawadeb]

@@willhouseregular folks Id say. Like in the bible. Mostly workers. The Roman emperors persecuted Christians til 330AD

[@girlnorthof60]

The way in which we are gently eased through the complex but extremely interesting unpicking of an archeological and historical discovery... Top marks in showing/ explaining this incredible archeological excavation, scientific analysis/conservation & historical research. No one does it better than Time Team. 😊👍

[@Gandalf22476]

If ever there was a content creator that deserved Patreon subscribers it's them. Let's get Time Team to 10,000!

[@barryandjackypowell8239]

Absolutely fascinating and astonishing with the complexity of the site, and time of discovery.Congratulations to ALL those involved in piecing together a remarkable discovery.

[@SmithCaro]

Now I want an ice cream with a flake ... 🍦 ... On another note, those blue glass jars are absolutely stunning !!! ... 😊

[@SandraNelson063]

That lyre must have been a favorite. To have been repaired at least twice, instead of being tossed out and replaced, means that it was important. The new lyre is lovely.

[@timmaxwell2348]

THIS is why I've been a Time Team fan for years (and more recently, a Patron.) 🙌

[@smoggysearcher3852]

Absolutely fascinating really enjoyable uncovering untold history at its finest loved watching this episode!!

[@adamumagpire7848]

History is a tapestry... Alas, this is a new gem for me. Thank you so much and all included in this mind-expanding history. Time Team will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you and bless your ancestors.

[@bulldogstrut1]

It's really very good to see Tony back in action again. I've missed him along with the members of the team getting their collective hands dirty again. You've put a smile on my face again.

[@nzlemming]

That was brilliant. I've not seen this before. Thank you.

[@jcortese3300]

I've always seen those lyres and wondered what you can do with only 6 strings, but when he started getting harmonics out of it, I realized that you can get a lot more notes out of one of them than one would first imagine -- octaves and fifths at least. You still can't get a massive range, but nevertheless, it's more versatile than I thought.

[@PenelopeFluffington]

About a hundred times more versatile than the butchery of heavy metal strumming here. That was horrible! Could he not have picked out a melody on individual strings?

[@christinewilde110]

And I bet the original players got much more range than we can ever imagine......X

[@claudeortega8289]

I love this episode. You never know what could be under our feet.

[@ragnarironspear1791]

One of if not the best TV show on the planet. Documenting where we come from

[@TheBlondeSunset]

Long time fan of Time Team on KZbin, and I missed this episode! So glad it was posted to the channel!

[@judithburke1539]

I agree! Thank you so much!

[@deeannmcginnis2115]

This was lovely. Thank you Sam for the eulogy to a once lost king.

[@Rosiecrossley1]

My favourite time team episode so far!

[@bainfinch]

One of my favourite Time Team Specials to follow the investigation and conservation after the dig.

[@veldawells2839]

I often wondered all those years ago that I drove passed this site on many occasions, what was going on. Now I know...and WOW, was that an amazing discovery! Absolutely mind-blowing episode. Just beautiful. The complicated research delivered a rich story on the history of Essex county. Makes you feel like you are living in that time. Thank you TT. ❤❤❤

[@daveallen9921]

I thought I had seen every episode. This is one of the best, richest Time Team shows. Thanks. Subscribed. Liked. Please keep it up!

[@geraldcapon392]

Nice to see you back introducing this episode Tony. As usual with dark age English discoveries they don’t join up the dots to get the fuller picture. The late Belgian historian Henri Pirenne explains that the Merovingian Frankish kingdom was almost a continuation of Roman civilisation (the Pirenne thesis). He explains that Frankish Merovingian tremisse gold coins were equivalent in weight size and purity to the Byzantine tremisses - which were a third of a Byzantine gold solidus. This almost common coinage faciltated massive trade between Byzantium and the Merovingian Frankish kingdom. The Franks were the big boys on the block in dark age Northern Europe and in partnership with the Frisians they created a trading network in the North Sea of almost Hanseatic proportions. This is explained by prof Stéphane Lebeq in many books and essays. That’s how the Eastern Mediterrean bling got there (just like Sutton Hoo). What did these petty 'Saxon’ kings have to flog to get all this bling? The answer’s easy - slaves from their conquests in England!

[@Klara-Hvar]

Amazing, amazing finds...so grateful to see one of the old Time Team episodes that I had never seen. The transition from paganism to Christianity was gradual, so it isn't surprising that there is a mixture of both characteristics in the tomb, even with the latest radiocarbon dating indicating that it could be from the previous century.

[@Just_Sara]

When I saw those finds, I kid you not, I got goosebumps and felt a little woozy. What an amazing shock for the people who found these! After watching it, it's really human I guess to see evidence of family drama even that far back. Families have been families for time immemorial, I suppose, and it's somehow a real comfort.

[@Rocsanna]

Such an interesting episode, that I had never seen before. Thank you for sharing it!

[@lyndseykindred8297]

Oh Fantastic, thankyou so much for this! I spent time at Camp Bling, the protest camp that stopped the site having a road built over it in the years after the excavation. I never got to see the artifacts and moved away from the area a few years afterwards. Might be time to go back and see them now there is an exhibit, if that's still there!

[@markroth9827]

Time Team is awesome!

[@kentpaynter1350]

That was fantastic! Loved seeing Mick, Tony, Helen and Sam again. Thank you

[@tterbay]

Super episode! Thank you, so very much, Time Team!

[@Truffles_bombs]

That Music well done. time team always Make me happy. miss mick

[@hellagood67]

Wow! What a fantastic episode. I loved the in-depth analysis and the calmness of the story. I hope Mick Aston is having a glass of white somewhere, watching and feeling quite proud of his legacy ❤❤❤

[@jimmarkey3339]

Really loved this 'Special'. Thanks so much time Team for uploading this

[@teriwood9657]

Ty for bringing these "lost episodes" or specials of Time Team. I have seen every other episode more than 5-10 times each. I absolutely love them all. 💕

[@d_rooster]

Time Team made my Sundays exciting when I was a kid. I haven't seen this one, thank you :)

[@DipityS]

Oh dear! I have goose bumps! Thank you so much to the team for this little gem - and for including the ceremony for the King with the gentlemen in his Church - to hear a sound so long unheard and have the incanting of his honours was spine tingling!

[@Loafinbaker]

I hope that Time Team can do more like these! I am a proud Patreon Supporter and this is the content I crave!

[@Teresa-ih4sn]

Wow! I never seen this! Thank you for bringing this to KZbin!!!❤

[@fractaljack210]

Love all the specials. Would it be possible to see the episode, "Seahenge?"

[@jessicaromick1035]

Yes please!

[@dianaweir-smith2803]

It’s out there on KZbin

[@fractaljack210]

@@dianaweir-smith2803 Yes, but the quality is awful. A clean HD upload would be fantastic. It's my favourite special, by far.

[@thomasevans5467]

Look for reiger zeiger as a channel name they have every time team EVER

[@kimb777]

That was a wonderful episode that I’ve never seen. Thank you for showing it to us.

[@kenriley7405]

Time team is a amazing show,best history show out today way better than the History Channel. A true behind the scenes of archeological history. Way to go!

[@RobWaters]

I absolutely love when these Goatee Era Tony episodes pop up.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

He grew that for some show I think it was called mermaid ???

[@alle1u]

Great as always, thank you. Subtitles would be appreciated

[@TheTiffanyAching]

Fabulous.

[@EllenZarnick-jf5dp]

Good Afternoon from Illinois. Enjoy these episodes.

[@wabisabi6875]

Bravo! Surely one of the best Time Team Specials! Hey, fellow fans, I heartily recommend you check out Benjamin Bagby's recitation performance of Beowulf: one man, one lyre, great poetry--one of the most memorable concerts I have ever attended.

[@caracan]

Such a good episode! And those finds are just staggering.

[@queenvee8301]

I'm happy to see you Mr. Tony Robinson in this Time Team Episode

[@stephenkayser3147]

An incredible effort. Though I have repeatedly watched every episode I could find over the "many" years this one has escaped my viewing. It gave me great joy to see Mic and Tony interact anew in possibly ways I had not exactly seen before. At first I had thought it was a new episode though Tony did look younger but I am tired and was not thinking clearly late at night. Also the video quality was that of the new episodes so a great testament to both. It made me realize anew the quality of the original Time "Team" and my gratitude to them and the new "Team" and it's many "old" members which only adds to the joy. A very interesting and important episode brilliantly presented in an entertaining way as always. Long live Time Team.

[@UnessasryGestures]

It's a great show, I always liked time team.

[@MrMongoly]

A great episode. Please release more "lost" episodes.

[@SM-gv9nf]

I find the specials are more engaging for people new to time team, thanks for posting

[@BrettFosterUK]

I remember this all happening. I used to ride my bicycle directly along that site to and from school every day. Crazy to think something so important was there all this time and nobody knew. I wonder how much else was in Priory Park or where the train line is currently that's been lost.

[@peterkarargiris4110]

'Two grumpy old republicans', Sir Tony ? But seriously, it's so good to see Helen, Mick, Dr John Blair and Sam Newton again. Excellent special. The highlight for me was the recreation of the lyre.

[@anachyinuk]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was a bit befuddled by that line.

[@RKHageman]

@@anachyinuk What that means in Europe, I presume, is “not monarchists”. The ones who started the French Revolution called themselves that as well.

[@philroberts7238]

That is certainly what it means in this context. Tony and Mick were both men of the political left - about as different from the Republicans of modern America as it is possible to get!

[@peterkarargiris4110]

@@philroberts7238 I'm an Aussie I know what the true meaning of 'republican' is. Tony was knighted in 2013 and that can only be done by a king or queen.

[@philroberts7238]

I'm a republican as well, but probably not so staunch as to refuse a knighthood should the government, for whatever bizarre reason, choose to honour me in such a fashion. In much the same way, I wouldn't refuse to contribute to, say, the RSPCA, simply because it has an 'R' in its moniker. I wouldn't accuse Tony of betraying his principles by accepting the offer of a knighthood, although I'm aware that some people have indeed refused such honours because of their own idealogical standpoint on these matters. I guess it's a question of doing whatever you're morally comfortable with.

[@kenijonesESQ]

Great ending to a great episode....cheers everyone from P.E.I. Canada