Time Team Teatime 30: Ken Follett - Building the Past

Time Team Teatime 30: This week, we're joined by Ken Follett, internationally bestselling author of epics including 'Pillars of the Earth' and 'Fall of Giants'. Ken tells Tim Taylor about the inspiration behind his latest Kingsbridge novel, 'The Evening and the Morning'.
As you'll see, Ken is no stranger to Time Team and he shares his fascination with reconstructing ancient crafts and techniques from stone-masonry to forging coins. Which is Ken's favourite cathedral? What's he currently researching? Where is his fantasy dig site? Join us to find out!
TEATIME COMPETITION!
We have a copy of the excellent 'The Evening and the Morning' book - very kindly signed by Ken himself - and an official Time Team T-shirt up for grabs!
To Enter:
1. Complete and submit correct competition answer here (Pssst - You'll need to watch this Teatime interview for the answer): forms.gle/yyReKN9ssr5bF9aG6
Plus...
2. For additional entries head to our Facebook or Instagram page for more details.
PR Image credit: Olivier Favre and West Stow Anglo Saxon Village
Discover more about Ken and his books: ken-follett.com/
Website: www.timeteamdigital.com
Instagram: / timeteamdigital
Twitter: / thetimeteam
Facebook: / officialtimeteam

[@rknowling]

Thankyou so much for this amazing interview!

[@mlr4524]

I'm in nerd Heaven right now as a writer and Time Team fan. Thank you so much for doing this. I've been devouring TT episodes on KZbin during the pandemic - they are adventures for the mind while our bodies stay in relative reclusiveness. Just pulled out my ragged copy of The Pillars of the Earth. And yes, more Time Team specials, please. Just don't let us wait 6 months after they air in the UK before we can view them in the US.

[@nigelh3253]

Great to see Ken Follett and hearing him discuss his books and history in general. How refreshing these days to hear a man saying that he got things wrong or learnt a lot from other people. (The opposite of our politicians!). I look forward to his new novel. Thanks

[@TimeTeamOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it. Don't forget to enter our competition for a chance to win a signed copy the book. Details above.

[@VictorRochaGaming]

I really love these segments with Tim Taylor. Keeping the memory alive. Thanks, Tim.

[@michelleduplooymalherbe2837]

TO ME KEN FOLLET IS A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME, I LOVE HIS BOOKS AND HAVE READ MOST OF THEM MORE THAN ONCE AND LISTENED TO THE AUDIO BOOKS

[@collettecorbeil3975]

This was a great interview. I learned a lot. I read Pillars of the Earth and I was totally engrossed in it.

[@onnieduvall2565]

One of the best Teatimes. Every Ken Follett novel that I have attempted to read I usually finished pretty quickly. Sleep would go by the wayside, Especially with such works as The Pillars of the Earth and The Man from St. Petersburg. I would dare say that he is my favorite contemporary English author of fiction. And this from someone who generally avoids fiction like the plague.

[@stephenkunst7550]

Great comments on hands on technology. In today's college or bust K-12 education funnel, the word merchants, most of whom have not held a hammer, chisel, or file & have no muscle memory of what its like to make things. Books have their place, but so does learn by doing.

[@cindymansour7603]

I thank you Tim for a wonderful interview with Ken Follett...... I found it fascinating and loved the way you led him in with the connection of monk's with Charlemagne...... That brought me to the end of my seat as I could see Kens brain working overtime with an embryo of a new book developing i was clapping my hands with delight.... fascinating to watch you both. I did have the pleasure of meeting you many years ago when you was visiting Sunderland Point I was living there at the time. Thank you once again. Best wishes.. Cynthia from Morecambe a big Time Team Fan.

[@dianacipollone4560]

Love Time Team . Diana. Canada, but born in England

[@deborahross2101]

Thank you 😊❤️

[@robynlarue3837]

Loved both Pillars of the Earth and World Without End! Tim mentioned Ken taking on the Reformation. Another interesting time was the persecution of the Lollards, Wycliffe's struggle to put the Bible in English, and the events of that time.

[@chrish.8241]

Very good interview, most entertaining and informative. I have just ordered 'Pillars of the Earth' on the strength of this teatime!

[@TimeTeamOfficial]

You're in for a treat - it's a great read!

[@sUASNews]

Very interesting, thanks very much

[@amandataub842]

Monks from Ireland went to Charlemagne's court to teach him to read and write. The monks brought literacy and learning to his court. They kept learning alive during the "Dark Ages".

[@seriousmaran9414]

The Somme was near enough the same battlefield as Agincourt, with a similar result. The planning seemed good but the execution was lacking. It seems they knew the wire wasn't cut but went ahead anyway. Informative and interesting episode.

[@thehilligan]

Charlemagne was def massively influential. And Irish monasteries.

[@thehilligan]

Knebworth is going to have Anglo-Saxon, because of the name- it will be someone`s "enclosure", whatever version of the name "Knebb/Knebba" was. We have Nailsworth down the road.

[@neonskyline1]

I have to say Ken is one interesting Guy, if i was a book reader i'd get one of his books, I usually watch TT to get away from things, It would be nice to see it return, for me the problem is going to be who's on it, we don't have a lot of young people now with character, well none actually, this has to be the dumbest and most uninspiring period in human history, good luck with it :)

[@randymarsh625]

Tom Builder

[@lesliecarter205]

anybody who wants to know what happen to dustin hoffman .here he is. Ken Follett, lol