Episodes

  • DD - Episode 11 - Kingston By Sea

    DD - Episode 11 - Kingston By Sea
    Oct 29 2024
    A delve into Kingston by Sea and the importance of salt production in Medieval England.
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • DD - Episode 10 - Okehampton

    DD - Episode 10 - Okehampton
    Oct 22 2024
    Okehampton's Domesday Delving episode, looking at slavery in the medieval period, the difference between serfs and slaves, along with the importance of milling and castles to the structure of society.
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
  • DD - Episode 9 - Helston

    DD - Episode 9 - Helston
    Oct 15 2024
    An exploration of medieval Helston in Cornwall, complete with an explanation of just how important ale really was to the medieval economy.
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • DD - Episode 8 - Lowestoft

    DD - Episode 8 - Lowestoft
    Oct 8 2024
    In this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore the coastal settlement of Lowestoft in Suffolk, a berewick of Gorleston held by Gyrth Godwinson before the Norman Conquest. We'll dive into what life was like in this small but significant agricultural community, its ties to one of the most powerful families in pre-Conquest England, and the changes that followed in the wake of William the Conqueror. Learn about the villagers, the woodland that supported the local pigs, and the fluctuating livestock numbers, all while piecing together the broader story of how the Domesday Book recorded and reshaped England’s landscape.
    Show more Show less
    10 mins
  • DD - Episode 7 - Ruckinge

    DD - Episode 7 - Ruckinge
    Oct 1 2024
    In this episode of Domesday Delving, we visit the small village of Ruckinge in Kent. Once held by Leofraed under King Edward, Ruckinge came under the control of Ralph fitz Richard after the Norman Conquest. We’ll dive into the Domesday entry to uncover what half a sulung of land meant, explore the lives of the local villagers, and trace the impact of Norman rule on this rural community. With a special focus on Ralph fitz Richard’s role, this episode brings Ruckinge’s medieval past to life, offering insights into feudal landholding and daily life in post-Conquest England.
    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • DD - Episode 6 - Pontefract (Tanshelf)

    DD - Episode 6 - Pontefract (Tanshelf)
    Sep 24 2024
    In this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Pontefract in West Yorkshire, known as Tanshelf at the time of the Domesday survey. We'll explore the life of Ilbert de Lacy, one of William the Conqueror’s most powerful barons, and uncover how the Norman Conquest reshaped this vital stronghold. From the significance of Pontefract’s strategic location to the origins of its name, which memorializes a ‘broken bridge’ destroyed during the Harrying of the North, we’ll see how Ilbert’s influence helped define the region’s history.
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • DD Episode 5 - Lonton

    DD Episode 5 - Lonton
    Sep 17 2024
    In this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Lonton, the northernmost entry in the Domesday Book, and explore one of the darkest periods in England’s history: the Harrowing of the North. Discover the devastating impact of William the Conqueror’s brutal campaign, the rebellion that fueled it, and how the scars of those events still linger in the region today. This deep dive into medieval history touches on the fragility of life, the resilience of those who survived, and the lasting consequences of unchecked power.
    Show more Show less
    16 mins
  • DD - Episode 4 - Bakewell

    DD - Episode 4 - Bakewell
    Sep 10 2024
    In this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Bakewell, a picturesque town in Derbyshire, best known today for its delicious puddings and tarts. But beneath its charming surface lies a rich history that’s been shaped by its strategic importance and valuable resources.

    We’ll explore Bakewell’s origins, tracing back to its founding by Anglo-Saxons, and discover why it was a prized royal holding both before and after the Norman Conquest. We'll also delve into the medieval lead mines that made Bakewell a key industrial center, unearthing the dangerous and arduous work that sustained the community.
    Show more Show less
    9 mins