麻豆约拍

The traditional English village, a scene painted on countless picture postcards and a snapshot of England that is recognised across the globe, features in a new 麻豆约拍 documentary series for 麻豆约拍 Four.

Archaeologist Ben Robinson, pictured, explores the story of the village from Norman times to the present day. Going behind the romantic image of a rural idyll, he uncovers tales of power and wealth.

In episode one Ben unlocks the ancient roots of the Northumberland village of Warkworth. With the help of locals he discovers clues that point back almost 1,000 years to the Norman conquest and how the invaders laid the foundations of a planned community, still visible to this day.

Ben argues that Warkworth, like many of the oldest villages in the country, was born of terror, oppression and foreign invasion by the Normans after 1066. He sets out how the typical layout and some key features of a traditional English village were originally created by the Normans to enforce conquest and control.

“For me the story of our villages from the Normans to the present day is not one of sleepy rural idylls,” says Robinson. “It's a story of purpose and power.”

Ben explores how the hidden history of the quintessential sleepy rural idyll suggests the real origins of the English village owes a lot to the French.

Publicity contact: CM8/TG