Really enjoyable for many many reasons. Life is definately easier when there is two of you trying to unpick things. I assume you will be back next week despite the significant loss/not loss.
Thank you, Yorkshire Aussie here …. Newby last week too… Excellent episode! More please my friend…. And thanks for not singing this week ⚔️⚔️⚔️⭐️⭐️😎🍻👏👏
Thank you Andrew - glad you enjoyed it. I’ve got one planned for a few weeks where I may have to do a little singing, but I will keep it as brief as possible!
Mr WC21's 'episodes' (I liked that description by Andrew) appear to me at 7-30 PM on a Sunday ... A bit later in the evening than Time team used to air...But move aside Tony R 🤣
Hello Darren. I cannot thank you enough for re educating me. I have visited Wallingford countless times, as I live only 18 miles away. I never realised that it was such an important Saxon town with such impressive earthworks still in situ. The area you surveyed up to Highmoor is a delightful landscape and will now been viewed by me with greater understanding of ancient parish boundaries. Once again, a brilliantly educational and entertaining episode. 👏👏👍😀
Thanks Andrew and my pleasure. I cannot recommend walking round Wallingford’s Saxon ramparts highly enough. If you start on Shillingford Road (they are largely wiped out by landscaping in the castle grounds) and a footpath takes you alongside them to Bull Croft, where I filmed the first bits. Then head over to Kine Croft to follow them round that. They do disappear again under houses for a bit, but you can find a trace of them in the churchyard, just before they hit the river. Let me know if you ever take a look!
I really enjoyed this one Darren. Loved all the back and forth. You could see the Allotment Fox knows his stuff, that's for sure. As for wovles and bears, count me out of that unless they give us a right to bear arms 😂. Thanks for sharing.
This was excellent. I would be very interested if you could do Wantage (the mystery location of the Royal Palace of Alfred's birth) or Sutton Courtenay which was once the seat of a great Saxon kingdom.
I loved the childhood sniggers about beavers between you two 🤣....I doubt Allotment Fox needs to fear bears...he looks like he could wrestle them with ease.
A very entertaining watch, really fun to see the back and forth here, twixt you and Mr Fox... and I loved the Q&A session! Also that jaunty music which made an appearance just after. Is that its first debut? Very well put together, the pace of this flows really well, particularly with the "back in the studio" segments. Beautiful autumnal scenery and great use of maps. I have had a look at the Electronic Sawyer site myself, and I'm glad to hear even Tom finds the site a bit hard to use. I assume the struggles I have with it are of a different nature but there's a lot of insider knowledge required to make any sense of it. Lots of acronyms, shorthand, then an odd jumble of text which is sometimes half Latin and half Old English. For what it's worth (and I feel hopefully outgunned here in terms of antiquarian credentials!) I recall discussing with Hedley that Wansdyke, although initially built as some sort of boundary ditch, very likely had later use as a track... and I'm not just referring to the modern Wansdyke Path. If there's a dug out channel which is relatively clear and goes in the rough direction you want to go then why wouldn't you use it as a track? "Old way" sounds sufficiently vague that it could be referring to an old ditch built for some other purpose which is now used as a track. I think my channel is a bit silted up!
Thank you Tweedy, and yes, that was a new piece of music - I think it’s called something like, “Retro synth with Sax”! I’m always pleased when the music is noticed! That Sawyer database is a nightmare, isn’t it? I’ve encountered that mix of Latin and old English too. All those bewildering symbols! It was funny with the Old Way. I started out satisfied that it was the boundary, then full of doubt, before arriving back at certainty! I think that’s right, though, its original function is obsolete, it becomes an obvious route to follow. Probably to the side of the ditch, as today. My biggest “learning” in this, was that “heathen burials” does not refer to things like barrows. More like the graves we have today. Thanks for also noting the scenery - we were lucky with the weather that day.
That’s very kind of you - thank you @Meusli - it’s terrible here today too and I’m not going out! Did I read on Tom’s channel that you’re in Burton in Kendal?
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd You did, only for work though. I live in (un)Sunny Morecambe. Which is why I love your videos so much, not much done around this area.
@@Meusli Oh I love Morecambe! I think one of my USPs might be doing this in the north west. Loads down south, it seems and yet in Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Northumberland we have amazing things. All the collabs I’ve done have involved me going down there!
Autumn colors and that distinctive sunlight were beautiful. Particularly liked the old church, both ruins and intact sections. Always amazed by the extensive earthworks constructed by our ancestors. So much labor required at a time when society was very close to subsistence indicates the importance of the work. Great camera work and discussion 🎉
Thank you - I was pleased we got a good day and it was interesting filming those bits in Wallingford so early in the day. Glad you liked the autumnal colours - in some ways you can’t beat this time of year in England. Yes, the work that went into these structures is incredible. Great that they’ve survived to the current day. It was a nice surprise finding that church too.
Thank you - really appreciate your great feedback and thanks for noting the editing! When I started this adventure I really wanted to share our landscapes and antiquities around the world, so it’s always great to hear from viewers across the pond. I’ll be out truckin’ tomorrow!
So pleased that you asked AF my question! And so good to see you both making your videos in a town that is close to where I live, and a place that I love. Thanks for the insights. -Sir.
No worries - it was a good question boss, I mean, Sir! I love Wallingford. A perfect Saxon town: street pattern and fortifications. Does Didcot have anything like that - for some reason, I never went there?
Apologies Darren but i watched Toms half of this collaboration before yours, but having done so i have to say i was pleased to get your whistlestop tour around Wallingford before getting onto the serious business of tracing the Anglo Saxon Parish Boundaries as Tom barely mentioned the Town other than to completely dismiss your (and others) interpretation of its name. And as i commented in Allotment Fox's video i thorougly enjoyed it's Contentious Nature (i do so enjoy a well argued disagreement) and having watched both videos i'm thinking that your theory about the Bronze Age Island being Cat's Island and the Barrows in the adjoining field being the associated Heathen Burials actually holds more water than either of you eventually gave it credit for, even if it does create problems when further interpreting the Charter. Either way, Great and Thoroughly entertaining stuff from RUclipss Finest Amateur Antiqaurians!
Thanks @gibjamie - I really appreciate you noting the segment on Wallingford, which I filmed really early that day. I thought it was important context for our adjacent charter, plus I really love that the Burh fortifications have somehow survived in the town. It’s great doing collabs, but I’m always conscious about trying to put something different in so there’s reason for people to watch both. I’m probably overthinking that, and of course, the style is so different. Thank you as well for giving my Cat’s Island idea some support. I really did think I’d hit on something with that. I think in the 10th Century when the charter was written, it probably looked similar to Tom’s - namely only separated by a narrow/occasional watercourse. If the surveyor was referring to the farm/church as Newnham (as the 16th Century map does), then my Bronze Age barrows do appear in the right sequence! So many “ifs” and “buts”! Anyhow, hopefully it provides for an interesting discussion in nice scenery. Cheers as ever for your support.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd it is incredible that Alfreds Burgh Fortifications are so well preserved and i definitely appreciated the Context that exploring them provided! As to whether or not you are overthinking the Content when Collaborating? All i will say is that a thoughful approach when tackling thought provoking content will always be a sound approach to take in my opinion, and yes there will always be "ifs" and "buts" when attempting to interpret in our Modern Landscape charters that are over a Thousand Years old! All the Best and Bring on next Sunday i say! Cheers!
One of my favourite channels. History and humour are a great combination. The amount of effort that went into building the ditches and fortifications is amazing. I am pleased to see that your subscriber count is increasing.
Thanks Ron - always appreciate your support and encouragement. I'm glad I got up really early so I could include Alfred's Burh fortifications - it's so wonderful they've somehow survived. And that section of Grim's Ditch is indeed an awe inspiring piece of work. We underestimate our ancient forebears, I think.
Congratulations on the 4k subscribers. Born, bred and still resident in Wallingford, so particularly happy to see our town, and Crowmarsh and Newnham over the river featured
That’s great, Peter. I’m very fond of Wallingford. It’s fantastic the burh fortifications have survived so well. Interestingly, if you look at the early 1800s’ maps in the video, the town was still pretty much inside them.
@WC21UKProductionsLtd Fascination with the old burh structure got me into doing a night school class in Anglo Saxon at Oxford's extra mural studies place at Rewley House. And then went on to a degree in English and Medieval Studies at Exeter, because of the Old English course by the Prof Michael Swanton, who's Beowulf I'd read years earlier. Owe a lot to those fortifications, which I can see from just over the town ditch, from my front room
Cheers Davie - this was a lot of fun to make and very insightful. I understand how easy it could be to become addicted to finding these old boundaries in the landscape today!
Very enjoyable. What arguments there are about Grimms Ditch/The Icknield Way and etcetera around those parts. All good fun. And where did the Romans cross The Thames? Different hoohah (not a ha-ha) for a different day. Carry on.
Oh, the trip I'm going to have when I finally get to the UK. My list of places to visit gets longer by the video! You can't throw a rock in England without hitting deep history!
Fascinating... so glad l found your RUclips Channel. Loved this episode and l mean this in the best way .. with your hat on you are history's Inspector Foyle .
@WC21UKProductionsLtd Definitely. I'm looking forward to back watching all your RUclips episodes . All our history interests me .but especially our Roman and dark ages .
Hi Darren- had to watch in fits and starts as looking after a 10 week old puppy so been on wee watch!! Interesting watch mate and I think you won ! Got to go my socks being attacked by little needle teeth!! 🐶
That was very informative and highly entertaining. Well done guys. Frankly, I'd be worried if two amateur antiquarians agreed on where to have lunch!, let alone much regarding historical matters. 🤣
Thanks Phil! It was an interesting one to make. There’s the desk work and then going out into the field to take a look. I loved the little insights into 966AD - such as a cross having stood on Warren Hill. Your other question gets an answer in Tom’s video, by the way.
I think your video was brilliant. Thank you for sharing 💙 💪 extremely nice to see the landscapes in the UK thats impossible for me and my wife to access these amazing places. We'd love to visit them. It's important you're doing it for us all 👏🪖 Got to love history. Ps I'm not offended as a veteran you didn't wear your poppy. I know you think of us when you visit all towns and cities.🪖🪖🪖✅️
Thank you Mark - I find it really encouraging getting feedback on the landscapes from people living abroad. Tom chastised me for wearing my hat when I went in Nuffield Church to make a donation as I parked in their car park, I pointed out he wasn’t wearing a poppy! He won that too though, by reminding me it was now past the 11th November.
Oh to go back with a time machine, but surprisingly the landscapes will not have changed too much. Love the channel, a piece of sanity is insanity from today's world!
Thank you - that is such a great thing to say about the channel and I might well borrow it! One of my fascinations is that question: how recognisable would the landscape be to a visitor from over 1,000 years ago? And vice versa. I suspect it would be - even down south in an area like that featured in this video.
Excellent piece highlighting the challenges of argumentative antiquarians querying ancient quandaries … a (nominal) 1500 year old cold case … rediscovering a humble equivalent to a parish boundary. How hard could it be? What puzzles me is how you differentiate between a ditch, a sunken way and ye olde trackway .. maybe the answer lies in the ending?
Cheers David. That’s a good point and I know I can’t just say, “because one just knows”! With Grim’s Ditch, it’s so utterly straight, with a bank on the northern side and it cuts across the contours. A Hollow way, will tend to turn with those contours
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Interesting ... I never realised this subtlety. We seem to have a number of sunken lanes/tracks in my part of Somerset and Dorset ... and many of them do not necessarily appear to twist with the contours. Perhaps some of these are associated with the Romans ... big state ideas ... hill in the way .. hack straight up it ... difficult to get the cart up? .. sequester more slaves to push harder !! It is often interesting to observe how the established field boundaries (and associated hedges) interact with known routes of Roman roads. It could certainly be interpreted that many of these field boundaries and land divisions might well predate the Roman town planners. A good example down these parts is illustrated by the way the Fosse Way cuts across from Over Stratton (just south of South Petherton) down to Dinnington (site of the large villa complex featured in the Time Team Big Roman Dig .. Site ref 53887 on the Somersetheritage.org.uk site). There is a paper published (by A King of Winchester Uni) on the Dinnington villa dig .. accessible (eventually) via the Somersetheritage site reference listing ... if you ever get bored and fancy flirting with the annals of Academia 🧐
I just noticed your videos are not popping up in my in box, although I subscribed a couple of months ago. I became aware of the channel on the back of Tom's channel and I stumbled upon him off the back of Tweedy. I'll specifically keep an eye on your channel and watch the last couple of videos today, this hopefully will straighten out the electronic log jam by the time the next one comes along. Very odd though ! Personally I think your Cat's Island is more plausible. It really depends on how old the foundations of the church are. The local nobility did sometimes build the church closer to their manor house than the village because they were paying for it; let the peasants walk through the mud on a bleak November day.
Thanks Iain and it’s frustrating that RUclips isn’t doing its job properly - I do think it sometimes show its age. And thank you for supporting my Cat’s Island. If only I could prove that Newnham Murren was where the church and farm are, in the 10th Century. Interestingly, the older maps have the name of the village there and not over on the road. Those ploughed out barrows would be in the right order then! Whilst it’s tempting to think the later parish boundary just followed this charter, down by the river there it doesn’t because that ran on the other side of the Thames. I really enjoyed this exercise and can well see me going back for another look!
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd I left the barrows out of the mix. They tend to be on the lee side of a ridge overlooking the settlement of the builders (your grandads' up there, where I'll be some day). They might not line up with a road, river, ford, bridge or later populations settlements. I'm with Tom (and most historians) that the Anglo-Saxons really didn't respect previous political alignments/boundaries and just imposed the real-politic of their own society.
Hi Darren, great collaboration and provides the answer as to where to find these charters👍👍 Not that it's a competition but did you loose 10 nil or 12 nil. I ask merely to clarify it for other viewers who are undoubtedly asking the same question...... I love these autumn walks, the scenery is just wonderful. Very interesting to see all the old maps and the photographs of the bypass excavations. The question about reintroduction of bears, wolves, wild boar and beavers is interesting, it often comes up on the news down here where wolves attack the sheep and the farmers aren't allowed to hunt them. Wild boar have become a pest in many areas seeking out food in the urban areas, mind you they do taste good!! Strangely enough you often find references in the media in Spain referring to the "anglosajones" refering to the English speaking world of the UK and America, maybe not Australia or New Zealand, this being Anglo-Saxon which I think we only use in historical terms. Great video, well done. Have a great weekend!!
Thanks David and glad you enjoyed it. I may have been way off the mark with my Cat’s Island, but I’m glad I got to tell that story. Incredible finds there - those fields have been lived on and farmed for thousands of years. Unfortunately, because it wasn’t a competition, I seem to have not kept a proper tally. I like the idea of reintroducing these species back into the British landscape, personally, but I do wonder about the practicality in terms of wolves on this crowded island. Glad the scenery came across well - the Chilterns really are at their best this time of year.
@WC21UKProductionsLtd I did spot Bear Wood on one of the maps perhaps Tom should do a trial introduction of Bears there. The Wolves would best be introduced nearer to Westminster although I think they already be there. From what I've read the Beavers won't come till the rivers are cleaner. Wild boar enclaves could be set up in underpasses, rendering them safe for Ant Aquariums. You're reasoning for Cat's island was very convincing. I was born not too far away from here but I wouldn't call it my neck of the woods
I simply can't think of a witty or poignant response to this, it was fun, interesting and educating. I shall simply have to look forward to the sequel, "WAR OF THE HATS" part two. It could take place in an amphitheatre. Arguably. Under MMA rules?
Another fascinating subject and video thank you kind sir! I would love to see you cover the new supposed site of Boudicca's battle of Watlin street explain by Archaeologist Duncan Makay in his new book 'echo lands, a journey in search of Boudicca'. He gives a good argument the battle took place in a shallow valley 2miles west of saint Albans around a farm called windridge, fascinating stuff! Anyway, good day kind sir and keep up the brilliant work.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd An all expenses paid trip to Slough, staying nearby at the wonderful Holiday Inn Express Heathrow, with a complimentary candlelit dinner at Fred's Charcoal Grill. Shame! 😂
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Bullseye prizes were hysterical...If contestants won, it was a vacuum cleaner or some tatt...If they lost they '' Could have won'' a speedboat ...really handy for a couple of blokes living on a council estate in Milton Keynes.
@ Weirdly, I recently watched a selection of those Bullseye moments on RUclips. My favourite was when two burly miners won a budget to buy fashionable clothes!
We have Bears, Wolves as well as Lynx in my adopted country. They aren't a big problem, but then, sheep farming is not so important here than in Britain. I'd imagine a lot of livestock farmers would be upset if wolves were introduced there. I've not seen one, as I live in a city. We also have a large number of red squirrels and hares. Sadly, not much in they way of ancient buildings or landscapes, at least where I live. Bears here are not so aggressive as some North American varieties. They will usually avoid contact with humans (they are very intelligent). The general advice if you see one, is to report it to the police.
That’s really interesting. What do the police do if a bear is reported? I think the farming community here would stop the reintroduction of wolves and I can only see it happening in the remotest upland landscapes. Although there, the hunting estates won’t want them.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Well if it's an animal that has strayed from their usual area, they get specialists to catch it and move it back. In the north, wolves are more of a problem for reindeer herders, but I think the herders get compensated fairly. We also have a Woodhenge. Built about five years ago and inspired by Stonehenge. It is designed to rot away and provide a habitat for insects and fungi.
That’s probably what Grim’s Ditch became here, I agree. This charter was written 800 odd years after it had become obsolete in terms of original function - plenty of time for a new use to be found.
That was the difference between the Anglo Saxons and the Norman invaders; the saxons built walls to protect their people while the normans built walls to protect themselves from the people. Their thousand year reich still prevails to this day sadly.
That’s a valid observation. I’ll do another video at Wallingford one day - looking at the castle, which has an interesting history in itself. Do you do that thing of spotting the Norman names of those who rule over us? It’s quite eye opening when you count them…
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd....it's grim up North...Wirral...and Yorkshire...Mrs C is dragging me to Harrogate to visit a woll/ knitting event whilst I visit the Fat Badger, and stock up on Bettys famed cakes...hope you managed a decent Sunday dinner...😊😊😊😊....cheers/slainte....E
Lewis & Clark dined on beaver tail during g their exploration of the West. Modern day travelers report that it is not a dish they recommend. Get ready for battling those pond builders.
I can’t say that beaver tail sounds appealing! Apparently beavers will help restore our over straightened rivers, but I can’t see farmers being happy about it.
You want some Wild Boars? You can find them inside Barcelona city looking for food. Those animal lovers won't let us kill them. Also most farmers have problems with these 'lovely' creatures every time they destroy their crops. And isn't London full of wolves?
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd … ahhh .. maybe in England, but Scotland?? … I see from recent doom scrolling of my Apple Newsfeed that there is a problem with excessive tourism on the West Coast 500 … perhaps wolves would help redress the balance of nature in this part of UK?? Not sure about bears, might have a negative impact on fresh salmon … I gather bears are rather fond of fresh salmon … and I’m not convinced they actually consume many tourists 🤔
Aren’t these black panthers or other big cats still around in the western parts (Devon, Somerset, Southern Wales and elsewhere)? They seem quite harmless, except for sheep.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd as the debate is on anglo saxon and viking era subjects - I think it should be the best of three shields. you can take him - he wears his rucksack round the front.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd you can also use your Phil Harding wig - stick it in braids and plonk a non horned helmet on top with a nice moustache and some wode to complete the look.
But wolves are not dangerous but rather nervous of man, & there are very few reports of them killing, or even attacking people in places where they still survive. They will I would think, represent some danger to livestock, but the areas where they might be introduced would be in special control zones. Beavers shood be little problem, in fact a benefit in the right places. Bears. again would need particular chosen places.
We suffer feral pigs here in Australia. The English farmers will curse you, they make a terrible mess of the place - rooting about - they'll eat anything and everything. Wave bye bye to your bluebells.
Really enjoyable for many many reasons. Life is definately easier when there is two of you trying to unpick things. I assume you will be back next week despite the significant loss/not loss.
Thank you very much, Paul. I’m over the loss and will be back! Very different working in a pair - I like the variety of it all.
Thank you, Yorkshire Aussie here …. Newby last week too…
Excellent episode! More please my friend….
And thanks for not singing this week ⚔️⚔️⚔️⭐️⭐️😎🍻👏👏
Thank you Andrew - glad you enjoyed it. I’ve got one planned for a few weeks where I may have to do a little singing, but I will keep it as brief as possible!
@ haha… you go for it…. I’m no Simon Cowell!!!
Look forward to the next episode ( is that the right word?) ⚔️⚔️🍻🍻🙏😎⭐️🪐
@ I do like “episode” - since I think I should have been on the telly!
@ Agreed! Episodal 🤣⭐️😎🍻
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd I think Andrew was just encouraging you to sing more. 👹
Darren your videos are now as much a part of my Sunday morning as bacon eggs coffee and the Telegraph...super video
That’s a very nice thing to hear, Michael. Good for one’s ego! Cheers - off to get my breakfast now!
Mr WC21's 'episodes' (I liked that description by Andrew) appear to me at 7-30 PM on a Sunday ... A bit later in the evening than Time team used to air...But move aside Tony R 🤣
Hello Darren. I cannot thank you enough for re educating me. I have visited Wallingford countless times, as I live only 18 miles away. I never realised that it was such an important Saxon town with such impressive earthworks still in situ. The area you surveyed up to Highmoor is a delightful landscape and will now been viewed by me with greater understanding of ancient parish boundaries. Once again, a brilliantly educational and entertaining episode. 👏👏👍😀
Thanks Andrew and my pleasure. I cannot recommend walking round Wallingford’s Saxon ramparts highly enough.
If you start on Shillingford Road (they are largely wiped out by landscaping in the castle grounds) and a footpath takes you alongside them to Bull Croft, where I filmed the first bits. Then head over to Kine Croft to follow them round that. They do disappear again under houses for a bit, but you can find a trace of them in the churchyard, just before they hit the river. Let me know if you ever take a look!
@ Thank you Darren for the advice where to do the walk. I will indeed let you know how I get on.
Loving this channel on a Sunday now , along with Paul’s channel , Jagos and secrets of the motorway it’s great Sunday viewing.
Thank you very much. I feel flattered to be in that list.
@ it’s well deserved mate , your content is excellent
I really enjoyed this one Darren. Loved all the back and forth. You could see the Allotment Fox knows his stuff, that's for sure. As for wovles and bears, count me out of that unless they give us a right to bear arms 😂. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers Chris!
A few wolves up on the Dark Peak wouldn’t be too bad, would it? Might make it a bit quieter for the serious hikers!
@WC21UKProductionsLtd There is already a Black Panther lurking up there.
@@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling oh yes, been spotted recently, I think?
This was excellent. I would be very interested if you could do Wantage (the mystery location of the Royal Palace of Alfred's birth) or Sutton Courtenay which was once the seat of a great Saxon kingdom.
Thank you very much and glad you enjoyed it. Wantage does sound appealing - leave it with me!
I loved the childhood sniggers about beavers between you two 🤣....I doubt Allotment Fox needs to fear bears...he looks like he could wrestle them with ease.
Whereas I’d just end up as bear breakfast!
A very entertaining watch, really fun to see the back and forth here, twixt you and Mr Fox... and I loved the Q&A session! Also that jaunty music which made an appearance just after. Is that its first debut?
Very well put together, the pace of this flows really well, particularly with the "back in the studio" segments. Beautiful autumnal scenery and great use of maps.
I have had a look at the Electronic Sawyer site myself, and I'm glad to hear even Tom finds the site a bit hard to use. I assume the struggles I have with it are of a different nature but there's a lot of insider knowledge required to make any sense of it. Lots of acronyms, shorthand, then an odd jumble of text which is sometimes half Latin and half Old English.
For what it's worth (and I feel hopefully outgunned here in terms of antiquarian credentials!) I recall discussing with Hedley that Wansdyke, although initially built as some sort of boundary ditch, very likely had later use as a track... and I'm not just referring to the modern Wansdyke Path. If there's a dug out channel which is relatively clear and goes in the rough direction you want to go then why wouldn't you use it as a track? "Old way" sounds sufficiently vague that it could be referring to an old ditch built for some other purpose which is now used as a track.
I think my channel is a bit silted up!
Thank you Tweedy, and yes, that was a new piece of music - I think it’s called something like, “Retro synth with Sax”! I’m always pleased when the music is noticed!
That Sawyer database is a nightmare, isn’t it? I’ve encountered that mix of Latin and old English too. All those bewildering symbols!
It was funny with the Old Way. I started out satisfied that it was the boundary, then full of doubt, before arriving back at certainty! I think that’s right, though, its original function is obsolete, it becomes an obvious route to follow. Probably to the side of the ditch, as today.
My biggest “learning” in this, was that “heathen burials” does not refer to things like barrows. More like the graves we have today.
Thanks for also noting the scenery - we were lucky with the weather that day.
Thanks for another great collab, a good treat for a miserable day. :)
That’s very kind of you - thank you @Meusli - it’s terrible here today too and I’m not going out! Did I read on Tom’s channel that you’re in Burton in Kendal?
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd You did, only for work though. I live in (un)Sunny Morecambe. Which is why I love your videos so much, not much done around this area.
@@Meusli Oh I love Morecambe! I think one of my USPs might be doing this in the north west. Loads down south, it seems and yet in Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Northumberland we have amazing things. All the collabs I’ve done have involved me going down there!
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Well, if you don't mind me saying, we have the best RUclipsr too. :)
@ I don’t mind that at all! Cheers!
Really looking forward to your Sunday videos now 🙂 Very enjoyable.
Thank you very much - that’s great to hear and very encouraging. Feedback spurs me on each week when I’m feeling tired!
Autumn colors and that distinctive sunlight were beautiful. Particularly liked the old church, both ruins and intact sections. Always amazed by the extensive earthworks constructed by our ancestors. So much labor required at a time when society was very close to subsistence indicates the importance of the work. Great camera work and discussion 🎉
Thank you - I was pleased we got a good day and it was interesting filming those bits in Wallingford so early in the day. Glad you liked the autumnal colours - in some ways you can’t beat this time of year in England.
Yes, the work that went into these structures is incredible. Great that they’ve survived to the current day. It was a nice surprise finding that church too.
As a Yank (of ambiguous British heritage) I ❤ your stuff and the editing is fabulous. Keep on truckin! ( as we say )
Thank you - really appreciate your great feedback and thanks for noting the editing! When I started this adventure I really wanted to share our landscapes and antiquities around the world, so it’s always great to hear from viewers across the pond. I’ll be out truckin’ tomorrow!
Watched Allotment Fox’s yesterday and yours today. Great collaboration, very enjoyable. Thank you!
Cheers - thank you and glad you enjoyed both videos - it was an enjoyable investigation with Tom.
So pleased that you asked AF my question! And so good to see you both making your videos in a town that is close to where I live, and a place that I love. Thanks for the insights. -Sir.
No worries - it was a good question boss, I mean, Sir!
I love Wallingford. A perfect Saxon town: street pattern and fortifications.
Does Didcot have anything like that - for some reason, I never went there?
@WC21UKProductionsLtd nope. It was a tiny village which quickly became a railway town.
Your channel gets better and better…. Ticks the boxes that others fail to tick. Thank you.
Thank you - that is such encouraging feedback and means a lot. Cheers.
Apologies Darren but i watched Toms half of this collaboration before yours, but having done so i have to say i was pleased to get your whistlestop tour around Wallingford before getting onto the serious business of tracing the Anglo Saxon Parish Boundaries as Tom barely mentioned the Town other than to completely dismiss your (and others) interpretation of its name. And as i commented in Allotment Fox's video i thorougly enjoyed it's Contentious Nature (i do so enjoy a well argued disagreement) and having watched both videos i'm thinking that your theory about the Bronze Age Island being Cat's Island and the Barrows in the adjoining field being the associated Heathen Burials actually holds more water than either of you eventually gave it credit for, even if it does create problems when further interpreting the Charter. Either way, Great and Thoroughly entertaining stuff from RUclipss Finest Amateur Antiqaurians!
Thanks @gibjamie - I really appreciate you noting the segment on Wallingford, which I filmed really early that day. I thought it was important context for our adjacent charter, plus I really love that the Burh fortifications have somehow survived in the town.
It’s great doing collabs, but I’m always conscious about trying to put something different in so there’s reason for people to watch both. I’m probably overthinking that, and of course, the style is so different.
Thank you as well for giving my Cat’s Island idea some support. I really did think I’d hit on something with that. I think in the 10th Century when the charter was written, it probably looked similar to Tom’s - namely only separated by a narrow/occasional watercourse. If the surveyor was referring to the farm/church as Newnham (as the 16th Century map does), then my Bronze Age barrows do appear in the right sequence! So many “ifs” and “buts”!
Anyhow, hopefully it provides for an interesting discussion in nice scenery. Cheers as ever for your support.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd it is incredible that Alfreds Burgh Fortifications are so well preserved and i definitely appreciated the Context that exploring them provided!
As to whether or not you are overthinking the Content when Collaborating? All i will say is that a thoughful approach when tackling thought provoking content will always be a sound approach to take in my opinion, and yes there will always be "ifs" and "buts" when attempting to interpret in our Modern Landscape charters that are over a Thousand Years old! All the Best and Bring on next Sunday i say! Cheers!
Watching this video is an informative and entertaining way to spend a wet Sunday afternoon
Thanks Garry - that’s great. It is terrible today and lots of people are mentioning that in the comments!
Another entertaining and interesting collaboration. Thanks guys.
Thank you - glad you enjoyed it - it was a very enjoyable process. Researching at a desk and then going out to take a look.
One of my favourite channels. History and humour are a great combination. The amount of effort that went into building the ditches and fortifications is amazing. I am pleased to see that your subscriber count is increasing.
Thanks Ron - always appreciate your support and encouragement.
I'm glad I got up really early so I could include Alfred's Burh fortifications - it's so wonderful they've somehow survived.
And that section of Grim's Ditch is indeed an awe inspiring piece of work. We underestimate our ancient forebears, I think.
I always enjoy your stuff but i am positively giddy to find you in my stomping ground this week!
Cheers @PeatCowman - glad my roaming took me there, a very enjoyable day!
Congratulations on the 4k subscribers. Born, bred and still resident in Wallingford, so particularly happy to see our town, and Crowmarsh and Newnham over the river featured
That’s great, Peter. I’m very fond of Wallingford. It’s fantastic the burh fortifications have survived so well. Interestingly, if you look at the early 1800s’ maps in the video, the town was still pretty much inside them.
@WC21UKProductionsLtd Fascination with the old burh structure got me into doing a night school class in Anglo Saxon at Oxford's extra mural studies place at Rewley House. And then went on to a degree in English and Medieval Studies at Exeter, because of the Old English course by the Prof Michael Swanton, who's Beowulf I'd read years earlier. Owe a lot to those fortifications, which I can see from just over the town ditch, from my front room
Is no one going to mention the very rare sighting of the Chiltern Sasquatch at 21.50 😮
Oh my goodness! I didn’t even notice that when I was editing - too busy looking at my face! I’ll have to create a sensational short for TikTok!
I think it had a bobble hat on. 🤣
@@philcollinson328 I’ll edit that out!
hello again Darren, and hi Allotment fox, very interesting video again , i really enjoyed this well done and thank you guys 😊
Cheers Davie - this was a lot of fun to make and very insightful. I understand how easy it could be to become addicted to finding these old boundaries in the landscape today!
Great show keep it up. Good to see history come to life.
Thank you! Really nice feedback to receive.
Very enjoyable. What arguments there are about Grimms Ditch/The Icknield Way and etcetera around those parts. All good fun. And where did the Romans cross The Thames? Different hoohah (not a ha-ha) for a different day. Carry on.
Cheers Barry - indeed, it’s an antiquarian’s arguing paradise round there!
@ an Ant Aquarium, you mean, right? But yes, so I gather. And not just you two.
Oh, the trip I'm going to have when I finally get to the UK. My list of places to visit gets longer by the video! You can't throw a rock in England without hitting deep history!
That’s very nice to hear and I do hope you get to visit. Please let me know which places you choose!
Fascinating... so glad l found your RUclips Channel. Loved this episode and l mean this in the best way .. with your hat on you are history's Inspector Foyle .
Thanks Colin - glad you found us! I will take that as a compliment - the best period in terms of male style, in my humble opinion.
@WC21UKProductionsLtd Definitely. I'm looking forward to back watching all your RUclips episodes . All our history interests me .but especially our Roman and dark ages .
Congrats on 5k subs!
Thanks! Don’t think I’m quite there yet, but hopefully for Christmas!
Great fun! and instructive, too. Thank you.
Many thanks, Cheryl - glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Darren- had to watch in fits and starts as looking after a 10 week old puppy so been on wee watch!! Interesting watch mate and I think you won ! Got to go my socks being attacked by little needle teeth!! 🐶
Thanks for your support at this difficult time, Carol! I mean the competition, not the puppy! Although I imagine that is quite challenging!
@@WC21UKProductionsLtdtell me about it! Haven't seen so much wee since I Nursed!! 😁
Thanks
Thank you kindly, Phil!
The music/sounds in the first 25 seconds made my cat freak out
Oh no - sorry about that! Something about the frequency, perhaps?!
That was very informative and highly entertaining. Well done guys. Frankly, I'd be worried if two amateur antiquarians agreed on where to have lunch!, let alone much regarding historical matters. 🤣
Thanks Phil! It was an interesting one to make. There’s the desk work and then going out into the field to take a look. I loved the little insights into 966AD - such as a cross having stood on Warren Hill.
Your other question gets an answer in Tom’s video, by the way.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd I was heading there next haha.
I think your video was brilliant. Thank you for sharing 💙 💪 extremely nice to see the landscapes in the UK thats impossible for me and my wife to access these amazing places. We'd love to visit them. It's important you're doing it for us all 👏🪖 Got to love history. Ps I'm not offended as a veteran you didn't wear your poppy. I know you think of us when you visit all towns and cities.🪖🪖🪖✅️
Thank you Mark - I find it really encouraging getting feedback on the landscapes from people living abroad.
Tom chastised me for wearing my hat when I went in Nuffield Church to make a donation as I parked in their car park, I pointed out he wasn’t wearing a poppy! He won that too though, by reminding me it was now past the 11th November.
Oh to go back with a time machine, but surprisingly the landscapes will not have changed too much. Love the channel, a piece of sanity is insanity from today's world!
Thank you - that is such a great thing to say about the channel and I might well borrow it!
One of my fascinations is that question: how recognisable would the landscape be to a visitor from over 1,000 years ago? And vice versa. I suspect it would be - even down south in an area like that featured in this video.
cracking stuff
Thank you and glad you enjoyed it!
really good
Cheers @jointgib!
Excellent piece highlighting the challenges of argumentative antiquarians querying ancient quandaries … a (nominal) 1500 year old cold case … rediscovering a humble equivalent to a parish boundary. How hard could it be?
What puzzles me is how you differentiate between a ditch, a sunken way and ye olde trackway .. maybe the answer lies in the ending?
Cheers David. That’s a good point and I know I can’t just say, “because one just knows”! With Grim’s Ditch, it’s so utterly straight, with a bank on the northern side and it cuts across the contours. A Hollow way, will tend to turn with those contours
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Interesting ... I never realised this subtlety. We seem to have a number of sunken lanes/tracks in my part of Somerset and Dorset ... and many of them do not necessarily appear to twist with the contours. Perhaps some of these are associated with the Romans ... big state ideas ... hill in the way .. hack straight up it ... difficult to get the cart up? .. sequester more slaves to push harder !!
It is often interesting to observe how the established field boundaries (and associated hedges) interact with known routes of Roman roads. It could certainly be interpreted that many of these field boundaries and land divisions might well predate the Roman town planners. A good example down these parts is illustrated by the way the Fosse Way cuts across from Over Stratton (just south of South Petherton) down to Dinnington (site of the large villa complex featured in the Time Team Big Roman Dig .. Site ref 53887 on the Somersetheritage.org.uk site). There is a paper published (by A King of Winchester Uni) on the Dinnington villa dig .. accessible (eventually) via the Somersetheritage site reference listing ... if you ever get bored and fancy flirting with the annals of Academia 🧐
I just noticed your videos are not popping up in my in box, although I subscribed a couple of months ago. I became aware of the channel on the back of Tom's channel and I stumbled upon him off the back of Tweedy.
I'll specifically keep an eye on your channel and watch the last couple of videos today, this hopefully will straighten out the electronic log jam by the time the next one comes along. Very odd though !
Personally I think your Cat's Island is more plausible. It really depends on how old the foundations of the church are. The local nobility did sometimes build the church closer to their manor house than the village because they were paying for it; let the peasants walk through the mud on a bleak November day.
Thanks Iain and it’s frustrating that RUclips isn’t doing its job properly - I do think it sometimes show its age.
And thank you for supporting my Cat’s Island. If only I could prove that Newnham Murren was where the church and farm are, in the 10th Century. Interestingly, the older maps have the name of the village there and not over on the road. Those ploughed out barrows would be in the right order then!
Whilst it’s tempting to think the later parish boundary just followed this charter, down by the river there it doesn’t because that ran on the other side of the Thames.
I really enjoyed this exercise and can well see me going back for another look!
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd I left the barrows out of the mix. They tend to be on the lee side of a ridge overlooking the settlement of the builders (your grandads' up there, where I'll be some day). They might not line up with a road, river, ford, bridge or later populations settlements. I'm with Tom (and most historians) that the Anglo-Saxons really didn't respect previous political alignments/boundaries and just imposed the real-politic of their own society.
@ yes I was surprised to learn that “heathen burials” didn’t generally refer to Bronze Age barrows - typically later, Romano British graves.
Good job it was just for fun and not a competition .!!
Yes! I might have become testy otherwise!
Hi Darren, great collaboration and provides the answer as to where to find these charters👍👍
Not that it's a competition but did you loose 10 nil or 12 nil. I ask merely to clarify it for other viewers who are undoubtedly asking the same question......
I love these autumn walks, the scenery is just wonderful. Very interesting to see all the old maps and the photographs of the bypass excavations.
The question about reintroduction of bears, wolves, wild boar and beavers is interesting, it often comes up on the news down here where wolves attack the sheep and the farmers aren't allowed to hunt them. Wild boar have become a pest in many areas seeking out food in the urban areas, mind you they do taste good!!
Strangely enough you often find references in the media in Spain referring to the "anglosajones" refering to the English speaking world of the UK and America, maybe not Australia or New Zealand, this being Anglo-Saxon which I think we only use in historical terms.
Great video, well done. Have a great weekend!!
Thanks David and glad you enjoyed it. I may have been way off the mark with my Cat’s Island, but I’m glad I got to tell that story. Incredible finds there - those fields have been lived on and farmed for thousands of years.
Unfortunately, because it wasn’t a competition, I seem to have not kept a proper tally.
I like the idea of reintroducing these species back into the British landscape, personally, but I do wonder about the practicality in terms of wolves on this crowded island.
Glad the scenery came across well - the Chilterns really are at their best this time of year.
@WC21UKProductionsLtd I did spot Bear Wood on one of the maps perhaps Tom should do a trial introduction of Bears there. The Wolves would best be introduced nearer to Westminster although I think they already be there. From what I've read the Beavers won't come till the rivers are cleaner. Wild boar enclaves could be set up in underpasses, rendering them safe for Ant Aquariums.
You're reasoning for Cat's island was very convincing.
I was born not too far away from here but I wouldn't call it my neck of the woods
@ that made me “lol”, David! I am going to suggest that wood to Tim for his reintroduction scheme!
I simply can't think of a witty or poignant response to this, it was fun, interesting and educating.
I shall simply have to look forward to the sequel,
"WAR OF THE HATS" part two.
It could take place in an amphitheatre.
Arguably.
Under MMA rules?
Thank you very much - can’t ask for better feedback than that. Cheers.
I’d pay to see that contest. If I wasn’t starring in the arena, of course!
Stumbled on this by accident! ( ouch!). Now a Subscriber ! You're welcome........
I hope you didn't hurt yourself! Glad you found us and welcome!
Another fascinating subject and video thank you kind sir! I would love to see you cover the new supposed site of Boudicca's battle of Watlin street explain by Archaeologist Duncan Makay in his new book 'echo lands, a journey in search of Boudicca'. He gives a good argument the battle took place in a shallow valley 2miles west of saint Albans around a farm called windridge, fascinating stuff! Anyway, good day kind sir and keep up the brilliant work.
Thank you and for the book recommendation - I will order that, sounds right up my (Watling) Street!
It should be seen by all who "know" how simple it is to know where a boundary is.
Thank you Anthony.
“My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin”
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock?
“Let us go then , you and I,
While evening is spread out against the sky”
That church door - made that size to prevent an armoured, shield and sword bearing person access?
That’s a good idea - it was way too slim for our modern builds!
I'd just presumed it was made by a wealthy mouse back in the day.
Hugely enjoyable, as always! 😁 Sorry you lost, but here's what you would have won:👑😂
Cheers Rob - would it have been a speedboat?!
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd An all expenses paid trip to Slough, staying nearby at the wonderful Holiday Inn Express Heathrow, with a complimentary candlelit dinner at Fred's Charcoal Grill. Shame! 😂
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Bullseye prizes were hysterical...If contestants won, it was a vacuum cleaner or some tatt...If they lost they '' Could have won'' a speedboat ...really handy for a couple of blokes living on a council estate in Milton Keynes.
@ Weirdly, I recently watched a selection of those Bullseye moments on RUclips. My favourite was when two burly miners won a budget to buy fashionable clothes!
We have Bears, Wolves as well as Lynx in my adopted country. They aren't a big problem, but then, sheep farming is not so important here than in Britain. I'd imagine a lot of livestock farmers would be upset if wolves were introduced there. I've not seen one, as I live in a city. We also have a large number of red squirrels and hares. Sadly, not much in they way of ancient buildings or landscapes, at least where I live.
Bears here are not so aggressive as some North American varieties. They will usually avoid contact with humans (they are very intelligent). The general advice if you see one, is to report it to the police.
That’s really interesting. What do the police do if a bear is reported?
I think the farming community here would stop the reintroduction of wolves and I can only see it happening in the remotest upland landscapes. Although there, the hunting estates won’t want them.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Well if it's an animal that has strayed from their usual area, they get specialists to catch it and move it back. In the north, wolves are more of a problem for reindeer herders, but I think the herders get compensated fairly.
We also have a Woodhenge. Built about five years ago and inspired by Stonehenge. It is designed to rot away and provide a habitat for insects and fungi.
Did you consider asking the Fox why he was walking about with his fly open? Is it for a new drone perhaps?
Not something I noticed!
If a ditch is straight, broad, with a flattish bottom, and has places to go at one or both ends...then it may as well be a way, too.
'Old way' could also be a Saxon ant aquarium's way of sounding knowledgeable about inexplicable earthworks.
That’s probably what Grim’s Ditch became here, I agree. This charter was written 800 odd years after it had become obsolete in terms of original function - plenty of time for a new use to be found.
10:32 Egg on the chin.
Oh no! I’m used to getting egg on my face!
That was the difference between the Anglo Saxons and the Norman invaders; the saxons built walls to protect their people while the normans built walls to protect themselves from the people. Their thousand year reich still prevails to this day sadly.
That’s a valid observation. I’ll do another video at Wallingford one day - looking at the castle, which has an interesting history in itself. Do you do that thing of spotting the Norman names of those who rule over us? It’s quite eye opening when you count them…
Top notch...best wishes from the wirral peninsula....E....😊😊😊😊
Thanks Eamon! What’s the weather like there? It’s awful here in North Yorkshire!
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd....it's grim up North...Wirral...and Yorkshire...Mrs C is dragging me to Harrogate to visit a woll/ knitting event whilst I visit the Fat Badger, and stock up on Bettys famed cakes...hope you managed a decent Sunday dinner...😊😊😊😊....cheers/slainte....E
Lewis & Clark dined on beaver tail during g their exploration of the West. Modern day travelers report that it is not a dish they recommend. Get ready for battling those pond builders.
I can’t say that beaver tail sounds appealing! Apparently beavers will help restore our over straightened rivers, but I can’t see farmers being happy about it.
You want some Wild Boars? You can find them inside Barcelona city looking for food. Those animal lovers won't let us kill them. Also most farmers have problems with these 'lovely' creatures every time they destroy their crops.
And isn't London full of wolves?
It’s a really contentious issue, isn’t it? I think most of England is too crowded now to seriously consider wolves and bears.
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd … ahhh .. maybe in England, but Scotland?? … I see from recent doom scrolling of my Apple Newsfeed that there is a problem with excessive tourism on the West Coast 500 … perhaps wolves would help redress the balance of nature in this part of UK??
Not sure about bears, might have a negative impact on fresh salmon … I gather bears are rather fond of fresh salmon … and I’m not convinced they actually consume many tourists 🤔
Aren’t these black panthers or other big cats still around in the western parts (Devon, Somerset, Southern Wales and elsewhere)? They seem quite harmless, except for sheep.
The problem is when we introduce certain carnivors there is always conflict with humans sadly @@davidrowley-ic6dx
you should settle these disputes in the tried and trusted antiquarian manner.
with the gentlemanly art of fisticuffs
Yes! Or pistols at dawn, perhaps?
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd as the debate is on anglo saxon and viking era subjects - I think it should be the best of three shields.
you can take him - he wears his rucksack round the front.
@@davidcollishaw2771 that made me “lol” !
@@WC21UKProductionsLtd you can also use your Phil Harding wig - stick it in braids and plonk a non horned helmet on top with a nice moustache and some wode to
complete the look.
Weyland's Ford
I like that a lot. I wonder what @AllotmentFox will say?!
If you are apprehnsive about introducing wolves might I suggest coyotes to start? :)
I’ll let Allotment Fox know! I suspect he’d only support native species - although they may have been a very long time ago?
In the netherworld we’ve got some wolves for a while now, but there are also sightings of a red jackal.
Netherworld should be Netherlands, but maybe there too.
Good job it wasn't a competition eh?
Thank goodness it wasn’t! I’d have ended up with egg on my face.
Bonkers.🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you! And I can’t disagree!
But wolves are not dangerous but rather nervous of man, & there are very few reports of them killing, or even attacking people in places where they still survive.
They will I would think, represent some danger to livestock, but the areas where they might be introduced would be in special control zones. Beavers shood be little problem, in fact a benefit in the right places. Bears. again would need particular chosen places.
Farmers don’t want it, I believe. They are going to eat some livestock without a doubt. Beavers should be good for water management.
We suffer feral pigs here in Australia. The English farmers will curse you, they make a terrible mess of the place - rooting about - they'll eat anything and everything. Wave bye bye to your bluebells.
I think there are wild boar in parts of the country here. Forest of Dean, possibly. Quite aggressive sometimes, I believe.
Man this one I learned a lot .thanks
Brilliant - that’s great - thank you very much.