Ep 11. Every Castle Needs a Lord, Warwickshire

Every Castle Needs a Lord is the eleventh episode of the ninth season of the popular British television show Time Team. This episode takes the Time Team to Warwickshire to investigate the history of the medieval castle Kenilworth, which has been an important site for over a thousand years.

As soon as they arrive at the castle, the Time Team begins to survey the site with the help of geophysicists and other experts. They explore the outer bailey, the Keep and the Curtain Wall, discovering clues to the castle's history. The outer bailey is home to the remains of a chapel, a gatehouse, and various other structures that were part of the castle's defenses. The Keep is a massive tower that once served as the castle's main defense against attackers, and the Curtain Wall is a long and imposing wall that circles the entire castle.

In addition to examining the physical remains of the castle, the Time Team also delves into its historical archives to learn more about the people who lived there. They discover that the castle was owned by some of the most important families in England, including the Clintons, the Dudleys, and the Crown.

As they dig deeper, they uncover evidence of a grand 16th-century banquet that was held at the castle by none other than Queen Elizabeth I. They also discover that the castle played a key role in the English Civil War, and that it was later used as a prison for French and Spanish soldiers.

Throughout the episode, the Time Team uses a range of techniques and technologies to investigate the castle's history, including ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry, and dendrochronology. They also rely on the expertise of local historians, archaeologists, and other experts to help them interpret their findings.

One of the key themes of this episode is the importance of the lord or lady of the castle in medieval society. The Time Team explores the roles of these influential figures and how they shaped the political and social landscape of the time.

Overall, Every Castle Needs a Lord is a fascinating exploration of one of England's most iconic castles. Through their meticulous research and expert archaeology, the Time Team sheds new light on the castle's rich and complex history, bringing its stories and secrets to life in vivid detail.