Time Jump: Beyond Domesday

Be careful! You’ve time-traveled to 8th century England. You are on the East Coast, in Northumberland. This is one of the most dangerous and tumultuous periods of the past. 

The Roman Empire controlled much of Europe, including Britain, until they withdrew after 400 years when the Empire collapsed in the 5th century. England was in chaos, towns were abandoned and people were in disarray.

In the 7th century, Britain embraced Christianity, which helped to bring some stability, but there was no united military force. Other people looked at Britain greedily.

The Vikings flee, but their longship crashes on the rocks in a storm and the locals attack. This is a war not just against pirates (the word Viking means “pirate”), but also of Christians against pagan Norsemen. 

It was generally thought desirable that torture and horrible punishments should be given to violent criminals. Torture was not common, but it was used, generally against criminals where half-proof already existed and confession could be extracted.

You are brave! You’ve time-travelled to September 25th, 1066. You’re standing on a hillside in a place called Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, England.

William ordered a survey of his new kingdom. Created around AD 1086, the Domesday Book was written as a report of a survey of land and wealth in England 1086.

Medieval potters could be well paid, though often they combined pottery and farming to increase their income. Here Mister Potter has found local clay, recognised its qualities and dug it up. Raw materials were locally sourced – it was difficult to transport them.

The Burgundians have come to support the King of England, Richard III of York, in a war that has been raging for 30 years between 2 families: the Plantagenets and the Tudors of Lancaster. 

War was a family affair. Peasants worked the land and fought as soldiers, but kings, queens and their families used them like pawns on a chessboard. However, as in chess, kings, queens, knights and bishops all went into battle too. It was a way of life.

You’ve leapt forward 2 days, into another page of history, but this is the end of the line: one of the most important days of the end of the medieval era. It is August 22nd, 1485. You are standing beside pikemen, highly trained foot soldiers.

They are loyal to Lord William Stanley, born in Lancashire, England, who lived on land in Wales given to him by Richard III. Stanley supported Richard III in the Wars of the Roses, but today there is treachery in the air. These men that you stand beside will help shape the future.

This pikeman is concerned. He has heard rumours circulating that King Richard has had his own 2 young nephews imprisoned and possibly killed in the Tower of London. Many men ready to die for the King hope it cannot be true.

The Battle of Bosworth Field rages. Stanley holds back his men. He had sworn an oath to Richard III, but in the heat of the battle, with rumours about the King’s nephews circulating, Stanley switches sides – his men fight for Henry Tudor! Stanley betrays King Richard! 

Legend has it that Welshman Gruffydd ap Rhys Ap Thomas, formerly loyal to Richard III, stands ready as Richard races into battle. Losing his horse, Richard becomes vulnerable. Rhys slaughters Richard with a deadly blow to the head, using a combined spear-axe called a halberd.