"Secrets of the Castle" BBC2 just finished

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The 1960s Iron Age series "Living in the Past" was actually pretty good, although it's dated somewhat. The more recent one was appalling not least because Elf and Safety got their mitts on it and wouldn't permit the participants to do half the things they should have. The second one also suffered because the media company producing it clearly wanted to emphasis disputes and disagreements and set it up to produce those.
 
Saw it 'round at a friends the other night. Wonderful stuff, I really enjoyed watching the potter. And the grain ark was a nice bit of kit (I wonder how many of those will turn up in base camps now:o). Almost makes me wish I had a telly. Almost.
 
I was fascinated, as a carpenter and joiner I loved how many of those techniques are still employed today. Also noticed that the woodworkers were all english and the stonemasons french, which is pretty much as it would have been if building over here. The stone for Canterbury Cathedral was imported from France, the lead masons too (as I understand it) but the carpenters hailed from england. I like that kind of symmetry.

Rob.
 
Have you seen the book English Historic Carpentry by Cecil A Hewitt?


No. I have several books written in the 1800's to very early 1900's (mostly on stairs) and a couple of architectural ones that cover older stuff, I shall go do a search for this one if you think it worthwhile.
Fred Dibner called mediaeval carpenters the "engineers of their time" (possibly a biased view because he started out as one, but one I share un-ashamedly ;) )

Rob.
 
Have you seen the book English Historic Carpentry by Cecil A Hewitt?[h=1][/h]


I have that book, its a good one.

Some of the techniques shown aren't really lost at all.
Two of my brothers do a lot of stonework and one of them even forges some of his own chisels. I remember putting gate stoop hooks in using lead with my father when I was a kid.

I've certainly seen various of the techniques shown being used on modern stonework.

I'll be watching more of it though as its still interesting stuff.
 
That was good again. As a hobby bowyer and fletcher it was interesting to see the 'other side' of weapons making - the crossbow and bolt/quarrel. A good demo of the arrow slot in castle offence/defence too - very effective. Finally the thrice cooked pork looked really good....nom-nom-nom!
 
Its programmes like this that make me glad we didn't get rid of the TV, we got close with the amount of utter drivel that is on and can go days without switching it on, then gems like this are broadcast.......
Anticipating the next episode.....

Paul
 
It was excellent, I really enjoyed it. I now have a much greater appreciation of all those stone buildings that I see around me in the UK. So much work! We should never take our heritage for granted.
 

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