Complete and Utter History of Britain (1969) s01e01 Episode Script
From the Dawn of History to the Norman Conquest
1
APPLAUSE
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# It's all in separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# Complete and utter
The complete and utter
# The Complete And Utter
# History
Episode One. ♪
Good evening, and welcome to
The Complete And Utter History
Of Britain,
which is a series which brings
to your screens for the first time
history as it actually happened.
In it, you will see
some extraordinary glimpses into
the past. We begin at the beginning.
The year is 2564BC,
and this is Britain.
As you will notice,
Scotland is missing.
Come back with me now to those
far-off times, 4,532 years ago.
TRUMPE
England is not the green
and pleasant land we know today
but a savage world
ruled by tooth and claw.
Nevertheless, it is here that we
find the first primitive Englishmen.
TENSE MUSIC
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
ON PIANO
They were known as Iberians.
The Iberians were
not a backward race
and quickly learned to use
their hands.
WOMAN SQUEALS
With their new-found skills,
they built coracles,
which they carried on their backs.
And which they later learned
to sail in.
Progress was rapid, and before long,
they were facing new problems,
such as buying houses
and selling them.
Do you think we'll like it?
You're bound to.
It's ideal for
a young couple like yourselves.
Modern, open-plan and no overheads.
Well, there you are.
You can see it for yourself.
Is that it?
Cosy, innit?
Well
As I say, it's ideal
for a young couple like yourselves
with 30 or 40 children.
It's got character, charm
and a slab in the middle.
And what about the gaps?
Doors? That's another great
advantage of a place like this.
46 doors. But isn't it
a bit draughty in winter?
Not if you keep running about.
Dear, if you keep running about,
I mean, feel that wall.
Go on, feel it. That's Welsh quality
for you, that is.
A mountainside in your own home.
Now look what you've done.
Not to worry.
Oh, I am sorry, Mr I-I
Not to worry. You've just found
the emergency exit.
Let's face it,
nothing lasts forever,
but this place will do better
than most.
I can honestly say that
this will still be here
in, ooh, 40 or 50 years at least.
No, I'm sorry.
We're just not interested
in these modern buildings.
Oh, well. On your own head be it.
Well, 20 years, anyway.
To help us unravel the mysteries
of the past, we have with us
a resident historian -
Professor Weaver.
Regis professor,
socio-economic history
at the Lyceum Ballroom, Yarmouth.
Professor Weaver.
Hello.
I'd like to talk to you
for a moment,
if I may, about archaeology.
The study of
the remains of the past.
I've brought along one or two rather
interesting things to show you.
This is a piece of pottery.
1,300 years old, Anglo-Saxon,
part of a drinking vessel.
But from this little piece,
you do get
a glimpse of how beautiful
the actual drinking vessel
must have looked
before I dropped it
on the way to the studio.
Here's another Anglo-Saxon pot.
From this pot, we get a picture
of what the Saxons themselves
must have really looked like.
Small, dark, with a handle on
one side and a spout on the other.
Amazing people.
Of course, for the archaeologist,
the big problem is always dating.
It's not that
they're all unattractive people,
but they're very shy.
Of course, today,
we have modern methods of dating.
Machines which can calculate
the age of any object
by gauging the carbon content
inherent in it.
This was how I met Doreen Potter,
my bosom companion
on the 1948 Belfast dig
when we unearthed
an entire drainage system.
Plunged the centre of Belfast
into chaos.
And two other things
I'd like to show you.
This believe it or not,
is an Anglo-Saxon pill -
a primitive herbal mixture,
but incredibly enough,
you can still use it today.
They must have had stronger jaws
than we, but
down it goes,
leaving just a slight purple flavour
around the lips.
But now, finally, the most fantastic
Anglo-Saxon treasure
in existence today,
King Alfred's brooch.
Notice
Fantastic how the jewels
still retain their sparkle
in the solid gold setting.
Notice the intricate craftsmanship.
The whirls - very typical
of the work of the Anglo
I'm afraid you must excuse me.
I must go look
for King Alfred's brooch.
Alfred, Ethelred, Edgar, Canute,
the names ring out across history.
CHURCH BELLS
But what were these kings
really like?
What do they want to be remembered for?
We bring you the answer now
in a sensational
face-to-face series of interviews
with the men who ruled Britain
before the Norman Conquest.
FANFARE
King Alfred The Great, perhaps
the greatest of all English kings.
Defeater of the Danes,
founder of the navies,
scholar, author and translator.
We asked him
what he wanted to be remembered for.
Not telling.
I can jump over anything.
Do you want to be remembered
for your castle-building?
And I can whistle.
I mean, maybe.
I can shout louder than anybody.
Boo!
Ethelred The Unready
failed to defend Wessex
against the Danish invaders
and paid them off with Danegeld.
Well, what I want to be
remembered for is killing people.
And smashing them over the head
and generally toughening them up.
What do you say to your critics
who accuse you of failing
in your duty to defend England?
To my credit, cred
STUTTERS
I say,
there are a lot of namby-pambys
that don't like fighting people
and smashing them up
and generally toughing them over.
King Edgar, founder and rebuilder
of the Benedictine monasteries,
what you want to be remembered for,
Your Majesty?
Well first of all
for my work
for the Benedictine monasteries.
I try to do whatever I can
for this wonderful order,
and I hope that something
of what we've been able
to achieve together
may have a lasting effect
and continue to benefit mankind
for generations to come.
And now, for my dearest mother
a little song.
I am my mother's boy. ♪
King Canute -
King of England and Denmark.
I would like to be remembered
as the first king
who was entirely waterproof.
As you can see,
this new Danish-style throne
is completely rustproof,
and the floats
are of Norwegian-built PVC.
This is a great step forward
for royalty,
as it means they can be left outside
in all weathers.
I also want to be remembered
as the inventor of marine biology.
READS:
One thing in this period,
above all others,
that catches our imagination,
the glory of the legend
surrounding King Arthur
and the Knights Of The Round Table.
It was the age of
romance and gallant deeds.
Knights in armour, damsels
in distress, the age of chivalry.
BIRDS TWEETING
Help!
Help!
Oh, help me out! I perish!
Help!
GALLOPING,
SHE GASPS
Yes, it is.
A knight in shining armour.
And does he?
SHE SQUEALS
Yes! He does!
He bears King Arthur's banner.
Ooh, er.
Praise be to King Arthur
and the Knights Of The Round Table.
I am saved!
That's all right, madam.
Be with you in a minute.
SHE GIGGLES
July 7th.
07:00 hours
Wimbledon Common
found by RF Lancelot.
Sign there, please.
Turned out nice again, hasn't it?
Oh, indeed it has!
Thou has made dark night
bright day, good knight.
And age, date of birth and father's
style or title down there, please.
HE HUMS
Thank you. Right, that's the lot.
Now, save me, gentle knight,
ere the loathsome monster returneth
here to claim me for his own!
Ah, yes, good point, good point.
We've got to have full details
of your predator or captor.
A fearsome, dreadful beast.
Yeah.
Taller than the tallest mountain,
wider than the widest oak tree.
Yes, fine, love, very nice,
but I've gotta have it
in feet and inches. Feet and inches.
Right, highest mountain, 28,000ft.
Widest oak tree
HE EXHALES
say 8ft.
So he's tall and thin.
Oh, yes, he is!
Right, shouldn't have
too much trouble spotting him.
See what I can do.
Thank you, madam.
And now I am yours,
parting gentle knight.
Yes.
Loose me from these vile thongs.
Well, as I say, I'LL get
these forms in as soon as possible,
and you should have someone round
by the end of the week.
Friday a good day, is it?
But I may perish ere a Friday.
Oh, I'm sorry about that, madam,
but we're short-staffed as it is,
what with
the union ban on night work.
Still, I'll do the best I can,
let you know. Thank you, madam.
But the loathsome beast!
GALLOPING AWAY
The loathsome beast!
The loathsome beast ends
his work to rule on Thursday.
Welcome back.
And now we are proud to present
the first of our Golden Year awards.
Tonight's Golden Year award
goes to
TRIUMPHANT MUSIC
1065.
These awards are made
to little-known years
which have been overlooked
by history.
And tonight,
we bring you Scrapbook For 1065.
The storm clouds gather,
but all England was dancing
to music like this.
SING IN LATIN
Yes, it was a difficult time
for everybody.
But soon, travelling minstrels
were to arrive like Elfric Gothwell.
And wherever they went,
they were to be greeted
by screaming, hysterical women.
CLAMOURING
And all the time,
the storm clouds were gathering
over the English Channel.
But it was here that there occurred
the first momentous event of 1065,
Eric Smith, a serf,
was walking to work when
he stubbed his toe.
But even this
was soon to be overshadowed
by a host of
other remarkable events.
Richard Dequincy hits his thumb.
Ow!
Norman Black discovers
the force of gravity.
Baron Simon Della Anvil Smith
discovers the thimble.
Found it!
Edward The Confessor drew closer
to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
And Bristol Zoo was not yet built.
And all the time, more and more
storm clouds were gathering.
Suddenly, the King fell out
with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
LIGHTNING CRACKLES,
THUNDER RUMBLES
And at last, the storm had broken.
These then
are some of the outstanding events,
but how do those
who actually lived through
this remarkable year remember 1065?
1065? Never heard of it.
Is it a kind of pastry?
Black pudding.
1065?
SPITS
Terrible year.
Terrible, rotten year
for us
in the commemorative business.
I got hundreds of these
in the back of the shop.
Huh! "Present from 1065".
"Welcome to 1065". Ha!
"1065, top year".
And what happened? Nothing!
Same as the year before.
I'm getting out before 1066,
I can tell you.
But there was one man
whose name was to change
the whole course of
British history - Harold Godwinson,
who, in 1066, was to become
king of England,
and who had already in 1065
was laying his plans.
Now, I happen to know,
and you can take my word for it,
'cause I know, that in 1066,
the Normans are planning
an invasion
of Denmark.
So my plan is,
while they're up in Denmark,
we'll get some of the lads together,
over to Boulogne, over in Normandy.
So just remember, 1066,
Battle of Boulogne.
Yep. I've got a feeling
1066 is gonna be my lucky year.
And so our story moves on
to one of the most exciting moments
in English history -
the dramatic news
of October 14th 1066.
ITN NEWS THEME
Serf riding is to become illegal
as from next week.
Good news for serfs.
And now the latest news
from the Sussex coast.
King Harold himself
is investigating a report
of illegal immigrants
in the Pevensey Bay area.
He stated that the immigrants,
believed to be Normans,
would be sent back to their
own country as soon as possible.
A spokesperson for the Normans said
that they were on a day trip
and only numbered 5,000
MAN GROANING
including 500 cavalry
and 2,000 archers.
Oh, we have just heard from Hastings
that the illegal Norman immigrants
have resisted attempts
to get them into hostels
and dress battle has developed
outside the town.
Embroiderers have sent us
these pictures.
The latest news
is that the English army
has been completely overrun,
and at four o'clock,
our great and glorious King Harold
was killed.
No further news of casualties
but now, I believe,
we are able to speak to our great
and glorious King William.
So, via the miracle of danegeld,
over to Hastings
and our reporter Aelfric Campald.
Here, away from the heat
of this afternoon's battle,
I'm going to try and have
a few words with the man
who is already being called
William The Conqueror -
first king of England and Normandy.
CHEERING
King William, King William!
King William, congratulations
on a wonderful victory.
Thank you very much, David.
You must be very pleased
with the boys.
Certainly am, David.
They did a wonderful job.
Did you expect to win?
Well, I never had any doubts, David.
The boys have been fighting
very well on the continent,
but this was the big one
they were all looking forward to.
Were there any anxious moments?
Well, right at the start, David,
our lads weren't used to
the sloping ground,
but soon, we began to open out
the battle a lot more.
We're using the long one
down the centre
and able to split your defence
right down the middle.
When were you sure
you were going to win?
What's that? When were you sure
you were going to win?
You can never be sure of
a thing like that, David.
But I must say,
I was pretty confident
halfway through the second half
when they were 2,000 down.
CHEERING
Great fun, these lads.
Oh!
Oh, dear, that's wonderful.
Well, now, what about that incident?
Oh, you mean
when Harold was knocked down?
LAUGHTER,
CHEERING
Well, that was
a very nasty business, David,
and we're all very sorry about it.
But I think it was fair.
It certainly gave our lads
a bit of laugh.
LAUGHTER
Oh, now I can see we have
a playback of the last few moments.
Would you like to talk us
through it?
Lads! Hold on. Right.
It starts off There we are.
with that great 60-yarder
from Roger Montgomery.
There's me coming up the middle.
I've got 700 men in my right wing.
There's Reynolds. It's a high one.
He shoots. We're going through!
And it's a goal!
Well, once more, congratulations,
King William.
And when are we going to see you
in action again?
Well, I'm not sure about that,
David.
As you know, I'm writing a book,
but I shall first of all be going
to London to accept
this very high honour
which I believe
your countrymen are bestowing on me.
The crown of England.
No, no, no, no.
President of
The Football Association.
CHEERING
Thank you, King William. Thank you.
The Norman Conquest in 1066 has
become such a part of our history
that historians are usually agreed
on the details
of this momentous year.
But Professor Weaver, inevitably,
has challenged these accepted views.
Er Good evening.
The famous French historian
Professor Henri Norman,
in his latest work,
The Best Book I've Written So Far,
has produced evidence to show that
William of Normandy's real name
was in fact Norman of Williamdy.
So what we are dealing with
is Norman the Conqueror
and the William Conquest.
Now, this radical reinterpretation
stems from a re-examination
of the reconditioned,
re-exhumed remains
of the will of Roger de Logier.
A baron, Norman baron, or William
Baron, as, of course, he now is,
and Professor Norman finds that
in his will, or "norm",
Roger gives quotes.
Williamlands to his son Norman.
Now, not Normanlands
but Williamlands.
Now, this is the important thing.
Now, we all know, don't we,
that William, in Norman,
or William, means Conqueror?
Now, it's very unlikely that
William should call himself
William the William.
And he doesn't.
Professor Norman points out
he calls himself Norman.
I mean, obviously, Professor Norman
calls himself Norman,
but William the Conqueror
calls himself William
the William of Williamdy.
Now, these findings, you see,
do alter
our interpretation of history.
We must now talk of William castles,
William churches
built by King Norman.
William arches,
William keeps and, of course,
the allied invasion of Williamdy.
And the wonderful, marvellous
Just Norman books
of Richmal Crompton.
But although we may have to alter
our terminology,
we do not alter the basic
significance of the facts of 1066
and the defeat of King Harold
at Waterloo.
Paddington. Where I should be.
Paddington! I should be there.
Good heavens,
Victoria'll be waiting. Taxi!
Perhaps William The Conqueror's
most lasting achievement
was the Domesday Book,
a monumental work,
backed up by the most sophisticated
sales technique of the day.
MAN HUMS
Oh, here, can I help you, sir?
What have we got?
Well, I've got the Domesday Book.
Oh, have you?
Yeah.
Domesday Book, plenty of them.
Anything else?
Well, I've, er
Oh, I've got a proclamation.
What about? Well
BOTH: The Domesday Book.
Yeah.
Nothing else? Is that your lot?
No, I'm afraid not, sir.
Oh, well, thank you very much.
J-Just a minute, hang on, sir.
You look a very discerning buyer.
You're not interested,
are you, in foreign books?
Now you're talking! That's it.
Plain cover.
No questions asked.
You've got it.
I've got just the thing for you,
sir.
Just came in the morning
from Sweden. Swedish, eh?
Cor! How much?
Now, to you, sir, 30 pieces.
30 piece Cor!
Thanks very much! Ta!
Valerie!
Hello!
Just sold a Domesday Book
in Swedish!
And there we must end
this brief glimpse
into those far-off days
when you could still get
a pair of football boots for a penny
and trousers were unheard of.
So join us again next week
in the 12th century,
when you will be able to
AMERICAN ANNOUNCER:
Laugh with Thomas Beckett!
HIGH-PITCHED LAUGHING
Stop it!
Join the thrills and spills
of a medieval hunt!
Gasp as Robin Hood
hits the bull's-eye!
Thrill to
the immortal music of Magna Carta!
# The hills are alive
With the Magna Carta. ♪
It's all part of
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# It's all in separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# It's all in separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# Complete and utter
The complete and utter
# It's complete and utter
History. ♪
COIN RATTLES
Thank you. Thank you very much.
APPLAUSE
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# It's all in separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# Complete and utter
The complete and utter
# The Complete And Utter
# History
Episode One. ♪
Good evening, and welcome to
The Complete And Utter History
Of Britain,
which is a series which brings
to your screens for the first time
history as it actually happened.
In it, you will see
some extraordinary glimpses into
the past. We begin at the beginning.
The year is 2564BC,
and this is Britain.
As you will notice,
Scotland is missing.
Come back with me now to those
far-off times, 4,532 years ago.
TRUMPE
England is not the green
and pleasant land we know today
but a savage world
ruled by tooth and claw.
Nevertheless, it is here that we
find the first primitive Englishmen.
TENSE MUSIC
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
ON PIANO
They were known as Iberians.
The Iberians were
not a backward race
and quickly learned to use
their hands.
WOMAN SQUEALS
With their new-found skills,
they built coracles,
which they carried on their backs.
And which they later learned
to sail in.
Progress was rapid, and before long,
they were facing new problems,
such as buying houses
and selling them.
Do you think we'll like it?
You're bound to.
It's ideal for
a young couple like yourselves.
Modern, open-plan and no overheads.
Well, there you are.
You can see it for yourself.
Is that it?
Cosy, innit?
Well
As I say, it's ideal
for a young couple like yourselves
with 30 or 40 children.
It's got character, charm
and a slab in the middle.
And what about the gaps?
Doors? That's another great
advantage of a place like this.
46 doors. But isn't it
a bit draughty in winter?
Not if you keep running about.
Dear, if you keep running about,
I mean, feel that wall.
Go on, feel it. That's Welsh quality
for you, that is.
A mountainside in your own home.
Now look what you've done.
Not to worry.
Oh, I am sorry, Mr I-I
Not to worry. You've just found
the emergency exit.
Let's face it,
nothing lasts forever,
but this place will do better
than most.
I can honestly say that
this will still be here
in, ooh, 40 or 50 years at least.
No, I'm sorry.
We're just not interested
in these modern buildings.
Oh, well. On your own head be it.
Well, 20 years, anyway.
To help us unravel the mysteries
of the past, we have with us
a resident historian -
Professor Weaver.
Regis professor,
socio-economic history
at the Lyceum Ballroom, Yarmouth.
Professor Weaver.
Hello.
I'd like to talk to you
for a moment,
if I may, about archaeology.
The study of
the remains of the past.
I've brought along one or two rather
interesting things to show you.
This is a piece of pottery.
1,300 years old, Anglo-Saxon,
part of a drinking vessel.
But from this little piece,
you do get
a glimpse of how beautiful
the actual drinking vessel
must have looked
before I dropped it
on the way to the studio.
Here's another Anglo-Saxon pot.
From this pot, we get a picture
of what the Saxons themselves
must have really looked like.
Small, dark, with a handle on
one side and a spout on the other.
Amazing people.
Of course, for the archaeologist,
the big problem is always dating.
It's not that
they're all unattractive people,
but they're very shy.
Of course, today,
we have modern methods of dating.
Machines which can calculate
the age of any object
by gauging the carbon content
inherent in it.
This was how I met Doreen Potter,
my bosom companion
on the 1948 Belfast dig
when we unearthed
an entire drainage system.
Plunged the centre of Belfast
into chaos.
And two other things
I'd like to show you.
This believe it or not,
is an Anglo-Saxon pill -
a primitive herbal mixture,
but incredibly enough,
you can still use it today.
They must have had stronger jaws
than we, but
down it goes,
leaving just a slight purple flavour
around the lips.
But now, finally, the most fantastic
Anglo-Saxon treasure
in existence today,
King Alfred's brooch.
Notice
Fantastic how the jewels
still retain their sparkle
in the solid gold setting.
Notice the intricate craftsmanship.
The whirls - very typical
of the work of the Anglo
I'm afraid you must excuse me.
I must go look
for King Alfred's brooch.
Alfred, Ethelred, Edgar, Canute,
the names ring out across history.
CHURCH BELLS
But what were these kings
really like?
What do they want to be remembered for?
We bring you the answer now
in a sensational
face-to-face series of interviews
with the men who ruled Britain
before the Norman Conquest.
FANFARE
King Alfred The Great, perhaps
the greatest of all English kings.
Defeater of the Danes,
founder of the navies,
scholar, author and translator.
We asked him
what he wanted to be remembered for.
Not telling.
I can jump over anything.
Do you want to be remembered
for your castle-building?
And I can whistle.
I mean, maybe.
I can shout louder than anybody.
Boo!
Ethelred The Unready
failed to defend Wessex
against the Danish invaders
and paid them off with Danegeld.
Well, what I want to be
remembered for is killing people.
And smashing them over the head
and generally toughening them up.
What do you say to your critics
who accuse you of failing
in your duty to defend England?
To my credit, cred
STUTTERS
I say,
there are a lot of namby-pambys
that don't like fighting people
and smashing them up
and generally toughing them over.
King Edgar, founder and rebuilder
of the Benedictine monasteries,
what you want to be remembered for,
Your Majesty?
Well first of all
for my work
for the Benedictine monasteries.
I try to do whatever I can
for this wonderful order,
and I hope that something
of what we've been able
to achieve together
may have a lasting effect
and continue to benefit mankind
for generations to come.
And now, for my dearest mother
a little song.
I am my mother's boy. ♪
King Canute -
King of England and Denmark.
I would like to be remembered
as the first king
who was entirely waterproof.
As you can see,
this new Danish-style throne
is completely rustproof,
and the floats
are of Norwegian-built PVC.
This is a great step forward
for royalty,
as it means they can be left outside
in all weathers.
I also want to be remembered
as the inventor of marine biology.
READS:
One thing in this period,
above all others,
that catches our imagination,
the glory of the legend
surrounding King Arthur
and the Knights Of The Round Table.
It was the age of
romance and gallant deeds.
Knights in armour, damsels
in distress, the age of chivalry.
BIRDS TWEETING
Help!
Help!
Oh, help me out! I perish!
Help!
GALLOPING,
SHE GASPS
Yes, it is.
A knight in shining armour.
And does he?
SHE SQUEALS
Yes! He does!
He bears King Arthur's banner.
Ooh, er.
Praise be to King Arthur
and the Knights Of The Round Table.
I am saved!
That's all right, madam.
Be with you in a minute.
SHE GIGGLES
July 7th.
07:00 hours
Wimbledon Common
found by RF Lancelot.
Sign there, please.
Turned out nice again, hasn't it?
Oh, indeed it has!
Thou has made dark night
bright day, good knight.
And age, date of birth and father's
style or title down there, please.
HE HUMS
Thank you. Right, that's the lot.
Now, save me, gentle knight,
ere the loathsome monster returneth
here to claim me for his own!
Ah, yes, good point, good point.
We've got to have full details
of your predator or captor.
A fearsome, dreadful beast.
Yeah.
Taller than the tallest mountain,
wider than the widest oak tree.
Yes, fine, love, very nice,
but I've gotta have it
in feet and inches. Feet and inches.
Right, highest mountain, 28,000ft.
Widest oak tree
HE EXHALES
say 8ft.
So he's tall and thin.
Oh, yes, he is!
Right, shouldn't have
too much trouble spotting him.
See what I can do.
Thank you, madam.
And now I am yours,
parting gentle knight.
Yes.
Loose me from these vile thongs.
Well, as I say, I'LL get
these forms in as soon as possible,
and you should have someone round
by the end of the week.
Friday a good day, is it?
But I may perish ere a Friday.
Oh, I'm sorry about that, madam,
but we're short-staffed as it is,
what with
the union ban on night work.
Still, I'll do the best I can,
let you know. Thank you, madam.
But the loathsome beast!
GALLOPING AWAY
The loathsome beast!
The loathsome beast ends
his work to rule on Thursday.
Welcome back.
And now we are proud to present
the first of our Golden Year awards.
Tonight's Golden Year award
goes to
TRIUMPHANT MUSIC
1065.
These awards are made
to little-known years
which have been overlooked
by history.
And tonight,
we bring you Scrapbook For 1065.
The storm clouds gather,
but all England was dancing
to music like this.
SING IN LATIN
Yes, it was a difficult time
for everybody.
But soon, travelling minstrels
were to arrive like Elfric Gothwell.
And wherever they went,
they were to be greeted
by screaming, hysterical women.
CLAMOURING
And all the time,
the storm clouds were gathering
over the English Channel.
But it was here that there occurred
the first momentous event of 1065,
Eric Smith, a serf,
was walking to work when
he stubbed his toe.
But even this
was soon to be overshadowed
by a host of
other remarkable events.
Richard Dequincy hits his thumb.
Ow!
Norman Black discovers
the force of gravity.
Baron Simon Della Anvil Smith
discovers the thimble.
Found it!
Edward The Confessor drew closer
to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
And Bristol Zoo was not yet built.
And all the time, more and more
storm clouds were gathering.
Suddenly, the King fell out
with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
LIGHTNING CRACKLES,
THUNDER RUMBLES
And at last, the storm had broken.
These then
are some of the outstanding events,
but how do those
who actually lived through
this remarkable year remember 1065?
1065? Never heard of it.
Is it a kind of pastry?
Black pudding.
1065?
SPITS
Terrible year.
Terrible, rotten year
for us
in the commemorative business.
I got hundreds of these
in the back of the shop.
Huh! "Present from 1065".
"Welcome to 1065". Ha!
"1065, top year".
And what happened? Nothing!
Same as the year before.
I'm getting out before 1066,
I can tell you.
But there was one man
whose name was to change
the whole course of
British history - Harold Godwinson,
who, in 1066, was to become
king of England,
and who had already in 1065
was laying his plans.
Now, I happen to know,
and you can take my word for it,
'cause I know, that in 1066,
the Normans are planning
an invasion
of Denmark.
So my plan is,
while they're up in Denmark,
we'll get some of the lads together,
over to Boulogne, over in Normandy.
So just remember, 1066,
Battle of Boulogne.
Yep. I've got a feeling
1066 is gonna be my lucky year.
And so our story moves on
to one of the most exciting moments
in English history -
the dramatic news
of October 14th 1066.
ITN NEWS THEME
Serf riding is to become illegal
as from next week.
Good news for serfs.
And now the latest news
from the Sussex coast.
King Harold himself
is investigating a report
of illegal immigrants
in the Pevensey Bay area.
He stated that the immigrants,
believed to be Normans,
would be sent back to their
own country as soon as possible.
A spokesperson for the Normans said
that they were on a day trip
and only numbered 5,000
MAN GROANING
including 500 cavalry
and 2,000 archers.
Oh, we have just heard from Hastings
that the illegal Norman immigrants
have resisted attempts
to get them into hostels
and dress battle has developed
outside the town.
Embroiderers have sent us
these pictures.
The latest news
is that the English army
has been completely overrun,
and at four o'clock,
our great and glorious King Harold
was killed.
No further news of casualties
but now, I believe,
we are able to speak to our great
and glorious King William.
So, via the miracle of danegeld,
over to Hastings
and our reporter Aelfric Campald.
Here, away from the heat
of this afternoon's battle,
I'm going to try and have
a few words with the man
who is already being called
William The Conqueror -
first king of England and Normandy.
CHEERING
King William, King William!
King William, congratulations
on a wonderful victory.
Thank you very much, David.
You must be very pleased
with the boys.
Certainly am, David.
They did a wonderful job.
Did you expect to win?
Well, I never had any doubts, David.
The boys have been fighting
very well on the continent,
but this was the big one
they were all looking forward to.
Were there any anxious moments?
Well, right at the start, David,
our lads weren't used to
the sloping ground,
but soon, we began to open out
the battle a lot more.
We're using the long one
down the centre
and able to split your defence
right down the middle.
When were you sure
you were going to win?
What's that? When were you sure
you were going to win?
You can never be sure of
a thing like that, David.
But I must say,
I was pretty confident
halfway through the second half
when they were 2,000 down.
CHEERING
Great fun, these lads.
Oh!
Oh, dear, that's wonderful.
Well, now, what about that incident?
Oh, you mean
when Harold was knocked down?
LAUGHTER,
CHEERING
Well, that was
a very nasty business, David,
and we're all very sorry about it.
But I think it was fair.
It certainly gave our lads
a bit of laugh.
LAUGHTER
Oh, now I can see we have
a playback of the last few moments.
Would you like to talk us
through it?
Lads! Hold on. Right.
It starts off There we are.
with that great 60-yarder
from Roger Montgomery.
There's me coming up the middle.
I've got 700 men in my right wing.
There's Reynolds. It's a high one.
He shoots. We're going through!
And it's a goal!
Well, once more, congratulations,
King William.
And when are we going to see you
in action again?
Well, I'm not sure about that,
David.
As you know, I'm writing a book,
but I shall first of all be going
to London to accept
this very high honour
which I believe
your countrymen are bestowing on me.
The crown of England.
No, no, no, no.
President of
The Football Association.
CHEERING
Thank you, King William. Thank you.
The Norman Conquest in 1066 has
become such a part of our history
that historians are usually agreed
on the details
of this momentous year.
But Professor Weaver, inevitably,
has challenged these accepted views.
Er Good evening.
The famous French historian
Professor Henri Norman,
in his latest work,
The Best Book I've Written So Far,
has produced evidence to show that
William of Normandy's real name
was in fact Norman of Williamdy.
So what we are dealing with
is Norman the Conqueror
and the William Conquest.
Now, this radical reinterpretation
stems from a re-examination
of the reconditioned,
re-exhumed remains
of the will of Roger de Logier.
A baron, Norman baron, or William
Baron, as, of course, he now is,
and Professor Norman finds that
in his will, or "norm",
Roger gives quotes.
Williamlands to his son Norman.
Now, not Normanlands
but Williamlands.
Now, this is the important thing.
Now, we all know, don't we,
that William, in Norman,
or William, means Conqueror?
Now, it's very unlikely that
William should call himself
William the William.
And he doesn't.
Professor Norman points out
he calls himself Norman.
I mean, obviously, Professor Norman
calls himself Norman,
but William the Conqueror
calls himself William
the William of Williamdy.
Now, these findings, you see,
do alter
our interpretation of history.
We must now talk of William castles,
William churches
built by King Norman.
William arches,
William keeps and, of course,
the allied invasion of Williamdy.
And the wonderful, marvellous
Just Norman books
of Richmal Crompton.
But although we may have to alter
our terminology,
we do not alter the basic
significance of the facts of 1066
and the defeat of King Harold
at Waterloo.
Paddington. Where I should be.
Paddington! I should be there.
Good heavens,
Victoria'll be waiting. Taxi!
Perhaps William The Conqueror's
most lasting achievement
was the Domesday Book,
a monumental work,
backed up by the most sophisticated
sales technique of the day.
MAN HUMS
Oh, here, can I help you, sir?
What have we got?
Well, I've got the Domesday Book.
Oh, have you?
Yeah.
Domesday Book, plenty of them.
Anything else?
Well, I've, er
Oh, I've got a proclamation.
What about? Well
BOTH: The Domesday Book.
Yeah.
Nothing else? Is that your lot?
No, I'm afraid not, sir.
Oh, well, thank you very much.
J-Just a minute, hang on, sir.
You look a very discerning buyer.
You're not interested,
are you, in foreign books?
Now you're talking! That's it.
Plain cover.
No questions asked.
You've got it.
I've got just the thing for you,
sir.
Just came in the morning
from Sweden. Swedish, eh?
Cor! How much?
Now, to you, sir, 30 pieces.
30 piece Cor!
Thanks very much! Ta!
Valerie!
Hello!
Just sold a Domesday Book
in Swedish!
And there we must end
this brief glimpse
into those far-off days
when you could still get
a pair of football boots for a penny
and trousers were unheard of.
So join us again next week
in the 12th century,
when you will be able to
AMERICAN ANNOUNCER:
Laugh with Thomas Beckett!
HIGH-PITCHED LAUGHING
Stop it!
Join the thrills and spills
of a medieval hunt!
Gasp as Robin Hood
hits the bull's-eye!
Thrill to
the immortal music of Magna Carta!
# The hills are alive
With the Magna Carta. ♪
It's all part of
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# It's all in separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# The Complete And Utter
History Of Britain
# It's all in separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# In separate episodes
# Complete and utter
The complete and utter
# It's complete and utter
History. ♪
COIN RATTLES
Thank you. Thank you very much.