Step into the hidden history beneath Hook Court in Dorset, as Time Team uncovers secrets of a lost medieval manor house and its mysterious moat. What lies under the school lawn?
Join the team as they investigate centuries of forgotten history at Hook Court, where evidence of a grand manor house from the Middle Ages, Civil War destruction, and even possible Saxon origins are waiting to be unearthed. Using geophysics, archaeological trenches, and historic documents, the team pieces together a puzzle of walls, moats, and medieval finds - from posh floor tiles to ancient water taps and a dovecot dating back over 600 years. Alongside the experts, local schoolchildren experience hands-on archaeology, revealing the site’s transformation from Saxon stronghold to Tudor manor and Civil War battleground.
You’ll discover how features like the impressive moat may have been more for show than defense, and how the manor’s changing layout reflects dramatic events in English history. Find out about the notable owners, including Sir Humphrey Stafford and the royalist John Powlett, and learn how Hook Court’s story connects to broader national events. With each trench, the team reveals layers of occupation, from 11th-century Saxon lords to Victorian renovations.
If you’re fascinated by medieval manor houses, English Civil War history, or the secrets beneath our feet, this episode is packed with discoveries, debate, and the excitement of real-time archaeology.
#Archaeology #TimeTeam #MedievalHistory #EnglishCivilWar #HookCourt #DorsetHistory #Geophysics #HistoryUncovered