S22 | 2022: Site Wrestle - Knights Hospitaller (Site C) with Stewart Ainsworth
🕑 Added 2022-05-25 20:46:36 +0000 UTCThere’s that moment in every Time Team episode (usually midway through Day 3) when Stewart Ainsworth returns from the fields looking rather excited, and then turns the story on its head.
As we all know by now, when Stewart gets excited about the lumps and bumps, it’s time to sit up and take note. So that's exactly what we did when he turned up with his 11th hour site contender: a potential Knights Hospitaller preceptory.
In this latest Site Wrestle session, Stewart tells Tim Taylor more about this intriguing site and why he thinks Time Team should investigate it this year. But what do you think?
Due to a poor internet connection, the video recording quality is slightly temperamental, although we think that Stewart and Tim's enthusiasm for this incredible site shines through very clearly! We'll be grilling Stewart again soon for more details, so please watch this space...
Comments
Mac Whatley
Sounds like it has great potential- a fresh topic, not prehistoric or Roman, but opening up a neglected subject.
Boethiusconsol
I was worried that this might lose the site's meaning amongst a confused chronology and semiotic explanation of crusading and the role of military orders.
Janet Hay
Great question Gretchen 🙂
Hunt
I think this swayed me away from the anglo saxons. It sounds very exciting.
Richard Moss
Glad I voted for this one. I'm even more excited now. It's a great chance to tell the story of the Knights Hospitallers as well as find some archaeology. There is a little bit of jeopardy here - but that almost makes it more enticing. And when has Stewart ever been wrong? I think the scene I'm looking forward to most is John Gater's conversation with Stewart after the first morning's Geophys survey.
Time Team
Hi Larry, sorry to hear you're having trouble. Details on how to send a message on Patreon here: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115002832026-How-do-I-message-a-creator-
Irene Daly
I’m with Stewart, his knowledge of the landscapes have enlightened many of the Time Team digs and his enthusiasm and love of his subject is contagious. Keep on trucking, Stewart!!
Larry Harrison
THIS SITE DOES NOT WORK! HAVE MESSAGE FOR DR AINSWORTH WHICH CANNOT SEND
Rosemary Henderson
If we have already voted, are we allowed to vote again after we've heard all the site wrestles? In case we change our minds?
Roger Mills
To be honest Tim you have already surpassed anything I thought was possible when I signed on in Dec 2020. Well done indeed.
Roger Mills
Same here! Trouble is I'll be tempted to do the same when the others air...
Patricia Amero
Okay Stewart, our King of Landscape Lumps & Bumps, your passion & excitement is very convincing. I imagine pottery, or a coin for dating, or even a pilgrim badge from a returned follower after their long journey to enlightenment are awaiting discovery. I do love a good ditch, (and possibly a midden for good measure) What a great site! I'm sold. 👍
Gretchen M Root
Great vlog, I haven't watched them all to decide what site will get my vote, but this is certainly a contender. One question I have, which unfortunately is not in Time Teams scope is how this money got from England to Jerusalem. I thought it was interesting that Tim described it as almost a travelers check. Was there established banking at the time. Did the preceptors deposit money in the local town or London? How then did it travel to Jerusalem? What if it was robbed on the way and the people expecting money in Jerusalem found out there wasn't any? Guess I'll be Googling for a while.
Barbara Guest
Love this one! I love the history associated with the Templars and now I will study the history of the Hospitalers! You have got my vote!
Carol Overrill
This site is a must. That enthusiasm from Stewart must be followed up. I would love to see all the sites covered, but realise the pressures. However I think that if we passed up this one we would kick ourselves.
David Boon
I am a big fan of Stewart and the prospects are exciting but there are some ifs about what might be found. I suppose there always are but with possibly only two digs are there others just as exciting? I have this as my second favourite but will withhold final judgement until hearing more about the other sites.
Michael O'Connor
I'm so thrilled that this is an option!
Pamela Brotherton
I love his enthusiasm!!
Carl Christy
Right, I didn't consider the landowner issue. Thanks for the insight. I am really looking forward to geeking out on the terrain data!
Kerie Receveur
This sounds incredible - Stewart’s glee is infectious! On a separate note, Tim’s table lamp (the green and cream one behind him) is gorgeous :)
Le Scoob
Fantastic! I’d love a show with Stewart just walking and talking about places in the Uk.
Time Team
Hi Carl, we will be sharing more info on sites as the process progresses, including landscape models and GIS. Many of the sites are typically on private land, so in respect of the landowners/tenants we can't always release specific locations, particularly in the earlier stages of development, but there will be much more to come!
Time Team
Hi Donna, it's a good question. The first ever series in 1994 had only 4 episodes, which increased gradually over time - it wasn't until Series 6 that it jumped up to 13 episodes! But more generally, producing these new episodes 100% independently without the investment of a broadcaster is a very different prospect. There are a wide range of logistical considerations to factor in, before, during and after the filming itself. It's not so much about how much equipment there is, but rather the practicalities of assembling and accommodating the team and production crew on site, fulfilling the necessary requirements with the heritage organisations and landowners, post-excavation analysis and reporting, post-production editing and so on. (Imagine planning a 3-day wedding with 50-100 guests but with more mud!) Having brought Time Team back, we're now aiming to build on that foundation in a way that's sustainable for the future and does the archaeology justice. As well as this year's new sites, we're continuing to follow progress on the sites introduced in Series 21. As support grows on Patreon, we'll continue to expand with more sites. Your ongoing support makes all of this possible, so thanks again for helping us to uncover more history!
Suzanne Williams
Well, Stewart was so convincing that I changed my vote from the Midlands priory site to the Knights Hospitallers site!
Donna Oglesby
When Stewart Ainsworth, gets all happy and giddy, you know you have to pay attention and know that he has something to be looked more into, if this can be pushed into the upcoming digs, then by all means:-). Question: form the older time teams, there were many shows in one season, and noticed that there is only 2, Maybe 3 in a whole season, yet you all have MORE equipment now and even John's bit of kit, is updated so why can't there be the three dig, with maybe THIS one as well?? have 4 this 22 season?? and thinking if this site is done, get John and his team in their first and see what can be found.
Peter Farrington
After visiting a Knights Hospitallers Hospital in Valetta, Malta I would love this one to be excavated and it's true significance be proven.
Robin Whitehead
If Stuart gets excited about a site then it is definately worth investigating. This gets my vote. Stuart is the number one landscape guy.
Jared W Lynem
This sounds exciting! I'd love to see through Stewart's eyes walking around an old village.
Susie Stockton-Link
Even MORE pleased that this is my no 1 choice! It sounds wonderful and I'm itching to get a location, so I can have a look at the LiDAR and O.S. evidence for myself! Fascinating. Landscape archaeology's always been of huge interest to me, and Stewart is my hero. [And Time Team, ask him to go and see his doctor about the lump on his lower jaw: lumps and bumps can presage other, less savoury, matters...]
Sharyle Doherty
Love to see Stewart so jazzed about a site. It’s quite intriguing to hear about the potential preceptory along with the connection to the village and castle. Looking forward to it!
Magnus Hallqvist
Only in Britain can someone get called to check out a castle and be a bit meh, but stumble upon a medieval site in the back-yard..
Elaine P
The excitement was tangible, so glad I voted for it. Loved the discussion, I wish the connection had allowed for a longer chat. If Stewart is excited, it's golden! I sure hope manpower and the larger resource requirements possibly needed don't put the veto on this site.
Carl Christy
I know it might not be something that could be released before hand but is there some way we could have access to some of LIDAR/GIS data related to this site? Or any the of the sites being worked on for that matter? Maybe a map fans corner where all the map geeks hang out? I'd love to see the mapping data used before things kick off to identify potential dig locations . And if we (we being 5 or 6 other people here that are into maps) could have it with links to OS maps and so on that would really be exciting!
Kieran Gane
I am so glad I voted for this. It sounds fascinating. But as I was listening to it, the suspicion arose that this would air on April 1, with the final scene being Matt and Stewart holding a small cup that glowed in the sun, with the caption "The Holy Grail".
Andrew Lamb
You definitely have my vote! Stewart is the solid landscape backbone of TimeTeam and should be supported on this Dig.
Leah Kotok
Stewart is my favorite, and he's almost always right. If he says Time Team should dig, then let's dig it!
Mel Blunt
Agree with all the comments. The most exciting opportunity for an integrated archeological project. Just make sure it has adequate resources to do the job.
Robert Wise
Anytime Stewart gets excited about a site, it deserves to be looked at. Whatever I voted for in this site wrestle, I now vote for this site. And, if it turns out to be as interesting as it sounds it might … I vote for the site to be added to the "re-visit" list.
Kate
Stewart has always been one of my favorites bc he’s such a great combination of scholarship and enthusiasm. I always learn something new from him. I must say, most of the original Time Team were refreshingly unpolished unlike the last few seasons when it got all show biz presenteree. Unassuming intellects teasing out answers made Time Team great. Glad to see the new version has reverted to the values of the old.
Warren Feldman MD
Thank You Stuart for your input. You have been able to put a site into an overall perspective.
Ann H
Traces of imported medicinal plants from the East, money from scattered chapters, and interesting exposure to eastern building formats plus French and Italian gives lots of things to look for and evaluate. Shape of the walls/mounts and central building footprint, internal and external, sound like fun exploration. Documents maybe, Bib Nat in France or UK.
Alex Huxley
Hope it does not turn out to be a pig pen ;)
Richard Kaskeski
Stuart you are a treasure! Thanks so much for being so good at doing what you do. I am very excited about this find and am voting for it.
Vickie Bligh
I love Stewart's enthusiasm. I've always admired how he can read the land and how he's usually correct. He has my vote.
Stephanie Stewart
He has my vote!
Richard Lowe-Jackson
I don't remember Time Team tackling a site of this nature before. For me it was the most exciting site of all those put forward for consideration. Stewart's enthusiasm for the site is really contagious and the way he describes the different aspects of the wider site and the links between them it makes for an exciting Time Team program.
William Butler
Stewart knows how to sell a site, if Stewart likes it I’m 99.9% sure I will!!
Steve Mikre
Stewart Ainsworth's enthusiasm sold me! When does the dig start? 🧰