Who was King Edward the Confessor?

Safeguarded England, built Westminster Abbey

What clues led to the potential discovery of the chapel?

Historical sketches, detailed descriptions, measurements

Moted medieval manor house built around 1320

Birthplace of Edward the Confessor

The village of Islip near Oxford is searching for the 13th-century chapel dedicated to King Edward the Confessor and the Saxon palace where he was born, aiming to establish tangible connections to their historical past.
The excavation in Islip, while not uncovering the expected chapel and palace, revealed a moted medieval manor house from around 1320, built by Abbot Kirtlington of Westminster Abbey, showcasing its grandeur and historical importance, underscoring the intricate nature of archaeological discoveries and enriching the understanding of English history beyond legendary narratives.

Where is the village of Islip located?
Oxford
Who was King Edward the Confessor?
Safeguarded England, built Westminster Abbey
What clues led to the potential discovery of the chapel?
Historical sketches, detailed descriptions, measurements
What was discovered during the excavation in the village?
Moted medieval manor house built around 1320
What historical significance does the village of Islip hold?
Birthplace of Edward the Confessor

00:00

The village of Islip near Oxford aims to celebrate the millennium anniversary of King Edward the Confessor's birth.
The villagers request assistance in locating the 13th-century chapel built in his honor and the Saxon palace where he was born.
No prior excavation has occurred in the area, and the team has three days to investigate.
The village of Islip, home to 600 people, seeks tangible evidence of their connection to Edward the Confessor.
Edward the Confessor, born in 1042 and died on January 5, 1066, is renowned for safeguarding the country and constructing Westminster Abbey.
The team examines a charter in Westminster Abbey, indicating Edward's birth in Islip.
A drawing by Thomas Hearn from the 18th century depicts a stone chapel, potentially easier to locate than the Saxon palace.
Geophysical surveys reveal potential targets for the chapel's location in a timber yard.
Test pits are dug in the timber yard and a garden, guided by clues from the house deeds and historical sketches.
Misinterpretation of a map leads to digging in the wrong garden, requiring a shift in excavation focus.

15:10

Local historians suggest potential Saxon material in the garden, deeper down.
The car park is believed to be the site of a Saxon palace, given its location and historical references.
The village's name, Islip, indicates a Saxon settlement.
Despite initial setbacks, hope remains to find the chapel in the garden.
Detailed descriptions and measurements of the chapel from historical sketches aid in locating it.
Plans to excavate both potential sites in the garden are discussed.
Efforts to secure permission for excavation in the graveyard are underway.
The search for the 13th-century chapel of Edward the Confessor intensifies.
Discovery of Saxon pottery in the village excites archaeologists.
Geophysical surveys lead to the potential discovery of a medieval manor house, possibly built on the site of a Saxon palace.

30:23

Investigating a forgotten medieval manor house linked to Westminster Abbey and medieval Islip.
Uncovering part of the manor's wall, running parallel to the moat, with clay stacked against it.
Extending the survey across the field, discovering responses indicating the main building and outbuildings.
Planning to investigate the main building and searching for the chapel of Edward the Confessor.
Discovering a potential corner of the chapel in a garden trench, indicating a significant find.
Uncovering a large manor house built by the abbot around 1320 in the field, possibly Ethelred's palace site.
Unveiling the medieval manor house's grandeur, fit for royal residence, with historical significance.
Finding medieval pottery and glazed roof tiles, confirming the medieval nature of the structure.
Unearthing a medieval glass vessel believed to be a urinal used for medicinal purposes.
Mistaking a 17th-century privy for a medieval chapel, showcasing the unpredictability of archaeology.

44:38

The team excavated a site hoping to find evidence of a chapel and a Saxon royal palace, but only discovered the remains of a moted medieval manor house built around 1320 by Abbot Kirtlington of Westminster Abbey, showcasing its impressive features like stone buildings, a great hall, water supply, fish ponds, and extensive grounds.
Despite not finding the expected structures, the excavation highlighted the historical significance of the site as the birthplace of Edward the Confessor, emphasizing the complexity of archaeological reality compared to legendary tales, contributing to the understanding of English history.