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Hunting Henry III's Treasure At Westminster Abbey: Time Team's Biggest Dig?! | Timeline

Timeline - World History Documentaries・39 minutes read

Westminster Abbey, with its rich history and architectural significance, is the subject of a search for King Henry III's missing sacristy, a valuable stronghold housing treasures that may have vanished over time. Despite challenges and debates, the team aims to locate the sacristy near the North or South transept, believing it to be a significant discovery for Church archaeology and potentially of national importance.

Insights

  • The search for Henry III's missing sacristy at Westminster Abbey, a room housing valuable treasures, poses a significant challenge due to centuries of renovations and constructions, despite geophysical surveys hinting at potential archaeological features.
  • Uncovering the story of three churches on the site, including the lost sacristy of Henry III, Edward the Confessor's Abbey artifacts, and possible burials from the first Saxon church, sheds light on the complex history of Westminster Abbey and its architectural evolution.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of Westminster Abbey?

    Westminster Abbey is a historically important site known for hosting coronations, state funerals, and housing the tombs of monarchs, poets, architects, and politicians. It has a rich history dating back to the 13th century, with King Henry III playing a significant role in shaping its current structure through ambitious designs.

  • What is the missing sacristy at Westminster Abbey?

    The missing sacristy at Westminster Abbey is a stronghold believed to have vanished, housing valuable treasures. Discovered by accident in 1869, its location remains a mystery due to subsequent constructions and demolitions. The search for this room storing religious service items is of great interest to Church archaeology, potentially holding national importance.

  • What challenges are faced in locating Henry III's sacristy?

    Locating Henry III's sacristy at Westminster Abbey poses challenges due to centuries of usage and modern services like electric cables. Despite geophysical surveys revealing potential archaeological features, the team expands trenches to investigate Victorian cellars and walls, hoping to identify the sacristy based on architectural and documentary evidence.

  • What historical artifacts have been found at Westminster Abbey?

    Westminster Abbey has yielded various historical artifacts during the search for Henry III's sacristy, including Tudor greenware, medieval floor tiles, human bones, and brass studs. Discoveries in the trench suggest finds from the early years of the Abbey, like medieval pottery, hinting at its rich history and significance.

  • What is the conclusion regarding the building discovered at Westminster Abbey?

    The building discovered at Westminster Abbey, initially thought to be Henry III's sacristy, is now believed to be a robing area and assembly for processions rather than a sacristy. Multiple burials, including an 8-year-old child possibly from Edward the Confessor's time, and Saxon tiles in the Picts chamber indicate an 11th-century room, adding to the historical significance of the site.

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Summary

00:00

Westminster Abbey: Search for Henry's Sacristy

  • Westminster Abbey is a significant historical site known for coronations, state funerals, and the tombs of monarchs, poets, architects, and politicians.
  • King Henry the 3rd's ambitious design in the 13th century largely shapes the Abbey's current structure, despite centuries of renovations.
  • The search is on for Henry's missing sacristy, a stronghold housing valuable treasures, believed to have vanished.
  • The sacristy's location was discovered by accident in 1869, but subsequent constructions and demolitions have complicated its potential existence.
  • The team aims to locate the sacristy, a room storing religious service items, possibly situated near the North transept or South transept.
  • Finding the sacristy would be a significant discovery for Church archaeology, potentially of national importance.
  • Geophysical surveys reveal wall lines indicating potential archaeological features, despite challenges posed by modern services like electric cables.
  • The team expands trenches to investigate Victorian cellars and walls, hoping to identify Henry's sacristy based on architectural and documentary evidence.
  • The search for the sacristy is complicated by centuries of usage, reflected in finds like Tudor greenware, medieval floor tiles, human bones, and brass studs.
  • Henry's Abbey centerpiece was the shrine to Edward the Confessor, a revered figure whose tomb attracted pilgrims seeking spiritual power, with Henry planning his own tomb nearby.

16:16

"Westminster Abbey: Uncovering Medieval Secrets"

  • The stone shell made of Purbeck marble held decorative details for Westminster Abbey.
  • Henry collected relics like Christ's thorn and Saint bones, necessitating a large sacristy.
  • Discoveries in the trench suggest finds from the early years of the Abbey, like medieval pottery.
  • Original raft and medieval walls hint at a possible medieval building, potentially Henry III's sacristy.
  • The Abbey, built 800 years ago, shows various phases in the trench, including post-medieval structures.
  • Uncovering later artifacts like pottery and a frying pan handle indicates later periods before reaching medieval levels.
  • Henry III's unfinished chapel and Westminster's royal significance are highlighted, with connections to the Houses of Parliament.
  • Victorian renovations revealed a massive building, possibly Henry III's sacristy, with medieval walls aligning with Scott's drawings.
  • The search for the sacristy faces challenges, with potential findings of earlier burials and Edward the Confessor's Abbey artifacts.
  • Definitive evidence of Edward the Confessor's Abbey, like 11th-century glazed floor tiles, is discovered, hinting at earlier history.

32:06

"Lost Churches and Burials Uncovered in England"

  • Uncovered the story of three churches on the site: Lost sacristy of Henry the third, tile from Edward the Confessor's Abbey, and possible burials from the first Saxon church.
  • Theory based on chalk line Muriel's orientation by Sir Gilbert Scott in the 1870s.
  • Debate on whether the L-shaped building is Henry the third's sacristy or just corridors.
  • New idea of a doorway into the North transept discovered by Warwick.
  • Discussion on the purpose of the tall and narrow arch, potentially for processional crosses.
  • Conclusion that the building is a robing area and assembly for processions rather than a sacristy.
  • Discovery of multiple burials, including an 8-year-old child, possibly from Edward the Confessor's time.
  • Identification of Saxon tiles in the Picts chamber, indicating an 11th-century room.
  • Radiocarbon dating needed to confirm the age of the chalk-lined burial, potentially Anglo-Saxon.
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