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April

Episode 8 of 12

Five experts run a farm as it would have been in the reign of King James I. In April they spring clean, sweeping out the chimney, airing the textiles and changing the beds.

Series in which five experts - archaeologists and historians - take on the challenge of running a Welsh hill farm for a year as it would have been in the reign of James I, in the year 1620.

April marks their eighth month, so they give the farmhouse a thorough spring clean, sweeping out the chimney with a holly bush and dusting out indoors with a period brush, a goose wing. The textiles need a good airing and bashing, and the team must quite literally change the beds.

With the seasons accelerating, they crack on preparing a piece of waste ground for spring sowing: digging up the roots, burning them in pyres, and then turning the fertile ash back in with a good helping of muck. It's also time to try their hand at 17th century dishes of veal and a peculiarly green omelette, at dry stonewalling, and in caring for a newborn calf.

30 minutes

Last on

Tue 27 Oct 2009 19:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Owen Teale
Director Peter Sommer
Producer Peter Sommer
Producer David Upshal

Broadcast