Episode 1

Season 1Episode 160 minOct 11, 2023
Episode 1

In the first episode, Jay takes us to his adoptive home, the West Midlands, to uncover its fascinating history. He starts by getting up close and personal with the Staffordshire Hoard; £3.3 million worth of Anglo-Saxon treasure that was unearthed in a farmer's field near Lichfield thanks to a local metal detectorist. Jay finds out that it was buried at a time when the Midlands was known as Mercia - one of the most important kingdoms in England.

In a stable near Coventry, Jay discovers the truth behind the legend of Lady Godiva who supposedly rode a horse naked through 11th Century Coventry. Heading to the Black Country, Jay finds out how the local dialect, although often mocked, is more important than we think. Peppered with words found in Chaucer poetry, it uses Anglo Saxon words that have otherwise been lost in modern English.

Jay hears about the 18th-century physician Erasmus Darwin whose grandson was none other than Charles Darwin. While Charles gets all the credit for being the father of the theory of evolution, his grandad turns out to have come up with the idea! Erasmus Darwin was part of a society of great thinkers who met monthly to discuss ideas and inventions. Jay finds out about some of these so-called ‘Lunar Men' and their complex relationship with the abolition of slavery.

Jay pays a visit to the Wedgwood factory to learn about Josiah Wedgwood, the potter who made Stoke-on-Trent renowned around the world. He has a go at the tricky task of adorning an ornate vase. And finally, he heads to Ironbridge to hear the story of Abraham Darby I, a genius innovator who was the first to work out how to mass produce iron products – a technique that kick-started the Industrial Revolution!

Episode 1 has aired on Oct 11, 2023 at 9:00 PM
Next Episode

Trailer

We do not have any trailers for this episode

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Days of Our Lives
Running

Days of Our Lives

Days of our Lives is set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem. The core families are the Bradys, the Hortons and the DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Beginning on September 12, 2022, DAYS became exclusive to streaming on Peacock.

Ancient Aliens
Running

Ancient Aliens

Ancient Aliens explores the controversial theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth for millions of years. From the age of the dinosaurs to ancient Egypt, from early cave drawings to continued mass sightings in the US, each episode in this hit History series gives historic depth to the questions, speculations, provocative controversies, first-hand accounts and grounded theories surrounding this age old debate. Did intelligent beings from outer space visit Earth thousands of years ago?

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Running

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

On Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, John Oliver presents a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.

GenreComedy
Beyond the Gates
Running

Beyond the Gates

Beyond the Gates is set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington D.C., and in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States. Here you'll find a posh gated community with winding tree-lined streets and luxurious mansions to call home. At the center of this community are the Duprees, a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family that is the very definition of Black royalty. But behind these pristine walls and lush, manicured gardens are juicy secrets and scandals waiting to be uncovered. And those that live outside these gates are watching closely. These are the places where our characters live, love, work and play. Those who have "made it" and those who haven't are all trying to navigate life … and some with more grace than others.

Lioness
Running

Lioness

Lioness, inspired by an actual U.S. Military program, follows the life of Joe while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA's spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade and Donald Westfield, enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA's efforts to thwart the next 9/11.