The second of a seven-part documentary co-produced by Tyne Tees Television and Deerpark Films in which Geordie television personalities Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec, explore the history of their native Tyneside from the beginnings of human society to the everyday dramas of the present day. In this programme the development of Christianity on Tyneside through the works of the Venable Bede of Jarrow and the impact on the region of the Vikings. An opening...

The second of a seven-part documentary co-produced by Tyne Tees Television and Deerpark Films in which Geordie television personalities Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec, explore the history of their native Tyneside from the beginnings of human society to the everyday dramas of the present day. In this programme the development of Christianity on Tyneside through the works of the Venable Bede of Jarrow and the impact on the region of the Vikings. An opening montage featuring both contemporary and archival material relating to Tyneside and presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly providing details on the upcoming programme. Title: A History of Tyneside As two actors recreate the scene inside St Paul’s Church at Jarrow, Ant and Dec tell a story relating to the childhood of Bede who would go onto become better known as the Venable Bede of Jarrow and one of the most famous and admired sons of the Tyne. Over a montage of related images, stained glass windows and illuminated manuscripts Laura Sole Curator of Bede’s World explains what life for the young Bede would have been like when he first arrived at the Monastery of St Peter’s at Wearmouth which was one of first stone buildings built in Northumberland constructed by its founder Benedict Biscop using stonemasons and glaziers from France. She goes onto explains how monasteries such as St Peter’s were seen as the internet of its day and that Bede would have had access to library of over 600 books giving him contact to ideas from different parts of the world. Standing in the circular atrium at the entrance to Bede’s World at Jarrow, Ant and Dec explain why Bede continues to be seen as a truly great scholar writing and the very first history of the English people. Standing along the Newcastle Quayside with the Millennium Bridge behind him Local Historian Christopher Goulding explains why the Northeast of England should be proud that it was one of the great beacons of learning and enlightenment in the Dark-Ages. A montage of images are used to help illustrate his points including those from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and an actor playing Bede writing onto a wax tablet. As the man playing Bede continues to write Laura Sole explains how Bede’s history gives us the English identity we still have today with his concept of Englishness coming from his ideas of who the Anglo-Saxon’s were. Over views of a re-enactment of an Anglo-Saxon battle Laura explains how the Angles, Saxon’s and Jutes from Germany and Denmark overthrew the Brits and that Bede was the first English person to use the term English. Historian David Simpson talks about the arrival of the Angles in the Northeast bringing with them the English language. Details are also given about how they set up both the Kingdom of Mercia and the Kingdom on Northumbria with Northumbria became one of the most powerful kingdoms in the land. Walking through the Anglo-Saxon farm at Bede’s World Ant and Dec explains when the Angles defeated the Celtic kings and imposed their own language meaning the Geordie dialect of today started here 1400 years ago. They both give examples of words used back then which are still in use today and explain how it was the Geordies who taught the Scots certain words and not the other way around as is often perceived. A clip taken from a Tyne Tees Television programme featuring Northeast comedian Bobby Thompson performing on stage with his distinct Pitmatic accent. This is followed by David Simpson again who talks about the strong links between the way the Angles spoke and the way Geordies speak today. A map showing the Kingdom of Northumbria when it was at its most powerful stretching from the Firth of Forth in the north to the River Humber and Lancashire in the south with David Simpson explaining how Northumbria became the centre of power in England and its three kings, Edwin, Oswiu and Oswald in effect becoming over-kings for all of Britain with a strong influence over Christianity when it arrived in Britain. Over pages from an illuminated manuscript Laura Sole talks about Bede being aware of the power of words and why he choose St Cuthbert as a unifying figure who would bring an identity to the Northumbrian church. With candles around the shrine of Cuthbert inside Durham Cathedral, Laura explains that Bede’s work was so successful that southern kings would bring rich gifts to Cuthbert’s shrine and thus bring Northumbria into the wider England. Standing outside Durham Cathedral Ant and Dec talk about how the shrine of St Cuthbert is still visited today, but back in the 8th century his body had much more power being able to work earthly miracles becoming famous all over England. A montage of views around St Cuthberts shrine changes to writer Alistair Moffat standing with both Lindisfarne Priory and St Mary the Virgin Church on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne behind him explaining how Cuthbert became the premier saint of Britain. As he talks about Cuthbert becoming famous and well-loved native saint a statue of the saint on Holy Island. Title: A History of Tyneside Over a montage of related clips, Ant and Dec provide details on part two. Title: A History of Tyneside Over a re-enactment of the Viking attack on the monastery of St Cuthbert on Lindisfarne in 793AD, Ant and Dec as well as Alistair Moffat provide details on this devastating attack which would have come as a terrible shock to the monks. Over a montage of Viking long ships being rowed or sailed through the water, Alistair Moffat talks about the importance of such vessels and the devastating impact they had on Northumberland especially on monasteries who were easy targets. Standing in the Quire at Durham Cathedral Ant and Dec explains that following repeated attacks the decision was made to move St Cuthbert’s relics from Lindisfarne transferring them to Durham with the cathedral being built on his bones. The wooden sculpture known as The Journey featuring monks carrying St Cuthbert’s coffin standing inside St Mary the Virgin Church on Lindisfarne and an aerial of Durham Cathedral feature during this sequence. Traffic moving along Pilgrim Street in Newcastle, the route people from the north took to visit the shrine of Cuthbert at Durham changes to Ant and Dec walking through The Galilee Chapel inside Durham Cathedral talking about how Cuthbert defined the Northeast in the early Middle-Ages. As young people holding candles walk though Durham Cathedrals covered walkway known as the Cloisters, details are provided with regards the importance of pilgrimage as well as giving to the church that turned Durham Cathedral into a massive monument to devotion but also hope for eternal life. As two members of the church enters the Quire, at the far end the cathedral the decorative Rose Window. A montage again featuring the replica Vikings long ships with Dec explaining that by the 9th century Vikings were settling in England especially in Yorkshire and Durham. Standing on the roof of Newcastle Keep overlooking the Tyne Bridge Ant and Dec talk about the many place names in the region with Viking origins, but there only being a few on Tyneside such as Byker and Walker. Another clip of Bobby Thompson performing in stage changes to David Simpson explaining the connections between Viking and Anglo-Saxon speech. Over another montage of Viking long ships, aerials of Bamburgh Castle and a re-enactment of the Battle of Carham in 1018 Ant and Dec provide details on how because of the Vikings the Kings of Northumbria were becoming weaker losing their royal status to become Earls of Northumberland and how following the Battle of Carham the modern Northumberland border became fixed on the River Tweed. As Ant and Dec make their way through The Keep onto the roof to look out across the Newcastle skyline, they talk about why it was built by Robert Curthose, son William the Conquer, in 1080 as a way of controlling the north as it was far away from the Norman’s bases in the south. A montage of The Keep and its surroundings with details being provided on its construction which was designed to dominate the lowest crossing place on the River Tyne and made to be difficult to attack. A montage of aerials along the sandy beach at Bamburgh, Hadrian’s Wall and along the River Tyne with Alistair Moffat explaining how Northumbria has always been a frontier or buffer zone and during the Norman period protected the rest of Britain from ambitious Scottish kings invading south. As he provides details on the formation and power of the Prince Bishops of Durham whom he believed help keep Durham and Northumberland English safe from the Scots a montage of stained-glass windows. The exterior of Newcastle Cathedral with its lantern spire changes to Ant and Dec walking around inside and talking about the establishment of the church of St Nicholas in 1091 near to the castle for protection. After explaining that churches were the centre of all town and village life, a 19th century drawing of the Groat and Bigg Market where a weekly market was established near to the church. This is followed by people inside a bar in the Bigg Market enjoying drinks and having a good time. Standing in front of The Chinese Arch on St Andrew’s Street Ant and Dec talk about how in the 13th century the decision was made to encircle the boundaries of Newcastle with a town wall. As they walk around the remains of said wall today, they explain why they were important as it gave the town prestige and established Newcastle as the urban centre of Tyneside. Title: A History of Tyneside Over a montage if archive and contemporary clips Ant and Dec provide details on next week’s programme that will look at how coal changed the face of Tyneside bringing industry to the banks of the Tyne and how and why Geordies are called Geordies. Title: Thanks to St Paul’s Church Jarrow, Durham Cathedral, St Nicholas’ Cathedral, Bede’s World Jarrow Gallowgate Productions, One North East, The Vermont Hotel, Kim Siddorn Credit: Camera Steve Green, Alistair McKenzie, Janusz Ostrowski Sound Andy Bennett, Colin Lang, Adam Toy Electricians Paul Caddick, Lewis Hedley, John Mason “Bede” Lancelot Robson Research Sandy Neil Archive Research Gillian Robinson Titles Music “Get Carter” by PEAK Cartimandua sequence inspired by Ronald Embleton Location Director Anne Buckland Contracts and Rights Peter McArthur Production Manager Christine Stewart-Tilling Graphics Charlie Lennie Sound Post Production The Edge Online Editor Peter Telford Assistant Producer Chris Phipps Producer Alistar Moffat Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Director Ian Hughes Title: © ITV Tyne Tees 2006 End title: An ITV Tyne Tees and Deerpark Films co-production for ITV