A Cook Back In Time: Exploring Medieval Pub Food & Ghostly Tales

Discover the enchanting city of Ghent, Belgium, where medieval wonders, vibrant markets, and a legendary art heist await your curiosity. Step back in time as we explore Ghent's cobblestone streets, stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture, and bustling flower markets. Uncover the stories behind the iconic Gravensteen Castle, the mysterious dragon atop the belfry, and the intricate house markers that reveal the city's unique history before house numbers existed. Journey through the rich tapestry of Ghent’s past, from its wool-fueled prosperity to its flourishing guild halls and the hidden tales behind its famous mustard shop and sweet treats known as "Ghent noses." Dive deep into the art world as we unravel the fascinating saga of the Ghent Altarpiece - also called the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb - one of the most coveted and stolen masterpieces of the Northern Renaissance. Learn how this historic painting survived wars, thefts, and daring recoveries, and see how modern conservators are restoring its original brilliance. We'll also reveal the quirky legend of Napoleon and the origins of house numbers, the delicate art of Flemish lace

Discover the art and challenge of historic building restoration as we revive ancient castles and medieval homes across England. See how original features are brought back to life! In this episode of Project Restoration, we journey to Herefordshire, Worcester, and Kent to follow passionate homeowners and skilled craftsmen tackling ambitious restoration projects. Watch as urgent sandstone repairs are made to Wilton Castle, a breathtaking site that combines a Victorian farmhouse, Tudor manor remains, and a 13th-century castle. Learn how Alan and Sue Parzlow carefully balance modern updates, like installing glazed windows, with historical accuracy while racing to meet their deadline. In Worcestershire, John Bevan uses traditional carpentry skills and locally felled oak to save his cruckhouse’s medieval kitchen, preserving original timbers and employing age-old joinery techniques. Meanwhile, in Kent, Glen Beamsen and a restoration expert reveal the painstaking process of stripping away decades of gloss paint to unveil the natural beauty of 15th-century oak beams. Throughout the video, you’ll gain insight into the restoration techniques that safeguard our architectural heritage, from lime mortar repairs to honest restoration practices that respect

Step into the 17th century as we recreate a true Puritan feast, inspired by Isaac Walton’s The Complete Angler and historic English recipes! In this episode of A Cook Back in Time, chef Veronica Shaw brings history alive with authentic 1600s dishes like rich carp, cracked wheat froomenty, and a zesty spinach and orange condiment. We delve into the world of Isaac Walton, angling legend and author, exploring his iconic book’s influence on fishing and English food culture. Discover how traditional ingredients and cooking methods transformed simple fare into something extraordinary, and learn why English cuisine of the era was anything but boring. Watch as we forage and fish with period-accurate rods, dress in Puritan costume, and cook alongside the warmth of an Elizabethan cottage. You’ll see how ingredients from dates and pistachios to winter salads and foraged herbs were cleverly combined for health and flavor. See the hands-on making of frumenty, flavored carp, and Gervais Markham’s “Salma Gundy" salad, and find out how laws and customs shaped what ended up on a Puritan’s plate. Whether you're a history lover

Step inside a real Tudor home and discover authentic 16th-century recipes - from liverings pudding to chicken with orange sauce - all crafted in a genuine period kitchen! In this immersive episode of "A Cook Back in Time," explore the rich history of the Tudor period and take an exclusive tour of Kentwell Hall, a beautifully restored stately home in Suffolk. See how owners Judith and Patrick Phillips brought this grand house back to its former glory, collecting period furnishings and opening its doors to re-enactments of Tudor life. Learn about unique features such as medieval glass, century-old paintings, rare heirlooms, and the essential architecture that defined Tudor England. Our journey continues in a meticulously reconstructed Tudor kitchen, where historical cook Maureen Poole demonstrates how to prepare classic dishes including liverings pudding, chicken with orange sauce, Tudor salad fresh from a 160-variety herb garden, and a delightful almond tart. Maureen unveils fascinating Tudor food customs, from the use of spices and breadcrumbs, to the storied reasons behind ingredients and the origins of kitchen utensils and terminology. Get practical ideas for

Step inside Farley Hungerford Castle for a Cook Back in Time as we revive authentic medieval recipes like pottage, venison stew, and more with expert chef Steve Ruddle! Join us on the borders of Somerset and Wiltshire for a unique culinary adventure, where the flavors and stories of England’s Middle Ages come alive. Chef Steve Ruddle of the Medieval Free Company prepares classic dishes such as vegetable pottage, poached salt cod with herbed sauce, a hearty venison stew served in rustic bread bowls, and a floral elderflower fool for the castle’s custodians. Along the way, you’ll discover fascinating details about the history of Farley Hungerford Castle and the colorful Hungerford family, delve into medieval cooking methods, and meet the musicians of Tangleweed who bring period music to life. Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, or simply curious about what real medieval food tasted like, this episode is packed with tips on recreating historical recipes using traditional ingredients and techniques. Learn how everyday medieval people warded off evil with crosses and bells, why nothing from the kitchen went to waste, and

Step back in time as we uncover the secrets of medieval Plimpton! Join us as we dig beneath the streets to reveal 700-year-old mysteries and forgotten buildings. In this fascinating episode, the Time Team investigates the medieval origins of Plimpton, Devon, starting from the iconic motte and bailey of Plimpton Castle. Watch as archaeologists and historians race against the clock to uncover the original layout, boundaries, and high-status buildings of this Norman town, using geophysics, excavations, and historic maps. From discovering ancient fireplaces and timber beams to reconstructing the grand medieval marketplace, we reveal how much of the 12th- and 13th-century town still lies hidden beneath modern Plimpton. Explore the process of dating buildings with dendrochronology, analyze pottery and glassware from the trenches, and see how architectural clues inside ordinary homes help piece together a bustling medieval community. We also investigate the town’s unique burgage plots, ancient boundary lines, and the possible remains of a deer park, all while unearthing stories of the powerful Dredvers family and the town’s strategic role in Devon’s history. Whether you’re passionate about medieval archaeology