Villages by the Sea (2019)

Episode Overview

Title: Tintagel Plot: Archaeologist Ben Robinson delves into the rich history of Tintagel in Cornwall, long celebrated as the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. His research reveals that, a millennium ago, Tintagel may have rivaled London in significance, as recent findings from an excavation led by English Heritage indicate a population exceeding 2,000—making it the largest settlement of its time in Britain. While exploring a 14th-century residence, Ben teams up with Joanne McGillivray from the National Trust to uncover the origins of a well-known phrase. Joanne shares that unmarried women would sleep on a raised platform with a ladder drawn up at night, leading to the term 'left on the shelf' for those who never wed.