Dover Castle National Treasures

It's housed kings and welcomed visiting monarchs. And author

thousands of years, protected us from the rest of the word. It is

known as The Lock and Key of the Kingdom. From the mighty Dover

Castle. Welcome to National Good evening. Welcome to a blustery

National Treasures Live. The summer holidays are well underway.

Millions of people will take the opportunity to visit Britain's most

fascinating and exciting historical treasures. So, we thought we'd do

the same. Where better to start for us all than Dover Castle. There's

been a fortress here for longer than anywhere else in Britain. For

centuries. Wait until you see what it is like inside. Deep beneath our

feet is a maze of secret tunnels. They proved crucial during World

War II. I'll head underground with a man who wrrbgd there nearly 70

years ago. We'll find out about these guys. Knights in shining

armour. But just how heroic were they? We really want you to get

involved tonight too. Do email us: Throughout the series, we'll be

joined by some of Britain's most famous faces exploring their own

historical passions. Tonight, we're kicking off with Lenny Henry.

I'm proud of my car ibian Heritage. I sometimes feel the contributions

made by West Indians to this country are often overlooked. In

1940s thousands are car ib Ians left their home. They fought

alongside Britain in their greatest time of need, the Second World War.

Stephen Born is an author who spent years researching the contribution

made by West Indians during the conflict. Why did West Indian men

and women volunteer to fight in the war? It was part of the old British

Empire. They saw Britain as their mother country. There are so many

of us doing so many different things. In the Army, Navy air force.

There was a shortage of RAF pilots, partly because of the Des imation

of the RAF during the Battle of Britain, of 1940s. But many, many

came, over 12,000 joined the RAF during the war. Stkpwh Run of them

was 1578 King who was proud to fight for his mother country. What

was it like when you first came to England? I arrived at Greenock in

Scotland.Ment You didn't come to London. The Germans were bombing

down here. I land ed in minus 4 for two weeks. I thought I was going to

die. But, by the grace of God, we lived. What was your job?

repaired aircraft. Must have been very difficult. The planes were

being shot down all the time. expected you to work 12 hours night

and day to get them repaired and going again. I felt we did what we

should and did. The nation, in general, did not give us enough

credit. We came, we fought and we died. Within three years of the war

ending, many of the Caribbeans decided to return to Britain in

search of work. On June 22nd 19 48, the Windrush docked here. It was to

become the most important landmark, it heralded the beginning of mass

migration to these shores. You can just imagine the app henges of

those people coming off that boat. They had a whole new life awaiting

them. But the problem was, times had changed. Britain had changed.

During the war, those people had been welcomed with open arms. But

all that was different now. Britons wanted the world to go back the way

it was before the war. But that wasn't to be. In Parliament, there

was each a debate as to whether this ship coming over was to land

because they were coming with West Indians coming to stay. They felt

it was an invasion. Coloured people, you can get them all out of the

country. And the sooner you can get them out the better I'll be pleased.

I'll fell you that. -- I'll tell you that. Many of the people who

came on the scanned winrush had nowhere to stay when they arrived.

230 were place in the air raid shelters which were part of the

London Underground. Having travelled all that way on the

Windrush, being stuck in a boat, arriving, then being told this

would be your home for the next few weeks while they find you Acomb

daigs must have been awful. I imagine, if you'd fought for your

country, you must have been sitting here thinking, surely I deserve

better than this. Sam, you were a passenger on the Wind rush? I it

was. Had had to pay 10 pounds 3 shillings. The same as three cows.

What difficulties did people have when 24 came here. Accommodation.

When we go there it said no Irish, no blacks, no dogs. How would you

like it if a house next door to you was filled to bursting point with

all the coloured person's relations and so forth. They these men and

women were resilient. They were even prepared to take lower jobs

than they were qualified for on their way up. That's what they did.

They had no choice. Those servicemen who arrived here aboard

the wind rush and the many who followed created a new concept of

what it means to be British. Windrush Square in Brixton? How

proud do you feel? Not proud, our people came, we run your buses,

clean your hospitals, helped rebuild brick. It's not bad today,

look at those pigeons over there! I've been lucky enough to meet Sam

King. He's a real hero. I love that chestful of medals. He was once of

the Mayor of Southwark. Of those West Indians who served many were

you were highly decorateded. Over 60 won DFCs. Very impressive.

Here's Rowena Willard-Wright. Why did this medieval castle play such

an important role in World War II? May 1940 was probably Dover

Castle's finest hour. Beneath us, built within the white cliffs of

Dover Castle, Admiral Ramsay commanded his men from tunnels for

Operation Dynamo. That was the operation which got the British

Army back from Dunkirk. They needed somewhere to go when they were

defeated by Hitler's forces. This is them coming off the beaches. It

was all commanded from Dover Castle? Yes. They only expected

about 45,000 men to be saved. But, in the end, it was over 338,000

that came back. You'd have seen it all from there. The big plume of

smoke, everything? On a fine day. France is visible over there.

of course, if they hadn't got back it would have put into question

Britain's ability to stay in the war? In terms of morale, getting

that many back meant Churchill could make his speech in Parliament

and really bring the country together for what was to come.

After Dunkirk, Dover became the frontline of the war. The Germans

were occupying France just over there. A three kilometre tunnel

under here became hugely important. They were expanded to accommodate

further barracks and an underground hospital. One of the men who helped

in the construction was apprentice electrician Peter Ascott. It was 60

years since he last put foot in the tunnels. Earlier, he took Sian down

there to remember what life was like underground.

You were last here in 1942. Tell me what you think about being back?

Almost brings a lump into the throat. No reason to, really.

Because, there's nothing harmful about the place except that I'm

amazed it is still here in this condition. Your job was a

electrician. You were doing all the wiring? I was an electrician's

apprentice. I was only a boy, really. I was 16, I think. We did

all the metal wiring and tubing. was a shell when you worked in here.

This was the operating theatre. Do you want to come and have a look.

We put the lamp in in the middle. This? I don't know if it was that

one. But we put in one like it. They were taking casualties out of

the channel and injured servicemen, bringing them in here, treating

their bullet wounds. Taking shrapnel out of them. That was all

after I left. I didn't see much of that. Everything that was being

done here was top-secret. You couldn't even discuss it with the

people who you met down here? even with the landlady when I

lodged. And not with people you bumped into this the tunnels.

Didn't you come across some VIP is? We were working on trunking, the

stuff which takes the air round tin box. We were working on that,

putting a motor in. Churchill and Kennedy, who was the American

ambassador at the time, he came past. There's always been lots of

notices up "be like dad, keep mum" in other words, don't talk about

your job because it is top-secret. Churchill said to my mate, what's

all this for? What's this about? And Sid said, I don't know, I only

work here. Churchill gave a laugh and said, quite right and walked on.

He didn't even tell Churchill. When you look around now, it is almost

70 years since you were last here. What are your feelings? Almost

nostalgic. Then it almost makes you want to cry, you know. Silly,

really. You just can't beat eyewitness accounts like that.

Fantastic. It is hard to believe all that is right down there

beneath by feet now. That's why I love this place. We've a World War

II command centre down there. One of the finest 12th century castles

down there. This is a Roman lighthouse, the tallest surviving

Roman building. Iron Age ram part. You can understand why this place

is is a historian's dream. People like my old mate, Michael Douglas

struggle to see the point. He's The One Show's resident hairdresser.

He's ace with a pair of scissors but never quite got history. That's

why I took him on a road trip. might be clever this fella, but

he's not very pupbgtual. I'm off to pick up Mikeal Douglas. He's a good

mate of mine. He doesn't really know anything about history. I left

school at 125. Largely -- I left school at 156789 I didn't know what

a university was let alone the chance of going to one. I'm taking

him on a brood trip round the British Isles. I'm getting him

excited and enthusiastic about British history. He might think I'm

an idiot. He's Des Septemberively intelligent. The questions he asked

cut straight to the heart of the matter. I'm going to be late. Come

on Mr Horsey. Doesn't look like he's going anywhere. Is that

Michael there? Yes, I think it is. Hey, buddy. Hop in. Are you excited

about the journey? Very excited. I didn't want to be in a classroom. I

wanted to be out and about, sucking in the fresh air. Why did you

become a historian. I could have been a doctor. History's everything

that ever happened. There's nothing more interesting than looking back

over the exciting things that happened in our past working out

how we go to where we are. Let's start with the Normans. They had

left some really iconic buildings. These Norman castles. You've heard

of 1066? Yes. Norman the conquerer. It is William the Conquerer who was

a Norman. He was from Normandy. There's no-one called nor man?

7,000 Normans came from Normandy and other parts of France and

conquered England, parts of Wales. Moved up into Scotland. They were

like foreign oppressers. You have to build castles. This is what you

build if your neighbours really, really hate you. Why do the walls

need to be so thick? If I came along with a spear and bow and

arrow, the wall doesn't need to be two metres thick? You'll never get

into it? The point of these buildings is they are built to last.

They will be here long after you're dead. Hold is this? Nearly a

thousand years old. Ciebgy. Here, we're only 80 mimes or so from

Normandy. They came across the channel. They arrived here. This is

their vital bridgehead on the British Isles. Guess what this is

in there? It's a prison. Brilliant. Somebody would have been mangled up

here like that. In your imaginations. Pretend to whip me!

Go on I'd rather not? Go on, just I think we're going the right

direction. You think. You're sure? You're certain? It is not every day

you come to a place where a king of England has been killed. Two of

William the Conqueror's sons were killed here. This is where William

the Conqueror's son was killed n a hunting accident. An arrow hit him

in the breast and he died instantly. If you would have thought a bow and

arrow was the weapon of choice, there would be better aim than that.

The stags going through the undergrowth. A convenient accident

to kill the king of England, is it not? You are suggesting foul play?

He would not be the first king to die from those means. That is for

sure. Our current Queen, the ancestor ral line, does that reach

back? Yes. It was not until 1400 that the king started to speak

English. 400 years, French was the official language of this country.

That is amazing. It is weird that didn't stick around then, isn't it?

It did. That's why, we're a mixture. A tiny bit. There are lots of words.

All the words to do with Government and law, the Normans introduced

them all. Parliament.... So, what happened to Norman and the rest of

his mates? The Normans are still here. Really? Douglas - your second

name - that was a Norman knight who went to Scotland. They are part of

our history. Really, Douglas? Do you want cheese on that? Yes,

please. What do you reckon to day one of the road trip? So far, so

good. I loved the castle. And they are back next week. If

Michael loved that castle, he would adore this one.

I'm standing inside the Great Tower here at Dover castle. It was build

by William the Conqueror's great grandson, Henry II, 800 years ago.

It is the largest keep in Britain. It is incredibly secure. These

walls are more than 20 feet thick. No-one was getting inside this room.

This is the King's Hall. Henry spent an enormous amount on the

castle and on the keep. Paul Pattison is the lead historian here.

Hello. Hello. What would have happened in this hall? It is set

out for a grand reception of Henry II, and an important royal guest.

You cannot help but have your eye drawn to these thrones here. They

are vivid, would they have been like that? They are as authentic as

we can make them. Yes, the furniture and decoration were

elaborate and colourful. They adored colour. Colour was about

about expressing expense because it was very expensive to do. They

wanted to show off. Quite important that the king's throne bigger than

everybody else's. He spent an enormous amount. Many millions in

today's money. Why was Dover castle so important to him? It is about

the aftermath of Thomas Beckett. He was a friend. They fell out

politically, as a result of which Beckett is murdered. Henry is

widely blamed for his murder. So, what happened all of a sudden is

that Beckett is made a saint. Thousands of people are coming to

Dover on their way to Canterbury to visit his shrine. They need to come

here first? This is the King's Chamber, where he would have slept.

Although that does not look like a king-size bed? It is what you call

a small double N actual fact, all the images we have of people in

medieval beds they are sleeping semi upright. Somebody like Henry

would have been so busy he would conduct some business in bed.

of state as well. We told you about the 20-foot walls and the castle

would have been protected by a garrison of knights. Presumably the

bravest men in the land. I know someone who would fit that bill

today. I wish! I don't think I have the hang of this. As it turns out,

knights might not have been as heroic as we think. Lucy Worsley

It's the stuff of legend. This is a fairytale scene that is a classic

theme in art and literature and film. Where does the image of the

knight in shining armour come from? Was he as gentle and honourable as

the stories suggest? 1,000 years ago, the first knights were

professional soldiers who fought on horseback. These early, medieval

warriors were some of the country's most wealthy men, with expensive

horses, armour and equipment. One of them is considered to be the

greatest night that ever lived, William marshal. Born in 1146. He

was the most powerful man in the land.

How did he reach such great heights? Because he was the most

gall lent, the nobleest knight in England? No. Although he was later

known as the flower of chivalry, in fact he was one of the most brutal

men. The key to Marshal's success was

his mastery of the tools of the knight's trade. The most important

weapon, siment bolically is of course the sword. This would have

been razor-sharp. This is high technology. This is not course,

simple brutality. I can tell you that it works. Just the fact of

holding this makes me feel incredibly macho.

Marshal did not just use these tools defending the country, he

made his fortd tune. In an early -- fortune in an early spectator sport.

Two teams would thunder over a field towards each other and smash

into each other. The whole thing just disintegrates

into combat with lances, all over the field.

Close combat, with sharp weapons is a nasty business.

How did you win a tournament? What was the point? If you beat someone

into submission in a tournament they are your prisoner. They have

to pay a significant amount of money to you to free themselves. If

you are a great fighter that could translate to significant financial

a fluepbs and social standing. Tournaments were well publicised.

There were supporters. The equivalent of modern football

supporters. This is a culture celebrity.

Just like modern celebrities, as nights were more famous, interest

from the public grew. Any celebrity needs people to be

talking about him. The literature of chivalry, the legends are meant

to exaggerate the knight's power. So people see them as these

superhero figures. By the time he died, aged 73,

Marshal served four kings. He had become regent of England, running

the country while the king was too young to govern. His effigy lies on

the floor in Temple Chushch, in London. It is -- Church, in London.

It is surprising his eyes are open. These knights are not dead. They

are waiting, just waiting to be brought back to life. There is

something moving, that he should be so serene and so dignified, but so

alert. His effigy is a deliberate attempt

to turn him into a legend, an honourable warrior. There is no

trace of the bloods and guts where he made his name. So nieths were

not quite the -- knights were not quite the romantic heroes. They

were the most power-hungry men in history. Perhaps it is time to re-

write the legend. They look brutal to me. Don't they

you? Don't come near me! So much for the knights in shining armour.

Thank you for sending questions to us through Twitter. We have one

here. Dan doesn't know what I will ask. History is a big subject.

is one from Pamela. "Why are they actually called knights?" I think

it is because it is from a German word when the Saxons came over and

conquered England. It meant a servant. Knights of people who went

with their Lord or king and they sort of went into battle as their

servants. That is what I think. Well done. I hope you are satisfied

with that. Knights, as a whole, they were for 500 years and then

none of them. Over here, I am very excited by this bit because we have

some weapons F we understand these weapons we understand why we no

longer see guys in this armour marching through the streets. This

is a cross bow. It whats been around for ages. The best thing is

anybody can use it. That means me, doesn't it? Let's have a go.

low. I've got it. One, two, three... Good shot! Look at that. Amazing.

Thank you, amazing. Try and re-load it. Bring the tension back on that.

You have to use this contraption here. It is slow to load. That is

why the English and Welsh in particular embraced the long-bow. A

classic, iconic weapon of the 1400s. Look at this - it is accurate, much,

much faster and you shoot perhaps seven, eight, nine times the arrows.

So there would be a lot of arrows. Fast, accurate. What was the

problem with this? One problem. I will show you it right now. That is

as much as I can do. He has got the big shoulders. You have to train

people. What you don't need to train people for is this. This is

the original handgun. It looks nothing like a handgun. It is the

ancestor of all guns. Gun powder comes over from the east. There is

no shot in this. It might make a bang.

Once that comes along it is a game- changer. It would blast through the

armour. It is a primitive version. Eventually it is the end of the

knights and castles. Castles will get through castle walls as well.

We've had a great day here at Dover castle. Thank you to everybody here.

Thanks too to Dover castle for letting us lose in this wonderful

piece of British history. Next week we are taking to the seas on board

on what was the greatest warship in the world, HMS Warrior.

Masterchef's Greg Wallace will join tous look at how war rationing --

join us to look at how war rationing lead to recipes. If you

have any second world recipes get in touch with us. Go to our website

for events taking place. This weekend you can download