Ep 2. Invaders

In season 2 episode 2 of Digging for Britain titled Invaders, presenters Alice Roberts and Matt Williams take viewers on a journey across Britain to explore the impact of the Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions on the country's history and culture.

The episode starts with Alice Roberts visiting the excavation site of a long-lost Anglo-Saxon monastery in the city of Coventry. Archaeologists here make a ground-breaking discovery that reveals the site's true religious significance, adding to the already established knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon Christian practice.

Next, Alice visits the site of a Viking invasion at Repton, Derbyshire. This is the same location where a mass grave was discovered in the 1970s, revealing the remains of a possible Viking army. Alice speaks to experts to learn about how the Vikings' culture, way of life, and military tactics transformed England forever.

In addition to the Viking impact, the show explores the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Lyminge, Kent. Matt Williams heads to this undiscovered village to learn more about the legacy of Anglo-Saxon society. Excavation work here reveals the magnitude of the community that had flourished there a thousand years ago.

Throughout the show, we hear from several experts, including archaeologists and historians, who explain how Anglo-Saxons and Vikings had an impact on England's land and culture. We learn about how Vikings' burial rituals and weaponry were inspired by their pagan mythology. While Alice visits Scandinavia to see how Vikings lived, ate, and fought.

The program doesn't shy away from showing the different types of invasions and their impact on England, but it also highlights how it has affected the country's identity and culture. Alice walks through a new exhibition at the British Museum dedicated to the Viking invasion, where she views rare artifacts, including coins, bones and jewelry, along with replicas of Viking clothing, weapons, and boats.

The episode ends with a visit to the Welsh village of Caerwent, where Matt uncovers more about the impact of invasions on West Britain. There, the team discovers the remains of a newly-discovered Roman Villa right next to a contemporary Saxon settlement – a significant indication of how Romans, Saxons and Vikings overlapped one another.

Overall, the episode Invaders gives a fascinating insight into the impact of Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions on England's past; it is a well-researched, informative and engaging show that is perfect for history lovers or anyone interested in the evolution of our society.