Radio Times

Review by:

David Crawford

After celebrating the work of two master carvers in previous weeks, for the final episode the series goes back to explore how woodwork is ingrained in the British psyche. It’s a tale of druids — or “oak knowers” — and how the symbolism of wood in Christianity helped the British people adapt to the new religion.

But it also explains how religion hasn’t always been in love with wood — the display of stunning medieval religious carvings is limited because 97 per cent of all religious art is thought to have been destroyed in the Reformation and Cromwell’s Puritanical purges.

About this programme

3/3. The artistic legacy of the Middle Ages, when carvers created some of the most significant pieces of British craftwork, including the roof of Westminster Hall and the Coronation Chair, under the sponsorship of the monarchy and the Church. However, The Reformation saw many wooden wonders disappear for good. Narrated by Paul Copley. Last in the series.

Cast and crew

Cast

Narrator

Paul Copley

Crew

Executive Producer

Jonty Claypole

Series Producer

John Mullen

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