• famous Normans
• William the Conqueror
• how William became King of England
• the Battle of Hastings
• the Bayeux Tapestry
• the other side of the story: the Anglo-Saxons

The programme begins by introducing four schoolchildren, Mattie, Geraldine, John and Dermot, who are on a school outing to Dundrum Castle, and the Norman knight Walter de Burgh, who challenges them, throughout the series, to find out about the Normans. Two of the children remain with Walter in the oubliette (small dungeon) in the castle, where they study books on the Normans, while the other two are sent out to film evidence.

The programme traces the origins of the Normans, their arrival in Normandy, and their continual attempts to conquer new lands. We are introduced to William the Conqueror, and visit two castles connected with his early life, Falaise Castle and the Ducal Palace in Caen. The programme establishes the importance of the Normans as castle-builders.

A visit to the Bayeux Tapestry highlights its importance as a visual source of information on the Battle of Hastings. The tapestry is used to tell the story of the rivalry for the throne between Harold and William.

The Battle of Hastings is re-enacted and the differences between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans, in terms of weapons and tactics, are discussed.

William’s conquest of England and Wales, and the importance of castles as power bases for control, are outlined. We also see some of the abbeys and cathedrals built by the Normans.

00.15: School visit to Dundrum Castle, County Down.
02.00: Walter de Burg, Norman knight, takes pupils captive.
03.40: Normandy.
04.45: Researching William the Conqueror, in Falaise.
05.45: Falaise Castle.
07.50: Ducal Chateau, Caen.
09.30: The Bayeux Tapestry.
12.35: Anglo-Saxon folk park and enactors of Norman knights, Southern England.
15.30: Battle of Hastings.
16.45: Battle Abbey.
17.30: Castles, cathedrals and abbeys in England and Wales.