Unearthing Britannia’s Tribes: A BBC History of Iron Age Britain - David Miles Audiobook

Written by David Miles
Read by David Miles
Format: M4B
Bitrate: 128 Kbps

From warrior queens to King Arthur, this epic collection explores the tribes, rulers and civilisations of Britain’s Iron Age.

In the first millennium BC, the Iron Age arrived in Britain, bringing with it huge technological and social changes. New civilisations arose, the landscape was transformed, and societies developed new cultures and lifestyles.

In this comprehensive collection, we take an in-depth look at Iron Age Britain and its inhabitants. The Essay: Unearthing Britannia’s Tribes takes us on a 15-part ‘road trip’ from the western reaches of Cornwall to the wilds of Scotland and Wales, as archaeologists, historians and writers reveal the peoples of ancient Albion and those who encountered them. We meet Queen Cartimandua, King Arthur, Boudicca, Pytheas and Lindow Man; hear the stories of the Cantiaci, the Demetae, the Durotriges and the Druids; and probe their myths, ideas and characters. Reaching journey’s end, we learn how tribal Britain succumbed and was integrated into the Roman world. With the arrival of Caesar’s armies, nothing would be the same again…

Bookending this fascinating series are three episodes from In Our Time, unpacking the context behind this pivotal period of history. In the first programme, Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the transition from Bronze to Iron and the dawning of the European Iron Age; while the second and third examine the legacy of both the prehistoric Celts and their ultimate conquerors, the Romans, analysing their lasting impact on Britain today.

Production credits

In Our Time presented by Melvyn Bragg

Produced by Thomas Morris

The Essay: Unearthing Britannia’s Tribes presented by David Miles, Caradoc Peters, Melanie Giles, Nicki Howarth-Pollard, Menna Elfyn, Ilka Tampke, David Greig, Ron Hutton, Mandy Haggith, Miles Russell, Sarah Moss and Guy de la Bédoyère

Produced by Ellie Bury and Mark Burman

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (In Our Time) and BBC Radio 3 (The Essay) on the following dates:

Part I: Context

In Our Time: The Iron Age -24 March 2011

With Barry Cunliffe, Sue Hamilton and Timothy Champion

Part II: Unearthing Britannia’s Tribes

The Cantiaci -17 January 2022

Cornwall -18 January 2022

The Parisi -19 January 2022

Queen Cartimandua & the Brigantes -20 January 2022

The Demetae -21 January 2022

Boudicca-Warrior Queen -24 January 2022

The Maeatae -25 January 2022

In Search of The Druids -26 January 2022

Pytheas and the Iron Sea -27 January 2022

Arthur Begins -28 January 2022

Lindow Man -14 February 2022

The Roman Orbit -15 February 2022

The Atrebates -16 February 2022

The Durotriges -17 February 2022

Maidens, Matriarchs and Crones -18 February 2022

Part III: Iron Age Culture

In Our Time: The Celts -21 February 2002

With Barry Cunliffe, Alistair Moffat and Miranda Aldhouse Green

Part IV: Roman Invasion and Occupation

In Our Time: Roman Britain -1 May 2003

With Greg Woolf, Mary Beard and Catharine Edwards

Narrators:

Melvyn Bragg

Sarah Moss

David Miles

Caradoc Peters

Melanie Giles

Nicki Howarth-Pollard

Menna Elfyn

Ilka Tampke

David Greig

Ron Hutton

Mandy Haggith

Miles Russell

Guy de la Bédoyère

Full cast