the order of chivalry

was often a magnificent, colourful

and sumptuous affair.

MUSIC: (low moody cellos)

NARRATOR: The wearing of armour,

and of course, the symbolic

girding of the sword

helped to mark admission

in to this elite group.

It's quite interesting that the

ceremony of dubbing to

knighthood is very similar

to the ceremony of

creating a King.

and it's the church trying to

impose a ritual on secular society.

NARRATOR: Large garrisons were needed

to cope with frequent raids

from the local tribes.

Roman forts were built to a

standardised rectangular shape

a shape that is still plainly

visible in fortifications

which were reused.

Dorchester Castle was originally

built to protect the Roman imperial

fleet at Portsmouth.

It failed.

But after the Romans abandoned Britain

to its dark ages around 400 AD

the triumphant Barbarians

took over the empty site.