Sky History team search river

History experts have searched the River Nidd in Knaresborough in the hunt for lost weaponry.

Popular Sky History programme River Hunters ends its six-part series in the town looking for artifacts from brutal battles between the English and Scottish in 1318 and 1319.

US YouTube sensation, river detectorist Beau Ouimette, TV presenter Rick Edwards, and underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead make a number of finds and uncover a lead token dating back to the 1300s and the time of the Scottish raiders.

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A spokesman for the programme said: “The search begins on the River Nidd, in the shadow of the mighty Knaresborough Castle, the site of an epic 1318 battle where hundreds of raging Scots raided and plundered the town, including the feared warrior known as ‘Black Douglas’.

“With the river running through the centre of the battleground, the team search for lost weaponry and pillaged riches.”

Not stopping in Knaresborough, the River Hunters venture to the River Swale, site of a bloody showdown in 1319.

“As Black Douglas attempted another brutal assault, a band of English militia and monks were thrown together to stop the Scots heading further South in what became known as the White Battle.”

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Trawling the rivers with the help of local amateur detectorists and legendary underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead, the team uncover finds that could date back to our 14th century battle.

Using state-of-the-art underwater technology, live drone footage and accounts from the period, Beau and Rick perform the first underwater archeological digs in some of the most exciting and iconic historical sites in Britain, often in dangerous and fast-flowing waters.

To further their search, they are joined by local archaeologists, metal detectorists and historians in each episode: some of whom have waited years for this unique opportunity to search these historic sites.

The returning series offers a new perspective on each river’s layered past and could redefine British history as we know it.

The River Hunters are swimming in history on Sky History with the sixth episode premiering on Monday May 10 at 9pm. Sky History is available on Sky 123, NOW TV, Virgin 270, TalkTalk 327.

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