Profile: Chris Carr

Chris Carr and a medieval dish

Langtoft-based historian Chris Carr was surprised to receive an email from the producers of The Great British Dig, C4’s community archaeology programme, asking her to appear as an expert in a forthcoming episode. Chris is more used to getting asked to speak to the WI, U3A and local history groups but after some discussion, it was agreed that indeed Chris was what the producers were looking for and so, one day in August, she and her husband Nick packed Erik the Van with medieval food, pots and a fire box and set out for Coventry.

tv YouTube channel and it was this that led the C4 team to her. Asked how this rather unusual career came about, Chris explains, ‘As a small boy, my son, Will, was fascinated by history and aged 10 wanted to join a local Roman living history group, but because of his age he needed an adult to go with him. I’d just completed my Classical Studies degree with the OU and thought it might be a good way to use some of my newly acquired knowledge.’

Filming took place at the Weaver’s House, a 15thcentury timber-framed building in the heart of the city. The shoot involved Chris and presenter Hugh Dennis preparing, cooking and eating a dish which would typically have been served in a medieval monastic grange (farm) while generally discussing medieval attitudes to food. The whole process took a couple of hours, including several retakes due to aircraft noise. ‘I was initially quite nervous but Hugh and the whole crew were friendly and professional which made the experience the most fun I’ve had in a long while.’ This wasn’t Chris’s first time in front of the camera. A few years ago, she was asked by fellow re-enactor, Jason Kingsley, to film a series of episodes for his ModernHistory. Why food? ‘We all eat and so it works as a hook to engage the attention of folk who wouldn’t normally be interested in historical matters. I started with Roman army food and it’s grown since then. Later, Will and I joined the Peterborough-based Medieval Sokemen with whom we spend many summer weekends at events up and down the country. Events range from small village affairs to major battle re-enactments such as Tewkesbury and Bosworth. Will has progressed from knitted mail to full plate armour and I now have a collection of medieval gowns, all of which I have made myself.’ After leaving her job as a civil servant in 2002, Chris volunteered at Flag Fen where she was encouraged by then Education Officer, Mike Webber, to deliver sessions in period costume. ‘Basically, I have Mike and Will to thank for my current job. Without them, and the support of my husband, I’m sure I wouldn’t be doing anything nearly as interesting.’ Chris offers talks and workshops on a range of historical topics spanning the Bronze Age to Women’s Suffrage. She can be contacted via her website brigaandfriends.co.uk or on 01778 341213. This episode of The Great British Dig will be shown on 23 February at 9pm on More 4. In the meantime you can watch Chris cooking and talking about medieval food on ModernHistory.tv.