Historian Dr. Helen Castor explores the mysteries surrounding Shakespeare's burial place. Will the first-ever scientific investigation discover why his tombstone's only inscription is a curse against any man who "moves my bones?"
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About the Show
To coincide with the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, Cambridge historian Helen Castor and a team of archaeologists embark on the first-ever investigation of Shakespeare’s grave. They want to discover if there’s any truth to the rumors that his grave, which carries a curse against any man who "moves his bones," has been tampered with.
The investigation also explores a Victorian story, in which trophy-hunters stole Shakespeare’s skull. It’s a trail that leads to a mystery skull stashed in a crypt beneath a country church. Removing the church step and taking a 3D scan of the skull is the only way to discover if it's a possible match for Shakespeare.
Four hundred years after Shakespeare’s death, this program aims to separate the fact from the folklore.
Erica Utsi performs the GPR scan of Shakespeare’s grave and the graves of his family inside Holy Trinity.
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Host Helen Castor looking through Shakespeare’s First Folio inside the archives at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
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Archaeologist Kevin Colls crouching next to Shakespeare's grave in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
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Shot of Thomas Nash’s grave in the foreground and Shakespeare’s grave behind. Shakespeare’s grave is noticeably shorter than the others. Located in Holy Trinity.
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Host Helen Castor sitting next to Shakespeare's grave in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
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Skulls in a bone crypt at Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell.
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Host Helen Castor in a bone crypt at Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell.
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Host Helen Castor within a crypt in St. Leonards, with mystery Beoley skull visible in the alcove behind. This skull has long been rumored to belong to Shakespeare.
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Beoley skull located in an alcove inside a crypt at St Leonards Beoley. This skull has long been rumored to belong to Shakespeare.
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Skulls in a bone crypt at St. Leonard Church, Hythe.
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