The Worst Rural Jobs in History
The Worst Jobs in History - S2 - E5
In the final programme of the series, Tony Robinson explores some of the most terrible employment opportunities available to those living in rural areas in the past. He tries his hand at being a shepherd boy, nettle harvester, chaff-box boy, sedge cutter and sin eater, and comes across one of his most terrifying jobs - steeplejack - as he tackles the highest spire in Oxford.
The Worst Jobs in History: Season 2 - 5 Episode s
2x1 - The Worst Urban Jobs in History
April 23, 2006
Tony Robinson examines some of the terrible tasks in Britain's past, and tries them out to find the worst. He begins with the country's urban history, as he gets a bloody nose as a fighting woman, works as a water caddy and confronts his fear of heights as a fireman.
2x2 - The Worst Royal Jobs in History
April 30, 2006
Tony Robinson examines the history of employment opportunities in the royal court, including such roles as lance-maker, laundry woman, fireworker and hall boy. He also offers an insight into one of the worst posts - purple maker - in which the worker was given the task of creating purple items by extracting the colour created when shellfish rotted in urine.
2x3 - The Worst Industrial Jobs in History
May 7, 2006
Tony Robinson examines some of the worst industry-based employment opportunities in history. He tries his hand at positions such as bridge-builder, soap-boiler, glass-blower, presser, legger and saggar-maker's bottom-knocker, before heading down the mines to experience life as a child hurrier.
2x4 - The Worst Maritime Jobs in History
May 14, 2006
Tony Robinson examines some of history's least pleasant employment opportunities at sea. He investigates the unenviable roles of liar, underdog, midshipman, flying man, lighthouse builder, gut-girl and stoker, before exploring why some took on the voluntary but extremely dangerous position of lifeboat man.
2x5 - The Worst Rural Jobs in History
May 21, 2006
In the final programme of the series, Tony Robinson explores some of the most terrible employment opportunities available to those living in rural areas in the past. He tries his hand at being a shepherd boy, nettle harvester, chaff-box boy, sedge cutter and sin eater, and comes across one of his most terrifying jobs - steeplejack - as he tackles the highest spire in Oxford.