(Narrator) "Along the coast of Norfolk. there persists an ancient legend.
It is said that in the Dark Ages,
when the Vikings were a constant scourge.
the three royal crowns of Anglia were hidden in the ground.
The crowns. so the legend runs. had a strange power.
No foreign army would invade the kingdom of Anglia
so long as at least one of them remained undisturbed.
Since that time,
the site of one crown has been plundered by thieves
and its treasure melted down.
Another has been covered by the encroaching sea.
Only one crown now remains,
lying somewhere in its royal burial ground."
Oh. hello'.
Can I help you?
No digging here'.
I beg your pardon?
No digging here'.
What you mean. no digging here?
- I have permission from the landlord. - No!
Well. if you want to stand about all day. that's your affair.
Look. you stupid oaf. I said I've got permission.
Now get out. or I'll... I'll get you locked up'.
No digging'.
(Train whistles)
- Down for long. sir? - A few days. I expect.
- Let me. - Oh. there's no need'.
Thank you.
Must make a change from the daily grind. sir.
Yes. I suppose it does.
Begging your pardon. sir. but would you be here to lunch?
Lunch? Oh. um... I'm going to have a look around.
I wouldn't have asked.
but being as it's so early in the year and there's only you and Dr Black.
- Dr Black? - One of our regulars. sir.
Comes down every year to do a bit of sketching.
A real gentleman. Dr Black is.
Well. if that's all. sir. I'll be getting along.
Oh. I'll be needing a loan of a bicycle. Is that possible?
I'll see what I can do. sir.
It is a fine porch. isn't it?
Oh. hello'. Yes. it's very interesting.
Mentioned in Cooper. you know.
- Cooper? - Cooper. R L.
"Romances & Roles of East Anglia". Fine publication.
Sadly out of print these many years. You're looking at the coat of arms.
Yes. there's a legend attached to it. isn't there?
The buried crowns that guard the realm.
That's in Cooper.
It's still current folklore around here.
You mean there are still people who believe in it?
Most of my parishioners.
They take these traditions more seriously than their churchgoing.
Fascinating.
For the historian or the antiquarian. perhaps.
But uphill work for the vicar'.
I take it that's where you interests lie? As an antiquarian. I mean.
Yes. I'm an amateur.
- You. er...know the legend well? - Yes.
They say two crowns were lost. but there was a local family
who claimed to know where the third was buried.
In times of war.
the oldest male would watch to see that it remained unmolested.
The last surviving member of the family took the duty upon himself
throughout the four years of the Great War.
It became an obsession with him. poor fellow.
He haunted the spot night and day.
- You knew him? - Yes. I knew him.
He was a solitary. you know.
No family or friends. No one at all.
I was with him at the end. to little effect. I'm afraid.
He died. still haunted by his superstition. in great distress.
There was no one to replace him. you see.
He was the last one to guard the crown.
It upset him deeply.
Was he an old man when he died?
No. he was young. He had a consumption.
If he had treated himself with care...
Does anyone know where he watched?
If they do. they don't tell.
I'm not really a native. you see.
I've only lived here 20 years.
I sometimes wonder what my role is.
I'm certainly not a father-confessor.
No. the secret lies buried with him. I should think.
He was buried here?
Yes.
Over there by the trees.
Ager was the name.
William Ager.
- Do you mind if I...? - Look?
By all means. It's very overgrown in that corner. I'm afraid.
No one's been over there since he was buried.
Forgive me if I leave you now. I'm a little cold.
(Shop bell dings)
I am sorry... I heard the bell.
Susan fell off the shelf and broke an arm.
Just been affecting a little repair.
Was there anything in particular?
I was interested in old maps of this area.
Maps. Let me see now. there's a pile of them over here somewhere.
Oh dear. the place is covered in dust. I'm afraid.
Where was that found?
In the foundations of the old bridge.
They were pulling it down some years ago.
It was quite common practice in the Middle Ages.
- Human sacrifice. - Yes.
They believed that the murdered person
becomes an evil spirit and guards the bridge from hostile forces.
It was done with temples. too. but bridges were the most popular.
Virgins were supposed to be particularly efficacious.
"London Bridge is falling down. my fair lady."
Nursery rhymes are fascinating.
Oh. well. here are your maps.
I'll leave you to them.
"Nathaniel Ager is my name
"and Christ is my salvation.
"Seaburgh is my dwelling place and England is my nation.
"When I'm dead and in my grave and all my bones are rotten.
"I hope my Lord will think on me
"when I'm quite forgotten."
Nathaniel Ager.
William Ager'.
And how are you enjoying Seaburgh. Mr Paxton?
Pretty well. thank you. It's very quiet.
Makes a pleasant change from London.
It's hard to think of anywhere that doesn't.
Are you down here for the shooting?
No. archeology is my hobby. actually.
Really? Looking for anything specific?
No... No. I'm just looking around on the off-chance. you know.
Nothing very promising so far. I'm afraid.
I'm sorry.
Oh. I wonder if you could help me. Dr Black.
I'm looking for a family called Ager. I was wondering if you...
Ager? No. I don't think I can help you.
- But ask Arnold. he'll know. - Arnold?
Boots. he fulfill the role of a local newspaper here.
There's nothing he does not know.
- Ager. sir? - Yes.
Here. sir?
That's right.
- In Seaburgh? - Yes.
No, sir.
But you're a local man. aren't you? Lived here all your life.
- That's right. sir. - And Seaburgh is only a little place.
Small enough. sir.
Seems very odd to me. That you didn't know him. I mean.
Seems very odd to me. too. sir.
If that's all. sir.
- (Dog barks) - Down'.
Down. boy'. I'm sorry. sir'.
You won't believe me. but he's never been like this before'.
I hope he hasn't hurt you.
Dangerous'. You should keep him locked up.
But he's usually so gentle. Down. boy'.
Just a minute. sir. I'll get something to rub you down.
Here we are, sir.
Did anyone come by this way a moment ago?
No one's been through here all morning.
I've been in the yard the last half hour.
- You'd have seen? - Seen?
Mister. if anyone comes down here. it's an occasion'.
I'd have seen all right.
You're not from this part of the world. are you?
No. from London. Wish to God I was back there'.
- You're from there too. aren't you? - Yes.
- How long have you been here? - Two years. Two lifetimes, more like!
Dad come down looking for work.
Some chance'. He went off again after Christmas.
He's going to come and fetch us when he's found something. When'.
- Where's your mother. then? - Do me a favour'.
- So you're alone? - I've got my brother and the dog.
Wait a minute. mister. You looking for someone?
Oh, I was looking for a cottage where someone used to live.
Before your time. I think. I'm beginning to wonder if he existed at all.
No one seems to have heard of him. A man called Ager.
- Ager? - You've heard of him?
Well. he used to live here before we did.
- Fancy that! - Did you know him?
No. he was dead before we come. I only know he was touched. Daft.
In what way?
Well, he must have been, to go out at night like that
in his state of health, he can't have been normal.
He went out on the sea?
No. but people say he used to wait around
in that little wood over by the sand dunes.
You can see round the back of the house. Want to see?
There it is.
I don't suppose anybody goes there now.
Who would want to?
I've seen an old tramp or something in the trees from time to time,
but he never comes this way.
- Oh! - Sorry you've got to go, sir.
Something's come up in London. I'll be back in the morning.
Flaxton return. please.
- Mind the steps, sir. - Thank you.
(Whistle blows)
(Coughing)
- Morning. - Morning.
Running for the train van?
- That's right. - Plenty of time.
Yes.
(Train whistles)
Mind the step, sir. Oh...
Sorry, sir. Thought I saw somebody.
(Growling)
(Rasping breath)
You're standing right in the middle of my picture.
I'm sorry.
You made me jump.
This is a wonderful spot for landscapes.
I've been coming here for the past 20 years.
And my wife detests the place, so it makes the perfect residence.
But I doubt if I'll ever catch it.
What a strange evening it is.
You can't see where the beach ends or the sky begins.
It's a real night for walking on the water.
Are you cold. Mr Paxton?
No. not really.
I trust you settled your affairs in London.
Uh, yes I did.
- Everything's fine now. - Good.
Because it's a pity to have to break up one's holiday.
Now there's an extraordinary thing.
I put a figure on my shore to give it some perspective and if you look.
you can see there's someone standing there. just where I put him.
That's nature imitating art for you. Mr Paxton.
Mr Paxton?
Mr Paxton, what is the matter?
It's nothing really, had a bit of a shock, that's all.
Bad news in London?
I didn't go to London, Dr Black.
Oh. did you not?
I never go there if possible.
Er, where did you go, then?
You remember I told you I was interested in archeology?
Yes, yes, I do.
That figure's he's gone again'.
Yes, well, the light plays tricks. Perhaps he was never there.
You were saying. Mr Paxton?
Yes...
Have you heard of the Seaburgh Crown. Dr Black?
The crown that guards the coast?
Yes, as a matter of fact I have. Why?
I've found it.
I've found the crown.
That's wonderful.
Extraordinary.
And unique. isn't it?
- May I? - No. don't touch it.
One's enough for that.
Well, it's a brilliant find, Mr Paxton.
You can't be an amateur. Where did you study?
Study?
I'm a clerk, Dr Black. Or was.
My firm folded up last week. I'd been in the job twelve years, clerking.
No prospects. mind you. but respectable and. above all. secure.
That's what they say, isn't it?
Archeology has been my hobby for as long as I can remember.
I used to dream of doing something big.
And show people you didn't need a string of letters after your name
to be recognised.
When the job stopped, I took a chance.
I'd heard about the Seaburgh legend in London,
read about it in an old book I found.
I didn't believe it at first,
there are so many legends like that about the Dark Ages.
rubbish most of them. but what had I got to lose?
I was out on the street. anyway. It was worth a try. I thought.
An Anglo-Saxon crown.
No one's ever discovered one before. And I found it.
Well. you are to be congratulated. Mr Paxton.
And may I ask what you intend to do with it next?
I'm going to put it back.
I beg your pardon?
I'm going to put it back. back in the ground.
Well, in heaven's name why?
I'd hardly expect you to understand.
Ever since I've touched this thing... I've never been alone.
Oh. you mean you've been followed?
I understand there is some local feeling,
on account of the legend. I believe.
- You've heard about it. then? - A little.
An archaeologist was murdered some years ago,
and it was thought that he may have been after the crown.
Perhaps you should put the matter in the hands of the police.
There'd be no point.
The murderer died twelve years ago. I've seen the grave.
His name was William Ager, the guardian of the crown.
Well, in that case, what have you got to be afraid of?
Oh, you'd have felt it too, if you'd been there.
He's never left me since I found the crown.
He takes different shapes but he's never left me.
If I return it, there might be some hope.
The thing is, I can't do it alone, go back there.
I want you to come with me.
(Rasping cough echoes)
(Door shuts)
Arnold? Who is the new guest?
Guest, sir? Only you and Mr Paxton.
I just heard him. he went into the room there.
He couldn't have done. sir.
I keep it locked. you see.
It's a store cupboard, sir.
(Low growling)
(Screaming)
Paxton! Paxton, what is it?
The key, man!
That one, sir.
What happened, Paxton? What was it?
He was here. you see.
He came to take it back.
That's it.
Shall I come with you?
No'. I'd rather you stayed here and kept watch.
As you wish.
Well, that's done.
What a night'.
You've left your coat on the mound.
(Rasping breath)
(Whistling)
(Humming)
Paxton?
Mr Paxton?
Arnold'.
- Have you seen Mr Paxton? - Yes, but...
Well, where is he?
We're supposed to be going for a walk together.
That's it, sir.
- He went off towards the sea. - Alone?
No, sir, this other man, he came up and called for him.
To go walking, I mean.
I was working here.
It's daft, I know, but he looked the image of you.
I thought it was you. sir.
It was only two moments ago.
(Breathing heavily)
(Sobbing)
Mind the step.
Oh, sorry, sir.
Thought I saw somebody.
(Whistle blows)