[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

What a job.

NARRATOR: With 200 pounds each-- You with me?

NARRATOR: --a classic car-- Buckle up.

NARRATOR: --and a goal-- [GLASS BREAKING] --to scour Britain for antiques.

Oh, sorry.

Aha.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

They'll be worthy winners-- Yes.

NARRATOR: --and valiant losers.

So will it be the high road to glory?

[LAUGHS] Or the slow road to disaster?

Have a good trip.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Yeah.

Charlie?

Yes.

Where do you think this wee lane's taking us to?

I think it's taking us to maybe a manure heap, because I smell it, Anita.

- Oh-- - Just-- [LAUGHTER] Have you passed wind?

Take me back to the city.

CHARLES: Don't breathe.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Pinch your noses.

Anita Manning and Charles Hanson are fragrant finders of antiques gold.

They're back on the road, hoping for the sweet smell of success.

ANITA: I'm not complacent, Charlie.

But I could be tempted to be a bit adventurous.

CHARLES: If I was an antique and you looked at me, what would you think of me?

I mean, would you buy me for example?

I think I'd say, I'd have him.

[LAUGHTER] ANITA: He's got my eye.

A bit unusual.

A wee bit quirky.

And I'll say you're full of color, in nice condition.

ANITA: Oh Charlie, we're like a mutual admiration society.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Mirror, mirror on the wall.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charles made a small loss in the sale room last time, and he's still on the back foot, with 217 pounds and 34 pence.

Anita also had a wee hiccup at the last auction, but is still ahead with a healthy 317 pounds and 38 pennies to spend this time.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Our.

1972 Triumph Stag is looking good.

And by their own admission, so are our experts I love that suit, dear.

Is that out of the movies?

CHARLES: Do you like my suit, seriously?

ANITA: Charlie, I think you're absolutely lovely today.

You being serious?

Your mommy would be proud of you.

NARRATOR: Oh, look at that.

Charles and Anita were waved off from Kilbarchan and are touring the byways of the Scottish borders in Cumbria before a final auction in North Shields.

Today, they're circling the lakes and skirting the Solway before heading north to auction in Rosewell near Edinburgh.

But the first port of call is Keswick, where Anita has dropped off Charles for his first shot of the day.

Now this Lakeland town is associated with romantic writers and artists.

In the 19th century, this was the center of pencil manufacturing.

Hopefully, Charles will be drawing inspiration today from his first shop, Keswick Collectibles.

Good morning.

Hello.

How are you?

What a fine day.

Right, it's Keswick.

It's always like this NARRATOR: Ah, the sun shines on the righteous, eh.

What's the plan then, Charles?

At the moment, I am feeling the pressure.

Anita is ahead.

And I've got to try and catch her.

I'm feeling confident.

It can happen like that.

[SNAPS FINGERS] Suddenly, out of nowhere can be that object that can be very much a story of rags to riches.

I'm hoping it might happen.

NARRATOR: Dreams do come true-- they do.

CHARLES: Mark, being in Keswick of course, what Keswick is renowned for is things like, this isn't it?

SHOPKEEPER: Keswick School of Art, yeah.

CHARLES: Keswick School of Art.

SHOPKEEPER: Yeah.

The Keswick School of Art, I suppose, goes back to, what, the period of the art nouveau.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

CHARLES: 1890s, 1900s?

Yeah, if you're wanting an expert, you're probably not talking to quite the right chap, but I know quite a bit about it.

The school itself was about, just a few hundred yards down the street.

Well, this was the sort of stuff they made, copper being one of the more popular-- slightly more popular than brass.

NARRATOR: It's lovely but at 225 pounds, it's a tad expensive for Charles.

Any other shiny things with his name on them?

Mark, this old napkin ring here I quite like.

Not a problem.

May I just fish it out?

And it's Birmingham, 1897.

What happened in 1897?

I'll test you.

Oh my, you're-- If I give you a clue-- 60 years for Queen and Country.

Oh is it sort of commemorative by any chance?

Well, Queen Victoria.

I should know all these things, right?

- Are you an Englishman?

- Yes.

Queen Victoria celebrated 60 years on the throne.

Gosh, I was just about to say that.

Yeah.

The reason I like it is we're going to Edinburgh.

And I suspect these might be little Scottish carnelian and different agate stones inset onto silver.

It may have been one of six, but the quality of this napkin ring is exquisite.

Its hallmark, Birmingham, with the anchor it's 1897.

It is priced at 75 pounds.

Again, so I get a feel for where I am, what would be the best price on that, out of interest?

Well we've had Anita in before, so I don't know where my allegiances lie.

But as you're here with me this time, I don't want you to have a good chance.

You can have it for 35.

I'm going to have 90% of Scotland against me for saying that, but-- [LAUGHS] Can I mental note it?

SHOPKEEPER: Yes, you can.

CHARLES: Put it onto your desk-- SHOPKEEPER: I'll put it on the desk.

CHARLES: --for food for thought.

SHOPKEEPER: I'll save that.

CHARLES: That would be kind.

Thank you very much, Mark.

I'll come back to you NARRATOR: Sterling work, eh.

Now, what's the story with our silver darling, out and about, soaking up the glorious scenery.

I love the Lake District, land of the romantic poets, Beatrix Potter, and wonderful landscapes.

Sun shining, the sky is blue, the wee car is driving like a dream.

It couldn't get much better than this.

NARRATOR: No, you couldn't.

Anita's traveling south to Kendal.

And her first stop, today, is the Antiques Emporium.

Ah, hello, I'm Anita.

How nice to see you.

This looks fabulous.

SHOPKEEPER: Thank you.

ANITA: And you've got a bit of everything here?

Oh we hope so.

NARRATOR: And a little bit of what you fancy does you good, eh.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Zut alors!

I've had a verse of the Marseillaise.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Come on, now.

Let's get serious.

I usually like men with a bit more meat on the bones.

But I kind of like this guy.

He's fun.

Headless, unfortunately.

This isn't a real skeleton, of course.

And it would possibly have been a teaching aid at medical school.

NARRATOR: The sale of human skeletons is strictly prohibited these days, thank goodness.

But as the science of osteology developed in the 17th century, there grew up a thriving trade.

Gruesome.

Wouldn't he make an interesting conversation piece at your dinner parties?

NARRATOR: I don't know what sort of dinner party she goes to.

He's priced at 125 pounds.

And I think I would like to take him to the auction.

But I've got to get the price down.

NARRATOR: Cue, Chris.

I'd like to pay in the region of 50, 60 pounds.

Now I know that's a big jump down, so you've, got to tell me-- I'll have to go and ask the dealer.

NARRATOR: Right, can Anita secure the skeleton for half price from dealer, Denise?

I like him.

I know that he isn't the real deal, that hasn't been dug up by Botkin here.

But I would like to pay between 50 and 60 pounds.

Is that too far down?

DEALER (ON PHONE): Oh, it tis a bit.

I'll tell you what, Anita, you can have it for 65.

65.

Denise, you are wonderful, you're wonderful.

And I'd love to meet you, because we've obviously got the same taste in men.

NARRATOR: What?

Don't fancy yours much, love.

Denise, who is lovely, 65 pounds.

SHOPKEEPER: She is.

And I've got a new boyfriend.

NARRATOR: Looks like she's not done yet, though.

ANITA: And what we have are a pair of little salt dishes.

They are in the form of little oak tubs.

And they're bound by silver plate.

It would be lovely if it was silver.

But I think they would be a lot more expensive if they were hallmark silver.

What makes them specially sweet, are the little spoons in the form of a shovel.

They're probably late 19th, early 20th century.

And we've got a pair.

So that one can sit at each end of the table.

Price ticket, 68 pounds.

Maybe a wee bit dear, but if I can get a wee bit off, well.

They're so unusual that I might be in with a chance.

Chris, I thought these were lovely.

[INAUDIBLE] My eye was drawn to them.

They're quite unusual.

SHOPKEEPER: They are the sweet, aren't they?

ANITA: They're very, very sweet.

SHOPKEEPER: Yes.

Is there anything we can do in the price?

I have a little bit of movement on them.

What about 60?

ANITA: Is 50 possible?

I think that's a bit too far.

Too far.

55?

I would have liked 60, but go on, as it's you.

We'll do 55.

They're so sweet, they're irresistible.

SHOPKEEPER: They are.

So, I'll collect my new boyfriend on the way out.

OK, SHOPKEEPER: I'd treat him to a meal if I was you.

ANITA: [LAUGHS] That is correct.

NARRATOR: Do with fattening up.

Anita's purse is now 120 pounds lighter, and with her passenger safely strapped in-- OK, Darling, buckle up.

NARRATOR: --she's back off up north.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Meanwhile, time to see how our other lean machine is getting on in Keswick Quite a little bowl.

It's quite interesting, isn't it?

You've got a good eye there, Charles.

CHARLES: Do you think so?

SHOPKEEPER: I think it's a really nice piece, yeah, yeah.

The reason I like this is it's well chiseled.

And if you look at the depth of detail, we've got this, almost, design in relief, which is florid, it's organic.

We've got these beautiful sprays on this fairly, what you might call, matte textured ground, that over the years has become quite dirty.

And that's quite nice to see.

I suspect this is probably Indian silver.

It could be 1895.

It could be as late as 1905.

SHOPKEEPER: I would sell it to you for 40 pounds.

CHARLES: Would you, really?

SHOPKEEPER: Mhm.

CHARLES: Yeah, I like that.

I will put him with my napkin ring-- Excellent.

--as a maybe.

Thank you.

SHOPKEEPER: No problem.

I'm going to, do you mind if I keep digging?

No, no, no.

I'm digging to victory, quite literally in finding my treasure.

One thing I quite like, Mark, is this here.

I picked this out of the box, because this is probably art deco, 1920s.

Yeah.

I'll tell you what, if you're taking those two for 35 and 40, I'll throw you that one in.

NARRATOR: Very generous, but what is it?

You've got a thimble, and like that.

And of course, inside you've got the real feeder for cottons, although that is silver plated.

NARRATOR: Ah, so sewing kit.

CHARLES: You'll see the engine turned silver casing and the enamel, that sadly has dissipated.

Although there's remnants of the enamel still on there.

But just on the outer edge, here, very indistinct, there's a silver hallmark.

I feel now it's time to make some decisions.

The best you said on the ball was 40.

40 on that one, yeah.

The napkin ring, 35.

And would you throw that one in, as well?

- Yeah.

- Are you happy with that?

75 for the three, yeah.

So what I might do then for auction, is make two lots.

I might put the Scottish napkin ring together and thread through my little sewing requisite lot.

Tis silver, so that's two lots at 75 pounds.

That's business.

SHOPKEEPER: Smashing.

CHARLES: That's going, going-- Gone.

Sold.

Oh, that's great.

NARRATOR: Two silvery lots for auction for a bit of a song.

Nice work.

[MUSIC PLAYING] In the Meanwhile, Anita's driven north to Penrith, a route trodden by Romans 2000 years ago.

The roads might not be so straight these days, but they're a lot less bumpy as she heads to her next antiques emporium, the Brunswick Yard.

ANITA: Hi, I'm Anita.

I'm Adam.

Welcome.

ANITA: This is a fascinating antique center.

SHOPKEEPER: There's plenty going on here.

Everything from a few 100, even 1,000 pounds, down to 50p.

NARRATOR: Something for 50p would be good.

ANITA: This is quite an interesting little child's chair.

It's a nice wee thing.

It's a child's potty chair, for potty training.

This would date from early part of the 20th century, late part of the 19th century.

And look at this here, the poor wee soul was locked into the potty chair until he or she performed.

Don't know if I like that.

But it is quite interesting.

NARRATOR: I wonder how many pee that would be.

Oh she's moving on.

ANITA: I spotted this pair of candlesticks.

I think their silver plate, could be aluminum.

They're in that case, and they are very much in the modernist style.

They're not to everyone's tastes, but I think that they've got a lot of style.

They're priced at 30 pounds, which is not a lot of money.

Could have a look at.

NARRATOR: Adam's your man.

ANITA: I thought that they might appeal to the younger set, because they have that modernist look.

But they could be from maybe the 1930s '40s.

They've got that kind look about them.

They've got that kind of look.

They've got that kind look, .

Can these be bought for 18 pounds?

Simple answer is no.

27 would be dead best.

ANITA: I think I'm going to go for them.

27, thank you very much.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Well, they're not Liberace, but they might shine for you at auction.

[TIRES SQUEAL] Oh that'll be her off, then.

Meanwhile, Charles has also made his way to Penrith, where he's about to get to grips with the sport people in these parts take great pride in.

Cumberland or Westmorland wrestling.

In Victorian times, this form of combat became a hugely popular alternative to bare knuckle fighting and boxing.

At Penrith and Eden Museum, our very own big daddy is going to get the lowdown from curator Corinna Leenen.

CHARLES: What was unique about this form of wrestling?

CORINNA LEENEN: It was always played on grass.

CHARLES: OK. CORINNA LEENEN: And then the opponents would face each other, and then hold each other around the waist like this.

OK. Interlock the hands-- Yes.

--around the back.

Yes.

And then try and topple each other.

So I would literally try and do that, and try and push you over.

CORINNA LEENEN: You want a nice tight grip, because that was one of the rules.

You'd lose if your hand slips and your grip opens.

CHARLES: OK.

The other way you could lose during the match is if any of your body parts, other than your feet, touch the ground.

NARRATOR: The real big daddy of this wrestling was local man William Jameson, a Penrith joiner by trade, who reigned supreme from the 1850s to the 1870s when betting on big prize bouts attracted huge crowds.

CORINNA LEENEN: He was very tall.

He weighed about 17 stone.

So very heavy guy.

A newspaper article commented on his size a lot saying he looked like a polar bear standing up on his hind legs.

He won loads of trophies, loads of belts.

So traditionally, a belt would be awarded for winning the wrestling match.

And it was custom that people would wear it to church on Sundays to show they'd won.

NARRATOR: Jameson won this fine belt in 1860.

Gosh that's amazing.

It is quite heavy, as well.

And it's in this beautiful condition, isn't it?

Patinated, polished, and just cherished over the years.

I feel quite inspired by Jameson.

I feel quite beefed up now.

Well that's a good thing, because we actually booked you in for a wrestling match later on in Hesket, so-- I'd love to watch one.

Oh no, you're actually competing.

So I hope you've been listening.

NARRATOR: Get ready to place your bets.

They're waiting for Charles at Hesket Newmarket Agricultural Show, where he's going to take on local wrestling hero, John Harrington.

- Is it John?

- It is.

Now John, I understand you're eight times wrestling world champion.

JOHN HARRINGTON: Yes, that's right.

CHARLES: And you're a local lad, born and bred.

JOHN HARRINGTON: Yeah.

How do you feel?

Nervous.

Scared, very, very scared.

And I've got this for you.

What's this?

This is the costume to put on.

CHARLES: A pair of stockings, a pair of-- what are they, shorts?

They're pants, aren't they?

Yeah.

We'll wear those as well.

That's what you call a centerpiece.

[LAUGHTER] This is the centerpiece.

OK, be careful.

And then I've obviously got here, also, a vest.

Some long johns and a vest.

Oh my goodness me.

Yeah, OK.

I'm all set.

NARRATOR: Can't wait to see Charles in that get up.

And look, Anita has arrived to cheer him on.

Are you angry?

I want to see you angy.

- OK, I'm angry, Anita.

- Are you angry?

Yeah, I'm angy.

Yeah, come on, angrier.

NARRATOR: OK, this is it.

ANNOUNCER: We got into the ring, two very well matched wrestlers.

Oh, I'm very well not at all.

ANNOUNCER: On the one hand, our local expert, John Harrington, boxing champion, [INAUDIBLE].

And against him-- CHARLES: Come on.

ANNOUNCER: --an aspiring wrestler-- CHARLES: Come on.

ANNOUNCER: --Charles Hanson.

CHARLES: Come on.

ANNOUNCER: [INAUDIBLE] ANITA: Come on, Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.

ANNOUNCER: Oh right, he knows how to take all-- Charlie, you're doing wonderful.

NARRATOR: OK, Charlie.

Oh my, come on, Charles.

That a boy.

[CHEERING] Oh.

I felt that Oh, well done, Charles.

Oh.

ANNOUNCER: He was looking so good, then he falls on his bum.

He's a good man.

I come in peace, a world champion.

NARRATOR: But it was a good try.

You are a good sport.

ANITA: You're my hero.

CHARLES: Oh Anita, don't say that.

I'm now weak at the knees in more ways than one.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Hey, time to retire, dignity intact.

Nighty, night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] The sun is up and our Stag is off and running.

Our experts are rested and reflecting on the trip so far.

Have you bought any more broken plates?

Anita, you know my heart grows fond for the battered and bruised, because we are survivors in this car.

We are, Charlie.

Together.

How was your day?

Did you get lucky?

ANITA: I had a great time.

I got a bit lonely yesterday, Charlie, without you in the car.

Oh, thanks, Anita.

So I bought a little traveling companion.

Did you?

Yes, I did.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's true.

Yesterday, Anita met the man of her dreams-- or nightmares-- I usually like men with a bit more meat on the bones.

NARRATOR: --and picked up two candlesticks and two salt dishes, leaving her with 170 pounds and 38 Pence still in her purse.

While Charles rummaged around in Keswick and turned up a haul of silver, a napkin ring, a bowl, and a sewing case.

Going, going, gone.

Sold.

NARRATOR: Which means he has a budget today of 142 pounds and 34 pence CHARLES: I think what we've got, Anita, with you and I, with this motor, is reliability.

And beauty and glamour.

And beauty and glamour, exactly.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Is there no end to this mutual admiration?

Next stop is Cockermouth, birthplace of William Wordsworth and of Fletcher Christian, who led the mutiny on the Bounty.

Hopefully, no mutineering, but plenty of bounty at Colin Graham Antiques.

ANITA: Good luck, Charlie.

You too.

Which way are you going?

I'll keep my eye on you.

I'll keep my eye on you as well.

- You go that way.

- OK. [MUSIC PLAYING] I love jewelry cabinets, like this.

It's all a jumble.

And you always think that you can find something which is absolutely perfect to buy.

We're going to Edinburgh, so I have to be mindful of that.

And I found this lovely Scottish pebble brooch.

Now these brooches would have been made in Edinburgh in the 1800s.

Queen Victoria loved Scotland.

And she made this type of jewelry very, very popular.

Now these stones here are made from pebbles which have been found on the beaches and the barns of Scotland.

But it's got 65 on it.

So I like a lot.

I don't know if I like it for 65 pounds.

NARRATOR: Keep looking then.

Now, what's Charles up to?

Look out.

Charles, should you really be standing on that chair?

It's a lovely tea caddy.

It's what you call egg and dart molding.

And egg and dart molding was a wonderful neoclassical ornamentation which then went into the Regency period as well.

And this tea caddy, and it's-- sorry-- sarcophagus form on the bun feet would date to around 1820.

And by 1820, we first saw Indian tea coming into the UK.

So tea caddies became bigger as drinking tea became more of a middle class commodity.

I like it, but 85 pounds, too much money.

NARRATOR: Meanwhile, time waits for no man-- or woman.

I love this clock.

SHOPKEEPER: It's nice.

When I saw it, I fell in love with it.

But I know-- I'm a Glasgow girl.

SHOPKEEPER: Yeah.

ANITA: I am a Glasgow girl.

This was made by a Glasgow girl.

It's a stunning clock, Anita.

Hear that chime.

Look-- ANITA: Silence.

SHOPKEEPER: That wasn't the other one chiming.

But that facade, Anita.

I mean, it looks at you and I think, what two amazing looking Scottish faces together.

Shut up.

CHARLES: Sorry, sorry, but don't you agree?

Colin, ignore Charlie.

When I walked into the shop, this was the first thing that I saw.

NARRATOR: This clock is typical of the style of art nouveau design, which flourished in Glasgow at the turn of the 20th century, and which often incorporated Celtic motifs.

These artworks are highly prized and likely to do well at auction, according to Anita.

I'm frightened to ask how much it costs.

SHOPKEEPER: I've got 285 on it.

I would give you all the money that I have to spend, 170 pounds and 38 pence.

And if you left me 38 pence, I would buy that clock.

And that's me, blowing my whole budget, and I've never done that before.

But it'd be a lovely thing for me to buy.

NARRATOR: I'd sell it to her quick.

It's singing at me.

Thank you very much.

I'm so pleased.

Thank you, Colin.

Oh thank you very much.

There you go.

Thank you very much.

Oh, that's lovely.

I hope you do well with it.

NARRATOR: Well it sure had your name on it Anita.

SHOPKEEPER: Lovely, thank you very much.

Excellent.

ANITA: It's terrific.

But I've still got this 38 pence, and I couldn't find anything for 30 pence.

SHOPKEEPER: Well I'll tell you what, put your money in there.

ANITA: Right.

SHOPKEEPER: That's it, 38 pence.

ANITA: Oh.

SHOPKEEPER: Don't say I didn't give anything.

Oh, thank you very much.

That's great.

NARRATOR: Well that was generous, Colin.

It's bucket shaped match striker and ashtray dating from around 1910.

So Anita now has five lots for auction.

Success then, for Anita.

But what about our man who seems to have got behind Colin's counter?

Now this picked up, literally, in the corner, in between these two books.

Quite a nice little silver, what appears to be, a scent bottle, hallmarked late Victorian.

Out of interest, there's no price on it.

How much is that?

SHOPKEEPER: 25 quid.

CHARLES: How much?

25.

Your very best?

Give us a 20.

CHARLES: I found a little late Victorian silver scent bottle.

We're all happy.

Put it there.

SHOPKEEPER: Good man.

Fancy a wrestle?

I'm not kissing you.

NARRATOR: [LAUGHS] And that concludes our very amicable business here.

Be good.

SHOPKEEPER: Safe travelling.

Bye.

CHARLES: See you, bye.

SHOPKEEPER: See you, Bud.

NARRATOR: Today, the borders are a place of tranquility, a landscape of rolling hills and farmland, dotted with cattle, sheep, and antique shops.

But these lands were once lawless and deadly.

Anita in Carlisle, a city buffeted by history because of its position on the border.

Its mighty castle besieged more than any other in Britain.

Into this chaos rode the border reivers in a reign of terror lasting centuries.

David Gopsill at Tullie House Museum, describes life here in the 13th to 16th centuries.

For the rich, obviously, it would have been quite comfortable.

And unfortunately, for the poor it was a very difficult time.

It was a war zone.

The whole area was just trodden down by passing armies.

And of course, if England invaded Scotland or Scotland invaded England, the first areas that would be hit would be the borders.

NARRATOR: The rivers came from both sides of the border-- families with names like Armstrong, Johnstone, Hetherington, and Graham.

Taking advantage of political chaos, they donned their steel bonnets and plundered and feuded to the death with their neighbors.

DAVID GOPSILL: They also would hold protection rackets against people or places.

And the reivers are actually where we get the term blackmail from.

So in those days, the green mail was the rent you would pay to your landowner, and the blackmail would be paid to the people you were trying to protect yourself from.

NARRATOR: The rugged terrain of this war zone provided a training ground for these expert cattle rustling bandits.

So they were excellent horsemen.

They were incredibly skilled.

And they were actually called the finest light cavalry in all of Europe for their time, which is incredible.

They would obviously have rapier, a lance would be quite popular in those days.

And they would use this and a very small horse to pick their way across the Fells and appear in the cover of darkness, murder, pillage, and disappear back into the darkness.

NARRATOR: Borderers lived year in, year out, with the threat of being reived, and that's where our word bereaved comes from.

Those who had most to lose, were the best able to defend themselves.

DAVID GOPSILL: If you had a bit of wealth, you might have what's called a bastle house.

That'd be a fortified house.

The walls would be quite thick.

And they would be up to seven meters tall.

You'd have a large basement underneath to hide your cattle.

That sounds almost like a castle.

It does, but it doesn't even hold a torch up to the peel towers of the day.

So a peel tower is a large, fortified tower.

They'd have a barmkin, which is an outside wall that would protect a small area, like a courtyard.

And then there would be the tower, which would be up to 19 meters tall, walls about 3 meters thick.

That would really protect you against any reiving attacks.

It sounds like dreadful times.

Was there nothing put in place to stop this lawlessness?

DAVID GOPSILL: The monarchs of both England and Scotland tried to stop it using Wardens of the Marches.

And these wardens were a bit like the police of the time.

Unfortunately, a lot of these wardens were locals.

So a lot of them either had ties to the reiving families or were, in fact, reivers themselves.

So it didn't really help much, because you were giving a lot more power to a border reiving family, and they could use that to their own gain.

NARRATOR: In 1603 when James VI of Scotland inherited the throne of England, this union of the crowns brought some peace to Anglo Scottish relations.

Reivers were outlawed and banished, leaving behind stories sung in border ballads, and the towers they attacked and defended in those violent times.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charles is wending his way now to Maryport on the Solway Firth, where a fort once guarded the Roman sea defenses west of Hadrian's Wall.

It's Charles's last shop, so what's he after?

I'm looking for that next big thing.

And in antiquing terms, it's that rare Ming vase, or important undiscovered Faberge.

It's out there.

I just need some luck.

NARRATOR: Faberge and Ming, eh.

That might require more of a miracle than just luck.

But maybe miracles are the order of the day at Maryport Antiques.

Good day.

How are you?

Is it your shop?

Yes.

Your name is-- Ben.

Ben, what a lovely shop.

NARRATOR: Now for that Ming vase, Charles.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, butterfingers.

Come on, man, focus.

CHARLES: What's this?

Is that just-- SHOPKEEPER: That's just a pot.

CHARLES: It's peculiar.

SHOPKEEPER: And we're trying to identify-- Advisedly, how much could it be?

How much could it be?

SHOPKEEPER: 100 pounds.

CHARLES: OK. We've got this incise, what we might call, sgraffito decoration which, in style, is quite difficult to date.

Could be oriental.

Could be African.

The lid almost when one picks it up, you think, is it lead?

It looks like lead, but it's not.

Again, it's just a really coarse earthenware body.

NARRATOR: This pot could date from as far back as the 16th century.

And its geometric pattern suggests it's probably of South American origin.

Best price would be?

100.

I think best price would be 100 on that, yeah.

CHARLES: And that's what you call the death, isn't it?

SHOPKEEPER: Yeah, I'm afraid so.

CHARLES: Yeah, that's OK. Yeah, well it might kill me.

I'll take it.

OK, fantastic.

NARRATOR: Very decisive.

Anything else?

I quite like this little small dog.

It's just sitting, isn't it, Ben, lurking.

Your little guard dog.

It's a very little guard dog on your top deck.

It's quite a sweet-- what we call a toy-- Staffordshire porcelain toy, probably 19th century.

How much is that?

SHOPKEEPER: I think I could probably do that for 15 pound.

CHARLES: 15.

If you found anything else, I could maybe do a little bit.

There's one thing I've seen when I walked into the front.

If I put him down there.

If I go and get it, maybe we can do a deal.

Yeah, of course.

NARRATOR: What is it?

A Faberge egg?

CHARLES: It's not quite lights out yet, but of course, back in the Victorian times, you had a chamberstick.

Yes.

I just quite like this, because it's only 5 pounds.

Age wise, we're talking 1860.

And what's lovely, it's all hand-painted.

All hand-painted with this wonderful busy vibrant sprays of flowers, what we call a dentil gilt rim.

Yes, it's got a crack.

It's a shame, just on the sconce, there's a small crack.

I'm an envoy.

I like buying objects because, to me, it's a survivor.

So Ben, if I bought the chamberstick in porcelain Staffordshire, and I bought the King Charles Spaniel with it as well, what could be the best price?

SHOPKEEPER: I'll do it for 12.

CHARLES: Are you sure?

I'll do it for 12.

Is some money in it for you, though, at that.

Yes.

NARRATOR: That's five for the chamberstick, and 12 for the dog.

And with the pot, Charles is handing over 117 pounds.

And that's him done.

- Take care.

- Until next time.

- And you, cheers.

- Goodbye.

Bye, bye.

NARRATOR: Bye bye, Maryport.

Time to collect our other priceless prize, Anita, and hit the trail.

What's the direction of travel?

Let's get to the end of this road and see if we can see a signpost that says to the North.

Exactly, Anita.

It's that simple.

The North, here we come.

NARRATOR: Back over the border, soon enough, after some shut eye, eh.

Auction day has dawned, and the stage is set at Rosewell, a former mining village south of Edinburgh, where our irrepressible pair are leading us a merry Scottish country dance.

Heel, toe, heel, toe.

Gallop, gallop, gallop.

And we're here, Charlie.

NARRATOR: As if by magic, Anita and Charles took the B-roads from Keswick on a scenic tour of the lakes, before crossing the Scottish border and heading for Rosewell.

Our sale room today is Thomson Roddick, a family firm which has been gavel bashing hereabouts since 1880.

Anita blew her entire budget of 317 pounds and 38 pennies on five lots.

Charles was also very nearly cleaned out spending 212 pounds on his five lots.

So what do they think?

Honestly.

This is an old cracked port.

And Charlie loves his old crackpots, but this pot could be something very special.

Over 300 years old, probably South American.

There will be buyers out there who are anxious to get hold of that.

NARRATOR: Crackpot indeed, eh.

This clock looked amazing in the shop.

And Anita you hit the jackpot.

It just captures everything you want, from the organic, sinuous lines of the Glaswegian school of handicraft, to the numerals.

I cannot believe it was under 200 pounds.

NARRATOR: Time will tell then.

Now what does auctioneer Sybelle Thompson think about what Charles and Anita have bought?

Lots of interest in the skeleton, just a shame it's headless, but I think it will doing really well here.

The napkin ring and the silver sewing case, these are always popular and particularly will do well in Edinburgh, as there's lots of collectors for pieces set with Scottish hardstone.

NARRATOR: Please be seated.

I'm looking forward to this, Charlie.

It's a really busy feeling of vibrancy.

NARRATOR: First up and standing to attention is Anita's skeleton.

Don't lose your head, here.

Oh, somebody did.

35 pounds, 35, 35, 40, 5.

Smooth then, slow down.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 55, anyone else?

60, 5, 70, 5, 80.

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

SYBELLE THOMSON: Standing at 80, 5, 90, 5.

100 pounds, standing at the back, at 100.

Anyone else?

Going on at 100 pounds.

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: A meaty 35 pound profit on the bones.

It doesn't seem [INAUDIBLE] to me.

I can't believe that.

Has it put me ahead?

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Next up, Charles's Indian silver bowl.

20, 5.

25, 30, going on the internet.

Come on, internet.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 35, 40.

40 pounds, 45, on commission at 45.

You're all out on the internet.

At 45 pounds.

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: A profit of five pounds Sterling to you, sir.

It wasn't bad, Charlie.

Anita, I'm a happy man.

NARRATOR: Anita's oak and silver plated salt dishes, now.

Can they serve up a profit?

And start straight in at 20 bid, 20 bid.

Everywhere, 25, 30.

Like a wave, it's like a wave.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 40, 5, 50, 5, 55, 60.

You're in business, girl.

60 pounds, 65.

Gentlemen seated at 65.

70 online.

ANITA: Yes.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 70, 70 70 online.

Would you like another, sir, don't be put off.

, 75 in the room at 75.

At 75 pounds.

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: Another 20 pounds profit in Anita's pocket.

It's what they call a good touch.

A good touch.

Touch me.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: So will Lady Luck help Charles with his next lot, the Scottish hardstone inset napkin ring, and the silver plated and enamel sewing case.

40, 5, 50, 5.

That a girl.

Yes.

60, 5, 65, 70, 75, 80, 5, 90, 5.

At 95 pounds.

NARRATOR: 60 pounds worth of good fortune there.

Nice one, Charles.

That's good, isn't it?

Brilliant, Charlie, brilliant.

I'm fairly sweaty now.

I'm excited.

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Time now for Anita's white metal modernist candlesticks.

20 I've got 20 bid.

25, 25, 30, 5, 40 CHARLES: Here we go.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 5, 50.

They're angry.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 5, 55.

At 55 pounds.

NARRATOR: Anita has done it again.

She's doubled her money.

What a girl.

When you got it, Anita you've got it, girl.

Loving your work.

NARRATOR: You're not doing too badly yourself, Charles.

Next up it's his silver scent bottle.

20, 5, 30, 5, 40, 5, 45, 50 online.

55, anyone else going on at 55 pounds?

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: Another profit there.

Our duo are definitely on a roll today.

Brilliant, Charlie, brilliant.

Breathe it in, Anita.

Breathe it in.

Breathe the sweet sell of success.

Exactly, Anita, exactly.

NARRATOR: Easy for you to say.

[LAUGHS] Now one of the cheapest items ever bought on the "Antiques Road Trip," the brass bucket Anita bought for 38 pence.

10 pounds, 15, 20, 20, in the center at 20.

Anyone else going on for the match striker at 20?

At 20 pounds.

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: 20 pounds.

That's a profit of 5,263%.

Oh yes, I calculated that in my head.

Liar.

If you could buy a few of those for 38p, and then toss them in for a 20 pounds note, incredible business, [INAUDIBLE] money.

I know.

NARRATOR: Can the next lot, the Staffordshire porcelain candlestick and King Charles Spaniel, top that?

10 pounds.

I've got 10 bid.

15.

- Love.

15.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 20, 25, 25, you bidding?

CHARLES: Yes.

I've got 30 CHARLES: Thank you very much.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 30.

CHARLES: Thank you.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 30 pounds, on the right, at 30.

Thank you.

Anyone else going on at 30 pounds?

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: Nice work, China.

That's great, very happy.

NARRATOR: Now will time be kind to our Glasgow gal and her brass faced clock?

100 for the nice clock, at 100, 110.

You watch, it's going to roll.

120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210.

Let's have another, sir.

220, 230, 240, 250.

Anyone else going on at 250 pounds?

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: 80 pounds profit for Anita.

There's no stopping her today.

Well, that was exciting, though, wasn't it?

Anita, you're flying.

You are flying high.

NARRATOR: Charles's last lot now.

The earthenware jar and cover, old and mysterious.

Will it be auction gold?

Quite a lot of interest in this, and I can start straight in at 30 bid, 30 bid, 30 bid, 30 bid.

It's going to run off for.

SYBELLE THOMSON: 30, 5, 40, 5, 50, 5, 60, 5, 65.

Anyone else going on at 65?

70, 5, 80, 5, 90, 5, 95.

Selling on commission at 95.

At 95 pounds.

[GAVEL] NARRATOR: So close.

But all their other items today have turned a profit.

We had great results.

Wonderful results.

We had great fun.

We're both exhausted with the excitement.

Now it's time to have a nice cup of tea.

On you go.

Give me a push.

Thanks a lot.

NARRATOR: You deserve a refreshment, you two.

Charles started with 217 pounds and 34 pence in his piggy, and his success in the sale room today increased his tally, after auction costs, by 50 pounds and 40p, to 267 pounds and 74 pence.

So well done, Carlos.

[GAVEL] Anita began with 317 pounds and 38 pence, and she soared away in Rosewell with a profit, after auction costs, of 92 pounds and 62 pence.

So with a new total of 410 pounds, she is leading the dance again.

That was brilliant.

Absolutely, brilliant.

We both made money.

Exactly.

Now listen, give me a Highland fling.

Jig for joy, jig for joy.

NARRATOR: Jig for joy?

Catch her if you can, Charles.

[MUSIC PLAYING]