Oswestry Castle Research Project A Design Specification for an Archaeological Excavation at Oswestry Castle Site: Oswestry Castle, Shropshire. Landowner: Oswestry Town Council, Shropshire NGR: SJ 29051 29810 Scheduled record: List entries: 1019300 (Oswestry Castle). 1367336 (Listed building remains). HER: Shropshire record: 00332, related record: 05782 OCRP Ref: RC 04/17 Contact: Roger Cooper, Project Director at: email, saparch@hotmail.co.uk Mobile: 07825065149 Home line: 01691 239225 Contact address: 168 Cabin Lane, Oswestry, Shropshire. 1
1. Non-technical Summary 1.1 Following on from the last three years evaluation trenches (2014, 2015 & 2016) in the garden area of Castle Bank and the top of the castle mound respectfully, it is now clear that the archaeological potential on the top of castle mound is very good. 1.2 Last year s excavation continued to investigate the revealed stretch of medieval wall in the north west area of the castle mound, especially the two small sections of stone work running south off the main wall. Also, the position of the two 2016 trenches would enabled us a better understanding of the area between these sections of walling. 1.3 Our finding surprised us, in that we partially uncovered the remains of a previously unrecorded Anglo Norman keep with a substantial splayed base. This exciting discovery as now required us to re-evaluate our project plans and consider a new three year project. 1.4 Clearly, we now need concentrate on recovering as much information on this form of castle and it infrastructure and have outlined a trench plan for work to be undertaken in September 2017. This information and an ongoing geophysical survey will indicate where best to locate further trenches in the following years. 1.5 The proposed trench for this year is positioned to recover more of the plan of the keep and associated glacis and moreover, locate a possible access stairs to the external entrance to the keep. An additional benefit of the position of the proposed trench is that, it may enable us to reach the medieval surface at the base of the glacis and any associated foundation cut. 1.6 It is planned to excavate for three weeks in September (3rd-22nd)this year and in following years extend this period years. 2.Site Location 2.1 The castle site is located within Oswestry town centre, Shropshire; at National Grid Reference SJ 29051 29810.(see fig 1) 3. Context of the project 3.1 The background to this project was that In September 2013, and following several walk over observations and a short topographical and photographic survey of the southern side of Oswestry castle mound-especially in the garden area and Chapel Street; continued by a revisit to the known sources, I was asked to give a short paper entitled A re-evaluations of early Oswestry castle to the Seventh Annual Seminar of Old Oswestry Landscape & Archaeology Project 2
(OOLAP). This in turn, led to much local interest and the request, via Oswestry & Borders History & Archaeological Group, if it would be possible to investigate one of the features discussed in the above paper namely, the survival of another wall (Wing wall) within the garden area. Furthermore, it was also suggested that an ideal time to undertake this archaeological excavation was during Heritage Open Days in Oswestry, when it would generate much local interest and indeed funding. Subsequently, Oswestry Town Council was approached via David Preston the Town Clerk who fully supports the project. 3.2 Since the last excavation in 2016, the project, due to new discoveries, as consolidated into Oswestry Community Castle Research Project (OCCRP) with its own constitution, steering group and sub finance committee and is partly supported by Oswestry Museum, Oswestry History & Archaeological Group Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire County Council with the granting of facilities or help and advice. 4 Geological & topographical background 4.1 Drift: The castle mound and indeed, the whole scheduled area, are Quaternary glaciofluvial deposits of the Devensian period, several of which are in the area, giving rise to a number of significant small hills. The most obvious, for example, being Old Oswestry hill fort. The Lower lying areas consist of Devensian Till. 4.2 Solid: Underlying these glaciofluvial deposits are, Carboniferous, Westphalian dark red sandstone of the Erbistock formation. 5. Archaeological & historical background précis 5.1 The remains of the motte, forming part of the motte and bailey castle in Oswestry, survives well especially below the current surface. The motte, together with the area of the bailey indicated by street names, provides evidence of the changing nature of the military and economic conditions during the medieval and postmedieval periods which shaped the town. Episodes in the history of the castle and the town are well documented. In addition to the remnants of the stone keep, buried remains of earlier structures that stood on the motte do survive. The surviving structural, artefactual and organic remains, together with the historical sources, will provide valuable evidence about the activities and the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the castle. Archaeological investigation undertaken in 1988 has helped to demonstrate the nature and extent of the buried remains of the castle and the adjoining part of the town wall. The monument is a significant public amenity and has considerable educational value. It remains a prominent feature within the landscape. 3
5.2 The site includes the earthwork and buried remains of a motte, which was originally part of a motte and bailey castle, the ruins of a stone keep built upon its summit and an adjoining portion of the town wall. The castle is referred to as `castelle Lurve' in the Domesday Survey and was constructed by Reginald, Sheriff of Shropshire. Throughout the medieval period the estate of Maesbury (Oswestry) was held by the FitzAlan family, who developed their landholding into the marcher lordship of Oswestry by the late 12th century. The castle was never used as a principle residence of the FitzAlans, but served as a depot for major campaigns against the Welsh, as well as forming the base for a defensive force of light cavalry. The castle was strengthened at the end of the 13th century, but its military significance declined shortly afterwards, although it was used to muster Welsh troops for the war in France in the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle was the scene of a parliament held by Richard II in 1398. It was garrisoned by Royalist troops during the Civil War, but was slighted by Cromwellian forces in 1644, and had been largely demolished by about 1650. A natural isolated oval mound, probably of glacial origin, has been adopted and utilised to form the motte. It is about 12m high and measures approximately 52m by 72m at its base. Upon the summit and around the top are the in situ and collapsed remnants of the stone keep possibly dating to the 13th century, replacing earlier structures probably built of timber. The remains of the keep are a Listed Building Grade II. The internal layout of the keep is not known, but an inventory compiled in 1398 notes a great chamber, a middle chamber and a high chamber, the Constables Hall, a wardrobe, a chapel dedicated to St Nicholas, a kitchen, larder and buttery. From the evidence of the standing fabric it is considered that the keep was a square or rectangular structure. To the south east of the keep are the remains of a probable bastion, largely rebuilt in the late 19th century. It is a Listed Building Grade II and is included in the scheduling. The base of the mound is defined by substantial revetment walls of probable late 19th century date, incorporating two gate piers removed from one of the former town gates known as the Beatrice Gate. These walls and the gate piers are also Listed Grade II and included in the scheduling. The castle bailey, which lies to the south of the motte, probably served as the initial focus for the development of the town. The town had certainly grown beyond the original limits of the castle bailey before the second half of the 13th century when the town walls were constructed. The location of the bailey is recorded in the street names Bailey Street and Bailey Head, although its exact extent is not certain and is therefore not included in the scheduling. An archaeological excavation on top of the motte undertaken in 1988 revealed a metre thick layer of demolition rubble dating to the 17th century, whilst in a trench dug at the base of the mound a small section of a substantial wall, thought to be part of the 13th century town defences, was found. This wall is approximately 2m wide, aligned south west-north east, and is built of mortared rubble with its eastern side faced with dressed sandstone blocks. An opening though the wall was uncovered and is believed to mark the position of an original postern gate. The wall would appear to overlie the remains of the motte ditch and it thus post4
dates the construction of the motte. This section of the town wall has been consolidated and remains have been exposed. In the late 19th century the castle mound was extensively landscaped in order to create a public pleasure ground. The earliest large scale Ordnance Survey map published in 1874 shows a series of terraces defining a spiralling path around the mound. This scheme formed the basis of the subsequent landscaping which included the construction of a stone wall around the top of mound. However, since this detailed report was written our recent excavations have demonstrated that a 12 th century square Anglo Norman keep dominates the top of the mound in its north west corner and our research to date, cannot find any direct reference to such a structure. Indeed, the lack of such information appears to have led quite reasonable to the Secondary sources speculating by analogy with other sites and topographical features that the structure was most likely a Shell keep. 5.3 Selected references: Howard, A - Management Plan for the Future Management of Oswestry Castle Date: 1997 Worthington, M - Oswestry Castle and Town Wall: Report on the Excavations in 1988 - Date: 1989 Dalwood, H - Title: Archaeological Assessment of Oswestry, Shropshire - Date: 1996 Journal: Hereford and Worcester Archaeology Rep 333 Victoria History of the County of Shropshire 8 (1968) Victoria History of the County of Shropshire 4 (1989) HER: Shropshire record: 00332 & 05782 Historic England Scheduled Record: 1019300 & 1367336 6. General & specific aims of fieldwork 6.1 The primary objective will be to locate record and describe all archaeological features below the surface and deposits that may be present within the proposed trench. 6.2 It is proposed that continuing on from last year s excavation that one trench is excavated down to significant archaeology. This trench in September will undertake to reveal more of the plan of the Anglo Norman keep and associated features. 5
6.3 The position, dimensions and shape of the proposed trench is to allow for a number of factors: 1. To reveal the extent south of the eastern area of the keep wall. 2. To part expose any western return off the eastern wall and any associated clamping or pilaster buttresses. 3. To locate the remains, if any, of a Forebuilding within the area of the trench. 4. Further investigation of the splayed base, especially off the exterior of the eastern wall down to its foundation. 6.4 The size and shape of the proposed to trench, bearing in mind the know depth of the stratigraphy in this area, is to facilitate, not only the archaeological objectives, but to also allow safe access, working conditions and removal of spoil. 7 Reference to relevant legislation 7.1 Ancient Monuments & Archaeological areas act 1979. 7.2 Planning act 1990 (Listed building & Conservation area) 7.3 Relevant H&S legislation (see below) 8. Field methodology 8.1 Within the stated projects objectives, the principle aim of the field evaluation is to establish the nature, extent, date, depth, significance and state of preservation of buried archaeological deposits and upstanding remains on the site in order to maximising the archaeological and historical potential and to evaluate the possible need for preservation. The evaluation will be carried out in the following order. 8.2 Fieldwork will consist of one trench, its location being based on previous data (see fig.2. page 11.Trench location plan). After the initial de-turfing, the trench will be manually excavated down to any significant archaeology. Moreover, due regard will be paid to not compromising the integrity of any exposed masonry. 8.2 The recording in section and plan drawings with the addition of photographic data all significant exposed archaeological features. 8.3 Selected deposits will be fully or partially excavated sufficient to demonstrate that deposits are of minimal significance. The retrieval of environmental samples and artefactual material will not be undertaken unless deposits likely to be of significance are located. However, the recording of deposits and features will be undertaken and this will follow the Museum of London Archaeological Services Standard recording system (MoLAS, Archaeological Site Manual). 6
8.5 Any archaeological deposits located will be planned and sample excavated to establish the stratigraphic and chronological sequence, environmental samples will be taken if appropriate to determine their nature. Recognised specialist will be available for consultation. 8.6 A full digital photographic record will be taken using a Nikon D5500 camera 924.2 mega pixels) with appropriate scales included. 8.7 The site plan is ongoing and this year s data will be added to it. 9. Finds and Samples 9.1 The IFA Guidelines for finds work will be adhered to. Further, the advice on archaeological conservation laid out in First Aid for Finds (The British Archaeological Trust) will be taken. 9.2 Finds and environmental material will be catalogued, labelled, conserved and stored to UKIC Guidelines for storage. 9.2 All Antiquities, objects or remains of archaeological interest, other than articles declared by Coroner s Inquest to be subject to the Treasure Act, discovered in or under the site during the carrying out of the project, shall be deemed to be the property of Oswestry Castle Research Project (OCRP) provided that OCRP after due examination of the archaeological discoveries shall transfer ownership of all archaeological discoveries to the land owner, encouraging them to deposit any such finds in Oswestry Town museum. 10. Report preparation. 10.1The results of the fieldwork will be described in an interim illustrated report and will be prepared in accordance with guidelines laid out in The Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (PPN 6). 10.2The report will detail aims, method, location and size of archive and discuss results. The report will also include assessment of the significance of deposits within the site and compare and contrast them within the local, regional and national context as appropriate to the findings. 11. Publication and dissemination proposals. 11.1 A full report of the archaeological finding will be prepared within one year of the completion the project 7
11.2 A copy of the interim report will be disseminated to: English Heritage, West Midlands office, Historic Environment Officer at Shropshire County Council & Oswestry Town Council. Moreover, a suitably formatted copy will be sent to: CBA West Midlands & The Castle Studies Group if appropriate. 11.3 The full report will be digitised and sent to the appropriate repository as agreed with Historic England 12. Copyright 12.1 The copyright in all finished documents shall remain vested in the authors (R. Cooper and R Speak) 13. Archive deposition 13.1 The site owner (Oswestry Town Council) will be consulted as to the deposition of the archive. However, The Curator of Archaeology, Community and Environment Services at Shropshire CC will also be consulted for advice on the appropriate repository for a copy of the project archive. In any event, a copy will be retained by the author. 14. Timetable 14.1 It is proposed that the excavation will be undertaken from Sunday 3 rd until Friday 22nd inclusive. The working day being 0930hrs-16.30hrs. 15. Staffing Site Director: Roger Cooper. BA (Hons) Archaeology, HND Mech Eng. Site Supervisor: Robert Speak. BA (Hons) Archaeology. Context Officer: Alice Bray. BA (Hons) Archaeology Survey Officer: Chris Mathews ( Archaeology Survey West) Archaeological Consultant: Margaret Worthington. B.Ed., M. Phil. 8
16. Health & Safety 16.1 All work will adhere to OCRP Health & Safety Policy and follow the guidance in the Standing Committee of Archaeological Unit Manager s Manual, together with the following relevant Health & Safety guidelines: HSE Construction Information Sheet CS8: Safety in excavations HSE Industry Advisory Leaflet IND (G) 145 (L) Getting to Grips with manual Handling HSE Industry Advisory Leaflet IND (G) 145 (L) Watch Your Back CIRRA TN95: Proprietary Trench Support System HSE Guidance Note HS (G)47: Avoiding Danger to Underground Services HSE Guidance Note GS7: Accidents to Children on Construction Sites 16.2 All personnel on site will wear protective footwear and if appropriate, hard hats, and hazard jackets the Senior Archaeologist on site will carry a mobile phone 16.3 A First Aid Kit will be carried on site. 16.4 A risk assessment will be undertaken by the Senior Archaeologist (Project Director} before commencement of on-site work. 17. Monitoring procedures 17.1 A close liaison will be kept with Bill Klemperer, The Principle Inspector Ancient Monuments, English Heritage and or Alison MacDonald, Assistant Inspector for the region. Likewise, with Andy Wigley Shropshire County Council. 18. Contingency arrangements 18.1 The initial costs are met by private donation. However, a three year Heritage Lottery Fund application is being processed. 18.2 Finds conservation, specialist appraisal and reporting. 18.3 Environmental sampling appraisal and specialist reporting 18.4 Scientific dating 18.5 Geophysical survey 19 Insurance 19.1 OCRP are covered by the Council for British Archaeology s insurance. 20 On site contact number: 07825065149 R Cooper April 2017 9
fig 1 Site location 10
fig 2 Trench location 11
12
13