Pleshey Castle Excavations 1959-1963
Archive document ref.:
S/SEC/7/8
Transcription of papers
ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(Supplement to 1962 Newsletters
Pleshey 1962
Interim report on the excavation.
The 1962 season took place in three weeks of August under
the direction of P.A. Rahtz and Major J.J.S. Brinson. 44 volunteers took part, contributing 1062 man
hours; special thanks are due for the regular help of John and Elizabeth
Sellers, Peter Ling, Malcolm Forbes, John Payne, and Rosamund Bassett, and Mrs.
M.H. Rahtz, and for the organisation and hospitality of Major and Mrs. Brinson.
The 20 feet square in the lower platform of the bailey
was further excavated. What was thought to be a well-shaft proved to be an
earlier excavation - the spoil had been replaced in the hole within a few weeks
of being taken out; the natural clay in which the hole was dug was cracked but
there was no silt. This is probably an abortive part of the excavations earlier
in this century. Examination of the levels around this hole has however been informative;
there is an intense occupation level and a gully of 15th century date, and it
is clear that the Norman moat edge was some 15-20 ft. further back than it is
now.
The chapel which had been excavated to floor level in
1960 was stripped to natural except for the main wall foundation. Below the
floors were several layers, representing parts of three earlier structures. The
lowest of these in the Norman layer, consisted of two adjacent curving foundations
of clay, chalk and flints. They may be part of a tower or series of towers in a
clover-leaf plan, built into the rampart as part of the defences of the Upper
Bailey. The super-structure was of bricks, clay and timber. It was burnt down
and its destruction level spread over a wide area. Contemporary with this was a
massive timber foundation trench and a post-hole. Above these Norman structures
were found parts of two buildings of the thirteenth century. Of the lower of
these were found three rammed clay piers on an E.W. alignment; they may be part
of the earliest wooden chapel. Above these were timber slots and post-holes of
what is probably the chapel of the mid thirteenth century. It was built later
than 1208, certainly, as a coin of 1208-20 was found in the layer below. Its
plan is of a building some 35 x 12ft divided into three parts possibly the nave
chancel and sanctuary. It was burnt down, and in its destruction level were
many pieces of thick daub (with impressions of wooden battens), burnt
window-glass and lead, and burnt grain.
Notable finds from the 1962 season include a pottery
chimney, a finely carved bone pin, a roman brooch, a silver finger-ring, a
silver-gilt fitting, a rushlight holder, and a quern-stone of lava, and some
interesting groups of pottery.
It is hoped to uncover the Norman foundations in the 1963
season.
P. A. RAHTZ
September 1962
ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(Supplement to 1962 Newsletters)
EXCAVATIONS AT PLESHEY CASTLE 1963
Hon. Organiser:
Major J.G.S. Brinson
Director: Philip A.Rahtz.
July 27th to August 24th
Further excavations will be carried out at Pleshey in
1963 with the aim of discovering the nature of the curving foundations found
below the north-west corner of the chapel at the end of the 1962 season.
This will involve the removal of a number of layers of
13th-16th century date with a total possible depth of 12 feet; as the Society
is not in a financial position to employ paid labour a large number of digging
helpers will be needed.
The Hon. Organiser would also like to have offers of help
from members willing to clean and record finds, to soil tickets and talk to
visitors or to make tea and, generally help to keep the dig running in a tidy
efficient manner.
It will be of the greatest possible assistance to the
organiser if members who intend to help will fill in the slip below and return
it to J.E.Sellers Esq, 1 Chignall Road Chelmsford Essex
This is not compulsory and there is no latest date for
sending it in; if you prefer, please, write a letter but if you require an
answer, please send a stamped addressed envelope.
Members are reminded that this excavation is also
intended to provide training of a kind which can only be obtained by attending
a summer schools: little training was possible in 1962 as the labour force was
barely sufficient to finish the planned excavation in the time available.
Pleshey is 7 miles north of Chelmsford; turn left off
A130 half a mile north of Great Waltham church.. Eastern National bus service
No. 52 from Chelmsford stops 100 yards from the site.
Camping will be allowed in the bailey.
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