Monument record 3043/1/2 - Possible outer bailey ditch (Morphed Aerial Archaeology Interpretation)

Earthwork: Non-destructive fieldwork Summary from record 3043/0/2: A substantial ditch that may have originally divided the inner and outer baileys of the castle at Fineshade, but which was re-used in the 18th/19th centuries to hold a drainage pipe from the stables

{3} The geophysical anomaly thought to be a drainage channel running E-W across the platform in front of the stable block was investigated in November 1987. This proved to be a deep ditch, which was not bottomed as it was considered to be modern. Of interest was the south bank of this feature which, beneath the modern fill, was entirely covered in burnt soil and charcoal; the north bank was not exposed.

Subsequent geophysical survey, undertaken in 2004, identified the continuation of this anomaly which turned southwards running across the platform in front of the stable block in a north-south direction. A subsequent trial trench revealed a 6.0m wide U-shape ditch. The primary fill of the ditch had large blocks of dressed stone with 19th/20th century mortar adhering and was clearly backfill after the insertion of a large terracotta drain. The southern bank of the ditch showed an old turf layer which had been a steep bank before the pipe was inserted and there was possibly another old turf layer beneath. The profile of the original ditch had been partially destroyed by the insertion of the pipe but water in the base of the trench made further digging impossible. This ditch may therefore have belonged to the castle phase and perhaps divided the inner and outer baileys. This feature goes right to the edge of the platform and through the where the bank would have originally been. If this was the case the bank must have been levelled before the drain was inserted. Bridges also mentions a castle ditch but again it is not clear just what this means.

{4} Ditch sectioned; appears to comprise an 18th/19th century ditch containing ceramic pipe forming drain or similar from stable block. Interpreted as following line of earlier double ditch. Latter largely lost but parts of accompanying banks demonstrated as being in situ. Photos.

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Photographs). SNN104822.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 1988, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (Newsletter). SNN46846.

<3> Johnston, G and Bellamy, B., 2015, From Hillfort to Mansion: Excavations at Fineshade Abbey (Report). SNN110575.

<4> Cadman, G., 2007, Fineshade Priory and Castle, (checked) (Note). SNN107160.

Record last edited

Jun 6 2017 11:27AM