Monument record 805/1/10 - Possible castle gatehouse or guardhouse

A substantial stone structure was identified during archaeological observation of building work.

{1} An archaeological watching brief was undertaken during groundworks undertaken as part of the conversion of farm buildings into residential use. The northern end of the outer moat still survived as an earthwork and between this and one of the barns was a fairly flat berm. This area was excavated. The evidence suggests that the stretches of the outer moat either side of the trackway were either not continuous or were joined by a channel somewhat narrower than the present width of the outer moat. A bridge or causeway leading towards an entrance into the innter bailey does not seem improbable.

Two masonry structures were seen in the area of flat berm; these were preserved in situ and so not excavated fully. If this structure predated the outer moat it must, from its mass, have been a defensive work. Alternatively it could be connected to the moat, perhaps as a causeway or bridge. The small stone-lined pit on its eastern side is reminiscent of a garderobe and this implies a chamber above which makes its promary use as a routeway unlikely though it could be the base for a guard or gatehouse. However, too little is known about either its date or form to speculate productively.

Other features recorded as part of the watching brief included an irregular but substantial pit, over 1.1m long, c.1m wide and 1.06m deep. Occasional cow and sheep bones were found but the pit is of uncertain date. A shallow posthole 300mm in diameter and 200mm deep. It did not contain any dating evidence but the unconsolidated nature of the fill suggests that it was of recent date. A 3m wide band of black-stained sand. Similar deposits were noted at three other points and seemed to form a sinuous ditch-like feature, possibly a palaeochannel. An undated ditch-like feature and shallow saucer shaped cut, and a near-vertical-sided and flat-bottomed cut containing medieval and post medieval glass.

<1> Hayward S., 2002, Castle Farm Barns, Fotheringhay, Motte And Bailey Castle Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, Archaeological evaluation, 2002, p.2-3 (checked) (Report). SNN101674.

<1> Hayward S., 2002, Castle Farm Barns, Fotheringhay, Motte And Bailey Castle Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, Archaeological evaluation, 2002, p.2-3 (checked) (Report). SNN101674.

<1> IVENS R.J., 2007, Report on An Archaeological Watching Brief at Castle Farm, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, 2007, p.12 (checked) (Report). SNN106007.

<1> IVENS R.J., 2007, Report on An Archaeological Watching Brief at Castle Farm, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, 2007, p.23 (checked) (Report). SNN106007.

<1> IVENS R.J., 2007, Report on An Archaeological Watching Brief at Castle Farm, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, 2007, pp.14-21 (checked) (Report). SNN106007.

<2> CBA South Midlands Group, 2003, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, 33/49 (checked) (Journal). SNN103380.

<2> CBA South Midlands Group, 2003, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, 33/49 (checked) (Journal). SNN103380.

Record last edited

May 3 2022 3:46PM