Monument record 1160/1/48 - Saxo-Norman Occupation of Castle Site, west of Chalk Lane

Excavations by J Alexander between 1961 and 1964 identified extensive pre-castle occupation, including evidence of a possible motte, although this interpretation has been disputed. The sequence of late Saxon activity was broadly contemporary with the 1970s excavations to the south.

{1} Pre-castle settlement found under castle bank & debris from it within tips of bank; pottery points to Saxo-Norman date of occupation; line of postholes dug into metalled surface appear to form west wall of hut with traces of clay layer suggesting floor level; also much daub noted. Pits dug into sandstone of which eight excavated; some inter-cutting; quantities of sherds & animal bone recovered from fills; also unlined well 4ft 6in diameter in use for prolonged period but destroyed prior to building castle bank. Earliest structure on site was small ditched oval motte; ditch 16ft wide & 6ft deep; upcast from ditch piled inside & covered with clay to form motte; probably original castle of Simon de Senlis & sealed by more extensive fortifications of royal castle circa AD 1100; Original ground surface yielding Saxo-Norman pottery; 5 shallow postholes & 8 pits & six hearths belong to this phase; hearths varied from shallow depressions full of wood ash & charcoal to extremely well laid stone hearths coated with clay & smoothed over; pits also varied from shallow depressions to large & deep straight sided pits; all contained bone & pottery & lenses of ash & were probably rubbish pits.

{2} J. Alexander for the Ministry of Works investigated the defences of the inner bailey and the small remaining part of its interior. Beneath the 12th-century rampart undisturbed strata from late Saxon or Danish times were found, including seven large pits with much pottery and food debris, a well, part of a hut and a cobbled yard or road.

{3} In 1963 J. Alexander continued excavating in the NE. corner of the inner bailey. In the period prior to 1100, the earliest structure was a small ditched motte. The oval ditch was c. 16 ft. wide and 6 ft. deep, the spoil being piled inside and covered with clay to form the motte. Remains of timber buildings, yards, a garderobe and possibly a well were found near by. All were sealed by the bailey bank and wall of a much larger fortification built c. 1100 when Northampton became a royal castle. This motte, therefore, was probably that of Simon de Senlis (c. 1084).

{5} A ditch running E.-W. and partly sealed by layers of the extreme inner edge of the bailey bank was interpreted by the excavator as evidence of a motte predating the main castle. This ditch, of shallow U-profile, was approximately 7 m. wide and 2 m. to 2.5 m. deep. Pottery from the infill suggests that it was levelled probably no earlier than the mid 12th century.

{6}No indication that ditch revealed by Alexander encircled a motte although may be related to early defensive work.

{7} Summarises the excavation results from the pre-castle period. Initial late Saxon activity comprised a number of shallow pits and postholes partly sealed by a probable yard surface. Subsequent deposits appear to relate to industrial activity, probably metalworking also seen in the later 1970s excavations to the south. A layer containing much charcoal, produced half a crucible and 'bronze dross'. Above this a layer with a heavily burnt surface was interpreted as a hearth complex with possible contemporary pits. Subsequently a possible road, some 5m wide and aligned east to west, was laid down. There were pits to the north and south including a well pit which was probed to a depth of over 6m. A later phase comprised extensive burning across the site possibly from clearing the site just prior to the construction of the castle defences. The phases identified here are braodly comparable to those identified just to the south in the 1970s.

<1> Alexander J., 1961-1964, Northampton Castle excavations 1961-1964, 1964 excavation, p. 2 (Unpublished Report). SNN3868.

<2> 1963, Medieval Britain in 1962, p. 322-323 (Notes). SNN3807.

<3> 1964, Medieval Britain in 1963, p.257 (checked) (Notes). SNN3816.

<4> Wilson D.M.; Gillian Hurst D., 1965, Medieval Britain in 1964, p.191 (checked) (Notes). SNN3819.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.334 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<6> Chapman A., Northampton Castle: A Review of The Evidence, (checked) (Unpublished Report). SNN2966.

<7> Chapman, A, 2021, Northampton Castle Part 1: Introduction, pre-castle archaeology, and the history and topography of the castle, p. 155-9 (Article). SNN112914.

Record last edited

Mar 26 2025 3:26PM