SNN117050 - Kirby Hall, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 3EN: Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication (Watching Brief)

In May 2023 English Heritage commissioned Churchill Archaeology to undertake an Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication during the redevelopment of a toilet block at Kirby Hall, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 3EN (NGR: SP 92578 92783). Kirby Hall is an Elizabethan country house built in 1570-75 for Sir Humphrey Stafford, but following his death shortly after it was bought by Sir Christopher Hatton, later Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth. Both he and his successors made elaborate alterations to the house and gardens until it was abandoned in 1706 and fell into disrepair. Despite attempts to reoccupy the house it passed into state guardianship in 1930 and is now maintained by English Heritage. It includes one Grade I and nine Grade II listed buildings, and is designated a Scheduled Monument (SAM Ref: 1014421) and a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden (RPG Ref: 1000116). It also incorporates the earthwork and buried remains of the village of Kirby, a small medieval settlement established before the late 11th century and depopulated during the 16th century. This document follows the first phase of archaeological work, the Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication, as requested by North Northamptonshire Council, English Heritage and Historic England. It adheres to a Written Scheme of Investigation (Churchill Archaeology, Ref: CA064.01) and answers item 4 of the Grant of Planning Permission (North Northamptonshire Council Application Ref: NC/23/00015/DPA). It includes the aims and objectives of the investigation, the methodology used, a detailed and illustrative report of the results and an interpretation of any archaeological remains. It follows the current best practice and guidance provided by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and the overall intent accords with the spirit of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), 2012. Scheduled Monument Consent had been granted and both English Heritage and Historic England were monitoring the project. The Archaeological Observation, Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication was undertaken by Kate Churchill (MCIfA) of Churchill Archaeology who successfully monitored the excavation of a single trench to the east of the c. 1590 forecourt. It took place on the 4th and 5th September 2023 in dry, bright conditions. During the excavation, a sandstone layer was encountered below the topsoil that was thought to be a made-ground deposit. No further archaeological deposits, features, structures or artefacts of significance were encountered. The author would like to thank Samatha Catlin, Fae Clark, Kate North and Beryl Spearman of English Heritage for commissioning the project and for their support and assistance. Thank you also to Historic England, Northamptonshire Archives and Heritage Service, Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre and North Northamptonshire Council, in particular Ben Donnelly-Symes and Charlotte Walker for their help and advice and for monitoring the project. Lastly, thank you to Simon Chapman from RPS Consulting, Tom Bosence from Bosence Associates and Fred Markland from Messenger Construction Ltd and his team for their assistance and cooperation.