Record Details

Summary

The scheduled bailey to Stafford Castle, within which the remains of buildings and possible traces of industrial activity have been identified during excavations.

Monument Type(s):

• BAILEY (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1485 AD)

Associated Events:

• EST1731 - An archaeological watching brief at Stafford Castle, June 2006. (NRHE Name - Stafford Castle, Stafford Festival Shakespeare 2006)
• EST1159 - An archaeological desk-based assessment of the M6 corridor in Staffordshire. (Ref: Report 2)
• EST1305 - Archaeological recording (watching brief)at Stafford Castle, Stafford, October 2010. (NRHE Name - Stafford Castle)
• EST647 - Survey, excavation and research at Stafford Castle from 1978 -1998. (NRHE Name - Stafford Castle)
• EST403 - Site visits to a number of scheduled monuments in Stafford Borough by a Field Monument Warden (1982).
• EST1174 - An archaeological assessment of one of six areas on the outskirts of Stafford town Centre: Burleyfields
• EST1590 - An archaeological research project on Stafford Castle.
• EST180 - An archaeological excavation at Stafford Castle (in 1982).
• EST1735 - An archaeological watching brief at Stafford Castle, September 2005. (NRHE Name - Stafford Castle)
• EST3484 - Geophysical surveys at Stafford Castle, 1996-1997. (NRHE Name - Stafford Castle) (Ref: Report No. 96/42 and Report No. 97/23)
• EST3500 - Geophysical survey at Stafford Castle, Stafford, 1990. (NRHE Name - Stafford Castle)
• EST3521 - An earthwork and standing building survey of Stafford Castle and its environs, 1996-1997. (NRHE Name - RCHME: Stafford Castle Survey)
• EST3986 - A conservation management plan and survey of Stafford Castle, 2019-2021. (Ref: edp0413_r034a)

Protected Status:

• Scheduled Monument 1007722: Stafford Castle and Associated Medieval Settlement

Full description

Bailey: The bailey to Stafford Castle. Buildings have been found within the bailey area. <1>

The buildings within the bailey are said to include a gatehouse, chapel and kitchen. <3>

Bone fragments and ceramic building materials were recovered during the archaeological recording of small holes excavated for the construction of temporary seating within the scheduled area of the castle. The excavation of 10 small holes (each no deeper than 0.35 metres), on the north-western edge of the inner bailey. These holes revealed a shallow turf layer overlying a mixed red-brown subsoil that appeared to be the make-up of the ramparts. In one of the holes a black charcoal layer was encountered. This charcoal burning may correspond with the destruction of the outer castle by the parliamentarians during the civil war, or may simply be a remnant of excavation debris from the earlier excavation on the site. (SB, 17-Dec-2003) <4>

Excavation on the inner bailey of the castle revealed two circular structures, 3 metres in diameter, on the crest of the clay rampart in the south-west corner. These were associated with three rectangular stone hearths and a circular oven partly of stone. Lead an iron slag from within these structures and associated burnt material may indicate industrial activity. A large funnel shaped pit may represent a well. (SB, 19-Dec-2003) <5>

During the erection of the concrete pads for the Stafford Festival of Shakespeare seating stands in June 2006, revealing, a sheep leg bone, fragments of sandstone and mortar, floor tile, pottery sherds and a deposit of charcoal. The fallen demolition rubble, charcoal and bunter cobbles may be the remains of a platform further up the slope, which have spilled downwards after the castle fell into ruins. The remains may suggest glassworking within the bailey area. (LH, 17-Aug-2007) <6>

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