Interim report on the fifth season of the Bradgate Park Fieldschool (Jen Browning, James Harvey;

Richard Thomas; Jon Coward, Jenni McNulty)

The fifth and final Season of the Bradgate Fieldschool took place from the end of May to early July,

with excavations focusing primarily on Bradgate House, supplemented by an investigation of the

reputed village to the east of the House. The weather wasn’t kind to us and the rain and muddy

conditions hampered our progress; however the season came together at the end and we believe we

have an interesting story to tell!

Despite a smaller student cohort, teaching and outreach were as busy as ever. The 1st years and

distance learning students participated in the excavations, along with volunteers and a few 2nd years.

We were helped by School staff, including Dave, Mark, Jeremy and Jo, to whom we are very grateful,

while technicians Dani and Sarah provided sterling support. Jenni led the Finds team, training students

in processing and talking to the public. The Outreach team helmed by Ffion provided tours to 229

school pupils, aged 8 to 13, one of whom reported that it was the ‘best day ever!’ (!). Throughout the

season tours were provided to groups, including Leicestershire Fieldworkers, Derbyshire

Archaeological Society, several local societies and representatives from Historic England. Jodi

organized poetry workshops and there was also a CPD Prehistory event for local teachers. The site was

filmed for the television series ‘Digging for Britain’, with participation coordinated by Sian and Richard

T. On the 30th June, a public Open Day took place, complete with site tours and finds displays, re-

enactors and living history, which was well-attended and appeared to be enjoyed by several hundred

visitors- despite the scorching heat. A number of ULAS staff took part, including Andy Hyam and Will

Johnson, in addition to the usual Bradgate suspects. The team also provided a session for c.20 YACs,

coordinated by Mathew.

It seems timely to express our particular gratitude to Pete Liddle, who has brought his enthusiasm and

expertise to the project throughout the five seasons.

Summary

Our excavations suggest that the history of Bradgate House is much more complex than previously

thought. The cumulative evidence, acquired over several seasons of work, points to the fact that the

Bradgate ruins were not the first buildings to occupy the site. There was previously an extensive

building complex made of brick and stone, which had undergone several modifications before its

demolition during the second half of the 16th century. Although we have yet to establish the

construction date, we do not think it extends far back into the medieval period and it may be the

house begun by Thomas Grey. Current evidence suggests that the structure we know as Bradgate

House was most likely dates to around the turn of the 17th century, probably during the tenure of

Henry Grey, whose monument lies in the chapel. This has a significant impact on the story of

Bradgate and its associations with Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen for nine days in 1553. It is very

likely that the buildings that she knew as a child lie buried beneath the current ruins. Post–

excavation work will seek to check and test this hypothesis.

Plan showing 2019 trenches

Excavations within the Courtyard

Trench 5 (Eastern Extension)

This season we focussed our attention on the stone and (later) brick structures positioned against

the eastern side of the rectangular stone building, which was excavated within the courtyard area

during 2015 and 2017.

Internal Flooring

A sequence of floor layers recorded inside the stone building included a gravel surface, two

fragmentary mortar surfaces and two thicker clay layers. A number of fragments from a Tudor green

glaze jug were recovered from the lower surface but unfortunately the other layers were relatively

clean. A fragment of late Roman pottery was recovered from beneath the lowest floor levels.

The face of the internal wall was rendered, although no evidence of paint was recorded. The depth

of the deposits suggests the floor level had become raised by 0.3m during the lifespan of the

building. A similar sequence of deposits was observed below the later flagstone floor recorded

during 2017.

Garderobe

We investigated a rectangular stone structure which butted against the eastern side of the stone

building. This had been sealed by a layer of granite and clay during a later phase. The remains of the

upstanding structure measured 2.1m long and 0.9m wide, although there was evidence that it had

originally extended east (below the later brick structures).

The stone-lined structure was the same depth as the eastern wall of the stone building. Removal of

the loose rubble backfill revealed a large outlet drain at the base, running east and probably

providing access for cleaning. The natural clay was exposed at the base of the feature, with no

evidence of any flooring. The most plausible interpretation is that it represents the base of a

garderobe, which, along with an adjacent chimney base excavated in 2017, indicate that there was a

private chamber on the first floor of the building.

Probable garderobe, with outlet to the rear

Staircase Turret?

Another stone structure was revealed butting up to the southern end of the east wall. It was sealed

by a sequence of surfaces, showing that it too had fallen out of use within the lifespan of the

building. Although the structure was not fully exposed, it probably measured c. 2m long and 1.3m

wide, with the projected southern extent likely to join flush to the south-east corner of the building.

The feature was formed from a wall with a straight external side but curved on the inside. It was

filled with compact clay that was quite different to the loose infill of the garderobe, suggesting it

actually formed part of its construction, rather than its demolition. Its position on the corner of the

building and its curved form could indicate that it represents the base of a staircase turret. However,

any other possible interpretations would be most welcome!

Possible staircase turret, located on the south-eastern corner of the building

Later Structures

East of the stone building, there were the remains of a brick room on the same alignment. A

number of its structural elements were linked, suggesting it was in use during the later phase of the

stone building. The visible element of the structure measured approximately 5m square, although it

was truncated by the chapel and adjoining staircase to the east.

The northern side of the building was formed by an earlier brick boundary wall, against which the

western wall butted. It had been constructed on top of a substantial and smoothly constructed stone

foundation that may relate to an earlier building phase. This foundation joined the eastern side of

the stone building. Only the foundations of the southern wall survived, consisting of large rough un-

bonded stones, quite different to the well-built stone foundation located below the brick

superstructure on the western wall.

The western side of the building contained a central brick fireplace. The external wall of the chimney

ran parallel to the wall of the earlier stone chimney. The hearth measured 1.6m long and 0.8m wide

and would presumably have contained an open grate wood fire. The bricks within the hearth were

blackened and cracked through extensive use. The front of the hearth was faced with a single line of

stones, two of which had linear scoring, as though mimicking ashlar masonry; these were probably

re-used. There was a flue base at each end of the hearth that would have originally channelled hot

air onto the floors of two bread ovens within the wall, suggesting that the room may have been a

kitchen.

View of central hearth (also note the later posthole truncations and the earlier garderobe structure)

The deposits within internal area of the building consisted of series of spreads and demolition layers

that probably post-date the demolition of the building. Unfortunately, no evidence of any flooring

associated with the room remained. The upper-most layer was later than the construction of the

chapel, whereas the lower deposits were truncated by its foundations. The lower deposits had

partially slumped into the top of a large, circular pit, located adjacent to the fireplace. The pit had

been backfilled with a thick layer of redeposited clay capping a much richer primary deposit which

contained large quantities of oyster shell, animal bone and arguably the most significant assemblage

of pottery ever excavated within Bradgate House.

Large circular pit located below spreads within the later brick building

Finds from the Pit (including almost complete Cistercian ware jug)

16th century Anglo-Netherlandish Tin Glazed Earthenware

Trench 23 (Western Extension of Trench 5)

Trench 23 was positioned against the north-west corner of the 2017 (Trench 5) excavation area, to

investigate the probable continuation of the northern wall of the courtyard building.

Courtyard Features

Removal of the topsoil revealed a substantial open drain at the eastern end of the trench,

constructed out of slate, granite and cobbles, with a central brick channel. It was part of the latest

courtyard, associated with the final occupation of the House during the middle of the 18th century.

An in-situ stone pedestal at the same level presumably formed the base of an ornamental structure,

such as a sundial. The base was constructed of re-used stone, scored with horizontal and vertical

lines, similar to that seen within the Trench 5 fireplace.

Stone pedestal base with horizontal and vertical lines

Upper deposits of Trench 23, with large open drain in the foreground and cobble path in the background

The edge of a cobble path was exposed at the west end of the trench which continued from the

current gated entrance into the ruins. A similar path was recorded in Trench 5, leading around the

back of the chapel and also connected to the entrance. These were likely to have been constructed

as a part of the conversion of Bradgate House into a ‘romantic ruin’ during the 19th or early 20th

century.

The rubble overlying the earlier structures in this trench contained a rich array of artefacts. These

included a candle holder, a complete inlaid floor tile and a beautiful pilgrim’s badge, dating between

1300 and 1550. It depicts the temptation of Adam and Eve, with a tree bearing apples between them

and the serpent twined around the trunk of the tree.

Late medieval/ Early post medieval finds from demolition layers above earlier stone structures (left: lead alloy pilgrim badge, right: copper alloy candle holder)

15th century floor tile, part of a 16-tile design

Unusual thumb-pinched serpentine ridge tile of the 16th century

Continuation of the stone building

The north wall of the stone building was found to continue beneath the demolition rubble, running

the length of the trench. Significantly, a section of wall was seen projecting north and thereby

suggesting that are further unexplored rooms between the trench and the great hall. A raised area

of stonework was recorded at the junction between the two walls that may have formed a buttress.

Excavation on the southern side of the north wall failed to identify any clear evidence of floor

surfaces. The height difference between the intact floor levels in Trench 5 and the much lower

undisturbed levels within Trench 23 suggests that these layers had been removed, or perhaps more

likely, this area of the building was demolished before the eastern part. The fact that the wall was

not rendered, perhaps also suggests that this part of the building served a different function from

the eastern area.

View looking west showing continuation of north wall and associated drain that curves around a wall heading northwards

Combined photogrammetry of courtyard trenches

Parlour and Guest Lodging

The parlour and guest lodging are located in the east wing, behind the Great Hall and are thought to

be part of the private quarters of the family and their guests.

In 2017, a Trench 14 was excavated over some parch marks in the parlour to reveal the hitherto

unknown gable end of a building lining up with an extant range extending northwards (the guest

lodgings). This clearly represents a phase of building pre-dating the construction of the parlour.

Although the structure is not on the same alignment as the courtyard buildings, similar stone

foundations suggest it may be part of the same complex. Towards the end of the 2017 excavations a

brick plinth was uncovered, resting on stone foundations and bordering an area of loose rubble to the

west. A stone footing running from the south-western side of the building appears to line up with the

chapel. It was these two features that were investigated during the 2019 season.

The most recent archaeology seen in the trench was an east-west brick partition wall, associated with

the parlour. This was located at the back of the Great Hall, behind the dais. It was constructed from a

variety of re-used materials, such as brick and slates and had no significant foundations. The wall was

built on top of a compacted layer of red clay, which sealed layers of loosely-packed rubble, containing

bricks, granite fragments, mortar and wall plaster, probably resulting from the demolition of the

earlier buildings. The rubble was relatively shallow on the south side but deeper on the north side of

the trench, separated by a demolished wall, running east-west. South of the wall, there was a

compacted layer but no remaining floors. The deeper rubble backfilled a cellar or sunken room on the

north side of the wall.

The stone walls represent several phases of activity, indicating that the earlier building underwent

more than one modification during its lifespan. The sunken room appeared to be later than the room

to the south but was itself later altered by the addition of a brick and stone plinth, probably for a

fireplace in an upper room and its associated chimney. At the bottom of the sunken room, two floors

were uncovered. A later floor was made of tessellated bricks and appeared to be associated with the

chimney base; an earlier flagstone floor was probably contemporary with the creation of the sunken

room. The demolition and rapid backfilling indicates that the complex was eventually replaced. The

stone foundations of the parlour walls were clearly cut through the wall of the chimney base.

There was a dearth of occupation deposits associated with the occupation of the stone building.

However, a layer directly overlying the flagstone floor containing vessel glass, small bones and

sixteenth century pottery was the most promising deposit and may contain some environmental

remains.

Trench 14, looking south. Sunken room and chimney base in the foreground

The North End of the Guest Lodging

The southern end of the guest lodging, where it joined the parlour, was excavated during the 2014

season. The level change between the demolished and the extant part of the structure, presents a

puzzle. An area of quarry tiles close to the entrance to the parlour and a fireplace with a tiled hearth,

suggest original level of the floor in that part of the room, although the floor did not continue further

north. The un-mortared foundations of an east-west aligned wall were present below the junction

between the tiles and the stone surface.

In 2019 three trenches were excavated within the building. The first, Trench 24, looked at the interior

and exterior of the north end of the building. Trench 26 examined the threshold halfway down the

range and Trench 27 was excavated over the central fireplace on the eastern wall. A flagstone floor

covered an area of c.4.5m in the northwest corner of Trench 24. A square of brick, possibly a pillar

base, was associated with lines of mortar and suggests an internal partition. The remainder of the

trench was covered by a cobbled floor, which ran up to the western doorway. An investigation of the

exterior wall and the garden wall heading north suggested that the relationship between the two was

not straightforward. The garden wall, which we had assumed to be later, appeared to actually

underpin the guest lodging wall.

Photogrammetry of the north end of the guest lodging showing floors

A short length of wall or, more possibly, a step, was found within in Trench 26. It was constructed from

re-used brick and stone, including a moulded fragment and, may be a means to accommodate the

natural upwards slope of the ground within the building. As expected, Trench 27 contained the

remains of a hearth, which appeared to have been reduced in size at some point. At least two different

sizes of brick were employed in its construction and the hearth back had a characteristic herringbone

arrangement. During post-excavation analysis the stratigraphic and material evidence from all the

guest lodging interventions will be carefully considered to try to elucidate the chronology of the

structure.

The wall or step in Trench 26

The fireplace in Trench 27

East of the ruins

An L-shaped trench, (3m wide and 42m long in total), was excavated within the ‘village’ area, east of

the ruins. It targeted anomalies observed from LIDAR and geophysical survey. The trench was

shallow and only two features were confirmed. One ditch was orientated northwest-southeast, was

1.2m wide and 0.64m deep. The ditch produced two prehistoric flints, which could help date it or

may be residual. A second, less defined feature c.3.0 wide, and orientated NE-SW. Both features had

very leached fills.

The trench suggests that, despite the presence of earthworks and the appearance of possible ‘house

platforms’, this was unlikely to be the site of Bradgate village or, a temporary village for the builders

of Bradgate House.

A ditch in the area east of the House.