Medieval Ceramics Volume 16: Journal of the Medieval Pottery Research Group

This paper outlines the range of ceramic finds, and their specific attributes, which provide evidence for the metallurgical processes that were carried out in medieval Britain. These are mainly crucibles and moulds associated with the working of copper alloys, gold and silver; evidence for lead, tin and pewter working is much rarer, while the only ceramics associated with iron-working are vitrified clay hearth linings. A typology of Late Saxon and medieval crucibles is presented, together with details of related forms such as cupels for the refining of precious metals, parting vessels and distillation vessels, and the technology of moulds. The potential of these finds for scientific analyses and further research is also summarised.

Fast Castle is situated on the coast 17 km (12 miles) east of Dunbar. During the late 15th and early 16th centuries the castle was used as the principal residence of Sir Patrick Home, the 4th son of Sir Alexander Home who headed a family of great power and prestige, for whom a Lordship was created in 1473. The castle was sufficiently important for Margaret Tudor to stay there in 1503, on her way north for her marriage to James IV. The excavation of a large pit, or quarry, in the courtyard of the Castle yielded a significant group of imported pottery and a range of locally produced wares. The wide range of 15th- and 16th-century imported pottery is very unusual in a Scottish context; with the independent dating evidence deriving from coins and documents, this is an exceptional assemblage for this area. This report deals primarily with the imports from the castle: vessels from Germany, the Low Countries, France, Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. The detailed examination of the local wares will form the basis of a future report

Publication review

Publication review

Publication review

Publication review

Statement Of Account For The Medieval Pottery Research Group for The Year Ending 31 January 1992

Regional Group Reports 1992-93

Preliminaries (i.e. coverpage, contents) of Medieval Ceramics 1992