| Abstract: |
The emphasis of this report has been placed on the Gun Tower (Old Castle) where the majority of the works were carried out. Extensive scaffolding provided a rare opportunity to examine the fabric at close quarters, and the repointing work allowed for the sampling of mortars. It was hoped that this would throw some light on the complex history of the castle. The base of the Round Tower may represent the remains of a 14th-century fortalice tower or gun platform, built as it is of a hard limestone not seen elsewhere during these investigations. However, above this there is clear evidence that the Round Tower abuts the Square Tower, and the major part of its construction is therefore later. Details of the garderobe chamber support this proposition and, additionally, the basement floor plan seems to show a cut into the bedrock where the original north wall of the Square Tower would have been located (Pl. 7). It is therefore envisaged that the Square Tower, almost certainly begun by 1481 (O'Neil 1935, 137), stood complete and independently for a short period at least, with a north wall intact, and the base of the fortalice at its heels. The differences in the design and materials used in the parapets of the two towers suggest at least a minimal amount of time between their constructions. The English Heritage castle guidebook (Saunders 1983, 23) mentions documentary references to timber purchases for the roof beams of both towers between 1493-5, but this does not indicate their exact time of installation. Moreover, the dendrochronological analysis undertaken as part of this project was only able to confirm that the timber at the boundary of the two towers, with a felling date of between 1472 and 1508, was installed during the main construction period (if this is taken to be between 1481 and 1495). It is not certain when the dividing wall between the two phases of towers was removed. Plans of the castle from 1740 and 1751 (O'Neil 1935, Pls XXXIII and XXXV) appear to show no dividing wall at that time, at least on the ground floor. However, a painting by Paul Sandby shows the two towers with the dividing wall still intact at roof level (Pl. 8). Although undated, the painting is likely to have been completed in the latter half of the 18th century when the artist was embarking on an increasing number of travels around the country. Since Sandby (1725-1809) had trained as a military draughtsman and had worked for the Ordnance Survey, it is likely that this was an accurate depiction. A later 18th-century date would also accord with alterations that occurred under the governorship of Arthur Holdsworth in 1773 commemorated on a lead plaque), which may have involved the complete removal of what remained of the dividing wall, the defensive role of the Gun Tower having been diminished. Although not conclusive, the results of the mortar samples do provide clues as to the phasing of the existing fabric, and it is thought that further close study of the masonry will provide further clarification. Apart from the more obvious recessed alterations, there are obvious examples of different phases of building associated with the use of different materials, such as red sandstone, limestone and brick. Other less obvious sites of 'disturbance' are associated with the use of slate of slightly varying hue and hardness. These are not always clearly defined and separable from the effects of weathering, but the strongest candidates on the castle walls have been included on the amended Office of Works drawings. [Au(adp)] |
