Post-Medieval Archaeology 44 (2)

An analysis of the material and social implications of the change of dining style from à  la Française to à  la Russe seen through the perspective of a documented individual, the Countess of Harewood, Diana Elizabeth Smyth, who is making preparations for a formal dinner at Harewood, West Yorkshire. Combining documentary evidence with the surviving material culture, imagined monologues are presented as they might have been delivered by the Countess in 1871, followed by explanatory commentary. The counterpoint texts create a dialogue which allows us to explain, analyse and consider the attitudes, behaviours and meanings of the dining choices made in the past, and how we create our understanding in the present.

Extensive excavations at Henllys Farm revealed the remains of a 16th-century house that was continuously occupied until its demolition in the 19th century. For the second half of the building's life it was the centre of a tenant farm, and the Harries family rented this for several generations. Using the archaeological evidence together with surviving documents, the traditional archaeological narrative is extended by considering the biographies of the research project, the house and William and Martha Harries. The voice of the archaeologist in the present is contrasted with invented responses from past inhabitants to highlight potential differences in perception and meaning, and emphasize lived experience over impersonal structures revealed through excavation.

Briefly describes the preliminary results of excavation at the site. PP-B

Indexed round-up of fieldwork. PP-B