Trans Woolhope Natur Fld Club 40

Ledbury, one of the five boroughs founded by the Bishop of Hereford, is surveyed using documents and topographical evidence to make estimates of the original burgage plot sizes and population.

SO 503222. A 13th century land surface containing occupation material was found below the present mound and part of the original ditch system was revealed. A possibly contemporary first-floor hall had an undercroft workshop and a garderobe tower. A stone (half-timbered?) wing was added on a raised mound. A half-century of occupation followed before abandonment and partial demolition. Later another building on the mound was in use during 15th century, and rubbish was thrown in the hall undercroft. At this time a curtain wall was erected round the moat, possibly with a moat outside. A large quantity of domestic objects included pottery of 13th-15th centuries (with Ham Green wares represented), ridge tiles, agricultural tools, arrowheads, spurs, hat-badge mould and medieval coins. Of special interest were a shield boss and balance beam. Au(adp)

[SO 5040]. Observation of building sites on the Saxon north defences allowed the line of the ditch to be partially established and organic material to be sampled. Small shops and yards are evident on West Street where pits of waste material were seen. Finds include pottery (11th century to post-medieval), leather shoes and clay pipes. Soils, wood and seeds are discussed and two tripod pitchers retrieved in earlier building works are also published. A brief account of 1971 work in Hereford is given on pp 280-81 of the same volume.