Blog: Shrewsbury Castle dig diary: Day 9 – 26 July 2022

The Plan for day 9 was to continue with the Profile Plan of trench 4, showing the change in gradient within the inner bailey of the castle, in addition to completing a 1:20 scale section drawing for Trench 4. With the help of Dr Capper and other student volunteers both these goals were achieved by the end of the day. Although this was not without difficulties, as Dr Capper, Terri Ziola and myself found out as we needed to go through the flower beds in order to take the required measurements.

Beatrice using the Dumpy Level to take measurements with the help of Terri. Picture by Dr Morn Capper

This part of the operation was postponed until the afternoon, as the castle had important visitors for the Britain in Bloom competition. As the mayor was on site for the competition, we were very pleased when she popped over to see what we were up to and what we had discovered during the excavation, taking a tour of the curtain wall.

Bottomed out in Trench 3, a post hole and pit on top of the motte. Picture provided by Dr Morn Capper

On top of the motte, the race was on to ensure that all trenches were completely bottomed and that the overall plan of the trenches was started. The team on top of the motte did an amazing job at completing these goals, just in time for final recording to be completed tomorrow. Even at this stage of the excavation amazing finds were being discovered and processed in the finds tent on the green.

Lucy and Terry with Medieval green glazed pottery that dates some of the features. Picture by Dr Morn Capper

Following media coverage there was a lovely turn out from the public to see what it is we are investigating and to see the finds we have uncovered. Talking to the public about what it is we are doing is so important: some individuals remarked that they have never been to the top of the motte before to see Laura’s Tower, and they have lived in Shrewsbury their whole lives. Thanks to hearing about the Shrewsbury Castle Dig, they decided to brave the trip and confided that they certainly were not disappointed!

By Beatrice Harmer, University of Chester student volunteer, on behalf of all volunteers at the Shrewsbury Castle Dig.