Historic Properties
4.16.2 Midlands
West Midlands
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The principal archaeological work in the Region in 1997-98 continued to be the evaluation of William Nesfield's great garden at Witley Court. Documentary work was undertaken to underpin the results of the first season of excavation, and a major evaluation was carried out on the site of a detached service block demolished in the 1820s and now buried below the north parterre. Further work at Witley Court, related to the conservation of the ruins, was the analytical survey of the east range at basement level, which determined for the first time the original plan of the early seventeenth-century house, and the recording of the great staircase at the west end of the hall.
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Analytical recording continued at Kenilworth Castle, where the seventeenth-century additions to Leicester's gatehouse were further examined. This work identified substantial elements of the interiors of Leicester's ruinous chamber block, reused in a post-Civil War context, including a major timber stair, panelling, and a painted overmantel of the 1570s. The excavation of Leicester's Stables, the great garden, and several minor works were published.
Work continued on the consolidation of the analytical survey of Goodrich Castle, with its publication planned for 2000. A design brief for the publication of analytical recording at Clun Castle was also prepared.
The late twelfth-century lavabo at Wenlock Priory, the greater part of which is still in store, was fully recorded for the first time, identifying two separate phases of construction in advance of a German symposium on water management in the Middle Ages, and enabling the development of proposals to display this important structure.
East Midlands
The ha-ha wall around the close garden at Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Derbyshire, was recorded in the course of repair, and earlier garden features excavated. At Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire, a reassessment of the documentation for the seventeenth-century building campaigns was begun and a review of past archaeological work made to inform proposals for a major redevelopment of the site's presentation.
At Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire, archaeological recording in the course of the fitting out of the south wing of the seventeenth-century house revealed further details of the west range of the Cistercian monastery and located a detached latrine block to its south. Improvements to the landscaping to the east of the house revealed the presence of a lay-brothers' lane, a rare feature in England.
Eastern Region
At Landguard Fort, Suffolk, the recording of the citadel was completed in advance of major repairs to the fabric.
At Thetford Priory, Norfolk, further analytical survey was carried out on two timber-framed buildings outside the guardianship area, and they were identified as service buildings of the priory, unique survivors in Britain.
At Audley End House, Essex, the report on the excavations of Walden Abbey was completed. and a start begun on the post-excavation analysis of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century gardens.
At Hill Hall, Essex, a post-excavation and recording review was begun in advance of the preparation of a final report on the major excavation and analysis of this important sixteenth-century house.