DUDLEY CASTLE

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Excavations between 1983 and 1993 indicate that the castle was begun as a motte and bailey circa 1071-1100. The keep, barbican and curtain walls were added in the 13th and 14th centuries.The castle was slighted in 1647 and rebuilt in the early 17th century and destroyed by fire in 1750. It is now open to the public along with the zoo in the grounds.

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(SO 947907) Dudley Castle (NR) (1)

See illustration card for description and air photograph of castle. (2-3)

Dudley Castle is as described in the attached Official Guide. The grounds are occupied by zoological gardens and the castle, which is maintained in good order, is open to the public. Published 1:1250 survey revised. (4)

No change since report of 5 4 74. 1:1250 survey still correct. MSD revised. (5)

Castle Hill, Dudley Castle, SO 9490 NE 1/1 14.9.49.
Limestone faced with reddish sandstone. C14 oblong keep with semi-circular towers at angles. C14 barbican and curtain walls. C16 hall with remains of 8-light transomed mullions. Chapel with undercroft. Remains of minor adjuncts, kitchens etc on opposite side of upper bailey. The castle was visited by Queen Elizabeth I and was inhabited until 1750 when it was destroyed by fire. AM. (6)

Interim report on excavations carried out between 1983-5. Excavation undertaken in 3 areas:

Area 1- The Motte Top. Stone foundations, perhaps of a square keep, pre-dating stone drum tower which was built by John de Somery late in the late 13th century. These earlier foundations probably built by Fulke Paganel in the early 12th century. Foundations of drum tower and defensive passageway exposed. Destruction deposits relating to the slighting of the keep in 1647 also found.

Area 2- The area between the chapel and the Triple gate. Evidence of a timber building dating to the initial construction of the bailey 1071-1100. Stone foundation on the same alignment as main gate, which was destroyed in 1175. The position of this stone foundation suggests that this building was also of a 12th century date. This foundation cut by a larger wall. Although no artefactual evidence was recovered to date this structure, its alignment and substantial build suggest that it is part of the Sharrington rebuild of the 16th century. Civil War destruction deposits were also uncovered.

Area 3. The stables or lodgings. It appears that the 11th century motte ditch ran through this area. A foundation, possibly relating to the entrance passage to the motte (12th century) and part of the 14th century curtain wall exposed under stable wall. Curtain wall demolished during Civil War. Stables probably constructed before 1700. (7)

Summary reports on excavations noted in authy 7. (8,9)

Summary report on excavations carried out in 1986. Excavations concentrated on the motte top within and around the keep (c1300). North of the keep a complex entrance arrangement was excavated, provisionally dated to the 16th century, which had secondary use in the 17th century as an iron working industrial unit. In the NW tower of the keep two garderobe shafts were excavated plus associated drainage features. East of the keep a sequence of medieval cobble tracks, overlaid by clay and rubble dumps were revealed. Excavations were begun on the Great Chamber and Chapel complex in the SE of the bailey. (10)

Note on the restoration of the castle. (11)

Summary report of excavations undertaken during 1984-5. (12)

Anglo-Saxon pewter brooch, possibly of 10th century date found redeposited in late 13th or early 14th century levels associated with the keep. (13)

Summary report on excavations carried out in 1987. Further investigation of the motte revealed drystone revetments and platforms connected with the initial construction. The entrance complex to the N of the keep was examined further. Occupation deposits of material discarded from the motte and kitchen annexe were discovered. Pits and trenches recorded below the dias of the Great hall may relate to the first castle buildings on the site. (14)

Listed by Cathcart King. (15)

Additional reference and photograph. (16)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 1:10 000 1973

( 2) General reference

Dudley Castle 1-80 (Official Guide)

( 3) Aerial photograph

AP (JK St Joseph BQ77)

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 ASP 05-APR-74

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F2 ASP 23-JAN-76

( 6) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

DOE(HHR) Dist. of Dudley, W. Midlands, Apr 1976,5

(7) General reference

Boland, P, Cocroft, WD, Reynolds, S, Linnane, SJ and Ratkai, S, 1985. Dudley Castle Archaeological Project; An Introduction and Summary of Excavations 1983-5.

(8) Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology

SM Youngs, J Clark and T Barry 29, 1985 Page(s)203-5

(9) Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology

SM Youngs, J Clark and T Barry 30, 1986 Page(s)172

(10) Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology

SM Youngs, J Clark and T Barry 31, 1987 Page(s)166-7

(12) CBA Regional Group 8 West Midlands archaeology

P Boland 28, 1985 Page(s)23-30

(13) CBA Regional Group 8 West Midlands archaeology

P Boland and R Brownsword 28, 1985 Page(s)31

(14) Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology

SM Youngs, J Clark, DRM Gaimster and T Barry 32, 1988 Page(s)286

(15) David J Cathcart King 1983 Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume II : Norfolk-Yorkshire and the islands

2 Page(s)450

(16) David Stocker 2006 England's Landscape: The East Midlands

Page(s)129

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