Examples of Mediæval Seals. Seals preserved at Wisby in Gottland

Limited excavations were undertaken between 1975 and 1982 in two areas: south of the upper ward gatehouse and in the area of the lower ward eastern entrance. The excavations revealed traces of four bridges, one of which had left clear evidence of the design of its timber piers. Archaeological evidence suggests that all four bridges date from no later than the middle years of the twelfth century. The eastern gatehouse was shown to be a comparatively insubstantial structure, in spite of a major rebuild, suggesting that the main defence in this area was concentrated forward on the great barbican. The latter awaits future investigation. Limited re-examination of the structure of the lower ward Westgate and finds from this area enabled a sequence of gatehouse development and use to be suggested. South of the upper ward gatehouse excavations uncovered two substantial pits; the southern one was a lime kiln, sealed by construction of the successive bridges to the upper ward, and probably associated with the building of the ‘country house’ in the 1070S. The second pit, on the northern side of the upper ward ditch to the south-west of the upper ward gatehouse, could not be fully excavated and its purpose is rather more enigmatic; it was most likely another lime kiln. Investigation of the original topsoil on the northern lip of the upper ward ditch has identified early occupation levels apparently preceeding construction of the country house.     

Notices of Ancient and Mediæval Labyrinths

The few diggings on a small scale which have been made during the past twenty years have sufficed, nevertheless, to establish the fact that the promontory upon which the Castle stands has had its human inhabitants, off and on, ever since mid-Palaeolithic times and that in the soil which partly clothes it, evidences of their presence lay or lie.

N. V. L. Rybot, 1950     

Mediæval Military Architecture in England

Recent survey of the late twelfth- to early thirteenth-century chancel of St Mary's church, New Shoreham (Grade I listed) has revealed traces of two consecutive medieval paint schemes on the architecture, dating from c. 1210. No previous research or publication has taken account of these remains, which indicate the original interior appearance of this large and historic parish church. Samples of the paint have been scientifically analysed, revealing the pigments used and their stratigraphic relationship across the survey area; the identification of carbon black on architectural features is particularly important. Comparison with other ecclesiastical buildings in England and on the Continent indicates that St Mary's chancel is a key example of a widespread decorative scheme of red-and-black architectural polychromy, reinforcing its significance as an exemplar of early Gothic style in medieval England.     

Notice of the Proceedings at the Monthly Meetings of the Archæological Institute

The English glass industry adopted coal as a fuel at the beginning of the seventeenth century, the consequent reduction in costs enabling sales and production to increase. From a minor forest industry, glass manufacture became an important part of the coalfield economy, with innovative furnace structures forming striking features in the eighteenth-century urban landscape. Recent archaeological investigation has shown that glass-works have left significant survivals on subsequently redeveloped sites, in the form of underground flues and furnace bases, and residues from processes.     

Rendering justice in witch trials: the case of the val de Lièpvre

The borderland of the val de Lièpvre, with lands in Alsace and in the Duchy of Lorraine, and divided by religion and language, offers a rich collection of sources for the history of witchcraft persecution. The territory sharply reveals what was undoubtedly characteristic of witchcraft trials more widely. The crime of witchcraft was considered abominable before the Christian community and God, and its prosecution justified abandoning many of the safeguards and constraints in legal procedure, whether restrictions on the use of torture, the reliance on dubious testimony or even denial of advocacy to the witches. The action of the judges was nonetheless, as they understood it, the rendering of true justice, by punishing the culprits with a harshness that would expiate their crimes before the community and preserve them from damnation in the face of God's judgment.