EWX1468 - Excavations in the West Curtain Wall and Outer Bailey of Corfe Castle 1989-1994

Between 1989 and 1994 excavations were carried out in the west curtain wall and outer bailey of Corfe Castle as part of a programme of works to consolidate the castle and enhance the presentation of the monument. A length of curtain wall between the 3rd and 4th towers on the west side of the outer bailey was cleared of vegetation and demolition rubble during 1989. In the 3rd tower an 18th-19th century floor of pitched limestone was uncovered. A small 1.5m x 1.5m area was excavated through this floor to reveal further post medieval floors sitting above civil war deposits and a flagstone floor. In the 4th tower a series of mortar surfaces had been laid and subsequently badly damaged during the demolition of the castle. [1] Work continued at Corfe Castle during April and May 1990 within the 3rd and 4th towers of the outer bailey. The floor of the 3rd tower was reduced to the level of the 17th century flagstone floor, revealing early 13th century archer steps. Evidence for 13th-17th century partition walls and wooden screens were also found. A 9m length of curtain wall was cleared of demolition rubble to the south of the 3rd tower. The ground surface between the fourth tower and the bridge across the great ditch was lowered to the 17th century level to reveal a surface of limestone and mortar fragments. [2] During 1991 in the 4th tower and great ditch, part of the ditch filling was removed to the 17th century level revealing the medieval curtain wall which once linked the 4th tower to the SW gatehouse. The ground level on the north side of the tower was reduced by 0.4m to the level of the mortar floor uncovered in 1989. Two lines of post-holes cut this floor layer, parallel with and set back from the curtain wall at 2m intervals, suggesting the outline of a wooden building postdating the moratar floor. The great ditch cuts the northernmost of the post holes and the threshold stones to the 4th tower. [3] The excavations in May 1992 concentrated on resolving levels between the 4th tower excavations of 1991 and the great ditch in the outer bailey. A small 1m x 1m trench between the north tower, great ditch and curtain wall revealed that the latter had been almost halved in width between the 4th tower and the SW gate. [4] The pathway from the SW gatehouse to the outer gatehouse was excavated down to the 1640's level and a new pitched limestone path was laid. The passage between the two towers of the SW gate was excavated down to the civil war level. The bridge, though to be medieval, across the great ditch was cleaned an drawn. In November the guard chambers and gateway of the outer gatehouse (c. 1280) were uncovered. [5] During 1994 onsolidation work took place on the collapsed section of the curtain wall immediately south of the outer bailey 2nd tower. In November the outer bridge was excavated to the civil war level in preparation for resurfacing with a pitched limestone path. The 1646 sappers trenches were also revealed in plan around the outer gatehouse. [6] During 1996, as part of a programme of consolidation work, vegetation was stripped from the curtain wall in the outer bailey on the north side of the 2nd tower, revealing two different types of martar and suggesting two phases of wall. [7] Finds/archive held at National Trusts Castle View Office, Corfe Castle. National Trust Project Reference Nos.: 1087-1091