Bradgate Park is first documented in 1241 (as a deer park) but is best known as the location of one of the first unfortified brick-built aristocratic houses in England (c. 1520), which was later the birth place and childhood home of Lady Jane Grey: the ‘nine days queen’. Despite this historical significance, very little is known about the changing use of this landscape despite the richness of the archaeological evidence. The aim of the Bradgate Park Fieldschool is to better understand changing human interactions within this upland landscape, provide students with training in archaeology and promote public engagement.
The third season of excavations concluded in July 2017 and included some major new discoveries: a late Mesolithic flint scatter, a Bronze Age enclosure and a revision of our understanding of Lady Jane Grey's home. In February 2018 project co-director Dr. Richard Thomas, in a talk to the Society earlier this year summarised the findings of the first three seasons of work and described the plans for future seasons.
To follow Dr Thomas’ talk we have arranged a visit to the site, primarily to view the excavations made during the 2018 season which will be nearing its end at the time of our visit.
Meet at the main car park for Bradgate Park close to the village of Newton Linford at 4.00pm when we will start to walk through the Park to the site of the mansion, which will take about 20 to 30 minutes depending on how fast we walk. We shall see the current excavations. There is no finishing time and the park is open until sunset. The Conservatory Tea Room at the car park is open until 5.00pm. Cost £3 per person. Please make out cheques to SAHS and either leave your name e mail address and cheque at the desk at the end of a meeting or send to Richard Totty Rock Cottage Redhill Rugeley WS15 4LL. Note that there is a car parking charge of £3 payable locally. The journey by car from Lichfield to Newton Linford (LE6 0AE) will take a little over on hour.
Further details from richard.totty4@gmail.com
