Aberglasney House and Gardens: Archaeology, history and architecture 9781841714097, 9781407319728

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BAR 334 2002  BLOCKLEY AND HALFPENNEY  ABERGLASNEY HOUSE AND GARDENS

Aberglasney House and Gardens Archaeology, history and architecture

Kevin Blockley Ian Halfpenney

BAR British Series 334 B A R

2002

Aberglasney House and Gardens Archaeology, history and architecture

Kevin Blockley Ian Halfpenney with contributions from

John Carrott, Edward Besly, Martin Bridge, Paul Courtney, Phil Evans, Allan Hall, Michael Ibbotson, Su Johnson, Frances Large, Daniel Miles, Nigel Nayling, Mark Redknap, William Wilkins, Darren Worthy

Illustrations by

Attila Csaba

BAR British Series 334

2002

Published in 2016 by BAR Publishing, Oxford BAR British Series 334 Aberglasney House and Gardens © Cambrian Archaeological Projects Limited and the Publisher 2002 [© for dendrochronological report and Plates 1 and 2 rests with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales] The author's moral rights under the 1988 UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act are hereby expressly asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be copied, reproduced, stored, sold, distributed, scanned, saved in any form of digital format or transmitted in any form digitally, without the written permission of the Publisher.

ISBN 9781841714097 paperback ISBN 9781407319728 e-format DOI https://doi.org/10.30861/9781841714097 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library BAR Publishing is the trading name of British Archaeological Reports (Oxford) Ltd. British Archaeological Reports was first incorporated in 1974 to publish the BAR Series, International and British. In 1992 Hadrian Books Ltd became part of the BAR group. This volume was originally published by Archaeopress in conjunction with British Archaeological Reports (Oxford) Ltd / Hadrian Books Ltd, the Series principal publisher, in 2002. This present volume is published by BAR Publishing, 2016.

BAR PUBLISHING BAR titles are available from:

E MAIL P HONE F AX

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Contents of volume List of figures, tables and plates

iii

Foreword by William Wilkins

Vl

Acknowledgements by Kevin Blackley

Vll

1

1 1

2

3

4

5

6

Introduction by Kevin Blackley Reasons for the project Historical summary of the site Previous interpretations of the site Previous work on the site The 1998-2000 campaign The recording system The archive Summary of the sequence Layout of the book

2 2

3 3

5 5 5 7

The standing structures by Kevin Blackley The house The gatehouse The parapet structures Gardener's cottage Other gardens and walls The aviaries The farm buildings

8

Excavations in the Cloister Garden by Ian Halfpenney Period 0: The underlying natural Period 1: The 16th century features below the Cloister Garden Period 2: The 1ih century Cloister Garden Period 3: The 18th century Cloister Garden Period 4: The 19th century Cloister Garden Period 5: The 20th century Cloister Garden

25 25 26

Excavations in the Gatehouse Court by Ian Halfpenney Period 0: The underlying natural Period 1: The 16th century features below the Gatehouse Court Period 2: The 17th century Gatehouse and courtyard Period 3: The 18th century Gatehouse and courtyard Period 4: The 19th century Gatehouse and courtyard

53 53 53

Watching briefs and evaluations by Kevin Blackley & Phil Evans The parapet structures The North Lawn The Upper Walled Garden The Pond Garden The Kitchen Garden Church View Wood and American Walk Wood Gardeners Cottage

64 64

Discussions by Kevin Blackley Interpretation of the 15th - 16th century features Interpretation of the 17th century Cloister Garden Interpretation of the 1J1h century Gatehouse Court The evidence from maps Suggested development of Aberglasney

8 13 14 17 17 18 18

29 36 38 41

55 59 59

65 65

66 67 67 67

69 69 69 76 78 81

7

85 85 85 86 86

The small finds Introduction by Kevin Blackley The coins by Edward Besly Objects of silver by Mark Redknap Objects of copper alloy by Mark Redknap Objects oflead by Mark Redknap Objects of lead-tin alloy by Mark Redknap Discussion of the small fmds

92

92 92

8

The pottery and tile by Paul Courtney Medieval ceramics Post-medieval ceramics Discussion of the pottery Building ceramics Discussion of the tiles

93 93 93 94 96 98

9

The glass by Paul Courtney Discussion

99 101

10

Specialist reports A note on the biological remains from the Cloister Garden by John Carrot!, Allan Hall, Frances Large & Darren Worthy Wood identifications by Su Johnson Analysis of timbers from the saw pit by Nigel N ayling The tree-ring dating of building timbers, the yew tunnel and other trees by Daniel Miles & Martin Bridge Sheep and pig skeletons from the Cloister Garden by Su Johnson Appendix 1: Pig skeleton, anatomic elements Appendix 2: Sheep skeleton, anatomic elements Appendix 3: Pig skeleton, selected measurements

102

11

The architectural finds Worked stone by Kevin Blackley Timber by Kevin Blackley

115 115 116

12

Conclusions by Kevin Blackley

117

13

Abbreviations & bibliography

118

11

103 103 104 110 112 113 114

List of figures, tables and plates Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46.

Location plan of Aberglasney General plan showing principal features at Aberglasney Location plan of excavation trenches Phase plan of the cellar in relation to 1ih century elements of the house Phased plan of standing phases of the house Western elevation of house Northern elevation of house Southern elevation of house Eastern elevation of the house Plan of the gatehouse tower Plan of the parapet structures (parapet level) Plan of the parapet structures (ground level) Elevations of the parapet structures Plan of gardener's cottage Plan of Period 1 feature below the Cloister Garden Section through feature 1083 Plan of Period 2 features in the Cloister Garden Section through saw pit 1028 Detailed plan of north-east comer of Cloister Garden Detailed plan of south-east comer of Cloister Garden Plan of Period 3 features in the Cloister Garden Plan of Period 4 features in the Cloister Garden Plan of Period 5 features in the Cloister Garden Plan of principal features in Gatehouse Court Plan of Gatehouse structure Plan of the West Range in Gatehouse Court Trench 1, section through south parapet Plan of pool in Upper Walled Garden Location plan of Period 1 features Interpretation of the 1t 11 century Cloister Garden Interpretation of the Gatehouse Court Detail from Ogilby's Britannia map of 1675 Detail from T Kitchin's Survey of Carmarthenshire of 1754 Detail from Ordnance Survey drawing (per 1813 Bill) of 1827 Detail from Llangathen Parish Tithe map of 1839 Detail from 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1887, sheets XXXIII 13 and 14 (scale 1:2500) Detail from 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map of 1906, sheets XXXIII 13 and 14 (scale 1:2500) Suggested development of Aberglasney Pottery: Staffordshire tulip-shaped cup, c. 1680-1710 Tiles: Anglo-Netherlandish, first half of the 1th century Tiles: Portuguese, c. 1630-50 Glass: Six-sided fluted beaker, first half of the 1ih century Glass: Bottle of Wicks (1999) Type C, c. 1670-88 Glass: Handle of a glass cover, probably 1ih -18 th century Survey of Yew Tunnel 1999 Ring width pattern from stem D

vm 1 4 8 9 11 11 12 12 13 15 16 17 18 26 27 30 30 35 35 37 39 41 54 56 58 64 66 70 71 77 79 80 80 81 82 82 83 95 97 97 99 100 100 108 108

Chronological table of structural phasing from the excavations Vessel ceramics by period Building ceramics by period Wood samples Details of wood samples from pit 1028 Summary of tree-ring dating

6

Tables 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

111

94 96 103 104 106

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

!-values and overlaps for components of abgl345 Dating of abgl12 (AD1477-1567) against reference chronologies at AD 1567 Dating of abg1345 (AD 1429-1556) against reference chronologies at AD 1556 !-values and overlaps for components of ABRGLSNY Dating of ABRGLSNY (AD 1689-1770) against reference chronologies at AD 1770 Dating of abg7 (AD 1639-1708) against reference chronologies at AD 1708

107 107 107 109 109 110

View of ceiling in the hall. Looking east. (1956, Crown Copyright: RCAHMW) View of John Walters Philipps coat of arms set in the staircase window on the south side of the hall. Looking South. (1956, Crown copyright: RCAHMW) Detail of west elevation of the House, showing a batter on the Period 2 wall of the North Wing. Looking East. Scale 2 m Internal view of the hall, after removal of rubble from the collapsed roof. Looking south-east. Scale 2 m Plaster ceiling boss, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Plaster foliage decoration, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Plaster acanthus decoration on a cornice, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Plaster decoration on a cornice, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Plaster floral decoration, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Plaster floral decoration, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Plaster egg and dart decoration on a moulding, recovered from rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Plaster foliage on a moulding, recovered from rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm Cloister Garden. Section through natural feature 1083 of Period 0. Looking West. Scale 2 m Cloister Garden. Pig and sheep burial, Period 1. Scales 05 m and 1 m Cloister Garden. Saw pit 1028, Period 2A, with oak planks in base. Looking South. Scales 2 m Cloister Garden. General view of excavation in the western half of the garden. Looking west. The natural features are visible to the left, and the Period 2 saw pit to the right Cloister Garden. General view of excavations in the eastern half of the garden. The Period 2 robbed ornate cobbling is in the foreground with adjacent the linear beds in the middle distance. Looking west Cloister Garden. Detail of the Period 2 linear beds and ornate path (robbed). Looking west. Scale 2 m Cloister Garden. Detail ofrobbed ornate path of Period 2. Looking west. Scales 2 m Cloister Garden. Detail of Eastern Range of parapet structure of Period 2. Note survival of steps. Looking north-west. Scale 2 m Cloister Garden. Detail of ornate path at eastern end of North Range of parapet structure, Period 2. Note blocked doorway in the north wall. Looking north-west. Vertical scale 1 m Cloister Garden. Vaulted walkway below the West Range of the parapet structure, Period 2. Looking south. Scale 2 m Cloister Garden. View along robber trench oflower terrace wall (polythene covers the lower terrace cobbling). Looking north Cloister Garden. Detail of cobbling on the lower terrace at the north end of the Garden, Period 2. Looking south. Scale 2 m Cloister Garden. Detail of cobbling of Period 4 (same area as Plate 24). Scale 2 m Cloister Garden. Area of 'pavilion' in south-eastern comer of the garden, Period 2. Note later, Period 3 cobbling. Looking west. Scales 2 m Cloister Garden. Walls of Period 4 ramp onto South Range of parapet structure. Looking west. Scales 2 m Cloister Garden. Detail of lead working hearth in 'pavilion' in south-eastern comer of the garden. Looking west. Scale 0.5 m Cloister Garden. Brick fountain of Period 4. Looking west. Scales 2 m Gatehouse structure. View of northern elevation after restoration. Scale 2 m Gatehouse Courtyard. View along Period 3 ornate cobbling towards the gatehouse. Looking north. Scales 2 m Gatehouse Courtyard. General view of West Range, extending off the West Wing of the Gatehouse. Looking south-west Gatehouse Courtyard. Detail of East Wing of the Gatehouse. Note stone-lined drains of Period 2 and 4 date. Looking east. Scales 2 m Upper Walled Garden. Detail of stone-lined spring. Looking west. Scales 1 m

19

Plates 1.

2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

33. 34.

lV

19 20 20 21 21

22 22 23 23 24 24 43 43

44 44 45 46

46 47 47 48 49 50 51 51 52 52 61 62 62 63 68

35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57.

58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67.

68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73.

Pond Garden. Detail of brick vine arches. Looking north. Scale 1 m Penny of Edward I (Coin No 1). Scale 1 cm Penny of Edward I (Coin No 1). Scale 1 cm Half groat of Henry VII (Coin No 2). Scale 1 cm Half groat of Henry VII (Coin No 2). Scale 1 cm Royal farthing token of Charles I (Coin No 3). Scale 1 cm Royal farthing token of Charles I (Coin No 3). Scale 1 cm Sporting button (Silver No 1). Scale 1 cm Circular frame of twisted wire (Silver No 2). Scale 1 cm Double loop buckle (Copper alloy No 3). Scale 1 cm Buckle (Copper alloy No 4). Scale 1 cm Finger ring (Copper alloy No 5). Scale 1 cm Lock plate (Copper alloy No 8). Scale 1 cm Button (Copper alloy No 9). Scale 1 cm Stud (Copper alloy No 10). Scale 1 cm Spur (Copper alloy No 11). Scale 1 cm Shoe buckle (Copper alloy No 12). Scale 1 cm Lock plate (Copper alloy No 13). Scale 1 cm Lock plate (Copper alloy No 14). Scale 1 cm Purse frame (Copper alloy No 15). Scale 1 cm Shoe buckle (Copper alloy No 16). Scale 1 cm Shoe buckle (Copper alloy No 17). Scale 1 cm Hexafoil mount (Copper alloy No 18). Scale 1 cm Drop handle (Copper alloy No 19). Scale 1 cm Domed boss (Copper alloy No 20). Scale 1 cm Button (Copper alloy No 22). Scale 1 cm Button (Copper alloy No 25). Scale 1 cm Seal (Lead No 46). Scale 1 cm Disc (Lead-tin alloy No 48). Scale 1 cm Anglo-Netherlandish tiles (Building ceramics No 2). Scale 1 cm Portuguese wall tiles (Building ceramics No 3). Scale 1 cm Bottle seal (Glass No 2). Scale 1 cm Bottle seal (Glass No 3). Scale 1 cm Bottle seal (Glass No 4). Scale 1 cm Moulded stone (Worked stone No 1). Scale 5 cm Finial (Worked stone No 2). Scale 5 cm Window moulding (Worked stone No 3). Scale 5 cm Window moulding (Worked stone No 4). Scale 5 cm Wooden bean (Timber No 1). Scale 5 cm

V

68 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 86 86 86 86 87 87 87 88

88 88 88

89 89 90 90 90 90 90 91 92 92

97 98 98 98 100 115 115 115 116 116

Foreword by William Wilkins

It is a delight to me to be invited to write a foreword to this monograph. From my earliest encounters with Aberglasney in the 1970s I have been aware of two powerful feelings, that the ensemble was extraordinarily attractive and that it was an architectural conundrum. Years of thinking about it, while wading through Japanese knotweed and brambles, and listening to expert views during the years trying to fmd a way of saving it, lessened neither feeling. Indeed, the sense of a conundrum probably deepened, illuminated occasionally by great flashes of light, as when Professor John Dixon Hunt visited the site and recognised the significance of the Cloister Garden. But more often there was further confusion, experts who said the yew tunnel was 1,000 years old, while others said 1i 11century. Those years, the years of speculation, were then succeeded by the years of discovery, and it is difficult for me to convey the delight that came as Kevin Blockley and his team slowly revealed and elucidated, and then, occasionally, revealed another puzzle. As this monograph shows, a huge amount has been elucidated, the dating of the major structures is secure and a coherent story of development unravelled. Of course many mysteries remain, some of which can probably never be resolved, but, given the complex constraints within which we had to work it is, as I said, a real delight to me that we have reached this milestone. Perhaps it is worth reminding the reader that the archaeology was part of a process which was working against time to save the House, Gatehouse and Cloister Garden from imminent collapse. In the case of a major wall within the house we did not succeed. At one point we had thirteen different funding sources and twenty-four different funding programmes. Successfully threading the archaeological investigations through these programmes with their different objectives and timetables was a major undertaking. This monograph demonstrates how well worthwhile it was. William Wilkins CBE Carreg Cennen

Vl

Aclmowledgements by Kevin Blackley

The work at Aberglasney has been varied and challenging. What started as a relatively simple job comprising watching briefs and evaluation trenching has turned into a major project involving the full-scale excavation and interpretation of the Cloister Garden and the adjacent Gatehouse Court. My thanks must go to so many people for their help and assistance over the past three years. William Wilkins, former Director of the Aberglasney Restoration Trust, as a key figure in the organisation and fundraising efforts, must come top of the list. Others at the Trust who have been particularly helpful include Elwyn Couser, Liz Jenkins, Eleri Thorpe, and Graham Rankin (present Director). The team of consultants advising the Trust were Hal Moggridge and Michael Ibbotson (Colvin & Moggridge), Craig Hamilton (Architect), Tegwynne Metcalf and James Green (Sedley Place), Anthony Harman (Health and Safety), Roy Whitelaw and David Slann (Boyden & Co). Without their help and co-ordination much of the smooth running of the projects would have been lost. The building teams on the renovation of the house, gardener's cottage and garden walls, etc, were Capps & Capps, and Dimbylow Crump. All their staff were very co-operative and helpful, particularly Roger Capps (Capps & Capps) and Steve Twamley (Dimbylow Crump). The excavation team from Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd comprised Ian Halfpenney (site director), Philip Evans (supervisor), with Jason Frankland, Awen Jones, Richard Jones, Andy Joynson, Roger Linard, Helen Milne, and Duncan Schlee (assistants). Their stalwart efforts have brought the remarkable fmds in the garden to life again. Roy Cox became an invaluable volunteer helping with metal detection in the Gatehouse Courtyard. Thanks also go to Eynon Price for his excellent machine work on the site. All of the specialists are warmly thanked and are acknowledged in the report where necessary. On-site total station surveying and the publication drawings were prepared by Attila Csaba. BBC Wales involvement in the production of a four-part programme in 1999 entitled Aberglasney: A Garden Lost in Time is warmly thanked, particularly John Trefor who headed the team. Teradat undertook the geophysical survey in the Gatehouse Court and the North Lawn in 1999 and 2000. The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments for Wales (RCAHMW) have been most helpful discussing the phasing and development of the House and Gatehouse tower (particularly Richard Suggett and Peter White), and funded the dendrochronological study of timbers in the house. The RCAHMW also kindly gave copyright permission for the use of Plates 1 and 2, held in the National Monuments Record, and reproduction of the dendrochronolological report by Daniel Miles and Martin Bridge (firsts published in Briggs 1999, appendix 4). Comments on a draft of this report, and/or an earlier paper on the interpretation of the 1ih century Cloister Garden, are gratefully acknowledged from Stephen Briggs, Elwyn Couser, Penny David, Sabine Eiche, Paula Henderson, Tom Lloyd, Ken Murphy, John Phibbs, Elisabeth Whittle, William Wilkins. The final report and the interpretations therein remain solely the responsibility of the editor. Generous funding for the work at Aberglasney was from the following bodies: Cadw, Carmarthenshire County Council, European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Quatre Vents Foundation, Wales Tourist Board, Welsh Development Agency. Kevin Blackley, MIFA, MPhil Old Chapel Banhadlag Llanidlaes Montgomeryshire

Vll

• Llandovery • Brecon

Aberglasney + Llandeilo

• Carmart hen

♦

Brecon Beacons

Llanarthney

Ebbw• Vale Merthyr Tydfil • Aberdare •

• Neath

Rhondda•

Ystrad • Mynach

• Maesteg Caerphilly• 10

20km

Fig. I. Location plan of Aberglasney

viii

1

Introduction

by Kevin Blockley of restoration. Where possible preservation of remains in situ was favoured by the Aberglasney Restoration Trust, and only where destruction of features became inevitable was excavation (preservation by record) thought necessary. This remained its aim even though full-scale excavations were undertaken in the Cloister Garden and Gatehouse Court between 1998 and 2000. These excavations aimed to remove later landscaping levels to reveal the layout of the 1i 11 and 18th century gardens.

Reasons for the project Aberglasney comprises a substantial house, outbuildings, several walled gardens, wooded areas, and a Yew tunnel. It is situated in the Tywi valley at NGR SN 5812213, in the Parish of Llangathen in Carmarthenshire (Fig 1). The Aberglasney Restoration Trust was established in 1994 to save these remains, which were in an advanced state of decay, and eventually open the gardens to the public (Fig 2).

The proposed scheme of recording identified the level of archaeological response required for each element of the complex, depending upon the nature of the threat. These responses comprised watching briefs, photographic recording, evaluation trenching and full-scale excavation (Blockley 1998).

Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd became involved in the Aberglasney project after being invited by the Aberglasney Restoration Trust to prepare a written scheme of archaeological recording (Blockley 1998) that would satisfy the requirements of the Local Planning Authority's archaeological advisor (Dyfed Archaeological Trust, Curatorial Section).

Previous reports presenting a prospectus for the restoration of the garden (ART 1995) and an historical and archaeological appraisal (Sclater 1998) had been prepared for the Trust, and proved invaluable documents.

The archaeological involvement was required since the house and gardens were about to undergo a major scheme

0102030

_,::.,:;",,i/ A. Cloister Garden

1. Aberg!asney Mansion

B. Upper Wa!led Garden

200E

40

9. Pig Sty

2. Parapet Walkways

10. Sheds

C. Kilct1en Garden

3. Gatehouse Tower

11. Bailiffs Court Buildings

D. Pond Garden

4. Aviary

12. Bailiffs Lodge

E. Gatehouse Court

5. Yew Tunnel

13. Barn

F. Church View Wood

6. 19th Century Toilets

14. Site of Glasshouse

G. American Wood

7. Tybach

15. Gardeners Cottage

H. North Lawn

B. Pond

300E

60

70

80

90 100m

17. Brynglasney

18. Pond 19- Archery Butt

16. Gateway

400E

Fig. 2. General plan showing principal features at Aberglasney

1

50

500E

Aberglasney House and Gardens

The seat of William Dyer, Esq, Carmarthenshire. An old house with a large Hall. In the centre is a staircase which carry 's you to a Chapel of which nothing now is remaining but the Pulpit which is old and curious. There is a terrace round a court built on Stone Arches. It is close to Grongar Hill. The country is most beautiful.

Historical summary of the site The history of Aberglasney is fairly well documented and the owners of the property established with certainty back to around 1600 (Jones 1979). This work is presented in a recent publication on Aberglasney (David 1999). I am indebted to Penny David for her help with this section of the report.

In 1802 Aberglasney was purchased by Thomas Philipps. Thomas Philipps was returning to Britain after 30 years' service as a surgeon with the East India Company. On his death in 1824 the estate was inherited by his nephew, John Walters (later John Walters Philipps). Although the property was left to his only grandchild, Marianne Pryse, on his death in 1867, it seems to have been only after the death of her two aunts that she took up residence about 1900. In 1872 Marianne Pryse married Charles Mayhew. Her aunt Mrs Harris is noted in the 1881 census and her aunt's husband named as owner in 1892. The house was periodically let out and was advertised in the Tenby Observer in 1872, and tenanted by a Mr Lewis of Swansea at some point (Penny David, pers comm). When Mrs Mayhew died in 1939 the estate went to Eric Evans until his death in 1950.

The name Aberglasney appears to have been retrospectively applied to the time of the Thomas family. William ap Thomas (c. 1479-1542) was High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire in 1541-2 and rebuilt the nave of Llangathen church (250 m east of Aberglasney house). The house was in the hands of William Thomas's successors until sometime between 1594 and 1614 when Anthony Rudd purchased the property. Anthony Rudd was consecrated Bishop of St David's in 1594 and died in 1614. It is thought that Bishop Rudd rebuilt much of Aberglasney around 1600. Sir Rice Rudd inherited Aberglasney in 1614, but when Sir Rice Rudd died in 1664 the estate passed to the eldest grandson, Rice Rudd. By this time the family was in financial difficulties and the estate was tenanted.

The estate never again saw the fortunes of the past. In 1955 it was sold and much of the estate divided or tenanted out. David Charles purchased the house and farm, and held the occasional hunt ball in the house. The estate was sold again in 1977, by which date decay and vandalism had taken their toll cuhninating in unlawful removal of the portico, and a fire which destroyed the decorative ceiling in the hall. Thankfully the portico was recovered from the London auctioneers, Christie's.

In 1710 Robert Dyer I the lawyer purchased Aberglasney and was in residence from around 1714 and made many changes to the layout of Aberglasney, including the rebuilding of the North Wing of the House. Sir Erasmus Philipps of Picton passed through the Towy valley in 1717 and wrote. His diary in the National Library of Wales (ref. MS 23273 A) says, on passing Broad Oak:

On the right in a pleasant Grove lies Aberglasney the beautiful seat of Robt Dyer Esq.

Finally, the Aberglasney Restoration Trust bought the house and gardens in 1995. Their work restoring the gardens and house were started in 1998 and continue at the time of writing.

On the death of Robert Dyer I in 1720 the estate was inherited by his eldest son, Robert Dyer Junior. His son in tum inherited the estate in 1752. One of Robert Dyer Senior's sons was John Dyer the poet, who wrote of the area. Two poems published in 1726 were 'Grongar Hill' (the hill 1 km west of the house) and 'The Country Walk' (Llanerch Enterprises 1989):

Previous interpretations of the site As early as 1861 writers were commenting on the Yew Tunnel describing it as 'a singular avenue of old yew-trees, whose stems and branches have interlaced so densely, as to form a long tunnel with living walls' (Hall & Hall 1861, 371 footnote).

See, below, the pleasant dome, The poet's pride, the poet's home, Which the sunbeams shine upon To the even from the dawn. See her wood, where Echo talks, Her gardens trim, her terrace walks, Her wilderness, fragrant brakes, Her gloomy bow 'rs and shining lakes. Keep, ye gods, this humble seat For ever pleasant, private, neat.

An early writer on the origins of Aberglasney was Colonel Mayhew. In 1906-7 he published a note claiming the Gatehouse as a Norman tower, the parapet structure as part of a monastery, and intimated that the Yew tunnel was 900-1000 years old (Mayhew 1906-7). The raised parapet walks of the Cloister Garden have also been interpreted as an ancient structure. In 1920 MA Rudd thought 'lines of the present raised terrace walk certainly appear to be those of an ancient fortress wall' (Rudd 1920).

Joseph Gulston described Aberglasney in 1783 (Jones 1968; Carmarthenshire Archives Ref: Drewydd H 1):

2

Introduction

Considerable debate about the date of the Aberglasney complex has been generated since 1990 when John Dixon Hunt presented a paper at the inaugural conference of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust (Samuels & Dixon Hunt 1991). In their paper Samuels and Dixon Hunt drew attention to the idea of the Cloister Garden being I ih century in date, and as such a rare Renaissance survival.

7. 8.

9. 10.

Trial excavation during 1992, 1995 and 1997 in the Cloister Garden failed to find evidence to support the 1i 11 century date (Howes 1992; Page 1995; Purdue, Page & Murphy 1995). Since 1990 Stephen Briggs has interpreted the parapet structure as 18th century, at the earliest (Briggs 1997, 92). In 1999 an article was published presenting an interpretation of the Aberglasney complex (Briggs 1999). This interpreted the West Range of the parapet walkway as a conversion from an earlier farm building, and the Cloister Garden as a farmyard surrounded by stock pens created by the Dyer family around 1770 or later (ibid, 2556). The planting central bed in the Cloister Garden was interpreted as a vegetable bed added during the Second World War (Briggs 1999, 257-8).

11.

12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Previous work on the site (Fig 3) In 1961-2 limited excavation was undertaken in the area of the Gatehouse, although the investigations at Aberglasney gained impetus only after the Aberglasney Restoration Trust was formed in 1990. All excavations are shown in Fig. 3. Below is a list of all known archaeological recording work undertaken so far. Work undertaken during 1998-2000 was by Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd (unless otherwise noted) and is reported in this monograph.

I.

2.

3.

4. 5.

6.

18. 19. 20.

c. 1961-2. Excavations around the gatehouse by G R Jones and W B Morris. This work comprised trial excavations below the gatehouse, locating a pitched-stone surface. Work to the east and west of the standing tower located traces of foundations for the wings of the gatehouse (Jones & Morris 1990). 1991. Geophysical survey of the Cloister Garden by Geophysical Surveys of Bradford (Gater 1991). 1992. Survey of parapet structures by Lesley Howes Archaeological Services. This work included plans of the parapet structures at ground and terrace level, and stone-for-stone elevation drawings of the walls facing onto the Cloister Garden (Howes 1992). 1992. Excavation of four trenches by Lesley Howes Archaeological Services. (Howes 1992). 1995. Excavation of four trenches in the Cloister Garden by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust (Page 1995). 1995. Excavation of four further trenches in the Cloister Garden, and enlargement of a previous trench by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust (Purdue, Page & Murphy 1995).

21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

29.

1998. Watching brief during construction of car park adjacent to Gatehouse (Evans 1988a). 1998. Excavation of four evaluation trenches on top of the parapet structures (Blockley & Evans 1998). 1998. Excavation of two evaluation trenches in Pond Garden (Evans 1998c). 1998. Full excavation of lower terrace at western end of Cloister Garden and the area below the western parapet (Halfpenney 1998a). 1998. Excavation of an evaluation trench extending from the house to the western end of garden (Halfpenney 1998b). 1998. Excavation of the eastern end of the northern parapet (Halfpenney 1998c ). 1998. Excavation of two evaluation trenches in the Upper Walled Garden (Evans 1988b). 1998. Excavation of a water feature in the Upper Walled Garden (Evans 1998d). 1998. Excavation of an evaluation trench on the pond island (Evans 1998e). 1998-9. Watching brief on all services in the grounds (Evans 1999b). 1998-9. Standing building recording of House, Gatehouse, and Gardener's Cottage by Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd, supported by additional recording by the RCAHMW (reported in this monograph). 1999. Watching brief on ground works in Gardener's Cottage (Evans 1999a). 1999. Excavation of a further evaluation trench on the pond island (Evans 1999c). 1999. Excavation of an evaluation trench on the north side of the Kitchen Garden (Halfpenney 1999a). 1999. Full excavation (in two phases) of the Cloister Garden (Blockley 1999). 1999. Excavation of the south-east comer of the Cloister Garden (Halfpenney 1999c). 1999. Excavation of two evaluation trenches in Gatehouse Court (Halfpenney 1999b). 1999. Geophysical survey (transects only) in Gatehouse Court . 2000. Excavation in the north-east comer of the Cloister Garden (Halfpenney 2000a). 2000. Excavation of steps on south parapet (Halfpenney 2000a). 2000. Watching brief on services around House (Evans 2000). 2000. Excavation of the eastern half of Gatehouse Court and Gatehouse's east and west wings (Halfpenney 2000b ). 2000. Geophysical survey of North Lawn.

The 1998-2000 campaign (Fig 3) Part of the archaeological work undertaken between 1998 and 2000 has involved watching briefs for service trenches, paths, and foundations, and standing building recording of

3

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Excavated Areas{::!

@

0

@

\

I ©

® o

10

1. Aberglasney Mansion

2. Parapet Walkways 3. Gatehouse Tower 4. Aviary 5. Yew Tunnel 6. 19th Century Toilets 7. Tybach

20

30

40

50

A. Cloister Garden

B. Upper Walled Garden C. Kitchen Garden

D. Pond Garden E. Gatehouse Court F. Church View Wood

60

70

80

90

100m

Key

■ ■

G. North Lawn

CAP Work (1998-2000) Lesley Howes Trenches (1992) DAT Trenches (1995)

8.Pond

9. Barn

Jones & Morris Excavations (1961-2)

10. Site of Glasshouse

11. Gardeners Cottage

Fig. 3. Location plan of excavation trenches

4

Introduction

the House, Gardener's cottage and the Gatehouse. The results of this work are incorporated into this report.

The archives from the excavations by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust are housed in Carmarthen Museum.

During the excavation of the lower terrace walk in the Cloister Garden (10), and the cutting of the evaluation trench through the garden ( 11), it was possible to establish that considerable elements of the 1ih century Cloister Garden probably survived below the later 19th century landscaping. Consequently, the Aberglasney Restoration Trust has funded (through the Heritage Lottery Fund and The European Regional Development Fund) the total excavation of the Cloister Garden. The results have justified the undertaking, providing a ground plan that has been interpreted and used to build a re-construction of the 1i 11 century garden (this work was started in 2001).

Summary of the sequence

The stratigraphic sequence has been developed over several areas of the site and has been integrated for all aspects of the work at Aberglasney (Table 1, and Fig 2 for general locations). The phasing divides into the following parts: Period I: The 15th-16 th century features The earliest features comprise two masonry walls below the North Lawn, both undated, but pre-dating the layout of the North Lawn and the 19th century carriage drive. Their alignment, at an angle to the other walls may imply an early date. A similar masonry wall was found below the Gardener's Cottage and may be part of the 15th -16th century complex.

Trial work around the Gatehouse in 1999 revealed significant remains of a continuation of the ornate walk found in the Cloister Garden. This has resulted in the excavation of over half of the Gatehouse Court and the wings of the Gatehouse during 2000 (through private funding).

In the Cloister Garden the course of a stream was located. This was backfilled in the Cloister Garden before the construction of the Western Range, but survives as a stream east of the House and west of the Pond Garden.

The recording system

Of the twenty-four archaeological elements of work undertaken at Aberglasney between 1998 and 2000 by Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd, each has been planned on drafting film at a scale of 1:20 and sections draw at a scale of 1: 10.

Three gullies were found at a marked angle to the Cloister Garden, extending below the Period 2C North Range. Pottery recovered from the gullies comprised medieval, 15th and 16th century material. North Devon pottery introduced around 1600 was recovered from the upper fill of the stream and gullies indicating that they were levelled before the Period 2A West Range was built.

Photographs are in colour slide and black and white negative, with additional colour photography in 35mm and medium format. The photographs have been recorded on pro-forma record sheets.

Within the Gatehouse Court further gullies were found as well as two pathways pre-dating the layout of the 17th century Courtyard.

Context records have been prepared on pro-forma record sheets. Each excavation has a unique number sequence of its own, save the excavations in the Cloister Garden which follow a continuous number sequence. The excavations in the Gatehouse Court follow a new sequence for 2000.

Period 2A: The.first phase of the Jih century garden A number of the standing structures date to this phase, comprising the Western Range of the Cloister Garden and the adjacent north and south walls of the Cloister Garden, the Gatehouse structure, the south wing of the House, and some of the other walled gardens. Indeed, much of the House may have been built in this or the next phase, and was re-modelled in subsequent periods.

Environmental sampling was undertaken in the Cloister Garden, but analysis by the Environmental Archaeology Unit at the University of York proved negative.

The excavations have shown that the Cloister Garden was laid out at this time with the lower terrace walk and its adjacent wall being contemporary with the southern extension of the Western Range. Below the North Lawn an area of random cobbling indicates that the area to the north of the House was terraced.

The archive

The full archive for the archaeological work undertaken in 1998-2000 will be housed by the Aberglasney Restoration Trust who plan to develop a museum of finds and an archive/research room at Aberglasney. A full set of interim reports are available for study at the Aberglasney Restoration Trust office, the Regional Sites and Monuments Record at the Dyfed Archaeological Trust, at the National Monuments Record (RCAHMW), and at Cambrian Archaeological Projects Limited office.

A saw pit close to the foot of the North Range was dug before the construction of the Cloister Garden and yielded a glass vessel dating to the first half of the 17th century. The latter provides a terminus post quem for Period 2A. The West and East Wings of the House appear to be 17th century in date, whilst parts of the foundations of the North 5

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Period 0

1

2A

2B 2C

3

4A

4B 4C

Feature Stream Gullies below Cloister Garden Walls below North Lawn Wall below Gardener's Cottage West wing of House with cellar W estem Range of Cloister Garden Gatehouse Building added in Cloister Garden North and South Ranges of Cloister Ornate walk added East wing of House added South wing of House added Changes to Cloister Garden Re-build north wing of House Alterations to north range of house Farm buildings added Part demolition of Gatehouse Lanlash drive built Make-up of North Lawn Re-modelling of Cloister Garden Addition of north portico Carriage circle added Fountain and aviaries built

Estate's owner Natural feature Thomas family? Thomas family? Thomas family? Bishop Rudd Bishop Rudd Bishop Rudd Bishop Rudd Sir Rice Rudd Sir Rice Rudd Sir Rice Rudd Sir Rice Rudd Robert Dyer I Robert Dyer I William Herbert Dyer Thomas Philipps John Walters Philipps John Walters Philipps John Walters Philipps John Walters Philipps John Walters Philipps Mrs Mayhew Mrs Mayhew

Date 15th - 16th C 15th - 16th C 15th - 16th C C. 1600 C. 1600 C. 1600 C. 1600-14 C. 1614+ C. 1614+ C. 1614+ C. 1614+ C. 1710 C. 1710 C. 1781 1802-24 C. 1830 C. 1830 C. 1830 C. 1840 C. 1840 C. 1880 C. 1880

Table 1: chronological table of structural phasing from excavations

Wing appear to be of a similar date. Dendrochronological dating has shown that re-used timbers in the South Wing of the House date to c. 1600.

The layout of the Cloister Garden included a large rectangular bed with a wooden fence along its eastern side, and random cobbled paths to the north, west and south. A patch of cobbling survived in one of the alcoves below the South Range. An ornate walk of pitched stone was included along the east side of the Cloister Garden. Steps gave access from two bays below the South Range to the Upper Walled Garden.

Within Gatehouse Court the Gatehouse and its East and West Wings and a West Range were built and an extensive Courtyard laid out. Access to Aberglasney in this phase (before the Lanlash drive was built around 1830) was round the north side of Grongar Hill. This route is shown clearly on the 1827 O.S. map (Fig 34).

The first two phases (Periods 2A and 2B) are likely to have been built by Bishop Rudd in the early years of the 17th century, whilst the third phase may relate to work by his son (Sir Rice Rudd) after 1614. Pottery from Period 3 features can be dated to the early 18th century providing a terminus ante quem for Period 2C.

Period 2B: The second phase of the J ih century garden Within the House, a cellar survives below the West Wing that incorporates a drain that (within the excavation) cuts through the Period 2A lower terrace, but pre-dates the Period 2C features.

Period 3: The 18th century garden The North Wing of the House appears to have been re-built in this phase and the South Wing added. Dendrochronlogical dating has provided a date of 1712 for a spanning timber in the North Wing. The latter fits well with a rebuilding of the North Wing by the Dyer family shortly after 1710.

Evidence from the excavations in the Cloister Garden shows that a Pavilion was added in this phase in the southeast comer, as a focal point from the north end of the garden and the Gatehouse beyond. This structure was twostoreyed to judge from the evidence of access from the Period 2C South Range.

The Cloister Garden saw considerable changes in this phase when some of the arches were walled up and had doorways and windows inserted, whilst the Pavilion in the south-east comer of the Cloister Garden saw significant modifications. The latter had its northern entrance blocked and a small doorway added in one comer, and a cobbled floor added. A date for this work is provided where a blocking wall in the West Range was sealed by a deposit of

Period 2C: The third phase of the 17th century garden The South and North Ranges of the Cloister Garden were built at this time and the garden re-organised. Access to the parapets was via steps from the garden, and it is thought that a Pavilion would have been located at the eastern end of the North Range, over an entrance into the garden. 6

Introduction

pottery and glass dating to the early years of the 18th century.

Layout of the book The book has been under preparation for some time and in two distinct phases: one after the completion of the excavations in the Cloister Garden and fmally after the excavations in the Gatehouse Court. Details of the standing structures are presented in Part 2. The results of the excavations are divide into three main sections; the Cloister Garden (Part 3), the Gatehouse Court (Part 4), and other areas (Part 5). This was considered the best method of detailing the various phases over a considerable geographical area, whist trying where possible to integrate the various phases.

Within the Gatehouse Court an ornate walk appears to have been added between the Gatehouse and the entrance into the Cloister Garden. The North Lawn may have been reorganised in this phase and a line of Yews planted along the west side of the lawn, later being trained into a tunnel.

Period 4A: The early I 9 th century garden A major change in the garden was undertaken when the Period 2 doorway into the Cloister Garden was blocked and a new carriage drive provided from Lanlash. The latter necessitated the demolition of the W estem Wing of the Gatehouse and its adjacent West Range and re-modelling of the north-east comer of the Cloister Garden. Modification of the East Wing of the Gatehouse was undertaken at this time.

It must be noted that, as with all publications, not all of the drawings and detail of the excavations, evaluations, standing fabric recording and watching briefs could be included in the book. The full details, interim reports and matrices, are housed in the archive at the offices of the Aberglasney Restoration Trust.

The Lanlash drive is not shown on the 1827 O.S. map (Fig 34), but it is shown on the 1831 O.S. map. Hence, the drive appears to have been added around 1830.

Wider discussion of the garden's layout, topography, and parallels are left to the discussion section of the report (Part 6).

Period 4B: The mid 19th century garden This phase saw a major re-modelling of the Cloister Garden. The steps to the North and South Ranges were removed and access ramps added extending east towards the House. At the same time the 1ih century terrace walls were removed from the Cloister Garden, much of the cobbling robbed, and the garden landscaped to form a gentle slope from east to west. This arrangement can be clearly seen on the O.S. map of 1887 (Fig 36). The work was probably undertaken by John Walters Philipps around 1840.

Measurements throughout the report are given in metric, except in Part 6 where imperial measurements are given (followed by metric in brackets) since this unit is used to interpret the layout of the garden.

The House also saw major changes around 1840 comprising the addition of the north portico, the remodelling of the main hall, and the addition of the carriage turning circle on the North Lawn. The construction of the turning circle necessitated the demolition of the Eastern Wing of the Gatehouse.

Period 4C: Later I 9th century In this phase a fountain was added in the centre of the Cloister Garden and the brick aviaries built on the bank to the east of the Upper Walled Garden. The aviaries do not appear on the O.S. map of 1839 (Fig 35), but are shown on the O.S. map of 1887 (Fig 36). They appear to have been added around 1880-86. Period 5: The 20 th century This phase is included to cover all later work to the complex, including paths added in 1997-8 prior to work starting on the renovation of the garden.

7

2

The standing structures by Kevin Blockley The phasing below is integrated with the results of the excavations, hence there is no Period 1 in the House. It should be noted that none of the phases is independently dated by excavation but has been related to known historical events at Aberglasney. This may seem simplistic, but when used in conjunction with in situ features and architectural style, provides a reasonable framework that can be used for future analysis. The descriptions below are supplemented with information from the RCAHMW survey notes and records where necessary.

The house (Figs 4-9; Plates 1-12)

Recording of the House and its features was undertaken during renovation of the North and West Wings in 1999 when these were re-roofed and the external elevations stripped for re-rendering. Only limited recording was possible on the South and East Wings since these were only stabilised, and not renovated or stripped of render. The recording included supervision of the removal of rubble from all rooms and the plotting and collection of items from the rubble. Particularly significant were the remains of the plaster ceiling in the hall (Room 1, Fig 5, Plates 5-12) which had collapsed following a fire, and reused timbers in the South Wing (Rooms 8, 10 and 11, Fig

Period 2A: The first phase of the I ih century house (Figs 4 and 5) The only part of the House surviving from this phase is the cellar below the West Wing and part of the North Wing. The cellar (Fig 4) extends below Rooms 13 and 17 and the loggia (Fig 5). The cellar is 11.5 m long and up to 5 m wide and divided into three sections (Fig 4). Its northern section is provided with access from the east by a flight of stone steps. Here the roof of the cellar has collapsed, but was of timber. Benches survive along the east, north and west sides of the room, with a drain issuing out of the west

5).

Recording by Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd was based on the architect's plans and elevations, at a scale of 1:50, with adjustments for accuracy being made where necessary. This work was supplemented by recording in 1999 by the RCAHMW including digital photography.

I

■

c.1600 c.1700

South Wing? by mid 17th Centu,y

Room 1

O

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10m

I

I:

f-:

Later Steps

"':

0:

Cellar

l

Door

zil-J

-. ""'

blocked

~' -

H

Door blocked

Room 18

I.

Fig. 4. Phase plan of the cellar in relation to 17th century elements of the house

8

The standing structures

wall. Access to the southern rooms is via a doorway at the west end of the east-west dividing wall. The principal early features comprise two square piers, supporting two vaulted roofs of brick, a stone bench in the south-west comer, and a water inlet in the south-east comer. The remaining benches and wine bins are later additions to the cellar. The cellar walls are of stone, the external walls of which are battered. Blocked openings are visible in the east, west, and south walls, indicating the location of contemporary light wells. A section of the front (west) wall of the cellar and an area of the vaulted brick roof was uncovered at the east end of the evaluation trench through the Cloister Garden (below).

the North Wing (B in Fig 6). This shows that the west end of the North Wing was probably re-used. That this was clearly a freestanding wing, rather being integral with the East Wing, is clear from the evidence of the batter near ground level. This perhaps indicates that part of the North Wing is the earliest surviving section of the house, with the demolished East Wing having been built up against the south wall of the North Wing. A possible doorway was noted on the external face of the west wall of the North Wing (C in Fig 6), whilst internally a possible butt joint was noted in the north-west comer of Room 18. Insufficient details survived to be certain of the phasing and extent of the North Wing in Period 2.

A slight batter is visible on the external face of the south wall of the North Wing (A in Fig 6, Plate 3). This may indicate that the North Wing was also built in the 1i 11 century, but substantially re-built in Period 3 (below). A batter is noted on the Period 2A cellar walls, and on the Period 2B East Wing. It is significant that an earlier (prePeriod 3) roof line was visible on the west gable wall of

This phase is thought to date to around 1600. That a building was here around 1600 is not in doubt. Re-used in the 19th century roof over the South Wing were several principal rafters with joints for butt purlins. These were subject to dendrochronological analysis which indicated that the timbers were felled towards the end of the 16th or the beginning of the 17th century (see Part 10).

EAST

WING

Room2

l!llill

m

l!llill

North Porch

cc 0

El

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ILl1l KEY []

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1770's

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Fig. 5. Phased plan of standing phases of the house

9

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Period 2B: The second phase of the 17th century house (Fig 4 and 5) The East Wing appears to have been built next, but perhaps not long after the West Wing. It comprises a 13 m by 7 m structure with a substantial gable fireplace on the south end, and a central entrance on the west wall. This entrance had a dressed-stone, elliptical-headed doorway (now blocked), since removed to Penhow Castle (Tom Lloyd, pers comm). The spanning beams have chamfer-stops ( ogee and run-out stops). One early window splay survives on the east wall (internally). The external elevation was not totally stripped of render, but all features visible are shown in Fig 9. The walls of the east wing have a distinctive batter similar to the Period 2A cellar below the west wing and the south wall of the North Wing. The precise date of the construction of the East Wing is not possible to establish, but may have been undertaken in the time of Anthony Rudd (up to 1614) or his son Sir Rice Rudd (1614 onwards). There remains a possibility that the South Range may have been added during Period 2C, but given the lack of datable features it has been provisionally placed in Phase 4 (below). This interpretation may change when further renovation is undertaken and more render removed from the walls. It is pertinent to note here that the house is said to have had 30 hearths in 1670 (Jones 1987, 2). If the South Range had been added by the mid l ih century this would have provided sufficient space for the 30 hearths noted. The South Wing is shown in Fig 4 in outline. Period 3: The 18th century house (Fig 5) In the early 18th century, perhaps around 1710, the North Wing was re-built (by Robert Dyer I). This comprised a 24.5 m long structure 8.5 m wide, with a small fireplace on the east gable wall and two dividing walls. Each dividing wall had two doorways and central fireplaces. The north elevation evidently had a parapet gutter at this time. Two blocked rain water outlets can be seen on the north elevation (H and I in Fig 7), whilst the contemporary roof line can be seen on the east elevation (Jin Fig 9). The roof line on the north elevation may have been taken up at this time (Min Fig 7) with the removal of the parapet gutter. This change can be seen on both the north elevation where the earlier parapet water outlets were blocked (H and I in Fig 7), and the east elevation where the earlier roof line is visible (J in Fig 9). This work probably dates to around 1771 (see dendrochronological report, Part 10). Later in the 18th century Room 1 in the North Wing had its first floor removed and a grand hall inserted with an ornate plaster ceiling. This presumably took place after 1783 since Goulston in 1783 mentioned an old house with a large hall, but no new remodelling (Jones 1968). Modifications were made to the arrangement of windows in the north elevation, comprising the blocking up of the earlier windows (K in Fig 7) and the insertion of new ones at an intermediate level (Fig 7). The circular window (L in

Fig 7) must have been added when the hall was remodelled after 1783, otherwise it would have been out of place just above floor level on the first floor. One of the doorways in each of the dividing walls between the Hall and its adjacent rooms were blocked at this time. Although a fire had destroyed much of the ceiling of the hall the rubble was sifted in 1999 and fragments of the plaster ceiling collected (Plates 5-12). These fragments, when viewed with a photograph of the ceiling taken in 1956, can be used as the basis for producing plaster moulds when the ceiling is eventually restored (Plate 1; RCAHMW Neg. Ref. AA 56/1091). A new staircase was added at this time to the south of the hall (Area IA in Fig 5) and Room 17 rebuilt, butting on to the south-west comer of the North Wing (Fig 5). The addition of the latter room apparently involved the insertion of a brick wall between Rooms 17 and 18. Period 4: 19th century (Fig 5) During Period 4 a number of changes were made. These can be divided into three distinct phases depending on the stone types used. The South Wing is somewhat difficult to date and the RCAHMW suggest that it was built after 1781 (Briggs 1999, fig 13). The author remains uncertain and feels that it may have been added before the middle of the l ih century (see above). The South Wing measures 14.5 m long by 8 m wide, with a substantial gable fireplace on the west wall. Most of the surviving features are indicative of a service building of c. 1800. However, these features may have been inserted into an earlier structure. At odds with a c. 1800 date are the squints on either side of the central southern doorway (D and E in Fig 8). These are reminiscent of a surviving squint on the gatehouse, c. 1600 (below). Consequently a 17th century date for the South Wing is possible, but given the lack of architectural features is placed in the current phasing as c. 1800 in date. Further recording will be undertaken if the South Wing is restored, giving the opportunity for further analysis. The South Wing is shown in outline in Fig 4 with other l ih century features, and in detail in Fig 5. The external elevation of the South Wing was not totally stripped of render. Enough was removed to reveal the butt joints of the later additions to the East and West of the Wing (F and G in Fig 8) and show the outline of blocked windows. In 1824 John Walters Philipps inherited Aberglasney. His

coat of arms was set in the staircase window on the south side of the hall and can clearly be seen in a photograph taken in 1956 (Plate l; RCAHMW Neg. Ref. AA56/1091). Fragments of the coloured and etched glass from the window were recovered from the rubble clearance in Room 1 (Plate 2; RCAHMW Neg. AA56/1092).

The standing structures

[JJ

m

mrmm rn~

A 012345678910m

Fig. 6. Western elevation of house

jl J Key

012345678910m

17

L

Outline of Porch

Fig. 7. Northern elevation of house

11

Aberglasney House and Gardens

[]

[

[] F

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10m

Fig. 8. Southern elevation of house

a□ 11

o

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

m

tj

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Ill

9 10m

Fig. 9. Eastern elevation of the house

12

The standing structures

Around the 1840s the tower-like additions were added to the house (Rooms 7 and 12 in Fig 5), on the south-east and south-west comers, making the house into a square with the west side, facing the Cloister Garden being infilled shortly afterwards (see below). The new additions were three-floors tall and although in keeping with the scale of the other elements of the western elevation (Fig 6), somewhat dominated the two-storey southern elevation (Fig 8).

stone): "It is in fact an altered igneous rock, either altered basalt lave or an altered dolerite intrusion. It is heavily altered with much carbonate overprinting and partially obliterating original igneous textures. Primary mafic minerals (?olvine) are now replaced by chlorite, while primary Ca-rich plagioclase feldspars are replaced by Narich albitic plagioclase feldspars. Some secondary quartz is also present. This sample could come from west Wales; it might be a representative of the basic rocks of Precambrian age, exposed for example at Llangynog, near Cannarthen, and on the St David's peninsula. Alternatively it might be a representative of the Ordovician basalts and dolerites which occur across much of north Pembrokeshire, extending eastwards into the Carmarthen area. Somewhat similar rocks are exposed further to the north-west around Llanwrtyd Wells and Builth Wells."

The South Wing saw modifications at this time with the eastern of the two squints being blocked and a passage created inside the south door (Area 10 in Fig 5). The western squint appears to have been blocked later. In the East Wing dividing walls were added and a flight of stone stairs provided to allow access to the upper floor of the newly-added south-west room ( over Room 7 in Fig 5).

The final phase of building was undertaken in 1850+ with the addition of Room 15 (Fig 5) and the adjacent walls, and construction of the two-storey bow-fronted window on the west elevation (Figs 6 and 7).

At this time the grand stone-pillared porch was added to the North Wing (broken outline in Fig 7). During the 1840s-1850s the West Range was added with Room 13 and its adjacent Loggia (Fig 5). Much of the courtyard was reduced in size with the addition of Rooms 4, 6, 14, and 16 (Fig 5). The walls of this phase are easy to distinguish in that they employ the use of a distinctive iron rich stone. Dr Richard E Bevins, of the Department of Geology at the National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff, kindly looked at a sample of the iron-rich stone from the West Range. He commented ( after sectioning the

Key

■

Walls

The gatehouse (Fig 10; Plates 30-31) The standing fabric of the Gatehouse comprises a towerlike structure, the wings of which have been excavated (see Part 4). It is thought that the Gatehouse was built around 1600 and as such was part of the early 17th century layout contemporary with part of the House (above), and the Cloister Garden (see Part 3).

II ~~:~ti 0

Fig. 10. Plan of the gatehouse tower 13

5

10m

Aberglasney House and Gardens

The gateway of the Gatehouse is framed by a moulded arch of fme-grained sandstone from England. Although worn, the moulding is of a double half-round with a small hollow. The stones of the arch do not fit well with the surrounding wall, and appear to have come from a larger arch. The stop chamfer on the east jamb arch does not fit with the moulding above, whilst the west jamb is set on a simple block with no chamfer. It is possible that the stone for the surround was taken from an earlier structure. Dr Richard E Bevins, of the Department of Geology at the National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff, kindly looked at a sample of stone from the arch of the Gatehouse. He commented: "This is not local to the Llandeilo area. Indeed it probably comes from some distance, in England. It is a siltstone to fine sandstone and most probably is of Mesozoic (more specifically Jurassic) age. The nearest outcrop would be in the West Country (Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath areas etc.). Such a stone was ( and still is) extensively worked for decorative building purposes (ornate window arches etc.)."

wall is largely blank, save for two doorways towards the north end. The central doorway is probably a later (Period 3) insert. On the east side, opening onto the Cloister Garden is a row of nine rounded arches, giving access to the vaulted walk. At the north end is a narrow dog-legged passage (Bay 16) with a narrow squint window in its north wall, looking out onto Gatehouse Court. The passage provided access between the Cloister Garden and Pond Garden and may have had a lower status than the doorway to the north at the end of the vaulted walk (Bay 15). The south end of the West Range differs from the north in that it has a further vaulted bay extending east of the principal West Range (Bay 6). This looks unusual, but on close inspection the east face of the projecting section is the scarring of a flight of steps removed in Period 2C when the South Range was added. Although the scarring of the steps was visible the outline of individual steps was not clear. The precise nature of the steps is uncertain, but they probably extended south from the Cloister Garden onto a half landing and then west onto the top of the West Range (Figs 12 and 13). A similar range of steps, providing access to the north end of the West Range, may have been provided but would have had to bridge the passage (Bay 15, Figs 12 and 13). This flight, although not confirmed by evidence of scarring, is suggested by the layout of the lower retaining wall which terminates short of the north wall of the Cloister Garden (Fig 12).

The vaulted passage is flanked on the east side by a squint, whilst half way through the gateway are projecting jambs for an inner gate. A random pitched stone carriage way survives over much of the area of the passage, with clear wheel ruts being visible in the cobbling. A hole in the carriageway centrally-placed between the projecting jambs may be for the central fixing point of a pair of doors. Blocked doorways are evident to east and west towards the rear (south) end of the gateway, providing access to the adjacent wings of the Gatehouse. The western entrance through to the West Wing of the gatehouse is unusual in that it apparently dog-legs inside the wall (Fig 10).

The elevation of the West Range can be seen in Fig 13. For details of the floor (flagged) below the West Range, and the contemporary features (see Part 3). The Period 2C North and South Ranges were built up against the Period 2A north and south walls of the Cloister Garden. These ranges did not incorporate a vaulted walk, but instead had cross walls dividing the ranges into five bays opening onto the Cloister Garden (Fig 12). The addition of the South Range necessitated the removal of the Period 2A steps onto the West Range. Access in Period 2C was provided by flights of steps (Fig 11) towards the east end of both the North and South Ranges (these steps were removed in Period 5) (see Part 3).

Above the gateway is a single room with a clay floor and occasional putlog-holes in the walls, with access via a first floor doorway in the south wall. No window is present on the north face, but this would have been expected. Much of the fabric has been patched and refaced over the years. When viewed with the excavated remains of the East and West Wings the structure is similar to contemporary nondefensive Renaissance gatehouses (see discussion of gatehouse parallels in Part 6). Consequently, the Gatehouse structure at Aberglasney would not be out of place in Bishop Rudd's day, around 1600. As such the Gatehouse is probably contemporary with Period 2A of the Cloister Garden, and the West and North Ranges of the House.

Two doorways visible in the south wall of the Cloister Garden were probably both added at the same time (Bays 1 and 5). Although the phasing of the eastern doorway is not known, the western doorway was clearly added only after the Period 2A steps had been removed.

The parapet structures (Figs 11-13; Plates 16, 20 and 22-23)

On top of the parapet structure is a walkway bounded by low walls. The outer walls are 1 m tall, whilst the inner walls are 0. 7 m tall. Both walls are capped with sandstone flags, the outer north and west facing walls having rounded crenellations with sandstone cappings. Similar crenellations survive on the north wall of Pond Garden. The walkways were surfaced with sandstone chippings, over a waterproofing layer of clay, sealing the arched structures below (see Part 5).

This structure was clearly built in two phases, with the West Range and north and south outer walls being of Period 2A and the Northern and Southern Ranges being added in Period 2C (Fig 12). In Period 2B a Pavilion was added in the south-east comer of the garden (see Part 3). The West Range comprises a 38.6 m long parapet structure 4.2 m wide over a barrel vaulted walk (Plate 22). The west

14

The standing structures

Trench 3

N O R T H

w (!)

z 1

C=:J

Key 5m

Cobbling

■

Period 2A

Period 1 Wall

Fig. 14. Plan of gardener's cottage

gardens have not been undertaken there is every reason to postulate that the North Lawn, Upper Walled Garden, Kitchen Garden and Pond Garden may relate to the I ih century complex. Traces of I ih century use in these areas comes from below the North Lawn where cobbling has been found at some depth (Part 5) contemporary with Period 2 of Gatehouse Court. The fact that doorways lead both west and south from the Cloister Garden would indicate that these provided access to other gardens. The North Lawn may have been levelled by Robert Dyer I in the early years of the 18th century (around 1710), when the North front of the House was rebuilt. For a discussion of the dating of the Yew trees along the south side of the North Lawn see Part 5.

The farm buildings (Fig 2)

The farm was present by the time of the Tithe Map of 1839 (Fig 35). No systematic study of the development of the buildings has been undertaken since these have not (as yet) been subject to any development. The aviaries (Fig 2)

The aviaries were in place by the time of the 1st Edition O.S. Map of 1887 (Fig 36). They have as yet not been subject to rebuilding and as such have not been studied in detail.

The standing structures

Plate I. View of ceiling in the hall. Looking east. (1956, Crown copyright: RCAHMW)

Plate 2. View of John Walters Philipps coat of arms set in the staircase window on the south side of the hall. Looking South. (1956, Crown copyright: RCAHMW)

19

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Plate 3. Detail of west elevation of the House, showing a batter on the Period 2 wall of the North Wing. Looking East. Scale 2 m

Plate 4. Internal view of the hall, after removal of rubble from the collapsed roof Looking south-east. Scale 2 m

20

The standing structures

Plate 5. Plaster ceiling boss, recovered.from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm

Plate 6. Plaster foliage decoration, recovered.from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm

21

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Plate 7. Plaster acanthus decoration on a cornice, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm

Plate 8. Plaster decoration on a cornice, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm

22

The standing structures

Plate 9. Plaster floral decoration, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm

Plate 10. Plaster floral decoration, recovered from the rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm

23

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Plate 11. Plaster egg and dart decoration on a moulding, recovered.from rubble in the hall. Scale JO cm

Plate 12. Plaster foliage on a moulding, recovered.from rubble in the hall. Scale 10 cm

24

3

Excavations in the Cloister Garden by Ian Halfpenney

The entire area of the Cloister Garden (apart from a strip of the upper terrace adjacent to the House) was excavated down to the level of the early 1ih century features. Sample excavation was undertaken of earlier features (see Part 1 for the sequence of excavation).

archaeology. These fluvial deposits have had a significant effect on the subsequent soil development across the site by acting as the underlying 'parent material' or 'C' horizon. As a consequence the soils contained a significant clay fraction, with frequent small stone inclusions, derived from the erosion of the underlying mud/siltstone geology. However, largely due to the number of culverts which had subsequently been installed the soils on the site were not subject to severe water logging and the site was relatively free-draining.

Period 0: The underlying natural Period O relates to the underlying natural features and deposits, prior to the establishment of any settlement, substantial buildings or estate holdings at Aberglasney. The underlying geology is a Mudstone/shale which was only encountered in the south-eastern area of the Cloister Garden. Located at the limit of the excavation this geological deposit showed signs of uplift with the bedding planes now lying vertically (SSEW 1983).

There was very little consistency of soil type at Aberglasney. Variation within the 'C' horizon was a key factor, although the presence oflarge areas of re-deposited material meant that no soil classification could be applied to the site, as natural soil development had been prevented from occurring. Overall, the soil tended to be acidic but sufficiently alkaline to preserve pottery and bone, although some of the bone was quite fragile. Preservation of environmental remains was generally poor. An assessment of the environmental preservation potential was undertaken by The Environmental Archaeology Unit (EAU) at York, which concluded that there was little or no useful environmental information that could be extracted from the garden deposits sampled at Aberglasney (see Part 10).

Interpretation of the topography surrounding the house suggests that the 1ih century complex of buildings and gardens has been substantially landscaped and terraced into the hillside. Therefore, it is surprising that more extensive geological deposits were not encountered during the excavation. This may be because much of the area had been shaped by fluvial depositional processes. The name Aberglasney means mouth or confluence of the river Glasney and although the Glasney is no longer evident within the gardens, a series of extensive fluvial deposits were encountered during the course of the excavation. These deposits showed considerable spatial variation which was largely dependent on depth and location within the garden.

The natural features (Figs 15 and 16; Plate 13) The following 'natural' features were all located in the south-west comer of the Cloister Garden. The largest natural feature located on site was evident on the south side of the Cloister Garden, as a large steep sided cut (1083) running in a south-east/north-west direction. This feature was evident during evaluation trenching in 1998. During the 1998 excavation it was not possible to fully excavate the feature, although the work undertaken was sufficient to ascertain that this was a large feature and clearly pre-dated the construction of the West Range of the Cloister Garden.

The fluvial deposits varied from low energy heavily reduced lacustrine/pond clays to unsorted higher energy sand and gravel deposits. The geological inclusions within these deposits appeared to be predominantly of a local provenance, consisting mainly of rounded mudstone/shale fragments, apart from the gravel deposits which contained more intermixed geology, reflecting a larger catchment area.

The excavation work in 1999 provided a better opportunity to more fully evaluate the extent of this feature. Unfortunately due to the size of the feature and its proximity to the South Range it was only possible to excavate the upper deposits by hand with the basal deposits having to be excavated by machine in order to see the full extent of the profile. These upper deposits were hand excavated to a level which exceeded the depth of the archaeology, i.e. hand excavation ceased in deposits which were archaeologically sterile. The resulting section provided clear evidence of this having been a substantial fluvial feature (Fig 16; Plate 13). Indeed the base of this

The large variety of fluvial deposits encountered at Aberglasney meant that it was initially difficult to differentiate between the natural in situ deposits and the significant amount of redeposited material present on site. Charcoal inclusions present within one of the deposits initially indicated that it may have had an anthropegenic origin. However, further investigation revealed that whilst the charcoal may be the result of deliberate episodes of burning it was derived from further up the catchment and did not relate to burning on site. Excavation of portions of this deposit revealed that it ran well below the depth of the

25

Aberglasney House and Gardens

NORTH

RANGE

~

I-

Key

"'

Period 1 Features

"' 0

;,:

:r

0

10

20m

Fig. 15. Plan of Period 1 feature below the Cloister Garden

feature was extremely unstable due to the presence of running water.

The fill (1097) of this channel was a loose grey sandy silt with small rounded gravel inclusions, with very occasional larger stones. No datable material was recovered from this feature and the profile and fill strongly suggest that it may have a natural/fluvial origin.

The basal deposit (1095) infilling this feature was a blue heavily reduced fine clay (particulate lacustrine/pond-type) deposit, indicating lower energy depositional processes. Above this deposit were a series of more readily identifiable stream-like deposits, containing higher proportions of larger inclusions e.g. sand, rounded stone inclusions and fine gravel, indicating higher energy depositional processes.

Cut 1099 was a gully with gradually sloping sides and a flattish base. The overall profile of this gully widened to the west. Cut into the underlying clay the base of this channel was irregular and contained evidence of small ephemeral drainage channels, similar to rill channels.

Immediately to the east of cut 1083 were a series of gullies which contained no datable material but also clearly predated the construction of the Cloister Garden:

These 'natural' features all appear to have a fluvial origin and probably relate to the pre-1 ih century course of the Glasney. Episodes of deposition and downcutting are evident with only the upper fills of 1083 containing any archaeological evidence.

Cut 1076 was located to the east of cut 1083 on a northeast/south-west alignment, sloping from the north-east down to the south-west. This gully had steeply sloping sides and a rounded concave base which was cut into the underlying natural clay. No datable material was recovered from the fill (1075) of this feature which was a relatively clean clay containing a small amount of sub-rounded stone inclusions.

Period 1: The 16th century features below the Cloister Garden (Fig 15; Plate 14)

The Period 1 features comprise five gullies/ditches and one pit with this phase relating to those features which pre-date the Period 2 garden but have an anthropogenic origin. Although heavily truncated by later gardening and landscaping work within the Cloister Garden there are hints of earlier activity on the site. Interestingly, these pregarden features appear to be on a different alignment to

Cut 1098 survived as the basal truncated remains of a gully with steep irregular sides and a sharply tapered base. Some undercutting was evident along the sides of this feature.

26

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

A

B I

0 8

,1 ,/~ I

;

8 8 ~

8 0

1m

Fig. 16. Section through feature I 083

later activity on the site and are mainly confmed to the northern and eastern areas of the excavation.

pottery recovered from 1069 was medieval in date with the tile being dated to the later medieval period (see Part 8).

The exception to this was Cut 1078 which was located in the southern area of the site. This gully which was aligned east-west cut both 1099 and 1076. The slope of the cut suggested that this feature flowed from the east to the west and the rounded nature of the feature indicates that it probably functioned as some form of drainage channel. The fill of this channel ( 1077) was a brown silty clay deposit with rounded gravel inclusions. Datable material from this fill was extremely limited, consisting of only one sherd of a red glazed tile, which is probably post-medieval in date (see Part 8). Other material recovered from this deposit was restricted to a small number of disarticulated animal bones.

There were three features in the north-east comer of the site which pre-dated the construction of the North Range, the most westerly of which was cut 1241. A 1 m section (142) of the northern part of this gully, was initially excavated during evaluation excavations in 1998 and two sherds of 15th - 16th century Tudor Green pottery (see Part 8) were recovered from the fill (141). During the full-scale excavation of the area a larger portion of this gully (4 m) was excavated revealing it to have a more irregular profile than was initially interpreted from the earlier excavation work. During the second excavation of this feature two fills were encountered (1239 and 1240). Of these, 1239 was identical to 141 (fill of 142). No more datable material was recovered from this deposit. The lower fill 1240 had a higher sand content than 1239 with a larger amount of rounded stone inclusions and some evidence of iron staining within this deposit. In plan the cut (1241) of this feature 'meanders' and is now believed to have a fluvial origin acting as a drainage channel, running southeast/north-west, silting up or infilling in the century prior to the commencement of construction work in the Cloister Garden.

Cut 1070 was located in the north-west comer of the excavation area and was aligned north-east/south-west. A 1.5 m length of this feature was excavated revealing it to have a width of 1.9 m and a depth of 0.5 m with a well defined concave channel in the base. This channel would have flowed from east to west. The fill (1069) of this feature was extremely similar to the surrounding subsoil and the edges of the feature were only really visible where they cut through the underlying clay. In section this gully is clearly visible continuing under the pitched stone surface of the West Range. Material recovered from 1069 included pottery, tile and animal bone and teeth fragments. The

Cut 145 was evident during the evaluation excavations running south-east/north-west with a width of 0.68 m and a depth of 0.38 m. A total length of 4 m of this feature was 27

Aberglasney House and Gardens

excavated. Filled by a grey silty clay (144) only one piece of datable material was recovered, a fragment of tile which is believed to be of Hereford/Gwent manufacture and probably post-medieval in date (see Part 8). As with 1241, cut 145 appears to have acted as a drainage channel which silted up during the early post-medieval period.

underlying fluvial deposits. The upper fill (1079) was a light brown silty clay with sandstone roof tile inclusions, charcoal flecks and large amounts of mortar fragments. The lower fill of this pit was a grey/brown silty clay with occasional charcoal flecks which contained the complete articulated skeleton of a pig and the partial articulated remains of a sheep, the two animals being interred side by side, presumably at the same time (Plate 14). The significance of these burials is unknown with neither animal showing any visible signs of trauma, disease or butchery (see Part 10). Unfortunately no datable material was recovered from the fill of this feature and therefore the date of these skeletal remains is unknown. The specialist report on the skeletal remains suggests that the pig carcass is not that of a modem breed, as the bones are smaller and lighter than those of a modem breed. At the time of death the pig is believed to have been approximately two years of age and has been identified as being a male. The sheep was less intact than the pig due to later disturbance and the absence of the pelvis prevented a defmite sexing of the remains, although other evidence indicates that it is likely to be female. Enough of the sheep remained to determine an approximate age of four years at death. The report also concluded that there were no indications of the cause of death on either of the animal's skeletal remains. This indicates that disease may be the most likely explanation for the demise of these two animals and that the meat was rendered unfit for human consumption (hence the lack of any butchery marks).

The last of these pre-garden linear features is Cut 1184 (same as 137) which was evident running north/south along the eastern edge of the excavation area cutting into the underlying natural clay. Again this feature was first located during the earlier evaluation excavations ( cut 137) where it was evident in the north-east comer of the excavation area. Excavation revealed this cut to contain two fills 138 and 140. The basal fill (140) was a mid grey silty clay which appeared to be the result of a gradual accumulation of material. Only one piece of datable material was recovered from this deposit, a fragment from a green glass beaker with an applied spiral decoration which is believed to be late 16th or early 1ih century in date (see Part 9). The upper fill (138) of cut 137 contained very limited datable material which consisted of one piece of early post-medieval Gwent/Hereford produced tile. Fill 138 also contained large amounts of broken sandstone roof tiles and angular limestone fragments. Peg holes within the sandstone fragments indicate that their purpose was as roof tiles, prior to the introduction of slate as a roofing material into the area. The limestone fragments may represent the remains of waste building stone. Further excavation of this cut (1184/137) was undertaken during the main Cloister Garden excavation, which revealed that this feature was evident running north-south along the length of the eastern edge of the site. This ditch/gully was more substantial than the other pre-garden features with a depth of 1.3 m and a width of 1 m. Excavation confirmed earlier theories that the lower fills (140, 155 and 1182) of this feature appear to be the result of gradual infilling processes, with interleaved bands of silts and sands and patches of redeposited natural clay. However, the upper fills (138 and 1185) are indicative of more deliberate episodes of backfilling. These upper fills contained large amounts of angular limestone fragments, possibly representing the remains of waste material from construction work, with the better stone having been removed and presumably reused. As with 138, deposit 1185 contained the remains of sandstone roofing tiles, with the peg holes present on a number of these fragments clearly indicating their usage. Unlike the other pre-garden features within the excavation area cut 1184 was relatively uniform in shape, size and alignment which gave the impression of a more deliberately man made feature. The sides of the feature were steeply sloping with the base uniformly rounded, cut into the underlying fluvial deposits.

Although cut 1083 (Period 0, above) was of a natural origin the upper fills ( 80 and 81) of this feature did appear to have been deliberately deposited, probably to level off the area in preparation for the construction of the garden in Period 2. As with a number of the pre-garden features this backfilling included significant amounts of waste building material such as mortar remains, pieces of sandstone roof tile and limestone fragments, particularly within deposit 81. The presence of significant amounts of dumped building material in the Period 1 levelling deposits suggests the presence nearby of a pre-1 ih century building which was demolished. A number of architectural fragments of medieval or early post-medieval date were also uncovered in later contexts in the Cloister Garden (see Part 11). Elsewhere in the gardens the archaeological watching briefs recorded early walls beneath the North Lawn and below Gardener's Cottage (see Part 5). Summary of dating evidence for Period I It is clear that there was some medieval and early postmedieval activity on this site which will be discussed more fully below (see Part 6). The early pottery, stratified in Period 1 contexts, comprise medieval fabrics (twelve sherds), 15th -16th century pottery such as Tudor Green (three sherds) and Cistercian ware (1 sherd), Beauvais earthenware of 1500-1550 (2 sherds), 16th century Beauvais stoneware (1 sherd), and 14th -15th century tile. A total of forty-one sherds of medieval and early post-

The final pre-garden feature was located in the south-west of the excavation area. This circular pit ( 1081) was visible after the removal of the 19th century overburden. Excavation revealed that this feature had steeply sloping sides and a regular, slightly concave base cut into the 28

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

medieval fabrics were found on the excavations, twelve of which were residual in later contexts (see Part 8).

1031. The interface between these two deposits was defined by an intermittent layer of stream rounded cobbles, possibly having been deposited in order to provide a solid surface to stand on for anyone working in the pit. Both fill 1031 and 1032 are indicative of primary silting deposits and the excavation of this feature was hampered by problems of standing water in the base, which may give some indication as to the conditions when this feature was muse.

The upper backfill of the gullies contained sherds of North Devon Gravel Tempered Ware, with 37 sherds being found in the upper fill (135) of gully 137. This, along with the dating evidence from constructional features in Phase 2 (below), is a clear indication that the area was levelled for the construction of the Cloister Garden, probably not earlier than the early years of the 1i 11century.

Lying immediately above these deposits (1031 and 1032) were a series oflayers (1030, 1029, 1027 and 1007) which appear to represent more deliberate episodes of backfilling. Fill 1030 lay immediately above the basal deposits 1031 and 1032 and was composed of a mid brown silty clay with gravel and charcoal inclusions. Dating from this deposit was intermixed and consisted of predominantly postmedieval fabric types with a small number of abraded medieval pottery sherds (see Part 8).

Period 2: The 17th century Cloister Garden (Fig 17; Plates 15-24, ) This phase sees the construction of the Cloister Garden with its parapet walks. Excavation of the stratigraphy and standing fabric analysis (see Part 2 for the parapet standing fabric) has enabled this phase of the garden to be divided into three main phases, with a constructional phase preceding the building of the West Range. The Period 2 garden has been divided into three building phases: 2A for the West Range and north and south outer walls of the garden; 2B for the pavilion in the south-east comer of the Cloister Garden; 2C for the North and South Ranges.

Fill 1029 lay above 1030 and consisted of a large amount of building debris such as: waste stone, roofing stone fragments and mortar inclusions. Dating from this deposit was limited and consisted of a variety of different materials, such as: glass, clay pipe stems, iron, brick/tile and pottery. In addition to this range of artefacts a large amount of disarticulated animal (cow and sheep) bones and fragments of bone were recovered from this deposit.

Period 2A, constructional features (Figs 17 and 18; Plates 15-24) Prior to the start of construction in Period 2A was a phase of infilling and levelling of the earlier features (Period 1, above). Also found were features pre-dating the layout of the formal garden, but distinctly post-dating the Period 1 features. Five main features are included in this category.

The deposits which overlaid 1029 and constituted the upper fills of cut 1028 appear to be part of deposits which extend beyond the boundaries of the cut. This implies that these deposits constitute larger levelling deposits, presumably laid in order to infill areas of the Cloister Garden prior to the establishment of the garden. Deposit 1027 was located immediately above 1029 and was composed of what appeared to be mainly residual building waste material such as mortar and angular limestone fragments. Lying above 1027 was deposit 1007, which was a fairly extensive spread of angular limestone pieces, which gave the initial impression of being a surface. However, further investigation of this deposit revealed that it was in fact a spread of stone which is likely to relate to construction work undertaken on the northern side of the Cloister Garden.

Cut 1028 on the north side of the garden, has been interpreted as a saw pit (Plate 15). It was located on the northern edge of the excavation. The proximity of this feature to the North Range clearly indicates that it must have pre-dated the construction of the North Range. This feature had a depth of 1.3 m. and a width of 2.3 m. In plan 1028 was rectangular in shape with rounded comers. The basal fill ( 1031) which was a silty clay deposit with small gravel inclusions contained the remains of a number of timbers. These timber remains have been identified as oak (Quercus spp.). Unfortunately the timber samples were not sufficiently thick to enable dating by dendrochronology, as this requires a minimum of 50 rings (see Part 10). Analysis of these timbers indicated that they were poor quality and were probably off cuts from trees which had been sawn into planks or beams. This indicates that the purpose of this feature may have been as a saw-pit, lending credence to the idea that prior to the establishment of the Cloister Garden this area was used as a location for construction activities possibly relating to the building of a part of the House.

Cut 1065, was evident extending west from the saw pit (1028), cutting Period 1 gully 1070. Although post-dating cut 1070, 1065 pre-dates the laying of the pitched stone surface alongside the West Range and is therefore clearly a pre-garden feature. The profile of this feature had steeply sloping sides and a relatively even flat base. No datable material was recovered from the fill ( 1064) of this feature which was an homogenous sandy clay silt with occasional mortar traces evident in the upper parts of this deposit. This fill was not indicative of a water lain deposit and it may have been the result of deliberate infilling with redeposited natural. The slope of this feature suggests that it would have flowed from the east to the west and have served as a drain to saw pit 1028.

In addition to the timber remains contained within the basal fill (1031) of this pit was one sherd of medieval pottery and 29 fragments of a decorated pale green glass drinking vessel which is dated to the first half of the 1ih century (see Part 9). A further four sherds of this vessel were recovered from the fill (1032) immediately above

29

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Key

0 I

■ ■

Standing Walls Foundations/Walls Period 2

Features

Fig. 17. Plan of Period 2 features in the Cloister Garden

Key

~

Environmen1al

Sample 1m

D

+

-,.:::::-----r7C..r-o;.::r-0.-£-c-.-

-,:-...:,,(3~

1031

c;::::µ

Timber Remains

Fig. 18. Section through saw pit 1028

30

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

Prior to the establishment of the garden two large culverts (1263 and 1264) were installed removing water from an area immediately to the north of the House ( culvert 1264) and from the cellar below the West Wing of the House (culvert 1263). These culverts merged 16 m to the west of the House. Stone culverts were encountered in many of the excavation and watching brief areas, and water management has clearly been a major issue at Aberglasney. However, culverts 1263 and 1264 were the most substantial culverts uncovered during the excavation work (save that below Gardeners Cottage, see Part 5). Both of the culverts were 1.5 m wide with a flat stone base and mortared walls, providing an overall channel width of 0.5 m. Both culverts were sealed by large capping stones up to 0.75 m across. Still working at the time of the excavation these culverts were extremely well constructed and buried at a considerable depth running below the West Range of the Cloister Garden and emptying into the pond to the west of the garden.

east-west across the length of the Cloister Garden. This feature (75) was almost rectangular in plan, measuring 4 m east-west and 1 m north-south with an overall depth of 0.8 m. Two fills (76 and 77) were contained within the cut. The upper fill (76) was a stony sandy deposit which contained one tile fragment. The lower fill (77) was less stony with a higher clay content and evidence of gleying and iron staining, which did not contain any datable material. The depth of this feature means that it is unlikely to have been a garden feature and may instead relate to constructional activities on site or have acted as a soakaway as part of the on site water management. Summary of dating evidence for Period 2A construction levels The glass vessel from the base of the saw pit can be dated to the first half of the 1?1h century (see Part 9). The pottery from the saw pit and the contemporary gullies contained North Devon pottery introduced to the area around 1600 (see Part 8).

On the south side of the garden was gully 1058. This gully was on an east-west alignment and excavation revealed that the feature ran downslope from east to west. The uppermost fill of this feature (1059) was composed predominantly of limestone fragments and broken roof tiles. The nature of this deposit suggests that it may be the result of a deliberate episode of backfilling aimed at levelling this area of the Cloister Garden prior to the construction of the South Range. It was not possible to source the location of the backfilled material but the inclusions are indicative of them being derived from an earlier structure, or possible waste from a phase of the House's construction. Below 1059 was fill 1060 which was a grey silty clay deposit with evidence of iron staining containing occasional fragments of glazed tile, animal bone (cow and sheep), roof tiles, a small amount of pottery and very occasional pieces of glass, and clay pipe. This deposit was very intermixed and contained material with a range of dates including some residual medieval fabrics. The silt and clay content indicated that this may have been a deposit which formed relatively gradually. The primary fill ( 1061) of this gully was a reddish brown silty clay deposit which unfortunately did not contain any datable material. The lower fills of this feature with the silt and clay content and evidence of iron staining indicate that the gully may have functioned as a drainage channel which gradually accumulated material, prior to it being deliberately infilled. It is also possible that gully 1058 was a constructional feature similar to 1028. However, the lack of datable material means that it is impossible to confirm this.

Period 2A, West Range and cobbling (Fig 17; Plates 16, 22 and 24) Phasing of the standing fabric, combined with the results of the excavation work have revealed that the earliest phase to the Cloister garden was the construction of the West Range with walls projecting east toward the House on the north and south sides of the garden. Scarring for access steps onto the Western Range were noted at the south end of the range on the east facing wall. For a description of the West Range and its access steps see Part 2. Previous excavation work by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust and Lesley Howes Archaeological Service had revealed the existence of the pitched stone surface adjacent to the West Range, although the extent of the surface was unknown at this time. During the excavations undertaken by Cambrian Archaeological Projects in 1998 the full extent of the pitched stone surface was finally exposed (10), revealing it to be a randomly arranged surface composed of sub-rounded limestone cobbles of varying size (Plate 24 ). The surface extended 3 m east of the West Range and ran almost the full length of the West Range. The pitched stone surface terminated parallel with the northern limit of Bay 15. Later alterations had removed evidence of what lay at this northern extent, although a retaining wall would have been necessary to keep the pitched stone in place. The eastern edge of the pitched stone surface was constructed to act as a gutter removing water away from the West Range and channelling it into the stone culvert (1263) toward the northern end of the West Range. The pitched stone surface did not extend below the West Range into the arcaded walkway, but terminated at the western edge of the piers. Excavation of this arcaded walkway indicated that it was probably covered by sandstone flagstones (1403), remnants of which were uncovered during the excavation.

Feeding into 1058 from the east was a shallower and narrower channel (1074) which was filled by 1073. Fill 1073 was a mid brown silty clay which did not contain any datable material. Gullies 1074 and 1058 appear to be contemporary. A similar feature to 1058 was located 6 m to the north, during the excavation of the evaluation trench running

31

Aberglasney House and Gardens

At this time, in addition to the construction of the West Range, the garden was terraced with an upper and lower terrace wall, the remains of which were uncovered during the excavation. Three remaining sections (1109, 1110 and 1111) of the lower terrace wall were found in situ. All three of these sections were composed of mortared limestone, with no more than two courses surviving. The rest of the wall appears to have been robbed out in Period 4B (Plates 23-24; and below). The three remaining sections of wall were significantly narrower and shallower than the robbing trench, with no significant foundations, and probably represent the location of the steps. Wall 1110 was located at the southern end of the lower terrace robbing trench and this remaining portion is clearly integrated into the stonework of the southern element of the West Range. This wall would also have been butted by the eastern edge of the gutter in the pitched stone surface (10). The north end of the lower terrace wall terminated at the same point as the northern limit of the pitched stone surface (10) which was 3 m short of the Period 2C North Range. There may have been a return on this wall to the west (later rebuilt, in Period 3, as wall 15) which would also have acted as a retaining wall for the pitched stone surface.

attempt to locate the south wall of the Pavilion. Unfortunately, the area was found to have been destroyed by a large service trench. The north wall had been robbed out leaving only a robbing trench (1318) as evidence of its existence. Survival of the west wall (1368) was minimal with a thin plaster trace indicating its eastern extent. The west wall sealed the truncated remains of the south wall of the garden (1387). The south-west comer also contained evidence of a recess (2.5 m in length and 1 m wide) which would have held a fireplace. The floor of the building had been replaced in Period 3, but would have been paved or flagged. On the eastern side of the south-east Pavilion, evidence was uncovered for a culvert (1380) running parallel to the east wall. This culvert had mortared stone sides and a pitched stone base in the north, changing to flat stones in the south. A second culvert (1314) flowed into 1380 from the north-east through wall 1315. Culvert 1314 also had a pitched stone base, with mortared stone sides which were integrated into the lower courses of wall 1315. Culverts 1314 and 1380 appear to be contemporary and flowed from north to south deliberately bringing water into the ground floor of the Pavilion. The function of these culverts is unclear and their southern extent is unknown, as they exceeded the limit of excavation. Flat regular stones capping culvert 1380 may have been integrated into the floor surface of the building. Therefore, these provide a good indication as to the possible height of the floor level within this room.

The upper terrace wall also had three surviving in situ sections (157, 1115, and 1331). Section 157 survived to a height of 0.8 m, with an overall length of 3 m and this section of the wall had been incorporated into the Phase 2B remodelling of the North Range. The two other remaining sections of the wall had two courses remaining with 1115 being 2 m in length and 1331 surviving to a length of 2.5 m, with some evidence of render on the west face of the wall. Section 1115 was L-shaped in plan with the projection wall probably representing the in situ remains of a wall flanking a flight of steps (Plate 18). All three portions of wall were constructed from mortared limestone with no significant foundations.

Assuming the capping stones on culvert 1380 were level with the floor, then the early surface would have been 0.2 m. lower than the in situ (Period 3, below) pitched stone surface. Underlying culvert 1380 was another stone built culvert. This probably pre-dates the south-east Pavilion although it was not possible to assign a phase. All that is known about this culvert is that it is earlier than culvert 1380. The earlier culvert had mortared stone sides with the top of the culvert sealed by flat capping stones, which formed part of the base of culvert 1380. The natural underlying geology formed the base of the culvert. As mentioned the relationship of the early culvert to other features and deposits could not be established, although it may relate to the Period 2B pre-construction drainage works.

In the south-east comer of the site, the basal remains of a wall (1387) were uncovered. One mortared course of the wall survived with a width of 0.95 m, and a length of 0.5 m. The wall is on an east-west alignment and is believed to be a continuation of the south wall of the Period 2A garden, which would have extended east from the West Range toward the House. This portion of the wall may not have stood for long and it was sealed beneath the southeast Pavilion, constructed in Phase 2B (below).

From the remaining evidence it appears that the Pavilion measured 5.5 m. east/west with a maximum north/south length of 7 m. However, the purpose and function of this building is unclear (see Part 6). It seems likely that access into the Pavilion would have been through a wide doorway in the centre of the north wall. This entrance would then have been on a direct alignment with the 1ih century entrance into the Cloister Garden from the Gatehouse Court. The Pavilion in the south-east comer of the garden would therefore have acted as a focal point for anyone entering the Cloister Garden from the north.

Period 2B, south-east Pavilion (Fig 20; Plate 26) In the south-east comer of the Cloister Garden excavation revealed a substantial building interpreted as a Pavilion (Plate 26). The upper levels of the Pavilion had been removed during Period 4B changes to the garden, leaving only one partially upstanding east wall ( 1315) and a relatively intact floor surface (the latter added in Period 3). Wall 1315 survived to a height of 0.4 m with in situ traces of plaster evident along the 3.5 m length. A test trench was placed against the south revetment wall of the garden in an

32

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

Period 2C, South and North Ranges and the Cloister Garden (Figs 17, 19 and 20; Plates 16 and 20) In this phase the access steps onto the West Range were removed and the South and North Ranges built up against the outer walls of the garden. The construction of the South Range necessitated the reduction in height of the west wall of the south-east Pavilon, but otherwise this building continued in use. Also within this phase the ornate walk was laid out and a formal garden established. A full discussion of the layout of the garden is given in Part 6.

incorporating an archway spanning the ornate walkway (see Part 6). The step scarring on the North Range indicated that the steps were constructed of the same stone as the rest of the parapet structure with the core of the step structure consisting of a rubble infill of large sub-angular blocks. Evidence for the steps on the South Range was not as clear cut as that from the North Range. Some step scarring in the form of tread levels was evident. However, the wall had been extensively rebuilt and rendered removing the voids which the step removal created making it difficult to establish the exact position of the steps on the north facing elevation of the South Range.

The ornate wall(way (146) was of cobbling with a diaper pattern created using lengths of quartz-veined limestone and an infilling of fragments of sandstone roof tiles, similar to those found in the upper fills of the pre-garden features. Although only a short (3 m) stretch of the pathway survived within the Cloister Garden (Plate 21) it was possible to trace the impression of the pattern on the underlying natural clay/bedding material (1282/1244). This pattern was evident as shallow depressions infilled with a light silty material (1170) and could be traced along a 20 m length of the site, running in a north/south direction immediately to the west of the upper terrace wall (Plates 17-19). Later ground disturbances to the south of the impressions prevented a full assessment of the extent of the wa&way, although it seems probable that the wa&way once extended up to the entrance of the south-east Pavilion.

Evidence of four step treads were preserved leading west from the half landing to the parapet of the South Range. The intact steps have treads 0.3 m to 0.4 m wide with a height of 0.2 m and are composed of individual flat limestone flagstones up to 0.05 m thick. The riser of each step was rendered with the same material as that covering wall 47. At the base of these steps were the remains of a stone built half landing (2048) which represented the level at which the steps changed direction to enter the garden on a north-south alignment. However, the half landing (2048) above this north facing elevation of the South Range did retain evidence of steps (2049), which had been built up against the Period 2A south wall of the Cloister Garden (2046) (Fig 20).

A similar ornate wall(way was uncovered in the Gatehouse Courtyard, extending from the south side of the Gatehouse through to the north side of the Cloister Garden (Plate 31 ). This is thought to have been added in Period, 3 to judge from its relationship with a narrower doorway into the Cloister Garden (see Part 4). The width of the pathway through the Gatehouse Courtyard measured 3 .1 m, whilst in the Cloister Garden it was 3.5 m wide.

The steps had been integrated into the South Range through the construction of a second wall (2047) which had been mortared on to the earlier southern wall (2046). This second wall (2047) was up to 1 m wide retained evidence of having been plastered its north face; north face being the side of the wall which would have been visible to people ascending or descending the steps. Unfortunately due to later remodelling it was not possible to establish the full height of this wall. However, the thickness of the wall suggests that it may have formed the foundation for a flight of steps or a wall(Way running east beyond the present limit of the South Range, providing access to an upper floor in the south-east Pavilion.

Steps onto the South and North Ranges had been removed in Period 4B (below), but were identified from scarring on the walls. In fact the best evidence for the existence of these steps came from the south face of the North Range. The scarring on this wall left by the removal of a flight of steps was clearly visible, with access being gained on both the east and west approaches (Plate 20). A southern access onto the steps is unlikely as the footings (147) were evident extending a distance of 1.8 m south from the parapet which would not have provided enough space for access from the south. The step scarring extended to a height of 1.2 m from ground level after which the steps continue as part of the Range structure. This continuation of the steps onto the parapet structure had been preserved beneath later blocking additions (Period 4B, below). These steps would then have continued west onto the top of the North Range and the mortared stones to the east of the steps suggest that some steps may also have continued in this direction. If the steps continued to the east then clearly the North Range did not terminate where it does today. Therefore there must have been a continuation of the North Range to the east of its present limit, possibly

Much of the flooring of the alcoves below the North and South Ranges had been removed in Period 4B. The only surviving sections of floor surfaces within the bays were small areas of pitched stone cobbling (1402) which were evident in Bay 5, below the South Range, at the rear of the bay immediately in front of a blocked doorway. This small area of pitched stone indicated that the floor of this bay had at one time comprised a random pitched stone surface. A second blocked doorway was located in Bay 1, below the South Range. Both doorways provided access from the Cloister Garden to the Upper Walled Garden. The presence of slightly raised thresholds in each doorway does indicate that steps existed. Several steps would have been required to provide access to the Upper Walled Garden (the latter had a higher ground level than the Cloister Garden (Fig 27). Unfortunately, subsequent alterations had removed these steps ( see Period 5 for later steps added here).

33

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Excavation within each bay revealed a significant variability in the underlying natural clay, with the profile of the natural clay making up part of a stepped terrace sequence with the levels reducing from east to west.

of fluvial gritty sub-soil and silty topsoil. The material recovered from these features did not provide any evidence as to their specific purpose. Unfortunately, the poor preservation of environmental evidence meant that no pollen or macrofossil evidence was available to aid the interpretation of these features (see Part 10). The only piece of environmental evidence recovered from the beds were the remains of a tree/shrub, within a planting pit (1204), in one of the beds (1258). This was identified as being Spruce (probably Picea abies) which was introduced into the United Kingdom before AD 1500 (see Part 10).

Between the upper terrace wall and the ornate walkway were the remains of a linear planting bed (1169; Plates 1718). This planting bed was filled by 1168, a mid brown silty clay containing occasional charcoal and mortar flecks. The bed itself was 0.5 m wide with gradually sloping sides and a slightly concave base. Evident mainly in the southern half of the garden, the bed appears to terminate immediately to the south of the step on the upper terrace wall (1115). North of these steps 1169 was not really in evidence, although a narrower gully (1279) was visible. This gully was 0.25 m wide and a strip 6 min length was evident. Excavation of the gully yielded no datable material and did not shed any light on the function of this feature. The gully ran parallel to the ornate walkway immediately against its eastern edge.

Overlying the linear features was a buried soil horizon (1188) forming the planting medium of the bed. This buried soil appears to represent the remains of an earlier 'A' horizon, although detailed environmental analysis by the Environmental Archaeology Unit in York unfortunately failed to confirm this, as the degree of preservation within the deposit was extremely poor ( see Part 10).

On the western edge of the ornate walkway a channel (1172) very similar to 1279 was excavated. This channel ran parallel to the walkway and measured 0.2 m east-west with a maximum depth of 0.3 m, vertical sides and a rounded base. There was only one fill ( 1171) of 1172, which was an intermixed brown/grey silty clay deposit, with occasional clay mottling. The slot ran for a distance of 21.5 m north/south along the edge of the ornate walkway. The feature appeared to have been truncated in its north and south extremities. This channel provides evidence for the extent of the pitched stone surface as it marks the position of the kerbed edge of the ornate walkway, the edging stones having been removed at the same time as the walkway.

Miscellaneous features of Period 2 (Fig 17 and 19) Excavations in the north-east comer of the Cloister Garden located a number of features which may be of Period 2 date, but could not be fitted into the sub-phasing. Excavation work within the north-east comer of the Cloister Garden revealed the remains of the east wall (2045) of the Gatehouse Court and the southern extent of the pitched stone surface (2018) within the courtyard. Both the wall and the pitched stone surface appear to have been truncated by later activity. The height of the courtyard wall (2.6 m) had been significantly reduced with the top still evident as scarring on the Yew trees on the south-western end of the Yew Tunnel.

Along the length of channel 1172 a series of eight postholes were evident. These postholes were spaced at intervals of between 9 m and 12.5 m. Two of these postholes (1216 and 1219) contained their post-packing stones in situ. Measurements taken on the stones indicate that both posts were square and each side measured 0.15 m x 0.13 m. The irregular intervals at which these posts were placed indicate that they may have formed the support to a base rail on which a fence was built (see Part 6).

In this area of the excavation the pitched stone surface is composed of random stones of various shapes and sizes and is an extension of the cobbling found in the more extensive excavations in the Gatehouse Court (see Part 3). The edge of the pitched stone surface (2018) is well defined, although it is not clear whether this surface would have extended further south beyond its present limit. At the southern limit of the pitched stone surface there is a change in style. Here the pitched stone surface (2019) is constructed in a much more regular pattern than the courtyard surface immediately to the north. Each stone had been laid on an east-west axis with the stones being relatively uniform in size. Laid on a slope, this surface only extended 0.4 m north-south and it is possible that this is a slightly later area of reparation work or a later extension of the pre-existing surface.

Immediately to the west of the kerbed edge and adjacent postholes were a series oflinear features (1398), composed of earth ridges and furrows (25 surviving). The western limit of these features had been truncated by later (Period 4B) activity as had the southern extent. Therefore all that remained were a series of linear gullies within the centre of the Cloister Garden extending west from the ornate walkway. These features were relatively uniform in size, shape and profile being 0.4-0.6 m. wide with an average depth of 0.3 m and a steep sided U-shaped profile. The surviving eastern ends were rounded and clearly contemporary with the ornate walk. The gullies cut into the underlying fluvial sub-soil, with the fill of these features varying very little being an intermixed deposit composed

Dividing these two areas of pitched stone (2018 and 2019) was a narrow gully (2021). Gully 2021 was 0.18 m wide, 0.2 m deep and extended across the width of the trench. Given the slope on the southern pitched stone surface (2019), it may be that this gully was designed to take water from upslope, thus preventing the south-east comer of the courtyard from becoming waterlogged. The gully

34

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

NORTH

NORTH-EAST

RANGE

PAVILION

4m

Key Mortar

Fig. 19. Detailed plan of north-east corner of Cloister Garden

Key

~

Brick

Mortar

Fig. 20. Detailed plan of south-east corner of Cloister Garden

35

Aberglasney House and Gardens

terminated on its eastern side adjacent to a large posthole (2023). The posthole 2023 had a diameter of 0.45 m, a depth of at least 0.5 m and was constructed immediately next to the east wall of the Gatehouse Court (2045). The most likely explanation for this feature is that it housed a gate post which would presumably have been contemporary with the Courtyard.

Period 3: The 18th century Cloister Garden (Fig 21; Plates 26 and 28)

A number of significant changes occurred within the Cloister Garden during this phase. The principal features of the Cloister Garden were retained, but a number of the archways below the Ranges were walled in and doorways provided to create individual rooms, some of which were re-floored at this time.

Immediately to the south end of wall 2045 were the remains of a series of steps leading from the pitched stone surface. Two steps appear to have extended south and then three steps extended east toward the north side of the House. The evidence for these steps is preserved as a series of small level platforms cut into the natural clay (2024). There are at least three of these platforms with the one immediately in line with the wall still retaining the base of a stone tread (2050). Because of later disturbances the evidence for the steps continuing east had been lost.

The changes to the Cloister Garden comprised the rebuilding of wall 15 in the north-west comer of the garden, the construction of a parallel wall (9) 3 m to the south. Both walls were constructed immediately above the pitched stone surface (10) adjacent to the West Range. Contemporary with the construction of these walls was the insertion of a blocking wall in Bay 15. The lower terrace wall would have formed the fourth side of this square. The area between these four walls was subsequently infilled to a depth of 0.3 m. The fill (5) of this area appears to be a primary deposit of domestic refuse. Material recovered from this deposit was late 1i 11 and early 18th century in date (see Parts 7 and 8) and included the following: wine bottles (not complete), pottery sherds, tile fragments, disarticulated butchered animal bone (predominantly cow, sheep and pig) along with oyster and cockle shells. The condition of the aforementioned material was very good with sharp edges on the pottery sherds and clusters of shells. Had this deposit been the result of secondary deposition/manuring it would be expected that the pottery would be more rounded and shells would not have survived intact as clusters. These walls and the infilling deposit ( 5) all lay immediately above the pitched stone surface.

To the north of the stone tread and east of the wall was a posthole (2029). Unfortunately, no datable material was recovered from the fill (2028) of this feature, therefore it is not possible to say whether it is contemporary with the wall and steps. However, the position of this posthole clearly respects the line of the east wall of the Gatehouse Court, suggesting that there may have been a gate at this point. Immediately to the south of the steps were the remains of a wall (2010). The dimensions of the in situ remains were 1.6 m. long, with a height of 0.5 m. The remaining fragment of the wall consisted of three courses of mortared limestone. The dressed face, which was not plastered, was on the west side, indicating that the wall was intended to be viewed from this side. The wall was clearly not intended to bear any structural loads and may have functioned as a low terrace/retaining wall.

Given that the West Range was now undergoing a series of alterations it may also be at this time that the western entrance into the Cloister Garden (Bay 15) was reduced in size. Part of this doorway is still in use today. However, it is clear from an examination of the stonework that this doorway has been partially blocked-in, substantially reducing its overall size, so that today this entrance can only accommodate pedestrian access. Immediately to the south of the blocked bay is a further blocking wall aligned east/west which seals off Bay 15 from the rest of the West Range. If these blockings are all contemporary they would have created a discrete room within this northern part of the West Range (see Part 2).

Immediately to the east of the wall 2010 was a square pedestal (2009) of mortared stone. This feature was unusual as it was constructed from dressed red sandstone blocks together with sandstone roof slates. This type of red sandstone was rarely used at Aberglasney and as it has been incorporated into a feature utilising broken roof slates it appears likely that this stone has been reused from a previous structure. Unfortunately it was not possible to closely date this feature, although it may well be contemporary with the low retaining wall (2010) to the west. It is possible that this feature may represent the remains of a plinth for a statue or piece of garden architecture. Although it is not possible to date this feature it is most likely to be contemporary with the Period 2 phase of the garden. To place it in a later period would put it in the path of the carriage drive.

Blocking walls were also inserted within various other archways during this phase (see Part 2). Below the West Range inside the room created in the south-west comer, the floor was relaid with pitched stone cobbling. This surface was composed of randomly laid limestone fragments, with a central open drain bisecting the room on an east-west axis. The only other visible feature was the setting of a kerbed edge with a lower surface level on the northern edge of the room, which was clearly intended as a threshold into the room. This doorway was later blocked (see Part 2).

36

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

-

NORTH

RANGE

" 2

Key ■

II 0

10

Standing Walls

Founda1ions1Walls Period 3 Features

20m

Fig. 21. Plan of Period 3 features in the Cloister Garden

The walls of this room are heavily rendered and covered with a white limewash. The deposits sealing the pitched stone floor appeared to be predominantly 19th century and were composed largely of ash and cinder waste. The room appears to have had a utilitarian use and the absence of any stratigraphy suggests that the room was regularly cleaned out.

deposits, the upper sand deposit was a reddish colour which may have been due to discolouration by heat. Lying immediately above these sandy deposits was a 0.4 m deep deposit of ash material. This ash deposit had an extremely high lead content and contained a number of pieces of partially melted lead. The ash deposit was also visible in section on the east side of the building, below the Period 3 stone floor (1298 below). It therefore seems likely that the (Period 2C) floor had been removed before the lead working had taken place, and that the lead ash had become spread across the room building prior to the new floor being laid.

At the eastern end of the garden, behind the upper terrace wall was a stone-lined culvert (1151) running in a north/south direction. This culvert appears to be flowing down from the south to the north, possibly taking water from the south side of the House out toward Gatehouse Court, before exiting the garden the culvert is joined by another which runs down from the north side of the House. These culverts presumably represent changes in the local hydrology which were made in order to facilitate alterations to the House in Period 3.

It was not possible to investigate this ash further as the deposit had been sealed below a pitched stone surface (1298). The pitched stone surface (1298) is composed of randomly arranged limestone pieces and covered the interior of the room (Plate 26). The fireplace inset had been largely floored with the pitched stone, sealing the lead furnace, leaving enough space for a smaller fireplace and grate measuring 1 m x 0.5 m. This new fireplace was located in a more central position within the inset. In between the pitched stones a deposit of ash was evident, demonstrating that the room at this time still had an active fireplace in situ.

During Period 3 the function of the south-east Pavilion appears to have changed. The fireplace was altered and a lead working area was added into the base of the fireplace (Fig 20; Plate 28). This in situ lead working comprised of a 'furnace base' (1397) composed of mortar with gradually sloping sides and a rounded concave base. The base had been mortared onto the existing wall (1368) and measured 1 m north/south and 0.8 m east/west with a depth of 0.4 m. This furnace contained a clay base above which were two sandy

At a later date, perhaps during Period 3, or early in Period 4, the floor of the fireplace was patched with fragments of brick (1359).

37

Aberglasney House and Gardens

During Period 3 the water management within the southeast Pavilion was altered. The northern portion of culvert 1380 (Period 2B, above) was infilled with pitched stone similar to that uses to re-floor the building. Therefore, this portion of the culvert was no longer active or visible. The southern portion of 1380 and 1314 still appear to have been in use at this time. However, the southern portion of 1380 was rebuilt at a later stage within Period 3. This rebuild was less in keeping with the rest of the remainder of the structure incorporating as it did bricks and halfbricks. The use of bricks within the construction could indicate a change in status and may be contemporary with the brick inserts within the fireplace.

c. 1680-1710 (see Part 8), and North Devon ridge tiles probably of the second half of the 1J1h century or early 18th century (see Part 8). A date of deposition around the end of the 17th century or in the early 18th century seems likely, but certainly after 1680 (Paul Courtney, pers comm).

The south-east Pavilion contained two adjacent areas of disturbance (1335 and 1337) within floor 1298 which may testify to the presence of timber partitions once having been present within the building (Plate 26). Slot 1335 was aligned north-south with an overall length of 1.5 m, a width of 0.2 m and a depth of 0.2 m. Attached to the southern end of 1335 and running at a right angle to it, was slot 1337 which was 0.6 m long, 0.3 m wide and 0.2 m deep.

Period 4A changes It was during the early 19th century that the entranceway leading from the Gatehouse Court into the Cloister Garden was blocked (Plate 21 ). The facing of this blocking wall (159) clearly indicated that it was intended to merge with the pre-existing walls of the North Range and to be visible only from the south. The wall had an overall width of 1.96 m and a height of 1.54 m and was built oflimestone with a coal flecked lime mortar. The blocking of the two niches (1399 and 1400) in the west and east walls of the entrance may also have been undertaken at this time. During Period 4A the entrance area probably functioned as an independent room below the north-east Pavilion (see Part 6).

Period 4: The 19th century Cloister Garden (Fig 22; Plates 20, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29) The Aberglasney House and Gardens underwent substantial remodelling during the 19th century, with Aberglasney being in various hands, and sometimes let out (see Part 1).

The entrance into the south-east Pavilion was also altered, with the door now being located in the west side of the north wall. This is still evident as a quarter-circle of cobbling set at a lower level than the remainder of the floor in the building.

Period 4B changes It was during the remodelling in the 19th century that all traces of the earlier garden were either buried or removed. Both the lower and upper terrace walls were robbed of much of their stone, the steps onto the parapets removed and much of the ornate walk robbed.

To the north of the Pavilion is a small in situ area of random cobbling (1332), similar to that used to re-floor the Pavilion (Plate 26). This area measured 2.5 m north/south and 1.5 m east/west and was evident butting up to a lower course of the Period 2 upper terrace wall that was still standing in Period 3. The in situ remains of Period 3 cobbling also attest to the continued use and repair of the ornate walkway. The insertion of random pitched stone into the ornate pattern, rather than repair to the pattern does suggest a less formal use than in Period 2.

The removal of the retaining walls was very thorough, with the lower terrace wall robbing trench (26) leaving only three small parts of the Period 2A wall intact (Plate 23). The robbing trench ran right up against the eastern edge of the pitched stone surface ( 10). The cut of the trench had a maximum width of 1.5 m, a depth of up to 1 m, with vertical sides and a flat base. This obviously implies that the terrace wall itself must have been of substantial size, perhaps to retain the large volume of soil that it would have retained in Period 2.

Also at this time the entrance into the Cloister Garden from Gatehouse Court was narrowed with the insertion of wall 158. The in situ remains of horsehair plaster on this wall suggest that the entrance was still covered. A Y-shaped brick and stone built culvert (1155) was excavated, running downslope from east to west which appeared to have been integrated into culvert 1151 which was aligned north-south. Culvert (1155) was cut by a later feature and subsequent landscaping had removed any evidence of where this culvert ran to.

The robbing trench contained two primary fills (25 and 27), both of which were very intermixed deposits with evidence of deliberate backfilling utilising the local natural clay and subsoil material. Incorporated within these fills were mortar, charcoal and brick and tile fragments. Once backfilled this area was levelled off using a silty clay material and a cinder/ash deposit. These levelling deposits also extended over the pitched stone surface between the West Range and the robbing trench. In addition to this material a further deposit was evident sealing the pitched stone surface. The latter ( context 6) was very similar to the primary 18th century deposit 5 (see Period 3, above). However, context 6, whilst containing a number of 18th

Summary of dating evidence for Period 3 Few of the Period 3 features were such that they left any dating evidence, apart from one significant deposit, context 5. This lay at the foot of the West Range where dump levels were found contained by Period 3 blocking walls. This deposit yielded several glass bottles dating to c. 16701688 (see Part 9), pottery including a Staffordshire cup of

38

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

Key

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Foundations/Walls Period 4 Features

0

10

20m

Fig. 22. Plan of Period 4 features in the Cloister Garden

century pottery sherds, was more intermixed and also contained later 19th century material.

robbing trench was levelled off with a cinder/ash deposit and a brown silty clay.

This spreading of material over the pitched stone surface of the lower terrace must also have coincided with the demolition/levelling of the upper courses of walls 15 and 9 (Fig 21), in order to provide a level surface running the length of the West Range. At this time the stone steps running down into Bay 16 would also have been removed and this area levelled. Also in the north-west comer of the garden a blocking wall (72) was inserted which would have prevented access into Bay 16 and therefore also prevented access via this bay into the Pond Garden. Excavation work immediately to the south of this blocking wall and within Bay 16 itself revealed that the wall was constructed on top of context 4 which was a coal/cinder ash deposit securely dated to the 19th century.

Both levelling deposits also sealed the area where the ornate walk had been removed (1282/1244). The absence of any mortar residues within this area suggest that the pathway was probably removed following the complete removal of the upper terrace wall, otherwise mortar from the wall would have been incorporated into the natural subsoil underlying the pathway (1244), and there was no evidence of this. Other work undertaken at this time was the removal of the steps onto the North and South Ranges and the demolition of the south-east Pavilion (Plate 20). After the robbing of stone had been completed the garden was landscaped to create a slope from the east down to the west with the east part of the garden raised through the deposition of clay and cinder/ash, whilst the western half of the garden was reduced.

The upper terrace wall robbing trench (156) was much less substantial than that of the lower terrace wall indicating that it did not have deep foundations. The profile of the robbing trench (156) had a steep near vertical eastern edge with a more open level western edge. The basal fill (136) of this cut was composed of a light brown silty clay deposit with mortar inclusions (10% of deposit) and occasional limestone fragments. Lying directly above this deposit was (135), which was the upper fill of the robbing trench. The

Because the formal access steps onto the North and South Ranges had been removed, ramps were provided giving access to both ranges from the east. The access ramp was built by the addition of wall 172, faced only on the visible south face, and the area behind backfilled with rubble. At this stage the ramp may have continued directly on line

39

Aberglasney House and Gardens

with the North Range, towards the terrace to the north of the House. Later the ramp appears to have been angled more towards the House with the addition of walls 160 and 132. Wall 160 also formed the southern wall of the carriage drive.

this initial infilling the fountain was further infilled raising its overall level to create a raised flowerbed (Page 1995). During the excavation of the area below the West Range red fired clay drainage pipes (1401) were encountered, believed to be of a late 19th century date. These drains were located on the eastern edge of the interior of the parapet immediately against the piers of the West Range. The pipes were 0.3 m in length and 0.1 m in diameter and presumably took water from within the interior of the W estem Range to the pond to the west. Some of the fired clay drainage pipes (1401) had been replaced by iron pipes.

That the ornate walk survives below the north ramp may indicate that this ramp was under construction whilst the remainder of the robbing was taking place, with access being gained by cart along the west side of the House (see Part 4). The south ramp was built with side walls (1299 and 1300) finished on their outer faces only, and with the area between filled with rubble. This ramp clearly curved towards the House (Plate 27).

Evidence for the remains of three steps (5017), to the south of the Cloister Garden, leading into the Upper Walled Garden were located immediately to the south of Bay 5. These steps are not integrated into the doorway and do not appear to be contemporary with the early (Period 2A) structure. It seems more likely that they were replaced at a later stage. The stratigraphy and rough build indicated that these steps were more likely to be a 19th century utilitarian addition. Presumably by this time the Period 2 steps connected to the doorway had fallen into disrepair. The stone used in the construction of the 19th century steps did indicate that the materials were derived from an earlier set of steps, with some original treads turned on their side and re-used in the construction of low retaining walls running parallel to either side of the new steps. A lead pipe had also been inserted, beneath the steps, taking water along this southern edge of the South Range.

The ramps were finished with a surface of shale chippings, and a series of interlaced paths (3) added to the newlylandscaped garden. The western path ran towards Bay 17 in the north-west comer of the garden where an arched thoroughfare was inserted following the removal, within this bay, of the north wall of the North Range. In addition to the ramped walkways and shale pathways a number of raised planting beds were added. Due to subsequent intermixing between the present topsoil and the 19th century garden soil, these beds were extremely difficult to identify. However, it is clear from the excavation work that a bed was sited immediately in front of the step scarring on the North Range. This avoided the necessity of having to disguise the step scar, as was done on the South Range where ahnost all evidence for the step arrangement had been obliterated by 19th century rebuilding.

No traces of steps were located to the south of the doorway in Bay 1 suggesting that it may have been blocked by this time. A culvert had been inserted in front of this doorway running in an east-west direction. The cut of the culvert had also removed all evidence for the Period 2 steps apart from the raised threshold in the doorway.

The layout of the pathways in the Cloister Garden are illustrated on the OS 1:2500 1st edition 1887 map (Fig 36). Later 19th century changes to the pattern are illustrated on the OS 1:2500 2nd edition 1906 map (Fig 37). Plate 25 shows the path adjacent to the West Range.

Features in the north-east corner of the Cloister Garden (Fig 22) Perhaps at the time of the Period 4 works in the Cloister Garden a temporary carriage surface was laid (2012). The remains of this driveway are evident running north-south extending from the Period 2 pitched stone surface (2018) toward the upper terrace in front of the West Wing of the House. A set of parallel wheel tracks (2011) were clearly evident cutting into this surface. It is not clear where this driveway leads although it was not evident in any of the more southerly areas excavated, hence the theory that it may have been used for only a limited period during structural alterations in Period 4. This theory is supported by evidence of the remains of the carriage drive overlying the stone surface (2018).

Period 4C changes Later in Period 4 a fountain was added to the Cloister Garden. This was in place by 1865 when drawn by Chapman (see Part 1). The fountain (1122), the remains of which were uncovered during the excavation, was constructed of yellow bricks measuring 0.23 m x 0.12 m x 0.08 m. It had an overall diameter of 5 m with three courses of these bricks remaining intact (Plate 29). The mortared floor of the fountain was also found to be largely intact as were the basal courses of the central plinth (1132) built of yellow brick. A lead pipe was found in situ which fed water into the centre of the fountain. After the fountain fell into disuse it was backfilled with domestic refuse which included large amounts of pottery. The pottery was predominantly late 19th and early 20 th century in date, although some residual 18th century pottery sherds were also recovered from this deposit (see Part 8). Following

Prior to the construction of the Period 4 ramps onto the North and South Ranges a new drainage system was added. Evidence for the drainage below the northern ramp was located during the excavation in the north-east comer of the Cloister Garden. A small stone built culvert was

40

Excavations in the Cloister Garden

evident running from the ramp and into culvert 2004. Although culvert 2004 was clearly already built at the time that this culvert was added, it seems likely that they are broadly contemporary. Culvert 2004, which is still flowing, post-dates the Period 2 pitched stone surface (2018) and must have been inserted at a time when the Cloister Garden was no longer used as a formal garden. Therefore it was installed after 2018 was no longer in use, but before the carriage drive was built. Culvert 2004 was also located running north-south in the Gatehouse Court (see below) and is evident cutting through the remains of the East Wing of the Gatehouse.

disturbance caused by the early restoration work. Many of the 20th century alterations relate to the provision of services for the House and the ground disturbance that this generally entailed.

Following the construction of these culverts much of the area was raised and levelled. This was done using large amounts of waste building material, which consisted of limestone fragments incorporated with mortar lumps and occasional roofing stone fragments. Dumps of ash material were also used to level the area. On top of these deposits the angular shale pathways were laid to create the 19th century garden layout.

An electricity cable (2) was evident running north from the current western entrance into the Cloister Garden, through the West Range and cutting through part of the pitched stone surface before exiting the Cloister Garden through the current opening at the western end of the North Range. The supply to this cable was terminated and the cable was removed.

Running west from the north-east edge of the site and exiting through the current central entrance in the West Range was a large concrete drainage pipe (1002). This pipe drained water from the front (north) of the House down to the pond. A new drainage system was being installed as part of the current restoration works, therefore the concrete pipes were removed during the excavations.

A series of glazed ceramic pipes were located in the eastern and southern areas of the excavation. These services were installed in the first half of the 20th century and appear to be servicing the House and the toilet block to the south-west of the House. The pipes from the House and the toilet block all converged at a manhole (1291) located on the south-eastern edge of the excavation. From the manhole a single pipe (1158) headed west, this was joined

Period 5: The 20 th century Cloister Garden (Fig 23) This phase relates to those changes which occurred during the 20th century. It covers the period when the House and Gardens were still in private hands and also the period when the Aberglasney Restoration Trust initially acquired the property. It therefore includes some of the ground

NOATH

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Key

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