Henry VIIFs Coastal Artillery Fort at Camber Castle, Rye, East Sussex

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1 Henry VIIFs Coastal Artillery Fort at Camber Castle, Rye, East Sussex An archaeological, structural and historical investigation Martin Biddle, Jonathan Hiller, Ian Scott and Anthony Streeten with major contributions by Caroline Atkins, Brian Connell, Cecily Cropper, Simon Davis, David Gaimster, Jackie Hall, David Higgins, Alison Locker, Nicholas Mitchell, Graham Morgan and Lucy Whittingham Published by the Oxford Archaeological Unit for English Heritage 2001

2 Contents Figures r viii Plates x Tables xiii Summary xv Acknowledgements xviii CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1 The location of Camber Castle and the evolution of the East Sussex coast 1 Location 1 Topography and Geology; the development of the East Sussex and South Kent coastline 3 The effects of longshore drift 3 The process of land reclamation 5 Local topography of the castle and topographical survey evidence 9 Coastal defence in the late medieval and early post-medieval period 11 The history of research at Camber Castle 12 The History of the King's Works 12 Excavations and surveys at Camber Castle Note on the context data 17 The structure of this report and the archive 18 The archive 19 CHAPTER 2 Introduction 21 Phase I: The first tower ( ) 21 Phase II: The first castle ( ) 22 Phase III: The castle enlarged ( ) 32 Phase IV: Occupation and alterations 33 Phase IVb: the infilling of the N and S Bastions and the creation of the Rampire 35 The decline of the Ancient Towns and the abandonment of the castle 39 The Civil War 41 The Ordnance Establishment of Camber Castle 42 Endnotes 47 CHAPTER 3 Phase I: the first tower ( ) 51 Summary 51 Description 52 The primary walls, roof and parapet 52 Primary openings 52 Water supply and drainage 55 Foundations 55 Original floor level 55 Occupation of the primary tower 55 Phase Ha: the first castle (1539) 55 Summary 55 Description 56 The first Gatehouse 56 The Curtain Wall and the subterranean passages 57 Phase lib ( ) 60 Summary 60 The extension of the Gatehouse and the building of the Entrance Bastion 60 Structural evidence 61 Evidence from excavations 64 Entrance Bastion external drainage network The Keep 68 Structural evidence for the phase lib Keep and floors 70 The Vaulted Ring Passage 74 The Radial Passages 75 The Stirrup Towers 75 Basement level 77 Ground floor level 78 The Foreworks and Outer Defences 80 The Foreworks (vaulted compartments) 81 The Outer Wall and glacis 82 The Curtain Wall 86 The Courtyard 87 Phase III: the castle enlarged (1542-3) 89 Summary 89 The New Bastions 89 Excavated evidence for the construction sequence 93 The Curtain Wall 100 The appearance of the Curtain Wall galleries Excavated evidence for the garderobes 104 The Stirrup Towers 104 The Entrance Bastion 107 Structural and excavated evidence 108 The Keep Ill Structural and excavated evidence 113 The Vaulted Ring Passage and Radial Passages 115 The Courtyard 116 Evidence from the finds assemblages 117 The bank surrounding the castle and associated earthworks 118 PHASE IV: THE CASTLE IN USE ( ) 121 Summary 121 PHASE IVa: INITIAL OCCUPATION 121 Summary 121 Excavated evidence 122 PHASE IVb: THE INFILLING OF THE N AND S BASTIONS AND THE BUILDING OF THE RAMPIRE 123 Summary 123 Structural evidence for the infilling of the bastions and the construction of the Rampire 123 Excavated evidence for the infilling of the bastions and the construction of the Rampire 123 PHASE IVc: THE FINAL YEARS 126 Summary 126 Structural evidence 128 Late occupation: evidence from excavations 128 Excavated evidence for external activity 130 The evidence of the finds assemblages 130 in

3 EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBER CASTLE PHASE V: THE ABANDONMENT OF THE CASTLE (1637+) 130 Summary 130 Excavated evidence for the demolition of the galleries 131 Excavated evidence for the rubble fills 131 PHASE VI: LATER ACTIVITY AT THE CASTLE (18th-20th CENTURIES) 133 Summary 133 Excavated features of recent date 135 Consolidation and restoration 135 CHAPTER 4 The Architectural Stones 137 Introduction 137 Nature of the assemblage, and methodology Provenance 137 Geology 137 The catalogue 138 The Keep string-course 138 Group 1: Keep string-course 138 The gallery string-course and windows 138 Group 2: Gallery string-course 138 Group 3: Gallery hoodmoulds 140 Group 4: Gallery, hoodmould 140 Group 5: Gallery string-course with vertical moulding 140 Group 6: Gallery, hoodmould with square moulding 140 Group 7: Gallery, springers 142 Group 8: Gallery, jamb with two hollow chamfers, splay and rebate 142 Group 9: Gallery, jamb with two hollow chamfers, splay and rebate 142 Group 10: Gallery, jamb with hollow chamfer and splay 143 Other windowheads and doorheads 143 Group 11: Other door- or windowheads, springer 143 Group 12: Other door- or windowheads, springer 143 Group 13: Other door- or windowheads, springer 144 Group 14: Other doorheads, springer 144 Group 15: Other window- and doorheads, springer 144 Group 16: Other window- and doorheads, springer 144 Corbels 144 Group 17: Corbels 144 Fireplace stones 147 Group 18: Fireplace 147 Group 19: Fireplace stone 147 Group 20: Fireplace stone 147 Group 21: Fireplace stone 147 Group 22: Smoke hole tops 147 Jambs 148 Group 23: Jamb stone 148 Stones reused from religious houses 148 The Continental Tile-Stove 149 Introduction 149 Ceramic stoves in 16th-century England 151 The ceramic body and surface treatment 152 The type-series 152 Crest 152 Cornice 152 Upper stage 156 Lower stage 157 Dating and design repertoire 157 Geographical source: the results of neutron activation analysis 161 Smokeless central heating at Camber Castle? 161 The Window Glass 164 Introduction 164 The glazing 164 Distribution 164 Discussion 167 The Lead Window Calme 167 Introduction 167 Distribution 168 Discussion 168 The Ceramic Building Materials, Stone Tiles and Slate 168 Introduction 168 Collection strategy and assemblage composition 168 Methodology 168 The floor tiles 168 Types and fabrics 168 Roofing material 169 Ceramic roof tiles 169 Fabric 169 Stone tiles and slate 170 The Bricks 170 Brick types 170 Brick fabrics 171 Discussion 171 Conclusion 172 Mortar and Plaster Analysis 172 Introduction 172 Methodology 172 Descriptions 172 Discussion 172 The Structural Metalwork 173 Introduction 173 Purchases of iron and steel and iron fixtures and fittings 173 Iron fixtures and fittings 174 Purchases of lead 175 Structural leadwork 175 Doorways, windows and gunports 175 The assemblage 176 Nails 176 Other iron structural fixtures and fittings 178 Swivel ring: 178 Clamps and staples 178 Clench nails 178 IV

4 CONTENTS Washer: 178 Holdfasts: 178 Studs: 178 Bindings 181 Leadwork 181 Decorative leadwork: 181 Structural leadwork: 182 Lead objects of uncertain function: 182 Door furniture 183 Door fittings: 183 Bolts and latches: 187 Locks: 187 Cased locks: 187 Padlocks: 187 Keys 187 Other possible door fittings: 188 Objects of uncertain function 188 Endnotes 188 CHAPTER 5 Introduction th- and 17th-century Military Artefacts 189 The Artillery 189 Breech chamber 193 Iron cannon balls 193 Possible cannon projectiles 195 Stone cannon balls 195 Birch bark buckets 195 Distribution 196 Archery and arrowheads 196 Arrowheads 196 Arrow shaft fragment 198 Possible arrowheads 198 Muskets and musketry 198 Musket components 200 Musket equipment 201 Musket balls and casting headers 203 Possible items of musket equipment 203 Hand Weapons 203 Halberds or Bills 205 Pikes 205 Possible weapon heads 205 Swords and sword fittings 205 Armour 205 The scientific analysis of the jack of plate: summary of results 206 Jack of plate: catalogue of excavated fragments 208 Brigandine: catalogue of excavated fragments 208 Horse Harness, Farriers' Equipment and Riding Gear 208 Harness and riding gear 208 Harness 209 Horseshoes 209 Curry combs 209 Spurs 212 Spur attachments 212 Other military artefacts 212 Medieval th-century 212 CHAPTER 6 Methodology 213 Classification of the Fabric Type Series 213 Quantification 213 Fabrics 213 Summary Catalogue of Fabric Types 213 Continental Imports 213 French 213 Portuguese 213 Spanish 213 German 213 Low Countries 214 Quartz Tempered Red Earthenwares 214 Established Wares (English Wares from Established Sources) 214 Late Post-Medieval English Wares 214 Continental Imports - French 214 Beauvais Earthenware Type Fabric 10, thin section sample Beauvais Sgraffito Ware Type Fabric 15, thin section sample Beauvais Stoneware Fabric Saintonge Green and Brown Type Fabric 11, thin section sample Saintonge Plain Glazed Wares Type Fabric Saintonge Chafing Dishes Type Fabric Martincamp Type I White Earthenware Type Fabric 34, thin section sample Martincamp Type II Stoneware Type Fabric Martincamp Type III Red Earthenware Type Fabric 2, thin section sample Continental Imports - Portuguese 218 Portuguese Merida Type Ware Type Fabric 13, thin section sample Red Earthenware - Import Type Fabric 12, thin section sample Continental Imports - Spanish 218 Seville Olive Jar Type Fabric 4, thin section sample Continental Imports - German 220 Siegburg Stoneware Fabric Raeren/Aachen Stoneware Type Fabric Cologne/Frechen Stoneware Type Fabric Westerwald Stoneware Fabric Lead Glazed Earthenware Fabric 5, thin section sample Werra Slipware Type Fabric Weser Slipware Type Fabric Seltzer bottles Fabric Continental Imports - Low Countries 224 Low Countries Slipware Type Fabric Tin Glazed Earthenware- Spanish, Netherlands and English Type Fabric Dating: 226 Quartz-Tempered Red Earthenwares 226 Low Countries type Redware

5 EXCAVATIONS AT CAMBER CASTLE Type Fabric 16, thin section sample Red Earthenware Type Fabric 17, thin section sample Red Earthenware Type Fabric 6, thin section sample Red Earthenware Type Fabric 3, thin section sample Red Earthenware Type Fabric 14, thin section sample Red Earthenware Type Fabric Red Earthenware Type Fabric 18, thin section sample Red Earthenware Type Fabric 20, thin section sample Discussion of the quartz-tempered Red Earthenwares 235 White-slipped Red Earthenware Fabric Bichrome Red Earthenware Type Fabric 7, thin section sample Cistercian Ware Fabric Post Medieval Blackware Fabric Metropolitan type Slipware Fabric Established Wares 238 Tudor Green Fabric Surrey Hampshire Border Ware - Brown glazed Type Fabric 8, thin section sample Surrey Hampshire Border Ware - Green and Yellow Glaze Type Fabric 9, thin section sample Surrey Hampshire Red Border Ware Fabric Late Post-Medieval English Wares 239 Late Surrey Ware Fabric Staffordshire press-moulded Slipware Fabric 56.' 239 English Stoneware bottles Type Fabric Creamware Type Fabric Transfer Printed Ware Type Fabric China Type Fabric English Porcelain Fabric Staffordshire White Salt Glazed Stoneware Fabric Red Earthenware Fabric Trends within the ceramic sequence and site formation processes as shown by specific ceramic assemblages 239 Exterior of the E Bastion (EBX) 240 North Bastion (NBi and NBii) 241 NE Courtyard (CTI) 242 Exterior of W Bastion (WBY) 246 SW Courtyard (SBC) and SSW Gallery (SBG and GVI) 246 Multiple Garderobe 251 'A Doorway on the west side of the South Horseshoe [Stirrup Tower] into Bastion' 251 Vessel Form and Function 251 Fabric chronology and Vessel Form Typology 252 Group 1: Early to mid 16th century 253 Group 2: Mid to late 16th century 253 Group 3: Late 16th /early 17th century 253 Regional Context and Trade 253 Local Earthenwares 254 Continental imports 254 Established wares 256 CHAPTER 7 Metalwork and organic materials 257 Personal items 257 Jewellery 257 Textile and leather 257 Pins 259 Points 259 Wire loop fasteners 260 Buttons 260 Copper alloy buckles 260 Iron buckles 260 Belt fittings and junctions 262 Shoe buckles 262 Bells 262 Folding knife 262 Toilet items 262 Sewing equipment 262 Miscellaneous 262 Household or domestic metalwork 266 Book corners 266 Furniture hinges and fittings 266 Catches 266 Handles (probably for drawers) 266 Possible furniture fittings 266 Fire 269 Vessels 269 Skimmers 269 Paper clip rivet 269 Tap 269 Tankards 272 Knives 272 Knives with plate tangs: 272 Knives with rod tangs: 272 Other knives: 274 Fragmentary pieces: 274 Spoons 274 Bucket fittings 274 Miscellaneous household and domestic metalwork 274 Tools 274 Hunting and fishing equipment 274 Fish hooks: 276 Miscellaneous tools 276 Spade shoes 276 Broad sheaths: 276 Possible broad sheaths: 279 Variant broad sheath: 279 Intermediate width sheath: 279 Narrow sheaths: 279 Uncertain width: 279 Miscellaneous unidentified pieces 281 Vessel Glass 283 Introduction 283 Drinking vessels 283 Decorative Types 286 Optic-blown with wrythen decoration 286 Fagon de Venise 286 Vetro a retorti: 286 Marvered enamel trails: 286 Painted/enamelled glass 287 VI

6 CONTENTS Diamond engraving 287 Optic-blown vessels 287 Applied decoration 290 Plain vessels 290 Bases 290 Bottles 291 Other vessels/objects 291 Discussion 292 Clay Tobacco Pipes 292 Introduction 292 Methodology 292 The Bowls 293 Stamped Marks 293 Moulded Heel Marks 295 Moulded Stem Marks 297 Internal Bowl Crosses 297 Decorated Pipes 297 Modified Stems 298 Mouthpieces 298 Manufacturing Techniques 298 Metal Rod 299 Discussion 299 Coins and Tokens 300 CHAPTER 8 Introduction 301 Other sources of evidence 301 The nature of the assemblage 301 Methods of analysis 302 Identification 302 Quantification 302 Ageing 302 Measurements 302 Butchery 302 Recovery, condition and storage 302 Composition and interpretation of the assemblage Species present 302 Frequencies of species 311 The local environment 311 Distribution of bones across the site 313 Parts of the skeleton represented 313 Cattle 313 Sheep 313 Pig 313 Butchery and cut marks 313 Cattle 313 Sheep 314 Pig 314 Age at slaughter 314 Cattle 314 Sheep 316 Pig 317 The size of the animals at Camber Castle 319 Cattle 319 Sheep 319 Pig 320 Pathology 323 Cattle 323 Sheep 324 Pig 325 The rabbit and hare assemblages 326 Fish 329 Introduction 329 The fish species 329 Discussion of the fish bones 330 The animal bone assemblage: general conclusions 330 CHAPTER 9 The castle in its local and historical context 333 The Defences of Rye and Winchelsea 333 The first tower 335 Domestic arrangements and accommodation 336 Design and ordnance provision 336 The phase II castle 337 Design 337 Domestic arrangements 337 The defences and ordnance arrangements 338 The phase III castle 338 The design 338 Domestic arrangements Survey 341 The defences and ordnance 344 The garrison and its arms 345 Everyday life at the castle: the evidence from the finds and animal bone assemblages 346 Endnotes 349 Glossary of Military Architecture, and of terms used in the lead calme, window glass and vessel glass reports 350 Appendix: 'Stem-and-Ieaf summary plots of selected measurements of cattle, sheep, pig, galliform (probably all chicken) and rabbit teeth and bones from Camber Castle 351 Bibliography 356 vu

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