Building in Manorland (1st Division)

The ward of the castle provided space for various buildings or structures, dating largely to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, but a precise date cannot be provided in most instances. An earthen bank or external scarp (H c. 3m at W) was constructed extending S from the Trim gate, probably in the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century (Hayden 2011, 216), and two medieval buildings were erected in the tail of this bank, on the E or inner side. This building (No. 1) located c. 7m S of the SE angle of the Trim gate was built first (ibid. 262-9). It is a rectangular structure (ext. dims 9.3m N-S; 5.6m E-W) defined by stone mortared walls (Wth 0.75-0.8m; max. H 1.2m), although its N wall was removed by the structure (ME036-048089-) built between it and the Trim gate. It had a doorway (Wth 1.15m) off-centre in the E wall, which was approached by a path from the N. After its neighbour to the N was built this structure was paved, its doorway blocked with a clay-bonded wall and a new entrance made at the N end of the E wall. Two S-N drains met at N before exiting through the new doorway and turning N. Three posts were added inside the W wall at the S end and this structure had been converted into a byre or stable. Mid-seventeenth century occupation occurred over a fresh floor of small stones and gravel, from which a farthing of 1625-44 and a forged fifteenth century groat were recovered (ibid. 281). The conserved walls are visible at ground level. See the attached view of the building under excavation (Left) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 11 July, 2019