Dave North, student on the Diploma in British Archaeology, records his experience as a volunteer with the South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group (SOAG) during an excavation at Grey’s Court directed by the National Trust.
‘For a third year, experienced volunteers from the South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group (SOAG) returned this summer for excavations at Grey’s Court, directed by the National Trust. Being both a regular estate maintenance volunteer at Grey’s and a member of SOAG, I got involved in researching and drafting information boards and in the dig itself.
‘Grey’s Court, set in the rolling hills of the Chilterns, includes a beautiful Tudor House and medieval ruins, but its early history is poorly recorded. Our trench was sited to investigate parch marks on the lawn which suggested a range of buildings between the main house and the old ‘Cromwellian’ stables – a suggestion we were able to confirm.
‘We uncovered substantial foundations, indicating a two-storey range. Fragments of roof finial, window glass and glazed floor tile, and finds of dress pins and sherds of fine pottery indicated high status buildings of the Tudor period. These had been thoroughly demolished to below ground level, but we discovered a 2m-deep cellar/food store with a Charles II farthing found on its chalk floor. This, together with clay pipe finds, places the demolition in the late 17th century.
‘The range would have divided what was then a walled courtyard into an upper court (for the lord and honoured guests) and a lower court (for workers and staff). It would have allowed guests to walk through the upper level from their accommodation across to the main house without entering the lower, services level.
‘The dig was a great success, illuminating a period of the history of Grey’s Court for which there are no detailed records and generating great public engagement. Visitor numbers increased significantly during the dig, demonstrating again how archaeology can inspire and educate. Speaking to a succession of enthusiastic visitors was one of my personal highlights.’
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