The Archaeology of Medieval England and Wales (Routledge Library Editions: Archaeology) (Volume 38)

In the preceding 25 years to this book’s publication in 1985 there was an extensive and unprecedented burst of archaeological activity in evidence from below-ground deposits, above-ground structures, and artefacts. During the boom of the late 1960s and 1970s, which led to go much central town redevelopment, it was buried remains which yielded the most dramatic information. In the recession of the 1980s it was realised that upstanding remains had a lot to offer as well and they were being subject to ever more sophisticated study techniques. This book examines those recent developments in archaeology and assesses their bearing on the study of medieval English and Welsh history. Taking a series of important themes such as government, religion and the countryside, the book offers a chronological approach from the coming of the Vikings, 850 AD, to the Reformation in 1530. This approach focuses on the impact of man on the urban and rural landscape. An important text for students of ancient history. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Figures List of Plates Preface 1. The Archaeology of Medieval Government 1. The Coronation 2. Royal Tombs 3. The Palace of Westminster 4. The Exchequer 5. The Tower of London 6. The Rural Palaces and Houses of the English Medieval Kings 7. Episcopal Palaces 8. Cities, Boroughs and Guildhalls 9. The Archaeology of Justice 10. Emblems of power 11. Seals References 2. Fortifications 1. The Origins of Castles 2. The Evolution of Castles 3. Castle Building in Wales 4. Castles as Residences 5. Henry VIII's Coastal Defences 6. Town Defences 7. A Medieval Walled-town: York 8. Moated Sites References 3. Religion 1. The Power of the Medieval Church 2. Siting and Water Supply of Greater Churches and Monasteries 3. The Outer Court 4. The Conventual Church 5. The Cloister and Other Parts of the Monastic Complex 6. The Economics of Church Building 7. Monastic Granges 8. The Archaeology of Pilgrimage 9. Parish Churches 10. The Siting of Parish Churches 11. Parish Churches: Dedications 12. Parish Churches: Functions 13. Parish Churches: Study of the Standing Structure 14. Parish Churches: Evolution of the Plan 15. The Excavation of Churches 16. Graveyards: Rural and Urban Examples 17. A Town Cemetery 18. Leprosy 19. Hospitals in the Later Middle Ages References 4. Communications, Towns, Ports and Trade 1. Stability or Mobility? 2. Roads 3. Fords and Bridges 4. Inns 5. The Topographical Study of Towns 6. Saxon Urban Planning 7. Early Medieval Town Development 8. Rural Markets 9. New Towns and Planned Urban Elements 10. Pottery as a Trade Indicator 11. Ports and Havens 12. Shipping 13. Lighthouses References 5. The Medieval Countryside 1. Archaeology and the Anatomy of Settlement 2. The Choice of Site 3. Settlement Shapes 4. Field Systems and Estate Boundaries: the Prehistoric and Roman Legacy 5. The Origins of the open-field System 6. Ridge-and-furrow 7. Agricultural Implements 8. Common Land 9. Woodland 10. Forests 11. Parks 12. Mills and Milling 13. Windmills 14. Fishponds 15. The Making of the Broads 16. Climate in the Middle Ages 17. Coastal Change in the Middle Ages 18. The' Black Death' and the Dissolution of the Medieval Landscape References 6. Housing 1. The Techniques of Rural Archaeology 2. Highland Housing 3. Lowland Village Houses: Plans 4. Lowland Homes: Walling 5. Peasant Housing: Heating and Flooring 6. Peasant Housing: Roofing 7. Rural Manor Houses 8. The Evolution of Timber Roof Structures 9. Heating, Lighting and Flooring 10. Furniture and Fittings 11. The Problems of Urban Archaeology 12. Anglo-Scandinavian Housing in York 13. Danish and Early Medieval Houses in Lincoln and Southampton 14. Working-class Housing in Winchester, York and Northampton 210 15. Medieval Gardens References 7. Medieval Industries and Crafts 1. Reasons for Lack of Study 2. The Ironworking Industry 3. Charcoal Burning 4. Lead Working 5. Tin Mining 6. Bronze Working 7. Quarrying and Building 8. Purbeck Marble and Alabaster 9. Timber and Wood: Carpentry and Woodworking Crafts 10. Brick and Tile-making 11. Pottery Making 12. Salt Making 13. Leather-working 14. The Wool and Cloth Trades 15. The Glass Industry References 8. The Archaeology of the Necessities of Life 1. Food: The Limiting Factors of the Evidence 2. Meat 3. Fish 4. Cereals 5. Brewing 6. Vegetables and Fruit 7. Kitchens and Cooking 8. Water 9. Wine 10. Clothing and Shoes References Index