ladies walk, cardiff castle building survey

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Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

Front cover: View of emergency works at the Ladies Walk, looking westGGAT

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Contents PageSummary ............................................................................................................................. 2

Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................2

Copyright notice ..................................................................................................................2

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3

1.1 Project background and commission............................................................................ 3

1.2 Location and geology................................................................................................... 31.3 Archaeological background..........................................................................................3

2. Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 5

3. Survey results .....................................................................................................................7

4. Conclusions .......................................................................................................................16

Bibliography .....................................................................................................................17

Appendix I.........................................................................................................................18

Inventory of contexts......................................................................................................... 18

FiguresFigure 1: Plan showing the location of the south-facing section (see Figure 2).................... 6

Figure 2: South-facing section along A-A (see Figure 1) ......................................................12Figure 3: South-facing section showing Roman phase ......................................................... 13

Figure 4: South-facing section showing Medieval phase...................................................... 14

Figure 5: South-facing section showing Post-medieval phase.............................................. 15

PlatesPlate 1: View of the base of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001) and

the Roman Core (1002), looking west.................................................................................... 8

Plate 2: View of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001) and medieval

core (1003), looking west......................................................................................................... 8

Plate 3: View of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the primary fill

(1004) and voids, looking north.............................................................................................. 9

Plate 4: View of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the primary fill(1004), the secondary fill (1005) and voids, looking north................................................... 9

Plate 5: View of the top of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the

secondary fill (1005), stone slabs (1006), cobbled wall (1007), mortar deposit (1008)

and the Ladies Walk path (1009), looking north................................................................ 10

Plate 6: View of the top of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the

secondary fill (1005), stone slabs (1006), cobbled wall (1007), mortar deposit (1008),

the Ladies Walk path (1009) and external wall (1010), looking west ............................... 10

Plate 7: View of the top of Ladies Walk showing mortar deposit (1008), the Ladies

Walk path (1009) and external wall (1010), looking north................................................ 11


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Summary

Cadw have granted conditional Scheduled Monument Consent for emergency investigation and

stabilisation works at the Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff (Gm 171). Following the

inspection of the works, Cadw recommended that the exposed areas of the wall should be

recorded. Therefore, the City and County of Cardiff commissioned GGAT Projects to conduct

an archaeological survey.

The emergency works conducted on the Ladies Walk revealed elements of the Roman, medieval

and post-medieval walls within the exposed area. It is highly likely that both the Roman and

medieval walls continue below the length of the Ladies Walk and will be encountered during

any further remedial activities. The presence of such archaeologically significant structures

should be taken into consideration when devising any further mitigation.

Acknowledgements

The project was managed by Richard Lewis BA MIFA and the fieldwork was undertaken by

Rob Dunning BSc and Alexandra Young BA of GGAT Projects. The report was written by

Rob Dunning and the illustrations prepared by Paul Jones (Senior Illustrator).

Copyright notice

The copyright of this report is held by the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd, which

has granted an exclusive licence to the City and County of Cardiff and their agents to use and

reproduce material it contains. Ordnance Survey maps are reproduced under licence (AL

10005976). Annotations are GGAT copyright.


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1. Introduction

1.1 Project background and commission

Cadw have granted conditional Scheduled Monument Consent for emergency investigation and

stabilisation works at the Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff (Gm 171). Following the

inspection of the works, Cadw recommended that the exposed areas of the wall should be

recorded by a suitably qualified archaeologist. Therefore, the City and County of Cardiffcommissioned GGAT Projects to conduct the archaeological survey, which forms the subject

of this report.

1.2 Location and geology

The Ladies Walk is located along the western wall of the castle, with the recorded area being

19.21m to the north of the Western Apartments (see Figure 1). The castle is listed as

unsurveyed on the Soil Survey of England and Wales (SSEW 1983), although the underlying

geology is known to be Triassic mudstones (including Keuper Marl, Dolomitic Conglomerate

and Rhaetic) (Blockley 2002).

1.3 Archaeological background

Excavations conducted at Cardiff Castle between 1974 and 1981 by Dr Peter Webster have

suggested a sequence of four overlapping Roman forts. A large Neronian fort first occupied

the site in the mid 1st century AD, extending beyond the limits of the current castle. It has

been suggested that on the basis of the presumedprincipia in the northeast quarter of the castle,

the fort covered an area of 12ha. The second fort (occupied in the late 1st century AD) covered

an area roughly one-fifth of this size, but retaining elements of its north-south axial road and

northern defensive line. The third fort was aligned on very similar lines, although located

slightly to the south. The late Roman stone fort is the last of the quartet with its lines dictating

the alignment of the medieval castle (RCAHMW 1991, 163).

Despite suggestions of a Roman origin for the castle as early as 1862, it was not until 1889 thata Roman wall was identified within an earthen bank on the east side of the castle perimeter.

Between 1889 and 1923, intermittent excavations eventually revealed the entire circuit of the

Roman walls. Indeed, five separate observations noted that the medieval curtain wall followed

and incorporated Roman fabric at lower levels (RCAHMW 1991, 163). A limited excavation

by Dr Michael Jarrett in 1960 to the west of the south gate indicated that the Roman ditch had

been completely removed by the larger medieval ditch (RCAHMW 1991, 210).

A series of unpublished excavations were conducted in the late 19th century for the 3rd

Marquis, details are scarce although the piles of a timber bridge were recorded in the motte

ditch and fragments of a drawbridge were recovered from the adjacent Middle Gate.

Excavations in the Outer Ward by Dr Peter Webster revealed late medieval buildings, with the

most notable being the Shire Hall. Evidence of occupation dating to the beginning of the

medieval period was limited to rubbish pits, suggesting that any buildings dating to this period

were timber constructions (RCAHMW 1991, 211).

When John, Lord Mountstuart, aquired the castle in 1776 he set about a series of extensive

renovations, including the removal of the Shire Hall and the filling of the moat around the

motte. Under his direction, Henry Holland was engaged to reconstruct the Western

Apartments, adding a new southern wing to balance a restored wing to the north. However,

work was abandoned in 1794 and the Apartments were not completed until 1818 when Sir

Robert Smirke was employed by John, the second marquess of Bute (1814-1848). The third


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marquess of Bute, also John (1848-1900), collaborated with William Burges, which resulted in

the raising of the Clock Tower, the redesign of the Western Apartments and restoration of the

Roman walls. Whereas the fourth marquess (1900-1947) rebuilt the South Gateway and added

a small square turret to the Ladies Walk (RCAHMW 1991, 172-173).

An archaeological desk-based assessment has been undertaken (Blockley 2002) which

provided a detailed and site specific archaeological background in advance of an excavation

conducted by GGAT Projects in 2006, prior to the construction of a new Interpretation Centre.

Numerous features and structures were uncovered during the course of the investigation,

including a lime mortar preparation area and post-medieval and medieval cess pits. Two

Roman banks were excavated, as well as a Roman road and a large timber building.

Prehistoric activity was also noted, in the form of small pits and post-holes. In addition, a line

of stakeholes at least 15m long was discovered, and probably forms the remains of a prehistoric

fenceline or boundary. This discovery provides some of the earliest evidence for the

occupation of the area that is now Cardiff city centre.


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2. Methodology

Following erosion and subsequent water retention within the Ladies Walk, emergency works

were conducted to relieve the pressure on the wall, preventing further damage and possible

collapse. During the course of the works, the inner core of the wall was revealed and Cadw

recommended that the more complex, south-facing section of the exposed area should be

drawn at a scale of 1:20. The drawing should show the character of the different phases of

walling and voids, the outline of the walk, exterior curtain wall and ground levels to either side.

The survey will meet the requirement of the Institute of Field archaeologists Standard and

Guidance for the archaeological investigation and recording of standing buildings or

structures 1996 (revised 1999) and the methodology will generally follow, where appropriate,

those set out by English Heritage (2006) to Level 3 standard.

A written and photographic record was made of all archaeological deposits in accordance with

the GGAT Manual of Excavation Recording Techniques. Contexts were recorded using a

continuous numbering system, and are summarised in Appendix I. All significant contexts

were photographed using a digital camera (with a minimum resolution of 8mp). The section

was located in relation to a standing building (specifically the Western Apartments) and the site

datum related to Ordnance Survey (OS) datum. Levels are related to the OS benchmark (BM

13.28m) located on the eastern wall of the Western Apartments.

The project archive will be deposited with an appropriate receiving organisation, in accordance

with the UKIC and IFA Guidelines ( Archaeological Archives: a guide to best practice in

creation, compilation, transfer and curation (2007). A copy of the report and archive index

will be deposited with the regional Historic Environment Record, curated by the Glamorgan-

Gwent Archaeological Trust, Swansea and a further copy of the archive index will be deposited

with the National Monuments Record, Royal Commission on the Archaeological and Historical

Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), Aberystwyth.


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3. Survey results

The survey consisted of the drawing of a south facing section of the exposed wall below the

Ladies Walk, at a scale of 1:20 (see Figure 2). It was apparent that in the core of the structure,

elements of both the Roman and medieval walls survive, whereas the outer facings of the

Ladies Walk wall date to the post-medieval renovations.

The base of the central component of the wall was composed of sub-angular blue lias limestoneblocks (1002), varying in size from 0.13m by 0.32m to 0.13m by 0.02m. The stones are

bonded with a moderately hard, light brown sandy mortar with occasional lime fragments.

Constructed directly on top of this base was a further wall (1003) composed of rounded and

sub-rounded sandstone and sub-angular limestone, with the smallest measuring 0.03m by

0.05m and the largest 0.18m by 0.26m. They are bonded by a soft, mid brown, sandy mortar

with no lime fragments apparent. Deposit 1003 is overlain by stone slabs (1006), with three

sections visible within the exposed area, which in turn formed the base of a cobbled wall

(1007). Wall structure 1007 is composed of rounded, sub-rounded and sub-angular stones with

the smallest measuring 0.12m by 0.23m and the largest 0.38m by 0.21m. The stones are

bonded with a moderately hard, mid-brown mortar with moderately frequent lime fragments.

A square drain was located at the base of the wall measuring 0.2m by 0.23m, and with a

minimum depth of 0.84m. This was overlain by a mid brown, sandy mortar deposit (1008),

which also contained occasional coal fragments, isolated slate fragments and moderate, sub-

rounded stones (less than 0.05m in diameter). It is likely that deposit 1008 was used as a

bonding and levelling material for the Ladies Walk path (1009), which was composed of

limestone slabs (with the largest being 0.38m by 0.43m). The slabs were bonded by a mid

brown, sandy mortar, which also contained occasional coal fragments.

The central core of the wall is enclosed by the castles exterior wall ( 1010) to west and the

interior wall (1001) to the east. The west wall (1010) is composed of sub-rounded and sub-

angular stones bonded with a hard white-grey mortar, with the interior wall (1001) being

formed of similar materials. Additionally, when the interior wall (1001) had been constructed,

attempts had been made to fill gaps between the core and inner wall by pouring in a series of

mortar and stone mixes (1004 and 1005), although several voids remain (see Figure 2). Theprimary fill (1004) was made up of sub-rounded and sub-angular stones (less than 0.17m in

diameter) and a hard white-grey mortar containing frequent lime fragments and moderate coal

fragments. The secondary fill (1005) was composed of similar materials. However, it was

apparent that 1001 had become detached from both fills and 1002, bowing out due to the

pressure exerted by water trapped in the structure, hence the need for the emergency works.


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Plate 1: View of the base of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001) and the Roman Core

(1002), looking west

Plate 2: View of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001) and medieval core (1003), looking west


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Plate 3: View of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the primary fill (1004) and voids,

looking north

Plate 4: View of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the primary fill (1004), the secondary

fill (1005) and voids, looking north


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Plate 5: View of the top of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the secondary fill (1005),

stone slabs (1006), cobbled wall (1007), mortar deposit (1008) and the Ladies Walk path (1009), looking

north

Plate 6: View of the top of Ladies Walk showing the post-medieval wall (1001), the secondary fill (1005),

stone slabs (1006), cobbled wall (1007), mortar deposit (1008), the Ladies Walk path (1009) and external

wall (1010), looking west


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Plate 7: View of the top of Ladies Walk showing mortar deposit (1008), the Ladies Walk path (1009) and

external wall (1010), looking north


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4. Conclusions

The emergency works conducted on the Ladies Walk revealed the core of the structure which

contained elements of the Roman wall (1002) at its base close to the current ground level. It

was apparent that the portion of the wall dating to the medieval period (1003) had been

constructed directly on top of the Roman precursor. The post-medieval walls (1001 and 1010)

form the interior and exterior of the main castle walls, with the voids caused by their

construction being filled with at least two fills (1004 and 1005). The medieval wall has been

capped by stone slabs (1006) at its apex, where a further low cobbled wall (1007) has been

constructed, complete with drainage holes. The current floor of the Ladies Walk (1009) has

then been built on top of the cobbled wall, after the laying down of mortar (1008) as a bonding

and levelling material.

The results of the archaeological works further demonstrate the presence of Roman and

medieval structures within the confines of Cardiff Castle, specifically within the exposed area

of the Ladies Walk. It is highly likely that both the Roman and medieval walls continue below

the length of the Ladies Walk and will be encountered during any further remedial activities.

The emergency works aside, the presence of both walls in a good state of preservation at the

core of the wall should be taken into consideration when devising any further mitigation that

may be required.


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Bibliography

Blockley K, 2002, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological desk-based assessment, Cambrian

Archaeological Projects Report no. 203

English Heritage, 2006, Understanding Historic Buildings: a guide to good recording practice,

English Heritage

RCAHMW, 1991, Inventory of Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan Volume III Part 1a: TheEarly Castles From the Norman Conquest to 1217, HMSO

SSEW, 1983, 1:250,000 Soil Map of England and Wales and Legend, Soil Survey of England

and Wales, Harpenden


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Appendix I

Inventory of contexts

Context Type Description Period

1001 S Ladies Walk internal wall, composed of sub-angular and sub-rounded stones.

Likely to date to the 1920s.

Post-medieval

1002 S Wall composed of sub-angular blue lias limestone blocks. Dates to the Roman

period.

Roman

1003 S Wall composed of rounded and sub-rounded sandstone blocks, as well as sub-

angular limestone. Dates to the Medieval period.

Medieval

1004 D Primary 1920s fill, composed of sub-rounded and sub-angular sandstone and

hard white-grey mortar.

Post-medieval

1005 D Secondary 1920s fill, composed of sub-rounded and sub-angular sandstone

and hard white-grey mortar.

Post-medieval

1006 S Stone slabs Post-medieval

1007 S Cobbled wall, composed of rounded and sub-rounded sandstone. Post-medieval

1008 D Mortar deposit, used as bonding and levelling material for the Ladies Walk

path (1009)

Post-medieval

1009 S Ladies Walk path Post-medieval

1010 S External wall of the Castle Post-medieval

Note:

D = Deposit

S = Structure

ladies walk, cardiff castle building survey

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