This article is a guest post for History Extra. A big thanks to Elinor Evans for commissioning the piece. The text can be found by clicking the link below :
James Wright (Triskele Heritage) is an award-winning buildings archaeologist who frequently writes and lectures on the subject of mediaeval building myths. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the mediaeval period.
A one-off online talk looking at new research which has revised the functions and dating of the world-famous Lincolnshire castle.
Tattershall Castle (Lincolnshire) is one of the most famous and iconic fifteenth century castles in the world. Owned by the National Trust since 1925, the site was excavated and conserved during the 1910s by Lord Curzon and the architect William Weir. However, much of what was understand then about Tattershall came from a time when English castle studies were in their infancy.
A four-year research project, carried out by buildings archaeologist James Wright, has challenged the interpretation of Tattershall using modern techniques to reassess the site. This fully illustrated talk will look at how fundamental errors were made when describing the functions of spaces including the “Stables”, “Guardhouse”, “Kitchens”, “Parlour” and “Tiltyard”. New evidence offers alternative insights into how these parts of the castle originally functioned during the mediaeval period.
The science of dendrochronology was incorporated into the project and has helped to refine the construction dates for the castle. A shift of just 15 years has revolutionised the place of Tattershall in English architectural history. The building is now thought to be part of the genesis of a style which lasted for two centuries and inspired later work at Eton College, Oxburgh Hall and Hampton Court Palace.
The speaker, Dr James Wright (Triskele Heritage), is an award winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the mediaeval period. He is the author of the popular Mediaeval Mythbusting Blog. His doctoral research was on Tattershall Castle.
All you need to do is register via Eventbrite and – when the time for the talk rolls around – grab your favourite beverage of choice, get comfy and enjoy.
The event will take place at 19:00GMT+1 on Thursday 15 September 2022 .
Due to our licensing agreement with Zoom tickets for each event will be limited to 495 places. This will be a live event. It will not be recorded and made available online afterwards. If you have a question about the event – in the first instance please see our FAQs section. The answer will almost certainly be in there.
*** If you have any problems accessing this event please email with your booking reference to james@triskeleheritage.com ***
