Cruggleton Castle

After initial excavations in 1978 Kirkdale Archaeology undertook three seasons of excavations at Cruggleton Castle from 1979-81. This was primarily due to the erosion affecting the site. Over this time four quadrants of the motte summit were excavated and by the end of 1981 the sequence of habitation after the mid-15th century was completely recorded. Unfortunatly the overall ground plans of the earlier structures are less complete so the details of these earlier phases of occupation were only partially recovered.

G Ewart 1985

A small-scale exploratory excavation was mounted to assess the character and extent of the archaeological evidence on the site, in the summer of 1978, in view of the threat from coastal collapse. This lead on to a further three seasons of excavation.

G Ewart 1985

Sponsor: Historic Buildings and Monuments

Kirkdale Archaeology

NX 484427 Excavation upon the motte revealed a complex of timber and stone built structures. Four major phases have so far been highlighted.

a. One-storey timber hall (length in excess of 16m) - undated, possibly llth century.

b. Multi-storey timber tower (4ra square) - undated but possibly dismantled late 13th century.

c. Stone curtain-wall and courtyard buildings - late 13th century (razed in 14th century).

d. Tower-house and outbuildings - 16th century (ruined in early 17th

"century).

Dearth of artefacts makes dating difficult but excavations to continue.

Material related to this excavation can be found in the Kirkdale Archaeology Archive

G Ewart and C Tabraham 1979

Sponsor: Historic Buildings and Monuments

Kirkdale Archaeology

NX 484428 During this third season of excavation, almost the entire length of 'the 13th century curtain wall surrounding the motte summit was traced on the seaward side of the site. Elements of this defensive line were very well preserved, notably a later latrine tower with associated garderobe pits (late 15th century) situated in the NE corner of the site. In the SE corner of the summit a kitchen was located, along with an associated drain and large hearth (16th century). A third phase of timber building, predating the stone castle construction, has been isolated, apparently predating the two other known timber phases. This earliest structure was only partially excavated but appears to be a large hut circle, underlying the wooden tower and hall structures, already exposed.

G J Ewart 1980

Sponsor: SDD (AM) Historic Buildings and Monuments

Kirkdale Archaeology

NX 484 428 The fourth season of excavation on the motte summit, concentrated on tracing the remaining stretch of the 13th century curtain wall and associated structures lying towards the SW of the site. Three chambers (dating from the 15th anrf 16th centuries) were uncovered adjacent to the curtain wall and which overlay the badly robbed foundations of the original keep (13th century).

The partly excavated early medieval timber hall and tower which in turn overlay a large hut circle, were further defined although later building and coastal erosion were found to have removed much of the evidence of these periods of occupation

G J Ewart 1981

Sponsor: SDD (AM) Historic Buildings and Monuments

Kirkdale Archaeology