Gold In The Moat (Codnor Castle) | S15E01 | Time Team

The script introduces Codnor Castle in Derbyshire, a medieval ruin with a storied past involving knights who fought in significant battles from the Crusades to the Wars of the Roses. The earliest known image of the castle dates to the 18th century, long after it had fallen into disrepair. The current project aims to restore the castle and uncover its original appearance, age, and purpose. The challenge is to complete the investigation within three days. The castle's location on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and its surrounding parkland, which has been mined extensively over the centuries, adds to the complexity of the task. The team begins by searching for evidence of mining activity that could have affected the archaeological remains.

The team at Codnor Castle starts their investigation by looking for remnants of mining activity that might have impacted the archaeological remains. They are particularly interested in finding the shafts of old mines, but the search is proving difficult. The archaeologists are also hoping to uncover the original walls of the castle and understand its layout. They have a plan of the castle from the 14th century, which shows an original castle with certain walls that have survived, and an extension from the same century. The team digs trenches in different parts of the castle grounds to explore the upper court, the lower court, and the area around the gateway. Their initial findings include a significant ditch and the remains of what might be a moat. The archaeologists also find pottery and other artifacts that could provide clues to the castle's history.

The archaeologists at Codnor Castle are working to establish a timeline for the castle's construction and development. They know from historical records that the castle was mentioned in 1308, but they are looking for physical evidence to confirm this and to discover when the castle was first built. The team finds pottery that could date back to the 12th century, suggesting an earlier occupation on the site than previously thought. They also uncover masonry that could be from the 15th or 16th century, indicating that the castle underwent changes and additions over time. The discovery of a drawbridge mechanism and a possible moat adds to the complexity of the site, suggesting a grand entrance to the castle. The team also finds a beautiful carved stone and a delicate cup, adding to the evidence of the castle's rich history.

The script details the ongoing excavation work at Codnor Castle, focusing on the gateway and its surrounding structures. The archaeologists are trying to understand the sequence of construction and the castle's evolution over time. They find evidence of a drawbridge and a pit that might have been part of the castle's original entrance. The team also uncovers masonry that could be from an earlier entrance tower, suggesting that the castle's layout has changed significantly over the centuries. They discover pottery and other artifacts that help them date different phases of the castle's history. The discovery of a gold coin and a silver penny adds to the intrigue, as these finds could provide valuable information about the castle's past and the people who lived there.

The archaeologists at Codnor Castle have made significant progress in uncovering the history of the site. They have identified the great hall, a key room in the castle where Henry de Grey would have entertained King Edward I. The team has also been working in the moat area, exposing the front face of a tower and finding the bottom of the drawbridge tower. The moat is revealed to be six and a half meters wide and three meters deep. The discoveries suggest that the castle had a grand drawbridge and a romantic entrance in the 13th century, which was later replaced by a more fortified entrance in the early 14th century. The castle continued to evolve, with extensions into the lower court in the 15th century. However, it was the extravagant plans of the Zeals in the 16th century that led to the castle's ruin and the family's financial downfall.