Brightwell Baldwin Medieval Manor

The medieval manor burned down in 1788. Above ground there is no evidence of the buildings except for a magnificent dovecot. The site is being investigated as part of the Brightwell Baldwin Community Archaeology Project and, after extensive resistivity surveys, the first excavation on the site was a 61 m2 trench opened up this summer.

The trench was located, using data from the geophysics, where it was believed the main entrance porch lies and adjacent to which should be the great hall. Archaeology was exposed close to the surface, but this is now believed to possibly be either the end of a wing or ancillary buildings on the North side of a courtyard with part of a gatehouse inserted in Tudor times with walls were up to 1.4m thick. Much interpretation has to be yet done which will be assisted by excavations planned for future years.
Many of the finds showed evidence of burning that is possibly associated with the 1788 fire. While there were some earlier finds, most date to the post-medieval period in the form of 17th/18th century pottery and glass (which included over 10kgs of broken green glass wine bottles). The pottery included pieces of decorated early English “Delft” plates and later Delft ware, 18th century cream-ware and porcelain.