You are on page 1of 19

Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff

Archaeological building survey


September 2008
GGAT report no. 2008/057
Project no.P1257
A report for The City and County of Cardiff National Grid Reference:
by Rob Dunning BSc ST 1807 7659

GG GI
STER
ED
ION E
R

IFA
OR G

AT AN AT
IS
RAO No.15

The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd


Heathfield House Heathfield Swansea SA1 6EL
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

Contents Page
Summary ............................................................................................................................. 2
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 2
Copyright notice.................................................................................................................. 2
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Project background and commission............................................................................ 3
1.2 Location and geology ................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Archaeological background.......................................................................................... 3
2. Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 5
3. Survey results ..................................................................................................................... 7
4. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 16
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................... 17
Appendix I......................................................................................................................... 18
Inventory of contexts......................................................................................................... 18

Figures
Figure 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) ...................................................... 12
Figure 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

Plates
Plate 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

Front cover: View of emergency works at the Ladies Walk, looking west  GGAT

1
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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.

2
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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 Cardiff
commissioned 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 presumed principia 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 that
a 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

3
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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.

4
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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.

5
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

North Gate

Motte
Moat

Ladies Walk

Location of section

A A

Line of Inner
Bailey
Castle Green
Castle Lawn

Western
Apartments

South Gate

Castle Street Duke Street

GRID

0 50 100metres

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

6
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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 limestone
blocks (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). The
primary 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.

7
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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

8
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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

9
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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

10
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

West East

1009

1008

1007
1006

MEDIEVAL WALL 1005

1001

1010
1003

1004

ROMAN WALL

1001

1002

Ground Level

Key
Mortar

Stone
0 5.00metres Void

Figure 2. South-facing section along A-A (see Figure 1)


12
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

West East

1002

Ground Level

Key

Roman phase

0 5.00metres Void

Figure 3. South-facing section showing Roman phase


13
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

West East

1003

Ground Level

Key

Medieval phase

0 5.00metres Void

Figure 4. South-facing section showing Medieval phase


14
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

West East

1009

1008

1002
1006

1005

1010 1004
1001

Ground Level

Key

Post-medieval phase

0 5.00metres Void

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


15
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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.

16
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

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: The
Early 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

17
Ladies Walk, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff: archaeological building survey

Appendix I

Inventory of contexts

Context Type Description Period

1001 S Ladies Walk internal wall, composed of sub-angular and sub-rounded stones. Post-medieval
Likely to date to the 1920s.
1002 S Wall composed of sub-angular blue lias limestone blocks. Dates to the Roman Roman
period.
1003 S Wall composed of rounded and sub-rounded sandstone blocks, as well as sub- Medieval
angular limestone. Dates to the Medieval period.
1004 D Primary 1920s fill, composed of sub-rounded and sub-angular sandstone and Post-medieval
hard white-grey mortar.
1005 D Secondary 1920s fill, composed of sub-rounded and sub-angular sandstone Post-medieval
and hard white-grey mortar.
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 Post-medieval
path (1009)
1009 S Ladies Walk path Post-medieval

1010 S External wall of the Castle Post-medieval

Note:
D = Deposit
S = Structure

18

You might also like