Some archaeological sites are invisible on the surface and can only be detected by geophysical survey or as crop marks on aerial photographs. However, many sites are still visible to the naked eye as 'earthworks' or as Tony would prefer to call them 'lumps and bumps'. Hopton Castle was one such earthwork site that a landscape archaeologist like me dreams about. Not only was there a stone tower to help identify the site, but also there were extensive earthworks which I could map and analyse. These were to help me understand what might have been there in the Civil War, and how some of the earthworks that are still there today were used during the various sieges.
The earthworks show that by the time of the Civil War, Hopton Castle had ceased to be the defensive motte and bailey castle of the medieval period, but had evolved into something that can be more likened to a fancy country house with smart gardens around it. The stone tower, which was located on the former motte, was no longer the main residence on the site, but new, more fashionable brick buildings had been built within the ramparts of the original bailey to house its affluent owners.
Throughout England, the wealthy landowners of the late 16th and early 17th century aspired to have fine houses and gardens which copied those of royalty. Hopton Castle followed this fashion. Some of the former earthen ramparts of the old bailey were retained whilst others were flattened and some of the original defensive ditches were filled in and buildings such as lodgings for guests, brewhouse and stables were erected. Extensive earthwork garden terraces and orchards were laid out, and small, ornamental lakes were created around the gardens. By the time Civil War broke out, Hopton Castle comprised not only the remains of the old castle, but also an elaborate and decorative residence, water gardens, orchards and lakes, all surrounded by a perimeter wall to ensure privacy for the occupants.
That privacy was soon shattered by the conflict between royalty and parliament. Suddenly, country houses and castles became refuges for owners that declared either for King or Cromwell. With its high surrounding wall, lakes, old ramparts and stone tower house, Hopton Castle once more became a place that could be used for defence. The walled gardens became a garrison overnight when the besieging army camped outside the walls in the nearby village.
Earthworks that still survive helped me identify where various buildings and structures that were mentioned in the historical documents - but no longer exist - were located. One of these places was where attackers were slaughtered as they breached the outer walls and became trapped in a courtyard. Some earthworks looked out of place amongst those of the gardens and former ramparts of the castle. I wondered if these might have been hurriedly thrown up by defenders to fill gaps in walls and old ramparts. It gave me a great thrill to see these excavated by Phil and shown to be Civil War trenches, with an earthen bank thrown upon one side to protect the defenders. Just like trench warfare of the First World War nearly 300 years later!
Looking at the lie of the land and the earthworks also helped us work out where the final assault took place as described in the historical accounts. There was only one place where cannon could be placed to fire with maximum effect to cause a breach in the outer wall where the attackers eventually broke through, charging through the orchards and gardens, setting fire to any buildings in their path before finally pinning the defenders into the stone tower. From this there was no escape.
