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English Heritage Helps Unlock Secrets Of Unique Medieval Water Garden At Shropshire Castle

April 29, 2002

Archaeological Survey Reveals Possibly the Earliest and Largest Garden Viewing Mount Found in England. The layout of a sophisticated 14th century garden landscaping project, in a design never before seen, has been revealed by an English Heritage funded archaeological survey undertaken at Whittington Castle near Oswestry in North Shropshire. Incorporating what is now suspected to be the earliest viewing mount ever found in England and an elaborate ditched water system, the castle grounds look set to transform current knowledge of early garden history.

It was only realised last summer that a medieval garden, long since lost, must have existed within the outer bailey of the picturesque castle, which is connected historically with the great Welsh leader Owain Glyndwr and in legend with the Holy Grail. The amazing breakthrough followed the discovery by historical researcher Peter King from Stourbridge of references to Whittington in old records, including one of 1413 to "a garden with a ditch of water around it." The significance of the reference immediately hit archaeologist Peter Brown, who has spent many years investigating the castle`s history and co-ordinated the archaeological surveys.

Peter said: "It was a moment of immense excitement. I rushed to look at the castle plans and suddenly all the puzzling bits of information we had about the grounds from many different historical periods fell into place. I knew exactly where the medieval garden was likely to be."

Spurred on by the literary clues, last October archaeologists began a hunt for the garden using geophysical methods which look below the surface of the ground to map any remaining traces. English Heritage agreed to donate nearly £40,000 for the survey and for other work at the castle. Analysis of the results, recently completed, have revealed more exciting surprises.

Buzz Busby, English Heritage Archaeologist and Project Officer said: "The survey indicates that the garden at Whittington is unique for its date, both because of the completeness of its survival and its layout. It paints a fascinating new picture of a 14th century garden and is especially important because it may radically alter ideas about medieval garden design. Most of our knowledge has so far come from medieval manuscripts as very few remains of medieval gardens have ever come to light."

The greatest discovery is that the huge mound in the south east of the grounds is probably a very early viewing mount contemporary with the garden, likely, on documentary evidence, to have been in place by 1349. Until now the mount was thought to date from the 16th or17th centuries, like most garden mounts so far found. What little evidence there is for medieval mounts has suggested they were very small but this idea will now have to be revised in the light of the Whittington mount which is over five metres high.

Peter Brown explained: "The lines of paths and rectangular plot-like features of the medieval garden are shown on the survey leading towards the mount. They are not aligned with the rest of the garden area, as might be expected. This garden was clearly meant to be viewed from the top of the mount."

There would probably have been a "gloriette" or summer-house on top of the mount, reached by a stairway. All around flowed water from ditches adapted to ornamental use from the castle`s defences, when Whittington Castle, no longer embroiled in wars on the Welsh frontier, became a peaceful retreat in the early 14th century.

Illustrations and descriptions in medieval manuscripts suggest the kind of garden the visitors to the mount could have admired from their lofty position. The enclosed garden, known as a "herber," would have been formally laid out, with beds of fragrant herbs and flowers, including roses and honeysuckle (to guard against medieval smells), divided by paths. There would perhaps have been turf seats. Medieval gardeners were also fond of orchards of mulberries and quinces and flowery meads, sewn with violets, forget-me-nots and daffodils.

The garden`s creators were members of the Fitz Warin family which owned the castle from 1204 until 1420. One likely candidate is Fulk Fitz Warin VI (between 1315 and 1336) who would have amassed sufficient wealth by fighting for King Edward II in Scotland and France. Records describe gardens, fruits and herbage at the castle in 1330. Alternatively his son, who was a close ally of Edward III and fought at Crecy in 1346, could have been responsible.

To the west of the garden there is a long platform, perhaps used as an annexe to the garden. Its shape suggests it could have been used later in the garden`s history as archery butts where bowmen practised their skills.

Whittington Castle Preservation Trust, managers of the castle on behalf of the local community, is in the process of buying it from its present owners. Colin Robinson, the Trust`s Chairman said: "We are very grateful to English Heritage for funding the research project which has led to the discovery of the medieval garden. We now realise that Whittington Castle has far more significance than we ever imagined. We hope that this new understanding will encourage individuals and organisations to help further the research and develop a long-term conservation plan for this nationally important site."

AlphaGalileo Foundation