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South Cadbury Castle during the Early Medieval Period Perhaps the most formidable fortress of post-roman Britain (Alcock 1995, 3), South Cadbury in Somerset, also known as Cadbury Castle, is a beautifully preserved example of a reused iron age hillfort (Costen 1992, 67). After the decline of the Roman Empire, many settlements relocated into the hills and reconstructed disused iron age hillforts. Historian Michael Wood explains that ‘these citadels were easier to defend than long and badly maintained city walls’ (Wood

Figure 2: The location of Canterbury Castle in context with other contemporary sites. Sites mentioned in this study include Cadbury Castle (Ca), Cadbury Congresbury (Co), Glastonbury Tor (Gl) and Tintagel (TI) © Alcock 1995, p.1

1981, 48). Cadbury Castle is believed to have been reoccupied after the economic collapse of Ilchester (Alcock 1995, 2) and became the focal point for ‘commerce and politics in the district’ (Costen 1992, 67). The site was refortified at some point in the second half of the fifth century, and continued to be used by its occupants until the late sixth century (Costen 1992, 67). It consists of eighteen acres of land, enclosed by a 1200 metre perimeter (Alcock 1972, 195). When the settlement was reoccupied, a drystone wall was built around the perimeter, protecting the timber buildings that had been constructed within it (Wood 1981, 49). Cadbury Castle was most recently excavated by archaeologist Leslie Alcock and his team during the 1960s and 1970s, where a total of

Figure 1: Work carried out by Lesley Alcock between 1966 and 1970© Tabor 2008, p 22

5% of the site was unearthed (Dark 2000, 145). The areas studied between 1966 and 1970 can be seen in Figure 1, together with a geophysical survey of the rest of the site. Throughout his write

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up, Alcock compared Cadbury Castle to other similar sites in the south east of England. The site can also be compared with contemporaries throughout Britain, with archaeologist Pam Crabtree presenting the idea that Cadbury Castle also ‘enjoyed communications with south-west, south east and northeast England’ (Crabtree 2001, 41). Although set in a much rockier landscape, the site of Tintagel in Cornwall can be compared to South Cadbury to give an indication as to the area of occupation at the site (Alcock 1995, 128). The large contour hill fort is comparable in size to that of Tintagel. The castle is similar in layout to South Cadbury, being an ‘enclosed place’ (Barrowman et al 2007, 334). The two sites can be compared to one another to try to explain the presence of large amounts of imported pottery. Another comparable is the site of Cadbury Congresbury, also located in Somerset. Similarly to both Cadbury Castle and Tintagel, vast amounts of imported pottery have been uncovered at the site, allowing archaeologists to see a trend in overseas trade during this period. Figure 2 shows the geographical relation of Cadbury Castle to other Early Medieval sites in South West England. This study will be examining the archaeological evidence found from the site dating between the 5th and 8th centuries, as well as putting it into context with other contemporary sites in the south-east of Britain. Structural Evidence Michael Wood has suggested that elements of the refortification ‘strongly recalled Roman military architecture’ (Wood 1981, 49). Michael Costen also agrees that it would have been ‘unlikely that Cadbury Castle would have been reoccupied and the walls rebuilt so lavishly unless it was used at some point by military forces’ (Costen 1992, 67). There is however minimal evidence of military occupation at the site, with just a single crossbow bolt being discovered (Alcock 1995, 118). Alcock explains that this is not abnormal at Early Medieval fortifications throughout Britain, and that most of the evidence for weaponry instead came from burials (Alcock 1995, 118). Although there is little evidence for military inhabitation at the site, there is structural evidence that implies other uses of the site. Located on the summit ridge, evidence was uncovered of a large timber hall, seen in Figure 3. During the 1968 season, an unworn piece of amphorae was found Figure 3: Excavation of the great hall in 1969 ©

uncovered in this room, the structure was identified as a noble feasting hall (Crabtree 2001, 41; Figure 4: Plan of the South Gate © Alcock 1995, 28

two, which suggested it was a hall for diences

from the site is that the labour and effort that went into building it greatly surpassed that of Tintagel or Cadbury Congresbury (Crabtree 2001, 41).

Canterbury Castle is also unique in that it has a gateway which is the only one of its kind found throughout all of the Early Medieval forts that have been excavated in Britain (Alcock 1995, 131). The gateway featured four vertical timbers which defined a nearly square area, with sides measuring 3.4 by 3.1m (Alcock 1995, 131). A sketched plan of the gateway can be seen in Figure 4. There is no direct evidence to suggest what it was used for, for example any sort of guard chamber or other gate behind it (Alcock 1995, 131). This suggests that there was no need for it to be defended. There is only one other excavated gate that dates between fifth and seventh centuries, which is located at Dinas Powys near Cardiff. Both gates were thought to have double-leaved doors (Alcock 1995,131). It is however difficult to draw comparisons and hypothesise what the gates purpose may have been, as ‘no new evidence, from excavation or otherwise, has been adduce to support it’ (Alcock 1995, 131).

Pottery What has intrigued archaeologists about South Cadbury and its contemporary sites is the clear links to the continent through trade, as seen through the fragments of pottery that have been unearthed there. Alcock highlights that during the fifth and sixth centuries, ‘the most numerous and most interesting class or artefact recovered in western Britain consists of pottery- largely wine jarsimported from the Mediterranean’ (Alcock 1995, 3). The imported pottery from the Mediterranean ‘gave a hint of aristocratic luxury’ (Wood 1981, 49). Trade with the Mediterranean was most likely directed at elite sites, and perhaps monasteries (Dark 2000, 132). Pottery of this origin has been seen at South Cadbury, Cadbury Congresbury, Dinas Powys and Ham Hill, all potentially elite settlements of this date (Dark 2000, 132). Figure 5 shows the amounts of pottery sherds that have been found at Site Name Location No. of sherds (as of each of the key sites for Mediterranean up until 2007. What is clear from the figures

Dinas Powys South Cadbury Tintagel

South Wales Somerset Cornwall

2007) 256 163 1821 Page 3 of 7

Figure 5: Table showing the amount of pottery sherds at Dinas Powys, South Cadbury and Tintagel correct as of 2007 © Barrowman et al 2007

is that Tintagel seemed to have a lot more activity with the Mediterranean than Dinas Powys and South Cadbury. To explain this, each site needs to be examined in more detail to be put into context. When looking at the location of South Cadbury, it does not seem like a prime location to receive imports from the continent as it is so far inland. However, with the River Yeo being just 7km from the base of the hill (Alcock 1995, 3), the site would have been accessible from the sea by boat. The site can be compared to the hill fort at Glastonbury Tor, which is located 17 miles from the coast. Both would have been navigable by log boats or potentially even larger craft (Alcock 1995, 3). Glastonbury Tor is 0.5 miles away from the River Brue, so similarly to Cadbury Castle the cargo could have been transported on land for the last leg of the journey, perhaps by horse and cart. What is important to note from Cadbury Castle is that no locally made pottery has been found (Alcock 1995, 118), and therefore most of the pottery found at the site would have travelled up the River Yeo. In total, over 160 sherds of imported pottery have been found, which represent three out of the four leading classes of imports (Alcock 1995, 118). What can be seen from the sample is that there are two key places from where the pottery originated from. The red slipped table wares and amphorae found at the site were manufactured in the Mediterranean, and the grey bowl ware originated from western Gaul (Alcock 1995, 118). The latter, black slipped wheel-made greyware bowls are only seen at South Cadbury and at Cadbury Congresbury (Dark 2000, 127). Archaeologist Michael Costen suggests that, although the presence of this pottery indicates contacts by sea with western Gaul, it does not necessarily mean the inhabitants of the site were trading (Costen 1992, 67). It may in fact suggest that Cadbury Castle held much more of a political significance, and instead people were gifting these items to the aristocracy at the site. This supports the idea that feasting was taking place, as individuals might have brought such items to the site as gifts to the host. Elite occupants were able to enjoy these imported luxuries, with similar activity being seen at Cadbury Congresbury (Dark 2000, 145). The pottery assemblage has also helped to date the site, confirming that the settlement was occupied during the last quarter of the fifth century (Wood 1981, 49). The vast amount of pottery at Tintagel suggests that, rather than being an elite site where feasting was the focus, it was instead a major trading port. Archaeologists Richard Tabor highlights Tintagel as one of the two significant landings where Mediterranean Fine Ware was being traded, the other being Bantham in Devon (Tabor 2008, 167). The sites in context with one another give an idea of how pottery was being traded in Britain and then potentially gifted.

Metal Objects Many metal finds have been discovered at the site, including nails, knives, keys and Page 4 of 7

shears, among other items (Alcock 1995, 75-81). There is scarcely any evidence of weaponry being manufactured at Cadbury Castle, Cadbury Congresbury or Tintagel (Gerrard 2013, 175). However, we know that weaponry was present at Cadbury Castle, due to the presence of an axe-hammer beneath the road deposit road surface in the south west gate, dating between the fifth and sixth centuries (Gerrard 2013, 175). A button brooch was discovered in 1967 at the site, which has been compared to other brooches that were mainly discovered in south central England, with three found further east (Alcock 1995, 70). Another similar brooch was discovered at Ham Hill (Gerrard 2013, 175), a contemporary to Cadbury Castle and located just 14 miles away. Perhaps the most interesting metal find from Cadbury Castle is that of the ‘Cadbury Ring’ or ‘Sword Ring’, a circular cast flat ring made from a leaded high tin bronze with traces of zincFigure (Alcock6:1995, 66). A scale of both of The ‘Cadbury Ring’drawing or ‘Sword Ring’sides © Alcock 68 as being decorated in English Salin’s Style the brooch can be seen in Figure 6. The ring was1995, identified 1 (Alcock 1995; Gerrard 2013), which dated the ring to the late sixth or early seventh century (Alcock 1995, 67). Similar decoration can be seen on Scottish and Irish Celtic annular and penannular brooches, however the examples of this style that have been found all date between the sixth and 9 th centuries, with most dating from later in the range (Alcock 1995, 69). There is also some confusion as to the function of the ring. The decoration is seen on both sides of the ring, a feature not normally seen on Anglo Saxon brooches. As a brooch tends to lie flat on the body, having decoration on both sides would be needless. It would appear that the ring was designed to be seen from both sides, and therefore would most likely have been hanging. It has been suggested that the ring may have hung from a leather thong (Alcock 1995, 69). Alcock also put forward the idea that the ring could be compared to Anglo-Saxon sword beads, however these tended to be made from glass (Alcock 1995, 69).

Evidence of ‘Kingship’ The presence of large amounts of fine imported pottery has raised debate as to the function of the site, and who would have inhabited it. Archaeologist Ken Dark states that there is enough evidence to suggest there may have been a Kingship at South Cadbury (Dark 2000). As previously mentioned in this study, within the largest structure at South Cadbury, fragments of pottery and glass have been found which suggests that there was consumption of food and drink from high quality tableware (Dark 2000: 145). Historian Lise Hull suggests that the presence of this large timber hall lends itself to the idea that South Cadbury was home to a chieftain, and that the hillfort was reconstructed and reoccupied so that this leader could protect and administer the lands from ‘a fine vantage point’ (Hull 2006, 17). At South Cadbury 28 sherds of glass have been found, with Alcock stating that there is a ‘clear association between items used for the actual service of food and wine... and a dissociation

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from storage vessels, namely the amphorae’ (Alcock 1995, 124). There is a clear distinction at the site between the pottery just used for transportation of food and wine, and that which was used by the occupants for eating and drinking. Dark has suggested that this implies the site was an important military or political centre, with the elite occupants enjoying imported luxuries at the site (Dark 2000, 145). Similar glass finds have been found at Cadbury Congresbury, located 34 miles from South Cadbury. There is also evidence for wine drinking at South Cadbury, another indicator for a social elite class at the site. The evidence of sherds of Insular classes Bi, BII and Biv all show that amphorae were being used at the sites (Alcock 1995, 119). The primary use of these vessels was to transport wine and olive oil, a luxury that could only be afforded by the elite.

This study has looked at just a handful of the finds uncovered at South Cadbury, and has attempted to give some explanation as to their presence at the site and contextualise them with finds from other contemporary sites. What perhaps is most important to take away from this study is that although there were large amounts of imported goods discovered at the site, it does not necessarily mean that the site was one of trade. It was more likely to have been in receipt of the traded goods, and was maybe a site where the elite would receive some such luxuries from those coming to the site. Cadbury Castle is a good example of a site that cannot be interpreted just by the finds discovered there, and instead must be put into context with, and compared to, other sites, occupied during the Early Medieval period. This enables us to further understand its role at this time, whether as a fortress, settlement, trade centre or elite residence.

Bibliography Alcock, L., 1972 “By South Cadbury is that Camelot…” the Excavation of Cadbury Castle 1966-1970, London: Thames & Hudson.

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Alcock, L., Stevenson, S. and Musson, C., 1995 Cadbury Castle, Somerset: The Early Medieval Archaeology, Cardiff: University of Wales Press. Barrowman, R., Batey, C. and Morris, C., 2007 Excavations at Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, 1990-1999, London: Society of Antiquaries of London. Costen, M., 1992 The Origins of Somerset, Manchester: Manchester University Press. Crabtree, P.,2001 Routledge Revivals: Medieval Archaeology (2001): An Encyclopaedia, New York: Garland Publishing Inc. Dark, K., 2000 Britain and the End of the Roman Empire, Stroud: Tempus. Gerrard, J., 2013 The Ruin of Roman Britain: An Archaeological Perspective, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hull, L., 2006 Britain’s Medieval Castles, Westport: Praegar Publishers. Tabor, R., 2008 Cadbury Castle: The Hillfort and Landscapes, Stroud: The History Press. Wood, M., 1981 In Search of the Dark Ages, London: British Broadcasting Corporation. Images Figure 1: Plan showing the layout of the site and the areas excavated between 1966-70 Tabor, R., 2008 Cadbury Castle: The Hillfort and Landscapes, Stroud: The History Press.

Figure 2: The location of Canterbury Castle in context with other contemporary sites Alcock, L., Stevenson, S. and Musson, C., 1995 Cadbury Castle, Somerset: The Early Medieval Archaeology, Cardiff: University of Wales Press. Figure 3: Excavation of the great hall in 1969 Tabor, R., 2008 Cadbury Castle: The Hillfort and Landscapes, Stroud: The History Press. Figure 4: Plan of the South Gate Alcock, L., Stevenson, S. and Musson, C., 1995 Cadbury Castle, Somerset: The Early Medieval Archaeology, Cardiff: University of Wales Press. Figure 5: The ‘Cadbury Ring’ or ‘Sword Ring’ Alcock, L., Stevenson, S. and Musson, C., 1995 Cadbury Castle, Somerset: The Early Medieval Archaeology, Cardiff: University of Wales Press. Figure 6: Table comparing the numbers of fragments uncovered at different sites Barrowman, R., Batey, C. and Morris, C., 2007 Excavations at Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, 1990-1999, London: Society of Antiquaries of London.

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