Help
Flushed with Excitement at Taunton Castle
| Published: 30th June 2009 11:46 |
Taunton Castle flushed
Exciting new discoveries, including a 17th century privy, or toilet, from the time of "Hanging" Judge Jeffreys, have been made at Taunton Castle.
Excavations carried out by Somerset County Council have revealed several previously unrecorded features in the castle's Great Hall. Among the most surprising are structures that indicate a 17th century privy, an early kind of toilet. Several even older features have also been uncovered.
The old floor of the Great Hall in Taunton Castle is unveiled
It is thought that the privy was built when the castle was used for the county's "Assize Court". Judge Jeffreys held his infamous "Bloody Assizes" in the castle's Great Hall in 1685 following the Monmouth Rebellion and sentenced 144 people to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
As part of the Museum of Somerset Project a new cutting-edge audio-visual gallery will be located in the actual space where the prisoners were held, conveying the full horror of the Bloody Assizes.
Somerset County Council has undertaken these excavations as part of the building works to create the new Museum of Somerset. The museum, which is backed by £4.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is due to open early in 2011.
The remains of what council archaeologists
believe was a 17th century privy, or toilet.
Museum of Somerset Project Leader Tom Mayberry said "These findings shed new light on what the history books tell us about Taunton Castle. We are working closely with the building contractors to make sure that we monitor and record the archaeology before the next phase of development takes place."
Cllr Christine Lawrence, Somerset County Council's Cabinet Member for Community, said, "Somerset County Council is committed to preserving and interpreting Somerset's rich history and heritage. The work being undertaken at Taunton Castle helps us to understand more about one of the most important historic buildings in Somerset."
Report this article as inappropriate
Comments
You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.
Loading...
Help