Ph.D. Thesis by Dr Therron Welstead
In the decades following William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings, as part of th... more In the decades following William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings, as part of the securing of England and the Welsh Marches, the Normans built a large number of castles. The purpose of these castles and the extent to which they were intended to mark the imposition of power by a new political elite has been the focus of many studies for over a hundred years. There are a small, but significant, number of these Norman castles that were built on or around active cemeteries. There have, however, only been limited attempts to examine this group of castles beyond the studies of individual sites. This thesis seizes the opportunity to understand how castle builders perceived cemeteries and how far the presence of an active burial ground may have influenced their decision to locate their fortification in such places.
An examination of the relationship of a considerable number of case studies reveals that the treatment of the cemeteries varied. At Pontefract, for example, the evidence suggests that the cemetery seems to have ceased to be used around the time of the construction of the castle. Creighton, and Nolan et al. have argued that the building of a castle on an active cemetery could have been part of a design to demonstrate the imposition of Norman power on the landscape. This thesis argues that this was not the only dynamic. At Hereford and Trowbridge, however, a different picture emerges: at Hereford the minster and its cemetery were incorporated within the confines of the castle walls and continued until 1143, while at Trowbridge an Anglo-Saxon church and its cemetery continued until around 1200 again within the fortifications.
One of the important lines of enquiries is whether churches/chapels with parochial roles – including burial rights – located within a castle were deemed to be an inconvenience. It has been argued previously, such as by Morris, that there was a general desire to remove a church from within a castle. This line of inquiry will serve three purposes. First, it will add context to the conclusions gained from looking at why several churches and cemeteries appear to have ceased in use at the time of construction of the castle. Second, and more importantly, it will examine whether the removal of cemeteries from secular control was a result of the Norman Conquest or part of a longer process starting before 1066. Third, it will discuss how much the benefits of having an active parochial church and cemetery within a castle could offset any inconvenience.
To give the early-Norman examples a broader context, the thesis will examine twelfth-century castles that directly affected cemeteries. By looking at a larger a number of case studies over a period of time, a better understanding of this issue can be gained.
The case studies examples are examined in this thesis through a combination of documentary, published excavation reports and surveys, unpublished and ‘grey’ literature, which includes PhD. theses, scheduled sites and monument reports, unpublished excavation reports and notes, as well as online databases that have collated information from several sources such as gatehousegazeteer.info. Alongside these there has been an analysis of topography of the case studies through site visits and the studying of maps including Ordnance Survey, both current and nineteenth century, and ones created by antiquarians. The information was subsequently layered and analysed through the use of GIS.
Masters Dissertation by Dr Therron Welstead
"What this dissertation aims to do is begin an examination of an overlooked area in castle studie... more "What this dissertation aims to do is begin an examination of an overlooked area in castle studies. It looks at how medieval people, in and around a castle, interacted with its chapel. This has been attempted by using both access and spatial analysis. It has examined how the chapels relate to other rooms and areas within a castle and to find regular associations. Through application of these archaeological models, three types of chapels have been distinguished: small chapels often in close proximity to a chamber, and two larger chapel types. One was used by the upper household within a castle; the other by potentially everyone within the castle walls. Through looking at how the different groups of chapels were accessed the dissertation has considered how segregation between different ranks of society could be reinforced. In addition to this some chapel plans and features such as squints, viewing rooms and partitions within chapels have been used to feed into the question of segregation. Building on the research of Gilchrist this dissertation has also examined how women moved in and around the castle chapel and to examine to what extent women were segregated from their male counterparts.
The second half of the research examines reasons why some chapels such as Goodrich, Bodiam and Kidwelly were a particularly obvious feature of a castle. Some of the reasons that have been considered are piety, prestige, symbolism and a form of defence. The findings of this section are also argued alongside the conclusions drawn from the earlier parts of this dissertation."
Published Work by Dr Therron Welstead
Château Gaillard 29, Vivre au Château, 2020
This paper, through applying elements of access analysis, looks at how chapels could be used to r... more This paper, through applying elements of access analysis, looks at how chapels could be used to reinforce social rank within the castle household. It focusses on multi-chapelled castles, examining the relative depth, size, and points of access of the chapels arguing that the deeper spaces were designed to create a degree privacy for the highest ranks within the household for services and prayer. As part of the study, dobbelkappellen within castles are examined showing that through their architectural, Aachen inspired, design they could be used to highlight the rank of the builder as they harked back to the imperial power of Charlemagne.
Attention is also given to internal partitions within the chapels such as balconies, closets and pews, arguing that these could create not just further separation of groups and individuals of the highest rank, but also to create conspicuous piety where some of these partitions could be architecturally highlighted.
Chateau Gaillard. Etudes de Castellogie Medievale, 2018
Two case studies from England, Trowbridge Castle (Wiltshire) and Pontefract Castle (West Yorkshir... more Two case studies from England, Trowbridge Castle (Wiltshire) and Pontefract Castle (West Yorkshire), are being used to consider why there are a number of Norman castles were built on or around an extant Anglo-Saxon cemetery. It has been argued this choice of locating a castle on a burial site was a statement of power of the new continental lords; the construction of a castle restricting, if not destroying, the pre-existing cemetery.
This paper shows that that a re-examination is needed to start to understand why Norman castles were built in such close proximity to Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. It will also start to explore some of the reasons; why the use of some cemeteries and their churches stopped abruptly at the construction of a castle on the same site, while in other cases they were seemingly encouraged for several generations.
Talks by Dr Therron Welstead
This talk examined Isabella de Fortibus (1237-1293) and her and times. It includes her widowhood ... more This talk examined Isabella de Fortibus (1237-1293) and her and times. It includes her widowhood from William de Forz, her very substantial inheritances, the attempts to marry her and death and legacy.
The talk particularly focused on her interactions with the isle of Wight including the large scale construction work at Carisbrooke Castle during her life, patronage and the lively wrangling of rights of monastic houses.
This talk feeds into the English Heritage theme of Women in History as an acknowledgement of 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918. And is being used as an opportunity to highlight some of the notable women throughout history.
This talk looks at a selection of women who feature within the history of Carisbrooke Castle from... more This talk looks at a selection of women who feature within the history of Carisbrooke Castle from Anglo-Saxon times to the early 20th century. The women who feature include: two Anglo-Saxon women buried at the site; Isabella de Fortibus; Isabella's Household; Women involved with Charles I attempted escapes; Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Charles I; and Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria.
The talk feeds into the English Heritage theme of 'Women in History' as an acknowledgement of 2018 which marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918. And is being used as an opportunity to highlight some of the notable women throughout history.
Conference Presentations by Dr Therron Welstead
Using William de Valence as a case study, I showed that by examining certain figures within histo... more Using William de Valence as a case study, I showed that by examining certain figures within history seemingly unrelated events are in fact closely related by the characters involved.
In this paper, Using my personal experiences, I looked at changes within the Heritage Industry a... more In this paper, Using my personal experiences, I looked at changes within the Heritage Industry and what impact they had in both the present as well as their potential implications in the future.
This interdisciplinary paper will be looking at Norman castles built on or around pre-existing c... more This interdisciplinary paper will be looking at Norman castles built on or around pre-existing cemeteries. In the past it has been argued that this phenomenon was a statement of power with the construction of a castle restricting, if not destroying, a culturally sensitive space; however, there are several other factors at play which will be explored.
The findings of this research will be fed into current research of the relationship between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons. From the 30+ examples two key case studies will be examined; Pontefract (West Yorkshire) and Trowbridge (Wiltshire).
This paper will be drawing from the evidence which I have gathered for two of my main case studie... more This paper will be drawing from the evidence which I have gathered for two of my main case studies of my PhD; namely Pontefract and Hereford.
In previous scholarship, most notably of O. Creighton, the idea why Norman castles were built on cemertaries was primarily as a symbol of power of the new continental lords.
I am arguing that this idea needs to be re-examined, as there are many reasons why there are a number of castles were built on pre-existing cemeteries.
The conclusions of this, will feed into the larger ideas and arguments of the relationships between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons.
This paper will examine an aspect of a rather overlooked area within castle studies, namely their... more This paper will examine an aspect of a rather overlooked area within castle studies, namely their chapels. I will be concentrating on how castle chapels related to the buildings, rooms, and spaces around them; this will be achieved through applying access and spatial analysis. Through this paper it, will become clear that there is a great similarity in the plan in and around castle chapels particularly when castles have multiple chapels.
With this plan, I will explore the reason for this pattern of close proximity to certain spaces and also how this pattern fitted into the larger plan of how different medieval people moved around or were seemingly excluded from areas within a castle. This will hopefully allow for a discussion on how the differences between the echelons could be reinforced or indeed broken down through the architecture and design of a castle.
The paper will draw from the upstanding remains of a variety of castle including Conwy, Restormel, and Warkworth, as well as documentary evidence.
This paper was a summary of aspects of my Ph.D. research. It focused on three case studies: Pon... more This paper was a summary of aspects of my Ph.D. research. It focused on three case studies: Pontefract, Hereford and Trowbridge Castles. The over arching theme is looking at the treatment of the Anglo-Saxons by the Normans, using the evidence provided by the relationship between the construction of castles and pre-existing cemeteries.
Isabella de Fortibus vs the monks of Quarr
This paper is looking at the relationship between I... more Isabella de Fortibus vs the monks of Quarr
This paper is looking at the relationship between Isabella de Fortibus, lord of the isle of wight, and the Monks of Quarr Abbey, which was founded by her ancestors. Her relationship with Quarr abbey was somewhat stormy especially in the courts. I will be exploring some of the reasons why Isabella is so often engaged in court with the monastic site. These court sessions include some incredulous cases!
"The purpose of this paper is to examine the changing relationship between Carisbrooke Castle and... more "The purpose of this paper is to examine the changing relationship between Carisbrooke Castle and Quarr Abbey in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The paper will argue that whereas the institutional relationship was one of mutual dependence throughout the period, the intervention of one powerful woman, Isabella de Fortibus, dislocated the relationship between the holder of the castle and the patron of the monastery on a personal level.
I will demonstrate how at the foundation of Quarr Abbey the monastery was generously endowed in land and rights by both Baldwin de Redvers, lord of the Isle of Wight, and his household. The donations included the chapel and tithes of St Nicholas, the castle chapel at Carisbrooke Castle, and in return the monks were to provide a ‘vicar’ to perform the services of the castle. The interdependence of the abbey and castle continued until the Reformation when the abbey was dissolved.
Although Isabella, confirmed the donations of her ancestors, including those of Baldwin de Redvers, and although the monks continued to provide the vicar at the castle chapel, there seems to be a change in the relationship between her as a patron and the abbey. She had her own clerks which were in charge of all forms of administration, which the monks of Quarr had partially done before.
I will be drawing from contemporary sources including: Domesday Book; charters, including the foundation charter, of Quarr; as well as administrative and household accounts of Isabella.
I will be approaching this from both a historical and archaeological viewpoint providing a more rounded understanding of the relationship between the two institutions and the patrons of both."
Television Documentaries by Dr Therron Welstead
Posters by Dr Therron Welstead
Uploads
Ph.D. Thesis by Dr Therron Welstead
An examination of the relationship of a considerable number of case studies reveals that the treatment of the cemeteries varied. At Pontefract, for example, the evidence suggests that the cemetery seems to have ceased to be used around the time of the construction of the castle. Creighton, and Nolan et al. have argued that the building of a castle on an active cemetery could have been part of a design to demonstrate the imposition of Norman power on the landscape. This thesis argues that this was not the only dynamic. At Hereford and Trowbridge, however, a different picture emerges: at Hereford the minster and its cemetery were incorporated within the confines of the castle walls and continued until 1143, while at Trowbridge an Anglo-Saxon church and its cemetery continued until around 1200 again within the fortifications.
One of the important lines of enquiries is whether churches/chapels with parochial roles – including burial rights – located within a castle were deemed to be an inconvenience. It has been argued previously, such as by Morris, that there was a general desire to remove a church from within a castle. This line of inquiry will serve three purposes. First, it will add context to the conclusions gained from looking at why several churches and cemeteries appear to have ceased in use at the time of construction of the castle. Second, and more importantly, it will examine whether the removal of cemeteries from secular control was a result of the Norman Conquest or part of a longer process starting before 1066. Third, it will discuss how much the benefits of having an active parochial church and cemetery within a castle could offset any inconvenience.
To give the early-Norman examples a broader context, the thesis will examine twelfth-century castles that directly affected cemeteries. By looking at a larger a number of case studies over a period of time, a better understanding of this issue can be gained.
The case studies examples are examined in this thesis through a combination of documentary, published excavation reports and surveys, unpublished and ‘grey’ literature, which includes PhD. theses, scheduled sites and monument reports, unpublished excavation reports and notes, as well as online databases that have collated information from several sources such as gatehousegazeteer.info. Alongside these there has been an analysis of topography of the case studies through site visits and the studying of maps including Ordnance Survey, both current and nineteenth century, and ones created by antiquarians. The information was subsequently layered and analysed through the use of GIS.
Masters Dissertation by Dr Therron Welstead
The second half of the research examines reasons why some chapels such as Goodrich, Bodiam and Kidwelly were a particularly obvious feature of a castle. Some of the reasons that have been considered are piety, prestige, symbolism and a form of defence. The findings of this section are also argued alongside the conclusions drawn from the earlier parts of this dissertation."
Published Work by Dr Therron Welstead
Attention is also given to internal partitions within the chapels such as balconies, closets and pews, arguing that these could create not just further separation of groups and individuals of the highest rank, but also to create conspicuous piety where some of these partitions could be architecturally highlighted.
This paper shows that that a re-examination is needed to start to understand why Norman castles were built in such close proximity to Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. It will also start to explore some of the reasons; why the use of some cemeteries and their churches stopped abruptly at the construction of a castle on the same site, while in other cases they were seemingly encouraged for several generations.
Talks by Dr Therron Welstead
The talk particularly focused on her interactions with the isle of Wight including the large scale construction work at Carisbrooke Castle during her life, patronage and the lively wrangling of rights of monastic houses.
This talk feeds into the English Heritage theme of Women in History as an acknowledgement of 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918. And is being used as an opportunity to highlight some of the notable women throughout history.
The talk feeds into the English Heritage theme of 'Women in History' as an acknowledgement of 2018 which marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918. And is being used as an opportunity to highlight some of the notable women throughout history.
Conference Presentations by Dr Therron Welstead
The findings of this research will be fed into current research of the relationship between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons. From the 30+ examples two key case studies will be examined; Pontefract (West Yorkshire) and Trowbridge (Wiltshire).
In previous scholarship, most notably of O. Creighton, the idea why Norman castles were built on cemertaries was primarily as a symbol of power of the new continental lords.
I am arguing that this idea needs to be re-examined, as there are many reasons why there are a number of castles were built on pre-existing cemeteries.
The conclusions of this, will feed into the larger ideas and arguments of the relationships between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons.
With this plan, I will explore the reason for this pattern of close proximity to certain spaces and also how this pattern fitted into the larger plan of how different medieval people moved around or were seemingly excluded from areas within a castle. This will hopefully allow for a discussion on how the differences between the echelons could be reinforced or indeed broken down through the architecture and design of a castle.
The paper will draw from the upstanding remains of a variety of castle including Conwy, Restormel, and Warkworth, as well as documentary evidence.
This paper is looking at the relationship between Isabella de Fortibus, lord of the isle of wight, and the Monks of Quarr Abbey, which was founded by her ancestors. Her relationship with Quarr abbey was somewhat stormy especially in the courts. I will be exploring some of the reasons why Isabella is so often engaged in court with the monastic site. These court sessions include some incredulous cases!
I will demonstrate how at the foundation of Quarr Abbey the monastery was generously endowed in land and rights by both Baldwin de Redvers, lord of the Isle of Wight, and his household. The donations included the chapel and tithes of St Nicholas, the castle chapel at Carisbrooke Castle, and in return the monks were to provide a ‘vicar’ to perform the services of the castle. The interdependence of the abbey and castle continued until the Reformation when the abbey was dissolved.
Although Isabella, confirmed the donations of her ancestors, including those of Baldwin de Redvers, and although the monks continued to provide the vicar at the castle chapel, there seems to be a change in the relationship between her as a patron and the abbey. She had her own clerks which were in charge of all forms of administration, which the monks of Quarr had partially done before.
I will be drawing from contemporary sources including: Domesday Book; charters, including the foundation charter, of Quarr; as well as administrative and household accounts of Isabella.
I will be approaching this from both a historical and archaeological viewpoint providing a more rounded understanding of the relationship between the two institutions and the patrons of both."
Television Documentaries by Dr Therron Welstead
Posters by Dr Therron Welstead
An examination of the relationship of a considerable number of case studies reveals that the treatment of the cemeteries varied. At Pontefract, for example, the evidence suggests that the cemetery seems to have ceased to be used around the time of the construction of the castle. Creighton, and Nolan et al. have argued that the building of a castle on an active cemetery could have been part of a design to demonstrate the imposition of Norman power on the landscape. This thesis argues that this was not the only dynamic. At Hereford and Trowbridge, however, a different picture emerges: at Hereford the minster and its cemetery were incorporated within the confines of the castle walls and continued until 1143, while at Trowbridge an Anglo-Saxon church and its cemetery continued until around 1200 again within the fortifications.
One of the important lines of enquiries is whether churches/chapels with parochial roles – including burial rights – located within a castle were deemed to be an inconvenience. It has been argued previously, such as by Morris, that there was a general desire to remove a church from within a castle. This line of inquiry will serve three purposes. First, it will add context to the conclusions gained from looking at why several churches and cemeteries appear to have ceased in use at the time of construction of the castle. Second, and more importantly, it will examine whether the removal of cemeteries from secular control was a result of the Norman Conquest or part of a longer process starting before 1066. Third, it will discuss how much the benefits of having an active parochial church and cemetery within a castle could offset any inconvenience.
To give the early-Norman examples a broader context, the thesis will examine twelfth-century castles that directly affected cemeteries. By looking at a larger a number of case studies over a period of time, a better understanding of this issue can be gained.
The case studies examples are examined in this thesis through a combination of documentary, published excavation reports and surveys, unpublished and ‘grey’ literature, which includes PhD. theses, scheduled sites and monument reports, unpublished excavation reports and notes, as well as online databases that have collated information from several sources such as gatehousegazeteer.info. Alongside these there has been an analysis of topography of the case studies through site visits and the studying of maps including Ordnance Survey, both current and nineteenth century, and ones created by antiquarians. The information was subsequently layered and analysed through the use of GIS.
The second half of the research examines reasons why some chapels such as Goodrich, Bodiam and Kidwelly were a particularly obvious feature of a castle. Some of the reasons that have been considered are piety, prestige, symbolism and a form of defence. The findings of this section are also argued alongside the conclusions drawn from the earlier parts of this dissertation."
Attention is also given to internal partitions within the chapels such as balconies, closets and pews, arguing that these could create not just further separation of groups and individuals of the highest rank, but also to create conspicuous piety where some of these partitions could be architecturally highlighted.
This paper shows that that a re-examination is needed to start to understand why Norman castles were built in such close proximity to Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. It will also start to explore some of the reasons; why the use of some cemeteries and their churches stopped abruptly at the construction of a castle on the same site, while in other cases they were seemingly encouraged for several generations.
The talk particularly focused on her interactions with the isle of Wight including the large scale construction work at Carisbrooke Castle during her life, patronage and the lively wrangling of rights of monastic houses.
This talk feeds into the English Heritage theme of Women in History as an acknowledgement of 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918. And is being used as an opportunity to highlight some of the notable women throughout history.
The talk feeds into the English Heritage theme of 'Women in History' as an acknowledgement of 2018 which marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918. And is being used as an opportunity to highlight some of the notable women throughout history.
The findings of this research will be fed into current research of the relationship between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons. From the 30+ examples two key case studies will be examined; Pontefract (West Yorkshire) and Trowbridge (Wiltshire).
In previous scholarship, most notably of O. Creighton, the idea why Norman castles were built on cemertaries was primarily as a symbol of power of the new continental lords.
I am arguing that this idea needs to be re-examined, as there are many reasons why there are a number of castles were built on pre-existing cemeteries.
The conclusions of this, will feed into the larger ideas and arguments of the relationships between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons.
With this plan, I will explore the reason for this pattern of close proximity to certain spaces and also how this pattern fitted into the larger plan of how different medieval people moved around or were seemingly excluded from areas within a castle. This will hopefully allow for a discussion on how the differences between the echelons could be reinforced or indeed broken down through the architecture and design of a castle.
The paper will draw from the upstanding remains of a variety of castle including Conwy, Restormel, and Warkworth, as well as documentary evidence.
This paper is looking at the relationship between Isabella de Fortibus, lord of the isle of wight, and the Monks of Quarr Abbey, which was founded by her ancestors. Her relationship with Quarr abbey was somewhat stormy especially in the courts. I will be exploring some of the reasons why Isabella is so often engaged in court with the monastic site. These court sessions include some incredulous cases!
I will demonstrate how at the foundation of Quarr Abbey the monastery was generously endowed in land and rights by both Baldwin de Redvers, lord of the Isle of Wight, and his household. The donations included the chapel and tithes of St Nicholas, the castle chapel at Carisbrooke Castle, and in return the monks were to provide a ‘vicar’ to perform the services of the castle. The interdependence of the abbey and castle continued until the Reformation when the abbey was dissolved.
Although Isabella, confirmed the donations of her ancestors, including those of Baldwin de Redvers, and although the monks continued to provide the vicar at the castle chapel, there seems to be a change in the relationship between her as a patron and the abbey. She had her own clerks which were in charge of all forms of administration, which the monks of Quarr had partially done before.
I will be drawing from contemporary sources including: Domesday Book; charters, including the foundation charter, of Quarr; as well as administrative and household accounts of Isabella.
I will be approaching this from both a historical and archaeological viewpoint providing a more rounded understanding of the relationship between the two institutions and the patrons of both."