The Castle Studies Trust
@castlestudies.bsky.social
The Castle Studies Trust is a UK based charity founded in July 2012 with the aim of increasing knowledge of castles in the UK and abroad.
Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...
November 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...
@katiemcgown.bsky.social gives an update on how Visualisation of Canterbury Castle project we funded has progressed and looking at how visiting other similar sites can help with the visualisation of a very ruined structure: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
October 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
@katiemcgown.bsky.social gives an update on how Visualisation of Canterbury Castle project we funded has progressed and looking at how visiting other similar sites can help with the visualisation of a very ruined structure: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
"There's no castle here" however Finlaggan's dig director David Caldwell thought before he led a multi year excavation there. Find out how he changed his mind with a castle not thought to exist including when and by whom it was built by: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
October 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
"There's no castle here" however Finlaggan's dig director David Caldwell thought before he led a multi year excavation there. Find out how he changed his mind with a castle not thought to exist including when and by whom it was built by: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
If that's not enough we had expert building archaeologists Gillian Scott & Tom Addyman both of whom from just a relatively brief viewing of the standing remains concluded the building had many different phases. So much still to learn. Big thanks to Nick from HES & Brian from @crookston.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
If that's not enough we had expert building archaeologists Gillian Scott & Tom Addyman both of whom from just a relatively brief viewing of the standing remains concluded the building had many different phases. So much still to learn. Big thanks to Nick from HES & Brian from @crookston.bsky.social
So lots more needs further investigation and overturns the assumption made by those who excavated the castle 50+ years ago that most had been landscaped away including near those trees below which the geophys indicate a floor of a building.
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
So lots more needs further investigation and overturns the assumption made by those who excavated the castle 50+ years ago that most had been landscaped away including near those trees below which the geophys indicate a floor of a building.
Additionally in bottom left of previous image there was a square enclosure. Is that an indication of an entrance which aligns with the gap in a possible wall (light colour) and ditch (dark colour) encircling at least part of the main castle? Or is gap between an inner and outer ward.
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Additionally in bottom left of previous image there was a square enclosure. Is that an indication of an entrance which aligns with the gap in a possible wall (light colour) and ditch (dark colour) encircling at least part of the main castle? Or is gap between an inner and outer ward.
Outside revealed a possible medieval enclosure and what looks like bell pits common for early modern coalmining and some iron age round houses. The big round anomaly seems too big for a round house (X2 diameter) and unlike the smaller circles wasn't to be ploughed away and seems a different phase.
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Outside revealed a possible medieval enclosure and what looks like bell pits common for early modern coalmining and some iron age round houses. The big round anomaly seems too big for a round house (X2 diameter) and unlike the smaller circles wasn't to be ploughed away and seems a different phase.
Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.
In our latest blog post the team transcribing and translating the survey of 22 castles and forts in southern England by a Dutch engineer in the C17 give an update on their work including the challenges and revelations the text has thrown up: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...
September 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM
In our latest blog post the team transcribing and translating the survey of 22 castles and forts in southern England by a Dutch engineer in the C17 give an update on their work including the challenges and revelations the text has thrown up: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...
On the outside Dalkeith Palace is a C17 building, but beneath the exterior, as is often the case with great houses, something far older is revealed as Dr Christian Clarkson, Heritage Consultant at Simpson and Brown discovered when preparing a conservation plan castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...
September 16, 2025 at 6:50 PM
On the outside Dalkeith Palace is a C17 building, but beneath the exterior, as is often the case with great houses, something far older is revealed as Dr Christian Clarkson, Heritage Consultant at Simpson and Brown discovered when preparing a conservation plan castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...
In 2016 and 2018 we funded the first ever geophys survey and dig at Pembroke Castle. These revealed the likely birth place of Henry VII, but equally importantly it spurred on further study. To find out the latest findings you can read Neil Ludlow's new blog: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...
September 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
In 2016 and 2018 we funded the first ever geophys survey and dig at Pembroke Castle. These revealed the likely birth place of Henry VII, but equally importantly it spurred on further study. To find out the latest findings you can read Neil Ludlow's new blog: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/09...
Yesterday involved local school children trying out surveying and even the CST Chair supported by Historic Environment Scotland and visit by Lord Provost. There really is massive and support engagement from local people and the local council for the castle. All credit to the Friends Group.
August 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Yesterday involved local school children trying out surveying and even the CST Chair supported by Historic Environment Scotland and visit by Lord Provost. There really is massive and support engagement from local people and the local council for the castle. All credit to the Friends Group.
Just back from the amazing Friends @crookston.bsky.social Castle fun day at the castle As you can see the crowds were amazing, queuing to get in with nearly 1000 people attending, twice the expected number. Part of 3 days of community engagement, including the geophysical survey of the castle
August 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Just back from the amazing Friends @crookston.bsky.social Castle fun day at the castle As you can see the crowds were amazing, queuing to get in with nearly 1000 people attending, twice the expected number. Part of 3 days of community engagement, including the geophysical survey of the castle
On Friday, the Friends of @crookston.bsky.social Castle will start the first of three days of community led geophysical survey of the castle with the support of the Historic Environment Scotland survey team. Find out what they hope to find and achieve: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/08...
August 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
On Friday, the Friends of @crookston.bsky.social Castle will start the first of three days of community led geophysical survey of the castle with the support of the Historic Environment Scotland survey team. Find out what they hope to find and achieve: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/08...
To see what they discovered in the research we funded and how the thinking of these buildings has been turned upside down you can read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2024/07...
July 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM
To see what they discovered in the research we funded and how the thinking of these buildings has been turned upside down you can read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2024/07...
In 2022, we funded our 1st ever project in Greece, to try & understand the origins of the medieval towers Chalkida. we could not have imagined how transformative the project was and what it has led to in terms of more research. To find out what see read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/07...
July 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
In 2022, we funded our 1st ever project in Greece, to try & understand the origins of the medieval towers Chalkida. we could not have imagined how transformative the project was and what it has led to in terms of more research. To find out what see read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/07...
Is Leybourne Castle, Kent, a key castle in the transition from basic twin towered gatehouses to more sophisticated ones seen in Edward I’s castles? We funded Neil Ludlow & @henebtwa.bsky.social to find out, which they did so & more with a surprising discovery: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/07...
July 6, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Is Leybourne Castle, Kent, a key castle in the transition from basic twin towered gatehouses to more sophisticated ones seen in Edward I’s castles? We funded Neil Ludlow & @henebtwa.bsky.social to find out, which they did so & more with a surprising discovery: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/07...
With the @imc-leeds.bsky.social a week away we look at papers on castles there. Many have close ties to us. Papers from trustee @kateweikert.bsky.social & assessor @swallowtailarch.bsky.social & incl papers on projects we have funded. To learn more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...
June 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
With the @imc-leeds.bsky.social a week away we look at papers on castles there. Many have close ties to us. Papers from trustee @kateweikert.bsky.social & assessor @swallowtailarch.bsky.social & incl papers on projects we have funded. To learn more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...
As the excavation at Clavering Castle comes to a close, Dig Director Simon Coxall looks at what they have found - is there evidence of a pre-conquest castle - and what happens next to confirm or otherwise what they have found: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...
June 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
As the excavation at Clavering Castle comes to a close, Dig Director Simon Coxall looks at what they have found - is there evidence of a pre-conquest castle - and what happens next to confirm or otherwise what they have found: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...
More interesting is what is happening at other end of trench where it looks like there may well be a pedestrian entrance and possibly porters lodge although really difficult to tell as gatehouse has been robbed very efficiently, sadly.
June 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
More interesting is what is happening at other end of trench where it looks like there may well be a pedestrian entrance and possibly porters lodge although really difficult to tell as gatehouse has been robbed very efficiently, sadly.
Finished for the day having got down to the 11th century level of the trackway of the gatehouse. Finds similar to morning, but less numerous as we went down.
June 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Finished for the day having got down to the 11th century level of the trackway of the gatehouse. Finds similar to morning, but less numerous as we went down.
Second part of the morning's work with fellow volunteer Alex lots of oyster shells, animal bones, mainly pig, including part of a jaw and some properly butchered/ cleaved bones.
June 18, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Second part of the morning's work with fellow volunteer Alex lots of oyster shells, animal bones, mainly pig, including part of a jaw and some properly butchered/ cleaved bones.
Jeremy, chair of @castlestudies.bsky.social is getting getting in thick of action at Clavering Castle and helping out excavating the track way with finds already appearing...
June 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Jeremy, chair of @castlestudies.bsky.social is getting getting in thick of action at Clavering Castle and helping out excavating the track way with finds already appearing...
As we head in to the last week of the Clavering Castle excavation, find out where the excavators are at after two weeks of digging: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...
June 15, 2025 at 5:45 PM
As we head in to the last week of the Clavering Castle excavation, find out where the excavators are at after two weeks of digging: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...
Here's the latest news from the Clavering Castle excavation as they continue to dig deeper: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...
June 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Here's the latest news from the Clavering Castle excavation as they continue to dig deeper: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/06...