More information : [SK 3578765] SHEFFIELD CASTLE [GT] (Site of). (1)
Excavations carried out in 1927-9 on the site of Sheffield Castle, prior to redevelopment, revealed building foundations of three periods. The earliest, the remains of a large wooden structure of Saxon date, probably fortified by a dtich, and possibly the traditional Hall of Waltheof. This was replaced by a timber castle of c.1100 which was burnt down in 1266. A stone castle built in 1270 was demolished in 1649-50. Finds, in addition to Mediaeval, included Saxon pottery, some Roman sherds including Samian ware, and a flint horse-shoe scraper of B.A. type. Some masonry, including the remains of a bastion tower and gatehouse, has been enclosed and preserved beneath the present market hall. (2)
The site of the castle, at SK 35798768, is now completely covered by the Castle Market, although some stonework, (referred to above), at SK 35818766 and SK 35818770, has been preserved amongst the piles of the present structure. During the building of this market in 1961, part of the castle moat was revealed in excavations and was plotted on the building plan by Mr. L. H. Butcher of Sheffield City Architects Department. See sketch plan at 1/1250, for copy of this plan. (3) |