More information : (TA 0516 8917) Remains of (NAT) Chapel of Our Lady (NR) on remains
of (NAT) ROMAN SIGNAL STATION (R) (see TA 08 NE 4) on site of
(NAT) Settlement (TA 08 NE 5)
(TA 0515 8917) Well of Our Lady (NR) (1)
The foundations of three successive chapels were revealed during
excavations on Castle Hill by P.G. Simpson in 1921-25 which also
uncovered the Roman Signal Station (TA 08 NE 4) and Bronze Age/Iron
Age settlement (TA 08 NE 5). Under guardianship. (2-3)
Period 1. A chapel was built circa 1000 AD, utilizing the then
partly ruined walls of the Roman Signal Station and may have been
destroyed by Harold Hardrada in 1066. Probably founded as a beacon-
chapel (see plan 1).
Period 2. The Chapel of Our Lady (4) built by William le Gros, circa
1140 and is thought to have been destroyed in the early 14th century,
presumably in the siege of 1312 (see plan 2).
Period 3. The rebuilding of the chapel in the 14th century included
alterations to the west end and the construction of a priest's house
and latrine.
After the Reformation (1539) the remains were extended and converted
into a dwelling by the construction of additional buildings to the
north. A circular horse-mill track was inserted into the chancel
floor which was lowered. (2-4)
The medieval 'Well of Our Lady' discovered in 1923 was 16 ft deep and
filled with some masonry from the chapel.
A vaulted chamber or water tank, 26 ft x 18 ft, nearby contained the
mouths (blocked) of three conduits. In 1745 a brick-built tank, 9 ft
square and 9 ft deep was inserted within the earlier one. During the
excavations over 400 pre-Conquest and Medieval burials from the
graveyard surrounding the chapel and beneath the walls of the later
chapel were revealed. 144 individuals (including 40 from the pre-
Conquest period were deposited in the Royal College of Surgeons,
London.
In one pre-Conquest grave was a jet cross, and amongst other finds of
the late Anglian period was a bronze ornament for a book cover and twosilver coins of Ethelred II and Cnut. The remainder of the burials from the graveyard were re-interred and marked by a memorial grave-cover.
(Memorial shown at TA 05138915) on OS 25" 1967). Plans 1 and 2. (4)
A quantity of 13th and 14 century pottery from the site indicated the
existence of domestic buildings, presumably before the destruction
siege of the castle in 1312. An inquisition of 1260 makes no mention
of the chapel or other buildings but Leland's (1538) mention of the
third chapel 'beside olde Waulles of Houses of office that stood
there' may well apply to the remains of the domestic buildings. (5)
Resurvey at 1:1250 (see divorced survey with TA 08 NE 4). The only stuctural remains are those of the medieval chapels. (6)
TA 0503 8911. Scarborough Castle: Iron Age settlement, Roman signal
station, Anglo-Scandinavian settlement and chapel, C12 enclosure
castle & C18 battery. Scheduled RSM No 13300 (formerly NY/310).
Documentary evidence indicates that the pre-Conquest town of
Scarborough was founded by two Viking brothers, Thorglis and Kormac,
and it would have been this settlement that the chapel served. The
chapel was destroyed in the mid-11th century, most likely during the
reputed sacking of the town by Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinsson.
Although no other remains of the town have so far been found it is
believed that evidence of Anglo-Scandinavian occupation will survive
on the headland in the vicinity of the chapel. (7)
Remains of medieval Chapel of Our Lady and well on the site of an early medieval chapel and settlement. Excavations in 1921¿5 revealed an early chapel built c 1000 with a 4m square chancel and 7 x 6m nave, re-using some walls of the Roman signal station, and possibly destroyed in the mid 11th century when Tostig and Harald Hardrada burnt the town. This was succeeded by a chapel built by William le Gros c 1140, which in turn was succeeded after destruction in 1312 by a final chapel, which included a priest¿s house and latrine. This was dissolved in 1539 and shortly after converted for use as a house and horse gin. Over 400 graves of pre- and post-Conquest date were recorded. The earlier graves were dated by a jet pendant, bronze cross from a book cover, strap end, and coins of Ethelred II and Cnut. (8)
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