Archaeology and the English Civil War

Evidence of the English Civil War is still around us.  It can be seen in the remains of earthwork forts, damaged city walls, and scatters of artefacts on battlefields. A study of the landscape of battle sites also can provide a much clearer insight into the tactics employed than can be found in a simple written account of the conflict.

Metal detecting has greatly increased the number of finds from the period.  However, as with finds of other periods, much of the value of a find is lost if it is not properly recorded.  The detailed recording and study of musket balls from a battlefield can provide unique information as to the course of a battle.  The best example of this is the work on the 1645 Naseby battlefield.  If removed unrecorded from a battlefield they simply become leaden curios.  The discovery of any archaeological find should be reported to your local museum or direct to the Sites and Monuments Record of the local authority Archaeological Service.  

The following pictures illustrate some of the main types of archaeological finds (with thanks to Worcestershire Archaeological Service). 

Many Civil War battlefields may appear to have no visible interest. But the landscape itself is important in often providing an explanation of the particular tactics used (especially when the contemporary field system can be reconstructed). It is  important to accurately plot the discovery of Civil War finds across such a landscape as this can identify troop locations and the course of a battle. photo: Edgehill battlefield (note: much of the battlefield is not publicly-accessible)
The medieval defences of English towns were generally in a state of disrepair before the war and had to be rebuilt. To provide better protection against cannon shot  a bank of earth, 2m - 3m wide, was often built up against their rear.  photo: Worcester city wall
Evidence of damage during the war on the defences of cities such as Chester and Worcester can be found in the form of later patching of the walls.  photo: Worcester city wall
New town defences might be built, consisting of a ditch with an earth rampart.  Earthen defences provided a better protection against cannon fire as the soil absorbed the impact of the shot.  Ditches might be 4m to 10 m wide and 2m - 4m deep.  The work would usually be undertaken by the forced labour of local civilians rather than by the soldiers. photo:  Excavation of Civil War defences at Worcester
Land around the defences might be cleared, as well as a strip inside the defences.  This was to provide a clear field of fire and allow free movement of the defenders.  This also provided material to construct the new earthworks. The Civil War created massive disruption to life within the towns. Photo; Excavations at Sidbury, Worcester
City defences or siegeworks might incorporate star-shaped artillery forts.  One of the best preserved is the Queen's Sconce at Newark
Existing moated manor house sites might also be converted into Civil War forts.  The ditches would be deepened and widened and artillery platforms built at the corners. photo: Strensham moated site, Worcestershire. Home of the Royalist commander Sir William Russell.
Civil War fort at Earith, Cambridgeshire. Became headquarters of a prison camp holding prisoners from the battle of Worcester in 1651.
A besieging army might also create a network of trenches to contain the enemy.  This trench system overlooks Ludlow Castle.
A number of buildings are pock-marked with holes reputed to be the result of Civil war battles.  Some care is needed as 19th century Rifle Volunteers also had a bad reputation for firing at churches!!   But Powick church was the scene of fighting during the Battle of Worcester in 1651 and these marks are probably genuine.

A selection of Civil War shot.  From left to right: Musket ball (37gm); musket ball trimmed with a knife to fit bore of weapon; pistol ball (18gm) still showing casting scar from  mould; possible musket ball drilled with a hole for scooping up dung (an early form of biological warfare and documented from sieges).

The lead tops from the Primer and Powder Flasks carried on a bandolier are a common find from battlefields and camps.  A musket ball is undatable by itself, but the discovery of such flasks support the idea that they may date from the Civil War.

Specific military finds Civil war finds are likely to be accompanied by other objects that may be used by soldier and civilian alike.  The illustration shows the bowl of a clay tobacco pipe dating from 1640 - 1660 and found in the backfill of the Civil War defence ditch at Evesham, Worcs.

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