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Somerset Historic Environment Record

15181

Site Name:	Excavation (1982), Daws Castle, Watchet
Civil Parish:	Watchet
Part of:	PRN 34164 Daws Castle, Watchet
Grid Ref:	ST 062 432 (ST 04 SE)
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Image:
	HER 15181 - Photo by Somerset County Council (February 1982)

Public access:

It is unlikely that there is anything to see unless this event took place on a site (see link above) where there may be details of access. Otherwise please assume that the site is on private land. [Information last updated on 21 May 2003]

Details:

Excavations were undertaken at Daws Castle (PRN 34164) by the Central Excavation Unit of English Heritage in 1982. Two cuts were made through the bank which revealed a shallow ditch marking out the defences and a low mortared wall, 0.7m wide and 0.6m high, which probably served as a foundation for a parapet and walkway. The defences were later replaced by a substantial wall 1.4m wide and c3m high. There was a large bank at the rear and a ditch 1.5m wide in front. The first defences are assigned to Alfred or Edward the Elder - burghal fort. The present perimeter is c690 yards which accords well with the 705 yards given in the Burghal Hideage. The refurbishment may be dated to the reign of Aethelred II. The coin series indicates a date cAD980 for the opening of the mint (PRN 34209) which would have been within the burh. In the interior the only feature was post medieval. {1}

References:

Record created on 12 December 2001

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