Abstract
This paper describes a programme of survey and excavation at the scheduled site of Church Place, Denny Wait in the New Forest that took place in
2016 and 2017 with a team from the University of Winchester. The extant earthworks at the site have been long considered to represent one of the royal
hunting lodges built in the 14th century by command of Edward III, and is one of eight similar sites across the New Forest. While dating evidence was retrieved
that confirm a 14th/15th century date for the earthworks, which share physical characteristics with other lodge sites in the forest, excavations indicate that
the site was never the focus of high status activity. Of particular interest is the fact that the results do not actually support significant activity at the site
of any kind, suggesting a far more temporary and occasional use of it, such as an ancillary encampment (eg for beaters), or as a meeting place. The work at
the site unexpectedly also produced evidence of a previously unknown prehistoric enclosure underlying the medieval remains, probably dating to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age.
2016 and 2017 with a team from the University of Winchester. The extant earthworks at the site have been long considered to represent one of the royal
hunting lodges built in the 14th century by command of Edward III, and is one of eight similar sites across the New Forest. While dating evidence was retrieved
that confirm a 14th/15th century date for the earthworks, which share physical characteristics with other lodge sites in the forest, excavations indicate that
the site was never the focus of high status activity. Of particular interest is the fact that the results do not actually support significant activity at the site
of any kind, suggesting a far more temporary and occasional use of it, such as an ancillary encampment (eg for beaters), or as a meeting place. The work at
the site unexpectedly also produced evidence of a previously unknown prehistoric enclosure underlying the medieval remains, probably dating to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 115-136 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Proc. Hampshire Field Club Archaeol. Soc. |
| Volume | 74 |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Dec 2019 |