THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE

Transcription

1 WRITTEN STATEMENT OF INVESTIGATION AND METHOD STATEMENT In respect of ARCHAEOLOGICAL ECAVATION AND WATCHING BRIEF FOR THE PRE-CONTRACT INVESTIGATIVE WORKS AND THE MAIN CONTRACT MITIGATION WORK At THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE A BBEY S TRAND, MEWS/ COACHMEN S HOUSE, AND THE P ALACE For The Royal Collections Trust By Kirkdale Archaeology 4 Western Terrace, Murrayfield, Edinburgh EH12 5QF 24 th June 2017

2 INTRODUCTION OS Grid Reference: NT (centred on) Ground-breaking works subject to SMC requirements A programme of site assessment and excavation involving trial trenching and open area excavation is proposed for Abbey Strand, Mews/Coachmen s House and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Fig. 1). The trenching strategy follows on from the Stage 1 trial trenching works completed in November/December, Figure 1: Plan showing the location of the archaeological and geotechnical trenches and related proposed works. Crown copyright. All rights reserved Licence number

3 The trenches will comprise three types: 1. Investigative, pre-contract geotechnical/soil analysis: The north garden and forecourt; 2. Investigative, pre-contract archaeological trial trenches: The north garden and forecourt; and, 3. Mitigation, main contract archaeological: The north garden and forecourt, Abbey Strand (ground floor and immediate environs), Mews/Coachmen s House, the North Drive, banksman's hut, audio drop off hut, and Holyrood Palace. The full archaeological mitigation for the implementation of the physic garden, Abbey Strand garden, and softworks on the forecourt will be defined in light of the results of the pre-contract trenches, both archaeological and geotechnical. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Abbey Strand This is now recognised as a multiphase and multifunctional residence. The earliest surviving elements date from the late-15th century before conversion in the later-16th century. These in turn were extended and reoccupied from the mid-17th century, the early-18th century, and later-19th century, before wholesale conversion in the early years of the 20th century. The Mews This suite of buildings presently defines the royal stables and courtyard on the west side of the palace forecourt. They are part of the later-19th century improvements to the palace and park. i) Medieval period The area of the Mews was situated on the edge the abbey precinct. ii) 16th Century A new gatehouse to the abbey/palace was erected in c The south wall and part of a stair turret of the gatehouse survive on the north side of the Abbey Courthouse. A drawing of 1544 shows groups of buildings south of the gatehouse. Mylne s plan of 1663 shows an L-shaped block adjoining the south side of the gatehouse. Another L-shaped building shown on the Horse Wynd frontage may have been a small tower house. iii) 17th and 18th Century The area was divided into three courtyards with properties sublet to various tenants. There is a house on Horse Wynd. Breweries develop in the 18th century exploiting the wells. The southern-most courtyard becomes associated with the Napier townhouse. 2

4 iv) 19th Century The Abbey Courthouse was rebuilt by Robert Reid (1822 3) and Robert Mathieson (1857), incorporating 16th century fabric. New stables were constructed in c.1800 in the north-east of the present Mews area, having a central building on the forecourt frontage along with two E/W ranges extending westwards. The stables of c.1800 were demolished and the present stables and guardhouse buildings were erected in as part of the upgrading of the palace for use by Queen Victoria. v) 21st Century (2001) The coach house was converted into a café. The Coachmen s House i) 16 th Century The area features stables, service buildings and lodgings associated with the royal court. ii) The 1647 view of Edinburgh shows buildings around a courtyard. The southern wing, overlooking a garden, appears to be the main residential part of the courtyard complex. Mylne s survey of 1663 shows this southern block along with two small buildings along the forecourt frontage, one of which was a stable. iii) Townhouse of Lord Napier 1677 c.1800 Charles II allowed Lord Napier the unusual privilege of building a townhouse on the frontage of the outer close of the palace, incorporating earlier, then ruined, structures. Service buildings in a rear courtyard included a bakehouse, brewhouse, maltbarn and kiln, and storehouses. iv) Brewery The courtyard buildings were acquired by James Blair, brewer, later bought by Younger & Co. v) Acquisition by the Crown and rebuilding The Coachmen s house and Mews was purchased by the Crown in The northern part of the house was retained but its substantial southern part was demolished, along with the adjacent courtyard buildings. The Coach House was built on the site of the former courtyard. 3

5 Holyrood Palace The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. It developed out of the Augustinian abbey of Holyrood, founded by David I in Over time the guesthouse at the abbey grew into a royal palace, with major building works being undertaken during the reigns of James IV, James V and Charles II. The palace consists of a quadrangular building adjacent to the remains of the nave of the medieval abbey church. There are gardens to the north, east and south of the palace. The area to the south of the palace has a complex development history which has seen successive changes associated with the abbey, the development and expansion of the royal palace and associated lodgings, and, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the emergence of a small suburb known as St Anne s Yards. The gardens too have seen many phases of development and alteration alongside the palace developments, with significant changes under James IV, James V and Charles II. The earliest evidence we have for the royal gardens at Holyrood comes from references in the early-16th century; prior to this the area to the south would have formed part of the outer precinct of the abbey. Accounts of the Master of Works record planning and preparation work, including the draining and landscaping of ground to the south of the palace to allow for the creation of gardens. Rothiemay s map of Edinburgh from 1647 shows a number of enclosed gardens, with tree-lined walkways and symmetrically arranged planting, as well as possible vegetable or herb gardens further east, which may once have been part of the abbey. Subsequent maps show the evolution of various different layouts over the next two centuries, with its present form taking shape in the 19th century. Preparations ahead of George IV s visit saw the removal of outbuildings to the south of the palace and the creation of more open space. The gradual acquisition of further land to the south led to the extension of the gardens in the 1850s and 1860s, and the creation of lawns and gravel paths. They were finally laid out in their present form under Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, with the reorganisation of access to the palace, a further extension to the south gardens and removal of the remaining buildings in the area known as St Anne s Yards. The ground was lowered and levelled, with new lawns and gravel paths laid; the ha-ha was also created around this time, with the ground banked up to obscure the enclosing boundary wall of the gardens. Since the late-19th century there have only been small scale changes to the planting within the garden. The forecourt is most likely the recycled area of the outer court of the Augustinian abbey, an intermediate space between the Canongate and Horse Wynd, and the principal cloistral structure. This was primarily a multifunctional open area featuring some service structures and guest accommodation towards its western edge. The 16th century and later saw the area immediately east of Horse Wynd used for stables, brewing, and domestic residences; most likely reflecting earlier, monastic usage. 4

6 Previous archaeological evidence and historic images suggest that the ground level immediately west of the palace generally sloped down towards the west and south. Recent work around the south gate has confirmed that the Holyrood road lies c.1.5m below the present ground level around the south gate. Some buildings, as shown on early-18th century plans, in turn overlay the line of the boundary road suggesting that the associated forecourt surface was raised slightly, most likely as part of the late-17th century works on the palace. The perspective drawing by Paul Sandby of c.1750 shows the still uneven nature of the forecourt surface, with the ground dropping more steeply towards the edges of the area. During the later-19th century this uneven surface was regularised. This involved considerable infill generally raising the ground level around the Mews, plus the east and west edges of the forecourt, by up to 1.5m. Elsewhere, at the northern and eastern areas of the forecourt, the ground level was scarped then re-laid to a depth of c.0.5m. 5

7 Figure 2: The proposed trenches (with depths) within and immediately adjacent to Abbey Strand. 6

8 Figure 3: The proposed trenches (with depths) associated with the audio drop off hut (top) and banksman s hut. 7

9 Figure 4: The proposed trenches (with depths) associated with the work in the area of the Mews. 8

10 Figure 5: The proposed trenches (with depths) associated with the work in the area of the Mews and Coachmen s House. 9

11 Figure 6: Plan showing the location of the archaeological and geotechnical trenches and related proposed works in relation to features derived from the map of Mylne (1663). Crown copyright. All rights reserved Licence number

12 Figure 7: Plan showing the location of the archaeological and geotechnical trenches and related proposed works in relation to features derived from the map of Edgar (1765). Crown copyright. All rights reserved Licence number

13 Figure 8: Plan showing the location of the archaeological and geotechnical trenches and related proposed works in relation to features derived from the 1st Ed. Ordnance Survey ( ). Crown copyright. All rights reserved Licence number

14 ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL Based on the historical mapping evidence presented in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the archaeological potential of the proposed trenches is shown in Table 1: Phase of Work Trench Reference Archaeological Potential Mylne Edgar Ordnance Survey GT01 S S GT02 G G GT03 S GT04 G GT05 G S GT06 S S GT07 G G GT08 GT09 S G AT01 G S AT02 G S Investigative, AT03 G G pre-contract AT04 G G AT05 G G AT06 S AT07 S S AT08 G G AT09 G G AT10 G G AT11 S G G AT12 S G AT13 S G AT14 S S G Main contract, mitigation AS01 S S AS02 S S AS03 S S AS04 S S AS05 S S AS06 S S AS07 S S AS08 S S AS09 S S AS10 S S AS11 S S AS12 S S AS13 S S AS14 S S AS15 S S AS16 S S AS17 S S AS18 S S AS19 S S AS20 S S AS21 S S AS22 S S AS23 S S AS24 S S AS25 S S AS26 S S ASG01 G S 13

15 Phase of Work Trench Reference Archaeological Potential Mylne Edgar Ordnance Survey ASG02 S S ASG03 S S ASG04 S S ASG05 S ASG06 G S ASG07 G S BH01 G G ADH01 S G G SV01 S G,S G,S SV02 SV03 SV04 SV05 SV06 SV07 SV08 MC01 S MC02 S S MC03 S S MC04 S MC05 S S MC06 S S MC07 S S MC08 S S MC09 S S MC10 S MC11 S S MC12 S S MC13 MC14 S S MC15 S S MC16 S S MC17 S S PB01 G G PB02 G G Table 1: The archaeological potential of the proposed work, based on historical mapping. S indicates the potential of a trench intersecting a structural feature, and G a garden feature. 14

16 Investigative, Pre-Contract Trenches i) Geotechnical Trial Trenches It is intended that a total of 9 geotechnical investigation trial trenches (GT01 09) will be excavated, each measuring 2m (L) x 1m (W) x (a maximum of) 0.6m (D). These will allow a characterisation of the archaeological resource to be made, as well as providing material for a geotechnical investigation of the ground, including soil analysis. These trenches will reveal evidence of the sequence of gardens defined by three main phases: 1. Late monastic sacristy garden, 15th mid-16th century; 2. Late-16th century formal north parterre garden; and, 3. Mid-17th century physic garden. Trenches GT01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07 and 08 will contain evidence of the sequence of planting over the three main phases in terms of a distinct hierarchy of planting regimes. Given the specialised nature and function of each garden phase, it is possible that where undisturbed, each cultivation horizon should be evident. The survival of this profile is due to the likely infilling and sealing of earlier ground surfaces rather than their recycling. Trench GT03 will confirm the location of 18th and 19th century tenements, which in turn overlie the site of the 16th century royal tennis court. Previous excavation suggests that the tennis court has been completely destroyed by the later tenements. Trench GT09 will cut the line of south boundary road. The cobbled surface of the roadway (an extension of Holyrood Road) lies at a depth of c.1.7m 2m below the present ground level (tarmac and lawn). It is defined by stone walls to north and south which survive to a height of c.0.50m. Trench GT09 will also cut the floor surfaces within an 18th century building (possibly stables) which recycled the southern wall of the south boundary road. This building appears to have been associated with a period of late-17th century landscaping and building but was cleared away by It has in turn, been significantly disturbed by a succession of late-19th and 20th century service pipes (gas and water). ii) Archaeological Trial Trenches A series of 14 trenches, AT01 14, will be excavated by hand to (at least) the top of the first archaeologically significant horizon. Trenches AT01 05 will each measure 3m x 1m, and be situated across the proposed path locations in the gardens north of Abbey Strand. Trenches AT06 and AT07 will each measure 2m x 1m and will be positioned across the line of the proposed pergola. Trenches AT08 14 will each measure 3m x 1m, and will be situated in the Abbey Strand north garden (AT08) and the 15

17 north (AT09 11) and south (AT12 14) forecourts. All these trenches are intended to compliment the results of the Geotechnical Trial Trenches by defining the character and complexity of surviving boundary and path evidence for the sequence of historic gardens, including any surviving evidence of the garden beds/planting design. There is also the possibility that the trenches may reveal evidence of historic burials. In particular, AT06 and AT07 overlie the site of the 17th century tennis court, which in turn overlies parts of the medieval monastic north garden complex (12th 16th century). Mitigation, Main Contract Trenches i) Services (Internal/External) Where it is intended to install services (electricity and telecommunications) a c.500m long, meandering trench c.0.5m wide x (at least) 0.58m deep will be required (SV01), along with seven trenches (SV02-08) to address the installation of pop-up power units. Each of these latter trenches will measure 0.6m x 0.6m x 0.75m in size. All these trenches will be managed via a combination of watching brief and machine/hand excavation. Trenches SV01 SV08 will impact on: The north garden: late medieval parterre and 17th century physic garden; The west edge of the forecourt: historic surfaces and landscaping; The eastern approach to the west gateway, the main access to abbey/palace from at least the later 15th century; The southern area of the forecourt: the south boundary road and stables during the late-17th century; and, The eastern area of the forecourt: historic surfaces and landscaping. Holyrood Palace: the boot hall (and adjacent rooms) to the north, and the cloakroom (to the south of the main entrance). Although narrow, the length and scope of SV01 will require detailed recording in section, with a full sampling strategy, addressing the three principal historic uses of the areas affected: garden, roadway and occupation. ii) New Structures (External) Where it is intended to erect the audio drop off hut and banksman's hut, two trenches (ADH01 and BH01 respectively) will be required. Both trenches will be rationalised in plan in order to aid excavation, with Trench ADH01 measuring 3.5m x 4.8m x 0.5m, while Trench BH01 will measure 3m x 3.5m x 0.5m 0.7m. Both theses trenches will be excavated by hand, with any hard surface broken out by machine. 16

18 The location of the proposed audio drop off hut is on the site of the 16th century Chancellor s lodgings. Excavations in 2006, a little to the south of the proposed location, demonstrated the survival of substantial masonry foundations of the former palace in this area. Where two new bridges are proposed, trenches will be dug by hand (with any hard surface broken out by machine) to accommodate the shallow foundations associated with each. The bridge to the north will require two trenches, each c.1.4m x 0.7m x 0.25m in size, some c.1.95m apart. These trenches (designated ASG06) could reveal evidence of late 19th century tenements and the west boundary of the North Palace Garden (mid-16th mid-19th century). The bridge to the south will again require two trenches, each c.1.7m x 0.7m x 0.25m in size, some 3.2m apart. These trenches (designated ASG07) are on the site of a late-19th century courtyard associated with Thompson s Court, overlying the outer area of the medieval monastic north garden complex (12th 16th century). It is also in the area of the west boundary of the North Palace Garden (mid-16th mid-19th century). Where it is intended to erect a personnel barrier (towards the northern end of the North Drive), two trenches PB01 (1.2m x 1.2m x 1m) and PB02 (0.35m x 0.35m x 0.35m) will be excavated under an archaeological watching brief. iii) New Planting Where it is intended to plant multi-stem fruit trees, five trenches (ASG01 05), each 2m x 2m in plan will be excavated to a depth of c.1.25m by hand, with any hard surface broken out by machine. Trench ASG01 will impact on the sequence of historic gardens, and may be combined with Trench GT04 (see above). Trenches ASG02 and ASG03 are both on the site of mid-18th century tenements, which overlie the site of the 17th century tennis court, all overlying parts of the medieval monastic north garden complex (12th 16th century). Trench ASG04 is on the site of mid-18th century tenements, which overlie buildings associated with the Watergate (16th century). Trench ASG05 lies on the site of late-19th century tenements and the west boundary of the North Palace Garden (mid-16th mid-19th century). iv) Abbey Strand (Internal) The proposed removal of the present concrete slab, introduction of new sub floor plus new toilets, lift and new forecourt at ground floor level in Abbey Strand will be preceded by excavation across three areas of the Abbey Strand complex. The evidence of the Stage 1 assessment works has confirmed the presence across the area of historic floor levels, of at least two periods, overlying evidence of historic gardening. These surfaces survive from a depth of c.0.25m below the present ground/floor levels and will be impacted by the proposed new works. Trenches AS01, AS02, AS03, AS09, AS10, AS12, AS16, AS17, AS18, AS19, AS20, AS21, AS22, AS23, AS24 and AS25 will be hand dug where practicable with any hard surfaces broken out by machine. 17

19 v) Abbey Strand (External) A new shallow drainage channel (c.60m long x 0.70m deep x 0.30m wide) will be excavated under an archaeological watching brief around the outside of the Abbey Strand complex (represented by trenches AS04, AS05, AS07 and AS13). Evidence from the Stage 1 assessment works suggest that the footings of all the upstanding walls are only 0.30m 0.40m deep and are cut against a variety of residual surfaces, most likely associated with the monastic (sacristy) garden. This work, along with the excavation of the remaining narrow external trenches AS06, AS08, AS11, AS14, AS15 and AS26 will be carried out under an archaeological watching brief. vi) Mews / Coachmen s House (Internal) The proposed work here will require the excavation of the trenches MC01, MC02, MC03, MC04, MC05, MC06, MC08, MC15, MC16 and MC17. The depth of the excavations will vary from 0.50m 0.80m. Trenches MC08 and MC17 will be excavated by hand where practicable, with the remaining excavated under an archaeological watching brief. The Abbey Courthouse is on the site of, and partly incorporates, a 16th century building. The Mews WC area may reveal evidence for the early-19th century stables. The west side of the Mews Café is the approximate site of a probable 16th century tower house. There may be evidence for the service buildings (bakehouse, brewhouse, maltbarn and kiln, and storehouses) associated with this complex in the 17th/18th centuries, along with the courtyard well. vii) Mews / Coachmen s House (External) The proposed work here will require the excavation of the trenches MC07, MC09, MC11, MC12, MC13, and MC14. The depth of the excavations will vary from 0.50m 1.5m. Trenches MC07 and MC11 will be excavated by hand where practicable, with the remaining excavated under an archaeological watching brief. a) Mews Evidence may survive for the abbey precinct wall and medieval buildings and drains associated with the monastery towards the south half of the present Mews. b) Coachmen s House The proposed trenching to the south of the present buildings will run across the former courtyard of Lord Napier s house. It may encounter the well. South of the present Coachman s House, the proposed trenching crosses the main wing of the 17th century Napier house, which incorporated elements of an earlier building. This wing also extended to the east of the present house. Work on the east side of the 18

20 Coachman s House will probably be situated within a small forecourt of the house, which was defined by a wall on its eastern side. FIELDWORK Archaeological Hand Excavation This will entail, where feasible, excavation by hand throughout. However, it is assumed that all initial ground-breaking over hard surfaces (e.g. tarmac and concrete), will be undertaken by a specialist contractor. Following this, the trenches will be hand dug to the required depth, or to the first archaeologically significant level (whichever is less). Archaeological Watching Brief Work will be monitored by on-site archaeological staff, but the initial process of excavation will be undertaken by the contractor. This will require the presence on site of at least one member of the archaeological site staff during all ground breaking work, at each active intervention, as defined above. All features, structures, and surfaces revealed during and after this work, will be cleaned and recorded archaeologically. This work will be completed by archaeological site staff. The specialist contractor will allow adequate time and opportunity for this work to be completed to the required standard. In the event of the discovery of any features, structures, artefacts and surfaces of archaeological significance, excavation will be suspended until a suitable archaeological response is agreed with all relevant agencies. The archaeological site staff will follow all Health and Safety site protocols as required by the specialist contractor. The differing methodologies (hand excavation vs. watching brief) are summarised by trench in Table 2, below. 19

21 20 Phase of Work Trench Hand Excavation Watching Brief Investigative, pre-contract GT01 GT02 GT03 GT04 GT05 GT06 GT07 GT08 GT09 AT01 AT02 AT03 AT04 AT05 AT06 AT07 AT08 AT09 AT10 AT11 AT12 AT13 AT14 Main contract, mitigation AS01 AS02 AS03 AS04 AS05 AS06 AS07 AS08 AS09 AS10 AS11 AS12 AS13 AS14 AS15 AS16 AS17 AS18 AS19 AS20 AS21 AS22 AS23 AS24 AS25 AS26 ASG01 ASG02 ASG03 ASG04 ASG05 ASG06 ASG07

22 Phase of Work Trench BH01 ADH01 SV01 SV02 SV03 SV04 SV05 SV06 SV07 SV08 MC01 MC02 MC03 MC04 MC05 MC06 MC07 MC08 MC09 MC10 MC11 MC12 MC13 MC14 MC15 MC16 MC17 PB01 PB02 Hand Excavation Table 2: The primary excavation methodologies employed across the site. Watching Brief 21

23 Technical Statement Archaeological Excavation/Cleaning Use of hand tools only (once any hard surfaces have been broken out by machine). Spoil will be stored adjacent to the intervention site. All excavated artefacts and faunal remains will be retained for archaeological recording and specialist assessment. Drawing Confirmation of site plans as supplied by the Client. Location plan of all interventions at a suitable scale, 1:50/1:100. Detailed, individual area plans of all features and artefacts at significant stages of excavation if appropriate and on completion of excavation, drawn at a scale of 1:20. All sections, or a representative selection, will be drawn in detail at a scale of 1:10/1:20. All drawing will be annotated with site feature numbers, site code, scale, date and name(s) of staff. All artefacts will be photographed/drawn and described. Photography Still photographs will be colour digital and will record general location of works, plus detailed coverage during and on completion of the excavation. All photographs will have a suitable scale visible. All photographs will be listed in a full photo register (describing content, orientation and date). Documentary photographs will also be taken in order to represent site conditions, constraints and resources. If appropriate, digital moving coverage will be taken for further illustration of site conditions, constraints and resources. 22

24 Site Recording: Buried Archaeology Description of all excavated material in terms of archaeological features, each of which will be assigned a unique three-digit number. The numbering will also reference the site code and any individual trench number. Each discrete feature will described on site pro forma which will cover stratigraphic relationships, finds, physical description, location, drawing references and interpretation. Each feature will also be listed in a feature register comprising a brief description, date and feature number. Sampling When required, three levels of sampling are proposed for above and below ground investigations: General: Special: Bulk sample per context removed. Specific sample identified for later specialist attention (charcoal, industrial waste, environmental, infestations, organics). Specialist: Monitoring of any independent sampling strategy from external specialists (dendrochronological, mortar, paint, etc.) FINDS ASSESSMENT All artefacts, faunal remains and samples will be initially processed on-site. This will entail: washing, drying, marking, bagging, description and initial storage of all assemblages as required. Disposal and/or examination/conservation /storage of this material will be assessed in the light of results of fieldwork. Any programme of specialist post-excavation work on finds, faunal remains and analysis of samples will be assessed on completion of fieldwork. Any human remains revealed during the excavation will remain in-situ. All discoveries of human remains will be reported to the local police, Client and CECAS. If human remains are to be excavated during any subsequent work, this will be completed in line with HES policy on the treatment of human remains. 23

25 REPORTING The results of the fieldwork will be presented in an illustrated Data Structures Report (DSR) with accompanying digital documentation as required by the client. Copies of the report and digital files will be produced as specified. Typically this comprises: Four bound paper copies. Two digital versions on CD including all photographs (the latter in.tiff or jpeg format). This will include an assessment of all assemblages and recommendations for any further specialist work. A costed programme for the full sample analysis towards publication of the findings will be included if appropriate. A short note will be submitted to 'Discovery and Excavation in Scotland'. The position of all trenches, excavation areas etc., will be supplied on CD disk, as a georeferenced.dxf file. Reports will be submitted within 30 working days of completion of the fieldwork. ARCHIVE If there is no further requirement for reporting beyond the DSR and D&E entry, the report and site records will be compiled in a suitable archive comprising primary data and digital documentation as appropriate, suitable for submission to local and national archives. The archive will follow current guidelines for archival standards set by the Archaeology Data Service and Historic Environment Scotland. The project archive will be deposited with the NMRS within six months of completion of fieldwork and relevant post-excavation analyses. Finds will be subject to the Scots laws of Treasure Trove and Bona Vacantia, and will be reported to the Crown Agent for disposal. Appropriate conservation of finds will be conducted before disposal. Gordon Ewart 24 th June,