he stays of a medieval motte and bailey fortress have been faraway from Historic England’s in danger record following the completion of works costing practically £300,000.
Specialist repairs, repointing and the introduction of soppy capping – including a protecting layer of earth and grass to the tops of ruined partitions – have been carried out as a part of a collection of works to guard Merdon Fortress, close to Winchester, Hampshire.
A 400ft “bottomless” properly was additionally made secure and capped as a part of the works which have been funded with a £240,700 grant from Historic England.
A spokeswoman stated the scheduled monument had turn out to be overgrown and stonework was unfastened however the enhancements meant that it could possibly be faraway from the Authorities physique’s Heritage At Threat register.
Elspeth Faulkner, Historic England architect, stated: “Merdon Fortress has spent a few years on the Heritage At Threat register and it was important {that a} programme of repairs was undertaken now to keep away from additional loss.
“A brand new partnership with Winchester College holds thrilling prospects for locating extra about this historic website whereas serving to college students develop necessary abilities.”
Dr Monika Knul, from the College of Winchester, stated: “We’re delighted that, along with the homeowners and Historic England, we’ve been in a position to introduce Merdon Fortress to our college students via their examine of archaeological subject methods.
“We’re excited to develop this programme in order that college students, and the monument itself, profit in the long run.”
Extra funding for the repairs, which value a complete of £288,840, have been offered by the landowner of the positioning which is on personal land however open to the general public for normal neighborhood walks.
The Historic England spokeswoman stated that it was believed that Merdon Fortress was constructed between 1129 and 1138 by Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester, throughout the reign of his brother, Stephen, the final Norman king of England.
The fortress was partly demolished in 1155 on the accession of Henry II however was used as a bishop’s palace till not less than the 14th century.
The medieval fortress was constructed throughout the ramparts of an earlier hill fort which in all probability dates again to the late bronze age or early iron age (eighth to fifth centuries BC).
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