Thanks Dan. Just a gentle reminder that my own book "The Story of Sheffield" (2021) is also available to give the reader 'a people's history of Sheffield' :) I was involved in the previous archaeological excavation that the University conducted around 2000, at which time we produced the first computer generated reconstructions of what this mighty castle would have looked like. In my opinion, the are still loads of questions to be answered about where all the stone went.
Ah, lovely Ron, when it comes to art criticism I yield to, well anyone really. I rather like Kenneth Steel’s style of painting because it reminds me of the sort of travel adverts that were around when my parents were young ‘uns.
Susan-funny you should mention the travel adverts-that really was Mr Steels forte -there should be a retrospective piece on SMT's website - he was a talented chap who deserves his overdue recognition.Now back to the painting-is that Wincobank Hill in the mid background?
Arrrr! There be those as do say as 'ow shoe-casting was thought to bring health and fecundity to your herds of cattle and other livestock. Oh, all right, I made that one up. But what's missing from this account is that for many centuries, Rotherham was a more important settlement than Sheffield. Sheffield started to gain in prominence only when its water-power was harnessed for industrial purposes. It's accordingly unsurprising that Sheffield Castle hasn't yielded that much in the way of astounding revelations, and remains "one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked abaht a bit."
Some truth in what you say Ruth and a similar argument to be made in respect of Doncaster -both of these had Roman military settlements as did Chesterfield.As regards Sheffield not yelding 'astounding relevations' well as Simon Ogden did point out 'we aren't digging up Camelot'.To act as Devil's Advocate[not that I like pears or that custard like Dutch Liquor or bizarre creatures who live on termites] why is this 'mighty castle' described as not being worth much in a poll tax comment in the fourteenth century? Freed from the contraints of being on the FOSC committee I will be able to put one or two insights into the public domain I trust -so watch this space.
Thanks for info that was new to me, Ron, and I certainly will watch out for your further gems of wisdom.
Btw, neither of us mentioned Conisborough Castle, dazzlingly built and preserved, which lies between Rotherham and Doncaster. If anyone has a senior citizens bus pass or similar, a ride on the X78 is recommended. I've actually written a song in praise of this highly interesting bus route.
This is sooooo interesting - thanks again Dan for a great piece on Sheffield’s past.
I agree, it would be fascinating to know more about the lives of the ordinary people who lived in the area. I wonder how they felt about having a huge castle looming over them - was it a source of fear, or of protection? (Both, I expect!)
I love Kenneth Steel’s painting of the castle and its magnificent backdrop. To us, the distant hills are beautiful and inviting, but in a time when the only nighttime light was the moon and stars, and maybe fire, the uplands (possibly more wooded than in the painting??) must have been somewhere you’d avoid!
I can hardly wait for the castle to begin to reveal more of itself; but as you say Dan, imagination is such a powerful driver in our wish to understand the past.
Well Danno you have scooped the prize for coverage of this stage of the background to work on the castle site-the rival Sheffield media haven't located the site by sat nav yet it appears.I can't better the description of Prof John Moreland as a 'jovial Irishman' -the Prof as I call him was one of my former colleagues on the Committee of the Friends of Sheffield Castle before I recently handed in my resignation as I had gone as far as I could with them.I have nothing but the highest respect for him and his part in the synthesis on the Castle [see selected bibliography] ought to be required reading for every member and officer of Sheffield City Council - the latter body being shamefully responsible for the neglect of the remains of the Castle[with certain honourable exceptions] over a number of years.Now Susan you wax poetically over the Steel artists impression of the Castle-I'm afraid I hate the bloody thing though Kenneth Steel has belatedly got the recognition he deserves thanks to Sheffield Museums Trust and will give you some further content in the next part of my saga.Stick with it folks I can promise you it will be straight from the heart and sooooo Ronnish. Ron
A badly written piece on Shef News raises the old canard that the gatehouse will be 'a tourist attraction' -not by itself it won't.Had this argument with Simon O when he was at the Council.
The computer generated image of Sheffield Castle -by far the best -of any attempt to even give any flesh on what is an impossibility has been reproduced on the noticeboard of the Castlle pub in Dykes Hall Road S6. I'm not sure whether this is the image Tim refers-can you help Tim?
Back again -are they going to preserve the remains of the steelworks in situ? Are they going to dig the area of the Old No 12? This is an ongoing story and so should the Tribune's reporting of it.Have written to Star and Telegraph but no idea if its going to appear in the diminished letters col.
While you are at it what about a piece about the problems at Vieux Cars or what ever they call themselves? All too often they provide a bloody awful service esp if you have mobility problems.Intrigued by issues covered by the Tribune appear in the Sheffield Forum
I am still rattling the cage re the castle site folks -letters being forwarded to thhe Star etc-if you want to see the drafts then please e-mail me. I am not sure that I -as a layman - can agree with Ash's comment.
We wait to see how much of the gatehouse foundations remain after it was truncated for the Castle Market-photographs give cause for optimism.When building the market much of the rubble of the structure was dumped and not kept in situ.
In depth reporting and hard questions are required- let's see it happen.
Great article. And for people who like podcasts I am currently listening to The British History Podcast - it starts waaay back and goes through methodically through the ages. I'm only up to the Vikingr raids...
Thanks Dan. Just a gentle reminder that my own book "The Story of Sheffield" (2021) is also available to give the reader 'a people's history of Sheffield' :) I was involved in the previous archaeological excavation that the University conducted around 2000, at which time we produced the first computer generated reconstructions of what this mighty castle would have looked like. In my opinion, the are still loads of questions to be answered about where all the stone went.
Tim - I must display my ignorance by stating I have never heard of your book -please tell us more-I am also like yourself -where did the stone go?
Ron
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Story-Sheffield-Tim-Cooper/dp/0750967633/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WONVPFX18GOF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ox_ynpz5z69pODncDyrALueaUzzMTXdVAUoPdJ058c2uMDtNKJ1Q5qfv2s6bVaEXIbOnyHzFKu3nlEHP8p2zsfqW_nJ3SG99vgYueNEUz1I.lcP7lV_fYtHbOZ3jxhSmBco5bB89bY0a3ExrZFHtWic&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+story+of+sheffield+tim+cooper&qid=1713209565&sprefix=tim+cooper+the+story%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1
Susan
How could it be any other but sooooo nice to a lady? Fortright yes opinionated yes but honest.
Ron
Ah, lovely Ron, when it comes to art criticism I yield to, well anyone really. I rather like Kenneth Steel’s style of painting because it reminds me of the sort of travel adverts that were around when my parents were young ‘uns.
Susan-funny you should mention the travel adverts-that really was Mr Steels forte -there should be a retrospective piece on SMT's website - he was a talented chap who deserves his overdue recognition.Now back to the painting-is that Wincobank Hill in the mid background?
Arrrr! There be those as do say as 'ow shoe-casting was thought to bring health and fecundity to your herds of cattle and other livestock. Oh, all right, I made that one up. But what's missing from this account is that for many centuries, Rotherham was a more important settlement than Sheffield. Sheffield started to gain in prominence only when its water-power was harnessed for industrial purposes. It's accordingly unsurprising that Sheffield Castle hasn't yielded that much in the way of astounding revelations, and remains "one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked abaht a bit."
Some truth in what you say Ruth and a similar argument to be made in respect of Doncaster -both of these had Roman military settlements as did Chesterfield.As regards Sheffield not yelding 'astounding relevations' well as Simon Ogden did point out 'we aren't digging up Camelot'.To act as Devil's Advocate[not that I like pears or that custard like Dutch Liquor or bizarre creatures who live on termites] why is this 'mighty castle' described as not being worth much in a poll tax comment in the fourteenth century? Freed from the contraints of being on the FOSC committee I will be able to put one or two insights into the public domain I trust -so watch this space.
Thanks for info that was new to me, Ron, and I certainly will watch out for your further gems of wisdom.
Btw, neither of us mentioned Conisborough Castle, dazzlingly built and preserved, which lies between Rotherham and Doncaster. If anyone has a senior citizens bus pass or similar, a ride on the X78 is recommended. I've actually written a song in praise of this highly interesting bus route.
Chorus:
Oh the X78, the X78
The X78 is never ever late
Oh you never have to wait for the X78
Whatever the date, I love the X78!
Conisborough Castle remains the most impressive medieval structure in South Yorkshire Ruth -love the lyrics !
Thank you, Ron!
This is sooooo interesting - thanks again Dan for a great piece on Sheffield’s past.
I agree, it would be fascinating to know more about the lives of the ordinary people who lived in the area. I wonder how they felt about having a huge castle looming over them - was it a source of fear, or of protection? (Both, I expect!)
I love Kenneth Steel’s painting of the castle and its magnificent backdrop. To us, the distant hills are beautiful and inviting, but in a time when the only nighttime light was the moon and stars, and maybe fire, the uplands (possibly more wooded than in the painting??) must have been somewhere you’d avoid!
I can hardly wait for the castle to begin to reveal more of itself; but as you say Dan, imagination is such a powerful driver in our wish to understand the past.
Danno -have typed in a response/reply to Susan but have lost the bloody thing-can you help please?
Ron
See below Danno.
Well Danno you have scooped the prize for coverage of this stage of the background to work on the castle site-the rival Sheffield media haven't located the site by sat nav yet it appears.I can't better the description of Prof John Moreland as a 'jovial Irishman' -the Prof as I call him was one of my former colleagues on the Committee of the Friends of Sheffield Castle before I recently handed in my resignation as I had gone as far as I could with them.I have nothing but the highest respect for him and his part in the synthesis on the Castle [see selected bibliography] ought to be required reading for every member and officer of Sheffield City Council - the latter body being shamefully responsible for the neglect of the remains of the Castle[with certain honourable exceptions] over a number of years.Now Susan you wax poetically over the Steel artists impression of the Castle-I'm afraid I hate the bloody thing though Kenneth Steel has belatedly got the recognition he deserves thanks to Sheffield Museums Trust and will give you some further content in the next part of my saga.Stick with it folks I can promise you it will be straight from the heart and sooooo Ronnish. Ron
I hope it’s a nice response Ron…!
A musket ball has been found during the latest excavations on the castle site.
A badly written piece on Shef News raises the old canard that the gatehouse will be 'a tourist attraction' -not by itself it won't.Had this argument with Simon O when he was at the Council.
The computer generated image of Sheffield Castle -by far the best -of any attempt to even give any flesh on what is an impossibility has been reproduced on the noticeboard of the Castlle pub in Dykes Hall Road S6. I'm not sure whether this is the image Tim refers-can you help Tim?
Back again -are they going to preserve the remains of the steelworks in situ? Are they going to dig the area of the Old No 12? This is an ongoing story and so should the Tribune's reporting of it.Have written to Star and Telegraph but no idea if its going to appear in the diminished letters col.
While you are at it what about a piece about the problems at Vieux Cars or what ever they call themselves? All too often they provide a bloody awful service esp if you have mobility problems.Intrigued by issues covered by the Tribune appear in the Sheffield Forum
Well folks me well has dried up as regards the castle site so I must say adieu on that particular topic.
It ain't half cold mum.
Ron
I am still rattling the cage re the castle site folks -letters being forwarded to thhe Star etc-if you want to see the drafts then please e-mail me. I am not sure that I -as a layman - can agree with Ash's comment.
We wait to see how much of the gatehouse foundations remain after it was truncated for the Castle Market-photographs give cause for optimism.When building the market much of the rubble of the structure was dumped and not kept in situ.
In depth reporting and hard questions are required- let's see it happen.
Lots more comments to come from yours truly.
Thanks Dan. Some other relevant street names in Castlegate, linked to deLovetot: Love Street and Love Square...
Mark
Dan, thank you. A fascinating read!!!
Really interesting piece Dan, many thanks.
Fascinating read Dan. I'm on the archaeological dig with my lad on 11th May... can't wait!
Good for you Sir [and your lad] love to hear your thoughts.
Ron
Great article. And for people who like podcasts I am currently listening to The British History Podcast - it starts waaay back and goes through methodically through the ages. I'm only up to the Vikingr raids...