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.
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."
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.
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.
Susan
How could it be any other but sooooo nice to a lady? Fortright yes opinionated yes but honest.
Ron
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."
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.
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!
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...