News - Computer image of castle’s gatehouse revealed (Sheffield)

A STUNNING image of what Sheffield Castle’s gatehouse might have looked like in the 13th century has been presented to the Lord Mayor by a local history enthusiast.

Coun Sylvia Dunkley received the picture from Ron Clayton, who is campaigning for the castle remains - which lie beneath the Castle Markets site - to be excavated.

The castle was built in 1270 but was knocked down in the late 1640s.

An excavation led by Leslie Armstrong in 1927 uncovered the base of one of the gateway bastion towers, as well as part of the gateway itself.

The remains, which are Grade II listed, are preserved under Castle Market and open for viewing.

More recent excavations in 1999 and 2001 by ARCUS, Sheffield University’s archaeological research and consultancy unit, revealed the castle to have been much larger than previously was thought - and that it could have been among the largest medieval castles in England.

The image of the gatehouse given to Coun Dunkley was computer-generated by Prof Dawn Hadley, of Sheffield University’s Department of Archaeology.

Coun Dunkley said: “I would like to thank Ron for this amazing image, which will look great in the Parlour.

“Along with people like Ron, I have been a strong advocate of making the most of the castle ruins.

“Anything we can do to ensure the people of Sheffield don’t forget this buried treasure is very welcome.”

Plans are in the pipeline to have the ruins fully excavated once Castle Market is demolished after stalls are moved to the new markets building on the Moor in 2013.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/computer_image_of_castle_s_gatehouse_revealed_1_3636878

News - Sponsored by Archaeologists show hi-tech vision of city’s historic past (Sheffield Castle)

WITH its looming front wall and mist clouded moat, it has the aura of a fortress from Lord Of The Rings.

But this is how Sheffield Castle would have looked according to a new study by city archaeologists.

Experts from construction firm Arcus and students from the Sheffield University produced the stunning image as part of an investigation into the make-up and significance of the 13th century building.

They drew on previous excavations and studies of contemporary castles during their research.

Now castle campaigner Ron Clayton is to present the picture to Lord Mayor Sylvia Dunkley in a bid to keep the historic building in the public mind.

“Without the castle there would be no Sheffield, it’s that simple,” says historian Ron of Hillsborough. “The early markets survived because of this stronghold and that’s why it’s important images like this are shown to people.”

Now he will continue putting pressure on the authorities to excavate the remains currently buried beneath, appropriately enough, Castle Market.

“I’ve said it for a long time and I’ll continue saying it,” he says. “We have this treasure under our feet and we should be making the most of it and using it to regenerate the city.”

The castle was built in 1270 but, after being used as a Royal stronghold during the English Civil War, was knocked down by victorious Parliamentarians in the late 1640s.

No plans or drawings from the period remain.

A presentation will be made in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour in the Town Hall on July 27.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/archaeologists_show_hi_tech_vision_of_city_s_historic_past_1_3591468