Possible site of medieval castle, Newport (EHER 234)

Supposed site of Newport castle, however, no evidence survives to confirm this.

Polygon corroborates with OS historic maps. Site of (NAT) Castle (NR). <1> Mention of a castle at Newport. <2> Supposed site of Newport castle, however, no evidence survives to confirm this. The O.S. siting lies on sloping ground in a poor defensive position, over- looked by higher ground to the north. Documentary evidence refers to a castle - Gerard de Turnwall surrendered the town and castle of Newport to King John in 1207. Excavations on the site of the new school hall in 1959 proved negative. <3> <4> In addition Henry II built a series of jails across England in order to establish law and order; in Newport the jail was granted 9s.10d in 1176/7. It was usual at this period for the jail to be attached to the manor house and it is possible, as Nurse suggests, that the jail and the 'castle' recorded by Holman were the same building. <5> The Newport Free Grammar School was founded in 1588 by Joyce Frankland in a bequest in her will. It was originally housed on the upper floor of the old Guildhall (1804). In 1837 the Guildhall was demolished and a new brick school building erected on the site (now Church House). The school moved in 1878 to its present site. <6> 1959. Excavation. Excavations about 1959 on site of new school hall at Ordnance Survey site proved negative. <7> February 1975. Field survey. No evidence survives to confirm the site of the castle. The Ordnance Survey site lies on sloping ground in poor defensive position overlooked by higher ground to the north. <8> 1995. Excavation. An excavation on the site of the Grammar School proved inconclusive. Nurse suggests that the more probable site is near the present Newport House, where a 'stone hall' is recorded as having stood. <9> 1997. Geophysical survey. A geophysical survey in the grounds of Newport Grammar School (on the higher ground around the school) revealed one anomaly which may represent masonry. The resistivity survey revealed an area of high resistance near to the footpath interpreted as an area of masonry or tile, or possibly hardstanding. <10> 2017. Evaluation. A T-shaped trench was excavated in advance of a new school building which only located two medieval sherds and a prehistoric flint, no historic features. <11> See also: <12>