Roberts latest report (8) on the archaeological investigation of the remains of the Millers Cottage is now available. It covers work carried out in Winter 2019.
Unfortunately all MAS activity is currently suspended and the site is closed.
Summer 2019 report on Hopwood Millers Cottage
Robert has just finished his latest report (Update 7) on the archaeological investigation of Hopwood Millers Cottage.
It can be found here http://middletonas.com/hopwood-millers-cottage/
The investigation is currently closed but we hope to return to it as soon as it is sensible to do so.
Share this:
Hopwood Mill Cottage Spring 2019 Update
Robert has produced an update on the latest archaeological work by MAS on the Hopwood Millers Cottage.
http://middletonas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Hopwood-Spring-Update-2019.pdf
Share this:
Hopwood Mill Cottage- full set of reports now available
Robert Huddart has published a set of reports summarising our investigation of the remains of Hopwood Mill Cottage.
.http://middletonas.com/hopwood-millers-cottage/
This series of updates provides a summary of our findings from 2015 up to the start of the 2019 season. Further updates will be released from time to time as the dig progress’.
The 2019 season starts on Tuesday 30th April and most Tuesday’s until the end of October. In order to accommodate those people who are not available to attend on Tuesday’s we are planning to dig on other days including weekends provided that there is sufficient demand. Working hours are from 10 am until 3.30 pm. For those of you have not yet taken part, why not give it a try. It isn’t difficult and even if digging isn’t for you there are many other ways to contribute. Everyone is welcome and training, supervision and tools are provided. If you would like to take part in the dig, visit the dig or have any questions then please feel free to contact me at robert.huddart@ntlworld.com
Share this:
The Earl of Essex’s Chaplain: Abdias Assheton
Another unique piece of Middleton research has been published by our secretary Anne Falloon
Abdias Assheton (1563-1633) was a member of Middleton’s manorial family who rose to some prominence in the final years of Elizabeth I’s reign. A Protestant with strong Puritan leanings, as an academic and preacher he sought all his answers not from centuries old tradition as his Catholic forebears had done, but directly from a deep reading of the bible.
In the 1590’s his approach to thinking through religious and moral choices using scripture attracted the attention of the greatest man in England.
This is the story of the controversial relationship between Essex and the influential chaplain he called his ‘little man’, Abdias Assheton.
Share this:
First report on the Hopwood Millers Cottage published
Our Site Director Robert Huddart is publishing a series of reports on the MAS investigation at the Hopwood Millers Cottage site. The first one can be found here;
Share this:
New Essay published, The ‘Lost’ Ladies of Middleton
Anne Falloon, the MAS secretary has been researching the lives of some of the key manorial Ladies of Middleton between the 13th to the 16th century.
It is all too easy to overlook the role of Middleton’s manorial women given the nature of late mediaeval and early modern records. Where there are accounts, the focus is often on the inheritors of land, the soldiers, the churchmen and the statesmen. But the documents that survive for Middleton do give us some insight into the lives of the de Middleton, de Barton and Assheton women.
This fascinating essay can be found here The Lost Ladies of Middleton
Share this:
New essay published on the C17 Wall paintings and Graffiti in the Old Boar’s
The age of the historic Olde Boar’s Head in Middleton had long been a subject of speculation when, in 2016, some early timbers were dated to 1622. However, one mystery remains: the origin and meaning of the rare set of wall paintings and graffiti in the OBH upper rooms.
This fascinating essay by MAS member Anne Falloon sets out to explore what was happening in Middleton in the first half of the 17th century and to consider the possible political motivation behind the paintings and graffiti.
Old Boar’s Head wall paintings and graffiti
Share this:
Hopwood Mill Cottage work finishes for Winter
The third year of MAS investigations of the Millers Cottage at Hopwood finishes on 23rd October. This year, over 30 MAS members and volunteers have scraped a trowel over this delightful woodland site hidden close to the Hopwood Manor house. Most of the 19th century building foundations, drains and garden features have been meticulously recorded however features that predate the cottage are know beginning to appear.
Most recently, a shard of broken pottery was found which our site director Robert Huddart believes to be medieval, possibly from the 13 or 14th century. Hopefully the work will continue next year.
Share this:
Hopwood Miller’s Cottage 2018 Archaeology
Hopwood Miller’s Cottage Excavation 2018 The new season of excavations at Hopwood Millers Cottage starts this Tuesday 24th April. As you may know, Hopwood Miller’s Cottage dates to the 18th century and was occupied until the middle of the 20th century.
There is also some evidence of earlier occupation of the site. We’ve been digging at the Cottage for a number of years. This is likely to be our last year at this site and a last opportunity to take part in the dig.
The site is ideal for people new to archaeology. Training and tools are provided. For those who would like to get involved but prefer not to dig there is plenty of recording, surveying and finds processing to do. We will be digging most Tuesdays from 10am to 3.30pm until October. This year we intending to hold some weekend digs provided that there is sufficient demand.
For more information or to register an interest in weekend digs then contact Robert Huddart by email at: robert.huddart@ntlworld.com
Regards from Robert
