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Our Projects
Sherriff Hutton: Walking in the Footsteps of Richard III
About The Site and The Archaeology
Cornbrough Moated Manor, also known as Bergh Castle, is a high‑status medieval fortified manor located in Sheriff Hutton, North Yorkshire. Its defensive and elite character is confirmed by a royal licence to crenellate (Fortify) was granted in 1262, placing it among a select group of fortified residences in the Vale of York.
Landscape and Preservation Context
The manor occupies a prominent position within the glacial landscape of the Vale of York, where glacial till and gravel deposits created ideal conditions for moat construction and long‑term archaeological preservation. The large rectangular moated enclosure survives with internal subdivisions, waterlogged deposits, and adjacent earthworks. excavations, LIDAR and geophysical survey have revealed clear internal boundaries, former structures, and associated features.
Immediately south of the manor lies the Deserted Medieval Village (DMV) of Cornborough, recorded since Domesday. The DMV contains house platforms, paddocks, ridge‑and‑furrow, and trackways, offering a rare opportunity to study the relationship between a high‑status manor and its dependent settlement.
Archaeological Investigations
Recent excavations by Ethos Heritage CIC have uncovered:
Medieval floor surfaces and wall lines
15th‑century stained glass fragments
Large amounts pottery assemblages
Lead weights, seal and tokens, suggesting estate administration and trade with Northern Europe
A 15th‑century dagger fragment
The animal bone assemblage is particularly revealing. It includes deer and pheasant, demonstrating organised hunting activity typical of elite households, alongside piglets, lambs, calves, and bovines, which indicate access to high‑value meats and a high‑status medieval diet. These remains reflect selective carcass processing, specialised provisioning networks, and consumption patterns associated with high status manorial centres.
In addition, the site is producing a large and diverse artefact assemblage, including seals, amber beads, and high‑status imported pottery from the Baltic and Germany. These finds demonstrate that Cornbrough was connected to long‑distance trade routes, likely through York’s international mercantile networks, and that its occupants had access to prestige goods circulating across northern Europe.
Collectively, these discoveries demonstrate elite domestic life, administrative activity, long‑distance economic connections, and sustained occupation from the 11th to 16th centuries.
Historical Context and Richard III
Cornbrough was originally held by the Thweng family, later passing to the Withams, including Thomas Witham, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Henry VI, Edward IV, and Richard III. Witham served as a senior councillor within Richard’s northern administration, making Cornbrough one of the estates directly associated with the governance network Richard built in the region.
The manor lies only a 2 Km from Sheriff Hutton Castle, Richard III’s principal northern strongholds and a major centre of the Council of the North. Richard used Sheriff Hutton to house his household, train retainers, manage regional justice, and coordinate military and administrative operations. Cornbrough’s proximity, from royal records of visits to the site, and its connection to Thomas Witham place the site within Richard III’s immediate political orbit, forming part of the infrastructure that supported his authority in the north.
Significance and Potential
Cornbrough Moated Manor is assessed as a rare, exceptionally well‑preserved fortified manor with:
Well preserved archaeological site
Direct historical and political associations with the major English Kings, including Richard III
Evidence of long‑distance trade and elite consumption
A unique combined landscape of manor, moat, and DMV
Ongoing geophysical, LIDAR, and excavation work planned over the next few years
Together, these factors make Cornbrough one of the most important medieval sites in the Vale of York, offering unparalleled insight into elite residence, rural settlement, long‑distance trade, and governance in the later Middle Ages.
Further Information: For more information click on link to access the Desk Base Assessment (DBA): Site Desk Based Assessment
Dates: 24 July to 8 August 2027
Era: Medieval
Duration: 16 Days
Excavations Cost:
£35 per individual day
£30 for students (Student Card Required), unemployed, military veteran (Veterans Card required)
Under 16s free, accompanied by an adult.
Packages:
7 days (7 nights camping) inc. Food, Accommodation, Excavation, all equipment: £450
7 days (7 nights camping) Students, OAP, Unemployed or military veteran inc. Food, Accommodation, Excavation, all equipment: £420
Accommodation: £17 per day
Accommodation is on a camping site 8Km (5 miles) meters away from the excavation. The facilities provided include showers, toilets and all facilities .
We will have transport to the site for people who don’t have transport
Tent Rental (if required): Only available to persons traveling from outside the UK) £10 per the weekend, £15 per week or £20 for for duration
Bed Pack (Sleeping Bag, Roll Mat and Pillow): £20
Feeding:
Full Board £17 per day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner inc Tea and Squash. We cater for vegetarians, Vegans, religious dietary requirements and allergies
Self Catering: A kitchen tent will be provided with Cooker and food storage area as part of the accommodation fee
Payment: Payment will be made by PayPal Invoice, which will be sent to you on receipt of your application and payment of the £25 deposit.
This invoice can be paid in instalments if required. The invoice must be paid before the project start date.
Refund Policy: A 100% refund will be given up to 5 Jan 2026. After this date, a refund will not be provided. However, a credit note will be issued for the amount, to use on our next project.
Applications for this project to be held in Summer 27 will be published shortly.
Welburn Roman Buildings and Pottery Kilns
About The Site
Welburn is a small rural village just outside Malton, North Yorkshire. The site which is on the outskirts of the village contains a number of Roman Crambeck Ware kilns. These kilns once supplied pottery across the region in the late 4th century AD. Recent surveys suggest that this landscape holds nationally important archaeology.
To read the full archaeological Desk Based Assessment : Link to DBA
What is Crambeck Ware?
Crambeck Ware is one of the most recognisable ceramic traditions of late Roman northern England (3rd-4th Century) . Produced in the Derwent Valley, it is known for:
Brightly coloured slip‑painted decoration in reds, creams, and oranges
Fine, hard-fired tableware in Grey, Parchment, and Burnished fabrics, used in domestic and ritual contexts
Specialised vessel forms linked to late Roman cultural and economic activity with evidence of continued production in the early 5th century
Its wide distribution makes Crambeck Ware a key indicator of trade, craft organisation, and community identity during the final decades of Roman rule.
The Crambeck pottery industry is one of the best-preserved Roman ceramic production zones in Britain. Its importance lies in:
Surviving kiln structures, industrial enclosures, and working floors
Strong connections to the Roman town at Malton (Derventio), only 4 Km away
Evidence for late Roman economic resilience in the 4th Century
A unique regional craft tradition that helps us understand how communities adapted as Roman authority waned
This excavation contributes directly to national research on Roman industry, settlement, and cultural change in the 4th and 5th Century
Archaeological Investigations
Recent test pitting and geophysical survey near Welburn have revealed:
Strong magnetic anomalies consistent with kilns, ditches, and industrial features
Burnt soil signatures typical of pottery firing
Occupation debris suggesting workshop or settlement activity
A pattern of features matching the known Roman industrial zone at Crambeck
Together, these results point to very exciting archaeology, potentially including previously unknown kilns, waste dumps, surfaces, and domestic structures associated with the potters themselves.
Facilities for Participants
To support everyone taking part, the excavation provides:
On-site camping
Showers and compost toilets
A kitchen tent for self catering, marquee with tables and seating
Electricity and Wi‑Fi
Feeding options(Full Board) available using local sourced products if required
Bus stop adjacent to the site with direct services to Malton (4Km) or York (20Km)
Whether you’re joining for a day, a weekend, or the full excavation, you’ll have everything you need to work comfortably and safely.
Get Involved
This is a rare chance to explore a Roman industrial landscape first-hand and contribute to a project of real regional and national significance.
If you would like further information or wish to register your interest, please contact:admin@ethosheritage.com for additional information
To apply please fill in the application form at the bottom of the page.
Further Information: For more information click on link to access the Desk Base Assessment (DBA): Site Desk Based Assessment
Dates: 20th March to 3 April 2027
Era: Iron Age, Roman, Post Roman
Duration: 15 Days
Excavations Cost:
£35 per individual per day
York Uni Students £20
£25 for students, unemployed and (Student card required)
Under 16s free, accompanied by an adult.
Accommodation: £17 per day.
Accommodation is on a camping site 50 meters away from the excavation The facilities provided include showers, toilets and all facilities
Tent Rental (if required): Only available to persons traveling from outside the UK) £10 per the weekend, £15 per week or £20 for for duration
Bed Pack (Sleeping Bag, Roll Mat and Pillow): £20
Feeding: Full Board £17 per day
Full Board £17 per day. This covers Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner inc Tea and Squash. We cater for vegetarians, Vegans, religious dietary requirements and allergies
Self Catering: A kitchen tent will be provided with Cooker and food storage area
Payment: Payment will be made by PayPal Invoice, which will be sent to you on receipt of your application and payment of the £25 deposit.
This invoice can be paid in instalments if required. The invoice must be paid before the project start date.
Refund Policy: A 100% refund will be given up to 1 Jan 2027. After this date, a refund will not be provided. However, a credit note will be issued for the amount, to use on our next project.
If you want further information, email admin@ethosheritage.com or fill in the application below
If you want further information, email admin@ethosheritage.com