Pembroke Castle Excavation Sheds Light on Henry VII’s Birthplace
Historical Background
Henry VII, the first Tudor king of England, was born in 1457 at Pembroke Castle in Wales. However, the exact location of his birthplace has long been a subject of debate. Over the centuries, various spots within the castle grounds have been suggested.
Archaeological Excavation
In a recent excavation at Pembroke Castle, archaeologists believe they have identified the building where Henry VII was born. The structure is a grand, freestanding, double-winged house located in the castle’s outer ward.
Initial evidence for the building’s existence came from an aerial survey in 2013, which revealed crop marks indicating a large, medieval building at the site. The markings were particularly pronounced in 2016 due to an unusually hot summer that revealed historic sites throughout the United Kingdom.
Evidence from the Excavation
During the excavation, archaeologists uncovered several features that suggest the building was an elite residential structure. These include:
- Cobbled floors
- Green-glazed tiles
- A curving stair of a spiral staircase
- Thick walls
- A garbage pit filled with oyster shells
The structure’s size, estimated to be about the size of two tennis courts, and the presence of oyster shells, a delicacy at the time, further indicate that the residents of the building enjoyed a high status.
Jasper Tudor’s Role
Archaeologists believe that Jasper Tudor, Henry VII’s uncle, may have commissioned the house to serve as his personal accommodations when he visited the castle. Jasper Tudor took over Pembroke in the later 15th century, and the structure of the building is consistent with houses from that period.
Significance of the Outer Ward
Traditionally, outer wards of castles were thought to contain more lowly buildings associated with everyday castle life. However, the discovery of this grand building in Pembroke Castle’s outer ward suggests that the outer ward may have been “gentrified” in the 15th century. This aligns with historical accounts that place the birth of Henry VII in the outer ward.
Ongoing Research
While the excavation has provided strong evidence to support the theory that the building was Henry VII’s birthplace, archaeologists cannot yet prove it conclusively. They plan to conduct further analyses on the remains of the building to confirm that they date to the latter medieval period, when Henry VII lived.
“We won’t know for certain until the analysis is done,” said James Meek, who headed the excavation for the Dyfed Archaeological Trust. “However, everything is pointing towards that.”
The ongoing research at Pembroke Castle is shedding new light on Henry VII’s birthplace and providing a deeper understanding of life in a medieval castle.