The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The search for Pinchbeck’s lost manor has so far proved fruitless – but has unearthed a 15th century coin in pristine condition.
The hammered silver penny from the reign of Henry VI in the mid-1400s has been a welcome find for Pinchbeck History and Archaeology Group amid the disappointment of not discovering any stonework from the manor.
Group press officer Ray Tucker said: “An image of Henry, who was crowned in 1422 aged just nine months, is clearly visible on one side of the coin.
“He was also named King of France after his English coronation, following the death of his grandfather Charles VI.”
Following a very detailed and promising geophysical report last year, expectations were high that the whereabouts and some remains of the lost manor would be unearthed on the new location of Abbey Field, adjacent to Northgate and Herring Lane.
Mr Tucker said: “During a five-day exploration nine trenches were excavated, each six feet wide and up to one metre deep, but unfortunately we found no stone work and that was a disappointment.
“What we did find was further evidence of how people lived and worked more than 400 years ago.
“Of interest was a long pit, backfilled with charcoal and fired clay, probably representing industrial use.
“Other pits and ditches near to the road produced food waste (animal bones and shellfish) as well as broken cooking pots, glass bottles and clay tobacco pipes.
“All of these finds and environmental samples have been sent for specialist analysis and we expect to get the full story soon.”
Unfortunately, for the time being at least, the manor building is still waiting to be discovered.
The project is being funded by village resident John Lyon who says he will not rest until it is found.
“The search goes on,” he said.
Like the previous dig on Healey’s Field, the community aspect was in evidence with Spalding Grammar School student Casey Nurse on a work experience exercise.
Casey has an avid interest in archaeology with a desire to read the subject at university.
Allen Archaeology, of Lincoln, which is overseeing the project, is now carrying out an evaluation of the latest findings and will suggest when the project could continue.
For the Pinchbeck area this is nothing special at all. I have been Metal Detecting for a few years around the banks of the Glen through Pinchbeck and have a large collection of Hammered silver coins and various artefacts from as far back as the 12th century. Why all the hype? I also have a good idea where the old manor house is that Mr Lyons is looking for through many hours walking fields and book reaserch.