SKELTON 90 – KNIGHTS TEMPLAR PRECEPTORY

CERAMIC BUILDING MATERIALS ASSESSMENT

S Garside-Neville

1.0 NATURE OF THE MATERIAL

1.1 Forms

1.1.1 Ridge Tile (Medieval)

There were approximately five types of crested ridge tile, varying from low thumb pressed crests, to tall cut Crests. Thumb pressed crests normally had a splash-glaze. Cut crested ridges had no glaze. It is difficult to ascertain whether all ridge tile from this site were crested, due to the fragmentary nature of much of the material. Several fragments were pierced by a hole, which was too large for a normal peg/nail hole. As all the brick and tile found was kept, the proportion of ridge tile to plain roof tile (peg or nib) was very high, with ridge tile being the most common amongst the roofing material. It is possible, given the large amount of thakstones present, that the roofs of the buildings were topped by ceramic ridge tiles and the rest of the roof comprised of stone.

1.1.2 Plain tile (Medieval)

Plain roof tile was found in small amounts. No fragment indicated the method of hanging (which is normally either by peg holes or nibs).

1.1.3 Brick (Medieval/Post Medieval)

Only a few fragments of brick were examined. These mostly

consisted of small, abraded fragments.

1.1.4 Miscellaneous (Roman/Medieval)

There was a possible fragment of Roman tile. A fragment of material that may be a piece of gutter, and a piece of material that may be a finial, need further research.

1.2 Fabric

There were two major fabric groups, each associated with a particular building (the aisled barn and the adjacent building). A buff coloured, coarse, grey cored fabric was usually accompanied with a green splash glaze, and a possible red slip. The other was a fine grained orange coloured fabric, without a glaze. There were also examples of other fabrics occurring in small amounts.

1.3 Dating

The plain tile and ridge system of roofing is generally assumed to come into use in the early 13th century. The ridge and plain dominate the sample, and it can be safely dated to between the 13th-15th century. The fragments of brick may date to the postmedieval period.

2.0 FURTHER WORK

2.1 Processing

It is recommended that the sample be recorded using a proforma. This will ensure that the fabric, dimensions, weight and other characteristics are recorded, and will form part of the research archive. Much of the sample, once fully recorded could be discarded, with diagnostic pieces being retained for reference.

2.2 Research

2.2.1 Literature search

Reports written about the medieval sites of West Yorkshire could be searched for information about ceramic building materials, for parallels with the Skelton material.

2.2.2 Review of samples from other local sites

Depending on information from site reports, material which may parallel that from Skelton could be examined (eg. Kirkstall Abbey) to confirm similarity.

2.2.3 Assembling a fabric/form reference collection Representative fabrics could be assembled for a reference collection, along with descriptions of main characteristics. Liaison with the pottery specialist could take place, to see if fabrics of the pottery and the ceramic building materials are similar. Sketches of the forms, where complete, will be made (eg. shape of ridge crests). These could form the basis of a ceramic building materials reference collection for West Yorkshire.

2.3 Research Archive

The research archive would consist of the full processing forms, and a commentary. This would integrate the information gathered as outlined in section 2.2 (Research), dating evidence from the pottery report by Chris Cumberpatch, and information from the site report. The aim would be to maximise the data from the ceramic building material, to make a useful contribution to both the site report, and to illuminate the ceramic building materials industry of West Yorkshire.

2.4 Publication options

2.4.1 Illustrations

Currently, it is anticipated that very few of the pieces of ceramic building material will need a published illustration, due to the fragmentary nature of the sample. It may be worthwhile illustrating the different types of crests on ridge tile, as these may be diagnostic pieces.

2.4.2 Text

The information about the ceramic building materials could be integrated within the site report. Otherwise, a catalogue of the material, plus commentary from the research archive could be included as a separate report. If not, it should be made very clear that a full research archive has been completed and is available for consultation. Ceramic building material is generally overlooked and cannot be used to its full potential unless research on the available material is undertaken. In the future, a thematic publication on the subject of the West Yorkshire (or discrete area) ceramic building materials industry would be desirable, with the information from Skelton included.

S Garside-Neville

22.3.93

INITIAL CATALOGUE

167 Plain, Ridge

172 Ridge

176 Plain

178 Plain

179 Ridge, Crested Ridge

190 Ridge, Crested Ridge, Plain

194 Ridge, Crested Ridge

196 Plain, Ridge

199 Ridge

200 Plain, Crested Ridge

202 Plain

205 Plain, Ridge

210 Plain

214 Plain

224 Plain, ?Crested Ridge

227 Plain, Brick

264 Crested Ridge

270 ?Crested Ridge, Ridge

271 Crested Ridge, Plain, Brick

274 Ridge, Crested Ridge, Plain

295 Plain

302 Plain

304 Ridge, Crested Ridge, Plain

311 Ridge

318 Plain

1002 Brick

1004 Plain, Ridge