Beneath ruins of Bradgate House is Jane’s real home
FIFTH SEASON OF EXCAVATIONS AT BRADGATE
STONE buildings believed to be the original home of Lady Jane Grey, England’s “Nine Days Queen”, have been uncovered at Bradgate Park.
Archaeologists from the University of Leicester have been working at the park since 2015.
Since then, they have found a series of stone structures beneath the standing brick buildings.
The experts believe the earlier buildings are more likely to have been the home of Lady Jane, rather than Bradgate House, of which ruins remain.
Project co-director Dr Richard Thomas, from the university’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History, said: “Our most surprising find has been the discovery of stone buildings pre-dating the brick structures of Bradgate House.
“While Bradgate House is such an iconic site, very little is known about the standing structure and how it changed over time.
“Our evidence suggests the home Lady Jane Grey would have recognised may have looked very different from what we see today.”
This year marks the fifth “season” of work as part of the Bradgate Park Fieldschool, a five-year programme of research.
Henry VIII’s greatniece, Lady Jane was Queen of England and Ireland from July 10-19, 1553.
Dr Thomas said: “Our fifth season of excavations will help us better understand the changing appearance of Bradgate House.
“We are focusing attention on a series of stone structures that underlie the standing brick buildings.
“We will be trying to date their construction and when they were demolished to make way for the current structures.
“We also hope to find evidence that tells about the living standards of one of the most important families in Tudor times.” Peter Tyldesley, director of the Bradgate Park Trust, said: “Despite only having been Queen of England for nine days, Lady Jane Grey is a character who continues to fascinate and enchant people today.
“We are proud to be the guardians of the house where she grew up and have been delighted to host the University of Leicester’s Bradgate Fieldschool for the past five years as they continue their quest to discover more about one of the most important houses of Tudor England.”
In addition, the team has found evidence of Ice Age hunting from 14,500 years ago and Mesolithic hunting from at least 6,000 years ago, as well as an Iron Age settlement and a medieval hunting lodge.
The discoveries coincide with the Leicestershire and Rutland Festival of Archaeology, which starts on Saturday and runs until July 30.
To open the festival, there will be a programme of events on Saturday and Sunday organised by the Bradgate Park Trust.
During the course of the monthlong festival, at least one event will take place every day, with more than 100 events planned in total.
Peter Liddle, festival co-ordinator, said: “When the festival started it
We are focusing attention on stone structures that underlie Bradgate House
was a single week, but over time we have had to expand to a month to fit in all the events run by local groups.
“It has something for everyone with guided walks, talks, displays, exhibitions and events for families.”