A Group Of “Amateur” Historians Unearthed A 15th Century Royal Palace ‘Against All Odds’

CHAPS

A group of “amateur” historians has achieved a significant breakthrough after they unearthed the buried remains of Collyweston Palace, which was once owned by Margaret Beaufort, the grandmother of the iconic Henry VIII.

Situated in the English shire of Northampton, this archaeological triumph was the culmination of a five-year quest by a local historical society, aided by ground-penetrating radar technology.

“We’re just a bunch of amateurs really, with no money, no plans, just a lot of enthusiasm and against all the odds we have unearthed this,” said Chris Close, a member of the Collyweston Historical and Preservation Society, or “CHAPS” for short.

Historic England had designated Collyweston Manor as a historical site in 1967, but until recently, the only visible traces were fish ponds and a barn. The search for the elusive palace gained momentum when CHAPS volunteers, armed with ground-penetrating radar, detected buried walls and foundations during their scans, marking a pivotal moment in their quest.


The palace, once grand, had fallen into disrepair by 1650 and was subsequently acquired by the Dutch Tryon family, who eradicated a new house on the site. The extensive excavations conducted by CHAPS required collaboration with various landowners, as they navigated through historical layers to unveil the secrets hidden beneath the soil.

Embarking on this historical journey, CHAPS secured £14,000 ($17,500) in local grant money to fund the project. Their diligent efforts not only succeeded in pinpointing and identifying the foundations and stone moldings of the buildings but also garnered attention from well-funded professionals eager to contribute to the excavation process.

Presently immersed in the second phase of excavations, CHAPS is utilizing additional radar scans to decipher the potential functions of each building. Simultaneously, meticulous efforts are being made by the team of diggers to preserve any unearthed artifacts, ensuring their integrity for a future local museum exhibit to be hosted at Lady Margaret’s Chapel in Collyweston.

“We will also be able to obtain other useful information that will enable us to work out the architectural style along with other important dating evidence. As far as we can tell, the last royal to stay at Collyweston was Elizabeth I who is recorded as holding court here on 3 August 1566,” CHAPS said.


The unearthing of Collyweston Palace not only represents a triumph for the local historical society but also highlights the power of community-driven initiatives in uncovering hidden historical treasures. The collaboration between amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals highlights the potential of grassroots efforts to make significant contributions to historical preservation and understanding.

As the excavation project unfolds, the focus on preserving and showcasing discovered artifacts in a local museum exhibit becomes a testament to the commitment of CHAPS in sharing their findings with the broader community.

Collyweston Palace, once lost to the ravages of time, is not on the path to reclaiming its historical significance, thanks to the dedication and perseverance of these passionate individuals dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the past.

 

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