Introduction
In 1980 Carol James, secretary of the Border Counties Archaeological Group , wrote that "members quickly became aware that their knowledge of the history of Oswestry's thirteenth century defences was woefully inadequate and perfunctory." The words appear in the foreword of a report that gathers together basic facts and references and goes a long way to redressing the deficiency.
The 50 page report was duplicated and distributed at the time but in recent years seems to have been neglected. Not much progress in the 'Search for Oswestry's Town Wall' has been made since 1980 and this report deserves to be better known.
Click here to read the report online or click the next link to download a MS Word version that can be printed out much like the original report - MS Word Oswestry Town Wall Report 1980 (637KB)
There has been more excavations and sightings since 1980 but nothing to diminish the value this original BCAG effort. By making this available online I am hoping to resurrect interest in this quite exceptional story and go on to add new references and details to bring it up to date.
December 1983 - January 1984 Excavation - BCAG & Oswestry Civic Trust members were able to carry out a five week excavation in advance of housing development near the junction of Willow St. and Castle St. Despite the shortage of time and appalling winter weather conditions they were successful in locating sections of town wall and town moat. A compact report of the excavation is available CLICK HERE
April 2016 - Service Trench - OBHAG members had a brief glimpse of a stone foundation resembling the construction of known sections of the town wall. Due to it's position it is very likely to be another section. See report and photographs CLICK HERE
