A talk at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre and Opera House this November will explore nearly a decade of archaeological discoveries at one of the UK’s most important medieval sites.
Dr John Castling, Archaeology Curator at The Auckland Project, will take audiences beneath the lawns of Auckland Castle (now Auckland Palace) to reveal what eight years of excavations have taught archaeologists about Durham’s powerful Prince Bishops’ historic home.
The Bishop’s Palace Beneath the Lawns: Rediscovering Auckland Castle takes place on Friday 13 November at 1pm as part of the theatre’s Friday Lunchtime Talks, offering a chance to hear the latest discoveries firsthand.
For centuries, the Prince Bishops of Durham were powerful figures with religious and secular authority. Auckland Palace became one of their principal residences.
Since 2018, more than 1,000 volunteers, students and aspiring archaeologists have joined excavations led by Durham University and The Auckland Project, uncovering palace walls, towers and gatehouses.
The most significant discovery was the remains of a vast two-storey chapel built by Prince Bishop Antony Bek around 1300 – the largest of its kind in Britain. Its footprint is now marked out in the courtyard of Auckland Palace’s Faith Museum, allowing visitors to appreciate the scale of the medieval building.
Thousands of objects have also emerged from the excavations, from everyday pottery and building materials to remarkable personal possessions that offer glimpses into life at the palace. Some are now on display in the Faith Museum, including a tiny double-sided crucifix which tells a much more personal story of faith alongside the grandeur and power of the Prince Bishops.
The archaeology at Auckland Palace has attracted national attention, featuring twice on BBC Two’s Digging for Britain as well as on Channel 5.
Dr Castling said: “The excavations have transformed what we know about medieval Auckland and the extraordinary palace created here by Durham’s Prince Bishops.
“The discoveries range from monumental buildings to small, personal objects, and together they allow us to build a much richer picture of the people who lived, worked and worshipped here. The talk is a chance to share some of those discoveries and show just how much our understanding of Auckland Palace has changed.”
Although digging has now ended, the archaeological work continues. More than 300 boxes of finds are undergoing a post-excavation process expected to take around two years.
On selected Fridays, archaeologists from The Auckland Project and Durham University work in an ‘open lab’ at Hearth on Bishop Auckland Market Place, where members of the public can watch experts analyse finds, ask questions and discover what happens after an archaeological excavation ends.
Among the finds being studied is an elephant ivory-handled knife decorated with gold and silver, which Professor Alice Roberts described on Digging for Britain as “one of the most beautiful objects I’ve ever seen”, saying it spoke to the riches enjoyed by the medieval bishops.
Visitors can check The Auckland Project’s What’s On listings for upcoming opportunities to see the open lab in action.
Dr Castling manages the archaeology of Auckland Palace and its historic 150-acre Deer Park, as well as Binchester Roman Fort. He is also an Honorary Fellow in Durham University’s Department of Archaeology.
As a regeneration charity, The Auckland Project is revitalising Bishop Auckland as a major cultural destination, celebrating the town’s rich history, from the Prince Bishops of Durham to its ties to the Spanish Golden Age. Through heritage, art and community engagement, the charity is creating opportunities for locals and visitors alike.
Visitors can explore Auckland Palace and Binchester Roman Fort, the Spanish Gallery, the Mining Art Gallery and Faith Museum, as well as the gardens and Deer Park. Find out more here: https://aucklandproject.org/
The Bishop’s Palace Beneath the Lawns: Rediscovering Auckland Castle
Friday 13 November, 1pm
Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Tickets: £7
Tickets can be booked at https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whatson/the-bishops-palace-beneath-the-lawns-rediscovering-auckland-castle/ Book now to secure your place.
