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long-forgotten weapon secret
David Garner WHEN archaeologists began sifting through relics for a new exhibition at Helmsley Castle, they made a startling discovery which has transformed expert assessment of the strategic significance of the 800-year-old fortress. For the English Heritage team noticed that arrowheads, traditionally made only of iron, were braised with copper alloy at the point where the head mated with the wooden shaft.
The copper turned the arrowhead into a lethal weapon capable of splitting chain mail and armour. The discovery is of national significance – similar arrows have only ever previously been found in the wreckage of Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose – and added to the growing body of evidence that the tranquil market town was an unlikely cradle of military technology.
And the arrowheads went on show for the first time yesterday as a stunning new 900,000 visitor centre at the castle was opened by writer and English Heritage Commissioner Bill Bryson.
The arrowheads, whose significance has been confirmed by experts at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, are the highlight of a new exhibition in the castle's Tudor manor house. Other visitor facilities include improved disabled access, new audio tours and interactive displays.
English Heritage officials are confident that the new facilities will increase the annual number of visitors from 25,000 to 45,000, providing a 2m boost to the local economy.
After touring the new exhibition, Mr Bryson said: "Walking round you just want to read everything.
"It is quite an art to do these things well but they have done it perfectly here. You become absorbed by the information and it makes you want to learn more about the castle and its past."
The arrowhead discovery was made by senior curator of archaeology Andrew Morrison and his team at English Heritage's regional stores where the artefacts have been stored unseen by the public since they were unearthed by the Ministry of Works in the 1920s.
"It seems that arrow technology may have reached its peak in Helmsley, before the advent of firearms.
"In a linked discovery we have also confirmed that the castle had its own iron worker and forge through the analysis of slag," he said.
"Amazingly, it's the first definite evidence for smithying at any castle in the country."
One of the team, Sue Harrison added: "These are seriously destructive weapons and they are of such high quality that it is likely they were retrieved after use."
The developments at the castle have been backed by Yorkshire Forward and and there has been a 211,000 grant from the European Union'sObjective 2 programme.
English Heritage regional director David Fraser, said: "The project represents a significant investment in the heart of the North York Moors.
"It will encourage tourists to spend more time in the area and produce a welcome boost for businesses."
Officials are hoping there is an immediate return on the investment when the first of a summer series of special events gets under way over the Easter weekend with Elizabethan music and dance followed by a re-enactment spectacular on April 17 and 18.
Helmsley Castle and the new visitor centre and castle exhibitions will be open daily from April 9 from 10am to 6pm.
Admission prices are 4 for adults, 3 for concessions and 2 for children, with a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) available for 10. Further details on 01439 770442.
david.garner@ypn.co.uk
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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