Chris Gerrard
I am an archaeologist of the medieval and later periods (1000-1700 AD) with interests in the UK and southern Europe. I work at Durham University (UK) in the Department of Archaeology.
Location England
Activity
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It was wonderful Hiroshi. Somehow we have to find a way for more people to see it
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Chris Gerrard replied to David C
I have no evidence to suggest that, David. Sorry. They were all heading for Durham, so that they could be held there until a decision was taken about their fate.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Michaela W
None I know of...
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Chris Gerrard replied to Anne Barnes
We know that some stayed behind. There is at least one convincing example of that.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Jack Todd
This is very useful in that topic, Jack:
http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/10857/1/Ross_Kendall_thesis.pdf?DDD6+ -
Many did not survive of those 3000
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Chris Gerrard replied to Margaret Fothergill
Love to know more about those mines...
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Chris Gerrard replied to Marion L
Hi Marion, it wasn't at all usual to capture so many prisoners, as Cromwell did at Dunbar. In previous battles of the 15th and 16th centuries, people met an unhappy end, or fled and were rounded up. But the numbers were smaller on the whole.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Margaret Fothergill
6 weeks, 1600 people. By his account
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Chris Gerrard replied to Elaine Gibson
A very good question, Elaine
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Chris Gerrard replied to Gordon Johnston
I am inclined to agree with you,. Gordon
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Chris Gerrard replied to Christine Alexander
I think just the convenience of a very large empty building - a long way from the battlefield.
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Very interesting, Ian. Thank you
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Chris Gerrard replied to Gordon Johnston
I think you've nailed the title of the Netflix series there, Gordon! Myself, I think he must have lost some control over the situation, whether because of his ministers or because of an enthusiasm for battle on the part of his troops. Either way, it played into Cromwell's hand.
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Hi Jim, they were simply removed from the army and sent home
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Chris Gerrard replied to Christopher Adams
That goes for me too, Christopher!
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Chris Gerrard replied to Margaret Fothergill
Great, good to hear Margaret. Thank you. Putting it together was quite a challenge (what to leave out, what to put in, etc)
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Chris Gerrard replied to Lee Scott
In this case these are both 'best guesses', Lee.
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Yes, I keep telling my dentist this, but he seems less than interested.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Lee Scott
Yes, this is a field of study that really didn't exist in the same way when I was at university. Mind you, we were taught almost nothing about 'post-medieval archaeology' too.
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Chris Gerrard replied to PHILIP CROOM
We'll come on to that
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You'd have to ask FutureLearn about this. My understanding is that this course can be done any time, but I am only here between certain dates to answer your specific questions. You can always get in touch with me personally through my University email if you prefer. I am happy to answer any questions in that way, but of course we don't get the same sort of...
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Chris Gerrard replied to Eva Mateus Caballe
Welcome!
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Chris Gerrard replied to Mick Popple
Hope you enjoy the course, Mick
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Chris Gerrard replied to Gordon Johnston
Hello Gordon, and welcome
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Chris Gerrard replied to PHILIP CROOM
You are very welcome, Philip
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This is certainly possible, Philip
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Chris Gerrard replied to Rwth Hunt
You'll find out Rwth... we are, as you say, a long way from Dunbar here...
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I think they must have seen them, Rosalind. But whether they were the last to see them.... that's another matter
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Chris Gerrard replied to Helen Brooke
I'm sure that's right
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Chris Gerrard replied to Margaret Fothergill
I think so. It's doesn't seem like chance to me
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Chris Gerrard replied to Samantha Ripley
Yes, that's right
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Chris Gerrard replied to Christopher Adams
Yes, we only dug what would be affected by the construction of the cafe
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Chris Gerrard replied to Helen Brooke
Quite, yes. We speculated on that at the start and to some extent the excavation did answer the question - but of course we couldn't get right under the buildings
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Chris Gerrard replied to Eva Mateus Caballe
This is the issue, Eva. Sometimes it can be very frustrating indeed.
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Good. I think spatially in that way, so a map is essential for me.
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Yes, it can be boring of course, but you have to keep concentrating - in the rain!
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Chris Gerrard replied to Casey Smith
Yes, it was all quite unclear at the start
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Chris Gerrard replied to Ike Oderr
Hoping you are still there Ike. Good to have you on board
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Chris Gerrard replied to Michaela W
Welcome Michaela
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Chris Gerrard replied to Linda Smith
Welcome Linda
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Chris Gerrard replied to Emily M
Looking forward to hearing about your Scottish heritage, Emily
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Chris Gerrard replied to Ian Horne
Welcome Ian!
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Chris Gerrard replied to Rwth Hunt
Hi Rwth and welcome
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Chris Gerrard replied to Jack Todd
Hi Jack, you are very welcome...
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Chris Gerrard replied to Helen Brooke
Hi Helen, thanks for joining in
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Chris Gerrard replied to marya j
Great to have you here, Marya
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Chris Gerrard made a comment
Welcome to all of you joining for this run of the Dunbar FutureLearn course in October 2021. Great to have you with us.
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Pleasure, Bill. And thanks for joining us on the MOOC. Next up the docu-drama!
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Hope those dogs enjoyed it Chrissie
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Chris Gerrard replied to Adam Newick
We'll look into changing that
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Chris Gerrard replied to Martin Vojtas
Good to have you with us, Martin
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Does anyone know of something similar which tells the Australian story?
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Chris Gerrard replied to Melissa Whitaker
Thanks for joining us, Melissa
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Chris Gerrard replied to anita Cummings
Pleasure, Anita
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Chris Gerrard replied to Marie G
That is very kind of you, Marie. And it makes my job worthwhile.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Margaret Scott
That's very kind Margaret
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Chris Gerrard replied to Peter Walker
Thanks for joining us Peter.
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It's an opportunity, Bernadette
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I am more hopeful
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And it's very good... recommended
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Find me the money, Adam!
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It's still touring. If you have a place it could go and where it would be welcome then do get in touch with us.
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I have nothing on that, Eamon
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Still travelling, Maureen. Due next at South Berwick in Maine
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The exhibition was a temporary one but there is now a permanent exhibit in Palace Green library AND there is the travelling exhibition (see next week's content).
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There is no direct documentary evidence for guards taking money. It's very unlikely the prisoners in Durham cathedral had anything with them. The officers may have done (they were in Tynemouth remember), and substantial sums were collected by the Scottish church (kirks) which should have been used to 'upgrade' the officers living conditions (food, cleaner...
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Thanks Rosalind
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It was indeed well received. But it wasn't filmed (except excerpts). No budget.
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Laura did a lot of talking to the research team, and we checked throughout for sense, language and so on. Some of us went to the rehearsals too.
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It would be great to put it on again, wouldn't it. I'd love more descendants to have the opportunity. I think they would find it very moving indeed.
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This is so true
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Chris Gerrard replied to Sarah Hearn
I agree. It's been a huge change.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Éamon Ó Deagha
@ÉamonÓDeagha About £50,000 plus our time (but then we are employees of the university). A further spend was on the exhibition on Palace Green.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Tommo McA
Believe or not, it was all very calmly discussed and organised. But I would say this - digger drivers always know best!
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Chris Gerrard replied to Rosalind Johnson
Some donations came from US descendants but the main bulk of the money came from Durham University. They were were 'the developers' - but they also happen to have a great archaeology department!
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Chris Gerrard replied to Elma Sorbie
I was surprised that only one person contacted me with family who had survived the battle and been sent home. I thought we would hear from more descendants of Dunbar survivors.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Sarah Hearn
I think it's that aspect which makes it more compelling for me - that fact that they are not men who formed part of the elite of society. Giving them back that voice.
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And I guess the kids would have something to say about it too?
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Chris Gerrard replied to William Utley
The accent was important. One is referred to as 'Niven the Scot', another 'Micum the Scotchman'.
I've wondered about food. Or 'foodways' as they call it in the US. Did they imitate the foods they were used to when they could?
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Chris Gerrard replied to Éamon Ó Deagha
Great points, thank you.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Paul Kamill
I have no evidence of relationships of that sort. And really that means that nothing got to the courtroom, nothing more. Most of the marriage partners, for what it's worth, were Irish.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Tommo McA
A quick look at the court records shows you whose authority they lived under. But at the same time it can be no coincidence that they were parked out there on the new frontier. The controlling ties were a lot looser there than they were in Boston and they could 'get on with it'. And, as I say in the audio, they were strongly bonded.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Rosalind Johnson
Wouldn't it?
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Chris Gerrard replied to Janet MacDonald
Yes, do check out the Old Berwick Historical Society if you are in Maine. Fabulous collections, really excellent exhibitions and very helpful to everyone who comes knocking (like me!).
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Chris Gerrard replied to Éamon Ó Deagha
It's empty at present but well maintained and looked after.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Karen J
Of course, they brought nothing with them from Scotland. Like many immigrants, they started over again.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Joy Clayton
Exactly
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Chris Gerrard replied to Marie G
Yes... and he has an illustrious descendant, the actor Kate Upton (although I'm not sure she actually knows that!)
I am a little suspicious of John. He has an English name, doesn't he? And he got to be the richest of the Dunbar men. I'm sure he was at the battle but maybe he married well, or he had money sent over. Hard to say at present.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Bruce L
And I should say, without an iota of shame, that you could try 'Lost Loves, New Voices. Unlocking the stories of the Scottish Soldiers from the Battle of Dunbar 1650' by Gerrard, Graves, MIllard, Annis and Caffell. A rip-roaring read for autumn - and it won an award too as best Archaeological Book of the Year. But then I am a little biased! There are lots more...
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Chris Gerrard replied to Bruce L
Absolutely, Bruce. I love The Devil of Great Island by E W Baker (2007). For something on the wars try: Vaughan, A. T. (1979) New England Frontier: Puritans and Indians 1620–1675, Norton, NY.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Colin Johnstone
They joined up in different places to different regiments or were formally enlisted. But before that there was insecurity on the frontier, with raids and attacks. William Cahoon and Andrew Rankin are two Dunbar men who lost their lives, others were captured and ransomed. I noted that firelock muskets are recorded in their inventories, as are small guns,...
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Chris Gerrard made a comment
So interesting to see just how many Australians there are on the course. There are parallels across all colonial pasts.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Paul Kamill
Yes, it's not often we see such an overlap between archaeology and ancestry like this. But SO worthwhile.
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Thanks for sharing that, Myles
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Chris Gerrard replied to Marie G
No, they had no choice in the matter
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Chris Gerrard replied to Éamon Ó Deagha
It's a shame the story was never taken up by TV. It's a story worth telling.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Karen J
That's right.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Margaret Scott
Yes, time limited to 7 years usually - though some served less.
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Chris Gerrard replied to Marie G
I think it's rather under-appreciated as history, Marie.
We don't know how they were chosen exactly. I would guess there were some offers, some protests, etc.
