The Appleby Archaeology Group will hear about excavations at the medieval castle in Lowther at its upcoming meeting.

On Thursday, December 12, speaker James Morris, a senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Central Lancashire, will talk about excavations carried out this year, and last year.

He will also talk about upcoming excavations planned for 2025.

The Lowther site, according to experts, holds potential significance for both castle studies and the wider narrative of medieval history in Britain.

The site is believed to be linked with the second phase of the Norman conquest (Image: Supplied) The historical relevance of the site can be traced back to 1066 when William of Normandy defeated Harold of England at the Battle of Hastings, subsequently becoming King.

At that time, much of Cumbria was not yet part of England.

The site is believed to be linked with the second phase of the Norman conquest—the annexation and plantation settlement of the Kingdom of Cumbria under William Rufus in 1092.

Norman castles were strategically placed to enable a Norman lord to assert control over the surrounding countryside.

These strongholds allowed Norman knights to patrol the lord's lands and return within a day.

Excavations of the medieval village in Lowther (Image: Supplied) Many local inhabitants, however, harboured resentment towards the Norman occupation, posing potential hostility.

To strengthen their grip on the land, Norman lords established new villages populated with loyal non-local settlers.

According to The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, records indicate that William Rufus "sent many peasant people with their wives and cattle to live there (in Cumbria) and cultivate the land".

This practice appears to have occurred at Lowther.

The Church of St Michael, which still stands today, was also established in the 12th century when the Lowther family first acquired the estate.

A deer park was also constructed for the benefit of the lord.

The Lowther Medieval Castle and Village project aims to uncover the site's biography, and contribute a new chapter to the history of medieval Britain and castle studies.

In 2023, the team, funded by the Castle Studies Trust, undertook archival research, a geophysical survey, and excavations of the castle and village.

Phase two of the investigations, also funded by the Castle Studies Trust and the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, took place this year and delved further into the site's history,

The Appleby Archaeology Group meeting will take place in the Supper Room above the Market Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 12.

Members can attend for free, while non-members are welcome for a £5 donation.