Basing House, Old Basing and Lychpit, Hampshire: Chemical Analysis of Excavated Window Glass
Author(s): David Dungworth
The analysis of window glass fragments recovered during archaeological excavations on the site of Basing House provide information on the chemical composition of glass produced between 1531, when the house was built, and its destruction in 1645. Three of the fragments of window glass are forest glasses which would have been produced before the late 16th century. The remaining samples are high-lime low-alkali (HLLA) glasses. If made in England, these would have been produced after the arrival of French glassmakers in England in 1567. If made on mainland Europe, however, these glasses could have been produced at the time that the house was constructed. A fragment of HLLA glass decorated with the Paulet badge must have been made before 1550 and so is certainly an import. Basing House appears to have gone into decline during the 17th century and it is unlikely that any of the analysed window glass was made after c.1600.
- Report Number:
- 92/2009
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 9
- Keywords:
- Glass Post Medieval
