ON first glance they're just the crumbling remains of an old wall...
But stone foundations uncovered by staff at Sheffield's Manor Lodge estate could once have formed part of a building fit for a queen.
The structure was found inches below the surface during excavations to create a new footpath, and is believed to be the remains of a previously unknown part of the 16th century manor which once stood on the site.
Manor Lodge overlooked Sheffield, then a small town, and was one of several places where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned between about 1570 and 1584.
The hunting lodge was owned by Mary's jailer the Earl of Shrewsbury.
However, all but the Turret House was demolished by an 18th century Duke of Norfolk, who then leased the land to tenant farmers.
Many of the ruins lay hidden until the 1960s, when the first archaeological digs were carried out at the site. But the new discovery has been made by accident.
Sue France, chief executive of Green Estate which looks after the site, said: "It was a very complex building in its heyday.
"Really extensive excavations were carried out in the 1960s and '70s but they stopped just six inches short of this very substantial structure.
"At the moment, we've only uncovered a corner of it but we're keen to follow it along and make an extensive dig. This could be the wing where Mary Queen of Scots was held."
Although it is known Mary was held in the Turret House adjoining the main lodge, that building was not completed until 1574 - so she would initially have stayed elsewhere on the site. Sue added: "We unearthed the foundations while digging for a disabled-friendly path through the site to our new visitor centre.
"We're now going to ask English Heritage for approval to do a full dig."
Juliet Grace, visitor experience manager at Manor Lodge, said: "In terms of its value this discovery could be massive.
"We just don't know exactly how much is down there and it's going to be one of our main focuses. It would be great to uncover the original courtyard and even the remains of the fountain."
What do you think? Add your comment below.READ MORESecret tunnels found beneath city attractionMain news indexLettersCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport.The full article contains 413 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
