Deposition context Middleham Hoard

cotescue park

the pots found in grounds of cotescue park, had been royal hunting lodge, , situated north of town of coverham, 1.2 miles (2 km) south-west of middleham castle. in 17th century cotescue park seat of sir christopher croft (died 1649), lord mayor of york in 1629 , 1641. adam loftus, 1st viscount loftus (c. 1568–1643), formerly lord chancellor of ireland (1619–1639), lived @ coverham during 1640s until death in 1643. son, edward loftus, 2nd viscount loftus, lived in middleham castle until 1644, after time castle put use prison. although middleham castle did not see fighting during civil war, partially demolished time after 1646 not used garrison.

two of pots (a , b) discovered together, , third pot (c) discovered twenty paces west. 3 pots covered capstone made local coverdale sandstone. latest coins in pots , b date 1645–1646, suggesting date of deposition of 1646. pot c includes ten shilling coins late portrait of charles not represented in either pot or pot b; pot c includes single shilling sceptre privy-mark in use 1646 1649. these features suggest pot c deposited @ later date pots , b, possibly in 1648. however, physical closeness of pot c pots , b suggest 3 pots buried same family.