Between 1931 and 1934 a series of excavations were undertaken to the south of the Castle Keep by Dr. P.G. Laver, assisted by E.J. Rudsdale. Relatively limited excavations in 1931-2 on the southern boundary of the Castle Park revealed a heavily-built structure, much altered and extended, which was deemed to be an early hall which once formed the western end of a block extending eastwards. In addition to the hall there were a number of secondary structures but many of the trenches failed to reveal any further buildings. Immediately to the south of the keep excavations in 1933-4 revealed two medieval fore buildings, a barbican, a chapel, several inhumation burials and some earlier Roman features including a vaulted drain, stone pedestal and massive stone foundation, perhaps for an altar.<1><2>