Warwick James Rodwell (born 24 October 1946) is an archaeologist, architectural historian and academic. He was lately Visiting Professor in the Department of Archaeology,
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a public university in Reading, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1892 as University College, Reading, a University of Oxford extension college. The institution received the power to grant its own degrees in 192 ...
, and is Consultant Archaeologist to
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an historic, mainly Gothic church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the Unite ...
, where he is also a member of the
College of St Peter in Westminster. He is the author of many books and articles, including the standard textbook on church archaeology (first published in 1981). He is a Fellow of the
Society of Antiquaries of London
A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Soci ...
, the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is the senior antiquarian body of Scotland, with its headquarters in the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The Society's aim is to promote the cultural heritage of Scotland.
The usua ...
and the
Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society, founded in 1868, is a learned society of the United Kingdom which advances scholarly studies of history.
Origins
The society was founded and received its royal charter in 1868. Until 1872 it was known as the Histori ...
.
Early life and education
Warwick Rodwell was born at Rochford in Essex on 24 October 1946, the only child of Thomas George Rodwell and his wife Olive Ellen (née Nottage). He attended the local grammar school,
Southend High School for Boys
(To the determined, nothing is difficult)
, established = 1895 (founded), 1939 (moved to current premises)
, closed =
, type = Grammar school
, religious_affiliation = Anglican
, president ...
, and afterwards went to Loughborough College of Education (then part of the University of Nottingham), now
Loughborough University, where he studied creative design and history, and trained as a technology teacher (1965–68) and was awarded a Diploma of Loughborough College (DLC); the university subsequently awarded him the degree of BSc. After Loughborough he studied archaeology at the
Institute of Archaeology (now part of
University College, London
, mottoeng = Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward
, established =
, type = Public research university
, endowment = £143 million (2020)
, budget = Â ...
), graduating with a BA Honours in the archaeology of the Roman Provinces (1972). He then went to
Worcester College, Oxford, and carried out research for a thesis, based at the Institute of Archaeology (part of the School of Archaeology, University of Oxford), on "Settlement and Economy in the Territory of the Trinovantes, ''c'' 500 BC to AD 50", for which he received a DPhil (1976). He also has an MA degree awarded for a thesis at the School of History,
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham (informally Birmingham University) is a Public university, public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingha ...
(1979). In recognition of his publications, he was awarded the degrees of DLitt (University of Oxford, 1992) and DLit (University of London, 1998).
Listed degrees and qualifications: OBE, DLC, BSc, BA, MA, DPhil, DLitt, DLit, FSA, FSAScot, FRHistS.
Career
Rodwell excavated a number of prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval sites in Essex and Eastern England during the 1960s and 1970s, including
Asheldham,
Hadstock
Hadstock is a village in Essex, England, about from Saffron Walden. It is on the county boundary with Cambridgeshire and about from Cambridge. The 2001 Census recorded a parish population of 320, increasing to 332 at the 2011 Census.
The Chur ...
,
Kelvedon
Kelvedon is a village and civil parish in the Braintree District of Essex in England, between Chelmsford and Colchester. It had a population of 4,717 in 2001, reducing to 3,587 at the 2011 Census. It is now home to several businesses including ...
,
Rivenhall and
Wickford
Wickford is a town and civil parish in the south of the English county of Essex, with a population of 33,486. Located approximately 30 miles (50 km) east of London, it is within the Borough of Basildon along with the original town of Basil ...
. While excavating part of the Roman villa underlying Rivenhall churchyard, 1971-73, he recognized the need for a holistic archaeological study of the site, embracing both the buried remains of the villa and the fabric of the Anglo-Saxon and medieval church that stands today. In 1971 there was still a rigid division between the disciplines of archaeology and architectural history: professional archaeologists excavated buried evidence, and architectural historians studied standing buildings. Collaboration between the two disciplines was non-existent. Rodwell was instrumental in bringing about change and applying the principles of archaeological investigation to standing buildings of all types. He was one of the pioneers who created the discipline of 'church archaeology' as we know it today. He even coined the term.
In 1975 he was appointed as the first director of CRAAGS, the professional archaeological unit covering the counties of Avon, Gloucestershire and Somerset and led a major campaign of excavations and structural recording at Wells Cathedral (1978–93). In 1981 he set up in private practice as a consultant archaeologist and architectural historian, specialising in the investigation, recording and analysis of churches, cathedrals and major secular buildings of medieval and later date, including castles, palaces and country houses. His listed long-term consultancies include:
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. Its ruins, a grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument, are open as a visitor attraction.
The abbey was founded in the 8th century and enlarged in the 10th. It w ...
(1976–2005),
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is the Church of England cathedral in the city of Bristol, England. Founded in 1140 and consecrated in 1148, it was originally St Augustine's Abbey but after the Dissolu ...
(1976–2010),
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose cathedra it holds as mother church of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Built as a ...
(1977-2015),
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, one of only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom with three spires (together with Truro Cathedral and St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh), and the only medie ...
(1982–2009) and
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an historic, mainly Gothic church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the Unite ...
(since 2004). He served as a member of the Council for the Care of Churches (now the Church Buildings Council, Church of England) (1976–86); a commissioner of the Cathedrals Advisory Commission (1981–90) and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (1991–96); a member of Salisbury Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee (1987–2006); a member of Exeter Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee (1999–2006); a trustee of the Bath Archaeological Trust (1976–2005); and President of the
Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society
The Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society is a learned society concerned with the history and antiquities of the City of Bristol and the historic county of Gloucestershire. It was founded on 21 April 1876; and is a registered charity, ...
(1999–2000).
Rodwell was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1965, and the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1977. In 1988 he was awarded the latter Society's Frend Medal for distinguished service to church archaeology. In 1992 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and in 1998 was made a Membre d'Honneur of La Société Jersiaise in recognition of his services to the archaeology of Jersey, where over a forty-year period he led numerous archaeological and restoration projects on the island's churches, castles and vernacular buildings. In 2002 he became a Visiting Professor in the Department of Archaeology at the
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a public university in Reading, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1892 as University College, Reading, a University of Oxford extension college. The institution received the power to grant its own degrees in 192 ...
. In 2008 he was appointed as a member of the College of St Peter in Westminster, and is the first holder of the stall designated ''Archaeologus'' in the quire of Westminster Abbey. He was appointed OBE in 2009 for services to ecclesiastical archaeology.
Rodwell has studied a number of major ecclesiastical buildings, including
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an historic, mainly Gothic church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the Unite ...
,
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose cathedra it holds as mother church of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Built as a ...
,
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is the Church of England cathedral in the city of Bristol, England. Founded in 1140 and consecrated in 1148, it was originally St Augustine's Abbey but after the Dissolu ...
,
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, one of only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom with three spires (together with Truro Cathedral and St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh), and the only medie ...
,
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. Its ruins, a grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument, are open as a visitor attraction.
The abbey was founded in the 8th century and enlarged in the 10th. It w ...
and
Dorchester Abbey
The Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul, more usually called Dorchester Abbey, is a Church of England parish church in Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire, about southeast of Oxford. It was formerly a Norman abbey church and was built on the ...
(Oxon.). Between 1978 and 2007 he carried out a major research programme for English Heritage on the churches of
Barton-upon-Humber
Barton-upon-Humber () or Barton is a town and civil parish in North Lincolnshire, England. The population at the 2011 census was 11,066. It is situated on the south bank of the Humber Estuary at the southern end of the Humber Bridge. It is ...
(Lincs.).
He has also lectured widely, and periodically appeared in television programmes such as 'Time Team' and 'Restoration' (Channel 4).
Personal life
In 1972 Rodwell married Kirsty Ann Gomer, a fellow archaeological student, and they worked and published together on archaeological projects in Essex and Lincolnshire; they divorced in 1983. In 1984 he married Christine Elaine Bensted, divorcing in 1999. In 2004 Rodwell married Diane Marie Gibbs, a wallpaintings conservator and museum curator. They lived in a Grade II Listed former vicarage in Somerset until 2014, when they relocated to Norfolk. They purchased a Listed manor house, which was derelict and had been unoccupied since 1950. From 2014 to 2022 they carried out a major programme of conservation and restoration. Rodwell also designed and built several additions to the manor house, including a library and an octagonal Gothick staircase tower and prospect chamber.
Publications
Rodwell has published extensively: books, academic monographs, pamphlets, articles in learned journals and chapters in collective volumes. His total output since 1965 is understood to be well in excess of three hundred publications. Books and monographs include:
*''The Small Towns of Roman Britain''. ed. with T. Rowley. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports. 1975.
*''Historic Churches: A Wasting Asset''. with K. Rodwell. London: Council for British Archaeology. 1977.
*''Temples, Churches and Religion: Recent Research in Roman Britain''. 2 vols. ed. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports. 1980. .
*''The Archaeology of the English Church''. London: Batsford. 1981. .
*''Our Christian Heritage''. with J. Bentley. London: George Philip. 1984. .
*''Rivenhall: Investigations of a Villa, Church and Village, 1950–77, Volume 1''. with K.A. Rodwell. London: Council for British Archaeology. 1985. .
*''The English Heritage Book of Church Archaeology''. London: Batsford & English Heritage. 1989. .
*''The Fishermen's Chapel, Saint Brelade, Jersey: Its Archaeology, Architecture, Wall Paintings and Conservation.'' Jersey: Sociéte Jersiaise. 1990. .
*''The Origins and Early Development of Witham, Essex: A Study in Settlement and Fortification, Prehistoric to Medieval''. Oxford: Oxbow Books. 1993. .
*''Rivenhall: Investigations of a Villa, Church and Village, 1950–77, Volume 2''. with K.A. Rodwell. London: Council for British Archaeology. 1993. .
*''Les Ecréhous, Jersey. The History and Archaeology of a Channel Islands Archipelago.'' Jersey: Société Jersiaise. 1996. .
*''La Hougue Bie, Jersey. A Study of the Neolithic Tomb, Medieval Chapel and Prince's Tower''. with M. Patton & O. Finch. Jersey: Société Jersiaise. 1999. .
*''The Archaeology of Wells Cathedral: Excavations and Structural Studies, 1978–93.'' 2 vols. London: English Heritage. 2001. .
*''Westminster Abbey Chapter House and Pyx Chamber''. London: English Heritage. 2002. .
*''The Archaeology of Churches''. 3rd edn. Stroud: Tempus. 2005. 4th edn. Stroud: Amberley. 2012. .
*''Mont Orgueil Castle, Jersey. History and Architecture''. Jersey: Jersey Heritage Trust. 2006.
*''Architectural Records of Wells by John Carter, FSA, 1784–1808''. with G. Leighton. Taunton: Somerset Record Society Monograph 92. 2006. .
*''Dorchester Abbey, Oxfordshire: The Archaeology and Architecture of a Cathedral, Monastery and Parish Church''. Oxford: Oxbow Books. 2009.
*''Jersey's Houses, Castles and Churches: Building on the Stevens Legacy''. Tenth Joan Stevens Memorial Lecture. Jersey: Société Jersiaise. 2009.
*''Westminster Abbey Chapter House: The History, Art and Architecture of 'A Chapter House beyond Compare. ed. with R. Mortimer. London: Society of Antiquaries. 2010. .
*''The Lantern Tower of Westminster Abbey, 1060–2010''. Oxford: Oxbow Books. 2010. .
*''St Peter's, Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire: A Parish Church and its Community. Volume I: History, Archaeology and Architecture''. 2 parts. Oxford: Oxbow Books & English Heritage. 2011. .
*''The Archaeology of Churches''. New edn. Stroud: Amberley Books. 2012. .
*''The Coronation Chair and the Stone of Scone: History, Archaeology and Conservation''. Oxford: Oxbow Books. 2013. .
*''Westminster: The Art, Architecture and Archaeology of the Royal Abbey and Palace''. 2 vols. ed. with T. Tatton-Brown. British Archaeological Association. 2015. .
*''The Cosmatesque Mosaics of Westminster Abbey. The Pavements and Royal Tombs: History, Archaeology, Architecture and Conservation''. 2 vols with D.S. Neal. Oxford: Oxbow Books. 2019. . These volumes won the London Archaeological Prize in 2020.
*''Hamptonne and the Archaeology of Vernacular Houses in Jersey''. Jersey: Societe Jersiaise. 2022. .
*''Canterbury Cathedral, Trinity Chapel: The Archaeology of the Mosaic Pavement and Setting of the Shrine of St Thomas Becket''. with D.S. Neal. Oxford: Oxbow Books. 2022. .
Arms
Rodwell's armorial bearings are:
College of Arms
The College of Arms, or Heralds' College, is a royal corporation consisting of professional officers of arms, with jurisdiction over England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms. The heralds are appointed by the British Sovere ...
: grant of armorial bearings, 9 December 2009. ''Gules a mascle argent throughout embowed inwards between four feurs-de-lys apexes inwards and enclosing a cross flory or.'' Crest: ''Upon a helm with a wreath argent and gules, a cathedral façade triple towered the centre tower enhanced or, the port and windows gules statant upon each outer tower a dove reguardant that on the dexter contourny argent.'' Motto: ''Felicitas per Ardua''.
Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodwell, Warwick
1946 births
English archaeologists
Alumni of the UCL Institute of Archaeology
Fellows of the Royal Historical Society
Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Living people
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
People educated at Southend High School for Boys
Architecture academics