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Investigation Invitation

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The Field Detectives is a group of historians that seek opportunities to survey fields that can tell us more about how our historic landscapes evolved. By sharing the findings from our field surveys, we help to inform and re-engage people with their local heritage. One of our favourite sayings is “Every field tells a story”.

The 10 Year Plan

THE SEARCH FOR STATHERN HALL

Trial

Thanks to the kind permission of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, the Coombs Meadow excavation at Stathern in Leicestershire began on Tuesday, 7th October 2025. Weather permitting, The Field Detectives will be on site every Wednesday and Thursday, and the Community Involvement Day will be on Sundays. Stathern Hall was the home of the King Killer, Colonel Francis Hacker. It was also where one of the most significant documents in British history was kept from the execution of Charles I on 30 January 1649 through to Francis Hacker’s trial of 15 October 1660. It is known as the Death Warrant.

There are no surviving maps or written accounts to tell us where the hall once stood. Previous attempts to find the hall have failed, but, undeterred The Field Detectives have poured all their available resources into seeing if we can do any better.

We have until the 31st of December 2025 to find out.

The Stathern Mole is keeping a close watch on the investigation, and you can keep an eye on progress here.

Moley asked me to mention that he’s written a book. The Stathern Moulde Cacher