◼️ Tom⇒maths: August 2025

Maths in Museums: Roaring Meg at Goodrich Castle

In this post I explore how a Civil War mortar at Goodrich Castle illustrates mathematical ideas about angles and projectile motion - part of a broader “Maths in Museums” series.

Introduction: Roaring Meg at Goodrich Castle

A found some maths at Goodrich Castle: a ten-minute drive from the Welsh border in Herefordshire, England, it has to be one of my favourites^[1]. It's a Norman medieval ruin (now looked after by English Heritage) that played host to an English Civil War siege by Parliamentary forces upon the Royalist forces stationed there. Despite not having its defences updated to 17th-century standards the medieval castle stood up well to direct attacks and artillery was introduced, with Parliamentary Army Colonel John Birch commissioning the casting of a Civil War mortar called Roaring Meg.

A short-barrelled cannon with a 390mm diameter rests in a wooden, wheel-less gun carriage. It is photographed here in its position on a tiled outside floor, with parts of ancient stone walls visible in the background.

Maths in Museums: Bolsover Castle

For years I have been periodically prompted to think "ah yes, must go there one day" by signs for Bolsover Castle as I pass through the vicinity of Junction 29A on the M1. That day, as all things must surely do, finally came to pass on Monday 11th August, 2025^[1].

A picturesque view of a historic, partially ruined castle with stone walls and turret-like features. People are walking in the foreground, while others sit on benches, enjoying the scenery under a clear blue sky.

As with all posts in the Maths in Museums series, it is not for me to tell you how or when to visit, how much it costs, or even much about the history of the site (though some will surely creep in). All of that can be left to English Heritage, who are its current custodians. Our purpose here is to uncover some of the opportunities for mathematical exploration that I spotted during my visit^[2]. As with most museums and galleries, there's no interpretation at the site that will help you to structure any exploration of these ideas.