Monument record 1160/395/18 - Probable medieval tenement, Horsemarket

A tenement with its frontage on Horsemarket. The rear of the tenement was excavated and included the rear of a timber building, a possible malt kiln and evidence of tanning. Later development included a metalworking furnace and grain drier and subsequently a replacement building, constructed in the 14th century, extending eastwards to Horsemarket. This continued in use until the early to mid 19th century.

{3} Two stone pads formed the foundations for a (presumed) timber building in the north-east corner of the site. The building is presumed to have extended east forming a long narrow tenement with its frontage on Horsemarket. The southern post-pad was formed of two courses of roughly hewn stone and a sherd of medieval shelly ware was found in its fabric. It was probably constructed in the 12th century.
Adjacent to the building was a kiln or furnace comprising a six-sided lozenge shape at least 1.7m wide and 2.8m long. There was a stokehole to the west. It was constructed of sandstone blocks and its base displayed scorching radiating from the centre. Botanical residues imply a function that relates to grain drying, although it is not of the form typical in the town.
There was a group of pits immediately to the north of the timber building which contained a notable pottery assemblage, primarily of medieval shelly wares. A group of four barrel-lined pits may have been associated with tanning or some other process using water and timber-lined features. In addition there was some evidence for metal-casting in the form of waste. One of the pits suggests smithing was taking place- quantities of hammerscale, two smithing hearth bottoms and slag were retrieved. This pit also contained a fairly clean deposit of free-threshing wheat grain.

In the period 1300-1400, the timber building and kiln went out of use. The backfill of the building contained a sherd from a dripping pan, indicating high-status domestic accomodation in the vicinity. A metalworking furnace was built on a clay bed with sides constructed from tiles built against a timber frame. Inside was a primary fill of working debris including remnants of copper alloy and iron slag comprising casting waste and a possible cast, thin walled product, along with a possible iron tuyere. A ceramic mould fragment was also found and the furnace lining included a large ferrule. Just to the south was a rectangular pit lined with roughly hewn ironstone blocks. A flue or stokehole ran upwards out of the chamber at the west end. The stones were only moderately scorched indicating that they had not been heated to very high temperatures. Similar structures were found at St Peter's Street.
A new building was constructed fronting onto Horsemarket replacing the earlier timber building in the earlier 14th century. This building was quickly replaced by another, of lesser quality, which remained in use until the early to mid 19th century. A well was built to the south of the building in the same period; a new stone-lined well was built in the period 1600-1750.

<1> Soden I., 1998, Archaeological Evaluation at Barclaycard, Marefair, Northampton - Stage 2: Trial Excavation, (unchecked) (Report). SNN39581.

<2> Chapman A, 1998-9, Northampton, Marefair, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104058.

<3> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 2005, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval settlement at Sol Central, Marefair, Northampton, p.9-12 (Full Report). SNN105717.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 7:28PM