Monument record 7049/0/2 - Middle Saxon malting oven, Kings Meadow Lane

A large stone structure initially identified by trial trench in 1991 and subsequently excavated in 2000. Initially interpreted as a medieval building but on excavation it was found to be middle Saxon in date. Probably associated with the middle Saxon estate centre to the north-east and used to process grain of tribute payers. Preserved in situ beneath modern development.

{1} Trial trench evaluation undertaken in 1991 identified a sub-rectangular structure 6m and 4.5m wide. It was associated with small quantities of medieval pottery and was interpreted as a possible barn or agricultural building due to its location in the medieval open fields.

{4} The malting oven was excavated during the wider investigations at Kings Meadow Lane. No pottery was found within the building. However, a radiocarbon date on grain within it from the evaluation falls between the mid-7th and the late 10th century AD.

The feature is comprised of a roughly square chamber constructed from roughly coursed limestone blocks, measuring 3m north-east by south-west and 2.7m north-west by south-east. A pair of parallel walls extend to the north-east of the chamber for 4m, and forming the flue into the chamber via an opening through the wall on the north-east side. No other contemporary features were found nearby.

The size of the malting oven was too elaborate and substantial a structure to have been part of someone'e domestic brewing operation. It is suggested that the tribute payers to the estate centre to the north-east would have brought grain for malting at a central place, where the process could be properly controlled.

<1> Shaw M.; Steadman S., 1991, Archaeological Evaluation on Duchy of Lancaster Land at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN1366.

<2> Shaw M.; Steadman S., 1991, Archaeological Evaluation on Duchy of Lancaster Land at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire: Figures (Report). SNN105536.

<3> Lacey M., 2000, Kings Meadow Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, Archaeological Evaluation Report (Report). SNN101217.

<4> Charles B., 2002, Kings Meadow Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire; Post Excavation Assessment and Research Design (Report). SNN102375.

<5> Hardy A.; Charles B.M.; Williams R.J., 2007, Death & Taxes: The Archaeology of A Middle Saxon Estate Centre at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN106006.

<6> McKerracher, M, 2014, Landscapes of production in Mid Saxon England: the monumental grain ovens (Article). SNN112228.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:33PM