Monument record 5003/1/4 - Site of medieval building, Delapre Abbey

Archaeological observation during insertion of a static water tank identified the foundations of a significant medieval building. The remains were cleaned and then reburied; the location of the water tank was moved to the west. The building may be the west range of the abbey or a building associated with the wider complex, such as a barn or brewhouse

{1} Archaeological watching brief undertaken during the excavation of a trench for a static water tank. At c500mm below ground level lay two very large mortared ironstone walls at right angles to one another. One was 800mm wide aligned cnorth-south, forming a right angle and aligned westwards was a foundation which was 950mm wide. A floor comprising a substantial stone base covered in thick mortar was identified in the northernmost of the two interior spaces formed by the angle of the walls. The floor may have been used for mortar mixing.

An alternative location for the tank was sought and a trial trench was excavated to the north-west, which identified the west wall of the same medieval range, indicating a building range in excess of 22m long and c8m wide. The new trench was excavated to the west of this wall- no further archaeological remains were encountered.

Possibly of Anglo-Norman construction, pottery associated with the walls dated between the 12th-15th centuries. The building may be related to the monastic outer court, perhaps barns and stables or brewhouse/bakehouse.

<1> Soden, I and Prentice, J. with a contribution by Meadows, I, 2019, Archaeological monitoring, excavation, building recording and analysis at Delapre Abbey, Northampton 2014-19, p. 26-30 (Report). SNN111408.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 8:13PM