Monument record 727/2/7 - Medieval Defences

Wall foundations found in front of the Roman fortifications during a watching brief in 1976/7 are assumed to represent the remains of a wall built by Edward the Elder in AD 921.

{1} Based on results of watching brief carried out by Gwen Brown in 1967. Interprets part of the site as Anglo-Saxon or Norman defences. The medieval ditch lay above two Roman ditches although the dating evidence for this feature is not firm. Further observations by R. Conlon in 1982: a ditch was revealed with a sterile lower fill overlain by a layer producing late medieval pottery. This ditch possibly followed its Roman precursor.

{2} (SP 69194897) A watching brief was undertaken during work on the Anglian Water Authority main drainage scheme 1976/77. The drain trench cut through the town defences revealing a bank possibly of two phases and perhaps of 2nd century AD origin, and accompanying ditch[HER no: 726/27]. Wall foundations in front of the Roman fortification are assumed to represent remains of the wall built by Edward the Elder in 921. In addition, a pit containing a quantity of Roman pottery and fragments of glass beakers was excavated.

<1> Woodfield C., 1992, The Defences of Towcester, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Article). SNN60159.

<2> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1978, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1977, p. 182-3 (Journal). SNN2192.

Record last edited

Aug 16 2023 1:45PM