Monument record 1160/170/1 - Medieval and post-medieval occupation, Mayorhold

Medieval occupation dating from at least the 12th century was found on the east side of the Mayorhold in 1971.

{1}Site of former Green Dragon situated on east side of Mayorhold; outside Saxon town; occupation from at least C12th onwards. Because of the limited nature of the subsequent excavations coupled with the very extensive post-medieval disturbances the results are tentative. Features weren't phased.
Quarry pits and some other pits date to the 13-14th centuries; uncertain lateral extent;c.3.5m deep;fill contained tip-lines of mixed brown,sandy soil,stones, and charcoal; pit 12 possibly dates to the C12th;

The buildings date from C13th-C16th; site badly disturbed by later cellars & wells;walls (F109-112),floor (F104) and hearth (F113) may belong to one building; ; Well (F30);1m diameter at top widening to 1.5m at a depth of 5m;fill consisted of tile and stone to depth of 4m;not excavated below 4m due to water-table; possible garderobe; 1.4m deep;sides lined with stone walls and floor with white, sandy clay; maybe associated with building;

Many post-medieval features were badly disturbed;however, a clay-lined pit (F21) survived;possibly a tan-pit;contained bricks, blue clay and late eighteenth century pottery;

{2}Excavation in 1971 on site of Green Dragon with occupation of site dating from C12th onwards; later disturbances over west end of site; stone buildings dating between the C13th-C14th; finds of medieval pot sherds & bronze objects & lead & glass & worked bone & iron objects & slag & whetstones & building material;

{3}Excavations in 1971 revealed occupation evidence dating from the C12th onwards; site badly disturbed; stone buildings dating between C13th-C16th; Pits of C15th-16th date;relationship with other features not clear

<2> MYNARD D.C., 1976, Excavations on the Mayorhold, Northampton, 1971, 134-150 (Article). SNN41216.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.391/Site 47 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2024 4:51PM