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. The excavation was limited and there was extensive post medieval disturbance, so interpretations are tentative. However, one pit may date to the 12th century and further pits, floor surfaces and robber trench may date to the 13th-14th centuries. A series of features may all relate to a single building dating to the 15th-16th centuries.

{1} Excavation located on the site of the former Green Dragon Inn situated on east side of Mayorhold. It is located outside the Saxon town. The excavation, though limited in scope, identified occupation from at least the 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. A large quarry pit, probably dating to the 13th-14th century was at least c.3.5m deep. The fill contained tip-lines of mixed brown, sandy soil, stones, and charcoal. One pit, 12, possibly dates to the C12th.

The buildings date from C13th-C16th. 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. The fill consisted of tile and stone to depth of 4m; it was not excavated below 4m due to water-table. A possible garderobe, F28, was 1.4m deep with sides lined with stone walls and floor with white, sandy clay. It was maybe associated with building.

Many post-medieval features were badly disturbed;however, a clay-lined pit (F21) survived. It was interpreted as a possible tanning-pit. It contained bricks, blue clay and late eighteenth century pottery.

An unstratified crucible containing traces of bronze working, bronze slag was found in medieval and post-medieval features. Some of the bronze finds may have been scrap for re-melting. Iron slag was also found in medieval and post-medieval features.

{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

<1> MYNARD D.C., 1976, Excavations on the Mayorhold, Northampton, 1971, 134-150 (Article). SNN41216.

<2> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1972, Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 1971 (Medieval), p. 55 (Article). SNN3540.

<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

Jul 15 2025 9:21AM