Monument record 1160/116/1 - Medieval and post-medieval occupation, The Ridings
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Summary
Excavation of an area on the south side of The Ridings in 1981-2 and again in 1999 identified a small quantity of unstratified late Saxon pottery. The earliest activity was a large quarry pit, probably dating to the 12th century. Fragmentary remains of possible buildings and boundary walls dating to the 13th century were found, some of them may relate to boundaries associated with the Gobion Manor estate, situated somewhere in the vicinity. Evidence of two fires, probably those of 1516 and 1675, was found in several places.
Map
Type and Period (4)
Full Description
{1} Two possible medieval walls and number of pits revealed containing medieval pottery dating from the early post-Conquest onwards; underlying possible manorial remains.
{2} Badly disturbed levels; embrace all excavated deposits pre Phase 2. Includes two wall foundations of possible medieval date, also a number of pits and deposits from post 1100 to 1470. 20 sherds of pottery suggest some pre-Conquest activity. Worked stone included part of a stone mortar; also a fragment of roll & hollow moulded label of the C14th, and a small roll moulded fragment possibly C13/14th; also 3 roof tile fragments. Suggests a building of some pretention in this period.
{3} Excavation in 1999 on the south side of The Ridings incorporating the earlier excavation area and extending to the west. The earliest feature was a large quarry pit, backfilled initially with household refuse and subsequently with dumping of ironstone rich deposits in apparent attempt to consolidate the ground. In the 13th century a substantial north-south aligned wall, was constructed in a vertical-sided trench. There was no associated floor, so it was probably a free-standing wall. A wall of such thickness indicates that it was of some importance, probably a western boundary to the Gobion estate, forming a boundary between the estate and the rear of properties fronting onto Fish Street. The presence of green-glazed roof tile in demolition deposits nearby was interpreted as the former roof to the wall; it was demolished in the 13th century. A small fire pit may have been located to the east of the wall- it contained a high quantity of charcoal. A large pit on the western side of the wall (and therefore belonging to a property lying on Fish Street) was interpreted as a possible cesspit, but also used for general rubbish disposal. In the late 13th century it was used to dispose of demolition material; the upper layers perhaps used to consolidatethe ground for a later building. A short-lived building may have also been located in this area during the early 13th century. Two further buildings were also constructed in the 13th century; one was demolished shortly after its construction, but the other appears to have lasted until the 16th century, when it seems to have been destroyed by fire- possibly the fire of 1516. A layer of surviving mortar may have once held tiles. A large, north-south aligned ditch was established in the 13th century and was filled in several distinct stages ending in the late 17th century. It may have been a property boundary and seems to have been replaced in the 16th-17th century by another ditch.
Substantial foundations of 16th/17th century date may be part of the house of Harrison of Stowe which was recorded as blocking a 'Lane into Gobion's Farm' in 1585.
Gobion Manor was completely destroyed by the Great Fire of 1675. This would have resulted in a layer of charcoal-rich deposits over the site- this was recorded in three places. One deposit was recorded as a layer of 80% charcoal as well as pottery and clay pipe bowls of the late 17th century, in the top of a ditch. This layer is probably a former turf-line burnt in situ. Two dumped deposits were also identified. The post-fire clearance deposits date to the early 18th century, suggesting the site lay derelict for some time afterwards -the documentary record bears this out, with a lease dating to 1685 stating that the area of the Gobion Manor was derelict.
<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.392 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.
<2> WILLIAMS J.H., FARWELL C., 1984, Excavations in The Riding, Northampton, in the Area of Gobion Manor 1981-1982, p.87 (checked) (Article). SNN1096.
<3> Capon L., 2001, Excavations At The Ridings, Northampton (Report). SNN101155.
<4> Capon, L, 2005, Excavations at The Ridings, Northampton; now Yates' Wine Lodge (Article). SNN112197.
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SNN77383 Series: Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England. 1985. An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton. 5 (+Microfiche). H.M.S.O.. p.392 (checked).
- <2> SNN1096 Article: WILLIAMS J.H., FARWELL C.. 1984. Excavations in The Riding, Northampton, in the Area of Gobion Manor 1981-1982. Northamptonshire Archaeology. 19. Northants Archaeology Soc. p.87 (checked).
- <3> SNN101155 Report: Capon L.. 2001. Excavations At The Ridings, Northampton. AOC Archaeology fieldwork reports. AOC.
- <4> SNN112197 Article: Capon, L. 2005. Excavations at The Ridings, Northampton; now Yates' Wine Lodge. Northamptonshire Archaeology. 33. Northamptonshire Archaeological Society.
Finds (14)
- SHERD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD) Quantity: Some
- ANIMAL REMAINS (Medieval to Edwardian - 1066 AD to 1910 AD) Quantity: Some
- ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD) Quantity: Some
- FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD) Quantity: 1
- ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD) Quantity: Small quantity
- SPINDLE WHORL (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1275 AD?) Quantity: 1
- WINDOW / VESSEL (Post Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1540 AD? to 2000 AD) Quantity: Small quantity
- TOBACCO PIPE (Early Medieval to Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1275 AD?) Quantity: Medium quantity
- PLANT REMAINS (Medieval - 1225 AD? to 1275 AD?) Quantity: Small quantity
- SHERD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- SHERD (Late Saxon - 850 AD to 1065 AD) Quantity: >10
- MORTAR (VESSEL) (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
- ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (2)
Location
Grid reference | Centred SP 7570 6053 (17m by 19m) |
---|---|
Civil Parish | NORTHAMPTON |
Unitary Authority | West Northamptonshire |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Northampton Development Corporation SMR: M403
Record last edited
Jul 25 2025 3:00PM