Monument record 1160/154/1 - Probable 12th-century occupation, north of Abington Street

A trial trench located to the rear of Abington Street found no evidence of early post-Norman conquest defences. Much of the area never seems to have built over. At the west side of the site was an area of postholes and other cut features, including a probable boundary ditch, of 12th century date.

{1} Trial excavation was conducted to locate the medieval defences. Trenches were cut over 130m distance from SP75746074 to SP75866079 to test for Early Post-Conquest remains. No defences and little indication of medieval occupation were recorded. This was presumably open or cultivated land. At the west side of site evidence of medieval occupation was noted; Postholes & other cut features associated with medieval pottery of C12th date onwards;

{2} Trenched east to west c.100m to north of Abington Street to test for post Norman Conquest defences. No evidence was found, and most of the area seems never to have been built over.

{3} Trench located c.100m to the north of Abington Street to test for post Norman Conquest defences. No evidence was found and most of the area seems never to have been built over.

{4} Trial excavation was undertakne prior to redevelopment of the former convent site. A number of trenches were excavated across the 1.5ha area, but the only significant archaeological features were found in the westernmost trenches. Although small quantities of Roman and Saxon pottery indicate settlement in the vicinity, direct occupation of the site appears to have originated in the 12th century with activity continuing into the first half of the 14th century. A series of postholes may indicate the presence of buildings and a boundary ditch, probably dates to the first half of the 14th century.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.382-3 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Williams J.H., 1981, Northampton, Abington Street Convent Site, p.204 (checked) (Notes). SNN713.

<3> Williams J.H., 1981, Northampton, Abington Street Convent Site, p.31-32 (checked) (Note). SNN714.

<4> Shaw, M, 1996, Archaeological excavations behind Notre Dame Convent, Northampton: Site Narrative (Draft). SNN116717.

Record last edited

Feb 6 2025 9:57AM