Monument record 1160/11/3 - Claustral Range, Greyfriars

Excavations undertaken in 1972 identified a north-south aligned range thought to be the claustral range of Greyfriars.

{1} The north-south range had at least two building periods, measuring 54m x 8m. The western half was floored with glazed tiles set on a mortar base and the east half with an earthen floor. In the latter stages of the Friary the claustral range was altered at the south end where decorated floor-tiles indicating a possible chapter house were revealed.

{2} The north-south range had at least two periods of building. The latter phase extended to at least 54m long and c.8m wide and of a double-vaulted constructure. The west half was floored with galzed tiles set on a mortar base and east half had an earthen floor. There was a south end variation of plan with change of use suggested by decorated floor tiles, possibly indicating the remains of a chapter house. The first phase of the cloister was possibly only c.17m long but the width was not ascertained. The plan was difficult to interpret although several foundations were revealed.

{3} There was no evidence for pre-friary occupation.

{5}Possible dorter; north-south range of at least 2 periods; latterly extended more than 54m x c.8m wide; double-vaulted construction; western half floored with glazed tiles set in mortar base; eastern half with simple earth floor; southern end had variation in plan & change to use of decorated tile for flooring; possible indication of chapter house; 1st phase c.17m long but width uncertain; plan difficult to interpret although several large foundations revealed.

<1> 1973, Medieval Archaeology (17), 17/155 (checked) (Journal). SNN35139.

<2> Williams J.H., 1973, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (3), p.29 (checked) (Journal). SNN896.

<3> Williams J., 1978, Excavations at Greyfriars, Northampton 1972 (Article). SNN459.

<4> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1973, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1972, 21 (Journal). SNN8956.

<5> 1973, DOE Archaeological Excavations (Various Years), p.97-98 (checked) (Series). SNN45978.

Record last edited

May 8 2025 8:26PM