Monument record 1223/2/1 - Medieval and Post-medieval pottery kilns, Church Lane

Excavations in 1964 and 1965 identified kilns on Church Lane which were in production during the 17th century. Trial evaluation initially indicated that late medieval pottery was being produced, although no further mention of this is made in later excavations. Two of the kilns were in use possibly between 1646 to 1664 and may have been operated by a potter, Leonard Benton. One of the kilns had a single flue, was circular in plan with a diameter of 3 feet 6 inches. It may have been used for the firing of fine wares. The other kiln was a brick-built, double-flued kiln which was circular in plan and had a diameter of 6 feet. Three phases of remodelling were identified. Both the kilns were wood-fired and produced coarse ware and glazed fine wares in forms including jugs, bowls, dishes and tygs. Traces of a possible potters workshop and drying hut were also recorded.

{1} Two adjacent wood-fired pottery kilns producing decorated and undecorated coarse wares and glazed fine wares during the second half of the 17th century. One kiln was of single flue type; the other larger kiln was double flued. The kilns would appear to have belonged to Leonard Benton. Their working lives began slightly before 1646 and terminated shortly after 1664. The products of the kiln are very diverse and include a great variety of the lead glazed, slip decorated wares which great similarity to the Metropolitan wares of the London area and to the late 17th century slip wares of Yorkshire.
6ft north of the kilns was a shallow post hole 12in deep. Thin limestone flagging was also seen. The existence of a flimsy structure about 12ft wide is therefore possible. The limestone wall could have been the north wall of the potter's workshop but because of the post slot on its northern face it is more likely to have formed part of a shelter structure for a stoke pit.

{2} Excavation in 1965 revealed two kilns, a drying hut and perhaps a potter's workshop.

{5} Foundations for a new house in the grounds of the vicarage exposed some post medieval pottery, burnt clay and ash; subsequently the site was excavated at Easter 1965. The main kiln found has three floors, and a small kiln was found contemporary with the middle floor. The kilns were brick built, and firing took place on pedestals. Pottery suggests a period of activity of unknown duration during the 17th century. Evidence of a drying hut, and possible the potter's workshop were found besides the walkround. Pottery suggests a period of activity of unknown duration during the 17th century.

{7} In 1964 Gwen Brown began excavating a kiln which appeared to have produced several different kinds of late medieval pottery.

{8} Medieval Pottery Kiln (SP 762433), close to the above and in a similar situation, near the vicarage. Trial excavations have been carried out on a kiln which apparently produced several different types of late medieval pottery.

{9} A considerable scatter of 17th century glazed sherds was found in area west of the Old Rectory adjacent to the lane to the church. A new house had been built on top of a kiln and wasters had been dug out and scattered during the digging of the foundations of the house. A subsequent investigation determined that the kiln was three-quarters under the north-west corner of the house and a flue to a stokehole was found 10ft to the west. When the fence around the new house was constructed, kiln debris was observed in one of the postholes. [note on archive suggests that this is the same site as that excavated by Mayes in 1965].

{10} The site falls in the front garden of a new house at SP 76164317.

{11} Foundations for a new house in the grounds of the vicarage at Potterspury exposed some post-medieval pottery, burnt clay, and ash; subsequently the site was excavated by Phil Mayes for the MOW at Easter 1965. The main kiln found has three floors, and a small kiln was found contemporary with the middle floor. The kilns were brick built, and firing took place on pedestals. Evidence of a drying hut, and possibly the potter's workshop were found beside the walk round. Pottery suggests a period of activity of unknown duration during the 17th c.

<1> MAYES P., 1968, A Seventeenth century kiln site as Potterspury in Northamptonshire, 2/55-81 (checked) (Article). SNN75492.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 120 site 14 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Post Medieval), 4/24 (checked) (Article). SNN30733.

<4> TULL G.K., 1966, The Potteries of Potterspury, 10/10-14 (checked) (Article). SNN47221.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP74SE3 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> 1964, Chronicle and Echo, (unchecked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN19352.

<7> Wilson D.M.; Gillian Hurst D., 1965, Medieval Britain in 1964, 9/217 (checked) (Notes). SNN3819.

<8> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.120 site 12 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<9> Brown, G, 1964, Kiln site at Potterspury, October 1964 (Note). SNN112729.

<10> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, 21/oct (Notes). SNN111907.

<11> 1966, Wolverton and District Archaeological Newsletter, p. 10-15 (Newsletter). SNN19495.

<12> McCarthy, M R, Brooks, C M, 1988, Medieval Pottery in Britain AD 900-1600, p. 432 (Book). SNN76510.

Record last edited

Jan 9 2025 1:05PM