Monument record 1160/232/1 - Medieval and post-medieval occupation and quarrying, Swan Street

In the southern end of a trench along Swan Street medieval and early post-medieval occupation was found. The northern end of the trench lay within a quarry and in the central part cellars of late 18th-early 19th century cottages were revealed.

{1} Trench A lay immediately to the east of and parallel to Swan Street, a minor lane running south from Derngate and part of the medieval street system. Much of the evidence was destroyed by post-medieval cellars which cut down to the subsoil, but the area to the south contained a possible robber trench which was later overlaid by the remains of a possible late medieval cooking oven. A small area to the north of the cellars was excavated down to a depth of c2.5m through layers which resembed quarry backfill. Subsequent watching brief during building operations immediately east again showed evidence of quarrying;

{2} Cellars of a row of five late C18th-early C19th cottages revealed; outer walls of stone with brick partitions dividing them into separate units; brick rubble fill of northernmost cellar was removed along with its concrete & brick floor; no other features exposed; A small area to north of cellars were various loamy layers of post-medieval date overlay sandy & clay layers of medieval date; these lay within large feature cut well down into subsoil; probable quarry pit; not considered safe to excavate deeper in small trench;
The southern end of the trench, 10m long, was excavated down to ironstone level. The features, dating to c1100-c1200/1300, was a possible foundation trench for a timber building. In the period, c1200-1400 two circular ovens were later replaced by several clay floor levels. To the south a possible foundation trench was superseded by a stone trough. In the period c1500-1700 a further timber building was suggested by a beam slot and postholes.

{3} Limited excavations in 1980 indicated occupation in the area from around the time of the Norman Conquest; watching brief further from the street frontages revealed extensive medieval quarrying;

<1> SHAW M., 1981, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (11), 32 (Interim Note). SNN4269.

<2> Shaw M., 1984, Excavations on a Medieval Site at Derngate, Northampton, p.69 (checked) (Report). SNN627.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.386/Site 39 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<4> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M351 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<5> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1981, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1980, p.204 (checked) Northampton (Article). SNN100418.

<6> SHAW M., 1981, ARCHAEOLOGY IN BRITAIN, 204 (Interim Note). SNN3684.

Record last edited

Sep 29 2025 11:52AM