Monument record 1160/137/1 - Medieval and post-medieval back street settlement and horticulture, Swan Street

Excavation of a site on an area of land behind a minor street within the walled town indicated that settlement began shortly after the Norman Conquest but suffered from a hiatus in the 14th century when the area was cultivated. Thereafter there was only sporadic settlement until the mid-19th century

{1} Excavations in 1989 demonstrated the changing use of an area of land behind a minor street within the walled town. Settlement appears to have spread into the area shortly after the Norman Conquest and there may have been timber structures from the mid-12th century onwards. A hiatus in occupation occurred in the 14th century when the area was given over to horticulture. A horse buried on site at that time bore evidence of knife marks, suggesting it had been defleshed, possibly for human or canine consumption. There were possible structures on site during the 15th century, though in the 16th century the site was again used for horticulture and used as orchards from mid-18th to early 19th centuries.

Phase 1A: pre AD1075; single ditch at south end of trench A; east-west orientation; 5m long butt-ending to west; no dating evidence & overlying loamy layer likely to be contaminated with later material;

Phase 1B: At the southern end of the site a possible ditch, 4.5m wide by 2m deep and which had been backfilled in the 12th century, could have had a defensive function.

Phase 2A: Feature thought to be early defensive ditch appeared to be large pit as did not continue eastwards into Trench B; also shallow ditch running in northerly direction at south-west corner of site; further ditch at south-east corner of site in Trench B. Probably late 11th-early 12th century.

Phase 2B: Complex of postholes & stakeholes & other features suggestive of timber structures; also 3 shallow pits to north-west appear to be associated. Probably second half of the 12th and early 13th centuries.

Phase 2C: Complex of features at north-east of trench including shallow trench, postholes & shallow ditch; function uncertain; also 2 further ditches & 3 large rectangular flat-bottomed features; features orientated north-south. Probably c1225-c1300 in date.

Phase 3A: Layer of orange-brown sandy loam probably representing cultivation layer built up over some time; during its removal a complete horse skeleton was recovered although the head had been removed by machine excavation of Trench A;partially buried in shallow pit; full report in Appendix 2; knife marks indicate removal of meat from carcass; large amount of pottery from cultivation layer. Probably 14th century.

Phase 3B: Complex of postholes & stakeholes & shallow trench at north end of site probably form part of a structure; Structure 1; further 4 postholes lie to west & may be associated; later intrusions hamper interpretation; insufficient material for precise dating. Probably 15th century.

Phase 3C: A number of shallow trenches and two further shallow features were located in the northern half of the trenches. Also two pits in the south-west corner of the trench and a shallow cut feature in south end of trench. It is likely that these form some sort of horticultural feature and possibly bedding trenches within an orchard or garden. A group of Nuremberg jettons was recovered from one of the two pits. Three potsherds were recovered with holes drilled through, probably fragments of watering pots and providing additional evidence for horticulture. Probably 16th-mid 17th century.

Phase 4A: Continuing horticultural activity;

Phase 4B: Cellar & associated features; sewer trench & number of square to rectangular pits; cellar at north-east end of site; stone built; shallow hollow & trench beneath but of same phase; 2 rectangular stone-lined pits connected to west wall of cellar; 2 further stone-lined pits to south & 2 others connected to south wall of cellar;

{2} The area seems to have been the focus for low-status occupation and was given over to gardens when the town shrank in size and importance in the late medieval period.

{7}Pottery spread suggesting activity of C12/13/14th; no building plans identified; also possible medieval defensive ditch; <CHECK AUTHOR OF SMR REPORT FORM>;,

<1> SHAW M.; STEADMAN S., 1994, Life on A Medieval Backstreet: Archaeological Excavations at Swan Street, Northampton, p. 127-158 (Article). SNN55252.

<2> SHAW M., 1994, Archaeological Excavations at Swan Street, Northampton 1989, 8-9 (Full Report). SNN654.

<3> Dix B. (Editor), 1990, Northamptonshire Archaeology Unit Report for 1989, p.41 (checked) (Article). SNN4070.

<4> 1990, Medieval Archaeology (20), p.40 (checked) (Journal). SNN3796.

<5> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, p.122 (unchecked) (Article). SNN104441.

<6> SHAW M., 1989, UNPUBLISHED REPORT, (unchecked) (Report). SNN57222.

<7> CADMAN G.E., 1989, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Note). SNN50369.

<8> Shaw, M, 1989, Archaeological excavations at Swan Street, Northampton, 1989- Illustrations (Report). SNN75354.

Record last edited

Feb 6 2025 12:09PM