Monument record 1160/2/1 - Possible Saxon ditch or quarry pit, between Bearward Street and Silver Street

In 1971 a trial trench was dug between Bearward Street and Silver Street. A deep feature c13m wide and 3.8m deep was identified. A single sherd of pottery dating to the 12th or 13th century was found in the main fill. The feature has been interpreted as either the ditch of the Saxon defences or as a quarry pit.

{1} In 1970 certain houses between Bearward Street and Silver Street were demolished in advance of redevelopment. Since the Saxon defences were believed to run on a line which at this point fell between the two streets, it was considered a worthwhile site for excavation.

The trench was 26m long running at right angles to the axis of the two streets. The trench was dug to an approximate depth of 5m. Modern disturbance was noted to a depth of 2m. In the centre was a 19th century pit 4.5m deep and at the south end, fronting onto Silver Street was a cellar, perhaps of 18th century date. The section showed that the top of the natural sandstone was 2.8m below current ground level. One top was layer of light brown sandy soil with small sandstone fragments. A large pit or ditch had been cut through this layer into the sandstone to depth of 4.8m below present ground surface. This ditch would have been c.13m wide. The main fill of brown sandy soil contained a sherd of C12/13th shelly jug suggesting that the ditch was filled in at this date. The similarity with an excavation carried out in Bath St & Scarletwell St in 1961 suggests that in all probability Saxon town was surrounded by wide & shallow ditch which was deliberately filled in after Conquest when town was enlarged.

{2}Possible ditch c.13m wide & 3.8m deep identified; single sherd of C12/13th pottery recovered from main fill.

{4} Although the excavators were unable to inspect the sections closely for reasons of safety, they felt that a large feature, possibly a quarry pit, could be seen.

<1> Mynard, DC, 1972, Northampton: Trial excavation on the probable line of the Saxon Town Defences, 7/42 (Note). SNN41220.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.327 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<3> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, AS14 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<4> MYNARD D.C., 1976, Excavations on the Mayorhold, Northampton, 1971, p. 136 (Article). SNN41216.

Record last edited

Jul 15 2025 10:02AM