Monument record 1160/369 - Post Medieval stone building and possible forge, Marefair

Rescue excavation undertaken in 1977 on the north side of Marefair [see related records for other phases].A 17th or, more likely, 18th century building with a possible forging hearth in the western room

{1} Rescue excavation was undertaken on the north side of Marefair in 1977. A second period of stone stone building in the excavation area reused earlier walls or wall lines [HER no 1160/283/1].

A layer of well-packed rubble formed the floor foundation; overlain by burnt layer probably associated with ironworking; large quantity of scrap iron fragments recovered & probable forging hearth identified; copper alloy sheet fragments also retrieved from house; possible timber slot identified; discussion of forge by H.Cleere & G.E.Oakley included;coins found include: redeposited Edward II farthing of circa 1314-17; mid C15th French jetton; later C15th Nuremburg jetton also from this context or later;copper alloy finds: stud; thimble; disc;iron finds include: hinge pivot; arm with ferrified hatched wood from beam stirrpu or staple etc; possible file; key tip mount from lock cf.Goltho; 2 straps one of which is curved; binding strip; six pieces of scrap iron; waisted blacksmith's punch; distorted chain link; tip of horseshoe; note on scrap iron fragments states that 133 of total 146 came from this building; some identifiable as nails & blade & bar fragments; 84 pieces came from supposed hearth where associated with 675gm of cinder or forging slag;glass finds: late C17th beaker base;textile findsL fabric lining preserved on stud;,

To rear of the building is series of patchy yard surfaces & group of stone-lined pits;copper alloy finds including sheet fragments: buckle loop fragment; disc; residual annular brooch pin dated to C13/14th; twisted wire ring & two wire eyes; cast vessel rim;lead finds include: scrap or offcut; possible disc-shaped weight;iron finds: residual late Saxon/early medieval whittle tang knife; cramp; fleshhook; scale tang knife with iron rivet & solder for lost shoulder plates; two buckles one of which is plated; perforated strap; angle strap; strap; hook; two pieces of wire;glass finds: late medieval urinal base; handle; bottle base; undated globular yellow bead; possible C13th painted glass;group of bowls & wide-bore stem fragments dated circa 1660-80 found in pit in yard;

{2}Part of post medieval stone building excavated fronting Marefair;

<1> Williams F., 1979, Excavations on Marefair in Northampton 1977, p.54-55 (checked) (Article). SNN2163.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.391 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

Record last edited

May 23 2022 9:23AM