Monument record 1160/227/3 - Site of post-medieval building, Gregory Street

A six-bay timber-framed building on the south side of Gregory Street was demolished in 1976. The building had jointed raised cruck trusses.

{1} Demolition of six-bay timber-framed building observed; cruck beam removed; building survey by J.A.Small prior to demolition.

{3} Excavations were carried out on the south side of Gregory Street, Northampton between December 1978 and July 1979. A stone building with crucks had stood on the corner until only a few years ago, the rest of the site being occupied by Victorian brick or ironstone cottages. The site of the crucked building had contained structures with stone walls covering approximately the same area from perhaps the 13th century. It is not yet completely certain when the crucks were inserted but it probably occurred in the post medieval period. Other buildings were excavated dating to both the medieval and post medieval periods and there is a good series of medieval and post medieval pottery.
Underneath were two Late Saxon rectangular post built timber structures aligned north-south and fronting onto a metalled area. They measured 3m x at least 10m and 4.5m x at least 10m. This latter building had been rebuilt several times and burnt floor levels survived. Slag and hammerscale showed that metalworking had been practised.

{2}Stone building with crucks stood on the corner of Gregory Street. The site of the cruck building had contained structures with stone walls covering approximately the same area from perhaps the 13th century. It is not certain whenthe crucks were inserted but it probably occurred in the post-medieval period.

{6} {1} An L-shaped cruck-framed building was demolished in 1974. The six-bay northern range (Building 1) was constructed from ironstone with some ironstone. The timber ends were evident in the outside wall. The crucks were not raised from the ground, but half-way up the walls. Some of the crucks appeared to be Victorian replacements, although others appeared to be original with wooden pegging. Some brick additions at higher levels. The north elevation appeared to be of two phases. The eastern range (Building 2) was also constructed from ironstone and limestone. It was of two storeys and loft. Timber rafter ends. Some re-used stonework. A paved yard at the rear was proved by a minute trial trench by John Small. Survey within showed both north and south walls had narrower tops. There was a corrugated asbestos roof on the south side of Building 1. The top of the north elevation had a series of new windows, to accommodate which the roof ahd been raised on that side by additional timbers.

<1> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1976, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1975, p.207 (checked) (Journal). SNN169.

<2> Shaw M.; Williams J., 1971-1981, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Record Cards, M126 (checked) (Index). SNN133.

<3> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p.169 (checked) (Article). SNN56490.

<4> Webster L.E.; Cherry J., 1980, Medieval Britain in 1979, p.229-30 (checked) (Note). SNN3678.

<5> Giggins, B., 1977, Northampton, 45 Bridge Street, p. 203 (Article). SNN1317.

<6> Small J. A., 1974, Buildings in Gregory Street, Northampton. NDC Site no M126. Demolished. Sketched Plans and Dimensions, Measured Elevations, Details (Archive). SNN116903.

Record last edited

Dec 2 2025 4:16PM