Monument record 4959/7/1 - Medieval and post-medieval buildings, St James Road

Archaeological evaluation on the corner of St James' Road and Ransome Road identified two phases of building on the St James Road frontage. The earliest phase comprised substantial stone foundations while a second phase had narrower stone foundations, which was interpreted as a switch to buildings with a timber super-structure set on a dwarf stone wall. There was little precise dating evidence but it was likely that the buildings were in use at some between the 13th to 17th centuries. Buildings are shown in this location on Speed's map of 1610. The buildings may have been demolished as part of preparations for the defence of the town during the Civil War.

{2} Two phases of building along St James Road - dating from between the mid-13th to 17th centuries. There was no evidence of subsequent occupation until the mid-19th century.

{3} The dating evidence was unclear. The earliest phase of building comprised substantial stone walls up to 1.2m wide and is more likely to be medieval. The later phase foundations were more insubstantial which may be due to the building having a timber superstructure. Buildings were only found on the St James Road frontage and broadly correspond to buildings depicted on the 1610 Speed map. The buildings were probably demolished during the 17th century and the authors theorise that much of the St James end suburb may have been demolished as wider preparations of the town's defences during the Civil War.

<1> WEBSTER M., 1996, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN49266.

<2> Chapman A., 1996-97, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1996-7, p.217 Northampton (checked) (Notes). SNN104580.

<3> Shaw, M., 1996, Archaeological evaluation of the former Travis Perkins site, St James' End, Northampton (Report). SNN74014.

Record last edited

Aug 19 2025 1:02PM