Monument record 1223/2/11 - Medieval pottery kiln, High Street

Medieval pottery kiln, part of the Potterspury pottery industry, was excavated in a garden in the High Street, Pottersbury in 1949. The kiln was a Musty type 1b example, oval in plan with a single flue. The oven measured 2.44 metres by 1.83 metres and comprised a central predestal constructed of roofing tiles. Pottery wasters and tile wasters were recovered from the kiln. The kiln was in production during the 14th century and 15th century and is thought to be the earliest one in operation in the village. The pottery was of a hard, fine sandy firing fabric in forms which included cooking pots, jugs, dishes and bowls. The jugs were often glazed.

{1} (SP 76084314) Kiln (LB) (site of)

{4} Garden of 102 High Street, medieval pottery kiln discovered in 1949 during the excavation of the area for a septic tank. 1 small oval single flue kiln found along with waste pottery in many forms. The kiln was active throughout the 14th and into the 15th century. Plan.

{5} Medieval Pottery Kiln (SP 76084314), N of High Street, on limestone. A small oval single-flue kiln excavated in 1949 contained wasters of many different vessels as well as roof tiles dating from the C14th or C15th.

{6} Possibly at least five more kilns within the pottery manafacturing complex

{7} The kiln had an oval chamber 8 feet long x 6 feet wide. The central platform was built largely of clay roofing tiles laid horizontally, the sides of the kiln and stokehole remained to a height of 2ft above the kiln floor. The kiln floor lies 6ft below present ground surface.

The superstructure had been destroyed when the kiln was filled in during the latter middle ages, large broken pieces of the clay floor arches made of clay and lime remained in the infill. The arches would have been positioned three on either side of the kiln. The only other piece of kiln furniture recovered was a small baluster shaped prop made of oolithic limestone.

The pottery manufactured in this kiln consisted of a fine, sand tempered ware, generally reddish pink, or buff brown throughout. A pale grey core is evident in the thicker rims and handles of the vessels (for full descriptions of pottery variations see article).

{8, 9} Goshawk states that the site was in Mrs Hobson's garden. The published site is derived from the correspondents' 6" sheets.

{10} Mrs Woolford, daughter of the late Mrs Hobson indicated the exact site of the kiln at SP 76084314 and said she was told there were probably at least 5 more in the garden.

<1> 1958, OS 6 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN19345.

<2> 1957, CHRONICLE & ECHO, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN19346.

<3> 1949, ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM VISITORS REPORT, p.12 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN19347.

<4> 1948-1965, The Archaeological News Letter, 2/156-7 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN34186.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.120/Site 13 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP74SE3 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<7> Jope, E.M. & Ivens, R.J., 1995, A Later Medieval Pottery Kiln at Potterspury, Northamptonshire, 26/142-3 (checked) (Article). SNN75824.

<8> Annotated Record Map, Corr 6" (HCR Frost 1950) (Map). SNN112961.

<9> Annotated Record Map, Corr 6" RW Brown 1950, inf BB Goshawk) (Map). SNN112961.

<10> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 21-OCT-1969 (Notes). SNN111541.

<11> McCarthy, M R, Brooks, C M, 1988, Medieval Pottery in Britain AD 900-1600, p. 289, 423 (Book). SNN76510.

Record last edited

Mar 25 2025 11:53AM