Monument record 1160/2/2 - Possible Saxon town ditch, north of Bath Street

A wide, deep feature was identified in a trench between Bath Street and Scarletwell Street in 1961. It may be evidence for a pre-conquest town ditch.

{1} A 40m long trench was excavated between Bath Street and Scarlettwell Street. Between 6m and 17m to the north of Bath Street was a ditch or large pit at least 11m wide & up to 7m deep; filled with steeply dipping loam & sand layers; C11th-C13th pottery sherds found in upper strata; no evidence of bank noted; Pottery sherds found in upper strata; no evidence of bank noted;

{2} Ditch of possible Saxon defences; possibly only large pit rather than ditch; C11th-C13th pottery

{3} Defensive ditch at least 50ft wide & 10ft deep deliberately filled in perhaps during C13th;

<1> Alexander J., 1961-1964, Northampton Castle excavations 1961-1964, 1962 excavations, Appendix A (Unpublished Report). SNN3868.

<2> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M448 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.326 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

Record last edited

May 1 2025 3:44PM