SNN104777 - The Cemetery of St James' Abbey, Weedon Road, Northampton 2000-2001: The Skeletal Material

The abbey of St james, an Augustinian foundation, dates from the beginning of the twelfth century. The abbey boasted an infirmary, which was built on land donated by Bobert Barre. Few monastic documents have survived but it is known that rents were assigned to the infirmary in 1257. Numerous benefactors gave grants of land and donations of money and gifts. Adelin, daughter of Norman de Mont Faltrell, gave 20 acres of land to the abbey on the condition that she was received as a sister. Other graves inside the abbey, dating to the later fifteenth century and early sixteenth centuries, include Lady Elizabeth Borough; Sir John Catesby and Richard Berde. The latter, gave various gifts, including 2d to every poor child and 3d to every poor man in the abbey, as well as two pewter dishes to the infirmary. The most famous grave is that of Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, and the brother-in-law of Edward IV and uncle to the wife of Henry VII. Human bone from two hundred and seventy eight skeletons was forwarded for examination. All but one, 3178 (containing dis-articulated juvenile bones), could be grouped by phase, dating from the earliest (1) to the latest (4) periods of cemetery use. One grave (SK 3002) was within the abbey and five (SK 3157; 3159; 3215; 3216; 3217) were buried in a chapel dated to phase 2. Only one multiple burial, containing an adult male (SK 3056) and a 10-13 year old ?boy (SK 3055), was discovered. The majority were simple earth graves; however, twenty-seven individuals, mainly dated to the earlier phases, were buried in coffins.