SNN105854 - Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief on Land Off Valley Road, Weston By Welland, Northamptonshire (WVR03)

An archaeological excavation was undertaken at land off Valley Road, Weston by Welland, Northamptonshire. The site lies between the medieval church of St Mary and earthwork remains believed to be associated with the medieval manor. Additionally, an earlier evaluation revealed structural remains of medieval and post-medieval date. Occupation or utilisation of the site appears to have commenced during the Late Saxon period with deposits, features and artefacts of that date being retrieved and likely to be associated with the known settlement at Weston by Welland recorded in the Doomsday Survey. The recovery of a probable Late Saxon spindle whorl indicates that weaving was being undertaken or near the site. Utilisation of the site continued into the early medieval period with the construction of several ditches. A large pit and posthole dated to this period were also recorded and may tentatively suggest the first recognisable remains of a timber framed structure on the site. Cereal processing waste and probable kitchen/ domestic detritus was recovered and further enhances the suggestion of occupation of the site during this period. During the mid medieval period the possible earlier timber framed structure was replaced by two limestone and sandstone block buildings and although of small size these are comparable with similarly dated manor houses. However, no evidence was gleaned of the function of these buildings, although a small room attached to the buildings was probably used for storage or as a garderobe. Collyweston slates appear to have been used as roofing material and suggest that these buildings were of relatively high status, possibly a precursor o the manor. However, these buildings had a short life span, becoming derelict or demolished prior to construction of the manor. It is noteworthy that mention is made in 1385 to the ruins of a small barn called ‘Ladysbarn’ which possibly refers to one of these structures. Although there was economic crisis in Northamptonshire in the later 14th century it does not appear to have affected the site at Weston by Welland, as a substantial range of buildings was constructed during the late medieval period. Archaeomagnetic dating of two hearths in these buildings suggests a last firing date during the 14th to 16th centuries with construction works therefore commencing earlier. The inclusion of a hall, kitchen, dovecote and other rooms suggests that this was a high status building, in all likelihood the known manor house of Weston by Welland. Documentary evidence indicates that the manor was held by the Basset family throughout much of the medieval period with the manor comprising a great chamber, barns, fish-ponds, bake and brew houses. The archaeological evidence indicates that the building was still constructed to a high standard with glazed windows and a large fireplace. The buildings were demolished during the post-medieval period, probably between the 16th and 17th century, with several of the walls being intentionally robbed out and the site given over to pasture or agriculture. The range of pottery is typical of sites in the northern part of Northamptonshire, with the main sources being initially in south Lincolnshire, then Lyvedon and Stanion, with small quantities from Potters Marston, Brill/Boarstall and Pottersbury. The assemblage is typical of rural, peasant settlements in the area with the absence of formal dining wares, indicating that any formal wares utilised on the site were likely to have been removed from the site and perhaps used at other residencies. The animal bones assemblage was generally retrieved from the medieval and post-medieval phases and indicated a small scale producer site breeding and utilising cattle, sheep/goats and pigs. Domestic fowl, goose and duck were kept, probably as a ready source of meat, eggs and feathers. In addition rabbit, hare, fallow deer, cod, herring, oyster, mussel and whelk were all represented within the assemblage and indicated a varied diet. Environmental sampling of the site revealed that the production and processing of cereals formed an important part of the local economy and probably formed a major part of the diet. However, as befits the status of the building, it was kept scrupulously clean, and evidence for any form of contemporary refuse is sparse, although a quantity of oyster shells was revealed. Several artefacts were recovered from the site and included part of a bone needle, copper alloy strap end, large sheet copper alloy lace chape and a pair of iron shears and, although a limited assemblage, the quality of many of the artefacts would appear to be indicative of a reasonably wealthy provenance.