SNN116319 - Assessment report and updated project design for archaeological mitigation works at the site of St Mary's Court and Berkeley House, Horse Market, Northampton, January to October 2022

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Type Report
Title Assessment report and updated project design for archaeological mitigation works at the site of St Mary's Court and Berkeley House, Horse Market, Northampton, January to October 2022
Author/Originator
Date/Year 2024
SMR Input Date (use for label searches) 02/05/2024

Abstract/Summary

The archaeological works identified early medieval waste pits that would have been located on open ground within the northern defences of the Saxon Burh. This was followed by a period of quarrying for ironstone during the 11th century AD. The site was likely then divided into tenement plots aligned off Horse Market and Castle Street that would remain as permanent boundaries and were depicted on later maps until the site was remodelled in the post-medieval period. Within the rear of the plots were large waste and cess pits. During the 12th and 13th centuries the site changes with the construction of a stone building, stone lined pits and ovens. A stone lined soakaway in the north of the site may have drain water from a roof of a building outside of the excavation. During the post-medieval period the urban expansion of Northampton saw the frontages along Horse Market and Castle Street become formalised with stone buildings, wells and out houses that extended into the rear plots. A large fire saw the destruction of a building in the south of the area that was rebuilt. Further infilling of the open areas occurred during Northampton’s population increase in the late post-medieval period. Many of the buildings underwent modifications and survived into the modern period when the site was cleared for redevelopment during the mid-20th century. The flats and garages that were constructed were demolished prior to the archaeological investigation and the foundations belonging to them had removed portions of the earlier remains.

External Links (0)

Description

Digital copy only

Location

WNC Archives and Heritage Service HER Library

Referenced Monuments (1)

  • Medieval and post-medieval tenements, west of Horse Market (Monument)

Referenced Events (1)

  • St Mary's Court, 2021 (Excavation) (Ref: Awaiting final report)

Record last edited

Mar 17 2025 3:13PM

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