Medieval domestic activity, Gray's Brewery (EHER 5925)

Smale scale excavation in advance of redevelopment at junction of High Street and Springfield Road. They uncovered a 13th century boundary ditch and a timber building. A late Medieval timber-lined drain may be associated with buildings.

Excavation, 1982 Smale scale excavation in advance of redevelopment at junction of High Street and Springfield Road. There was a `hiatus' of occupation after the Roman period, the site being re-occupied in the 13th century when it was levelled and made-up. A probable boundary ditch ran at right angles to the street, probably defining one side of a plot. A timber-framed building was erected in the plot, again at right angles to the street. Only its west wall was found, using post-pads on a slight plinth of brickearth. Possible internal hearth material was found. 13th-14th century pottery came from all contexts, except a late medieval timber-lined drain, producing 15th-16th century finds, and a corbelled peg tile drain. The timber drain may be associated with an inn shown here on the Walker map of 1591. Late medieval-post medieval pottery was found in observation of foundation trenches here. <1>-<4> Photos of site and medieval features in record. <5> Site Assessment = Redeveloped by Weavergate Ltd, March-September 1982. <1> Additional reference <6> <7> No new information from NRHE