Post-medieval oven, wall remains and other features, land to the rear of 39 High Street (EHER 14758)

A trial trench excavated in 1991 recorded a series of pits and gullies which had been cut through an earlier medieval gravel surface (EHER 14757). Though the features could not be securely dated, they are assumed to be post-medieval. Most notable was a hearth/oven which had been rebuilt on three separate occasions. This preceded a portion of brick wall which had been robbed-out and which may have been part of the Moot Hall (EHER 7720).

1991. Trial trenching. A trial trench was excavated by machine to the rear of No.39 High Street and was recorded in section in advance of an extension. A complex sequence of stratification was revealed with a notional average depth of 1.2m. A series of post medieval pits punctuated the medieval yard and floor surfaces (EHER 14757). <1> <2> <3> These features could be sequenced but the lack of securely stratified pottery did not permit them to be effectively dated; they have been assumed to be post-medieval. The most notable of these features was a hearth/oven with associated stocking pit which had been rebuilt on three separate occasions. Also at this level was a possible well. <3> Stratigraphically after this, a portion of robbed brick wall was recorded in section may be part of the Moot Hall (EHER 7720), or could be a boundary work. The foundation was constructed from limestone and mortar, and fragments of brick suggested the upper part was of brick construction. It was rebuilt at least once. A floor was laid to the south, and the ground level may have been raised to the north. Following the demolition of this wall, the area seems to have once more been levelled, and a large pit or robbed-out wall trench was also recorded. <1> <2> <3> Note: This record was originally mapped to the full extent of D'Arcy Upper House but has been reduced to reflect the extent of the excavated area where the features were recorded.