Site Event/Activity record ECH2468 - Recorded Remains Found during Construction Work, Linen Hall, Chester 1920 (Franciscan - Grey Friars)

Following the demolition of the Linen Hall in 1920, a drainage trench was excavated running south (parallel with Stanley Street) from the western main entrance to the rear of properties on Watergate Street. The trench was cut from a depth of 2ft at the main entrance to 8ft at the Watergate Street end. (1) A second trench was then cut on an east-west alignment identifying a length of ashlar wall with a plinth on the northern face. Further traces of well built stone walls were also encountered to the south east of this trench. (1) A series of cross walls and tiled flooring were identified, and 'numerous human remains' were observed. At the southern end of this trench what was reported as Roman cement was also reported. The work also revealed that the ground had once sloped westward, but was levelled during the construction of the Linen Hall. (1) A plan supplied by Bennet and supposedly based on an earlier 17th century plan of the Grey Friars suggested the first north-south trench cut through the friary beginning with the frater, then cloisters, north aisle, nave and south aisle. The east west aligned trench appeared to identify the external wall of the south aisle. (1)