Monument record 8403/1 - Roman walled courtyard at Hunter Street phase 5 (insula 21)

<1> Strickland, T.J., 1983, Chester: Excavations in the Princess Street / Hunter Street Area, 1978-1982. A First Report on Discoveries of the Roman Period (Article in Journal). SCH5815.

The area to the north of the elliptical building comprised a large area at least 100m by 50m (termed insula 21) and contained several substantial buildings, the first of these was a narrow east-west aligned range along the south side of the area facing the elliptical building (CHER 8419), this structure was approximately 35-40m long and fronted by a colonnaded portico. A second narrow range with its long axis on a north-south alignment (CHER 8420) then appeared to then extend for approximately the full length of the area, it too had a colonnaded portico. Both of these structures appeared to remain more or less throughout the Roman period. The remaining space to the rear of these two structures had a somewhat more complicated history with a courtyard style structure (CHER 8403/1) built in the early Roman period immediately behind the east-west narrow range and later extended to include an enclosed courtyard covering the remaining space to the north (CHER 8403/2). The structural evidence for this building was encountered during the 1981-2 phase of excavations enabling a reasonable interpretation of the building layout.

<2> Strickland, T.J., 1988, Excavations in the Princess Street, Hunter Street, Hunter's Walk and Northgate Street areas 1978-1987: Roman Major Buildings (Unpublished Report). SCH6857.

In the early third century a large part of the insula was cleared of all structures and levelled to created an even building platform on which a substantial building some 35m wide and at least 35m long was constructed.

To the north substantial foundations of two parallel walls some 33m apart were interpreted as the boundaries of a walled courtyard approximately 43m long while the building itself occupied the remaining southern part of the site. The floor surface immediately surrounding the access from the small narrow courtyard contained evidence of a basic metalled surface in a fan shaped design with the remainder of the area surfaced with a simple sandstone brash. In the fourth century, at least one east-west aligned wall divided the large courtyard against which several more ephemeral structures were added.

In the early fourth century the appearance and function of the building changed somewhat – the southern ranges underwent only minor alterations including new partition walls and re-surfacing that can be attributed to repair and maintenance. The north large courtyard however underwent more drastic alteration implying a change in function with the subdivision of the northern end of the courtyard

Understanding the function of this structure is problematic due to the paucity of finds, no evidence of metal working or residential activity was recorded. It is possible that it represented cavalry quarters with the large courtyard in use as an arena or exercise yard and the ranges to the south as living quarters or storage, however no trace of stabling was encountered and this does not explain the lack of finds. An alternative interpretation is that it was used as for legionary foot drill, however in this case there is no explanation for the south ranges and again this does not explain the lack of finds.

<3> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, Vol 14 p297 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<4> multiple authors, 1980/81, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5806.

<5> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p162-3 (Book). SCH3556.

<6> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2014, Proposed Theatre Development: The Former Commerce House Site, Hunter Street, Chester, R3604 (Client Report). SCH7543.

Recent archaeological investigations at Commerce House in 2014 recorded traces of a Roman wall on and east-west alignment that may represent the north wall of this courtyard.