Monument record 10161 - Medieval properties facing Northgate Street

Archaeological investigations between 1978 and 1982 as part of the Hunter Street/Princess Street excavations uncovered substantial evidence of medieval and post medieval activity. The excavations covered a substantial area west of Northgate Street between Princess Street and Hunter Street, however although the Roman and Saxon evidence has been published, the medieval and later work remains largely unpublished. (1)

<1> multiple authors, 1980/81, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5806.

<2> Ward, S. W., 1994, Saxon Occupation within the Roman Fortress: Sites Excavated, 1971-81 (Archaeological Service Excavation & Survey Reports) (Monograph). SCH5486.

<3> Youngs S & Clark J, 1981, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1980 (Article in Journal). SCH5624.

<4> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1980, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6265.

<5> Chester Archaeology, 1980, Princess Street Excavations: Medieval and post medieval features (Unpublished Report). SCH6806.

Evidence from Trench 5 of the excavations consisted of several medieval properties; two arranged north-south fronting onto Princess Street (CHER 10160) and five abutting it aligned east-west and fronting onto Northgate Street (CHER 10161). This arrangement of properties appears to been introduced shortly after the Conquest over the existing Saxon alignment and indicate a prolonged period of activity throughout the medieval and post medieval period.

No evidence of structural activity was recorded in the four Northgate Street properties, rather activity consisted of numerous cess and rubbish pits. This is by no means unusual however as typically in the medieval period, structural activity would have been confined to the street frontage with disposal of refuse occurring to the rear of the property.

A possible rear boundary wall on a north-south alignment [W8] and an associated feature tentatively interpreted as a ditch [F39] were also encountered in this trench.

<6> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1981, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6267.

<7> Ward, S. W., 1985, The Rows: the Evidence from Archaeology (Article in Journal). SCH5821.