Monument record 10387 - Post-Dissolution Demolition Layer of the Dominican Friary (Black Friars)

After the Dissolution, and following architectural evidence for at least some activities in an area to the west of the building (CHER 10390), archaeological evidence demonstrates that the demolition of the former Dominican Friary was thorough (3). Because very little reusable masonry was found in the demolition layers across the site as excavated in the 1970s and 1980s (ECH2850, ECH3249), it is assumed that this was removed from the site prior to, or as part of the demolition process (1).

Numerous pits, likely for retrieving stone and tiles and filled with rubble were recorded in some areas, and these, in addition to the overlying demolition layers, contained some charcoal and ash. The levelling of the church was contemporary with the demolition and levelling of Structure 12 to the west of the church (CHER 10317/11). In the period between the dissolution and the demolition, activity had been confined to reuse or adaptation of the medieval structures, thereafter the medieval buildings ceased to have any effect, in that area at least, on the use of the site. Such a major reorganisation could probably only occur after the site had been amalgamated into a few large properties, which had probably happened in the early seventeenth century (3).

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 8/36-38 Ward S 1982 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<2> The Society for Medieval Archaeology, 1957-Present, Medieval Archaeology, Youngs S M Clark J & Barry T 1982 26/174 (Journal/Periodical). SCH2131.

<3> Ward, S. W., 1990, Excavations at Chester: The Lesser Medieval Religious Houses - Sites Investigated, 1964-83 (Grosvenor Museum Archaeological Excavation & Survey Reports) (Monograph). SCH1193.