Monument record 10313 - Medieval buildings at Lower Bridge Street (Phase VII)

Evidence of several phases of medieval activity was recorded during archaeological investigations at 24-42 Lower Bridge Street in 1974-76. The evidence consisted of a series of rubbish pits and layers of silt dating to the early medieval period recorded overlying the earlier Saxon tanning activity (CHER 10312). By the fourteenth century a series of domestic structures were built over the site lasting until the 17th century (CHER 10313) when the site was redeveloped (CHER 10239). In the modern period, two phases of cottages were constructed on the site remaining until the 20th century (CHER 10240).

The medieval structural evidence consisted of a poorly built domestic building with a sandstone and clay rubble foundations and a timber superstructure. The evidence suggests it did not last long and was subsequently replaced with a second timber building rebuilt on more solid foundations (2).

Further evidence from the medieval period was also indicated in trench 1 of the excavations recording two phases of cellar construction from the 13th-15th century stretching back from the street frontage for a distance of 10m. In the 15th century a second building was added to the site to the west of the first. Both structures then remained in use until the 17th century. (1)

Although the Roman and Saxon evidence from this site has been published, however, only short discussions of the medieval and later features are available. Trench plans of the medieval and later features are also not available.

Anon, 1975, March 1975: North West Newsletter. Excavations (Article in Journal). SCH5746.

<1> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1974, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6233.

<2> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1974, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6234.

<3> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1986, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6271.

<4> Mason, D. J. P., 1985, Excavations at Chester, 26-42 Lower Bridge Street 1974-6: The Dark Age and Saxon Periods (Excavation & survey reports) (Monograph). SCH1188.