Monument record 10289/1 - Chester Rows: 12 Watergate Street

Archaeological investigations carried out at 10 Watergate Street Row and 12 Watergate Street during the 1980s identified a complex series of medieval and post medieval features. The investigations were carried out by Simon Ward of the Grosvenor Museum and monitored the demolition of No 10 Watergate Street Row and the subsequent investigations in the yard to the rear.

The undercroft below No 10 Watergate Street Row (numbered No 12) consisted of an open fronted structure of sandstone masonry with modern brickwork towards the street frontage, originally built as a single room, modern internal subdivisions were also recorded. In plan it formed an irregular rectangular shape extending partway under No 10 Watergate Street Row. Its total internal length varied from 9.4m to 10m.

Excavations in the floor of the undercroft encountered evidence of a gradual shift in the store frontage as a result of encroachment on the public street. The primary street frontage was recorded some 1.25m north of the present frontage while a second street frontage was recorded some 0.75m north of the present frontage.

A mason’s mark was noted in the stonework of the undercroft on the east wall near the rear corner of the structure. A substantial post was also recorded to the rear of the undercroft providing support for the floor of the Row building above (CHER 10289/2) (1).

Preliminary assessment of timbers taken from the street and Row level buildings suggested an initial date of construction after the mid 13th century. (5)

<1> Ward, S. W., 1987, Excavations at Chester, 12 Watergate Street 1985: Roman Headquarters Building to Medieval Row (Monograph). SCH1186.

<2> multiple authors, 1984/85, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed (Article in Journal). SCH5812.

<3> Youngs S. Clark J & Barry T, 1986, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1985 (Article in Journal). SCH5626.

<4> Grosvenor Museum Excavations Newsletter, 1987, Summary of Excavations in Chester (Newsletter). SCH6273.

<5> Hughes, M.K., 1985, Tree ring dating of timbers from 12 Watergate Street, Chester (Unpublished Report). SCH6949.