Monument record 10289/2 - Chester Rows: 10 Watergate Street Row

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 and the subsequent investigations in the yard to the rear. A survey of No 10 Watergate Street where possible identified evidence of earlier components of a medieval date.

The Row building unusually consisted of a single storey level with the Row walkway and consisted of a timber framed superstructure. The roof was clearly a modern addition while traces of an upper floor over the walkway was noted in the buildings to either side. The Row building contained features of the original medieval structure that had been set on the sandstone undercroft particularly on the western side and the Row front wall.

A number of samples taken from the timbers of the Row building were subsequently dated using dendro-chronology indicating a felling date sometime in the first half of the 13th century. The evidence indicates the undercroft level (CHER 10289/1) was constructed first, perhaps with an earlier Row building above during the first half of the 13th century. The Row building was later replaced by No 10 Watergate Street Row in the latter half of the 13th century. (1).

<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.