Monument record 10627 - Sandstone Wall, Possible Part of Precinct Wall of Dominican Friary

A wall, possibly part of the precinct boundary of the Dominican friary, was identified during a watching brief at the eastern end of Grey Friars, running into Nicholas St. between 2009 and 2012 (1). The investigations were carried out during the installation of gas pipelines and involved a large number of trenches across the city.

In Trench 129, the wall (Context 1089) was constructed of sandstone blocks, set on the natural bedrock. The blocks were large: 1.11m long, 0.2m wide, and 0.36m high. The wall appeared to curve slightly, and therefore may have been the outer face of a well or tower-like arrangement. Given its location, it is possible that the wall was associated with the Dominican friary, specifically its precinct wall. No finds were recovered in its associated deposits (1).

<1> Balfour Beatty, 2012, Chester City Centre, Cheshire Gas Improvement Works, R3321 (Client Report). SCH6784.