Find Spot record 8010 - Roman Finds from St John Almshouses (Bluecoat Hospital)

During the non-archaeological excavation for the foundations of what were then the new almshouses for the St John's Hospital (Blue Coat, or Bluecoat Hospital) in 1852, various Roman objects were recovered and exhibited at the Chester Archaeological Society (1).

Finds include an antefix decorated with a boar and the letters LEG. for Legion (now known to have been the badge of the 20th legion), much Samian ware and other pottery and some bronze objects, including a brooch and a spoon (1 & 2).

Another bronze brooch was found in 1857 opposite the Bluecoat Hospital, c1.8m below ground, but it was broken into two parts (3).

<1> n/a, 1857, A Brief Abstract of the Proceedings of the Society (from January 1853 to December 1855), p 423-4 (Article in Journal). SCH5503.

<2> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, p 185 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<3> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, 1864 lst ser 2/127 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/179 Petch D F 1987 (Book). SCH3556.