Monument record 8276 - Evidence of Roman colonnaded building at Pierpoint Lane

Evidence of a Roman structure at the junction of Pierpoint Lane and Bridge Street west have been recorded on several occasions in the 19th century. The property, generally referred to as Mr Welsby’s premises (now No 40/42 Bridge Street) was subject to extensive reconstruction in 1858 and 1885 when the most substantial evidence was recovered. Howevera at other times a Roman pavement in the south-east corner of the lane has been noted at a depth of c1.03-1.40cm (1, 4) and a centurial stone was recovered from Commonhall Street in 1848-9 (3) . See CHER 8088/48.

The initial discovery in 1858 occurred during redevelopment of the property and recorded a section of a large colonnaded building. The first column base was encountered some 20m from the street frontage in a line parallel with Pierpoint Lane. In total three column bases were traced over a distance of approximately 16.75m on a stylobate foundation. The first column encountered was a large Attic style followed by two smaller square bases further from the street frontage. The column bases rested on a stylobate foundation of sandstone flags with a drain or eaves drip channel to the north and parallel to it.

A further feature cut into the rock comprised a circular pit containing burnt animal bone with irregular square pit adjoining it. Other finds recovered from the site include a roof tile bearing the impression of a wolf claw and part of a second centurial stone of Abucinus (RIB i 470). Subsequent work carried out in 1885 at the same site discovered a fourth column base of the larger, Attic style although this appeared to be unfinished (5)

The building may be part of the building found at White Friars (CHER 8439). If so, the dimensions were c.45.75m north-south and c.85m east-west. Given the rudimentary quality of the smaller columns it is possible that the Pierpoint Lane colonnade was located to the rear of a south facing building (3).

<1> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, No 39 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<2> Brushfield, T N, 1885, The Roman remains of Chester: With particular description of those discovered in Bridge Street, p31, 76, 106 (Article in Journal). SCH6418.

<3> n/a, 1864, A Brief Abstract of the Proceedings of the Society, p374 (Article in Journal). SCH5525.

<4> Hughes, Thomas, 1876, Chester in its Early Youth, or the Colony of Deva, seen by the Light of the Roman Remains Discovered there (Article in Journal). SCH5533.

<5> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p150-151 & 205 (Book). SCH2878.

<6> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p159-160 (Book). SCH3556.

<7> Hewitt, John, 1895, The Rows of Chester, an Attempt to Discover their Origin, p278 (Article in Journal). SCH5600.

<8> Collingwood R G & Wright R P, 1965, The Roman Inscriptions of Britain: Volume I, RIB i 470 (Monograph). SCH3235.