In May 2004 the recording of the building's historic fabric was undertaken by YAT building archaeologists George Geddes and Isabel Mason. The principal focus of the building recording was the timber framed structures. Schematic architects' drawings were augmented by detailed observation and hand measurement of both the internal and external timber framing. Any irregularity in the shape of timbers, their alignment, carpentry detail such as carpenters' marks, peg-holes and joints, were recorded.

Wherever alterations were made inside the buildings, such as plaster removed from walls or ceilings and structural fabric revealed, the detail was observed and recorded using measured drawings and photographs.

Post-medieval lath and plaster on an internal wall

Building A, Number 68 (Tenement 2) – previously 65 Low Petergate

Building A was the 'The Fox Inn' until its closure in 1936 (Wenham 1965, 26). The building, as noted by the RCHM and Pantin, was of 15th-century construction and built at a right angle to Low Petergate. In its original form it was probably a house with a shop at the front. The 2004 survey supported this interpretation but, due to the fragmentary nature of the evidence, failed to find evidence to define the functions of individual room within the medieval building. It is not known when the building became an inn.

Four phases of construction were identified in total. The earliest timber parts of the timber framing were found to be 15th-century in date. An extension butting up to the back of the 15th-century building was found to date from the 17th century. At this time a fireplace was installed on the ground floor between the extension and the 15th -century building. In the 18th and 19th centuries two further phases of alterations were undertaken, including the rebuilding of Elevation D (Geddes and Mason 2004, 19).

Building B (Tenement 3)

Building B contained major building phases of the 15th and the late 17th century, followed by alterations in the 18th-20th centuries.

The earliest phase of the building was apparent only in Elevation E (north-east end) of Building B, where the timber framing and a diagnostic unglazed window on the third floor were characteristically 15th century (Jane Grenville pers. comm.). The large, wide mullion window indicates the presence of a high status room and suggests that this building, like Building A, possibly had a first floor hall (Geddes and Mason 2004, 28).

In the mid- to late-17th century the insertion of the so called Talbot stairs (RCHMY, 191) brought with it major alterations to the building. Of note is the decorative timber in Elevation F which has a carved vine trail motif possibly associated with the Talbot Inn. Further alterations included the insertion of a characteristic 18th century window also in Elevation F (north-west elevation) (Geddes and Mason 2004, 28). As with Building A, it was not possible to determine the function of individual rooms, as internally their arrangement dated to the 18th century. Elevation G2, the south east elevation of Building B, had timber framing of 16th or 17th century origins.

17th-century beam with vine trail decoration

15th century window mullions

The 'Talbot' stairs

Building C (Tenement 4)

Building C is located in Tenement 4. The earliest internal fabric was possibly a chimney block at the front of the building, although this could not be positively confirmed. Timber framing dating to the 16th and 17th century was identified in Elevation G2 (south-east facing). In the 18th or early 19th centuries the gable end of the building was completely rebuilt, removing any possible surviving medieval fabric and, as with the other buildings in the row, the front of the building was replaced by Building D (Geddes and Mason 2004, 36).

Building D (Tenements 3 and 4 parallel to street front)

In the 18th century the medieval frontage of the buildings in all four tenements was removed and rebuilt. A single large five bay building (Building D) was constructed parallel to the street frontage across the frontage of Tenements 3 and 4 (between 62 Low Petergate and the former Fox Inn). Building D was dated by the style of its windows to the 18th century, and more specifically by a lead rainwater drain head on the front of the building to 1743 (Geddes and Mason 2004, 42). At this time new internal floors, partitions and a roof were added. It appears that some earlier features were retained in Building D such as a brick chimney stack, thought to be medieval.

Further additions and repairs were made in the 18th and 19th centuries and in the 20th century most of the ground floor fabric was removed, leaving only the ceiling and chimneys (Geddes and Mason 2004, 44).