Tenement 1

Phase 1.1 (equal to 2.1 in Tenement 2) and 1.2, dumps and pits and dump deposits.

The earliest deposits identified in Tenement 1 comprised a series of dumps and pit fills overlain by a clay floor. In Phase 1.1 there was a series of inter-cut pits, containing dark organic cessy deposits. Due to waterlogging they contained well preserved leather and wood fragments. The presence of a clay floor above the pit backfills suggests that a building stood in Tenement 1 at this level, but no other structural remains were found.

Phase 1.2 comprised deposits of overburden above the clay floor in Phase 1.1, derived from a period of pit digging and dumping.

Phase 1.3 (Building 1.3) and Phase 1.4 build-up and dumps

In Phase 1.3 a large building (Building 1.3) was constructed in Tenement 1. In Trench 4 the remains comprised a large cluster of nine piles driven into the ground; it was sub-circular in plan and c. 0.9m. in diameter. To either side of the pile cluster there was a sill beam. Together they measured more than 4m in length aligned north-east / south-west, and were laid upon a foundation of small cobbles.

Dendrochronological analysis of one of the pile timbers and of a wooden block used for levelling off the top of the piles yielded estimated felling dates of c. AD 1239 and AD 1220-1256 respectively.

This configuration of timber pile cluster and sill-beams was very similar to that in another structure identified in Tenement 1 during the1957-8 excavations (Wenham 1972), for which Wenham suggested a construction date of around 1300. The sill beams found in the 2004 excavation were parallel, and at a comparable level, to those identified by Wenham. It is very likely that Building 1.3 was associated with the structure recorded in 1957.

During the 14th century Building 1.3 went out of use and was demolished, its timbers probably removed and re-used elsewhere for new buildings. The remains of the foundations were buried under accumulated layers of waste dumped in the backyard of Tenement 1 (Phase 1.4) and were all that was left of the structure.

Plan of timbers forming Building 1.3

Phase 1.5 (Building 1.5) and Phase 1.6 levelling and dump deposits

A new building (Building 1.5) was constructed in Phase 1.5. It had a foundation made from piles aligned in two rows, one north-east / south west along the south-east edge of the sill beams of Building 1.3 (Phase 1.3); the other parallel to this and c.1m further to the south-east. The relationship between the two rows of piles is uncertain. The level of the top of the piles and their alignment indicates they were related, however the distance between the two rows suggests they were probably not one foundation. In between the piles there were pieces of wood, probably discarded during the building activity.

Building 1.5 subsequently went out of use and in Phase 1.6 a series of levelling or dump deposits accumulated, burying the remains of Building 1.5. They included what appeared to be either a fence or part of a timber structure (right) that had fallen flat on an old ground surface. This was subsequently covered by a succession of dumping and levelling deposits, indicating that during Phase 1.6 this part of Tenement 1 was not occupied by buildings.

Phase 1.7 (Building 1.7) and Phase 1.8 (Building 1.8) Phase 1.9 pit fills and overburden

In Phase 1.7 a new building was constructed on an alignment of eleven piles ranging from 0.23-0.92m. in length and c.0.12m. in diameter. The timbers used were a combination of square-cut timbers, re-used parts of timber framing and roundwood timbers driven into deposits below, and formed a distinct alignment running north-east / south-west along the north-west edge of Tenement 1.

In the north-eastern part of the Trench 4 there was a single post-pad (Phase 1.8). This solitary post pad is thought to represent the latest phase of medieval building in Tenements 1 and 2. As with the other buildings examined in Trench 4 the true extent of the structure remains unknown. The stratigraphic relationship of deposits between Buildings 1.7 and 1.8 indicate that Building 1.8 was later, but the two could be contemporary as the scant remains of the latter make analysis difficult.

In Phase 1.9 a series of pits were dug and layers of backyard overburden accumulated, both within Trench 4 and in an area excavated closer to Hornpot Lane. In the area near to Hornpot Lane were five small, oval and sub-circular pits measuring c. 0.6 - 1m. in diameter, which contained quantities of fish and animal bone. These layers and pit fills were typical back-yard deposits and contained domestic refuse discarded by the inhabitants of Low Petergate and Hornpot lane. Excavation did not continue to a point were it was possible to ascertain the full depth of the deposits near to Hornpot Lane; in places they were more than 0.5m in depth.

Phase 1.10, Hornpot Lane boundary wall

Meanwhile, in Phase 1.10, a substantial wall was built along the edge of the site, parallel to Hornpot Lane. The foundation comprised a deep trench cut into deposits of Phase 1.9, filled with cobbles, on top of which there were courses of large, roughly squared limestone blocks. The brick wall above was a patchwork of 18th -20th century construction in which several filled in doors and windows were visible. However during excavation the foundation below was found to be much older and probably related to an earlier wall or buildings that fronted on to Hornpot Lane.