Within this phase the Walmgate street frontage buildings were redeveloped. Alterations were made to Building U; the Phase 8 buildings, Buildings R and S, were demolished prior to the construction of new buildings, Buildings V and W. Additionally, Building X was constructed in the south-western corner of the excavation area, suggesting the insertion of a new lane (St Denys’ Road) and the development of houses along its eastern side.
 

Buildings R and S were demolished and robbed for re-usable material. The same was true of the north-east to south-west aligned boundary wall (see Phases 7 and 8). The resultant holes and robbing trenches were backfilled and levelled; these deposits contained pottery dating to the late 14th century. A pit was dug through the levelled ground, the base of which was filled with mould fragments from the casting of copper alloy vessels. The pit may have been used for casting or to dispose of the waste products of that process. The levelled ground therefore remained open for a short time before new buildings were constructed. Several pre-construction levelling deposits (including 1803, 1874, 1901, 2410–2411, 2609 and 2942) were then laid down, some of which were burnt; they contained iron smithing waste. These pre-construction deposits, as well as later post-construction levelling activity (see below) contained much butchery waste (see environmental report).

In the southern portion of the excavation area a new wall was built (2616), orientated north-west to south-east. This was initially laid out as a line of post-pads and infilled with mortared limestone blocks and rubble. There was a remnant of timber sill beam on top of its western end. Building U (see Phase 9.1) was then extended up to wall 2616. The newly extended building measured c.13.5m long by c.5m wide and comprised wall 4005 which was retained from Phase 9.1 as well as a new eastern limestone sill wall (1689 and 2604) aligned north-east to south-west. Wall 2604 contained a re-used architectural fragment. To the east of wall 2604 a strip of clay (2783) may have been utilised during the construction process to support a scaffold. The eastern wall of the front room of Building U was destroyed by later features. Inside the building, wall 2606 continued in use from Phase 9.1. A section of construction cut or beam slot (2603) represents another internal division. Building U was thus divided into three rooms, northern, middle and southern, at this time.

Within the northern room of Building U, the metalworking hearth (see Phase 9.1) was partially robbed. A large post-hole (2391) was inserted in the south-east corner, to support the eastern side of the building whilst demolition, levelling and construction work was being carried out to the east. Four post-holes (2464, 2467, 2469 and 2471) were then inserted in the north-east corner of the room. Post-hole 2467 re-used the sunken holder within the former metalworking hearth. Post-holes 2467 and 2464 were aligned with partition 2550 (see Phase 9.1) to the west. The post-holes and partition slot therefore subdivided the northern room of Building U into three. This subdivision was interpreted as the creation of a shop unit on the Walmgate street frontage. The smallest area, in the north-east corner, may have been used as a doorway or as a display area. Several floors (2407 and 2426) were laid in the area of the shop frontage, but other than these, no appreciable build up of floors was noted, suggesting either that solid flooring materials were later robbed or that the shop had only a short life span. The conversion to a shop unit probably took place in the late 14th or early 15th century.

Partition slot 2550 was backfilled, and contained industrial waste including slag and a piece of plain tile with an iron concretion. Further stake-holes (3399–3401) inserted through its backfill may represent a short stretch of internal partition, smoke screen or unknown internal fitting on the western side of the shop unit.

In the new middle room, which measured c.5m by 5m, a series of post-construction levelling deposits or floors (including 1949 and 2009) were laid down. A small portion of deposit 2009 appeared partially to seal wall 2606, perhaps indicating the widening of the doorway (see Phase 9.1) between the northern and the middle room. Deposit 2009 contained a fragment of one-piece double-sided comb (SF01091) made from elephant ivory, a possible bone counter (SF01090) and a fired clay spindle whorl (SF01012). These artefacts may suggest an initial domestic function within this part of the building. The deposit also contained fragments of crested ridge tile. Deposit 2009 was sealed by a patch of cobbles (1968), which acted as a support for a timber upright within the middle room. Adjacent to wall 1689 a series of floor deposits (including 1686 and 1734–1735) built up. These contained pottery of the 14th century, and some, for example 1686 and 1735, were high in sand content. The presence of sand and the retrieval of a copper tube (SF00849) suggests that these contexts may relate to metalworking, possibly casting, within the middle room. This activity may have taken place after the initial domestic use of the room.

The southern room measured c.3m x 5m. A number of post-construction levelling deposits were laid down, then several post- and stake-holes (including 2510) were inserted close to the south wall. These may have helped to support a partition, heat screen, chimney hood or other internal fixture in this area. Alternatively they may be later in date (see Phase 9.5). To the south-west of this structure a layer of bedding sand was laid for a new brick hearth (2602). Occupation deposits built up to the west of the hearth, and similar material (2485) was laid down in the south-eastern corner of the room. Neither contained evidence for metalworking and this may suggest that the room was used as a kitchen at this time, partucularly since oyster shell was retrieved from these deposits.

Two large holes (2435 and 2507) were dug on the eastern side of the room. Both could be pits for the disposal of rubbish, including metalworking waste. However their close proximity to walls 2604 and 2616 may suggest a structural function, perhaps holding large posts, before their removal and secondary use for rubbish disposal.

Building V was constructed to the east of Building U and measured c.9m long by c.5m wide. It was orientated with its roof ridge parallel to the Walmgate street frontage. The new building utilised the former boundary wall 4005 (see Phase 7) as its northern wall and two new sections of limestone sill wall (1815 and 1829) for its southern. Both 1815 and 1829 were aligned with wall 2606 from Building U. The western and eastern walls were removed by later intrusions.

Within Building V, a number of post-construction levelling deposits (including 1698, 1707 and 1757) were laid down. These were particularly thick close to the south wall, the top of the deposits being c.15cm higher than in the middle of the buidling. The raised area may have been banked up to support a bench next to the south wall. All these deposits contained metalworking debris. A hearth (1677) was constructed at the centre of Building V suggesting that the building was being used as a hall. The hearth, however, was not aligned with the walls of the building. To the south of hearth 1677 a post-hole (1697) was inserted, either to support the roof, or for a bench along the south wall.

There was a yard south of Building V and east of Building U, which was defined by a series of limestone sill walls on the north, south and west sides (1689, 1815, 1829, 2604 and 2616 discussed above). Limestone sill wall (2069 and 2417) formed the eastern side of the yard. The yard therefore enclosed an area 8m x 8m. The position of the eastern wall is significant, revealing the acquisition of part of the adjacent landholding, extending the property c.2m to the east.

Within the newly created yard a short slot of unknown function was dug on its eastern side (not shown on plan). A series of post-construction levelling deposits including 1787, 1816, and 1871 were then laid down which contained pottery dating to the 15th century. On the southern side of the yard a new building, Building W, was then constructed which measured c.8m long by c.3m wide. It utilised the eastern wall 2604 of Building U, wall 2616 to the south and wall 2417 to the east. No conclusive evidence for a northern wall was found largely due to later intrusions. Within the new building a series of burnt and unburnt floors, slag and ash deposits (2185, 2217, 2699, 2710 and 2740) were laid down which contained metalworking waste, particularly from iron smithing, suggesting that this craft was being undertaken in Building W. Truncating floor 2217 was a substantial post-hole (2240) which presumably held a timber to support the roof. This appears to have been of structural importance within Building W as it was repaired a number of times. One of the deposits involved in this repair work contained a number of coal fragments (see other materials) which may suggest that this fossil fuel was used within the smith's furnace. To the north of Building W, on the western side of the yard, dumps of metalworking waste including 1733 and 1683 were laid down. These contained not only iron smithing waste but also waste from the working of copper alloy. This suggests that both metals were being worked within Building W. A fragment of glazed roofing tile (plain tile) from context 1733 may suggest a degree of affluence at this time, although the presence of butchery and food waste within the yard did attract rats and made this area unhygienic.

A square rubble footing with associated posts and stakes (1833) was constructed in the north-east corner of the yard. This is interpreted as the support for a framework of an exterior staircase. The eastern part of the open hall (Building V) may therefore have been divided into two floors.

There was very little evidence fo occupation to the east of walls 2069 and 2417. This was due to later ground clearance in the area (see Phase 12) and it is therefore impossible to tell if there was a property here. It would, however, seem sensible to have left this area open for access to the yard behind Building V, and this may suggest that the area was an alley or lane.

At the southern end of the alley or lane a small pit (2221) was dug for the disposal of hearth ash and domestic rubbish. Its southern side was truncated by the insertion of a large pit or tank (2142) which was lined with clay. This may have served as a large garderobe, water trough or industrial tank for some process. It appears to have been regularly cleaned out, as the lining was very patchy in places, and therefore a garderobe seems most likely.

In the extreme south-western corner of the excavation area a large linear clearance cut was observed, aligned north-east to south-west. This was interpreted as a terracing cut for the insertion of a row of houses on the east side of St Denys’ Road, which must have existed at this time. Several levelling dumps including 2786 were laid down within the terracing cut. Two successive foundation slots aligned roughly at right angles to each other and filled with rubble (2689 and 2745) were then built. These foundations are comparable with the other foundations built within this phase and formed the corner of a building, Building X, that fronted onto St Denys’ Road. Further foundations for a row of cottages may have existed to the north, but this area was disturbed by a modern intrusion. The size and extent of Building X could not be determined.

Several trampled dump deposits (including 2582 and 2608) were laid down to the south of Buildings U and W and to the east of Building X. These deposits contained metalworking, food and butchery waste and their composition suggests that the area was used as a backyard. Later activity on the site indicates that this land belonged to the owners of the Walmgate street frontage properties rather than being connected with a property fronting on St Denys' Road.