| Description | Excavation in advance of development during autumn/winter 1985 and spring 1986, initially on known site of Medieval/Post medieval tenements along Tanners Row but eventually extended to the north and west. The both element in the Booths is interpreted in Smith, 1961 as booth, stall; although Tanners Row does not appear in Smith, it is a medieval street name. Evidence for medieval market and industrial activity was therefore expected by the excavators. Actual stratigraphic sequence as follows. 7th c. burials, probably Christian, with some evidence for attendant timber church at SE 4617 2240. Timber church succeeded on approx. same site by single cell stone church, constructed of herring bone pitched rubble in a clay matrix; subsequently expanded by addition to west of second, larger cell of similar construction. Substantial number of attendant burials in surrounding area (total inhumations excavated, all periods, 197; 15% juvenile.) Most appear to have been coffin burials; several produced iron nails/ coffin fittings. One burial of the earlier group produced possible grave goods in the form of a pair of bronze tweezers; the fill of another of the earlier graves produced a heavily abraded Flavian coin. Church and cemetery fallen out of use by 12th c.? Limits of cemetery established by excavation on south side only, where there is early (10th/ 11th) evidence for encroachment by settlement. Surfaces only from this date the earliest actual structure consisted of a two bay timber framed house dating from the 12th c.; in the subsequent phase this building was demolished, and the site thereafter housed a tanning area and then a smithy. A ditch which had been dug across the site by the Royalist defenders of the Castle on 13 June of the 1645 siege was a prominent feature of the last phases. Further evaluation required in surrounding area in advance of development. Further burials almost certain within triangle formed by Baileygate/Beech Hill/ Booths. |