Information for record number MWA1792:
Site of Medieval Pottery Kilns at Chilvers Coton

Summary The site of numerous Medieval pottery and tile kilns which were situated at Chilvers Coton.
What Is It?  
Type: Pottery Kiln, Tile Kiln, Kiln
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Nuneaton and Bedworth
District: Nuneaton and Bedworth, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 34 89
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 In 1967 the demolition of an old cottage in Heath End Road led to the discovery of a large quantity of sherds and waste material from a Medieval pottery kiln. Further scatters of pottery were found in Cornish Crescent and a number of sites were excavated by Phil Mayes for MPBW in 1967. Further excavations at Harefield Lane were undertaken between 1967 and 1971 by K Scott. The Heath End area of Chilvers Coton was probably the Potters Coton mentioned in documents of 1394. The name persisted until at least 1799. A total of 42 pottery kilns were excavated on 19 sites. An attempt has been made to develop a chronological sequence for the kilns and a trend from 2-flued to 5-flued kilns is evident. The kilns produced pottery from 13th to 15th century and also some roof tiles and decorated floor tiles.
2 This outline is the extent of the industry identified through excavation, as opposed to the potential full extent of the industry (see WA 7370).
3 Archival material about excavation costs.
4 Correspondence from 1968.
5 Brief details of the two kilns.
6 Further references to Keith Scott's excavations within a wider discussion of Medieval pottery. This includes details of kiln construction: "P.97 At Nuneaton, in fact, kilns were built into existing waste heaps and the dumps themselves dislodged many times during the life span of the site." and of particular methods of stacking pottery: p.99 "Sophisticated methods of separating or supporting the pots are known. One example was used in the kilns at Nuneaton. Here small crudely shaped pots about the size and shape of a modern plant pot had a diagonal slice cut from their bases. Their function was demonstrated by a collapsed jug which has one of these pots fused to it, showing that the pots were placed in threes to support the lowest layer of jugs in the kiln stack. They were inverted with the cut on their bases placed against the shoulder of the inverted jug."
7 Plan.
8 excavations in 1969. Five kilns have now been excavated; some pottery was still in situ.
 
Sources
Source No: 8
Source Type: Article in serial
Title: Medieval Archaeology: Medieval Britain in 1969
Author/originator: D M Wilson and D G Hurst
Date: 1970
Page Number: 155-208
Volume/Sheet: 14
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The medieval pottery industry and its markets
Author/originator: S A Moorhouse
Date: 1981
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The medieval pottery industry and its markets
Author/originator: S A Moorhouse
Date: 1981
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title:
Author/originator: Mayes P and Scott K
Date: 1984
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Chilvers Coton
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Medieval pottery industry, Nuneaton
Author/originator: Borough of Nuneaton
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Medieval pottery
Author/originator: Thomson R.G.
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Summary of Excavations 1969 at Harefield Lane, Chilvers Coton
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Map
Title: Medieval Kiln sites in Nuneaton
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more -> 		back
monument LAYER * An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument KILN * A furnace or oven for burning, baking or drying. Use specific type where known. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument MARKET * An open space or covered building in which cattle, goods, etc, are displayed for sale. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument POTTERY KILN * A structure, composed of oven and hovel, used for the firing of pottery ware. back
monument CRESCENT * A row of houses whose facade in plan follows the concave arc of a circle or ellipse, eg. The Royal Crescent, Bath. back
monument TILE KILN * A structure in which pottery tiles were baked. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record