Information for record number MWA7032:
Medieval plot at 'Bards Walk' Wood Street Excavation, Stratford on Avon

Summary The remains of a Medieval boundary, in the form of a bank and ditch, were found during an excavation. The boundary was probably created when the new town was laid out. It was situated in Wood Street, Stratford upon Avon.
What Is It?  
Type: Boundary Marker, Boundary Bank, Boundary Ditch, Wall
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 20 55
(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 Excavations in 1989 uncovered the remains of a Medieval ditch and possible bank made around the time the new town was laid out. This was replaced c.1400 by a wall and a stone lined drain.
2 The earliest pottery from the site dates to the 13th century, the ditch and drain contained a mixture of 13th and 14th century sherds, some cross-joining suggesting a 14th century construction date for the boundary. Evidence from across the site suggests iron smithing in the vicinity.
1 /Excav interim /WMFA /1990 / / / /WMBFI 7031 /Y /
2 /Excav Report /WMFA /1991 / / / /WMBFI 7031 /Y /
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: The Prudential development, Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon: Interim Report
Author/originator: Warwickshire Museum
Date: 1990
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: 'Bard's Walk', Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon: Medieval structures excavated in 1989
Author/originator: Cracknell S
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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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 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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monument NEW TOWN * A settlement carefully planned from its inception and usually constructed in an area which was previously undeveloped. Many new towns were developed following the New Towns Act 1946. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BOUNDARY BANK * An earthen bank that indicates the limit of an area or a piece of land. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument BOUNDARY * The limit to an area as defined on a map or by a marker of some form, eg. BOUNDARY WALL. Use specific type where known. back
monument DRAIN * An artificial channel for draining water or carrying it off. back
monument BOUNDARY DITCH * A ditch that indicates the limit of an area or a piece of land. back
monument WALK * A place or path for walking in a park or garden. Use more specific type where possible. back
monument WOOD * A tract of land with trees, sometimes acting as a boundary or barrier, usually smaller and less wild than a forest. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument CROSS * A free-standing structure, in the form of a cross (+), symbolizing the structure on which Jesus Christ was crucified and sacred to the Christian faith. Use specific type where known. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument BOUNDARY MARKER * A marker of some form used to indicate the limit of an area or a piece of land. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record