Information for record number MWA7392:
Market Place, Atherstone

Summary The site of the Medieval market place of Atherstone. The site is located on Church Street, Atherstone.
What Is It?  
Type: Market Place
Period: Medieval - Post-Medieval (1066 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Atherstone
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 30 97
(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 An archaeological evaluation revealed a series of rough cobble and rubble surfaces which made up the Medieval market place. The earliest surface dated to the 14th/15th century. Evidence was also found to suggest a Medieval timber structure and pits occupied the site.
2 To the west of the market place, to the rear of 10 -16 Church Street, a desk based assessment revealed the potential for archaeology to be encountered. The area is situated close to the market place and the Medieval town core.
3 In 1246, the Abbey of Bec, the then lord of the manor, was granted a charter to hold a weekly market on Tuesdays. The main market place was a fairly large rectangular area between the Church and Long Street. The block of housing between Church Street and market Street represents an area of later market infilling. Lack of erosion on one of the surfaces uncovered suggests the presence of a structure - a Medieval timber structure - which had protected the surface. In addition to the market charter granted in 1246, a charter was granted that year for a 3 day fair. A second charter later in 1246 was granted for an annual fair. A possible site for a fair is in the wider end of the present Station street (back lane); and the funnel-shaped area at the east end of North street may have been where a horse fair was held.
4 Newspaper article on the 1994 excavations.
5 Further newspaper article.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Desk Top Study
Title: Development to rear of 10-16 Church Street, Atherstone
Author/originator: Marsden P & Finn N
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Atherstone Market Place
Author/originator: Eyre-Morgan G
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Newspaper/Magazine Article
Title: 'Dig Finds First Market', Atherstone Herald, Jul 8, 1994
Author/originator:
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Newspaper/Magazine Article
Title: 'Lost Hall found in Square Claim', Heartland Evening News, Jul 11, 1994
Author/originator:
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Warwickshire Extensive Urban Survey Atherstone Assessment
Author/originator: B Morton
Date: 2011
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 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 SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument MARKET * An open space or covered building in which cattle, goods, etc, are displayed for sale. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FAIR * A site where a periodical gathering of buyers, sellers and entertainers, meet at a time ordained by charter or statute or by ancient custom. back
monument ABBEY * A religious house governed by an abbot or abbess. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. back
monument PIT * A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MANOR * An area of land consisting of the lord's demesne and of lands from whose holders he may exact certain fees, etc. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument MARKET PLACE * An area, often consisting of widened streets or a town square, where booths and stalls may be erected for public sales. back
monument TOWN * An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record