Information for record number MWA869:
Site of Medieval House at Rother Street

Summary The remains of a Medieval building were found during an archaeological excavation. The building was situated in Rother Street, Stratford on Avon.
What Is It?  
Type: House
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 19 54
(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 were carried out with the intention of obtaining the site of a Medieval house and burgage plot of the planned town built circa 1195 and also to see if pre-existing occupation had taken place. It was found that rebuilding in the late 16th century, after the town fires, had removed any previous evidence except the bases of a number of storage pits from which was obtained pottery of the 13th to 14th centuries.
2 Demolition of a Victorian house before development allowed examination of an additional area. Removal of modern and 19th century levels revealed a palimpsest of features cut into natural gravel, with the footings of walls of a Tudor building. This again indicated the complete clearance of the site in 16th century. The Tudor building was on the same alignment as an earlier timber structure, represented by post holes and slots of a linear building with a gable end to the street and partitioned into rooms. Evidence of replacement and additional supporting posts suggested a prolonged life; pottery of 13th to 16th centuries supported this conclusion. There were also cess-pits to the rear.
3 Ford gives grid references SP2028 and SP1954. These are both incorrect. The correct reference is as above.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMANS no 12 (1969)
Author/originator: Rahtz, P (ed)
Date: 1969
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 12
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMANS no 13 (1970)
Author/originator: Rahtz, P (ed)
Date: 1970
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 13
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Peter Gardner
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 869
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source WMANS West Midlands Archaeological News Sheet, a publication that was produced each year, this later became West Midlands Archaeology. The West Midlands Arcaheological News Sheet contains reports about archaeological work that was carried out in the West Midlands region in the previous year. It includes information about sites dating from the Prehistoric to the Post Medieval periods. It was produced the Department of Extramural Studies at Birmingham University. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
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.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. 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 STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument BURGAGE PLOT * A plot of land longer than it is wide, can include any structures on it. Typical of medieval towns. back
monument STORAGE PIT * A pit dug in the ground used to store meat, grain and other foodstuffs. A common feature of Iron Age farms. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument TOWN * An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government. back
monument POST HOLE * A hole dug to provide a firm base for an upright post, often with stone packing. Use broader monument type where known. back
monument FORD * A shallow place in a river or other stretch of water, where people, animals and vehicles may cross. back
monument CLEARANCE * An area of ground which has been cleared of plants and other obstruction. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record