Information for record number MWA13514:
Site of 'New Place', Shakespeare's final house, Stratford-upon-Avon

Summary The site of New Place, as recorded in documentary sources. Constructed c.1483, it was purchased by Shakespeare in 1597 and he lived there until his death in 1616. The original timber-framed house was pulled down and rebuilt in 1702 in brick, only to be razed to the ground in 1759. The site has been the subsequently of antiquarian, archaeological and literary interest throughout the 19th century.
What Is It?  
Type: House, Pit, Oven
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 20 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 Local
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Archaeological desk-based assessment was carried out as the first stage of modern work at this site, undertaken between 2009 and 2012. The timber-framed building was constructed c. 1483 as the 'grete house' of Hugh Clopton, a wealthy merchant and future Lord Mayor of the City of London. It was the final residence of William Shakespeare from its purchase in 1597 to his death in 1616. The original 'New Place' was pulled down and rebuilt in brick (Queen Anne style)around 1702 only to be razed to the ground in a dispute over the payment of rates in 1759. The assessment also examines and illustrates cartographic and pictorial evidence which provides us with an understanding of the subsequent development of the site and of the nature and results of antiquarian excavations carried out in the early 1860s. Seven test pits were excavated on the site in 2009; the site was characterised by levelling layers, some of which were associated with the period of backfilling subsequent to the 1862 excavations. A number of test-pits recorded structural deposits which relate to the building of New Place.
2 3 large trenches were excavated as part of the 'Dig for Shakespeare' Community excavation during the 2010 season. These recorded significant portions of the two buildings at New Place. The excavations recorded significant disturbance to the upper levels of the site from antiquarian excavations, notably J. O. Halliwell-Phillips, 1862-1863 and Earnest Law, 1919-1920.
3 The trenches from 2010 were significantly extended during a further season of the 'Dig for Shakespeare' community excavation during 2011. As well as clearing further backfill from antiquarian excavations, features spanning the 13th to 18th centuries were recorded.
4 A further trench was excavated to complete excavations as part of the 'Dig for Shakespeare' community excavation during 2012. Further details of the layout of the buildings were confirmed, including a front range and a service range. These buildings enclosed a courtyard. excavations recorded large rubbish pits, recovering an extensive artefactual assemblage. A trench, 8, was excavated along the frontage of Chapel Lane. It recorded the foundations of a threshold, hearth or fireplace originally within the footprint of New Place, together with other in situ surfaces, pits and stake-holes.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: 'Dig for Shakespeare', New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Archaeological Excavation 2010
Author/originator: Mitchell W
Date: 2010
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: 'Dig for Shakespeare', New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Archaeological Excavation Season 2 - 2011
Author/originator: Mitchell W
Date: 2012
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: 'Dig for Shakespeare', New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Archaeological Excavation Season 3 - 2012
Author/originator: Mitchell W
Date: 2013
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon: Archaeological Desk-Based assessment and Evaluation
Author/originator: Colls K
Date: 2009
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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technique Test Pit A small, exploratory excavation that helps archaeologists to find out how deep below the ground surface the archaeological layers extend. They are also dug to discover whether the topsoil contains particular concentrations of artefacts. Test pits are dug before a large excavation to determine a site's depth and contents. back
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 LAYER * An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features. back
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 OVEN * A brick, stone or iron receptacle for baking bread or other food in. 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 RUBBISH PIT * A pit where domestic waste material is deposited. back
monument FOOTPRINT * An impression made in soft ground by a passing animal or human. The soft ground may have subsequently hardened. 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 HEARTH * The slab or place on which a fire is made. back
monument COURTYARD * An uncovered area, surrounded or partially surrounded by buildings. back
monument WELL * A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water. back
monument TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. back
monument CHAPEL * A freestanding building, or a room or recess serving as a place of Christian worship in a church or other building. Use more specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record