Information for record number MWA7897:
Medieval and post-medieval outbuildings, rear of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon

Summary A resistivity survey revealed a rectangular feature, possibly the remains of a building incorporating a cellar. Later excavation uncovered features and finds from the Medieval and Post Medieval periods. The site is on the east side of Henley Street, Stratford-on-Avon.
What Is It?  
Type: Cellar, Cess Pit, Pit, Building
Period: Medieval - Post-Medieval (1066 AD - 1750 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 In 1993 a geophysical survey was carried out to the the rear of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The survey involved magnetrometry and resistivity, although the former proved of little value due to modern disturbance. Immediately adjacent to the south east bay of the of the Birthplace building the resistivity survey revealed a well defined rectangular area of high resistance which could represent rubble from an out building along the eastern side of the propert or a backfilled cellar. Other areas of high resistance could have represented spreads of rubble from demolished outbuildings, it is also possible that .
2 An archaeological investigation of former outbuildings to the rear of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Henly Street recorded Medieval and Post medieval features and finds. Pottery found on the site suggested the property had probably been occupied since the 13th century.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Archaeological Investigations at Shakespeare's Birthplace, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
Author/originator: Jones C & Palmer N
Date: 1996
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Report on Geophysical Survey at Shakepeare's Birthplace
Author/originator: Geophysical Surveys of Bradford
Date: 1993
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Geophysical Survey The measuring and recording of electrical resistivity or magnetism in order to determine the existence and outline of buried features such as walls and ditches. Geophysical techniques include resistivity survey, magnetometer survey and ground penetrating radar. View Image back
technique Resistivity Survey A resistivity survey measures the electrical resistance of the soil and any buried features within it. Where there are buried pits and ditches, there is less resistance to the flow of electricity. Where there are archaeological remains made from stone, for example a wall, the resistance is greater. These differences in resistance are measured and recorded by archaeologists using a resistivity meter. The measurements can then be used to plot features that exist below the ground. See also geophysical survey. 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 Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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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 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 CESS PIT * A pit for the reception of night-soil and refuse. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument CELLAR * A room or group of rooms usually below the ground level and usually under a building, often used for storing fuel, provisions or wines. 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 WELL * A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water. back
monument OUTBUILDING * A detached subordinate building. Use specific type where known, eg. DAIRY. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record