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Summary

Excavated feature, probably a medieval pit or ditch, in grounds of Trinity School, Shaw House

Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status

• Conservation Area: Shaw House and St Mary's Church, Shaw
• Registered Park or Garden (II) 1001446: Shaw House

Monument Type(s):

• FEATURE (13th century to 14th century - 1201 AD? to 1400 AD?)

Full Description

Large negative feature of maximum depth of 1.30m partially revealed during the excavation of an access trench. It had a fairly rounded profile in the east facing section and the deposits that could be seen in the small visible portion all sloped down from the northern edge. It was not possible to determine the nature of the feature beyond its profile but it could be a ditch or possibly a large pit. Four sherds of medieval pottery were recovered from the lower fills. These are of a fabric that was produced between the late 12th or early 13th century and the late 14th or early 15th century. A large broken piece of brick and a few fragments of brick and/or tile were also recovered. The brick is difficult to date but is hand-made and unfrogged so it is unlikely to be later than the late 18th century. The feature would appear to be earlier than the house, as it contained pottery that is late 12th to early 15th century in date. It would also appear that it silted up naturally and was then deliberately backfilled with chalk rubble to create a level surface. As this chalk contained a brick that is similar to those used in Shaw House itself, it is possible that this levelling took place at the time of, or shortly after, the construction of Thomas Dolman's new manor house and the creation of the accompanying gardens <1>.

Sources and further reading

Related Monuments

Associated Excavations and Fieldwork

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