HERITAGE NETWORK
1 PRIORY ROAD St Neots, Cambs.
GI S T ER
E
E D
(HN513) R
IFA
O
R
ON G
Archaeological Evaluation Report I T A
A S I N
7+( +(5,7$*( 1(7:25. /7'
Registered with the Institute of Field Archaeologists as an Archaeological Organisation
Archaeological Director: David Hillelson, BA MIFA
1 PRIORY ROAD St Neots, Cambs
HN513
Archaeological Evaluation Report
Prepared on behalf of Bewick Homes Ltd
by
Helen Ashworth BA AIFA
and
Geoff Saunders BA AIFA
Report No.290
May 2005
� The Heritage Network Ltd
)8506721 &2857 ,&.1,(/' :$< /(7&+:257+ 6* 8-
Contents
Summary ................................................................................................................................ Page i
Section 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... Page 1
Section 2 Desk-based Research ............................................................................................................. Page 2
Section 3 Fieldwork ............................................................................................................................ Page 12
Section 4 Assessment of Risk .............................................................................................................. Page 15
Section 5 Sources Consulted ............................................................................................................... Page 21
Section 6 Illustrations ........................................................................................................... following Page 23
Appendix 1 Extract from Cambridgeshire SMR ....................................................................................... Page 24
The cover illustration shows a detail from a 1757 survey of land on the old priory belonging to Sir Stephen Anderson
Acknowledgements
The desk-based research for this project was carried out by Helen Ashworth. Illustrations were prepared by Geoff Saunders, and the report was edited by David Hillelson.
The Heritage Network would like to express its thanks to Ray Kane, Bewick Homes Ltd; H Bull & Sons Plant Hire; the Archivist and staff of Cambridgeshire County Record Office, Huntingdon; Kasia Gdaniec, Cambridgeshire County Council County Archaeology Office; and the staff of the Cambridgeshire HER for their co-operation and assistance in the execution of this project.
Summary
Site name and address: 1 Priory Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire
County: Cambridgeshire District: Huntingdonshire
Village/town: St Neots Parish: St Neots
Planning reference: H/04/01592/FUL NGR: TL 1824 6050
Client name and address: Bewick Homes Ltd, 40 Mill Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire
Nature of work: New Housing Present land use: Derelict
Size of affected area: c. 0.12ha Size of area investigated: c.63m2
Site Code: HN513 Other reference: n/a
Organisation: Heritage Network Site Director: David Hillelson
Type of work: Evaluation Curating Museum: Cambs. Archaeology Store
Start of work 27 April 2005 Finish of work 30 April 2005
Related HER Nos: n/a Periods represented: Victorian/Modern
n/a
Synopsis: In order to assess the archaeological risk posed by a proposal to develop land at 1 Priory Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, the Heritage Network was commissioned by Bewick Homes Ltd to undertake an evaluation of the site.Previous summaries/reports:
The map and archaeological evidence shows that the site lies to the north of the medieval town, but possibly within
the monastic precinct associated with the medieval Priory of St Neot. Evidence for low level Roman activity has also been recorded approximately 100m to the south of the site.
The fieldwork demonstrated no evidence of activity on the site prior to the construction in the late 19th/early 20th century of the farmhouse and associated buildings which were demolished prior to the start of the present project.
1. Introduction
1.1 This report has been prepared on behalf of Bewick Homes Ltd, as part of the
archaeological evaluation of a development site at 1 Priory Road, St Neots, Cambs. The planning consent for the development (ref. 0401592FUL), controlled by the Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC), has been granted subject to a standard archaeological condition (Condition 7) issued in accordance with the provisions set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note No.16 (PPG16) on Archaeology and Planning. The scope of the required investigation has been set out in a Brief for Archaeological Evaluation dated 16 December 2004 prepared by the County Archaeological Office (CAO) of Cambridgeshire County Council, acting as adviser to the planning authority. The work followed the provisions set out in the Heritage Network�s approved Project Design dated February 2005.
1.2 The study area comprises an irregularly shaped plot, measuring approximately
0.12ha. It lies on the southern side of Priory Road, centred at NGR TL 1824 6050, and is bounded to the south, west and east by adjacent property boundaries and to the north by the line of Priory Road (see Figure 1). The site was previously occupied by workshop buildings, barns, and sheds, surrounded by rough ground and cleared scrub.
1.3 Priory Road is located on the northern edge of the historic core of St Neots,
approximately 200m east of the River Great Ouse. The study area lies at the eastern end of Priory Road, close to the site of a Benedictine Priory established in the later 10th century AD. The Priory site (CHER MCB712), which is protected as Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM 101), was partly excavated in the 1950s. Further archaeological investigations were undertaken in the late 1980s, which revealed human burials and building remains. Evidence for residual Roman pottery, medieval settlement and metalworking, and post-medieval features has also been identified within 500m of the present site.
1.4 The aim of the evaluation, which combined desk-based research with fieldwork, has
been to consider the location, extent, date, character, condition, significance and quality of any remains that are liable to be threatened by the development, and to provide a local and regional, archaeological and historical context for them, in accordance with the current published regional research agenda (Glazebrook 1997, Brown and Glazebrook 2000), if they were discovered.
1.5 The present report has been prepared in order to provide the planning authority with
sufficient data to allow it to consider the archaeological implications of the proiposed development, and to determine what further mitigation measures, if any, may be required should the development proceed.
2. Desk-based Research
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
2.1 The aim of the desk-based research has been to provide:
� A comprehensive overview of the development of landuse on and in the vicinity of the study area from readily accessible sources;
� An assessment of the risk that development within the study area might encounter archaeological remains, and of the significance of such remains.
The research has followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-based Assessments published by the Institute of Field Archaeologists, and includes reference, where appropriate, to: 2.2
� Archaeological databases
� Historical documents
� Cartographic and pictorial documents
� Aerial photographs
� Geotechnical information
� Secondary and statutory sources
2.3 Repositories consulted include:
� Cambridgeshire County Council Sites and Monuments Record (CSMR)
� Cambridgeshire County Record Office, Huntingdon (CHER)
� National Monuments Record (NMR)
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
2.4The present site lies approximately 200m east of the River Great Ouse and c.100m east of the alluvial floodplain on First / Second Terrace Gravels. Locally the soils are derived from the Efford 1 Association (571s) and comprise well drained fine loamy soils, associated with similar permeable soils variably affected by groundwater ( SSEW, 1983).
HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
Prehistoric
2.5 The known archaeological evidence suggests low level prehistoric occupation in the area. The town of St Neots lies on the eastern side of the River Ouse, with streams, such as Hen Brook and Fox Brook, feeding the main watercourse. This area is likely to have attracted settlement at this period, providing light fertile soils and easy access to water.
2.6The earliest recorded evidence dates to the Palaeolithic period (c. 500000 BC � 10001 BC), including a disc scraper from Church Meadow (CHER 00567c � CB737) appr oximately 550m southeast of the study area. Prehistoric human remains and flint implements (CHER 00567a � CB735) were also discovered in close proximity to this finds pot in 1929. A pit containing a group of flint implements of Palaeolithic date and animal bone was recorded in the grounds of Hall Place (CHER 00568 � CB738) approximately 450m to the s outheast.
2.7A cluster of prehistoric sites, including a Mesolithic (c. 10000 BC � 4001 BC) flint working site (CHER 08405 � CB10076) a Neolithic settlement (CHER 08405a � C B10077) and a Bronze Age round barrow (CHER 08405b � CB10078) were recorded on the western bank of the river, approximately 550m to the southwest. The remains of at least two round barrows have been identified on aerial photographs at the northern end of Huntingdon Street, in a field known as Barrow Field, approximately 1.5km to the northeast of the study area (Young, 1996, 3).
Iron Age
2.8Little evidence of Iron Age activity has been so far recorded in the immediate vicinity
of the study area. Sites of this period are known from the surrounding area, including from Eaton Socon and Eynesbury, over 1km to the south.. Aerial photographs of Barrow Field, to the northeast, have revealed cropmarks of enclosures, trackways and possible pits and postholes (ibid, fig. 7).
2.9A sunken hut, originally identified as late Saxon but now thought to be Iron Age in date (CHER 00395 � CB514) was recorded by C.F. Tebbutt at Eynesbury Prim ary School in 1963, approximately 600m to the south. Further evidence for a possible Iron Age settlement, including pottery and animal bones, was recorded from the playing fields at St Neots Primary School, approximately 500m to the south (CHER 00550 � CB717).
2.10 A 1st century BC Greek Potin coin was also found at St Neots in 1911, within 1km of
the present site (CHER 00538 � CB701).
Romano-British
2.11 The known settlement pattern of the St Neots area in the Roman period suggests a
landscape of farmsteads and villas, some of which are likely to have had Iron Age antecedents. Evidence of occupation, including chance finds of Roman artefacts, has been recorded from a number of sites around the town. A coin of Trajan (CHER 00539 � CB702) was found on Ware Road, approximately 100m northeast of the study area and a coin of Constantine II (CHER 00571 � CB741) was found near Fox Brook in 1965, app roximately 600m to the southeast. Other artefacts, including parts of four quernstones (CHER 00537 � CB700) and two coins (CHER 09268 � CB11076) have been recovered from within 1 km of the study area. Roman pottery (CHER 00560 � CB727) was also found during excavations for the foundations of the Woolpack public house at the junction of Brook St and St Mary�s St, approximately 450m to the southeast.
2.12 Evidence of Roman occupation has been recorded on a number of archaeological
investigations in the town. Excavations by C.F. Tebbutt in the 1920s and 30s in Eynesbury revealed the remains of a Roman �encampment� near the river, p ossibly established to guard a crossing. Traces of a small villa were also discovered by G.T. Rudd in the vicinity of this feature (Young, 1996, 6 � 7). Closer to the present town, evidence of Romano-British occupation was recorded in the 1960s to the east of Church Street, approximately 500m to the southeast of the present site (Addyman, 1973). Further work on the adjacent site in Church Lane in 1999, (CHER CB15258) revealed pits, ditches and postholes of Roman date, indicating the presence of structures on the site (Doel & Prosser, 1999).
2.13 An evaluation in 1997 at Tan Yard, approximately 100m to the southeast (CHER
11935 � CB14044) revealed the remains of two features, a linear ditch, running on a
northwest to southeast alignment, and the edge of a shallow pit or a butt-ended ditch. Both features contained sherds of 3rd century AD pottery and have been interpreted as evidence of either low-density Romano-British occupation or the remains of a field system (Roberts, 1997). The lack of Saxon or medieval features suggests that the area either lay outside the Saxon settlement or was located within the Priory grounds.
2.14 The known archaeological evidence suggests that a settlement had been established on
the northern bank of Fox Brook by the 3rd century AD (Addyman, 1973). Chance finds of Roman artefacts from around the town may indicate the presence of other, smaller, occupation sites in the vicinity, including that revealed at Tan Yard in 1997.
Anglo-Saxon Settlement
2.15 Little evidence of early Saxon occupation has been so far identified in the immediate
vicinity of the study area. A number of sites of this period are known from the region, including one just to the north of St Neots and one at Little Paxton (Addyman, 1973, Fig.1). Part of an early Saxon mixed inhumation and cremation cemetery (CHER 00570 � CB740) was recorded in the early 19th century on the eastern side of Huntingdon Street, approximately 400m east of the study area.
2.16 Evidence for middle Saxon activity has been identified in the town centre, beneath the
southern end of the kitchen range of the later Priory. Pottery sherds and a sceatta, dating to the 7th � 8th century (CHER 00584b � CB714) were recovered from a ditch which had been disturbed by the monastic foundation trenches, approximately 250m to the southwest (Tebbutt, 1966, 41). It is possible that earlier Saxon remains are buried beneath the later Priory, as C.F. Tebbutt, in his excavations on the Priory site, rarely investigated below the floor levels of the medieval buildings (Addyman, 1973, 50). Further evidence for Saxon occupation in the area covered by the later Priory was recorded in 1993, during an evaluation at 25-27 Market Square (CHER 11509 � CB13524) approximately 220m to the south (Alexander, 1994). A large pit was located at the southern end of the site. The feature contained a single sherd of St Neots-type ware and quantities of burnt ceramic building material, indicating the possibility of structures in the vicinity.
2.17 There is a possibility that the land now occupied by the modern town was unsuitable
for domestic settlement at this time. Archaeological evaluation at 43-45 Church Street found evidence of considerable alluviation, which suggested that the area around the Hen Brook was too marshy and low lying for settlement in the Saxon period. Deposition of alluvium, tentatively dated to the medieval period, may have restricted Hen Brook to a narrow channel, meaning that the area adjoining the brook may have become more attractive for settlement at a later period (Jones, 1996).
2.18 A settlement had been established on the eastern side of Church Street by the late
Saxon period (CHER 00567 � CB734) approximately 450m to the southeastof the study area. This was first discovered in the 1920s during observation on gravel-diggings to the south of Cambridge Road. Tebbutt�s work, and subsequent excavat ions in the 1960s, have revealed occupation covering an area of at least 8 hectares on the northern side of Hen Brook (Addyman, 1973). Archaeological evaluation on adjacent sites in the 1990s (CHER CB15258) revealed further archaeological features of late Saxon date, consisting of pits, ditches, postholes and post-pads relating to structures identified during the work in the 1960s (Vaughan, 1998; Doel & Prosser, 1999).
2.19 The evidence so far uncovered suggests that a late Saxon settlement was established in
the area to the south of Cambridge Street and east of Church Street. It appears to have extended northwards to the line of Cambridge Street and westwards to the line of Church Street. The corner of a boundary ditch, possibly enclosing the settlement (CHER 00565 � CB732) was identified on the southeastern corner of the Church Street and Cambridge Street crossroads in 1964, approximately 350m to the southeast.
Anglo-Saxon Priory
2.20 The earliest documentary evidence for the Saxon Priory is the Liber Eliensis, which
suggests that Earl Leofric and his wife Leoflaed founded the Priory as a daughter-house of Ely in the late 10th century. To support their foundation they granted 18 hides of land, including 2 hides from the manor of Eynesbury. The bones of St Neot are recorded as being at the priory in an inventory of English saints, completed in 1020 (Chibnall in Tebbutt, 1966, 69).
2.21 As yet, no certain archaeological evidence for the Saxon priory has been identified in
the area of the modern town. As previously discussed, excavations on the medieval priory site
did not reveal evidence for earlier occupation, as the investigations rarely went beneath the medieval floor levels. Neither has any indication of a Saxon monastic establishment has been recorded during excavations in the area of the late Saxon settlement to the east of Church Street.
Medieval town
2.22 Eynesbury appears to have been divided into two separate manors by the time of the
Domesday Survey in 1086 (Williams & Martin, 2003, 560). The smaller one was assessed at 9 hides (approximately 1080 acres) and was held by Countess Judith. Forty three males are recorded as living on this estate, giving a total population of between 170 and 215. The parish church and priest were associated with this manor. This represents the area of the modern parish of Eynesbury, to the south of St Neots.
2.23 The larger estate, which was assessed at 15 hides (approximately 1800 acres) was held
by Rohais, wife of Richard fitzGilbert St Clare. It appears to have been sub-divided into a number of smaller holdings, including land for the priory of St Neot and a small estate held by William the Breton. Twenty four males are recorded on the manor, giving a total population of between 100 and 120. This total does not include the monastic community. A mill, a fishery and 65� acres of meadow are also recorded. In 1113, Rohais donated the whole of her manor at Eynesbury to the Priory. This manor became the parish of St Neots.
2.24The town of St Neots appears to have developed to the south and east of the refounded Priory. It was sited on an important river crossing, where the main roads from Huntingdon, Bedford, Cambridge and Godmanchester converged. A wooden bridge across the river had been constructed by 1080 and there is a documentary reference to an incident on the bridge in 1254 (CHER 00542 � CB709).
2.25 Archaeological investigations in the core of the medieval town appear to indicate a
period of significant building in the 13th century. At this time the area of the township was concentrated around Market Square and South Street. An archaeological evaluation at 11 - 13 South Street, approximately 350m to the southeast of the study area, recorded buildings of 13th to mid 15th century date adjoining the street frontage (CHER CB14643). Building
remains included drystone walls with less substantial structures or outhouses to the rear. Cobbled and tiled surfaces, as well as pits and ditches of similar date were also present (Martin, 2001 / 2002).
2.26 Evidence recovered from an evaluation at the southern end of New Street,
approximately 175m to the south of the study area, identified features containing medieval pottery at the rear of the property (CHER CB14573) (Doel, 1999). Further excavation revealed medieval and post-medieval features, including pits, postholes and ditches (Murray, 1999). A large well was also located, evidently infilled during the late medieval period, suggesting that the medieval town began to expand northwards at this time. No evidence of the Priory precinct or burials was recorded.
2.27 It is likely that the land immediately adjacent to the Hen Brook was unsuitable for
occupation, being subject to flooding, in the earlier medieval period. Excavations in a former builders merchants yard adjoining St Mary�s Street and Hen Broo k (CHER 11511 � CB13529) recorded limited evidence of early medieval activity along the street frontage. An overlying layer of silt-clay-sand, possibly deposited to counteract flooding, probably dates to the 15th century. Late medieval activity was represented by a possible oven for crop processing. A pit containing 15th century pottery also recovered. The site was surrounded by marsh adjacent to brook (Jones, 1994 / 1995).
2.28 The archaeological evidence indicates that the medieval town developed around the
Priory, which was located to the north of Market Square. As yet, there is no indication that the settlement extended beyond the northern boundary of the Priory.
Medieval Priory
2.29 The Priory was refounded, in approximately 1080, by Rohais de Clare as a daughter
house of the Abbey of Bec in Normandy. The Domesday Survey of 1086 records that the monks had three ploughlands, worth �4.00, in the manor of Eynesbury. The dedication of the new church took place in 1113, when Rohais granted the whole of her manor at Eynesbury to the monks. During the early 12th century Henry I granted significant privileges to the Prior, including the right to hold a Thursday market and an annual fair (Chibnall in Tebbutt, 1966).
2.30 The shrine of St Neot attracted large numbers of pilgrims, and its situation at the
junction of a number of routes ensured that it was frequently visited by passing travellers. The Tithes from the parishes of Eynesbury, Turvey and St Neots were impropriated to support the cost of accommodating the number of guests. It appears that during the 12th and 13th centuries the Priory was relatively prosperous, with Henry III making a number of visits.
2.31 During the late 13th century the Priory suffered the fate of all the alien monastic
houses, when the bulk of its properties was transferred to the royal treasury during the frequent wars with France. From that point the monastery went into decline, until by 1378 only three monks and the Prior remained. This meant that its continuation as a cell of Bec was impossible and in 1409 the Priory became an English Benedictine house. Visitation records and valuations in the early 15th century record the further decline of the Priory. In 1432 Bishop Gray reported dilapidated buildings, small numbers and poor discipline. By
1439 the enclosure wall was breached, allowing the monks and townspeople to pass in and out and the Priory was in debt.
2.32 Conditions improved in the later 15th century. It appears that the southern enclosure
wall was moved northwards, reducing the size of the burial ground but enlarging the market area. A sharp rise in rents and market profits followed. In 1507 Bishop Smith visited the Priory and found that the buildings were in better repair. Between 1517 and 1530 the numbers of monks rose from 9 to 13. At the Dissolution in 1539 there were 7 monks and the Prior, who all received pensions. The buildings, apart from the gatehouse which survived until 1814, were probably plundered for stone.
2.33 The site of the Priory, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM 101), was
investigated by C.F. Tebbutt during the 1950s and 60s (Tebbutt, 1966). His excavations in back gardens along Priory Lane and to the rear of Market Square revealed walls, foundation trenches and floors. From this work he produced a plan, interpreting the discoveries as the remains of the dormitory, the church, the cloister, the refectory, the kitchen, the prior�s lodging and the infirmary, though it has been suggested that his interpretation was not justified by the actual evidence (Alexander, 1994, 6; Young, 1996, 23). Tebbutt�s plan suggests that the Priory church lay to the south of the cloisters, possibly represented by the glazed floor tiles found in situ during observations on foundation trenches for building work at 7 - 11 Market Square in the early 1950s (Tebbutt, 1956).
2.34 The line of the southern boundary to the Priory enclosure is marked on post-medieval
plans, bisecting properties on the northern side of Market Square (Figures 2a and 2b). The eastern boundary is likely to be marked by the line of New Street, with the River Ouse possibly acting as the western boundary. However, no evidence has been recorded for the northern precinct boundary. This may be represented by either the northern or southern boundaries to New Lane Close, shown on the 1757 plan of Sir Stephen Anderson�s holdings (Figure 2a).
2.35 The evidence suggests that the burial ground (CHER 00548a � CB713) was lo cated on
the southern and eastern sides of the Priory church, approximately 200m to the south of the study area. A number of human burials, including the remains of females and children, have been recorded from the northern side of Market Square and from Priory Lane. Fifteen individuals were uncovered during the building work on Market Square in 1955. Further burials were recorded during building works at nos. 3-5, 15, 29-31 and 33 Market Square (Tebbutt, 1966). A watching brief on a sewer trench in 1989 (CHER CB15396) identified another 9 individuals, including two individuals, one of which was female, in decorated stone coffins dated to the 13th century (Horton & Wait, 1990). These have been interpreted as the burials of patrons. Archaeological evaluation at 25 � 27 Marke t Square revealed forty whole or partial skeletons, including one with a base metal chalice indicating a priest and one with iron half-hoops under the body (Alexander, 1994). The presence of female skeletons suggests that the townspeople were also buried in the Priory graveyard.
Post-medieval
2.36 Following the Dissolution the manor of St Neots was held by the crown, or by
members of the royal family, until 1620 when James I granted it to Sir Richard Lucy. It was sold to Sir Sidney Montague in 1631 whose descendants, the earls of Sandwich, held the manor until 1902.
2.37 The cartographic evidence shows that the town did not significantly increase in size
until the 19th century. Plans of the Priory site, dated to the mid 18th century, show that orchards and open fields lay to the north of the properties fronting the northern side of Market Square (Figures 2a and 2b).
2.38 The archaeological evidence suggests that there was a significant rebuilding of
properties in the town during the 16th and 17th centuries. Excavation adjoining St Mary�s Street frontage (CHER 11511 � CB13529) identified a deliberate massi ve 17th century soil build-up, in preparation for the construction of a terrace of houses, which overlay medieval structures (Jones 1994 / 1995). Further potential evidence for the great rebuilding of the town in the 17th century was recorded during an archaeological evaluation at 15 � 17 South Street (CHER CB14643). The investigations identified post-medieval rebuilding, in brick, of earlier houses, demonstrating a continuation of property divisions (Martin 2001/2002).
2.39 Evidence for industrial activity has also been recorded. Small scale use of the back plot
for early post-medieval tanning, after the construction of the 17th century terrace of houses, was recorded on St Mary�s Street. This comprised three tanning p its, a redeposited lime-rich soil and a large assemblage of bone waste (Jones, 1994 / 1995). During an evaluation at 43- 45 Church St evidence for the use of the site as a tannery in the post-medieval period was found (Jones, 1996). sited along the Hen Brook. This complements the tannery site known on St Marys Street and suggests the spread of a small-scale tanning industry along Hen Brook between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Modern
2.40 The 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1882 / 1887 shows that development had
started to extend northwards along New Street in the latter half of the 19th century (Figure 3b). New roads, such as Russell Street were also established, running east from New Street.
2.41 Apart from the Tan Yard evaluation archaeological investigations to the north of the
medieval core of the town have proved relatively blank. Modern features, comprising a linear
cut & a subcircular posthole, were recorded during an evaluation at Tebbutts Road, approximately 150m to the southeast (Fell, 1999) and investigations at 19 � 25 New Street, less than 100m southeast of the study area, revealed a sterile site (Crank & Grassam, 2004).
SITE SPECIFIC
2.42 The present site is located on the southern side of Priory Road, between Priory Path on
the west and West Street on the east. Priory Road was known as Wesleyan School Road in the early 20th century. The school from which the road took its name was built by the Wesleyan Methodists on land to the north of the road in either 1858 (Young, 1996, 97) or 1868 (Tebbutt, 1978, 57-8), demonstrating that the road has been in existence since the mid 19th century. The school was demolished in the 1960s (Young, 1996, 97).
2.43 Until that period the study area appears to have been located in open fields to the north
of the town. A plan of Sir Stephen Anderson�s holdings on the sit e of the Old Priory, dated 1757 (CCROH 223/MD2/3128) shows that it was located in New Lane Close (Figure 2a).
The accompanying table names Robert Patterson as the tenant and that the plot measured 6 acres, 2 roods and 37 perches. Faint pencil markings in the margin, signed and dated 1797, suggest that the plot had been divided into three smaller properties by that time, one measuring 1 acre, 2 roods, 0 perches; the second measuring 3 acres, 3 roods and 29 perches; the third measuring 1 acre, 3 roods and 2 perches.
2.44 No archaeological evidence has been recorded from the study area itself, or from
adjacent sites. Features of Roman date were identified during an evaluation at Tan Yard, approximately 100m to the southeast (CHER 11935 � CB14044). Other archa eological investigations in the vicinity, including an evaluation on Tebbutts Road on the eastern side of New Street, approximately 150m to the southeast and an evaluation at 19 � 25 New Street, fronting the western side of New Street, between Tan Yard and Priory Road and located less than 100m to the southeast of the study area, have revealed modern features or been blank.
Cartographic
2.45 The earliest available map of the town is a survey of land on the site of the old priory
belonging to Sir Stephen Anderson, dated 1757, (CCROH 223/MD2/3128) (Figures 2a and 2b). This shows a plot known as New Lane Close, which ran from The New Lane (now New Street) on the east to Priory Lane (now Priory Path) on the west. The line of Priory Road was established across the centre of this plot in the mid 19th century.
2.45.1. The southern boundary was marked by a hedge, which divided New Lane
Close from the Cross Keys Closes and the Bowling Green. Three rectangular ponds, possibly the remains of the Priory fishponds, are marked to the south of this boundary, adjacent to the road. A fourth rectangular pond was located within New Lane Close, at some distance to the north of these.
2.45.2. Priory Lane ran almost due north along the western side of the close, before
turning and running northeast, cutting off the northwestern corner. This formed a separate plot called Three Corner Close. The list of tenants shows that it was held by Walter Goram, and measured 1 acre, 2 roods and 35 perches. Both closes share a common northern boundary, dividing the closes from the common land beyond, suggesting that the northeastern alignment of Priory Lane was a later diversion across New Lane Close.
2.45.3. The line of New Lane road widens significantly at the northern end of the
close. A gate is also shown across the full width of the road. Beyond this, the road narrows and runs across the Inlands or Illands Common. Later Ordnance Survey maps also show the widening of New Street, marking a Pound in the immediate vicinity. It is possible that the fourth pond may have provided water for the animals in the pound.
2.45.4. The southern line of the Priory precinct is marked, running to the north of the
properties fronting Market Street. This appears more clearly on a companion survey, also dated 1757, which shows the plots to the south of New Lane Close in greater detail (CCROH 223/MD2) (Figure 2b).
2.46 The Inclosure Map, dated 1771, (CCROH LR16) shows the area of the closes to the
north of Market Square, including New Lane Close, as one large open area, suggesting that they were not enclosed (Figure 3a).
2.47The 1st edition Ordnance Survey of 1882, shows the line of Priory Road (which is unnamed on the map) running approximately southeast �northwest fr om New Street towards the river (Figure 3b). By this period the line of Priory Path (formerly Priory Lane) had been changed, so that it ran straight, on a northeast to southwest alignment. West Street and Ware Road had also been established, with West Street marking the rear boundary to properties fronting New Street.
2.47.1. The northern side of the road was occupied by the Wesleyan Methodist School
and its grounds. The southern side fronting the road was divided into small, undeveloped plots, with a common rear boundary.
2.47.2. At this period the study area comprised part of the corner plot adjacent to West
Street. A possible fence line, with a tree marked in the centre, appears to divide the plot into two unequal portions. Three small buildings are shown in the smaller southern portion, two located against the southern boundary and one running at right angles against the eastern boundary. The northern side remained undeveloped.
2.48 The 2nd edition OS map of 1900 shows a number of changes to the study area (Figure
4a). The rear boundary to the properties fronting Wesleyan School Road had disappeared between the study area and Priory Path, leaving a larger open plot to the west of the present site.
2.48.1. In the study area itself the building along the eastern plot boundary had been
extended northwards to Wesleyan School Road, forming one side of an upside down L-shaped building. A cross-hatched structure, possibly indicating a glasshouse, ran westwards, parallel with the road. The two small buildings along the southern boundary had been joined together, to make one long narrow building, with its eastern end on West Street.
2.48.2. The boundary that formerly divided the plot into two had been replaced by an
L-shaped boundary which formed a smaller plot on the corner of West Street and Wesleyan School Road. This was occupied by a house and a small outbuilding. The L-shaped area of land between the new corner plot and the previously existing buildings was left undeveloped.
2.48.3. The land to the south remained undeveloped.
2.49 The 3rd edition OS map of 1924 shows that the plot boundaries established in 1900
remained virtually unchanged (Figure 4b). The only visible change was in the eastern boundary to the corner plot, which had been extended to the rear boundary, effectively creating three rectangular plots.
2.49.1. Further construction had taken place across the study area. A line of possibly
open fronted structures had been erected along the eastern side of the study area, following the extension to the plot boundary.
2.49.2. Alterations had also been made to the building running along the southern
boundary. It appears that the eastern end may have been demolished and replaced by two smaller buildings along the New Street frontage.
2.49.3. The land to the south remained undeveloped.
2.50 Modern maps show that the plot boundaries have remained the same since the 1920s.
3. Fieldwork
Methodology
3.1 All fieldwork was carried out in accordance with the approved Project Design, current health and safety legislation, and the appropriate IFA and ALGAO guidance documents.
3.2 The trenches were located by triangulation from known points using fibreglass tape measures (see Figure 5).
The trenches were opened using a JCB type wheeled excavator fitted with a 1.6m wide toothless bucket, under close archaeological supervision. Spoil from the machining was inspected for archaeological artefacts. Machining ceased at the first significant archaeological horizon. 3.3
3.4The trenches were cleaned by hand, and all potential archaeological features and deposits were sampled to ascertain their nature, depth, date, and quality of preservation.
3.5 All identified contexts were photographed and recorded using the appropriate pro- forma. Scaled plans and sections were drawn on drafting film at a scale of 1:50.
RESULTS
Stratigraphy
3.6 The stratigraphy was broadly similar across all four trenches. It consisted of:
� topsoil of very dark greyish brown (10 YR 3/2) sandy clayey silt, measuring between 0.25 and 0.30m in depth;
� a subsoil of brown (10 YR 4/3) sandy silt, measuring between 0.30 and 0.45m in depth;
� undisturbed natural of dark yellowish brown (10 YR 3/6) clayey sand with gravel, encountered at approximately 0.75m below the existing surface.
Trench 1
Trench 1 was 9.50m in length and 1.60m in width, aligned east - west. The trench was located in the centre of the northern half of the site and ran parallel to the Priory Road frontage. 3.7
3.8The trench contained the footings of the farmhouse which was demolished prior to the start of the evaluation. A live water pipe was encountered on the surface at the eastern end of the trench. The trench was stopped 0.5m short so as not to damage the pipe.
3.9A sondage was excavated through the trench base at its eastern end to investigate for buried deposits. The sondage revealed a yellowish brown (10YR 5/4), sandy clay with gravel at a depth of approximately 1.1m below the existing surface.
3.10 No archaeological features or deposits were observed within this trench.
Trench 2
3.11 Trench 2 was 14.50m in length and 1.60m in width, aligned north � so uth, located in
the north-west corner of the site and running parallel to the western site boundary.
3.12 A layer of modern demolition debris, 0.15m thick, covered the topsoil, consisting of
CBM, concrete, and glass, within a very dark brown (10YR 2/2) sandy silty clay soil.
3.13 The trench contained a modern soakaway associated with the farmhouse which
previously occupied the site.
3.14 A natural hollow was observed in the centre of the trench, running beneath the eastern
trench baulk. The feature had shallow slightly concave sides with feathered edges and an irregular base. The subsoil fill of the feature contained no archaeological artefacts. The feature is likely the result of tree root action.
3.15 No further archaeological features or deposits were observed within this trench.
Trench 3
3.16 Trench 3 was 10.20m in length and 1.60m in width, aligned east � we st, located in the
centre of the southern half of the site.
3.17 A layer of modern demolition debris, 0.15m thick, covered the topsoil, consisting of
CBM, concrete, and glass, within a very dark brown (10YR 2/2) sandy silty clay soil.
3.18 The trench contained a single modern posthole which still contained part of a wooden
post along with modern artefacts including pottery, CBM, and glass.
3.19 No archaeological features or deposits were observed within this trench.
Trench 4
3.20 Trench 4 was 5.00m in length and 1.60m in width, aligned north � so uth, located in the
north-east corner of the site and running parallel to the eastern site boundary.
3.21 A layer of aggregate, 0.10m thick, laid down beneath the concrete slab which
previously covered this part of the site was observed over the topsoil. The topsoil itself had been discoloured as a result of being sealed beneath the concrete.
3.22 A modern sub-rectangular posthole was observed in the centre of the northern end of
the trench. The posthole contained fragments of late 19th/20th century CBM.
3.23 No archaeological features or deposits were observed within this trench.
Concordance of Finds
3.24 During the course of the evaluation, artefacts, including pottery, ceramic building
material (CBM), fragments of concrete, and glass, all of late 19th/20th century date, were observed within the overburden. These artefacts are likely to be associated with the
farmhouse and outbuildings that were demolished prior to the start of the fieldwork. In the context of the present site, these types of artefacts are considered to have no archaeological significance and, although their presence was noted, they were not collected.
4. Assessment of Risk
4.1The documentary and cartographic evidence that has been studied and the archives that have been consulted, indicate that the present site remained relatively undeveloped until the latter half of the 19th century. The farmhouse which previously occupied the site is first shown on the 1900 Ordnance Survey map.
The site appears to be located within the precinct of the medieval Priory of St Neot, although outside of any areas of intensive activity at this time. 4.2
4.3 The fieldwork identified no activity on the site prior to the late 19th/early 20th century.
4.4On the basis of this information, it is possible to propose a predictive model for the occurrence of archaeological remains within the study area, which in turn, can be used to propose an archaeological strategy which will allow the development of the site to proceed. The model has been subdivided by period.
Prehistoric
4.5The present site lies approximately 200m to the east of the River Ouse, on the First/Second Terrace Gravels. Evidence for prehistoric activity, particularly from the Palaeolithic period, has been identified within the vicinity of the present site. These include a pit containing flint implements and animal bone from Hall Place, approximately 450m to the southeast (CHER 00568c � CB738). A cluster of prehistoric sites, inc luding a Mesolithic flint working site (CHER 08405 � CB10076), a Neolithic settlement (CHER 08405a �
CB10077) and a Bronze Age round barrow (CHER 08405b � CB10078) has been recorded on the western bank of the Ouse. Aerial photographs have revealed the remains of Bronze Age round barrows at the northern end of Huntingdon Street, approximately 1.5km to the north.
4.6 The evidence suggests that prehistoric activity was concentrated to the south and southeast of the study area, in the vicinity of the shallower Hen Brook and Fox Brook. These locations undoubtedly provided easy and safe access to water and food.
4.7 No evidence for prehistoric activity was recovered in the course of the present fieldwork.
On this basis, the overall probability that prehistoric remains would be affected in the course of development on the present site may be considered to be Low. 4.8
4.9The regional research framework has identified the gravel terraces of the Ouse valley as of potential for the study of Palaeolithic remains (Austin, 2000, 5). As the present site lies on the river terrace gravels the significance of any potential remains of Palaeolithic date on the present site, should be considered to be High.
4.10 The development of farming, and the integration of settlements and their associated
fields during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods has also been identified as an important research topic (Brown & Murphy, 2000, 10 � 12). Few sites of this type and period are known from the town. Therefore, the potential significance of any remains of
Neolithic/Bronze Age date on the present site, should be considered to be High.
Iron Age
4.11 Very little evidence for the Iron Age has been recovered from the vicinity of the study
area. A sunken hut, originally identified as Saxon, but later re-interpreted as Iron Age, was recorded at Eynesbury Primary School, approximately 600m to the south (CHER 00395 � CB514). No other certain Iron Age finds or features have been identified from wothin 500m of the study area.
4.12 No evidence for Iron Age activity was recovered in the course of the present
fieldwork.
4.13 On this basis, the overall probability that Iron Age remains would be affected in the
course of development on the present site may be considered to be Low.
4.14 A number of research topics have been highlighted for the Iron Age in the regional
research framework (Bryant, 2000, 16-17). These include the development of farming and settlement chronology. There is a dearth of Iron Age sites in the town, although archaeological evidence from other parts of the district shows that this area was well settled by this period. Therefore, the potential significance of any remains of this period on the present site should be considered to be High.
Romano-British
4.15 The accumulated evidence suggests that Roman occupation in St Neots consisted of a
developed rural landscape, comprising a series of villas and farmsteads lying close to rivers and streams.
4.16 A limited number of findspots of Roman artefacts has been identified in the vicinity of
the study area, including a coin of Trajan (CHER 00539 � CB702) from W are Road approximately 100m to the northeast and a coin of Constantine II (CHER 00571 � CB741) from near the Fox Brook, approximately 600m to the southeast. Roman pottery sherds were also found during the construction of the Woolpack Public House on the corner of Brook Street and St Mary�s Street (CHER 00560 � CB727) approximately 450m to t he southeast.
4.17 Evidence for Roman settlement, including a ditch, postholes and considerable amounts
of pottery, was recorded during the excavations on the late Saxon site to the east of Church Street (CHER 00567 � CB734) approximately 450m to the southeast. A num ber of features of this period, as well as residual Roman pottery in Saxon features, were also identified during archaeological investigations on the adjacent site on Church Lane (CHER CB15258). Archaeological evaluation at Tan Yard (CHER 11935 � CB14044) approxima tely 100m to the southeast revealed evidence for either possible low-density occupation or field boundaries. The features identified on the site contained 3rd century AD pottery.
4.18 No evidence for Romano-British activity was recovered in the course of the present
fieldwork.
4.19 On this basis, the overall probability that Romano-British remains would be affected in
the course of development on the present site may be considered to be Low.
4.20 The evidence from St Neots suggests the possibility of a series of small rural
settlements along the valley of the river Ouse. It is known that the river was navigable to this point at this period, which would undoubtedly have attracted settlement and possibly small- scale industrial activity, to the area. A number of relevant topics, including the investigation of small rural settlements such as farmsteads and relationship between town and country in
the landscape, have been identified in the regional research framework (Going & Plouviez, 2000, 21 � 22). Despite the recent extensive work in the town centre, relatively little evidence of Roman occupation has been so far recorded in St Neots. As the present site lies close to the settlement to the east of Church Street, the potential significance of any remains of this period on the present site should be considered to be High.
Anglo-Saxon
4.21 Little evidence for early and middle Saxon remains has yet been identified from St
Neots. The results of archaeological investigations in the town centre suggest that such features may either have been destroyed by later development, or may lie beneath the late Saxon and Medieval town and Priory. Part of an early Saxon mixed inhumation and cremation cemetery (CHER 00570 � CB740) was found on the eastern sid e of Huntingdon Street, approximately 400m to the east, in the early 19th century. A ditch containing middle Saxon pottery (CHER 00584b � CB714) was recorded beneath a Priory bu ilding interpreted as the kitchen range, approximately 250m to the southwest, during Tebbutt�s excavations in the 1950s and 60s.
4.22 A late Saxon settlement (CHER 00567 � CB734) has been identified to t he east of
Church Street, approximately 450m to the southeast. The settlement may have been enclosed within a ditched enclosure, traces of a deep defensive ditch (CHER 00565 � CB732) were recorded on the southeastern corner of the Church Street / Cambridge Street crossroads in 1964, approximately 350m to the southeast. The ditch was filled in during the 13th century, but may have marked the northwestern corner of the late Saxon settlement. No evidence of late Saxon domestic activity has been identified to the northwest of the known site.
4.23 Documentary evidence records the foundation of a pre-Conquest priory, a daughter
house of Ely, on the manor of Eynesbury. Although no certain evidence has, so far, revealed the location of the early Priory, it is possible that it may lie beneath the later medieval Priory. Tebbutt�s excavations in the 1950s and 1960s rarely penetrated beneath t he medieval floor levels. A number of possible late Saxon burials have been identified during excavations in the area of the Priory burial ground (CHER 00548a � CB713).
4.24 One piece of evidence may indicate that the later Priory occupied the same site as the
earlier one. The remains of a large wooden structure of 10th � 11th century date (CHER 00551 � CB718) were identified during the construction of a number of com mercial premises on the northern side of Market Square, approximately 310m to the southwest, in the 1950s. This has been interpreted as a church of the Greenstead type, which was demolished in the 12th century. The possible church lay over 300m to the west of the late Saxon settlement and, therefore, may represent part of the pre-Conquest priory.
4.25 No evidence for Anglo-Saxon activity was recovered in the course of the present
fieldwork.
4.26 On this basis, the overall probability that Anglo-Saxon remains would be affected in
the course of development on the present site may be considered to be Low.
4.27 Documentary and archaeological evidence has demonstrated that a settlement and a
monastic house was established at St Neots by the late Saxon period. A number of relevant research topics have been highlighted in the regional research framework, including the investigating late Saxon monasteries; the development of the rural economy and the
development of rural settlements (Wade, 2000, 23-26; Ayers, 2000, 29-31). As the present site probably lay close to, if not within the purlieus of, a pre-Conquest monastic house, the potential significance of any remains of this period on the site should be considered to be High.
Medieval
4.28 The refounded medieval Priory of St Neot was located on the eastern bank of the river
Ouse, at a point where a number of important routes converged. Excavations in the Market Square and Priory Lane area have revealed the remains of a number of buildings and the site of the burial ground. Surveys dated to the mid 18th century also show the line of the southern precinct boundary (Figures 2a and 2b). No evidence for the northern limit has yet been discovered, though it is possible that this may be represented by the northern edge of New Lane Close, a parcel of meadow land lying to the north of the Cross Keys Closes, where excavations have encountered the remains of medieval buildings (Figure 2b). It is possible that the area to the north of these buildings was utilised as monastery gardens. The study area lies in the centre of New Lane Close.
4.29 No evidence for medieval activity associated with the monastery was recovered in the
course of the present fieldwork. This indicates that although the site appears to be located within the monastic precinct, any activity at this time was ephemeral, leaving little or no surviving physical evidence.
4.30 On this basis, the overall probability that medieval monastic remains would be affected
in the course of development on the present site may be considered to be Low.
4.31 The study area is located to the north of the core of the medieval town. Evidence
recovered from recent archaeological investigations to the north of the town centre appears to indicate that the settlement did not extend northwards beyond the rears of properties fronting High Street. The line of New Street probably acted as the eastern boundary to the Priory, with land to the west forming part of the Priory precinct.
4.32 No evidence for activity relating to the medieval town was recovered in the course of
the present fieldwork.
4.33 On this basis, the overall probability that remains relating to the medieval town would
be affected in the course of development on the present site may be considered to be Low.
4.34 The present site may have been located within a monastic enclosure, possibly in the
area used for gardens. A number of relevant research topics have been highlighted by the regional research framework, including the relationship of the monastery to the town, the economic influence of the monastic establishment in the community, the technological and artistic influence of an alien house within the local community (Wade, 2000, 23-26; Ayers, 2000, 27-32). As the present site may have formed part of an alien monastic establishment, located on the edge of a small town which had grown up as a result of the founding of the Priory, the potential significance of any remains of this period on the site should be considered to be High.
Post-medieval
4.35 By the mid 18th century the site of the Priory was located in closes of meadow land to
the north of the town. The area remained undeveloped until the mid 19th century, when a number of new roads were established running east and west from New Street. Cartographic evidence shows that the study area remained relatively open until the early 20th century.
4.36 No evidence of post-medieval activity was recovered in the course of the present
fieldwork.
4.37 On this basis, the overall probability that post-medieval remains would be affected in
the course of development on the present site may be considered to be Low.
4.38 No relevant research topics have been highlighted in the regional research framework
and therefore the potential significance of any remains of this period on the site is considered to be Low.
Modern
4.39 A study of available 20th century maps has shown that the boundaries around the study
area have remained unchanged since the 1920s. The building layout also remained relatively unchanged until the late 20th century.
4.40 The archaeological fieldwork identified several features of this date, including the
footings in Trench 1, the modern soakaway in Trench 2, and the postholes in Trenches 3 and 4.
4.41 On this basis, the overall probability that modern remains would be affected in the
course of development on the present site may be considered to be High.
4.42 No relevant research topics have been highlighted in the regional research framework
and therefore the potential significance of any remains of this period on the site is considered to be Low.
CONCLUSION
4.43 The evidence from archaeological, documentary and cartographic sources suggests
that the study area lies towards the northern end of a medieval monastic enclosure. The conventual buildings and the graveyard appear to be located at the southern end of the precinct.
4.44 The fieldwork indicates that any use of the land as part of the medieval monastic
enclosure left no surviving physical evidence.
4.45 The fieldwork suggests that any activity on the site prior to its development during the
late 19th/early 20th centuries was ephemeral leaving little or no surviving physical evidence.
CONFIDENCE RATING
4.46During the course of the fieldwork, the conditions were generally acceptable for the identification of potential features and deposits, and for their investigation.
4.47 An acceptable range of documents and maps were considered, to put the findings of
the fieldwork into their historical context.
4.48 There are no other circumstances that would lead to a confidence rating for the work
that was less than High.
5. Sources Consulted
ARCHIVES
Cambridgeshire County Council Sites and Monuments Record (CHER)
Cambridgeshire County Council Record Office, Huntingdon (CCROH)
OS 1882, 1887, Huntingdonshire Sheet XXV.11, 1st Edition, 1882, 1887, 25� scale
OS 1900, Huntingdonshire Sheet XXV.11, 2nd Edition, 1900, 25� scale
OS 1924, Huntingdonshire Sheet XXV.11, 3rd Edition, 1924, 25� scale
LR16 / 352, Inclosure � Survey of the Open and Common Fields (cop y of part of the Inclosure Map, 1770)
LR16 / 374, 1815, Meadow Inclosure plan
289 / x71, 1843, Map of Priory Road, showing proposed railway
928 / x142, 1858 � 64, Sandwich Estate valuation and maps
223 / MD2, 1757, A Particular Survey of the buildings, yards, gardens and closes on the site of the Old Priory and of the south boundary line which divides Sir Stephen Anderson�s estate from the other Free Hold and Copy holders. Surveyed by Thomas Bateman
223 / MD2 / 3128 P2, 1757, Survey of several parcels of land on the site of the Old Priory and other adjacent parcels of land belonging to Sir Stephen Anderson. Surveyed by Thomas Bateman.
223 / MD2 / Map 13, 1757, Lord Sandwich�s Estate. Plan of Part of the town. Surveyed by T. Warburton and John Cadman.
223 / MD2 / Map 13a, 1757, Lord Sandwich�s Estate � Plan of Popes Br idge Closes
223 / MD2 / Map 14, 1757, Lord Sandwich�s Estate � Plan of the mills an d lands dispersed in the Common Fields, Meadows and Out parts of the town in the Manor of St Neots.
INTERNET SITES
www.stneots-town.info/history
www.sntc.co.uk/history
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Addyman, P.V., 1973, Late Saxon Settlements in the St Neots Area: III. The village or township at St Neots. Proc. Camb. Ant. Soc., Vol. LXIV, 45 - 99
Alexander, M., 1993, Roman settlement evidence at Ernulf School, St Neots. Cambridgeshire County Council Field Archaeology Unit report no. 91
Alexander, M., 1994, Medieval Burials at 25 � 27 Market Square, St Neots. Cambridgeshire County Council Field Archaeology Unit report no. 89
Ayers, B., 2000, �Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Post-Medieval (Ur ban)� in Brown, N. and Glazebrook, J. (eds.), 2000, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.8, 27-32
Breedon, M. & Dodds, N, nd, St Mary�s St, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, Archaeological Investigations 1994-5. BUFAU Unpublished report
Brown, N. and Glazebrook, J. (eds.), 2000, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.8
Brown, N. and Murphy, P., 1997, �Neolithic and Bronze Age� in Gl azebrook, J. (ed.), 1997, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 1. Resource Management. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.3, 12-22
Bryant, S., 2000, �The Iron Age� in Brown, N. and Glazebrook, J. ( eds.), 2000, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.8, 14-18.
Burnham, B., Collis, J., Dobinson, C., Haselgrove, C. and Jones, M., 2001, �Themes for Urban Research� in James, S. and Millett, M., 2001, Britons and Romans: advancing an archaeological agenda. London: Council for British Archaeology Research report 125, 67-76
Crank, N.A. & Grassam, A, 2004, Land at 19-25 New St, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. An Archaeological Desk- Based Assessment and Field Evaluation. Archaeological Solutions report no.1473
Doel, P., 1999, 11 � 13 New Street, St Neots. An Archaeological Evaluation. HAT report no.488
Doel, P. & Prosser, L, 1999, Land at Church Lane, St Neots Cambridgeshire. An Archaeological Evaluation. HAT report no.512
English Heritage, 1997, Research Agenda. London: English Heritage Archaeology Division
Fell, D., 1999, Archaeological Evaluation at Tebbutts Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. APS report no 28/99
Gardner, R., 2001, Land to the rear of 30 Market Square, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. An Archaeological Evaluation. HAT report no. 928
Gdaniec, K., 2004, Brief for Archaeological Evaluation: 1 Priory Road, St Neots. Cambridge County Council
Glazebrook, J. (ed.), 1997, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 1. Resource Management. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.3
Gilman, P., Gould, S. and Green, S., 2000, �Post-Medieval and Modern� in Brown, N. and Glazebrook, J. (eds.), 2000, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.8, 33-43
Going, C. and Plouviez, J., 2000, �Roman� in Brown, N. and Glazeb rook, J. (eds.), 2000, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.8, 19-22.
Hillelson, D., 2005, 1 Priory Road, St.Neots, Cambs, Project Design : Archaeological Evaluation. Heritage Network, February 2005.
Horton, W & Wait, G, 1990, St Neots Priory. Unpublished report, Cambridgeshire County Council
James, S. and Millett, M., 2001, Britons and Romans: advancing an archaeological agenda. Council for British Archaeology Research report 125
Jones, A.E., 1994, St Mary�s Street, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. An Archaeological Evaluation. BUFAU Report 299a
Jones, A.E., 1995, St Mary�s Street, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Investigations 1994-5. BUFAU Report 299.02
Jones, A.E., 1996, 43-45 Church Street, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. An Archaeological Evaluation, 1996. BUFAU report no. 391
Martin, H.R., 2001, 15 � 17 South Street, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. An Archaeologica l Evaluation. BUFAU Report 838
Martin, H.R., 2002, South St, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Investigations 2001-2. Post-excavation Assessment. BUFAU Project no 838
Murray, J., 1999, 11 � 13 New Street, St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Investigation. HAT report no 499
Page, W. Proby, G. & Ladds, I. (eds.), 1932, The Victoria History of the County of Huntingdon, Vol.II. London: St Catherine�s Press
Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1926, An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Huntingdonshire. London: HMSO
Tebbutt, C.F., 1956, Excavations at St Neots, Huntingdonshire. Proc. Camb. Ant. Soc., Vol.49, 79 - 87
Tebbutt, C.F., 1966, St Neots Priory. Proc. Cambs. Ant. Soc., Vol. 59, 33 � 74.
Tebbutt, C.F., 1978, St Neots, the History of a Huntingdonshire Town. Chichester: Phillimore
Vaughan, T., 1998, 50 � 52 Cambridge Street, St Neots. An Archaeological Evalua tion. HAT report no.346
Wade, K., 2000, �Anglo-Saxon and Medieval (Rural)� in Brown, N . and Glazebrook, J. (eds.), 2000, Research and Archaeology: a framework for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.8, 23-26
Williams, A. & Martin, G.H. (eds.), 2003, Domesday Book, a Complete Translation. London: Penguin Classics
Young, R., 1996, St Neots Past. Chichester: Phillimore
6. Illustrations
Figure 1 .......................................................................................... Site location
Figure 2a ........................................................................................ 1757 survey
Figure 2b ....................................................................................... 1757 survey
Figure 3a .................................................................................... 1771 Inclosure
Figure 3b ............................................................................ 1st edition OS, 1882
Figure 4a ............................................................................ 2nd edition OS, 1900
Figure 4b ............................................................................ 3rd edition OS, 1924
Figure 5 ..................................................................................... Trench location
Figure 6 ..................................................................... Trench plans and sections
THE HERITAGE NETWORK LTD 1 Priory Road, St Neots HN513
Stamford Wisbech
Peterborough
March
Chatteris
CAMBRIDGESHIRE Ely
Huntingdon
ST NEOTS Newmarket
Cambridge
Royston
606
THE SITE
605
604
603
TL 182 183 184 185
Site location plan Scale 1:2500
THE HERITAGE NETWORK LTD 1 Priory Road, St Neots HN513
0 50m
Scale 1:2500
1757 Survey (1)
Figure 2a
0 50m
Scale 1:3000
1757 Survey (2)
THE HERITAGE NETWORK LTD 1 Priory Road, St Neots HN513
0 50m
Scale 1:3000
1771 Inclosure Map
Figure 3a
0 50m
Scale 1:2500
1st edition Ordnance Survey Map (1882)
THE HERITAGE NETWORK LTD 1 Priory Road, St Neots HN513
0 50m
Scale 1:2500
2nd edition Ordnance Survey Map (1900)
Figure 4a
0 10m
Scale 1:2500
3rd edition Ordnance Survey Map (1924)
THE HERITAGE NETWORK LTD 1 Priory Road, St Neots HN513
1
4
2
3
Scale 1:200
Trench Location
THE HERITAGE NETWORK LTD 1 Priory Road, St Neots HN513
South facing section of Trench 1
15.92
Topsoil 15.76
Subsoil
Natural
West facing section of Trench 2
Demolition debris 16.25
15.98
Topsoil
Subsoil
Natural
Tree root disturbance
Modern Soakaway
Plan of Trench 2
Tree root disturbance
North facing section of Trench 3
16.14
15.92 Demolition debris Topsoil
Subsoil
Natural
Plan of Trench 3
Modern posthole
West facing section of Trench 4
Aggregate
15.68 15.74
Subsoil
Topsoil
Natural
Plan of Trench 4
Modern posthole
0 3m
Scale 1:100
Trench plans & sections
Appendix 1
Extract from Cambridgeshire Sites and Monuments Record
CHER
NGR
Period
Remarks
00395 � CB514
TL 182 599
Iron Age?
Sunken hut, recorded by C.F. Tebbutt in 1963 at Eynesbury Primary School. Originally identified as Saxon, but now thought to be Iron Age.
00407 � CB532
TL 17 60
Bronze Age
Late Bronze Age socketed adze found at Eaton Ford
00537 � CB700
TL 18 60
Roman
Parts of four quernstones found in St Neots.
00538 � CB701
TL 18 60
Iron Age
1st century BC Greek Potin coin found at St Neots in 1911
00539 � CB702
TL 183 606
Roman
Coin of Trajan (AD 364-378). Found in St Neots by C.F. Tebbutt
00540 � CB703
TL 18 60
Saxon
Five Saxon beads found at St Neots
00541 � CB704
TL 18 60
Saxon
Two spearheads and a knife from St Neots
00542 � CB705
TL 18 60
Roman
Part of a Roman bracelet found at St Neots.
00545 � CB709 SAM 4
TL 181 602
Medieval / post-medieval
Stone bridge of 3 arches spanning the River Ouse. Bridge crosses river at western side of town, from the W end of Market Place, connects the town with the adjoining county of Bedfordshire. Documentary reference to bridge in 1254. Lower part of 2nd & 3rd arch from E may date from the 14th C, but upper parts from the late 16th C. Rebuilt & repaired several times since late 16th C.
00546 � CB710
TL 1810 6026
Medieval
Priory watermill, built on the riverside near the gatehouse.
00547 � CB712SAM 101 TL 1818 6031 Saxon / Medieval Site of St Neots Priory. Traditionally said to have been founded in 970s AD; destroyed by Danes 1010; refounded 1082; dissolved 1539. Series of excavations & investigations by C.F. Tebbutt in 1960s revealed building remains.
00548a � CB713 TL 181 603 Saxon / Medieval Site of Priory graveyard. Numerous finds of human burials have been made to the north of Market Square.
00548b � CB714 TL 181 603 Saxon / Medieval Saxon sceatta and pottery found in ditch under monastic foundations. Neck of shelly ware jug from site of medieval Priory
00548c � CB715 TL 1812 6027 Medieval Site of Priory gatehouse, near to present day Bridge Hotel. Survived until 1814.
00549 � CB716 TL 1811 6039 Post-medieval Late 18th or early 19th century brick malting kiln. Malt house Grade II listed. 18th C barns.
SAM 180
00550 � CB717
TL 182 600
Iron Age / Saxon
Finds, including Iron Age pottery and late Saxon pottery, deer horn and animal bones, were recovered from St Neots Junior School playing field.
00551 � CB718
TL 182 602
Saxon
Human skeletons found during construction of modern buildings in Market Square. Foundation trench of S wall of Priory also identified. Evidence for large wooden late Saxon building. Possibly AS wooden church of Greenstead type.
00552 � CB719
TL 1815 6022
Medieval / Post-medieval
Cobbled surface, remains of medieval roadway, identified in trench parallel to W side of Market Square. Embedded in surface were late 16th C shoe sole & 17th C horseshoe.
00553 � CB720
TL 1817 6029
Medieval / Post-medieval
Large ditch running parallel to medieval road, contained medieval and post-medieval artefacts.
00554 � CB721
TL 1819 6025
Medieval
Medieval well found opposite east end of Cross Keys hotel.
00555 � CB722 TL 1831 6014 TL 1830 6036 Post-medieval Brick sewers running N � S along South St, from corner of Brook S t to Market Square � High St entrance. Bricks suggest 17th century date
CHER NGR Period Remarks
00556 � CB723 TL 182 602 Medieval Site of original parish church on eastern side of Market Square. Removed in the 13th century.
00558 � CB725 TL 1835 6061 Medieval / post-medieval Site of pound, north of Market Square.
00559 � CB726 TL 184 600 Post-medieval Chequers Inn, St Mary�s St. May date to 16th C, but much altered in 18th C and later.
00560 � CB727 TL 1848 6010 Roman Pottery found in excavations for foundations of Woolpack PH, junction of St Mary�s St & Brook St.
00561 � CB728 TL 184 603 Medieval / Post-medieval Late 15th C house in High St. Altered c.1700. Refaced in modern brick.
00562 � CB729 TL 1855 6004 Post-medieval Eynesbury Bridge, site of old ford across the Hen Brook.
00564 � CB731
TL 1849 6018
Medieval / Post-medieval
Site of stocks and whipping post in churchyard N of Church Path & W of Church St.
00565 � CB732
TL 1854 6031
Saxon / Medieval
Traces of deep defensive ditch, possibly enclosing Saxon settlement, recorded on SE corner of Cambridge St / Church St crossroads in 1964. Ditch filled in during 13th C. Buildings erected on present road alignment. Site was used for smelting & metal working in medieval period.
00566 � CB733
TL 185 604
Medieval
Trial trenching revealed the corner of a large ditch bordering Huntingdon St & East St, which had been filled in during the 12th/13th C. Wooden buildings, with stone foundations built over it. Two contemporary iron- smelting furnaces also on the site.
00567 � CB734
TL 1865 60115
Roman / Saxon
Site of late AS village, 200 yards E of St Neots parish church, exposed by gravel digging in 1929. Excavation in 1961 by PV Addyman revealed traces of 7 late AS timber buildings. Observations in 1964 suggested that settlement extended to W & was bounded by a ditch running along E side of Church St. Settlement possibly covered area of c.20 hectares. Roman features & pottery also recorded.
00567a � CB735
TL 1865 6015
Prehistoric
Human remains and flint implements found in 1923
00567b � CB736
TL 1865 6015
Medieval
Two large late medieval fishponds or moats found. Two groups of 16th C pottery recovered from northern fishpond. Medieval or Tudor pits & wells also recorded.
00567c � CB737
TL 1865 6015
Palaeolithic
Flint disc scraper found in gravel heap.
00568 � CB738
TL 186 602
Palaeolithic
Flint implements (listed as 1 handaxe & 10 scrapers) and animal bone found in pit 150 yards E of vicarage in grounds of Hall Place, Cambridge St.
00569 � CB739
TL 186 603
Undated
Metal object
00570 � CB740
TL 1865 6047
Early Saxon?
Cinerary urns and skeletons found in field on E side of Huntingdon St in 1820.
00571 � CB741
TL 1871 6008
Roman
Coin of Constantine II found in 1965
00667 � CB871 TL 1838 6017 Post-medieval Brook House, early 18th century 2 storey house, Grade II* listed.
01919 � CB2455 TL 17 59 Neolithic Five flint implements from Eaton Socon.
08405 � CB10076 TL 180 600 Mesolithic Flint working site
08405a � CB10077 TL 180 600 Neolithic Settlement site
08405b � CB10078 TL 180 600 Bronze Age Bronze Age round barrow, surviving as a ring ditch.
08405c � CB10079 TL 180 600 Saxon Saxon settlement and inhumations
CHER NGR Period Remarks
08953 � CB10739 TL 1827 6025 Medieval Medieval ditches and human remains, Market Square. Ditches run from corner of High St & South St, W to Market Square, then N to Priory Lane.
09268 � CB11076 TL 18 60 Roman Two coins found at St Neots � a 2nd brass of Claudius (AD 41 � 54) & a coin of Valens (AD 364 � 378).
09775 � CB11611 TL 18 60 Medieval Medieval finds from St Neots, including pottery and carved building stone, probably from the Priory.
09775a � CB11612 TL 18 60 Post-medieval Finds from St Neots, including pottery and harness bells.
09782 � CB11619
TL 17 59
Medieval
Crucible from Eaton Socon
11509 � CB13524
TL 182 602
Saxon / Medieval
Archaeological assessment to N of Market Square. Part of Priory burial ground revealed, lying below post-med ground make up of 17th-18th C.1 person buried with series of iron half hoops below body, 1 with metal vessel, possibly priest�s chalice. Large pit at S end of site, contained 1 sherd St Neots ware & frequent burnt CBM, suggesting possible AS structures in the vicinity.
11511 � CB13529
TL 184 600
Medieval / Post-medieval
Archaeological evaluation on St Mary�s St revealed low level medieval activity on the site, including possible corn-drying or malting. Presence of animal bones suggest tanning. Terrace of houses constructed on street frontage in 17th C. Evidence of early post-med tanning in back plot. From 19th C site was used as a wharf & carpenter�s yard.
11871 � CB13972
TL 1850 6005
Medieval / Post-medieval
Trial trenching at 43-5 Church St suggested that alluviation had made area uninhabitable in AS/medieval periods. Evidence for tanning activity, which probably started in medieval period, along Hen Brook frontage. Undated drainage or property boundary ditch also recorded.
11935 � CB14044
TL 1830 6042
Roman
Evaluation 1997 at Tan Yard revealed two features, a linear ditch and a pit or butt-ended ditch. Contained 3rd C pottery. Evidence for low density occupation or field system.
11976 � CB14098
TL 1870 6035
Medieval / undated
Evaluation at Cedar House car park in 1997 revealed two shallow linear features, containing a single sherd of medieval pottery. Human bone was also collected from the site. Most trenches showed severe modern disturbance caused by the construction and demolition of Cedar House.
12191 � CB14316 TL 178 608 Post-medieval? Crosshall Lodge Park
12193 � CB14318 TL 186 600 Post-medieval? Cemetery � cleared of gravestones and just a lawn
12194 � CB14329 TL 186 602 Post-medieval? Grounds of Vicarage at St Neots Park.
13050 � CB14573 TL 182 603 Medieval / Post-medieval Evaluation at 11 � 13 New St revealed a small area of relativel y undisturbed
medieval deposits below post-medieval & modern
overburden.post-medieval features at rear of site, comprising pits, ditches & postholes. Large well also recorded, filled in during late medieval period. Excavation revealed medieval & early
CB14470 TL 17 60 Palaeolithic Flint axe
CB14643 TL 183 601 Medieval / Post-medieval Evaluation 15 � 17 South St identified traces of 13th/14th C buildings, constructed of drystone walls. Less substantial structures, represented by postholes or post pads, located to rear. Pits & ditches of 13th � mid 15th C date also found. Later brick buildings recorded along street frontage, overlying earlier walls. 2 residual sherds of early � mid AS p ottery found.
CB14644 TL 182 601 Post-medieval Evaluation at 30 Market Square revealed presence of former riverside structures along rear of tenement plot stretching back from Market Square. These included set of steps bonded to retaining wall & probably associated with free-standing jetty on Hen Brook to south. Large well also found. Both features likely to be of 18th/19th C date
CB14932 TL 184 601 Medieval St Mary�s Church, St Neots
CB14958 TL 184 603 Post-medieval St Neot�s United Reformed Church
CB14971 TL 183 603 Post-medieval St Neots Baptist Church
CHER
NGR
Period
Remarks
CB15200
TL 182 606
Modern
WWII Pillbox on St Neots Common
CB15258
TL 185 601
Roman / Saxon
Evaluation at Church Lane revealed pits and linear features, including a possible fence line and post-built structure. Most features contained residual RB pottery.
CB15260
TL 178 601
Post-medieval / modern
Evaluation at Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford revealed 3 ditches cutting alluvial deposits. No artefacts recovered, but given stratigraphic position, likely to be post-medieval or later. Two possible quarry trenches also observed.
CB15396
TL 182 603
Medieval
Watching brief in 1989 on Priory Lane revealed human remains relating to 9 individuals (6 males, 2 females & 1 child).A possible wall trench and floors were also observed.