Site of the City University, Goswell Road, London Borough of Islington, Ec1v 7Dy

SITE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY,

GOSWELL ROAD,

LONDON BOROUGH OF

ISLINGTON, EC1V 7DY

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-

BASED ASSESSMENT C

ISSUE 2: FINAL

NOVEMBER 2010

PRE-CONSTRUCT ARCHAEOLOGY DOCUMENT VERIFICATION

SITE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY, GOSWELL ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF ISLINGTON, EC1V 7DY

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

Quality Control

Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited K2191

Name & Title Signature Date Text Prepared by: Sarah August 2010 Barrowman Graphics Mark Roughley August 2010 Prepared by: Graphics Josephine Brown August 2010 Checked by: Project Manager Chris Mayo August 2010 Sign-off:

Revision No. Date Checked Approved 1 23.11.10 Client CM

Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Unit 54 Brockley Cross Business Centre 96 Endwell Road London SE4 2PD

Site of the City University, Goswell Road, London Borough of Islington, EC1V 7DY Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

ISSUE 2: ISSUED DOCUMENT

Central National Grid Reference: TQ 3202 8239

Written and Researched by Sarah Barrowman Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd, November 2010

Project Manager: Chris Mayo

Commissioning Client: DP9, on Behalf of UKSA City University Sarl

Contractor: Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Unit 40, Brockley Cross Business Centre 96 Endwell Road Brockley SE4 2PD Tel: 020 7732 3925 Fax: 020 7732 7896 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pre-construct.com

The material contained herein is and remains the sole property of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd and is not for publication to third parties without prior consent. Whilst every effort has been made to provide detailed and accurate information, Pre- Construct Archaeology Ltd cannot be held responsible for errors or inaccuracies herein contained.

Site of the City University, Goswell Road, London Borough of Islington, EC1V 7DY: Archaeological DBA ©Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd, November 2010 ISSUE 2: ISSUED DOCUMENT

CONTENTS

1 Non-Technical Summary ...... 4 2 Introduction ...... 6 3 The Site and Proposed Scheme ...... 10 4 Planning Background ...... 18 5 Geology and Topography ...... 22 6 Archaeological and Historical Background...... 23 6.1 Introduction ...... 23 6.2 Prehistoric ...... 23 6.3 Roman ...... 23 6.4 Saxon ...... 24 6.5 Medieval ...... 24 6.6 Post-Medieval ...... 26 6.7 Environmental Evidence ...... 29 6.8 Listed Buildings ...... 29 7 Archaeological Potential and Significance ...... 39 8 Impacts on Buried Archaeological Deposits ...... 41 9 Conclusions ...... 43 10 Bibliography ...... 45 11 Acknowledgements ...... 47

APPENDICES

12 Appendix: the Historic Environment Record ...... 48

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ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1: Site Location ...... 8 Figure 2: Detailed Site Location ...... 9 Figure 3: Existing Basement ...... 11 Figure 4: Proposed Development, Basement ...... 12 Figure 5: Existing Lower Ground Floor ...... 13 Figure 6: Proposed Development, Lower Ground Floor ...... 14 Figure 7: Existing Ground Floor ...... 15 Figure 8: Proposed Development, Ground Floor ...... 16 Figure 9: West to East Section through Proposed Development ...... 17 Figure 10: HER Locations ...... 30 Figure 11: Northwest of the City from London, Newcourt, 1658 ...... 31 Figure 12: A New Plan of the City of London, Westminster & Southwark, Strype, 1720 ...... 32 Figure 13: Rocque 1741-1745 ...... 33 Figure 14: Ordnance Survey Map, 1871 ...... 34 Figure 15: Ordnance Survey Map, 1894-1896 ...... 35 Figure 16: Ordnance Survey Map, 1914-1916 ...... 36 Figure 17: Ordnance Survey Map, 1952 ...... 37 Figure 18: Ordnance Survey Map, 2005 ...... 38

PLATES Plate 1: View southeast on Goswell Road, showing Saddlers’ Sports Centre ...... 63 Plate 2: Northern view from central Bastwick Street, showing the ramp down to a basement level ...... 63 Plate 3: Southern view from eastern Peartree Street, showing existing ground reduction. ... 64 Plate 4: Southern view from Peartree Street, showing existing courtyard...... 64 Plate 5: View of the site looking northeast from Bastwick Street...... 65 Plate 6: View of the site looking southwest from Peartree Street ...... 65

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1 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

1.1 Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited was commissioned by DP9, on behalf of UKSA City University Sarl, to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment in advance of the proposed redevelopment of the site of the City University, Goswell Road, London Borough of Islington, EC1V 7DY. The application site does not lie within an Archaeological Priority Zone as defined by Islington Council’s Unitary Development Plan (2002). 1.2 This assessment has established that upon the study site there is a high potential for post- medieval evidence, a moderate potential for medieval remains, and a low potential for remains from all other periods at the site. 1.3 There is only a single incidence of evidence contained in the HER search of the study area which pre-dates the medieval period, with records of Roman road surfaces and associated coins having been encountered in the 19th century. This lack of evidence is a likely reflection of the site’s position away from main areas of settlement activity, and in what was likely agricultural land from at least the Roman period onwards. 1.4 The medieval period sees the site as still likely to be situated within agricultural lands, however there is now a notable amount of other activity and evidence recorded within the study area, with ecclesiastical sites known, as are cemeteries, and signs of quarrying activity. 1.5 The site is likely to have remained as open agricultural land on the outskirts of London up until it was first developed between the mid 17th and early 18th century. Following this multiple phases of buildings and gardens followed, with the site being heavily developed by the second half of the 19th century. Further phases of development ensured, with numerous alterations occurring across the site over time. Additionally the bombing raids of the Blitz caused notable damaged to the site, which resulted in a large scale rebuilding of the location. 1.6 Despite the high level of construction upon the site there appear to be areas that have remained open throughout the post-medieval period. Additionally the existing basements and lower ground levels only occur upon localised parts of the site, therefore there is a chance that potential archaeological remains may have escaped truncation, particularly in areas where basements are currently not present. A degree of impact from services and landscaping involving terracing in the area is likely, however archaeological horizons and features can survive between and underneath such truncations. 1.7 In areas where the archaeological horizons are not truncated or buried beneath substantial depths of made ground there is a likelihood that they may be impacted upon by the proposed works. This is of particular note in areas where the proposed basements and lower ground levels of the new development extend beyond the existing buildings’ footprints. 1.8 PCA recommends that an archaeological evaluation necessary by a planning condition may be an appropriate method by which to assess the survival of archaeological remains at the site. Dependent on the results of an evaluation, which may or may not require further archaeological excavation, provision might also be made for an archaeological watching brief on any ground works intrusive to a level where archaeological horizons may exist. 1.9 Pre-Construct Archaeology has not discussed the archaeological implications of the proposed

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development of the site with Islington Council. It is recommended that consultation with the Archaeology Advisor to the London Borough of Islington should be carried out in order to assess if further archaeological work is likely to be required as part of the planning condition. The Archaeological Advisor should be provided with this report in order for them to make a recommendation for the site. 1.10 Any required archaeological work at the site should be undertaken by an approved archaeological contractor, following the compilation of a ‘Written Scheme of Investigation’ which has been approved in advance by Islington Borough Council. 1.11 In the short-term, it may be appropriate for an archaeological watching brief to be conducted during site investigation works in order to further understand the sites potential and the extent of previous truncations.

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2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Outline

2.1.1 This archaeological desk-based assessment has been commissioned by DP9, on behalf of UKSA City University Sarl, prior to the submission of an application to redevelop the site of the City University, Goswell Road, Islington (Figures 1 & 2). 2.1.2 An archaeological desk-based assessment (DBA) is required as part of the planning process and accords with the recently published Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment. Section HE6.1 states:

Where an application site includes, or is considered to have the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment.

2.1.3 This report has been written following guidelines issued by the Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service (EH 2009) and in accordance with the standards specified by the Institute for Archaeologists (2008). 2.1.4 An archaeological desk-based assessment is undertaken in order that the local authority may formulate an appropriate response to any identified archaeological resource. The report aims to assess the archaeological potential of the site and to examine the likely impact of the proposed development upon the archaeological resource. This assessment may be followed by a requirement for further archaeological monitoring or investigation. 2.1.5 This archaeological desk-based assessment was written and researched by Sarah Barrowman of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd. Research has included a visit to the Islington Local History Centre, an examination of historical maps, relevant reports and publications, a search of the Historic Environment Record (HER), and a site visit. Use of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd’s archives was also made.

2.2 Report Objectives

2.2.1 As defined by the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA 2008), an archaeological desk-based assessment aims to: Determine as far as is reasonably possible from existing records, the nature of the archaeological resource within a specified area. It will be undertaken using appropriate methods and practices which satisfy the stated aims of the project, and which comply with the Code of Conduct, Code of approved practice for the regulation of contractual arrangements in field archaeology, and other relevant by-laws of the IfA 2.2.2 A desk-based assessment should consist of:

A collation of existing written, graphic, photographic and electronic information in order to identify the likely character, extent, quality and worth of the known or potential archaeological resource in a local, regional, national or international context as

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appropriate.

2.2.3 The desk-based assessment is required in order to assess the merit of the archaeological resource and lead towards one or more of the following:

• The formulation of a strategy to ensure the recording, preservation or management of the resource. • The formulation of a strategy for further investigation, whether or not intrusive, where the character and value of the resource is not sufficiently defined to permit a mitigation strategy or other response to be devised. • The formulation of a proposal for further archaeological investigation within a programme of research

2.2.4 The degree to which archaeological deposits survive on site will depend upon previous land- use and so consideration is given to the destructive effect of past and present activity from a study of the information available. In order that the appropriate archaeological response may be identified the impact of the proposed development is also considered.

Site of the City University, Goswell Road, London Borough of Islington, EC1V 7DY: Archaeological DBA ©Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd, November 2010 ISSUE 2: ISSUED DOCUMENT

3 THE SITE AND PROPOSED SCHEME

3.1 The Study Site

3.1.1 The study site is an irregular shaped plot, covering a total area of 6046m2. Goswell Road lies to the west, Bastwick Street and a commercial building to the south, Peartree Street and a warehouse are to the north, with a residential development and a commercial building to the east. The site is located at central National Grid Reference TQ 3202 8239, situated within the London Borough of Islington (Figures 1 and 2). 3.1.2 The site is presently occupied by student accommodation buildings, in the form of the Finsbury & Heyworth Halls and Peartree Court, plus the Saddlers Sport Centre and the Masterchef Studio. Open courtyards and service courts with car parking are present between the buildings. 3.1.3 The existing site layout includes a small basement level at the centre and larger Lower Ground Floor levels at the eastern and western frontages (Figures 3, 5, 7). 3.1.4 Spot heights given on the OS base plan show values of 20.0m OD at the junction of Peartree Street and Goswell Road, to the NW of the site, and 19.7m OD at the junction of Bastwick Street and Goswell Road, to the SW. 3.1.5 Cartographic evidence shows that the study site has been subject to varying degrees and forms of development since at least 1720. Prior to this the site was open land on the outskirts of London.

3.2 The Proposed Scheme

3.2.1 The proposed development involves the demolition of all of the existing structures and the construction of new buildings including student residential accommodation, a sports centre and university teaching accommodation.. New landscaping is also proposed, which is shown to involve ground reduction. Lower ground floors and a basement level are proposed to form part of the construction (Figures 4, 6, 8, 9). 3.2.2 Details regarding the proposed foundations are as yet unknown, although piled foundations anchored into underlying geology are likely. 3.2.3 It is as yet unknown which services already exist within the study site, though they are anticipated to be present. The requirements for the installation of new services are unknown. 3.2.4 It is anticipated that any work intrusive below the existing ground level or construction level, e.g. the construction of lower ground floors, the basement, below ground foundations, the installation of services, etc, risks the localised disturbance of any surviving archaeological deposits.

Site of the City University, Goswell Road, London Borough of Islington, EC1V 7DY: Archaeological DBA ©Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd, November 2010 ISSUE 2: ISSUED DOCUMENT

4 PLANNING BACKGROUND

4.1 Planning Policy Statement (PPS5)

4.1.1 In March 2010 the Department for Communities and Local Government issued Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (PPS5), which provides guidance for planning authorities, property owners, developers and others on the investigation and preservation of archaeological remains. 4.1.2 In considering any planning application for development, the local planning authority will be guided by the policy framework set by government guidance, in this instance PPS5, by current Local Plan policy and by other material considerations.

4.2 The London Plan

4.2.1 The proposed development is also covered by Policy 7.8 from the London Development Plan: Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London (Consultation Draft Replacement Plan 2009):

Historic environment and landscapes

Policy 7.8 | Heritage assets and archaeology

Strategic A London’s historic environment, including natural landscapes, conservation areas, heritage assets, World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and memorials should be identified, preserved and restored. B Development should incorporate measures that identify, record, interpret, protect and, where appropriate, present, the site’s archaeology.

Planning decisions C Development should preserve, refurbish and incorporate heritage assets, where appropriate. D New development in the setting of heritage assets, and conservation areas should be sympathetic to their form, scale, materials and architectural detail. E New development should make provision for the protection of archaeological resources and significant memorials. Where the artefact or memorial cannot be moved from the site without damaging its cultural value, the assets should where possible be made available to the public on-site.

LDF preparation F Boroughs should, in LDF policies, seek to maintain and increase the contribution of built heritage to London’s environmental quality and economy while allowing for London to accommodate change and regeneration. G Boroughs, in consultation with English Heritage, Natural England and other relevant statutory organisations, should include appropriate policies in their LDFs for identifying and protecting heritage assets scheduled ancient monuments, archaeological assets, memorials and natural landscape character within their area. 7.24 London’s built and landscape heritage provides a depth of character that has immeasurable benefit to the city’s economy, culture and quality of life. Natural landscapes can help to provide a unique sense of place whilst layers of architectural history provide an environment that is of local, national and world heritage value. It is to London’s benefit that some of the best examples of architecture from the past 2000 years sit side by side to provide a rich texture that makes the city a delight to live, visit, study and do business in. Ensuring the identification and sensitive management of London’s historic assets in tandem with promotion of the highest standards of modern

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architecture will be key to maintaining the blend of old and new that gives the capital its unique character. Identification and recording heritage through, for example, character appraisals and conservation plans are essential to this process. 7.25 Crucial to the preservation of this character is the careful protection and adaptive re- use of heritage buildings and their settings. Conservation areas make a significant contribution to local character and should also be protected from inappropriate development that is not sympathetic in terms of scale, materials, details and form. Development near heritage listed buildings or conservation areas should meet the highest quality of architecture, public realm, and local context and character outlined in the policies above. 7.26 Built heritage also makes a significant contribution to the city’s culture by providing easy access to the history of the city and its places. For example recognition and enhancement of the multicultural nature of much of London’s heritage can help to promote community cohesion. In addition to buildings, people can perceive the story of the city through plaques, monuments, museums, artefacts, photography and literature. Every opportunity to bring the story of London to people and ensure the accessibility and good maintenance of London’s heritage should be exploited. In particular, where new development uncovers an archaeological site or memorial, these should be recovered and wherever possible, made accessible.

4.3 Local Planning Policy

4.3.1 The study aims to satisfy the objectives of the London Borough of Islington, which fully recognises the importance of the buried heritage for which they are the custodians. The Borough’s Unitary Development Plan, 2002, contains policy statements in respect of protecting the buried archaeological resource. 4.3.2 Development of the site is subject to the following policies:

ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE D43 The Council will promote the conservation, protection and enhancement of the archaeological heritage of the borough and its interpretation and presentation to the public. In particular it will seek to ensure that the most important archaeological remains and their settings are permanently preserved. 12.4.10 The archaeological heritage of Islington has considerable value, both in relation to the study and enjoyment of the borough’s past and more widely in relation to London, and the south-east. The evidence takes the form of archaeological finds and sites, individual monuments, and historic settlement centres. Little survives to be seen above the ground, but buried evidence of human activity and exploitation of the land from Palaeolithic times (250,000 BC) onwards has been recovered from the borough, and is particularly significant for the medieval and post-medieval periods. 12.4.11 The archaeological evidence for prehistoric activity in Islington is concentrated in the southern part of the borough, although there is currently not enough information to be able to describe the activity in any great detail. During the Roman, medieval, and later periods the borough’s archaeology was dominated by the historic urban core of London to the immediate south. The southern part of the borough contains much archaeological evidence for activities which would have been unwelcome within the more-densely occupied urban area, such as burial of the dead, quarrying, and the disposal of the city’s waste. The Clerkenwell area also became an important location for religious houses during the medieval period, with three major communities of monks and nuns established by the thirteenth century. 12.4.12 To the north of this area the archaeological evidence suggests that the borough was mainly open land, with Islington village the only significant settlement throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods. Although aspects of earlier settlement can still be seen in the survival of medieval buildings and the street pattern, the borough’s current built environment largely derives from the growth of London from the nineteenth century onwards. 12.4.13 The borough contains two ‘Scheduled Ancient Monuments’, which are

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afforded special protection under law. Both monuments are parts of the important medieval religious houses in Clerkenwell: the gatehouse of St. John’s Priory still stands over St. John’s Lane; rather less is visible of the nunnery of Mary de Fonte between Clerkenwell Close and St. James Walk. 12.4.14 Archaeological remains constitute the principal surviving evidence of the borough’s past (and for the periods predating written records, the only evidence), but are a finite and fragile resource very vulnerable to modern development and land use. Once removed, that part of the borough’s past is lost forever. The Council considers that the archaeology of the borough is a common asset and that its preservation is a legitimate objective, against which the needs of development must be balanced and assessed. 12.4.15 The Council wishes to further public appreciation of the archaeological heritage of the borough and to encourage its effective management as an educational, recreational, and tourist resource. It will therefore promote the conservation, protection, and enhancement of archaeological sites and their interpretation and presentation to the public.

IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS D44 The Council will ensure the preservation of locally and nationally important archaeological remains and their settings within the borough, whether these are designated as ‘Scheduled Ancient Monuments’ or not. It will take the necessary steps to safeguard the borough’s archaeological heritage through the planning process and will normally refuse planning permission for applications which adversely affect important archaeological remains or their settings. 12.4.16 The protection of the archaeological resource is a material consideration for a local planning authority, and applicants will need to demonstrate that proposed development can meet the objectives of the Council’s archaeological heritage policies. The Council will implement these policies under relevant legislation and statutory guidance and by means of conditions on planning applications and legal agreements. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION D45 Within the ‘archaeological priority areas’ shown on the Proposals Map, all planning applications likely to affect important archaeological remains must be accompanied by an archaeological assessment of the impact of the scheme on the borough’s archaeological heritage. This should be commissioned by the applicant from a suitable archaeological organisation acceptable to the Council. The Council may also require an assessment to be submitted for other development proposals, where it is considered that important archaeological remains may be present. Small scale archaeological fieldwork to determine the actual degree of archaeological survival on a site, (an ‘evaluation’) may be required as part of the assessment. 12.4.17 Where development may affect land of archaeological significance or potential, the Council will expect applicants to have properly assessed and planned for the archaeological implications of their proposals in accordance with the government’s Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 ‘Archaeology and Planning’ (published 1990, or subsequent revisions). To assist in this, the Council, following consultation with English Heritage’s Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service, (who are the Council’s archaeological advisors) has defined ‘archaeological priority areas’. These are shown on the Proposals Map and on Map 22. The properties included are also listed in schedule 10. Within these areas a preliminary archaeological assessment will be required before any proposals that may affect archaeological remains are determined. The assessment should be prepared by an appropriately qualified individual or organisation, and should use existing information to establish the archaeological significance of the site and the impact of the proposals on surviving monuments or remains. Small-scale archaeological fieldwork (an evaluation) may be required to determine the actual extent and degree of survival on site. The assessment will provide the Council and the applicant with the necessary information to define the archaeological impact of development, and enable the appropriate heritage safeguards to be provided via the planning process. 12.4.18 The designated archaeological priority areas identify the principal areas where archaeological evidence is currently anticipated to survive; they do not represent the only areas in which important archaeological remains may be present. There will also be a number of smaller areas and individual sites outside the priority areas where development may affect the borough’s archaeological heritage. These areas/sites will be

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identified by the Council on the basis of appropriate archaeological advice. Wherever possible the Council will specify this in planning briefs prior to a planning application being submitted. Further information on the archaeological significance of any particular site/area can be obtained from the Council’s archaeological advisors, the Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service.

PRESERVATION IN-SITU OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS D46 Where an archaeological assessment and / or evaluation has demonstrated the survival of important archaeological remains, there will be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation in-situ. The Council will require applicants to demonstrate how this will be achieved, and will control development layout and foundation design accordingly. 12.4.19 Where it is considered that important archaeological remains will be affected by a development proposal there will be a presumption in favour of physical preservation of the remains, against which the merits of the proposal will be considered. Preservation could be achieved through the design of building layouts, for example to ensure the preservation of archaeological remains beneath open spaces; or by the use of less destructive foundation designs and methodologies. For such development proposals, the Council will require the submission and approval of foundation design details as a condition of any planning permission.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION AND RECORDING D47 Where physical preservation of archaeological remains is not justified, the Council will ensure that necessary measures are taken by the applicant to mitigate the impact of their proposals, through archaeological fieldwork to investigate and record remains in advance of development work, and subsequent analysis and publication of the results. This will usually be secured through section 106 agreements. 12.4.20 On archaeological sites where physical preservation is not considered necessary, the Council will ensure that as part of the redevelopment works landowners and developers make proper provision for the investigation and recording of the site by a recognised archaeological organisation, in accordance with a scheme of works approved in advance with the Council. The execution of works will be monitored by the Council to ensure adherence to published standards for archaeological work in Greater London (Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service: ‘Archaeological Guidance Papers 1-5’, Revised June 1998).

4.3.3 The proposed development site does not lie within an Archaeological Priority Area, as defined by the Unitary Development Plan Proposals Map, nor does it contain any Listed Buildings or Scheduled Ancient Monuments. 4.3.4 The Moorfields Archaeological Priority Area lies immediately to the SW of the site on the other side of Goswell Road (Figure 10).

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5 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

5.1 Geology

5.1.1 The British Geological Survey of England and Wales, Sheet 256 (1:50,000), indicates that the study site is located upon Hackney Gravel, a post-diversionary Thames River Deposit. 5.1.2 Geotechnical investigations have not been carried out on the site, and as such it is unknown if made ground is present. However, work undertaken by PCA on the northern side of Peartree Street did encounter substantial deposits of made ground (Langthorne 2009; Lythe 2010), and as such it is possible that similar deposits may exist upon the study site. 5.1.3 There are no watercourses within the site. The nearest watercourse is the City Road Basin of the Regent’s Canal, approximately 500m to the north of the site. The Thames lies approximately 1.56km to the south.

5.2 Topography

5.2.1 A topographic survey of the site is in preparation and therefore spot heights across the site are as yet unknown. However, spot heights given on the OS base plan show values of 20.0m OD at the junction of Peartree Street and Goswell Road, to the NW of the site, and 19.7m OD at the junction of Bastwick Street and Goswell Road, to the SW. 5.2.2 A site visit undertaken by the author indicated that the site location was relatively flat. However, areas of ground reduction were observed along the northeastern edge where the existent development has a lower ground level (Plate 3). The central area of the southern side, near Ludlow Street has also been subject to ground reduction with a ramp present to provide access to below ground levels (Plate 2). 5.2.3 Previous archaeological work in the vicinity of the site has recorded natural strata at varying heights, summarised as follows:

Site address Natural type OD height Charterhouse Square Brickearth 16.57m OD Clerkenwell and Goswell Roads Brickearth 16.40m OD Seward Street Gravel 12.74m to 16.71m OD (truncated) Goswell Road Gravel 17.00m OD

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6 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 In order to assess the potential of the archaeology within the development area, an examination of all archaeological entries in the Historic Environment Record (HER) has been made within a 250m radius from central point TQ 3202 8239. The search area is defined as the ‘study area’ for the purposes of this assessment. A complete listing of these entries is provided in the Appendix, and is presented in Figure 10. 6.1.2 The purpose of the HER search is to identify known archaeological sites and finds in the vicinity in order to predict the likely archaeological conditions within the development area itself. It is important to understand that many of the entries on the HER result from chance discoveries, and are therefore at best a small and unrepresentative sample of the total buried heritage. 6.1.3 The information derived from the HER is supplemented by other archaeological, documentary, and cartographic resources.

6.2 Prehistoric

6.2.1 The site is situated upon gravel deposits, which form the primary source of Lower Palaeolithic evidence within London (MoLAS & EH 2000, 36). However, in general there are few indications of early prehistoric settlement within the wider area. A Palaeolithic antler axe is known from St John’s Square, and hand axes from Old Street and Bath Street. Limited Mesolithic finds are also known, such as deer antler picks from Finsbury Circus and an axe from Great Eastern Street, whilst Neolithic axes have been recorded from Finsbury Circus and Liverpool Street (Barrowman 2009; Deeves 2002). 6.2.2 Scattered signs of habitation occur more notably from c. 1700 BC onwards. By this time the Thames had become a trade route and the use of metal was becoming widespread, and by the 7th century BC there are more traces of settlement activity with potsherds found around Moorfields. Also known from the Bronze Age are spot finds of a chisel from City Road and a bronze ingot from Sun Street (Barrowman 2009). 6.2.3 Evidence in the wider area increases from the Iron Age, with pottery assemblages from Finsbury Circus, the Honourable Artillery Company Sports Ground, and Finsbury Pavement. Additional pottery has been recorded from Moorgate and a spearhead was recorded at Golden Lane. It has been suggested that this likely relates to a developed agricultural landscape of villages and farmstead in the vicinity (Barrowman 2009; Deeves 2002). 6.2.4 However, there are no records in the HER of any evidence from any prehistoric period ever being recovered from within the study area.

6.3 Roman

6.3.1 During this period the study site is likely to have lain in agricultural land on the outskirts of Londinium. The HER reflects this with a lack of any occupational evidence from the Roman period.

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6.3.2 However a number of roads are suggested to have run through the wider area in which the site lies. Old Street to the south of the site is thought to follow the line of a major Roman road. Minor Roman roads are believed to have followed the lines of Golden Lane, St John Street, and Goswell Road. Excavations at Goswell Road have revealed road surfaces and a roadside ditch with a fill containing 2nd century pottery and a human arm bone (Deeves 2002). Additionally the digging of a sewer at the junction of Old Street and Goswell Road in 1868 is recorded in the HER as having encountered five or six road surfaces, associated with Roman coins, approximately 9 to 11 ft under the surface level (Figure 10: 1; HER Ref 080440/00/00).

6.4 Saxon

6.4.1 The HER records no evidence from the Saxon period as having been found within the search area, a reflection that during this period it is likely that the study site would have lain upon open agricultural land.

6.5 Medieval

6.5.1 During the medieval period the study area would have continued to lie to the north of the city of London, with much of the land likely to have been used for agriculture. Goswell Road is known to have existed at this time as part of a road between London to St Albans (Barrowman 2009). 6.5.2 A number of cemeteries are recorded to have existed within the study area during this period. Charterhouse Square, to the south of the site, falls within part of the site of a burial ground whose origins date back to 1349, and is known to have been used for plague victims, with 50,000 individuals interred over 20 years. Two separate archaeological investigations have been carried out on that site, both of which had evidence relating to the site’s use as a burial ground, with natural brickearth being encountered at a maximum height of 16.57m OD. To the west of the site human remains were uncovered at the site of a medieval church in 1974 (Figure 10: 2; HER Ref 080437/15/00). The cemetery associated with St Johns Priory is also known to the southwest of the site, with several phases of archaeological investigations undertaken. This cemetery also dates to 1348/9 when land was put aside to bury victims of the plague once the city cemetery were filled, though its use as a burial ground is known to have existed into the post-medieval period (Figure 10: 13; HER Ref MLO43978). 6.5.3 Also during this period there are a number of locations of ecclesiastical evidence recorded in the HER. The cloisters of St Johns Priory are known to have been located in St Johns Square to the west of the site, and date to the late 13th century (Figure 10: 3; HER Ref 080436/12/00). To the north of the site is the location of a chapel established by Katherine of Aragon which was dissolved by Henry VIII (Figure 10: 6; HER Ref 080547/00/00), and this site was also formerly the location of a windmill (HER Ref 080546/00/00). At Charterhouse Square the excavation of a cutting in 1944 uncovered the lines of church walls, and also those of the associated chapels (Figure 10: 12; HER Ref 080482/06/003). On Great Sutton Street to the south of the site is known to have existed the precinct of the monastery of Charterhouse which was established in 1371, and closed in 1537, and belonged to the Carthusians (HER

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Ref MLO99169). 6.5.4 There are multiple historical references to St Johns Square (Figure 10: 15), to the west of the site, which date from the medieval period. A number of houses relating to St Johns Priory are known to have existed in that location, with records such as the dissolution documents of 1546 and grants made by Henry VIII referring to the Plumbers House (HER Ref 080436/07/00), the Sub-Priors House (HER Ref 080436/03/00), the Woodhouse (HER Ref 080436/08/00), the Launderers House (HER Ref 080436/09/00) plus an assortment of associated buildings and gardens. Also recorded as having existed upon the site was a schoolhouse (HER Ref 080436/02/00), an abattoir (HER Ref 080436/06/00), and a woodyard (HER Ref 080436/05/00). Landscaping features specifically also recorded in documents include a series of individual gardens both recreational and functional for food production, including the Turcoplyers garden and the Porters garden (HER Ref 080436/04/002, 080436/04/00, 080436/04/001), an orchard (HER Ref 080436/04/003), and a fishpond (HER Ref 080436/04/004). 6.5.5 A variety of land usages from the medieval period are also recorded from within the study area. A watching brief conducted to the southwest of the site recorded further evidence of medieval quarry pits, with a path or yard surface also observed, both being sealed by 16-17th century quarry pits (Figure 10: 14; HER Ref MLO62852). 6.5.6 An evaluation and associated excavation undertaken at a site on Clerkenwell and Goswell Roads (Figure 10: 18) uncovered evidence associated with some of the Charterhouse buildings and their re-use as private residences and possibly workshops after the Dissolution. Gardens were recorded at the back of the properties which contained a number of bedding trenches and tree pits, and produced evidence of the status of the adjacent properties in the form of pottery sherds, decorated floor tiles, rings, animal bone and botanical assemblages. Evidence of industrial activity was found in the form of crucibles relating to metalworking, distillation and bone working waste. A number of items of note were recovered including twenty-three candlesticks, sherds from 15 moneyboxes, a warming-pan in redware and five fuming pots used for making perfume or warming aromatic herbs to release their aroma. Large numbers of clay tobacco pipes were found with an unusually high number of different makers' marks and symbols from the early and mid 17th century. Natural Brickearth was recorded at 16.40m OD. 6.5.7 An evaluation on Clerkenwell Road recorded a large rubbish and quarry pits, plus also dumped deposits, some of which contained domestic waste dating to the 14th-15th century. They notably contained chalk rubble and six tiles including a decorated Dieppe tile which suggests that a high status building may be present in the vicinity, possibly from within Charterhouse (Figure 10: 17; HER Ref MLO73531). 6.5.8 A watching brief on Dallington Street to the west of the site recorded agricultural activity in the form of possible plough soils, plus pitting or quarrying activity (Figure 10: 4; HER Ref 083806/00/00 & 083807/00/00). Other agricultural evidence was recorded of an orchard known to have existed at Charterhouse Square (Figure 10: 10; HER Ref 080482/11/00).

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6.5.9 To the south of the site the digging of a sewer in 1868, as mentioned under prior periods, uncovered a road surface that appeared to be Elizabethan (Figure 10: HER Ref 080440/00/00). 6.5.10 A ditch is recorded historically as being located to the north of the site beside the "Iseldon to London" highway (Figure 10: 8; HER Ref 080405/11/00) 6.5.11 An evaluation undertaken on Seward St to the east of the site (Figure 10: 11; HER Ref 084757/00/000) revealed mounded dump deposits overlying the natural Brickearth. These deposits were up to 2.7m thick and contained late medieval pottery, copper, iron leather objects, and well-preserved organic remains. Further midden activity was also recorded to the north on Goswell Road, with it being presumed that the observed dumped layers of organic silts, redeposited brickearth and silty sands consisted mainly of refuse material deriving from London (Figure 10: 7; HER Ref MLO76092).

6.6 Post-Medieval

6.6.1 Archaeological work on St John Street (Figure 10: 19), to the west of the site, has uncovered plough soils post-dating the Dissolution, along with mid 17th century buildings, likely boundary ditches, mid 16th to mid 18th century quarry pits, plus later post-medieval cess pits, foundations, demolition rubble, and levelling and dump layers (HER MLO62766). 6.6.2 An occupational site from the early post-medieval period was noted during an evaluation to the southeast of the site (Figure 10: 32), with provisionally Tudor pottery, a dressed sandstone block, yellow glazed tile, and layers containing greenstone being recorded (HER Ref: 082314/00/00). 6.6.3 The year 1643 saw the construction of Civil War defences after the City decided to undertake a comprehensive program for the protection of the City, Liberties, and outlying Parishes. The resolution of the Common Council states that "At the windmill in Islington way, a battery and brestworke round about". William Lithgow, in The Present Surveigh of London and England's State (published 1643), described a walk he took around the defences whilst they were still under construction. A trench enclosed Moorfields and ran to the fort at Mountmill. The station had two storeys and according to Lithgow was the first to be erected (Figure 10: 22; HER Ref 080549/00/00). Also located immediately to the north of the site was a 19th century copy of the Civil War Defences (Figure 10: 26; HER Ref 080512/00/00). 6.6.4 Newcourt’s 1658 plan from the City of London (Figure 11) is the earliest map encountered to show the location of the study site in detail. It is depicted as lying within orchards, partly tree- lined, immediately to the north of the buildings which form the outskirts of London itself. Goswell Road is evident to the west, as is Old Street to the southeast. This map also shows the windmill which was rebuilt on the site of Katherine of Aragon’s Chapel, following its demolition during the Dissolution (Figure 10: 22; HER Ref 080548/00/00). 6.6.5 In 1868 the excavation of a sewer uncovered, amongst other features, a road surface with debris that suggested it dated to the time of the Great Fire (Figure 10: 27; HER Ref 080440/00/00). 6.6.6 By the time Strype had produced ‘A New Plan of the City of London, Westminster &

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Southwark’ (Figure 12) in 1720 the area of the study site had changed somewhat, with the development of London beginning to extent north-westwards. A number of new buildings are now depicted along the north and west edges of the study site, plus also within the immediate surrounds. Additionally new streets have been laid out in the area which was formerly open fields. 6.6.7 Rocque’s map of 1741-1745 (Figure 13) is the earliest encountered to show the site’s location within the extant street pattern, with Peartree Street to the north and Nobel Street (now Bastwick Street) to the south. Two additional lanes/alleys are, however, present along the boundaries to the west. Buildings are depicted as partly lining the edges of the site; however the majority of the area is shown as comprising ornamental gardens. Open fields are still present a short distance to the north of the site. 6.6.8 An archaeological watching brief conducted on Dallington Street (Figure 10: 21) uncovered a series of post-medieval brick foundations that were interpreted as elements of buildings depicted on Rocque’s survey, being seen as part of a continually developing building sequence from the 17th century, which culminated in 19th century industrial and domestic premises that were subsequently rebuilt in the 20th century (HER Ref 084770/00/000). Another evaluation on Clerkenwell Road (Figure 10: 24) recorded the brick foundations of several buildings and a possibly associated yard surface, with it being theorised that they may represent part of those seen on Rocque’s map. Several large late 17th and 18th century rubbish pits and evidence of extensive dumping was also observed upon the site (HER Ref MLO73534). 6.6.9 An evaluation to the northeast of the site recorded a number of occupational features, with 18th century pits, levelling layers, and garden soil noted, plus also a 19th century brick and granite set yard surface (Figure 10: 31; HER Ref 084758/00/000, 084759/00/000, 084760/00/000). 6.6.10 The Ordnance Survey Map from 1871 (Figure 14) is the next map to show the study site in detail. The expansion of London which had occurred in the interim years is clearly depicted, with the hinterland of the site fully developed. The study site itself has also changed, with terraced buildings along the north, south, and west sides fronting the roads, including a public house in the south which is listed in the Post Office London Directories as being The Chamberlain’s Arms (1855 & 1893). The central area is now the location of several large buildings associated with the British Wine Manufactory and only select open spaces remain. 6.6.11 The same map shows the Brick Lane Gas Works, also referred to as The Great Gas Manufactory, to the immediate north of the site as it appeared in its final year of manufacture in 1871 (Figure 10: 30). It was built by the Gas Light and Coke Co between 1812 and 1815, and was one of the earliest gas works in the world, and also the best known and most visited before 1830. Most of the early technology of the industry was developed here including the means by which to commercially produce and distribute coal gas. The works has been used as a depot ever since its closure for manufacturing (HER Ref 084035/00/00). An evaluation undertaken at this site by PCA encountered evidence relating to the gas works, along with

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remains of 19th century terraced housing and associated garden structures, plus made ground. Natural was encountered between 12.74m OD and 16.71m OD, though severe truncation of these deposits had occurred (Langthorne 2009; Lythe 2010). 6.6.12 The 1871 Ordnance Survey also depicts a burial ground to the north of the study site. This was established in c.1740 for the internment of unclaimed bodies from St Bartholomew’s Hospital until the site ran out of space in the early 19th century and was finally closed in c.1850. An archaeological investigation was undertaken at the site (Figure 10: 25 & 28) which revealed a number of burial phases and practices, including evidence of autopsies being conducted prior to it being legalised with the Anatomy Act of 1832. Natural deposits were not encountered during this investigation due to late medieval quarry activity truncating such deposits below formation levels (Deeves 2002; HER Ref MLO77032, 082262/00/00). 6.6.13 The Ordnance Survey Map of 1894-1896 (Figure 15) shows a number of changes to the developments upon the study site. The main development on the site, previously named as the British Wine Manufactory, has an altered and enlarged footprint. This growth also encompassed part of the southern area that was previously terraced buildings, and there is now a lesser degree of open land surviving upon the site. Additionally Nobel Street has by now been renamed Bastwick Street. 6.6.14 Archaeological evidence from this era is seen in foundations from the 19th century, along with brick rubble, which were uncovered during an archaeological watching brief on Clerkenwell Road (Figure 10: 20; HER Ref MLO77010). 6.6.15 The 1914-1916 Ordnance Survey Map (Figure 16) indicates further changes to the main central development upon the study site, which by now appears to have a reduced footprint in the northwest area. Additional changes are also seen to have occurred with variations to several of the terraced buildings in the northeast, and also the apparent demolition of The Chamberlain’s Arms. 6.6.16 The LCC Bomb Damage Map (unable to be reproduced) shows that a notable amount of impact from the bombing raids of the Second World War Blitz occurred upon the study site. It records that impacts ranged from ‘damaged beyond repair’, particularly in the northern area, through to ‘general blast damage (minor in nature)’ which was seen mostly in the south, with one ‘clearance area’ also depicted. 6.6.17 The Ordnance Survey Map of 1952 (Figure 17) depicts the site as it appeared following the damage caused by the Blitz of World War II. The main central development, now labelled as being a transport depot, shows several small changes to its footprint. However, the area of terraces in the northeast is now just open land, as is the area immediately inside the southeastern site boundary with the exception of a ruin. 6.6.18 The Ordnance Survey Map from 2005 (Figure 18) shows that the site has by now been completely re-developed with all of the formerly shown buildings now removed, and replaced by The City University’s Saddlers’ Sports Centre, Finsbury and Heyworth Halls, and Peartree Court. 6.6.19 Archaeological investigations uncovered evidence of quarry activity continuing into the post-

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medieval period to the south of the site (Figure 10: 29; HER Ref MLO62882). 6.6.20 Other archaeological work undertaken in the study area includes a watching brief to the north of the site on Goswell Road (Figure 10: 23), which found no evidence of pre 19th century human activity, though the natural gravels were recorded as lying at 17.00m OD (HER Ref MLO76462).

6.7 Environmental Evidence

6.7.1 An archaeological watching brief undertaken to the southwest of the site in the precinct of the London Charterhouse recorded the presence of layers of peat, of unknown date. Such layers indicate that that area was subject to periods during which it was marshy in nature (Figure 10: 33; HER Ref MLO62855).

6.8 Listed Buildings

6.8.1 A number of Listed Buildings exist within the study area, however none of these are associated with the study site (Figure 10: 34-38).