THE LONDON CHARTERHOUSE Charterhouse Square London EC1

THE LONDON CHARTERHOUSE
Charterhouse Square
London EC1

London Borough of Islington
Historic environment assessment
September 2014

Museum of London Archaeology

Mortimer Wheeler House 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED tel 020 7410 2200 | fax 020 410 2201 www.museumoflondonarchaeology.org.uk general enquiries: [email protected]

THE LONDON CHARTERHOUSE
Charterhouse Square
London
EC1

An historic environment assessment

NGR 531945181975

Sign-off history:

Issue No.

1

Date:

Prepared by:

Checked by

Approved by:

Reason for Issue:

16.12.2013

Pat Miller

(Archaeology) Juan Fuldain
(Graphics)
Jon Chandler Lead Consultant
Laura O’Gorman Assistant Project
Manager
First issue
23
15.01.2014 12.09.2014
Coralie Acheson
(Archaeology) Laura O’Gorman
--
Laura O’Gorman Updated following client comment

Laura O’Gorman

Separating out

planning policy chapter into separate document

Finance code:P0072

 Museum of London Archaeology

Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED tel 0207 410 2200 fax 0207 410 2201 email:[email protected]

Museum of London Archaeology is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company registration number 07751831 and charity registration number 1143574.
Registered office: Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED

Historic environment assessment MOLA 2013

Contents

Executive summary

1

Introduction

2

1.1 Origin and scope of the report 1.2 Designated heritage assets 1.3 Aims and objectives
223

23
Methodology and sources consulted Site location, topography and geology
46

3.1 Site location 3.2 Topography 3.3 Geology
666

4

Archaeological and historical background

7

4.1 Overview of past investigations 4.2 Chronological summary
77

5

Statement of significance

13

5.1 Introduction

13

13 14
5.2 Factors affecting archaeological survival 5.3 Archaeological potential and significance

6

Impact of proposals

18

6.1 Proposals

18

6.2 Implications

789

Conclusion and recommendations

20

22 27 28 29 31
Gazetteer of known historic environment assets Determining significance
10 Non-archaeological constraints 11 Glossary 12 Bibliography

12.1 Published and documentary sources 12.2 Other Sources
31 31 32 32
12.3 Cartographic sources 12.4 Available site survey information checklist

13 Appendix 1- watching brief results

33

13.1 COS13 - Charterhouse, London, EC1M 6AN

33

14 Appendix 2 – Listed Building entries

34

i

P:\ISLI\1240\na\Assessments\HEA_19-09-2014.docx

Figures

Cover: View of Charterhouse Hospital, engraved by William Henry Tom’s c1739

Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3 Fig 4 Fig 5 Fig 6 Fig 7 Fig 8 Fig 9
Site location Historic environment features map Site in relation to plan of 1532 Charterhouse buildings and modern mapping Agas map of c 1562 Braun and Hogenberg's map of 1572 Faithorne and Newcourt's map of 1658 Ogilby and Morgan's map of 1676 Rocque's map of 1746 Horwood's map of 1799
Fig 10 Ordnance Survey 1st edition 5':mile map of 1873 Fig 11 Ordnance Survey 3rdedition 5':mile map of 1916 Fig 12 London County Council bomb damage map of the area (1939-45) Fig 13 Ordnance Survey map 1:10,000 scale of 1954 Fig 14 Ordnance Survey map 1:2500 scale map of 1983 Fig 15 Wall at south side of Chapel Court looking south (MOLA 02.12.2013) Fig 16 Chapel Court looking north-east (MOLA 14.08.2013) Fig 17 Grave slabs on interior Wesley Room facing west (MOLA 02.12.2013) Fig 18 Norfolk Cloister looking north (MOLA 02.12.2013) Fig 19 Area planned for cell layout from Norfolk Cloister looking west(MOLA 02.12.2013) Fig 20 Development proposals, Chapel Court and surrounds from Eric Parry Architects drawingEPA TCH 01_100_P10 dated September 210-3

Fig 21 Development proposals,Eric Parry Architects Norfolk Cloister areaEPA TCH
01_101_P2 dated September 2013

Fig 22 Location of ground and structural investigations recently undertaken on the site fromAlan Baxter drawing 1769/03/S101 Rev A dated July 13

Fig 23 TP1 showing topsoil and rubble, facing south(MOLA 14.08.2013)

Note: site outlines may appear differently on some figures owing to distortions in historic maps. North is approximate on early maps.

ii

Executive summary

Sutton’s Hospital in Charterhouse has commissioned Museum of London Archaeology to carry out a historic environment assessment in advance of proposed development at The London Charterhouse, in the London Borough of Islington. The scheme comprises a new public entrance connecting Charterhouse Square to the Chapel Court and reconfiguration of the Chapel Court garden including hard and soft landscaping. The grave of Sir Walter De Manny within the garden would be enhanced and the foundations of the monastic chapel accentuated. Within the area for the Charterhouse Museum, partitions would be removed and new rooms created. An area would be landscaped in the Brother’s Garden to reveal the imprint of a monk’s cell in its walled enclosure. Landscape improvements to Charterhouse Square are also proposed. The site is located within the London Charterhouse, a Grade I listed (nationally significant) Carthusian monastery founded in AD 1371, and the earlier Black Death cemetery to the south. The site contains a number of listed buildings and lies within a local authority Conservation Area and archaeological priority zone. This desk-based study assesses the impact on buried heritage assets (archaeological remains). Although above ground heritage assets (historic structures) are not discussed in detail, they have been noted where they assist in the archaeological interpretation of the site. Buried heritage assets that may be affected by the proposals comprise:
 Buried later medieval remains associated with the Charterhouse, including buried remains of a mid-14th century chapel founded by Sir Walter De Manny within Chapel Court and the medieval monastic buildings. Such remains would potentially of high, possibly very high, heritage significance in light of its association with the designated Charterhouse buildings. There is also potential for remains of a 15th century chapel and hermitage within Charterhouse Square, of medium or high significance.
 Post-medieval remains associated with the post-Dissolution use of the
Charterhouse as a large mansion house, of medium or high significance.
 Human remains associated with the known mid-14th century Black Death cemetery of ‘Spital Croft’ in the area of Charterhouse Square, of high significance.
The potential for earlier archaeological remains is low. Whilst the area would have been attractive for prehistoric people there is little surviving evidence and it is likely that any remains formerly present have been removed by later development. The site was located outside of the main centres of settlement in the Roman and early medieval periods so there is a low potential for buried features of these dates. The impact of the proposals would depend on the nature and depth of proposed ground disturbance. Recent archaeological monitoring geotechnical works within Chapel Court revealed later post-medieval/Victorian made ground (dumping or backfill), of negligible heritage significance. It is likely that only shallow excavation would be required, in which case only low or negligibly significant remains may be affected. Despite the sensitivity of the site the proposed impacts will be localised and would mostly affect assets of low or negligible significance. For this reason an archaeological watching brief is recommended during any ground excavation, particularly for the services for the new proposed toilet facilities. Where historic fabric is affected this is likely to require archaeological standing building recording to an appropriate English Heritage survey level.

1

Introduction

1.1

Origin and scope of the report

1.1.1

Sutton’s Hospital in Charterhouse has commissioned Museum of London

Archaeology (MOLA) to carry out a historic environment assessment in advance of proposed development at The Charterhouse in the London Borough of Islington (National Grid Reference 531945 181975:Fig 1). The scheme comprises a new public entrance connecting Charterhouse Square to the Chapel Court garden and reconfiguration of the Chapel Court including hard and soft landscaping. The grave of Sir Walter De Manny will be enhanced and the foundations of the monastic chapel would be accentuated. Within the area for the Charterhouse Museum partitions would be removed and new rooms created. An area would be landscaped in the Brother’s Garden to reveal the imprint of a monk’s cell in its walled enclosure. A landscape scheme to improve the currently municipal quality of Charterhouse Square is also planned.
1.1.2

1.1.3
This desk-based study assesses the impact of the scheme on buried heritage assets (archaeological remains). It forms an initial stage of investigation of the area of proposed development (hereafter referred to as the ‘site’) and may be required in relation to the planning process in order that the local planning authority (LPA) can formulate an appropriate response in the light of the impact upon any known or possible heritage assets. These are parts of the historic environment which are considered to be significant because of their historic, evidential, aesthetic and/or communal interest. This report deals solely with the archaeological implications of the development and does not cover possible built heritage issues, except where buried parts of historic fabric are likely to be affected. Above ground assets (ie, designated and undesignated historic structures and conservation areas) on the site or in the vicinity that are relevant to the archaeological interpretation of the site are discussed. Whilst the significance of above ground assets is not assessed in this archaeological report, direct physical impacts upon such arising from the development proposals are noted. The report does not assess issues in relation to the setting of above ground assets (eg visible changes to historic character and views).
1.1.4

1.1.5
The assessment has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (DCLG 2012; see section 10 of this report) and to standards specified by the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA Oct 2012/Nov 2012), English Heritage (2008), and the Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service (GLAAS2009). Under the ‘Copyright, Designs and Patents Act’ 1988 MOLA retains the copyright to this document. Note: within the limitations imposed by dealing with historical material and maps, the information in this document is, to the best knowledge of the author and MOLA, correct at the time of writing. Further archaeological investigation, more information about the nature of the present buildings, and/or more detailed proposals for redevelopment may require changes to all or parts of the document.

1.2

Designated heritage assets

1.2.1

The site contains nationally designated (protected) heritage assets in the form of

Grade I and Grade II Listed Buildings and structures. These are shown on Fig 2 and comprise the Grade I Charterhouse itself (HEA 1a; full entry reproduced in section 14), Grade II gates at north-west corner Charterhouse Square leading into Charterhouse Street (HEA 1e), Grade II railings round New Church Hawe and gates on south side of Charterhouse Square (HEA 1g), Grade II setted street surface Charterhouse Square (HEA 1b), Four Grade II lamp posts (HEA 1c), Charterhouse Square, six Grade II bollards on the north and north-west of Charterhouse Square (HEA 1d) and Grade II K2 telephone Kiosk at the south side of Charterhouse

2

Square (HEA 1f).

1.2.1 1.2.2
The site falls within the Charterhouse Square Conservation Area as designated by the London Borough of Islington and within the Clerkenwell Archaeological Priority Area. The latter reflects the archaeological potential of medieval St John Street and the precincts of two later-medieval religious houses; the Priory of the Hospital of St John on the opposite side of St John Street and the Carthusian monastery known as The Charterhouse in which the site is located. The site lies within of the former Charterhouse, built over a mid-14th century burial ground. The extent of the burial ground as shown on Fig 2 is taken from the Holmes survey of 1896 (Holmes 1896), from the original annotated survey drawings held at the London Metropolitan Archive. According the to Holmes survey, the burial ground of 13 acres (c 5 hectares) was established in 1349 for victims of the plague (the “Black Death”). It is possible that the burials extended beyond the area indicated in the survey, as burials are recorded as being found when foundations were dug for houses around the square in the 18th century. The GLHER includes a point marking its location (HEA 19) within the site, but this is an approximate marker only.
1.2.3

1.2.4
Additionally burials have been previously encountered within the Charterhouse buildings, within the church/chapels, Great Cloister walk and garth so it is possible that further human remains would be present else within the site, beyond the Black Death cemetery. No evidence of burials was found during the watching brief within the site (HEA 1h) however where works are planned there is the possibility that burials are present. Exhumation of any human remains should be notified to the Ministry of Justice who may also need to issue an Exhumation Licence prior to re-interment.

1.3

Aims and objectives

1.3.1

The aim of the assessment is to:

 identify the presence of any known or potential buried heritage assets that may be affected by the proposals;
 describe the significance of such assets, as required by national planning

policy (see section Error! Reference source not found. for planning

framework and section 9for methodology used to determine significance);
 assess the likely impacts upon the significance of the assets arising from the proposals; and
 provide recommendations to further assessment where necessary of the historic assets affected, and/or mitigation aimed at reducing or removing completely any adverse impacts upon buried heritage assets and/or their setting.

3

2

Methodology and sources consulted

2.1.1

For the purposes of this report the documentary and cartographic sources, including

results from any archaeological investigations in the site and a study area around it were examined in order to determine the likely nature, extent, preservation and significance of any buried heritage assets that may be present within the site or its immediate vicinity and has been used to determine the potential for previously unrecorded heritage assets of any specific chronological period to be present within the site.

2.1.2

In order to set the site into its full archaeological and historical context, information

was collected on the known historic environment features within a 150m-radius study area around the area of proposed development, as held by the primary repositories of such information within Greater London. These comprise the Greater London Historic Environment Record (HER) and the London Archaeological Archive and Resource Centre (LAARC). The HER is managed by English Heritage and includes information from past investigations, local knowledge, find spots, and documentary and cartographic sources. LAARC includes a public archive of past investigations and is managed by the Museum of London. The study area was considered through professional judgement to be appropriate to characterise the historic environment of the site. Occasionally there may be reference to assets beyond this study area, where appropriate, e.g., where such assets are particularly significant and/or where they contribute to current understanding of the historic environment.

2.1.3

In addition, the following sources were consulted:

 MOLA – Geographical Information System, the deposit survival archive, published historic maps and archaeological publications, including the MOLA monograph on The London Charterhouse (Barber and Thomas 2002) and archaeological reports on the work previously carried out by MOLA within the site (MoLAS 1998, MOLA 2012, MOLA 2013)
 English Heritage – information on statutory designations including scheduled monuments and listed buildings
 London Metropolitan Archive – original survey drawings of the Basil

Holmes survey The London Burial Grounds (1896)

 Historic Ordnance Survey maps from the first edition (1860–70s) to the present day
 British Geological Survey (BGS) – solid and drift geology digital map  Architectural drawings (Eric Parry ArchitectsOctober 2012) and opening up works (Alan Baxter 2013 and Ground Engineering 2013)
 Internet - web-published material including LPA local plan, and information on conservation areas and locally listed buildings.
2.1.4

2.1.5
The assessment included a site visit carried out on the 2nd of December 2013 in order to observe of the existing buildings on the site, and to provide further information on areas of possible past ground disturbance and general historic environment potential. Observations made on the site visit have been incorporated into this report. Fig 2 shows the location of known historic environment features within the study area. These have been allocated a unique historic environment assessment reference number (HEA 1, 2, etc), which is listed in a gazetteer at the back of this report and is referred to in the text. Where there are a considerable number of listed buildings in the study area, only those within the vicinity of the site (i.e. within 100m) are included, unless their inclusion is considered relevant to the study. Conservation areas are not shown. Archaeological Priority Zones are shown where appropriate. All distances quoted in the text are approximate (within 5m).