Bristol and Region Archaeological Services

Excavations at MINSTER HOUSE, BRISTOL, 1992

John Bryant, June 2016 BRSMG 17/1992 BaRAS

Archaeological Excavation at the site of MINSTER HOUSE, BRISTOL.

Centred on NGR ST 58302 72668

Prepared for Bristol Cathedral

BaRAS St Nicholas Church, St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1UE.

Tel: (0117) 903 9010 email: [email protected] www.baras.org.uk

Author: John Bryant

Approved by: Ian Greig

Date Issued: June 2016 CONTENTS

List of Illustrations

1. Introduction and Acknowledgements…………………………………………………... 1

2. Minster House - Documentary and Contemporary Visual Sources………………… 3

3. The Excavation - Period Descriptions…..……………………………………………... 12

4. Conclusions………………….…………………………………………………………… 55

5. The Finds……………….………………………………………………………...... 59 1. Pottery 59 2. Chinese Porcelain 68 3. Ceramic Roof Tile 71 4. Roofing Slate 73 5. Stone Roof Tile 74 6. Inscribed Slate 74 7. Floor Tile 75 8. Brick and Tile Kiln Flooring 77 9. Clay Tobacco Pipes 78 10. Animal Bone 81 11. Objects of Bone 92 12. Molluscs 93 13. Objects of Copper Alloy 94 14. Objects of Iron 96 15. Objects of Lead 97 16. Vessel Glass 97 17. Bell Founding 98 18. Coins and Tokens 99 19. Miscellaneous Objects 102 20. Worked Stone 103

6. Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………….. 105

Appendix 1: Extract from the Parliamentary Survey of 1649

Appendix 2: John Taylor’s letter to the Athenæum, reproduced in the Bristol Mercury and Daily Post, Monday May 15th and Saturday May 20th, 1882

Appendix 3: Minster House Context Descriptions

Abbreviations AD Anno Domini BRO Bristol Record Office aOD Above Ordnance Datum c Circa BaRAS Bristol & Region Archaeological Services C Century BC Before Christ CIfA Chartered Institute for Archaeologists BCC Bristol City Council EH English Heritage BCL Bristol Central Library HEA Historic England Archive BH Borehole Km Kilometre BHER Bristol Historic Environment Record m Metre BL British Library mm Millimetres BMAG Bristol Museum & Art Gallery NGR National Grid Reference BPT Bristol Pottery Type Series OS Ordnance Survey BRFT Bristol Rooftile Fabric Type Series S.F. Stone Feature

Adopted Chronology Prehistoric Before AD43 Roman AD43-410 Anglo Saxon/Early Medieval AD410-1066 Medieval AD1066-1540 Post-medieval AD1540-present

NOTE Notwithstanding that Bristol and Region Archaeological Services have taken reasonable care to produce a comprehensive summary of the known and recorded archaeological evidence, no responsibility can be accepted for any omissions of fact or opinion, however caused.

June 2016

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:- Bristol and Region Archaeological Services retain copyright of this report under the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, and have granted a licence to Bristol Cathedral and their agents to use and reproduce the material contained within, once settlement of our account has been received.

Plans reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Bristol City Council, Licence Number LA090551, 2016. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figures

Fig. 1 Location of the excavation and places mentioned in the text, scale 1:5000 Fig. 2 The excavation site in relation to the modern buildings, scale 1:1000 Fig. 3 The west end of the Abbey precinct and other buildings mentioned in the text (after Paul 1912) Fig. 4 Millerd’s map of 1673 (detail) Fig. 5 Ashmead’s city survey of 1854 (detail) Fig. 6 Ground plan of the Minster House by Roland Paul, late 19th century Fig. 7 Doorway in west cloister wall by Roland Paul Fig. 8 Extract from the 1883 Ordnance Survey plan (scale 1:500) Fig. 9 Abbey Gatehouse and Minster House, Eyre c 1776 (BRSMG M.940) Fig. 10 Minster House from the west, before alteration, O’Neill, 1821 (BRSMG M.1750 Fig. 11 Minster House after alteration, O’Neill 1823 (BRSMG M.1751) Fig. 12 Saunders’ view of Minster House’ south front, c 1822 (BRSMG M.1752) Fig. 13 Minster House viewed from the cloister, O’Neill 1821 (BRSMG M.1893) Fig. 14 Minster House from the west, Pryce c 1851 Fig. 15 Photograph of Minster House from the south-west, probably in 1867 (BRSMG R394.A.2) Fig. 16 Photograph of the truncated Minster House, from College Green, probably in 1881 Fig. 17 Parkman’s undated painting of the interior of the first floor hall, looking west Figs. 18-25 Phase plans Fig. 26 West-east profile of the cellarium area, after excavation Fig. 27 North-south profile of the cellarium area, after excavation Fig. 28 North-south profile west of the cellarium, after excavation Fig. 29 Elevation of the north face of walls 5 & 33, i.e. south wall of passage Fig. 30 Elevation of cellarium west wall and section through drains 23 & 37 Fig. 31 Long (east-west) section through pit 147 Fig. 32 North-south section at west end of garden, including remains of wall 16 Fig. 33 Sections through the bell-casting furnace base, stone feature 83 Fig. 34 Medieval doorway in cloister west wall: east-facing elevation Fig. 35 East-facing elevations of walls 30, 32,31 & 52 Fig. 36 East-west section through buildings 2 & 5 and room 6 Fig. 37 South-facing elevation of wall 28 and section through gully 46 Fig. 38 North wall of passage (south-facing elevations of walls 4 and 6-8) Fig. 39 East-facing elevation of wall 14 (west wall of Minster House) Fig. 40 Suggested possible layout of Minster House after the 1860s truncation Fig. 41 Pottery, Periods 1 & 2 Fig. 42 Pottery, Period 3 Fig. 43 Pottery, Period 4a Fig. 44 Pottery, Period 4b Fig. 45 Pottery, Period 5a Fig. 46 Pottery, Period 5a (contd) Fig. 47 Pottery, Period 5b Fig. 48 Pottery, Period 5b (contd) Fig. 49 Pottery, Period 6 Fig. 50 Chinese porcelain Fig. 51 Ceramic roof tile Fig. 52 Inscribed slates Fig. 53 Inscribed slates (contd) Fig. 54 Medieval floor tile Fig. 55 Brick Fig. 56 Clay tobacco pipe Fig. 57 Objects of bone Fig. 58 Objects of copper alloy Fig. 59 Objects of glass Fig. 60 Miscellaneous objects Fig. 61 Architectural stone Fig. 62 Architectural stone (contd)

Plates

Cover Parkman’s painting of the interior of the first floor hall Plate 1 The site in context, seen from the west before excavation commenced Plate 2 View of the west end early in the excavation, seen from the cathedral south-west tower Plate 3 Excavation well advanced, looking east from the Central Library Plate 4 West and central areas of the excavation, seen from cathedral tower Plate 5 View looking north from the Cathedral School, buildings 2 and 5 in the foreground Plate 6 Eastern area of excavation, seen from the cathedral tower, looking south Plate 7 South elevation of wall 26, with remains of wall 48 underneath Plate 8 West-facing elevation of west cellarium wall, showing the footings Plate 9 Floor 3, looking west Plate 10 Period 2 drains, looking north, with walls 11 and 12 beyond Plate 11 Drain 32, emptied of fill, looking south-west Plate 12 Drain 31 part-demolished, showing floor of reused roof tiles Plate 13 Pit 147 in the early stages of excavation, looking north Plate 14 Pit 147 after excavation, looking west, showing the furnace base Plate 15 Stone feature 83 (furnace base) in pit 147, looking north Plate 16 Stone feature 83 (furnace base) in pit 147, looking east from above Plate 17 Bell mould remains in the fill of pit 147 (1m scale) Plate 18 Gullies 51 & 59 and stone feature 80, with wall 31 beyond Plate 19 Corner of wall 30, showing stone feature 86 Plate 20 Drain 20, looking south, showing stones reused as the roof Plate 21 Minster House looking eastwards, showing the underfloor ventilation system outside of wall 14 1. INTRODUCTION

An archaeological excavation on the site of the former Minster House at Bristol Cathedral was completed between April and July 1992 (Plates 1 - 6). It was proposed by the Dean and Chapter to construct a new Cathedral visitor centre with paved forecourt on the site (Planning applications 90/03032/F & 90/03033/L). Initially, a small archaeological evaluation trench was dug immediately north of the access road to the cloister in 1991, and the positive results of that investigation prompted the more extensive excavation. Both projects were carried out by the Field Archaeology unit of the Bristol City Museums and Art Gallery, now known as Bristol and Region Archaeological Services (BaRAS), under the direction of Eric Boore. Follow-up observations took place in 1992 and 1993 during construction of the visitor centre foundations and paving of the area west of the Cathedral.

Bristol Cathedral is located in the south-west part of the central area of the city, on the southern edge of the slight knoll that is commonly known as College Green. It sits on a gently sloping site immediately above a short, but steeper, drop to the south that leads to Canons Marsh, formerly the hay meadows of St. Augustine’s Abbey, predecessor to the Cathedral. The Cathedral site overlooks the Floating Harbour, formerly the tidal River Avon. Geologically, the site consists of Mercia Mudstone, of the Permo-Triassic, above Quartzitic Sandstone (Brandon Hill Grit) of the Upper Carboniferous.

The 1992 excavation occupied an area of approximately 625 square metres, situated between the west side of the cloister and the eastern edge of College Square, along the whole of the north side of the cloister access road. Excavation was carried right up to the south and west walls of the south-west tower of the Cathedral, but stopped short of the restored 15th/16th century Abbey Gatehouse. The site was centred on point NGR ST 58302 72668. Prior to excavation most of the site lay around 17.00m OD, the eastern part against the cloister being lower at 16.20m OD. Most of the area was laid out as grass, with a generous, curved pathway connecting College Green with College Square by way of the West Porch of the Cathedral, and a smaller path connecting with a doorway into the cloister; there were a few small trees, the two smallest of which were removed for the excavation.

West of the Cathedral, the overburden was removed by mechanical excavator, but the 7.50-metre- wide strip alongside the cloister, being at a lower level, was de-turfed by hand. Topsoil and dressed stone were segregated for possible future re-use. Archaeological excavation was then done by hand. Undisturbed ground (natural) lay relatively close to the surface along the northern edge of the excavation, at a depth of about 350mm, the thickness of the stratigraphy increasing across the site to a maximum of 1300mm against the southern boundary. In the lower, eastern area of the site, the average depth of ground removed was approximately 800mm.

During the excavation, archaeological features were given alpha-numeric identifiers (e.g. W.xx for walls, S.F.xx for stone features). Contexts were identified using two-letter codes. Site notebooks were maintained by both the director and the supervisor. The site was surveyed at a scale of 1:20 using sheets of gridded polyester film, with sections and elevations at the larger scale of 1:10. Photographic recording consisted of 35mm black and white prints and colour slides, utilising single-lens reflex cameras. Elevated views of the site were obtained from the Cathedral School, the top of the cloister wall, and the roofs of the Cathedral, Gatehouse and Central Library. This project has been archived under the Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives Accession Number BRSMG 17/1992.

Acknowledgements

Permission to carry out the excavation was given by the Dean and Chapter of Bristol Cathedral. The excavation was funded by the Bristol Cathedral Trust. Post-excavation work was jointly funded by the Trust and Bristol and Region Archaeological Services.

1 Facilities were provided at the Cathedral courtesy of the Dean and Chapter, with thanks to the Head Verger and his staff for day to day assistance. The Headmaster and Governors of Bristol Cathedral School and the staff of the Central Library are thanked for access to their respective buildings for the purposes of taking elevated photographs of the site. Overnight storage of valuables at the Council House was enabled with the assistance of the telephonists. Warwick Rodwell gave advice during the course of the excavation, as also did various City Museum staff. Further advice and suggestions came from Warwick Rodwell during the post-excavation phase of work, and also from Kevin Blockley, the present cathedral archaeological consultant.

The excavation was directed by Eric Boore, supervised by G.L.Good, and surveyed largely by John Bryant. Excavation was carried out by Natasha Dodwell, Sarah Fletcher, Tim Longman, Sandy Marcolini, John Minkin, Ken Sims and John Turner. Assistance with both the digging and finds processing was given by a number of volunteers, for which they are thanked. Initial post-excavation work was carried out by Eric Boore. Finds conservation was by Fiona Macalister. Plans, illustrations and report design are by Ann Linge. The plans were digitised by Jon Brett and amended by Simon Roper. Andy Cotton photographed the Braikenridge drawings, which were provided by Sheena Stoddard.

The oven-floor tiles were identified by Beverley Nenk (Curator, Dept of Medieval and Modern Europe, British Museum), with further information provided by Dr. Sophie Wolf (then of the University of Fribourg) and Dr. Oliver Kent. Information on the geology of the site was provided by Roger Clark.

Reports that have remained in archive include those by Julie Jones (organic inclusions in the bell moulds), Dr. A.J.Kear (animal prints on the roof tiles), Dr. J.E.Morgan (copper alloy analysis of the bell moulds), Dr. M.Q.Smith (coloured window glass) and C.Whittick (inscriptions on slate).

2 2. MINSTER HOUSE - DOCUMENTARY AND CONTEMPORARY VISUAL SOURCES

The Pre-Dissolution History

(This first section is largely based on Dr. Joseph Bettey’s 1996 Historical Association booklet, St Augustine’s Abbey, Bristol)

The earliest recognisable activity on the Minster House site dates from the 12th century, subsequent to the foundation of St. Augustine’s Abbey by Robert Fitzharding in 1140. Fitzharding was a royal official and prominent Bristol merchant who established his religious foundation on the one side of the knoll that was later to be called College Green. It was situated just to the south of the brow, on a south- facing and well-drained but almost level site overlooking, but safely above, the River Avon and its marshes. The exact location may have been determined by a pre-existing religious site, but at this distance of time it is difficult to unravel fact from legend. By the time of the later Middle Ages there was certainly a chapel dedicated to St. Jordan (an associate of St. Augustine) close by, on the Green itself, in which he was said to be buried. What cannot be disputed is that the present cathedral contains a large carving showing the Harrowing of Hell, found beneath the chapter house after the 1831 riots. This has been dated to the middle or third quarter of the 11th century, and may have been used to mark the main entrance to a church, probably above the doorway. In view of the size of the slab, it may not have travelled far, and could have been in use in the vicinity of the later abbey.

Fitzharding’s foundation was for a community of Augustinian canons, in this case the Victorine section that owed allegiance to the house of St. Victor, in Paris. Some of the early establishment came from the sister house at Wigmore in Herefordshire. In his latter days Robert Fitzharding became a canon himself, and was buried at the abbey.

Initially the abbey was established at the eastern end of the knoll, on the site that was subsequently occupied by the parish church of St. Augustine the Less and overlooked the marshes at the confluence of the two rivers, Avon and Frome. Work on the new church at the main site commenced soon after 1148, and part of the community was able to move in there by 1159. Eleven or so years later the church was sufficiently complete for dedication by four bishops (Dickinson 1976, 119-120). Unfortunately, very few abbey records survive, due to the twin devastations of the suppression and the firing of the chapter house (which contained the cathedral records) during the 1831 Bristol Riots. However, it is known that the last decades of the 12th century saw work not only on the church itself but also on the cloister, including the chapter house, and the abbey gatehouse, the last two still standing after surviving the rebuildings of later periods. So, there was known later 12th century building activity to either side of the site excavated in 1992.

By the time of Abbot John de Marina (1276-86) the abbey buildings had been allowed to fall into a degree of dilapidation, as noted in a visitation by the energetic Bishop Giffard of Worcester in 1278 (Bettey 1996, 10, referring to earlier work by J.W. Willis Bund). Bristol (north of the Avon) was to remain a far-flung part of that diocese until 1542, although Giffard and some of his successors did reside from time to time at the episcopal palace at Henbury, only a few miles away. After six years the bishop returned to find the situation much improved.

Edmund Knowle’s time as sacrist (treasurer), from c1298, and then abbot (1306-32) saw a massive programme of rebuilding, involving the eastern part of the church, the claustral buildings and other areas. Following the death of Knowle, his successor John Snow continued the work. All this building activity was to come to an abrupt halt with the arrival of the Black Death during the winter of 1348-49, by which time Ralph de Asshe was abbot. Bristol, port and large and crowded town, was badly hit by the pestilence, and the abbey would not have been immune: the election for a new abbot in 1352 was attended by 15 canons, whereas the community just five years previously had numbered about 25.

3 Construction work within the precinct was to cease for almost a century, only restarting during the long abbacy (1428-73) of Walter Newbury, when work was begun on a new central tower for the church, equipping it with new bells, and remodelling of the transepts. Abbot Hunt carried on the work for eight years, and then was succeeded by John Newland (or Nailheart, from his rebus or badge of a heart pierced by three nails), abbot from 1481 until 1515. Like Knowle before him, he was one of the great instigators of building and rebuilding work at the abbey as well as on the estates. Amongst the works associated with Newland were reconstruction of the cloister, construction of the gatehouse above the Norman gates, the dorter and frater, and the Prior’s Lodging to the west of the cloister (later to be Minster House). He also commenced rebuilding and enlarging of the nave, work that was still a long way off completion at the time of his death.

Work on such a large project as building the new nave was inevitably very expensive. Abbot Newland’s successors slowly continued the building work, but it was still far from completion when, on 9 December 1539, Abbot Morgan ap Gwilliam and eleven canons surrendered the house to the royal commissioners.

The Post-Dissolution History

Henry, recognising the need for more cathedrals in England, established six new bishoprics in 1542. Bristol had always been in the diocese of Worcester, a city so distant that some of the bishops had used Westbury-on-Trym as their second base and referred to themselves as of Worcester and Westbury. Bristol diocese was formed on 4 June 1542, but Gloucester, created the previous year, had been given most of the southern half of the old See of Worcester, and so Bristol was left with a small area to the north of the city, to which was added the south-western part of Salisbury diocese - effectively the whole county of Dorset - separated from the mother cathedral by the See of Bath and Wells.

The new establishment was to be 39 strong, of whom 6 would be prebendaries or major-canons and a further 6 minor canons or priests vicars. Senior clergy had to be found accommodation in the vicinity of the cathedral, and for this purpose it would appear that not only the claustral ranges but also other conventual buildings were pressed into service, not that it would have mattered unduly, what with most of the diocese lying somewhat distant in Dorset and with pluralism meaning that many appointees had other duties outside the diocese. The prebendaries were identified by the number of their stall. Each of the prebendaries was allocated a specific house in the precinct. That associated with the position of prebendary of the first stall was, at least by the time of the Parliamentary survey of 1649 (Appendix 1, BRO DC/E/3/2), the house to the south-east of the former Abbey gatehouse, on the north side of the lane leading to the cloisters, (i.e. the later Minster House). The survey described the building, then known as Dr. Greene’s house (reproduced in Bettey 2007, 75):

“consisting of two sellers lyeing under the great hall called the Bishopps Hall, one kitching with a loft over it, a little butterie nere the kitching, a little hall, a Parler wainscoated in the first storie; two chambers & a studdy in the second storie; a garret over the aforesaid chamber in the third storie; one little garden walled about lyeing East uppon the Cloysters and west on the little greene”

Dimensions given for the house in the survey were 64 feet, east-west, and 20 feet in breadth, “more or lesse”. Yearly rent was £3 10s 0d, the worth to be sold being £30.

Christopher Greene was the seventh holder of the position, the first having been John Gough in 1542. Immediate predecessor to Dr. Greene was Richard Hakluyt, the geographer and cosmographer, who was awarded the prebendary by Elizabeth after a copy of his 1584 discourse was presented to her. He remained resident in Paris until 1588, and two years later was appointed rector of Wetheringsett in Suffolk. In May 1602 Hakluyt was made a prebendary at Westminster, becoming Archdeacon in the 4 following year. He died in 1616 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Greene was appointed to the post in the same year. It is not known when, or indeed if, Richard Hakluyt resided in his prebendal house in Bristol.

Richard Towgood succeeded Christopher Greene as prebendary in 1660, but was elevated to Dean in 1667 to succeeed Henry Glemham. The following two prebendaries, Samuel Crossman and Richard Thomson were also promoted to Dean. William Hart (1684) was deprived in 1690 as the result of not taking the oaths to William and Mary. Nathaniel Lye (in post from 1691) was succeeded in 1723 by John Sutton. Sutton was vicar of St. Leonard, 1732-34, then of St. Augustine-the-Less until 1745. The Chapmans served for the remainder of the century, first Walter then John, to be succeeded in 1816 by, briefly, James Griffith, and then Henry John Ridley. Edward Bankes (1832), James Randall (1867) and John William Reeve (1875) completed the sequence to 1882. With the removal of Minster House, the prebendal accommodation was transferred elsewhere, but the succession of canons continued until the modern era.

In general the prebendaries were non-resident and most frequently the house was occupied by someone other than the prebendary himself. John Sutton and then Walter Chapman were listed there in the Land Tax and Poor Rate assessments from the early 1730s until 1750, and Canon Ridley on one or two occasions. Edward Banks was rated for the property from 1832 until 1867, but appeared not to have been resident. The earliest census return under the name Minster House was not made until 1881, when Sydney Collisson, Minor Canon was in occupation.

The 1696 tax return for St. Augustine’s Parish recorded the householder as being Elizabeth Thrupp, widow of a gent., together with her two daughters and two sons, and a female servant. Mrs. Thrupp continued to be taxed or rated for the house until 1728. The 1729 Land Tax recorded “Mrs. Trupp als. Jones”, with Charles Jones entered in the Poor Rate assessment for 1730. A Charles Jones, merchant, was recorded as voting in the parish in 1734. From the second half of 1731-32 the Reverend Mr. Sutton was taxed and rated, but his name was replaced by that of Walter Chapman after 1745. The Land Tax entries for much of the 1750s referred to Thomas Rothley’s house & stable(s), but by 1760 it was “Rev. Mr. Chapman House & Stable”, the Poor Rate recording “Late Tho: Rothley”. The 1754 Poll Book recorded a Thomas Rothley, custom-house officer, in St. Augustine’s parish. Charles Partridge was listed in the following year’s Land Tax, but two years later the first-half entry indicated that only the first quarter was payable by him, the remainder “now Dr. Randophs”. Dr. George Randolph was a physician and was instrumental in the development of the waters at Hotwells, dying on April 28th, 1764.

Major Tucker became liable for payments from 1764, his name appearing until c.1783, after which Mrs. Tucker (Margaret) was listed at the house until the early 1810s. John Norton’s name appeared in the street directories for this building during the period 1814-1819, after which Mrs. James Norton, jun., was listed until 1822. Canon Ridley became ‘proprietor’ of the property upon his appointment as prebendary in 1816, but was only in Bristol, “in residence”, for two months of the year, the directories giving his actual address as Dorking in Surrey. Edward Hodges, the organist at St. Nicholas, had married in 1818 but remained at the parental home in Bridge Street until he found the ‘Prior’s Lodge’ on the Lower Green, and arranged to occupy the house for the ten months of the year that Canon Ridley was absent.

The Hodges family moved in on September 27th 1822. Edward set to work on the building with vigour. Faustina, his daughter, in her biography of her father, says (p.11): “In the great gable, looking westward, he put in a large Gothic stained-glass church window; and here was his capacious music room. The outside was imposing, the inside arranged for music. On the apex of the gable, he put a stone cross, and up to it before long the ivy climbed. He planted many trees, and himself cultivated his sequestered garden, trained and pruned his vines, and gathered grapes plentifully, - chiefly, as he says, ‘for Margaret’”. Throughout his stay Edward kept a diary, quoted from by Faustina but not now traceable. By the end of 1822 the household comprised Edward and Margaret, George Frederick 5 Handel Hodges as their son and heir, two maids, Nimrod the dog, and the cat “whom we brought from Bridge St., and who seems to relish her new quarters very much.” Edward’s musical friends regularly gathered at the house, where he had assembled an organ for his own use, and gave a succession of concerts in his music room, which he styled the `Nailheart Concerts’. His residence at the premises was short-lived, however, and in September 1824 the family removed across the cloisters to the prebendal house on the south side (incorporating the remains of the old Abbey frater) belonging to Lord William Somerset, another Canon.

The Consolidated Rate entry for 1825 described the property recently vacated by the Hodges family as “Dwellinghouse, Coach Ho. & Stable”. One of the Wasbrough family was resident at the house the following year, and again in 1830. The Consolidated Rate continued to describe the property as including a coach house and stable, and indeed did so until 1838. Canon Ridley was given as occupier in 1831, but thereafter the Reverend Edward Bankes was taxed and rated, until his death on 24th May, 1867. After 1838 the premises were listed only as dwellinghouse and stable, with the final reference to the latter feature in 1849.

Since the Dissolution the remaining parts of the medieval abbey church had functioned as a somewhat cramped cathedral, and over the years various attempts had been made to make the best use of the restricted space available. By the second half of the 19th century the situation could be tolerated no more, and plans were made to once again erect a nave, one that would be of the same dimensions as its uncompleted 16th century predecessor. In order to construct the new south-west tower it was deemed necessary to remove part of the Minster House. George Wood (assistant to G.E. Street, the architect of the new nave) refers to “Canon Randall’s Bedroom - and the new wall it would be necessary to build across it ... so as to enable Canon Randall at once to finish the decoration of his house ...” (BRO DC/A/8/8/p.211 - letter of 2 September 1867). A short time later Archdeacon Randall (possibly a relative) consented “to the removal of that portion of the house and the application of the site thereof to the proposed nave” (ibid, p.212). Street recorded the necessary works to Minster House as `Day Work’ in his measurement of additions and omissions upon Mr. Booth’s contract:

“... cutting away for partition of Canons old House, and clearing away old office, repairing partitions of House and floors of same and making good up to new work. Building up end Wall of House & Buttresses & making good to return side wall, Building retaining wall of Garden.” (BRO DC/F/1/3, February 1870)

Robert and William Ross were resident in the now-truncated house in 1871 (Consolidated Rates), while the 1872 directory gave their address as “Minster House, Lower College green”. Ellen Ann Hicks was rated for the house in 1875, and Alfred Rosser two years later, the latter being titled Reverend in the Anglican clergy list in the directories, although his precise role is not known.

The Chapter Minute Book, entry for 7 October 1880, in the paragraph ‘Minster House Repairs’, recorded that “A letter from Mr. Collisson having been read Resolved that the Chapter pay £3.10. towards the repairs of the Minster House” (BRO DC/A/8/8/p.27). This may represent work carried out when he took up residence. The following April’s census recorded Sydney G. Collisson, minor canon of the Cathedral, resident at “Minster House, Lower College Green”, together with his wife Sophia, and one-month-old daughter, M. B., also a general servant and a nurse. Sydney Collisson had the privilege of being the last resident of the house - he was listed there by the 1882 directory, but the following year was at “Abbey Gate” (presumably the gatehouse), and thereafter at “Abbey House” in Lower College Green.

Although the new Cathedral nave was completed in 1877, the twin western towers remained only partly built. By early 1881 the north-west tower had risen as far as two full stages and the western end of the nave was complete. At that point it was decided to remove the chapter-office on College Green to permit a north-western view of the partly-complete end, the old structure being demolished in early May of 1881 (Bristol Mercury and Daily Post, Saturday May 21st 1881). A fresh appeal was organised 6 to enable completion of the works, and as part of this work the final laying out of a western enclosure between the church and the Abbey gatehouse was planned. Not only was Minster House within this area but it also obstructed views of the new Western Front from the south-west (Fig. 16). George Edmund Street, the Cathedral architect, died on 18th December 1881. John Loughborough Pearson (1817-1897), then the recently-appointed architect for the new cathedral at Truro, was made Street’s successor.

In his report of February 1882, ‘Bristol Cathedral Western Enclosure”, Pearson advocated the demolition of Minster House, with the possibility of constructing a replacement, to serve as a new Deanery or a Canon’s residence, to be built south of the line of the South-West Tower, at right-angles to the West Front. A printed broadsheet issued by the Cathedral Completion Fund, dated the following April, stated that the Chapter Office (immediately east of the Georgian house adjacent to the gatehouse - i.e. No.10, College Green) had already been removed (1881), and “As to the Minster House, because of its overlapping the western facade and partly obscuring one of its windows, it was equally obvious that it ought to be removed...”. It was proposed to remove the building as soon as convenient after its tenure by the present tenant was concluded in the following September. John Taylor, librarian of the Bristol Museum Library and well-known local historian, wrote a letter to the Athenæum in April, reproduced in The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post on 15th and 20th May 1882 (Appendix 2). The Chapter Minutes for 4th July, 1882, record that it was ordered that “£10 be paid Mr. Collisson for fixtures in the Minster House” (BRO DC/A/8/8/p.48). Two weeks later Pearson wrote a letter to Dean Elliott, in which he reported that he had again examined the case of “the old house called the Minster House” but had come to the same conclusion (BRO DC/F/1/3). He went on “The only feature of any interest is a small bay window of two stories (sic) the lower part of which is modern and is an imperfect copy of the original work and the upper part is so decayed and cut about...” Also “The old walls have at various times been much altered, and the remains of them (some of which are of considerable thickness) are not well built and are, I am afraid, honey combed by rats. Here and there are little bits of the old masonry indicating the date of the building as belonging to the 15th century, but of no other value.” He had looked at the possibility of re-arranging the building, but that would have involved adding another storey, and in any case would still have restricted the view of the West Front. And so Minster House was demolished, although not without criticism, the London Athenæum recording the event as “quite without excuse” (Hodges 1896, 12).

According to a letter of April 1883 addressed to the Mayor by the Dean (reproduced in The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post on Saturday, April 21st), the Chapter had decided to pull down the house in January, and that had now been done. Parkman says on his drawing that the building was removed in 1883, although 1884 is sometimes given as the date of demolition (e.g. Hodges, op.cit.). The 1883- surveyed O.S. 1:500 plan shows the site as cleared, although with the old boundary walls to the Lower Green still in-situ and the western enclosure yet to be laid out (Fig. 8). One old window was saved by the Chapter Clerk, Walter Hughes, who removed it to the garden of his house at Downfield Road, Clifton (ibid.), but it failed to survive the redevelopment of that site for flats in the 1960s. Pearson had hoped to lower the area of the western enclosure in order to create a more impressive approach to the west door of the Cathedral by the ascent of a flight of steps, but examination of Street’s foundations on the West Front revealed that this was not feasible. Therefore the enclosure would be made nearly level, with a curving carriage road that only dropped down to the Lower Green (Little Green) at the end. Writing in April 1883 (and in a manner that suggests that the Minster House was already removed), Pearson proposed pulling down the wall “dividing the Lane” (i.e. that on the north side of the way to the cloister), replacing it with “a low wall with good coping on it, and on the top an iron railing”. The new wall would run westwards to the gatehouse and, in the opposite direction, as far as the old doorway in the cloister wall. As for this doorway, he would “restore with its inside arch”. A flight of steps would link the upper (western enclosure) and lower (cloister area) parts of the site. Two months later, on June 21st, Pearson wrote a specification for the western enclosure works, which would include the restoration of “a portion of the inside Arch of the doorway marked X which is now wanting”, presumably the same cloister doorway, and would put a new string course and coping to the thick wall over the same (BRO DC/F/1/3). 7 Work to complete the western facade involved construction of the third and final stages of the twin towers. At the same time, the western enclosure was not forgotten, and the Precentor’s House, on the eastern side of the gatehouse, was removed in May 1885, and the gatehouse itself restored. The masons’ sheds associated with the works were situated in the space between cathedral and gatehouse, as evidenced in a Francis Frith photograph of 1887 (Hardy 1999, 24-25). June 1888 saw the laying of the capstone to the pinnacle of the western towers, with a service to mark completion of the cathedral held on the 7th of that same month. A photo-tint published in the Building News on November 2nd showed the completed structure, the sheds removed but some piles of rubble remaining, the open space of the western enclosure presumably being laid out shortly afterwards. The 1902 revision of the OS 1:2500 plan showed the sweeping path that led from Deanery Road past the great west door and around to Lower College Green, which survived until removal in 1992-93, but did not show the side path leading directly to the cloister through the medieval doorway in the wall, recorded by the 1912 OS revision. Both paths were visible on a photograph of Edward, Prince of Wales, inspecting men of the British Legion outside the cathedral during a visit to the city, 6th November 1936 (Winstone 1986, pl.200). The 1883-surveyed OS 1:500 plan showed the boundary walling to the western enclosure’s southern and western sides and that stretch of the west cloister wall south of the medieval doorway as still to be reconstructed (Fig. 8). Also shown on the 1883 plan was the small yard to the rear of the Precentor’s House, with a privy in its south-eastern corner and a street entrance in its west wall. The 1883 plan did not show any obvious change of level across the area, whereas in 1902 the north-south wall demarcating the change of level was recorded, as also were two small unroofed structures against the south side of the south-western tower.

Historic Drawings, Paintings and Photographs (Figs. 6-7 and 9-17)

Unusually for an archaeological site in Bristol, there are quite a large number of illustrations of the standing buildings, starting from the later 18th century and continuing until shortly before demolition, in the form of drawings, paintings and photographs. Most views of the Minster House are from the Lower Green and show the west gable end and the south elevation, also the western and southern garden walls. All record the fact that the main building was rectangular in plan, of two and a half storeys, with a raised section east of centre. There was a one and a half storey gabled structure to the south of the eastern end of the house, but its detail is mostly hidden behind the tall garden walls. These walls ran firstly southward from the south-west corner of the house, then turned along the northern side of the lane that still leads into the cloister.

The house was aligned east-west, its eastern end against a further building of similar alignment that in turn met the north-west angle of the cloister. At its western end the house stopped a short distance south-east of the Abbey gatehouse. The gable-end wall was supported by a pair of two-stage buttresses that reached almost to eaves level. Two of the earlier illustrations (by Edward Eyre, c 1776, and L. Ashford, c 1825) showed a change in the treatment of the wall above the buttresses, but otherwise it seems to have been rendered. At the ground floor was a pair of sliding sash windows (probably 6/6 pane) with segmental heads within squared-off lintels, with a single central 6/6-pane sliding sash at the first-floor. In the gable was a mullioned attic window of three lights under a hood- mould. At the apex of the gable was a finial base, perhaps once topped with a cross. There appears to have been a single-storey block running north from this elevation to link with the south-east corner of the Precentor’s House.

Edward Hodges substantially altered the west end of the house after taking up residence in 1822. The windows at first and second floors were replaced by a large traceried Gothic window of 3 lights, possibly removed from the east end of the north aisle at St. Augustine the Less, which was undergoing works at about this time and received new end windows to the chancel and south aisle if not also the north side. Although Hugh O’Neill (1784-1824) also showed the old ground-floor windows in 1823 (Fig. 11), they were replaced by a deep Perpendicular-style 3-light window with heavy moulding before Samuel Tovey (1808-1873) made his drawing in 1843. 8 Extending southwards from the south-west corner of the house was one wall of the garden. At the north end was a doorway with a rusticated jambs and a segmental arch with an enlarged keystone. The wall was probably constructed of courses of either Pennant Sandstone or White Lias, with coping stones, as also was that defining the southern limit of the garden against the north side of the lane leading to the cloister. Eyre’s painting (Fig. 9) showed a Lower Green that then extended right up to the west garden wall, with, about halfway between the garden door and the south-west corner, a small structure somewhat akin to a sentry-box, possibly a watchman’s box, on the outer face of the wall, its arched opening facing westward. Henry (Hendrik) de Cort (1742-1810) also illustrated this feature in 1794. Eyre recorded a small fenced area between the house and the gatehouse, a feature also noted by de Cort but best illustrated in 1792 by George Samuel (fl.1785- c1823). This was a rectangular enclosure running for a short distance west from the south-west corner of Minster House before returning to the north parallel to the building. Railings were mounted upon a low wall, with, against the corner buttress, what appears to have been a gate. (George Samuel was later to come to a sad end, crushed by a falling wall whilst out sketching). Ashford showed a picket fence running from the south- west corner of the garden as far as the gatehouse, and a gate opposite the garden door, with part of this area shown in more detail by O’Neill in 1821 & 1823 (Figs. 10 & 11). The south garden wall, where illustrated, was shown as tall, and apparently uninterrupted: Roland Paul’s plan recorded its eastern end as about two feet thick.

The main elevation of the house appears to have been that facing south onto the garden. It was a busy elevation. At the western end was a full-height single-stage buttress, its lower part forming the northern jamb of the doorway in the west garden wall. In the angle with the southern buttress of the west wall was a downpipe capped with a rainwaterhead. A short distance eastwards of the buttress, if not immediately adjacent, was a two-storey three-sided oriel with a tripartite hipped roof. O’Neill’s pair of watercolours of the building from the south-west both show the first-floor of the oriel with trefoil- headed lights in a square frame with hollowed spandrels. An (undated) photograph taken from the garden records cinquefoil-headed lights at the lower storey, but they appear fresh and sharp, and were in fact Victorian replacements. Almost adjacent was a large chimney-breast, consisting of several stages, the stack stepping in on the east side above eaves level. A photograph of the early 1860s showed two chimney pots above an uppermost section consisting of brickwork, as also did another of c1867 (Fig. 15; Winstone 1972,pl.60; 1966,pl.56).

Beyond the chimney-breast were a two-light window and a taller single-light transomed window, both with square heads and hood-moulds. Above the latter was a first-floor 6/6 pane sash window. There was then a two-stage buttress with moulded copings. On the eastern side of the buttress was the main entrance to the house. ‘Mr. Saunders of Bath’ in his garden view of c 1822 (Fig. 12) recorded a square trelliswork porch with arched openings to west and south, the entrance into the house possibly under a four-centred arch. (It is not clear whether the artist was John Sanders (1750-1825), or his son, John Arnold Saunders (b.1793) who was a teacher of drawing at Bath from 1810 until his emigration to Canada in 1832). Above the entrance was another sliding sash window, again 6/6 pane, beyond which there was a vertical mark or change in the rendering, this point also being the angle with the west wall of the south wing. Just beyond this line lay a downpipe with a square hopper, and a window of two square-headed lights with a hood-mould, at least one light having a hinged sash. Saunders’ illustration indicated a change from smooth render to a rougher finish almost immediately beyond the window. After a short distance the rougher wall rose in height, although with no windows in the uppermost part of the wall, there being a single first-floor window of three lights at roughly the same level as elsewhere. At the eastern end of the raised roof was another downpipe. This marked the end of the Prebendary House according to the dimensions given in the 1649 survey. However, there was a further building on the same line, reaching to the north-west angle of the cloister. O’Neill, in his view from the east (Fig. 13), recorded this as being a little lower than the section to the west and with no south-facing windows for the upper storey(s). In the east-facing gable end was a 2-light mullioned window with hood-mould. The gable itself was asymmetric, the lower part of the northern slope being absent, possibly indicating that it had been built against a pre-existing structure since demolished.

9 This strange-looking building survived long enough to be photographed, but by then the attic window had been blocked and a large buttress added to its north-east corner (Winstone 1968, pl.36).

For the western 50% of the main east-west building the eaves sat just above the lintels of the first-floor windows. There was then a section, amounting to about half of the remaining length, where the whole roof including the eaves was elevated, before the more usual height was resumed at the eastern end. The roof pitch of the raised section was slightly less than that for the main roof. A small cross-ridge roof connected with the north side of the large chimney stack that sat towards the western end of the building. At the east end of the western roof, against the end of the raised section, was a cross-stack topped by three pots – possibly just off the centre line of the roof. A third stack was located at the far end of the easternmost roof. Photographs show that the western roof was laid with pantiles. On the south side of the western roof, to the east of the large stack, O’Neill showed a possible skylight in 1821, but two years later he recorded a dormer window with pitched roof instead, visible also in later photographs.

Saunders’ view showed a lean-to block against Minster House beyond the trelliswork porch, possibly with a window into the porch. To the south of this block lay a small building of one and a half storeys, perhaps once a kitchen block. There was a gable to the garden elevation and a cross-gable connecting with the large stack at the southern end of the building. Facing the garden at ground-floor level were twin 8/8 pane sliding sashes and above, in the gable, a rectangular window of one light containing leaded glass with lozenge-shaped quarrels. In the angle between the west wall and the trelliswork porch was a short downpipe. The chimney stack appears to have been largely of stone rubble construction but with its upper works in brick. Other artists’ views confirm the roof and stack details.

Hugh O’Neill’s later illustration from the south-west (Fig. 11) recorded the upper part of the south wing after rebuilding. There was now a single pitched roof aligned north-south, abutting the main building immediately east of the second downpipe. At the northern end was a brick stack; on the southern gable end was a (brick?) breast. Tudor-style mullioned windows with hood moulds, apparently two in number, were inserted in the west wall. A later photograph (BRSMG Ma.3830) showed a southern window of three lights in the wing’s west wall. The roof appears to have been laid with clay Double Roman tiles.

The only general view of the garden is by Saunders, who must have been positioned right in the south-west corner when he made his drawing. There was a path leading from the gate in the west garden wall as far as the porch, and another running from the south side of the porch towards the lane. Beyond each path were shallow beds, with climbing plants growing against both Minster House and the south wing. The majority of the garden, however, was laid out as lawn - Saunders even showed the garden roller.

One photograph of part the garden is known (Hodges 1896, opp.p.166; Winstone 1983, pl.215). This pictured the area immediately in front of the oriel and the large chimney breast, at the west end of the south elevation. A path ran from the garden door on the left as far as a porch on the right. North of the path was a narrow border from which several climbers ascended the walls. On the left, against the west garden wall, a narrow bed, then a rough path before a further bed with rounded end, and then another path, this time of the same standard as the main one. Small edging plants defined the borders of the beds. On the far right of the photograph were the branches of, apparently, a Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

O’Neill’s 1821 view from the cloister depicted the northern half of the west cloister wall much as it survives today, a rubble construction finished with coping and a doorway with two-centred arch and drip moulding, above which is a carved head or corbel. The six-panelled Gothic door has not survived, however. Immediately adjacent to the south was another doorway, this time beneath a shallow segmental arch, possibly of brick, with a plank and batten door. The remainder of the wall was not 10 illustrated. No useful illustrations exist of the area between the cloister and the south wing of Minster House, although in the background of a photograph taken in the later 1880s a couple of single-storey sheds may be seen.

Between the time of O’Neill’s illustrations and publication of George Pryce’s drawing in 1850, a small two-storey addition was erected in the angle between the main house and the south wing. This structure had a west-facing square-headed window of two lights at upper level, above which was a parapet. Beneath the window was a doorway or porch, the edge of which is seen in the photograph of the garden. The earliest photograph of the building (early 1860s – BRSMG Ma.3830; Winstone 1972, pl.60) confirmed most of Pryce’s view, as did one of c.1867 (BRSMG R394.A.2; Fig. 15). Another addition post-1823 was a tall brick chimney stack on the south side of the main house, apparently immediately east of the dormer window. By the early 1860s the picket fence separating Minster House from the Lower Green had been superseded by iron spear fencing mounted on a low wall (ibid). In not too many years this would be rearranged to increase the enclosed area to the west of the garden wall (Winstone 1984, pl.43), and the latter fence-line was recorded on the OS 1:500 plan. The line of the modern boundary wall is based on that existing at the time of demolition although probably a later rebuild contemporary with the carriage road.

Two references from c 1912 mentioned a plan of Minster House as then surviving. It has not proved possible to locate this document, although it may still exist amongst the Cathedral records remaining to be catalogued. However, a plan by Roland Paul, possibly a copy of it, has been found (BRO DC/F/9/1; Fig. 6). This is a basic ground-floor plan of the building taken either shortly before or during demolition, complete with lines of construction and perhaps not fully perfect. No staircase can be identified. Some walls are apparently shown as part-removed. Where comparison is possible then there is agreement with the various drawings and photographs of the building. In addition, there is recorded a small room to the east of the south wing, with an external doorway in its east wall. Between the northern part of the same room and the said wing the wall is shown to be about 4 feet 6 inches (1.37m) in thickness, and, to the north again, at the eastern end of the area beneath the lean-to roof, it is 5 feet (1.52m) thick. At this point is what may be a heavily-moulded embrasure, most likely a door, with a 5 foot-wide opening, and, to its immediate south, a small squint-like window with an angled embrasure, the two features in the west wall of a building. Paul’s plan also shows the west cloister wall from the medieval doorway northwards to be of 4 feet (1.22m) in thickness but the wall to the south to be much thinner.

11 3. THE EXCAVATION - PERIOD DESCRIPTIONS

Period 1 - The Twelfth Century (Fig. 18)

Despite the attractions of the site (south-facing, well-drained, above the marsh yet within easy distance of a water supply), there is no evidence that this particular spot was occupied prior to the establishment of the Abbey. However, there does appear to have been activity elsewhere in the College Green area - at least in the later pre-Conquest era. Just a short distance to the east, within the Chapter House, was found in the 1830s the ‘Harrowing of Hell’ relief, a carving that pre-dates the foundation of the Abbey by almost a century. By that time the College Green area was probably already known as Bilswick (literally Bill’s dairy-farm), although surviving references to it only date from the 12th.century (Walker 1998, 17 & 23).

Roland Paul (1912, 232 & pl.XXXIV), utilising both the measurements made by William Worcestre and archaeological evidence uncovered during the 19th century restoration showed that the Norman nave would have been smaller than at present, likewise also the early 16th century nave that was commenced but never completed and upon which the Victorian plan was based. Abutting the south side of the Norman south-west tower Paul shows a 12th century work, as recorded on Godwin’s plan (1863, pl.1). This structure included at its eastern part two thick, parallel east-west walls, the southernmost containing a narrow stair in its thickness. Other walls ran to the west and north of this part of the building.

The earliest features recorded in the 1992 excavation were located in the north-east of the area investigated and included part of the structure noted by Godwin (the remainder having been destroyed by construction of the Victorian south-west tower). Immediately to the south of the tower buttresses was a line that ran westwards from the cloister wall for 16m before turning to the north. This was marked by the wall W.33 and gully G.54, and the later robber trench of the eastern half of the wall, G.32, and the north-south length by pit P.97. After 6.10m the line returned to the east (Wall 48), to be cut by the west wall of the same Victorian tower (Plate 7). On the inside of the southern line was a square projection (Stone Feature 69 and Wall 42, in Gully 33), matched to the north by a pit of similar shape (P.102). These lines defined Building 1. Structurally, the building was typical of the Norman period, consisting of substantial walls built of Brandon Hill Grit and bonded in a reddish mortar. There were internally projecting footings, as seen in the 12th century chancel at nearby St. Augustine the Less and also at the Norman house excavated at Tower Lane (Boore 1985, 25 & 1984, 11). In most of Bristol Brandon Hill Grit was replaced by Pennant Sandstone as the predominant building stone from about the 13th century, but the fact that the earlier material was being quarried on the Abbey’s own land and only a short distance away from the precinct may have been a factor extending its period of use on the site. Due to its nature, being a lumpy sort of rock that was difficult - if not impossible - to work into shape, the stone required the provision of rather thicker walls than was the case with Pennant Sandstone.

Wall 33 was a substantial construction, 1.20m in width, Brandon Hill Grit bonded with a brownish-red sandy silt (Fig. 29). It ran westward from beneath the line of the present west cloister wall for a distance of 16m before turning to the north. A single sherd of Ham Green coarse ware (in production c1120-1300) was found within the mortar of the wall. Running parallel to the north side of the wall was a 700 to 800mm-wide gully with a southward-dipping bottom (G.54/G.61), which was interpreted as a wide foundation trench. Within the gully, on the north side of the wall, were three silty contexts, one with crushed oolite (MN, SB & TL). The foundation trenches contained pottery whose known date ranges are not inconsistent with a construction date of the later 12th century. At a point on the north, or inner, side of W.33, 4m eastwards of the likely inner south-west corner of the building, was a protruding stone feature, S.F.69. This occupied 1.05m of the face of the wall and projected 750mm (i.e. to the northern edge of G.54). It consisted mainly of Brandon Hill Grit, with some Pennant and heat-affected oolite, the rubble core bonded in a dark reddish brown sandy soil with pea gravel. 12 Beyond the gully edge the feature continued as a shallower, narrower feature (W.42) for a further 400mm. The combined feature S.F.69/ W.42 sat in a discreet foundation trench, G.33, whose fill (KC) contained just two sherds, of no later than 12th century date.

At its southern end the north-running wall had later been robbed out totally (Pit 97 in Period 2, Fig. 19), and throughout had also been damaged by later construction. It is possible that Gully 40, excavated on the west side of Room 10 beneath the later Gully 39, was part of the foundation trench for this wall. The eastern edge of the gully was in line with the eastern side of Pit 97 to the south. This length of wall was not described in the site records, however the fill of the pit included “rubble with red- brown silty soil”, thought to have been some of the demolished wall redeposited. Due to the severe damage it was not possible to ascertain whether the wall had been buttressed.

No certain evidence for the western end of the north wall of Building 1 was forthcoming, although it is possible that the northern side of Wall 27, which was bonded in a red-brown ‘silt’, incorporated part. It was revealed closer to the Victorian south-west tower, however, as a fragmentary wall, W.48, but with only the inner face visible (Plate 7), the remainder obscured by the later, Period 4a, Wall 26 (Fig. 21). Here it again consisted of Brandon Hill Grit, bonded with dark orange-red gritty silt, with tiny fragments of Oolitic Limestone and occasional charcoal flecks. On the inside of the wall, its footings sat upon a layer of sandy/gritty soil. The outer face of the wall was probably flush with the bottom of the later wall. Against the inside of the Norman wall and in a position opposite that of S.F.69 on the south wall was a pit, P.102, which was about 1.20m square. At the northern edge of the pit the wall was destroyed, the possible indicator of the removal of a bonded feature such as S.F.69. A short stretch of shallow gully (G.60) against W.48 to the west of the pit was seen as the equivalent to G.54 on the south wall.

Perhaps because most of the eastern half of W.33 had been robbed out, there was no evidence of the narrow staircase shown within its thickness by Godwin. He also recorded a doorway in the same wall, a short distance to the west, and, although no direct evidence for this was found, its existence was inferred by the position of a later stone drain, D.25, of Period 5a (Fig. 23). There was no opportunity to confirm whether either feature shown by Godwin was contemporary with the construction of Building 1.

The feature S.F.69/ W.42/ G.33 and that in the opposite pit, P.102, may have been the bases of internal buttresses, although a more likely explanation may be that they supported the responds of a vaulted structure. There is no evidence that they were connected, so that they were unlikely to have been the ends of a cross-wall. Immediately to the east was a 20mm-deep layer of freestone (Oolitic Limestone) chips with a worn/rounded surface, possibly a floor (context MK), above which lay a 50mm silty layer (MJ). In the south-east corner of Building 1, beneath Floor 4, were the remains of a layer of dark red/purple sandy clay containing many lumps of Brandon Hill Grit (context WA), also four sherds of BPT 32 (in the broad range c1120-1300), in this instance post-dating the construction of Building 1, although probably not by very long. Below this was a further layer (WB), a gritty soil with stone fragments, but containing no finds. This appeared to extend westwards as far as the south-west buttress of the Victorian tower but was not fully investigated during the excavation. Only 20mm or so thick, this may have represented the bottommost fill of an inner foundation trench, the equivalent of Gully 54/61 further to the west.

As excavated, Building 1 appears to have been a long, narrow structure, but there remains the possibility that it may originally have extended further to the north. Most of its east end has been lost - probably permanently - beneath the Victorian tower. It was a substantial and well-built structure. Boore (1992, 44) provisionally interpreted the building as a first-floor hall, probably originally the abbot’s house and guest house. The date of construction is thought to have been about 1170.

In most medieval religious houses it was usual for the western side of the cloister to be closed off by a full-length range, often containing two storeys. Generally this housed the cellarium, or main storehouse, on the ground floor with, on the upper floor, accommodation for guests or the more senior 13 officers of the establishment. Having the main storehouse on the western side of the cloister made sense, since this was convenient for the outer court beyond, where goods would be delivered from the house’s own estates and, when occasion demanded, from outside suppliers. In addition, the kitchen was usually close by, in or near the angle between the western and southern cloister ranges.

Erection of the western range at St. Augustine’s may not have been the highest priority when it came to the construction of permanent buildings, but nevertheless it should have risen within a reasonable time. Paul (1912) suggested that the original cloister was smaller than in late medieval period, but if that was the case then some evidence of an outer wall to the western range might have been expected during the 1992 excavation, which was not the case. The only alternative is that the 14th century rebuilding of the cellarium followed the footprint of the original west range. Examination of the outer wall of the rebuilt range (Wall 3) shows that not only was a different stone used in the footings to that in the main wall (Brandon Hill Grit with Pennant Sandstone, as opposed to Old Red Sandstone) but it was laid differently and the mortars were different too (Fig. 30; plate 8). The lower mortar, described as “orange/brown sandy/gritty soil”, was more akin to the Period 1 mortars than those in use in the fourteenth century when the cellarium was rebuilt. Further evidence is that the foundations for the buttresses on the west wall of the range as later rebuilt were separate from the main wall foundations. In the north-west corner of Wall 3 was a small area where Wall 33 projected southwards beyond its usual line, evidence of either a buttress or, more likely, a more substantial addition to the south side of the Norman Building 1, in this case where the west claustral range projected southwards.

All features in the area to the east of Wall 3 - in either Period 1 or 2 - could be interpreted as being internal. The indications are that the west wall of the original north-south range sat central to its footings, and was similar in thickness to the surviving fragment of standing west cloister wall.

A short distance beyond the west end wall of Building 1 lay Pit 103, with a fill of rubble with red-brown silty soil and lumps of pinkish-grey mortar. Unfortunately, its relationship with the building could not be determined due to the damage caused by later drains. Inside the west cloister range were two small circular pits, P.143 and P.145, the first of which (context SR) produced three sherds, all potentially dating from the 12th.century (BPT 32, 46 & 114). No dating evidence was forthcoming from Pit 145. Two post-holes and a small gully (P.H.74 & 75 and G.58) adjacent to the smaller Pit 143 may have been of a similar date.

Period 2 - The Thirteenth Century (Fig. 19)

In the 13th century a smaller stone building (about 7.50m x 6.40m) was built in the angle between the south side of the Norman hall and the west cloister range. This building (Building 2), originally interpreted as a workshop, is more likely to have been a detached bell tower. A bell-casting pit was discovered 6.0m to the west of the workshop and measured 6.60m x 2.20m x 1.16m. It contained at its west end a circular stone base divided into quadrants, the diameter of the whole being 1.30m. Many fragments of bell mould were recovered. This feature was thought to be late 13th century in date, although could be slightly younger. A bell dated to c1300 still hangs in the central tower of the Cathedral (pers comm M. Smith).

Major rebuilding of the eastern end of the church commenced towards the close of the 13th century and continued into the following one. Abbot Edmund Knowle (1306-1332) was responsible for much of the new work, which began in 1298 with the Eastern Lady Chapel and culminated in the construction of the hall church where chancel and aisles were of equal height. Building 2 may have been in use at the start of this renewal process.

Many features and layers have been assigned to this period purely on grounds of stratigraphy or relationship. In other cases there is dating evidence available in the form of pottery with known date

14 ranges, although this is only useful where there is no reason to suspect the presence of undue amounts of residual pottery from the earlier period. In the south-east corner of the Norman hall (Building 1), lay a floor of off-white, slightly pinkish mortar containing black and white flecks (Floor 4, context TS). This was up to 10mm in thickness and when excavated produced four sherds, including two of BPT 118 (c1250-1350), the others being a little earlier.

Building 2 was approximately square and was attached by one wall (the northern part of W.34) to the south-west corner of Building 1. After only a short distance W.34 turned eastwards to run parallel to W.33, another wall (W.46) now forming the west side of the building until it, too, turned to the east, as W.43. All three walls were of similar construction but of differing and inconsistent thicknesses, at least at foundation level. Wall 34 was mainly of Brandon Hill Grit, with some Pennant Sandstone, bonded in an orangey mortar that was particularly lime-flecked towards its eastern end. It was 850-950mm thick, with footings extending for another 300-350mm southwards. A single sherd of pottery (BPT, c1250- 1350) was found within the wall. Wall 46 continued as the west wall of Building 2 for a further 5.70m southwards, but it had survived less well. Neither its thickness could be measured nor its exact relationship with the easterly return determined. Pennant Sandstone, Brandon Hill Grit and some Oolitic Limestone had been used in its construction, all bonded in a reddish-orange mortar. The easterly return was Wall 43, built of Pennant Sandstone and Brandon Hill Grit in a bright orange/red sandy mortar, varying between 900 and 1100mm in thickness, its eastern end truncated, possibly for an entrance. There was no evidence for a separate eastern wall to the building, which on this side probably simply abutted Wall 3, the outer wall of the west cloister range.

Dividing the interior was a 750mm-thick east-west wall (W.51), constructed of Brandon Hill Grit in a darkish orange mortar and set in a wider foundation trench (G.63). The wall had subsequently been largely robbed out, but not before two floors had been laid up against its southern edge. Beneath the lower floor lay a pit of irregular shape (P.154, fill context TW), with, at the southern end of the room, another pit (P.152) that may have been part of the Wall 43 foundation trench. The lower floor (Floor 5 - context TV) occupied an area of about 2m square against the west side of the building and consisted of chips of oolitic limestone and fragments of Pennant Sandstone, with no pottery present. Into this were cut two rows of post-holes and three pits, all with similar fills of orange-brown silt and small stones. The northernmost row of post-holes (P.H. 76-78) lay a metre south of Wall 51; the second row (P.H. 79-80) was immediately north of Wall 43. A small oval pit (P.151) sat between the two post-holes of the southern line, and a similar feature (P.149) adjacent to P.H.78 in the northern row. Pit 150 (fill TQ), of more irregular shape, lay between, and to the south of, the central and eastern post-holes, and may have incorporated a fourth example.

Floor 3 sat immediately above the earlier floor but, in contrast, occupied the whole of the room (Plate 9). Pennant Sandstone chips were the main material, with oolitic limestone being used along the northern edge. The floor (context TO) produced eight sherds, of which six were of BPT 118 (c1250- 1350) and two of BPT 27 (c1170-1225). From a point not far south of Wall 51 a gully (G.50) ran directly southwards, passing the end of Wall 43 and continuing beyond the building for at least 1.50m. This gully was 300mm wide and dipped towards the south by an average angle of about 12%. The fill was an orange-brown gritty sandy silt (context TM).

Virtually all of the archaeological features, of whatever period, were aligned on the cardinal points of the compass. An exception to this was found south of Building 2, where there was a group of narrow drain-like constructions, the true function of which has yet to be successfully explained (Plate 10). Drain 32 commenced at a point 2m south of Wall 46 as a small freestone trough (S.F.77) that fed, via a small drop, into a narrow north-east-running drain (Plate 11). The drain proper was built of small stones with a 100mm-wide channel. Not all the capstones had survived. Blue/grey clay was found in part of the drain, the fill of the remainder not being recorded at the time (as was also the case with the base). Beyond a later disturbance the drain was again recorded - as Drain 34 - but here there were two fills. Context QL was a red-brown gritty silt, 300mm wide, extending across the south-east wall of 15 the original drain. The lower fill, SQ, a dark orange-brown sandy silt, occupied only the narrow channel. Only one small capstone survived along the 1.50m stretch. Later disturbance had destroyed the remainder of the drain, however it did align with the north-western end of Drain 37. Within SQ were two sherds of BPT 27 (c1170-1225). In the upper deposit were eight sherds of Ham Green ‘A’ fabric (BPT 26, c1120-1170) and three of Bristol/Redcliffe manufacture (BPT 118, mid-13th to mid- 14th.century).

A second drain ran in a north-easterly direction towards Drain 37, in a line south-east of, and almost parallel to, Drain 32/34, but at a slightly lower level. This was Drain 31 (context RF), of similar dimensions but with all its capstones intact. Two fills were recorded, but as a single context, PT, the upper part a red-brown silt, the lower a gritty orange-brown soil. Complete rectangular ceramic roof, or peg, tiles, some part-glazed (of Bristol Rooftile Fabric Type 6), had been utilised for the drain floor (Plate 12). At the south-western end of the exposed drain was a small inlet on its north-western side, possibly a ‘hopper’ fed by a gutter or downpipe (Drain 35). The lower end of Drain 31 was truncated by a 14th century buttress, and it was impossible to be certain whether it ever met Drain 37.

The head of Drain 37 was in the form of a freestone trough, similar to that at the top of Drain 32. It sat below the projection of the line of Drain 34. There was a U-shaped channel, 60mm wide, which dropped about 90mm to the floor of the main drain. The drain ran in a south-easterly direction, through the lower part of Wall 3, but evidence of it on the far side had been removed by a post-medieval cess pit, S.F.38 (Fig. 24). Beyond that a length of 2.20m did survive, in the bottom of Gully 46 beneath the west cloister range, before disappearing in the direction of the lane leading to the cloister. Drain 37 was built with dry-bonded sides of Brandon Hill Grit but without base stones, and no capping survived. The south-eastern portion was divided into segments by stones that appeared to have been part of the original construction, forming a set of ‘steps’ or miniature weirs that any water would have flowed over, and creating a series of small, narrow ponds in-between. How this functioned in practice and why it was necessary is at present unclear, although possibly in this way it helped to cool the cellar (suggestion from Kevin Blockley). The fill of Drain 37 was described as a fine orange-brown sand with occasional charcoal flecks.

Against the stone trough at the head of Drain 32 was a stone construction (S.F.79). This abutted to the west and south. It appeared to be aligned north-south with a small turn to the east to meet the drain head. The edges were not too clear, but the width of S.F.79 was about 800mm, the feature built mainly of Brandon Hill Grit, bonded in green/brown clay. To the north, the clay continued as far as S.F.78, a small irregular construction of Pennant Sandstone in an orange mortar on the north-west side of Drain 32. West of this lay S.F.82, a small feature built of Brandon Hill Grit with dark red silt between the blocks. The sides were not parallel, but nevertheless this had the appearance of a small wall. Stone Feature 79 was possibly also a wall, although may alternatively been a base, perhaps for a cistern adjacent to the head of Drain 32. The function of S.F.78 was not clear. In common with drains D.31, 32 & 35, it was sealed by context OS, a dark red-brown clayey soil with many small stones. Within OS were a number of sherds of pottery, predominantly of Ham Green wares, of which there were 21 sherds of BPT 27 (late 12th to early 13th century) and six of the earlier BPT 26. To the north, in the area immediately south of Wall 43, several layers were excavated, including SP, a patch of green clay in the area between drains D.31 and D.34. Below SP was SW, an orange gritty sandy silt that included a lead jetton (small find no.207). Although the jetton was identified as possibly being late medieval, the context itself appeared to be somewhat earlier, including eleven sherds of Ham Green ware of the 12th-13th century (BPT 26 & 27), with the sealing layer, SP, containing five sherds of Ham Green cookpot (BPT 32, c1120-1300) as well as further examples of the two fabrics.

Six metres west of Building 2 lay a large pit, its larger dimension aligned east-west. The pit (P.147) was 6.60m in length and 2.20m wide, with a slight reduction in width for the easternmost 2.70m (Figs. 31 & 32; Plates 13 & 14). This eastern end formed a long ramp down to the main area of the pit. In the bottom of the pit sat a circular stone construction (S.F.83), 1.30-1.40m in diameter, divided into four quadrants by a larger east-west flue and a smaller north-south cross-flue (Figure 33 and Plates 16 15 & 16). Lumps of Brandon Hill Grit and Pennant Sandstone were set in a mixed matrix of soft black marl, burnt clay and charcoal, with a raised outer rim in an orange-brown sandy stone, all set in a pinkish-red clay. Fragments of Lias Limestone were also recorded. Many of the stones showed evidence of burning. Around the outside of the circumference were deposits of a yellow-brown silty sand which showed signs of burning or heating. The larger flue was 400mm wide, the smaller flue 150-200mm. A short extension at the eastern end of the larger flue was noted, with the pit bottom beginning to climb before it ended.

In the eastern part of Pit 147 and running up to the circular stone construction was context WH, depth about 400mm. This consisted of a yellow-brown silty and clayey sand, orange sand, much charcoal, pieces of Pennant, Brandon Hill Grit and Lias, and fragments of bell-mould. Within the cruciform-plan flues was context WG. About 300mm in depth, it was similar to the layer above (WF), but a clean dark red-purple very sandy clay with charcoal and yellow-brown sand. Throughout most of the pit was layer WF, 300-400mm deep, a dark red-purple gritty clayey soil with small lumps of Brandon Hill Grit, orange/yellow compact (burnt) sandy silt, black ash, charcoal, bell-mould, and some yellow Lias. This overlay the south-east quadrant of S.F.83 and the outer areas of hard-packed yellow silty sand. Layers WF and WG sealed WH but were in turn beneath TY, a layer of 300-400mm of black ashy silty soil, charcoal, Brandon Hill grit, orange-brown burnt clay, some grey/green clay mixed with red-brown gritty clay and some Lias, and lumps of bronze and clinker. Context TY extended throughout the pit. Above TY was layer TF, comprising lumps of fired clay mould with dark red silt and occasional stones, lenses of brown sand and gritty clay, and dark red/purple clay with much charcoal and much burnt Lias and Brandon Hill Grit. Included within the layer were three large circular clay mould bases, laid in a row, of which two were excavated in full (Plate 17). Layer WC, excavated to the west of the later garden wall (Wall 16), was a combination fill the same as TF/TY. Above TF was layer OQ, of smaller extent, approximately 3m x 2m in size, comprising a dark red clay-silt with stones, lumps of fired clay and some charcoal flecks, the fired clay being restricted to the southern part, the remainder being very rubbly.

Pit 147 was clearly associated with the manufacture of bells, a process that would of necessity be carried out as close as possible to the bells’ intended home. The entire feature, pit and stonework, were not unlike 10th and 13th century bell-casting pits excavated at Winchester, and the pit only of a 12th century example there also (Davies and Ovenden 1990, 102-112), although here at Minster House with a stone base of smaller diameter stone base and cross-flues. The circular stone construction within the pit, S.F.83, was subjected to considerable heat, necessary in the creation of the clay bell moulds and also a factor in the casting process. Provision of cross-flues in addition to the main flue would have ensured a more even firing whilst continuing to provide adequate support for the bell mould. The number of surviving mould bases present in the backfill of the pit indicates that at least three bells were cast at the same time: the plan made of Pit 147 prior to the removal of context TY showed one complete mould base, a second about 50% complete, and two other large fragments, apparently from a third and larger base. Perhaps a complete peal was produced. One bell of c1300 still hangs in the central tower and, with the evidence suggesting a date in the later 13th century for the bell-casting activity in this corner of the precinct (see report by R. Burchill), then this may have been its exact birthplace.

Within the pit, the lower three fills were all aceramic, the fourth (TF) containing just two sherds, both of which (in Ham Green ‘A’ or ‘B’ fabric) were in poor condition. It should be noted that layer OQ, effectively the uppermost fill of Pit 147, contained almost 80 pottery sherds (including 70 of Ham Green ‘A’), but none could, with certainty, be dated to beyond about the late 12th century, although five could have been from as late as the mid-13th century. However, it is possible that the uppermost fill of the pit was brought in from elsewhere due to the large amount of material required to fill such a large hole. It is conceivable that the bell-casting feature could even date from the early 14th century.

West of the line of the later, Period 4b, garden wall (Wall 16, see Fig. 22), an area of approximately 6.25 m2 was removed during the excavation in order to facilitate investigation of the far end of the bell- 17 casting area. Some 300mm was removed down to natural. This layer (TX) consisted of red-brown clayey and silty soil, many lumps of Brandon Hill Grit (and some of Pennant Sandstone), some fragments of bell-mould, oolite fragments and charcoal flecks. Just three pottery sherds were recovered, two of BPT 32 and one of BPT 27, produced in c1120-1300 and c1170-1225 respectively. Apart from the extreme western end of Pit 147, five smaller features (Pits 155 to 159) were sealed by TX. The first three, beneath the northern edge of TX, all had similar fills, yellow-brown sandy clay and red-brown clayey soil with small stones (the fill of Pit 156 was context WD). They may have been post- holes. Pit 158, to the south, was another possible post-hole, the fill being loose brown and red-brown sandy silt and red-brown clay. Below the southern edge of TX, and running beyond it, was Pit 159, a double cut with brown and red-brown sandy clay, charcoal flecks, oolite fragments and small Brandon Hill Grit pieces. None of the features could be dated, so could have been from an earlier period.

On the north side of Pit 147 lay a large but more shallow pit of irregular shape, P.138 (context RZ; Fig. 32). This contained a number of sherds, including nine of BPT 26 (c1120-1170) and eight of BPT 46 (c1150-1250), with the remaining two also of 12th century date. Fragments of brick or tile of unusual form were also present (Fig. 55): these have been identified elsewhere as elements of the flooring of tile kilns (Riall 1994, 80-81), the products there being peg tile and possibly crested ridge-tile from around the 13th to 15th centuries. However, at least one of the larger fragments had been fired during manufacture but then never subjected to any noticeable degree of heat, suggesting that it had remained unused. Immediately north of Pit 138 and 3m to the north of the bell-casting area was a group of post-holes and small pits, P.H.71-73 and P.139-140, all sealed by context RA. The two pits and P.H.72 were of similar size (about 500mm diameter) and arranged in a close triangular shape. Contexts SC and SD were the fills of the two pits, SG and SM those of the latter two post-holes. Slightly off-centre within the triangle was P.H.71, a stakehole. A lone post-hole 2m north of the east end of Pit 147 (P.H.68) may have belonged to this period. Within SD was a pierced oyster shell, one of a number found in contexts belonging to this and later periods, perhaps copies of the scallop shell badges associated with pilgrimages to the tomb of St. James at Santiago de Compostella in Spain.

In the area immediately west of the end of Building 1 were the fragments of three walls. They had been largely destroyed or obscured by subsequent development, so that their original form and function was mostly lost. Wall 50 ran in a north-south direction for a short distance, visible only between the positions of two later, Period 4a walls, W.19 and W.41 (see Fig. 21). A short stretch of walling (Wall 49) abutted the east side of Wall 50 at its southern end, but had later been destroyed to the east by Gully 47. Wall 47, a wide wall of more than a metre across, survived a short distance west of the north-west corner of Building 1, and may have abutted it. Robbed out to the east by the later Pit 82, it had been removed to the west of Wall 10 by the lowering of the interior in the 19thcentury. Wall 50 was built of Brandon Hill Grit with some Pennant Sandstone, bonded in an orangey mortar. It was of unknown thickness: possibly it supported one side of a staircase (suggestion from K. Blockley). Against the east face was Wall 49, surviving as a length of only 430mm, again of unknown width, and possibly not a wall as such. This was mainly of Pennant and Brandon Hill Grit with some oolite, in a bonding of dark red clay. Against the visible faces of Walls 49 & 50 was context SN (Pit 142), brownish-orange fine sand/silt with stones of Brandon Hill Grit and fragments of oolitic limestone. The two walls lay beneath the 14th century layer PW, as also did the deposit QO that included two sherds of later Bristol/Redcliffe ware. Wall 47 was constructed solely of Brandon Hill Grit with a dark orange- red silty mortar. Immediately south of Wall 47, and partly below the later Wall 10, was Post-hole 67, cut into layer RL and sealed by MX. Context RL consisted of orange sand with patches of dark red clay-silt, with no dating evidence, whereas MX, dark orange mortar with stones, contained two sherds of Bristol/Redcliffe ware of c1250-1350 (BPT 118). The two fills of Pit 97 (LL above MH) may date from this period, but could as easily be later: LL is sealed by the 17th/18th century layer HS.

Gully 33, the opposing feature to Pit 102, may also have been backfilled during this period. Within the fill (KC), a reddish orange soil with fragments of Brandon Hill Grit and smaller ones of oolite, were just two sherds, one each from the 11th and 12th centuries (BPT 115 & 114). It is possible that the stonework in Pit 102 was removed during this period, although, alternatively, that could have occurred 18 later. The sole dateable find in the pit fill (context NR) was a single sherd of BPT 118, with a date range of c1250-1350.

Cut into the natural inside the west cloister range were three intermittent gullies and an associated small pit. No dating evidence was available, but they seem to best belong to this period. Two parallel gullies (G.51 and G.52/59) ran southwards from a point a little over 2m south of Building 1 (Plate 18). After 6.50m the westernmost of the pair continued as a small pit (P.141) while its companion turned to the east, as Gully 49. The gullies were more a series of slots, in line and sometimes joined end to end, sometimes slightly separated. In several places vertical stones of Pennant Sandstone still survived in the slots, standing proud of the surrounding surface (Stone Features 80 & 81). The latter, in Pit 141, consisted of a vertical piece of Pennant set in buff mortar, together with Brandon Hill Grit with green clay, also a small circular patch of grey silty soil. Gully 49 ran eastwards for more than 2m before exiting the excavated area. The gullies and slots varied in width from 30-220mm. On average the two rows were 320mm apart, centre to centre, but the distance between them reduced from 240 to 200mm towards the south. It is possible that the pair of gullies had originally extended further to the north, but later disturbance made it impossible to confirm this. The general level in this area was almost half a metre below that within Building 1 immediately to the north, and had clearly been terraced in. Only at the southern end did the original sloping ground surface survive. The slots may indicate the positions of packing either side of wooden sills for internal partitions.

Natural was much higher at the northern extremity of the excavation than elsewhere, an average of only about half a metre below modern ground surface in the areas to the east and south-east of the Abbey Gatehouse. Running beneath the north section was a wide, shallow depression containing context JJ, a red gravelly sandy layer with some oolitic chips, and a single sherd (BPT 118). This, in turn, was overlain by layer EG, also with chips of oolite and containing eight sherds, of which six were of late 12th/early 13th century manufacture (BPT 27). Context CC in the west of the area was the equivalent of EG.

Period 3 - The Fourteenth Century (Fig. 20)

Later in the 14th century a new, buttressed, stone building was constructed to replace the original west cloister range, while the (possible) bell tower to its west was probably removed. Only the northern half of the rebuilt range (approximately 11.40m x 11m) was exposed during the excavation, the remainder now being buried beneath the road leading to the cloister and the Cathedral School premises beyond. The overall dimensions of this western claustral range, representing the abbey cellarium, the main storehouse of the establishment, would have been about 29m in length by 11m in width. The rebuilt east wall, still standing to the north of the cloister access road, includes a much weathered moulded doorway with a corbel above in the form of a man’s face.

The west wall of the rebuilt cellarium, first uncovered in the 1991 evaluation, measured 10.30m by 1.34m as excavated and included three external buttresses on its west side. Associated were contemporary stone-built drains, which included re-used stonework such as window tracery in their construction. At the junction of the north end of the cellarium west wall and the Norman hall south wall, there was a substantial structure, possibly a heavily moulded entrance porch to an Outer Parlour at the northern end of the ground floor.

The ground floor of the cellarium revealed two phases. The earlier phase was defined by two rectangular stone bases placed across the central axis of the building. One corner of the southern plinth was built incorporating a block with moulding of plain chamfer with a roll and bar stop in Old Red Sandstone. These plinths may have carried a large staircase to the upper floor (cf. the west claustral range at Fountains Abbey, for instance). The north plinth was subsequently replaced in the late medieval period by an east-west wall that completely sub-divided the northern half of the cellarium.

19 The outside area to the west of the range appears to have been used for gardening. Many fragments of inscribed slate were found in contemporary association with the cellarium.

This substantial new range erected on the west side of the cloister utilised the remains of the original building as the basis of its western foundations (Fig. 30; Plate 8). Paul (1912, 235 & Pl.XXXIV) suggested that the original western cloister walk was further east, but it now appears that the cloister had already reached its present width before the 14th century.

The western range would have performed the function of cellarium or abbey storehouse on its ground floor, the upper storey probably utilised as guest accommodation. Incorporating the south wall of the existing Norman hall meant that no separate north end wall was required. The oldest part of the present cloister west wall, at 1.12m (44 inches) wide, may well match the size of its earlier, 12th century, predecessor. Almost at the mid-way point of today’s wall is a 14th century doorway facing into the cloister (Stone feature 20; Fig. 34). Out of plain chamfered jambs rises a two-centred moulded arch, the moulding continuing onto a hood-mould. The label stops to the latter are now missing but O’Neill (BRSMG M.1893) shows them, although not well enough to ascertain whether they were in the form of human heads. Above the arch, now as in 1821, is a corbel in the form of a man’s head, but it appears to have been repositioned from elsewhere on site. In the western face of the cloister wall is a shallow segmental rear arch with a plain chamfer that continues the full depth of the jambs. This arch has been reconstructed at some time in the past, probably when the southern half of the cloister wall was rebuilt in the 1880s, since that work continues a short distance north of the doorway also. However, the main doorway itself appears undisturbed, and may therefore be contemporary with the cellarium. To the west of this doorway and occupying the northern end of the ground floor of the range was probably the Outer Parlour, where the canons would meet those visiting from the secular world outside the confines of the Abbey. The term ‘parlour’ indicates the function of this space as a place where conversations could be held.

In 1992 the west wall of the cellarium (Wall 3) still survived to a level not far below the modern ground surface. This was of massive construction, an average 1.30m (51 inches) in thickness, well founded with outer footings of a further 0.25m (10 inches), the inner footings being somewhat slimmer (Fig. 30; Plates 4, 6 & 8). A foundation trench (Gully 56 - fill context SX) survived outside the wall for the stretch between the northernmost buttress and Wall 38. Further to the south, near to the third buttress, it was again recorded (context PE). At its northern end the west face of the wall was built out to a rougher edge on the line of the outer extent of the footings, where it met the (truncated) end of the earlier, Period 2, Wall 34 (Fig. 19) and the newer walls to either side, W.38 and W.39 (see below). At a distance of 2.50m south of the wider wall/ south side of Wall 38 was a buttress (BT.2), 820mm long by 690mm in width, followed after an interval of 1.92m by a second example (BT.1), and, after a similar distance, by a third (BT.3). Buttress 1 had been partially uncovered during the 1991 evaluation, when it was recorded as ‘wall 2’. All three buttresses were of similar size, at intervals of about 2.65m, centre-to-centre, and this layout probably continued southwards beneath the road and school. Lower portions of Buttress 3 survive by virtue of having been utilised for part of the foundation of the Victorian south boundary wall, W.35. The footings for these buttresses were generally wider than those for the main wall proper.

On the footings, in the southern angle between Buttress 1 and Wall 3 was the head of a small drain, D.29, its sides converging towards the outlet. This probably acted as a hopper collecting the rainwater draining from the roof. The drain proper was incorporated into the body of the later Wall 11, indicating that it was then probably still in use (Fig. 20). Wall 3 was predominantly built of Old Red Sandstone with packing of Brandon Hill Grit and Pennant Sandstone, bonded with an orange-pink mortar. Some blocks of freestone were noted in the buttresses. The footings, the remains of the west wall of the original range, were mainly of Brandon Hill Grit, with Pennant packing, bonded in an orange/brown sandy/gritty soil. Old Red Sandstone measures outcrop in Abbots Leigh, near Bristol, north-westwards of Church Road/Manor Road, and, the manor then being part of the abbey estate, this was probably the source of the stone. As a building material it is not commonly found in medieval Bristol, but does 20 occur in various abbey buildings, also at St. Mark’s on the far side of College Green, and is again found in use in the area in the 19th century (e.g. at No. 30 on the Green).

At its northern end the west cellarium wall partly abutted the earlier wall of the Norman hall (Wall 33, Fig. 18), but was also partly bonded into it, returning eastwards for a short distance. Within the wall, between Buttresses 1 and 2, was a small drain (Drain 23) that crossed it from east to west, discharging beyond the western side of the footings, presumably into Drain 37 (Fig. 30; Plate 8). Most of the area immediately inside the cellarium had been destroyed by later walls and two substantial cess pits, but at the southern end of the excavation a narrow drain-like feature (Drain 38, context RR) survived against the footings. At the bottom of a shallow gully (G.53) lay a line of ceramic roof tiles (BRF type 6), used in a similar manner to those in the floor of the earlier drain, D.31, a little to the west. The main fill of the gully was a brown gritty sandy soil with many chips of Pennant Sandstone (RN). This feature may have served to drain the interior of the storerooms, although it should be noted that its base lay at a lower level than the bottom of the nearby drain described above. There were no signs of original flooring surviving inside the building. However, the fills of the Period 2 gullies (contexts RC, RG, TC & TD) may date from this time, although only one dateable item was recovered from all four - a sherd of BPT 118 (of c1250-1350).

Two rectangular piers were positioned across the centre line of the cellarium (Walls 30 & 52) at 2.60m centres (Fig. 35). Each was 2m in length by 0.85m in width, constructed of Brandon Hill Grit with some Pennant Sandstone and Old Red Sandstone, bonded in a dull orange-brown mortar. At the south-west corner of the southern pier, W.30, was a piece of reused Old Red Sandstone (Stone Feature 86) that carried a roll and bar stop and plain chamfer similar to those of c1320 still surviving at the entrances to the Berkeley Chapel and its anteroom or sacristy on the south side of the south choir aisle, and thus dating this feature to not much before this date (Plate 19). There were no matching piers either to north or south, nor did the pair correspond with the buttresses in the west wall. It therefore seems unlikely that these carried columns, for which in any case they might have been nearer to square. The most likely explanation is that the two piers supported a staircase leading to the upper storey. Bradenstoke Priory (Wilts.) had a staircase in a similar position, while Fountains Abbey possessed a feature similar to the Bristol one in construction, though being the lay brothers’ night stairs it ran from inside the church. Between the piers lay an area of pale buff mortar (context SO). This continued up to the pier faces but not the west face of the later Wall 32.

Within the area of the cellarium were several pits and two post-holes, none of them necessarily related. Pit 128, in the centre of the building at its northern end, and Pit 132 (fill context RH), against the eastern end of the southern pier, contained no dating evidence. To the south-east of the latter was the circular pit, P.131, that cut the earlier, Period 2, east-west gully,G.49, and the fill of which (QX) included four sherds of BPT 118 (c1250-1350). Three metres to the north lay Post-hole 69 (fill RW), also containing one sherd of the same fabric. Still further to the north, but obstructing access to the doorway in the west cloister wall, was Pit 146 (fill TE), containing five sherds of BPT 118 but partially destroyed by the cut for a later drain (D.25, Period 5a). To the north-east of the pit was Post-hole 70, only 300mm from the inside of the cloister wall. The full diameter was 220mm, but the fill included a 120mm-diameter central ‘post’ that was filled with lumps of charcoal with some pale brown clayey silt (context SA). It should be noted that in the cases of both Pit 146 and Post-hole 70 there is no firm dating evidence for placing them in this period, and so they could belong to a later phase.

The Period 2 bell tower structure (Building 2) must have been removed prior to construction of the cellarium. In one place Wall 34 was destroyed down to its footings by the excavation of two pits, P.115 and P.113. Just to the east of these the lower part of the wall was left in-situ, and indeed was extended to north and south by the addition of Walls 38 and 39, thus extending the slightly wider northern section of Wall 3 in a westerly direction by a further 2.85m. Wall 38 was built over the footings of the earlier wall. While the function of this large mass of masonry is not entirely certain, it does appear to have formed the approach to a wide opening at the northern end of Wall 3. Paul’s plan of Minster House indicates that this may have been a deeply moulded doorway (BRO DC/F/9/1). This 21 would not be unreasonable, since in many religious houses this position in the west range was occupied by an outer parlour, a place where the religious and secular worlds interfaced. Here, in the space between the cloister and the outer court, the canons of St. Augustine’s Abbey would meet their benefactors and other lay persons. The access from this room to the cloister would have been through the doorway in Wall 2 (see above). From the south side of the room led the also aforementioned staircase to the first-floor lodgings. It is possible that the masonry base beyond the outer doorway supported a porch. Paul recorded a squint-like window immediately to the south of the doorway.

Pit 115, cut slightly into Wall 34 but also extending to the south of it, contained sherds of BPT 118 (c1250-1350). The larger Pit 113 subsequently cut Pit 115 at its northern end, also more of the remains of Wall 34 (extending up to its northerly return and the southern face of Wall 33), and cut the small Pit 119. Within the pit fill (context NV) were found a larger number of sherds, both of the same fabric and of the later BPT 118L (c1350 onwards). A fragment of slate found within NV was inscribed with an anthropomorphic figure on one side, with crude lettering on the reverse (small find no.134 - Fig. 52.1). On the south side of Wall 38 was a possible floor level, comprising fragments of Pennant Sandstone slab, being large roof tiles reused (S.F.75, context SE)), below which was a silty layer (context ST). The feature did not relate comfortably with the wall to its north, and may have pre-dated it. To the south, most of Wall 51 had been robbed out, the fill of the resultant trench, Gully 57, containing a number of sherds of pre-1350 date (context SY).

In the southern part of this area was layer PP, an orangey sandy layer, possibly mortary, and this was continued beyond the line of Wall 43, which was still upstanding to a degree, as context QC. Together, these two layers contained a number of pottery sherds from the first half of the 14th century, mainly of BPT 118 and 121, as well as a number from earlier dates.

Beneath QC was context QE, which produced, close to the southern edge of Wall 43, a penny of Henry III, dated to 1248 (small find no.187).

Occupying much of the area between Wall 3 and the east end of Wall 43 was Pit 137, above the upper end of the earlier, Period 2, Drain 37. The pit fill (context RY) consisted of orange-brown sandy silt, many stones (some mortared) and lumps of orangey mortar. This may represent demolition rubble from part of the postulated bell tower (Building 2). Within the pit were in excess of 30 sherds, including two of BPT 126 (c1300-1400) and nineteen of BPT 118 (c1250-1350), also earlier fabrics.

Sealing the western end of Pit 137 and flowing southwards through the eastern half of this area just west of the cellarium was the drain, D.20, commencing probably on the north side of Buttress 2 (its northern end was destroyed, so its point of origin could not precisely determined). Initially running a little west of south, its line turned to due south beyond the point where it had been destroyed later by the post-medieval Wall 11 (Period 5a), and it ran on to the excavation boundary as Drain 36. The principal remains lay between Buttress 2 and Wall 11, where it was seen to have stone sides bonded in a pinkish mortar, about 400mm apart (Fig. 36). Mainly of Brandon Hill Grit, there was also some Pennant in the walls, with odd pieces of slate, perhaps to pack the capstones, which themselves were of both Pennant and freestone, including part of a square head to a window of multiple trefoil-headed lights of probably late 14th century date (Plate 20; moulded stonework fragment no.M77). One of the slate fragments was a slate tally marker reused (small find no.176 - Fig. 52.2). The fill of Drain 20 (context PB) was a mid-brown loamy silt, darker and more loamy towards the top, generally charcoal- free but with occasional patches, and including a few pot sherds from the first half of the 14th century. Further to the north-west, Drain 24, of which only a short stretch remained, appeared to flow south- east in the general direction of Drain 20. To the east of Drain 20 and cut by it, layer RM included nine sherds of BPT 118 (c1250-1350).

Pit 130, a possible post-hole of 400mm diameter, lay 750mm south of the south-west corner of the former Building 2. Its fill (QT) contained three sherds, two of 12th-13th century date, the third of BPT 118. Over in the south-west corner of the garden area, Pit 118, a wide but not particularly deep 22 feature, partly overlay the filled in bell-founding pit, P.147. Apart from several earlier sherds there were half a dozen examples of BPT 118, also three of BPT 120 and one of BPT 121, these last two fabrics dated to around 1300-1350 (context PA). Within the area of Building 1 (the Norman hall), was a layer, 50-100mm deep, of mixed orange-brown mortary soil, containing a few sherds of 14th.century pottery (context LX). Further to the west, above the line of the supposed west wall of the building, lay a deposit of stones bonded in pink mortar (PX). These, lying directly north of Pit 97, did not have a face and were possibly a pit fill. Above this was a 100mm-deep layer comprising dark red silty sandy soil with stones (MP). Neither of these two deposits contained any direct dating evidence.

In the area to the north-west of Building 1 was a hard-packed layer of dark red clay-silt and stones (context OP), including five sherds of late 13th- early 14th century pottery, and earlier, 12th century ceramics, but no later finds. The later Drain 30 sealed this deposit.

In the western part of the site lay an area of disturbed natural. An arbitrary spit of this was removed during the excavation (context ME), and produced five pottery sherds of potentially mid-13th to mid-14th century date.

Period 4a - The Fifteenth and early Sixteenth Centuries (Fig. 21)

In this period the nave together with much of the monastic quarters including the frater along the south range of the main cloister and the lesser cloister further south, were under reconstruction. Today the frater or refectory still survives within the Cathedral School. During this period the western end of the Norman hall building was demolished, and the Minster House or Prior’s Lodgings range was then constructed incorporating the remains. The principal part of Minster House was a two-storey structure with a first floor hall, 10.50m x 8.0m with additions on the east. West of the cloister, internal walls divided the cellarium building into three rooms. The new buildings were provided with a well- constructed drainage system.

Within the cellarium the northern stair pier (wall 52) was reduced, most of its thickness overlain by a full-width east-west wall, W.31. The new wall, 800mm thick, was constructed mainly of Brandon Hill Grit, in a dull orange mortar. Paul’s plan shows a skew window in Wall 3 immediately north of Wall 31. This would have provided the only source of direct light in the outer parlour when the main door was shut. There is a possibility that the original window embrasure was contemporary with the construction of Wall 3 and was of conventional shape, but was then altered to take account of the new cross-wall. Just east of the end of the remains of wall 52 there may have been a doorway - a subsequent layer, QB, partly overlay the wall at this point. One sherd found within this layer was Malvernian, dating to no earlier than the 15th.century. This layer was noted as being delimited westwards by walls 29 and 32. Wall 32 had been built between the eastern ends of the stair piers subsequent to deposition of the mortar layer, SO. Mainly of Brandon Hill Grit, bonded in a pinkish-orange mortar, the wall was only a little over 1.60m in length, but was 600-650mm in width. Wall 29 ran for an even shorter distance from the south-west corner of the southern pier (Wall 30) before turning to the west as Wall 28 (Fig. 37), which latter reached to the inner face of Wall 3. Although using similar materials to Wall 32, Walls 28 & 29 were narrower, at 500mm. wide.

Layer QB also sealed two pits, Pit 127 and Pit 129 (fills QJ & QQ). The latter included a Tournai token (small find no.188, fl.1415-1497), also four sherds of 15th or 16th century Malvern ware and one of ‘Tudor Green’ ware of post-1420. Pit 123, cut into the southern end of this pit, apparently from a higher level, may have constituted merely another element of the fill of Pit 129. In pockets across the area between Walls 2 and 32 lay context QP, a brownish red silt. To the south of Wall 28, and cut by it, was the earlier Gully 46, at the bottom of which was Drain 37. However, the fill of the gully (QM) included no less than eleven sherds of ‘Tudor Green’ ware (BPT 182, c1420-1500) and nine of Malvern (BPT 197, 15th-16th century), also a single example of Falfield ware. The presence of this later pottery 23 indicated, as must so often have been the case with stone drains, that this length had been uncovered for repair or, perhaps more likely, for cleaning. A fragment of slate from the gully fill was scratched with a doodle (small find no.234 - Fig. 53.6). Above the gully and towards Wall 3 to the south-west were contexts PJ and PK, the upper of which produced two further sherds of BPT 197 and one of Falfield ware (BPT 266). Drain 23, flowing westwards through Wall 3, contained three fills, the lowest of which (TJ) included three sherds of BPT 197 and two of BPT 266, dating that deposit to probably the 16th century.

Adjacent to the northern side of Wall 31 was a narrow gully, G.55 (fill context SH), probably representing the robbing of the north side of the Period 3 Wall 52 (see Fig. 20). There was no evidence of the gully much beyond the ends of Wall 52. Cut by the gully and also running parallel to the wall was an area of brownish yellow silt (SJ), 20-30mm in depth, extending eastwards from where it was cut by the later Period 5b cess pit, Stone Feature 56, for almost 1.50m and about 600mm in width.

Relatively few features dating to this period were located in the area immediately to the west of the cellarium. Over the west end of Stone Feature 75 was placed a small construction, S.F.73, function unknown. This consisted of pieces of Pennant Sandstone bonded with a grey-buff mortar. A short distance to the east, against the south side of the eastern end of Wall 38, was S.F.50. An area of crushed freestone was bounded to the west by a line of small flat pennants. On its northern side was plaster against the face of Wall 38. In the southern part of the area, Pit 117 (context PD) overlay the line of Drain 20. Two metres to the west lay Pit 107 (context NN), later to be cut by the footings of Wall 11. West of that pit, and partly below the position of the later Pit 80, was Pit 114.

Running north to south a short distance west of the site of Building 2 was Drain 8, the southwards continuation of Drain 15 in Minster House (Plates 4 & 5). It appears to have had a long life, and some of the length excavated in 1992 may represent later repairs or rebuilding rather than the original construction. There must have been a need to open up and clean out periodically, as this sort of drain would have become blocked on a relatively frequent basis. Pennant Sandstone was utilised for the flooring and cap-stones and most of the walling, this last being bonded in orange-pink mortar. The channel was approximately 300mm in width and depth. It ran into the site south section, after which its course is unknown, although a change to a westerly direction is most likely.

Close to the west side of Drain 8, at the southern side of the site, was a single post-hole, P.H.62. The fill of this (context OD) contained but one sherd, of post-1400 date, although the feature was cut into an area that produced only sherds of earlier in c1350 in date (contexts QR & QS). At this time the only other evidence for activity in this part of the site is the large, but not particularly deep, Pit 122 (fill QA), its northern half destroyed by the building of Minster House. Although none of the finds from the fill were later than mid-14th century in date, the pit cut context PN, which contained four pottery sherds of no earlier than c1400 (BPT 197). In a band of about 2m in width running east-west immediately south of Minster House, PN consisted of a dark red clay-silt with some small stones, and lay directly upon natural. Layer GT, further east, may have been associated.

The 15th century saw construction of the principal part of what would become known as Minster House. However, as both the archaeology and the illustrations of the standing building show, Minster House was not a erected as a single entity, rather it was the combination of a series of rebuildings and new build. At the eastern end of this part of the site the Norman hall was partially reconstructed. To the west, a new first-floor hall was built. The end result was a lengthy east-west range, the eastern end of its south wall also forming the north end of the cellarium or western range of the cloister. As late as the 19th century, the southern elevation of this composite range remained inconsistent, with variations in both eaves heights and the finish of wall rendering.

Virtually the whole of the extreme eastern end of the range was removed during construction of the Victorian nave, although there may have been earlier destruction here as part of the abortive attempt 24 to rebuild the west end of the church in the early 16th century. Illustrations from earlier in the 19th century show a block that was, even then, still largely windowless for part of its south elevation, a hangover from the time when the cellarium range was still standing against that area of wall. Immediately to the west lay the one part of the Minster House range that stood out - literally, as its roof was somewhat higher than the remainder. There was the one south-facing window, at the first-floor, but this was a 3-light mullioned example that could easily date from after the Dissolution. The Norman wall continued in use, but its northern face was rebuilt at the west end, as Wall (Fig. 29). Brandon Hill Grit was utilised for the majority, bonded with a pink mortar. At the western end was a freestone jamb with a plain chamfer and broach stop, forming the southern side of a doorway (Stone Feature 2). A passage ran eastwards from here, alongside the north face of Wall 5. Beyond the passage was Room 1. The presence of the cellarium, on the south, and Room 1, on the north, prevented the direct lighting of the eastern end of the passage. The problem appears to have been solved by the provision of a skew window that took its light from the outside of Wall 33 at its junction with Wall 3. While the eastern side of the (full height) embrasure ran at an angle of 45 degrees (S.F.60), the inner part of the west side was at right angles to Wall 5 (S.F.36). It is likely that the outer part of the west side again lay at 45 degrees, but this, together with the opposite side, would have been at more conventional window level, and therefore did not survive.

Wall 4 divided the passage from Room 1, and was similar in build to Wall 5 but including some Pennant Sandstone, thickness 640mm (Fig. 38). Alongside the north face of the wall was a shallow foundation trench, Gully 37. At its western end was another, internal, doorway, again with freestone jambs with plain chamfers, but with only half-broach stops (S.F.1). Beyond lay Wall 6, 750mm thick, running north from S.F.2 for 3.25m before returning to the east as Wall 26 (Plate 7). Wall 6 was bonded in a similar mortar to Walls 4 and 5 and composed of Brandon Hill Grit, but the mortar used in Wall 26 was an orange-pink. The latter wall was neatly faced on the inside and on part of the outside, but at its western end was less regular facing north where it was cut back into the natural slope. A small extension outwards at the junction of Walls 6 and 26 may have been the base of a buttress. The room defined by Walls 4, 6 & 26 extended for an unknown distance eastwards, its eastern end later being cut by the foundations of the Victorian south-west tower. It appears to have been the room described in the 1649 survey as “little hall” (BRO DC/E/3/2; Bettey 2007, 75).

What was to later become the principal and best known part of Minster House lay a little over 5m to the west of Wall 6 (Plate 21). This was rectangular in plan, a substantially-built structure with walls of, in three instances, more than 750mm in thickness, the exception being the east wall (Wall 10), which was still over 600mm deep. Possibly this last-mentioned wall was not contemporary, since it consisted of red sandstone (Old Red Sandstone?) and Pennant Sandstone rather than the Brandon Hill Grit that was the predominant material in the walls. In terms of the mortar used, it was Wall 14, the western end, that was the exception, being an orange-pink rather than just pink (Fig. 39). Even the lowest levels of all four walls were heavily damaged during demolition in 1883, with the result that the excavated evidence has had to be augmented by information from Paul’s drawing in order to calculate wall thicknesses. Buttresses were provided at both ends of the south and west elevations, but no evidence for these on the other walls was forthcoming. In fact, the eastern end of Wall 15 (the north wall of the building) was of such shallow foundation that none of it had survived the 1883 demolition.

More than half the length of the south wall (Wall 13) had its footings expanded southwards in order to support a large chimney breast in the centre of the wall and a canted bay further west. The slight remains of a foundation trench (Gully 48, context QZ) were noted, containing but one sherd of earlier date (c1250-1350). No archaeological evidence for the ground-floor fireplace survived and only slightly more, of much later date, for the bay. Illustrations show that the bay had windows on all three sides at both ground and first floors, each window with a trefoil head and hollow spandrels within a square frame. At the south-east corner of the building the base of the buttress consisted of a large block of reused moulded freestone, Stone Feature 28, whose underside was carved as part of a scalloped capital (of Norman date). No direct archaeological dating evidence survived for this building, however the two-storey bay suggests a 15th century date. Saunders drawing (c1822) shows two windows of 25 15th or 16th century date between the breast and south-east buttress (Fig. 12). The floor of the bottom storey had been lowered at a later date, destroying anything that might have survived there. This part of Minster House is probably that described in the 1649 Parliamentary survey as “two cellers lyeing under the greate hall calld the Bishopps Hall” (BRO DC/E/3/2).

Wall 13 continued east as Wall 19, to the end of Wall 5. A wide doorway was incorporated into Wall 19 only a short distance to the east of Wall 10 and Stone Feature 28. This opening was evidently about 1450mm wide but was later to be reduced in width. For some of its length Wall 19 incorporated part of Wall 33, rebuilt in a pink mortar with its northern face cut back. At the eastern end of Wall 19 there was, at least in later times, a doorway (Stone Feature 14) connecting Room 11, on the south, with Room 3, part of the passage. From the outside of Wall 10, at a short distance from its north end, a wall ran eastwards. After 2.75m it turned to the south, returning to meet Wall 10 after another 2.50m. The three walls, 9, 8 and 41, respectively, were of similar build, two of Brandon Hill Grit and the third also with Pennant Sandstone, and all bonded in a pink mortar. Walls 8 and 41 were faced on both sides, being each 500mm thick. A foundation trench, Gully 39 (context NJ), was noted along the eastern side of Wall 8. On the north side, Wall 9 was faced on the inside only, the outside being irregular where it was cut into the slope, although it may have been faced at higher level. Entry to the room was from a continuation of the passage noted to the north of Wall 5, by way of a doorway through Wall 41 (Stone feature 3). The jambs, on the south side of the doorway, were decorated with a plain chamfer and broach stop. One jamb had subsequently been repositioned - the final width of the opening was a massive 2.25m. In all probability it was the westernmost jamb that had been moved, since that on the east side lay adjacent to a drain - which should have been easier laid through a doorway - and the wall footings were continuous except where cut by the drain. Saunders drawing of c1822 shows the main entrance opposite this opening, which would have made the western end of Room 3 the entrance hall, with, in all probability, Room 4 containing the main staircase.

Between Walls 6 and 8 lay an area that was defined on the north by Wall 27, a narrow continuation westwards of the line of Wall 26. It was, however, rather thinner than the other walls, at 470mm, and its relationship to them was unclear. Faced on its south side, the wall was less regular on its north side, where it appears to have been founded on the northern edge of the wall of the Norman building. Mainly comprising Brandon Hill Grit, it was bonded on the north side in a red-brown silt, on the south side in an orange-pink mortar. In the angle between Walls 8 and 27 was Stone Feature 31, the bottom of a flight of stairs. Four risers and three treaders survived, but there were probably originally more, with the upper end hinting at the beginnings of a turn. The treaders were of Pennant Sandstone, 640mm wide and 300mm deep, and the same orange-pink mortar was used as in most of the Minster House walls. It is not clear whether the stairs led up to the first-floor or merely to a raised ground-floor level to the north. There was apparently no wall connecting the southern ends of Walls 6 and 8 until later. This room may have been the “little butterie now the kitching” recorded in the 1649 survey (BRO DC/E/3/2).

Drain 30, to the north of Wall 9, has been mentioned previously (Period 3). It ran from east around to south and with the conventional Pennant Sandstone slabs for floor and roof. It would originally have continued on to join Drain 15, which ran past the end wall of the Norman building and then southwards. This provided drainage for both Buildings 1 and 2. Although the surviving evidence points to this period, it is possible that the drain was first installed earlier than this. A reddish-brown clay-silt fill (PL), complete with a single sherd of BPT 118 (c1250-1350), was recorded within Drain 30. The drain was later blocked by part of the northern edge of a sub-circular stone feature, S.F.25. This was constructed in similar manner to the majority of drains, in this instance the walls bonded in an orange- pink mortar, but was somewhat larger at approximately 700mm diameter. It formed the head of Drain 15, which then led directly southwards through the building, after which it turned to run in a south- south-west direction. Pennant Sandstone bonded in a pink mortar was used for the base, walls and capping of this main drain. Gully 47 may have been associated with construction of this feature. At the time of excavation the sub-circular feature was interpreted as a garderobe, or privy, but it could also be seen as a ‘hopper’ to catch water dropping from a roof spout. The drain itself was sat on a base of 26 dark red clay silt (context PY) and was bonded in a pink mortar. A series of drains were in use on this line until the demise of the building in the later 19th.century.

South of Wall 9, to the west of Drain 15 lay a deposit of pinkish-orange mortary rubble and stones with lumps of pinkish-grey mortar towards the bottom (context MG), matched on the opposite side by rubble with lumps of orange-pink mortar and orange-brown silty soil (MM). The latter contained five sherds of BPT 118.

The appellation ‘Minster House’ does not appear to have been applied until towards the close of the life of the building. Mary Robinson (‘Perdita’), the actress, and mistress of the future George IV, who was born within the Cathedral precincts in 1758, talked of a ‘Minster House’, which was in fact on the north side of the cloister and now lies beneath the Victorian nave. It seems that the more usual name given to the prebendal house was ‘Prior’s Lodging’ or ‘Lodge’. No other part of the abbey precinct has been identified as the likely site for the prior’s accommodation.

Period 4b - After the Dissolution (Fig. 22)

Upon the surrender of St. Augustine’s Abbey on 9th December 1539 the site and its buildings passed to the Crown. At, or soon after this time, the old nave and its partly-built replacement were removed, leaving the truncated structure that was to constitute the cathedral church from its establishment in 1542 until the 1870s. Some of the claustral buildings managed to survive - making it clear that wholesale destruction was not necessarily the order of the day. However, the western side of the cloister did suffer badly compared with the remainder, although it is not clear as to when, for instance, the cellarium range was removed. The surviving foundations indicate that it was of substantial construction and may well have been capable of further use.

The establishment of the new bishopric of Bristol, created in 1542, utilising the remains of the abbey and with St. Augustine-the-Great as its cathedral church, was provided with a total staff of 40. Apart from the bishop - who was to set up home on the east side of the lesser cloister, beyond the end of the abbey’s dorter range - accommodation had to be found for the dean and the other officers, including half a dozen prebendaries, or major-canons. Each of the prebendaries was provided with an official residence, the canon of the first stall being allocated Minster House. However, given the prevalent pluralism of the time, the prebendaries invariably had duties elsewhere and for the most part spent only a fraction of the year at Bristol. Even in the 19th.century they were only required to spend two months of the year in residence. The regular duties seem to have fallen to the six minor canons. Probably the most famous prebendary of the first stall was Richard Hakluyt or Hackluyt, the Elizabethan geographer, who also held a similar post at Westminster. At this time the part of the abbey outer court adjoining the south side of Minster House was converted into a garden, delineated by walls to south and west.

Drain 23, in the thickness of Wall 3, appears to have continued in use after the surrender of the house. Above the third fill of the drain (context TJ), dating from the last decades of the abbey, lay a very loose light brown silty sand (TH) containing many small bones and two sherds of Wanstrow ware (1550 and later). Uppermost within the drain lay context LC, containing no specific dating evidence. At some point the drain channel had been sealed at its eastern end by a mortared blocking almost 300mm in length but which left a small almost square vertical opening immediately to its west.

Within the cellarium, a short distance east of Wall 32, was Pit 133, fill recorded as context RK. Sealing the pit was layer PO, a red-brown soil with stones and lumps of plaster and pale mortar that was limited to the area east of Walls 29/32. Cut into PO was Pit 125, whose eastern end was against the cloister/ cellarium wall. The fill of the pit, QG, produced several sherds of post-1550 pottery. Pit 109 (fill context NT, not shown on plan), in the south-east corner, and Pit 105 (fill NG) which cut the

27 western end of Pit 125, were also inside the building. They were both beneath the extensive but later layer, GN, which was piled up against the Walls 28-32.

To the west of the cellarium, Drain 20 probably continued in use - at least initially. A short distance to the north of both the drain and Buttress 2 was the small Pit 78. Cutting the northern end of the pit was Drain 11 (LQ), which commenced at the western face of Wall 3 and ran on a generally westerly route. For the first four metres this took it in a direction to the north of west after which it turned slightly towards the south, until it met up with the larger north-south drain, D.8. Pennant Sandstone was used for the base-stones, walls and capping, with the gaps between the cap-stones sealed by slates. The water channel varied between 150 and 200 mm in width, being narrowest at the least convenient spot, where the drain changed direction. Two blockings had been inserted close to the upper end. A whitish or pale grey mortar had been used in the drain’s construction. At its eastern end the drain cut the earlier, Period 4a, feature, S.F.50. Sealed beneath the south wall of the drain was an infilled post-hole, P.H.53.

Throughout the western half of the area to the south of Drain 11, was layer MR, a reddish brown silty soil, subdivided into upper (NA) and lower (NF) deposits (Fig. 36). Each of the three contexts produced pottery from no earlier than the mid-16th century. A slate tally was found in MR and a counter in NF (small find nos.122 - Fig. 53.7 - and 258). The equivalent layer of NF to the east of Drain 20 was NM, which produced a further tally (small find no.128 - Fig. 53.8), on a fragment of slate that was once part of the same larger piece as small find no.176 in context PC (a 14th century context).

At the southern end of the line of Drain 20, Gully 42 (context NZ) may have been a re-cut of the earlier Pit 117. To the west of this was the layer NL, with a single sherd of post-1550 date. Immediately above NL was MZ, a dark brownish red silty soil. Above that again were MF and MQ, reddish brown silty soils with stones.

Sealing the western end of Drain 11 and extending for 4.40m to the south of it was a layer of buff mortary sand, generally only a few millimetres deep, JH. It was noted that the northern extent of both drain and sand coincided exactly. No pottery with potential to be later than 1600 was encountered within the deposit. Along its western side the mortar was cut by the foundation trench of the later Wall 12. It did not extend southwards beyond the line of the later Wall 11. To the east the deposit died out. Post-holes 41 and 45 (contexts HZ & KS) were subsequently cut through JH (Fig. 36). A pair of stones 600mm east of P.H.45 were interpreted as the packing in a third example (P.H.49).

In the area to the south-west was Pit 120 (fill PG), subsequently destroyed to south and west by later gullies cut for drains. At the southern edge of the excavated area lay Pit 110 (fill context OA), which cut across the earlier P.H.62 and also cut the south-eastern part of Gully 43 (fill OB) immediately to the north. Both pit and gully had their eastern ends cut away by the later Gully 5 (Period 6, Fig. 25). One of the finds within OB was a piece of worked stone carrying a number of incisions (M.71). Post- hole 61 (fill OC) was no more than 100mm from the northern edge of the gully. Less than a metre to the west of this small group lay Pit 134, containing two fills but running into the south section. The lower fill, RV, dark orange-red sandy soil with stones, included no dating material; the upper fill, RB, an orange silty soil with small stones and lumps of pinkish mortar, produced a single post-1400 sherd. To the north were two small oval pits, Pits 135 & 136. Further to the west, and partly dug into the fill of the large Period 3 feature, P. 118, was Gully 44, an irregular cut aligned north-south and continuing beyond the excavated area. This feature contained a fill of mixed coally ashy soil with dark red-brown silty soil (context OR), including five sherds of BPT 96 (Wanstrow ware of c1550-1800) and half a dozen sherds of BPT 197 (Malvern ware of the 15th or 16th century). There is a possibility that the feature was cut from a higher level. On a parallel alignment, 950mm to the east of Gully 44, was a single vertical slab of Pennant Sandstone (Stone Feature 71), possibly the remains of edging to a path, the gully, on the opposite side, against the west garden wall, having perhaps been a bed or border. 28 Lying a little over a metre west of the larger Drain 8 was the lower end of Drain 28 (Plates 4 & 5). This probably originally ran from the south-east buttress of Minster House, from a point that was later served by Drain 22, draining into the larger Drain 8. Much of the upper route was subsequently destroyed by the construction of Walls 17 and 18 in the 19th century, although a fragment survived below the corner of the latter. Drain 28 was built with walls of Pennant Sandstone and some Brandon Hill Grit with pink mortar, the floor being of the usual Pennant slabs: no cap-stones survived. Within the channel was a fill of reddish brown silty soil with some charcoal and mortar flecks. On the east side of Drain 8, towards its northern end, was layer NE, a mixed red-brown clay-silt and dark brown silty soil, not unlike context ON on the opposite side of the drain, which was a mixed dark red clay-silt and orange-brown mortary sandy silt. The former produced only a solitary medieval sherd, the latter none. To the west of deposit ON lay an east-west band of reddish brown silty soil (OT).

Extending southwards from the south-west buttress of Minster House and reaching to the southern limit of the excavated area was Wall 16 (Figs. 31 & 32). Constructed mainly of Brandon Hill Grit bonded with an orange-pink mortar with lime flecks and occasional charcoal flecks, the wall was unusual in that only the eastern face survived for most of its length. However, the various illustrations clearly show a solid western face, and the partial survival must be due to the eastern side having been the more deeply founded, which might have been necessary if the garden area to its east was under regular cultivation and that to the west was not. It seems that the full width of the wall was about 700mm. Although the garden entrance by the late 18th century was framed by a rusticated surround (Figs. 10, 11 & 15), the existence of the various paths beside Minster House from the late medieval onwards show that this was an ancient access way.

Alongside the south side of Minster House, above the dark red clay-silt, PN, was a path of crushed freestone (PR), only 10-20mm deep but between 1.50m and 2m wide, running eastward from Wall 16 for about 3m. Against the east face of Wall 16, cut into PN and sealed beneath PR, was the square post-hole, P.H.66 (Fig. 32). Above PR was a much deeper path of reddish brown sandy soil (NX), 150-200mm thick but only 1.30m in width, that produced pottery of medieval date, also seven sherds from post-1550. Beneath NX was the post-hole, P.H.65, almost three and a half metres east of Wall 16. Over this lay another path, context NK, of similar width but slightly more shallow, a red-brown sandy soil with much white mortar and plaster. To the south, in the middle of the garden area, were Pit 108 (fill context NP) and, close by to the east, P.H.60 (fill NQ). They were not related to other features. There is a possibility that Pit 108 was cut from a higher - and therefore later - level.

In the Minster House range itself there was very little that could be dated in the post-surrender 16th century. At the western end of the passage was layer PM, a dark red clay-silt. In the southern half of Room 10 was LT, disturbed natural. Neither produced any secure dating evidence. Cutting into PM was a small post-hole, P.H.54.

Period 5a - The Seventeenth to late Eighteenth Centuries (Fig. 23)

During this period rooms within the Minster House saw changes in use, drains were replaced and fireplaces installed. The area to the south of the house was used as garden. Borders along the west and south walls were defined by upright stone slabs. Further west, beyond the garden wall there were drains that carried their loads down to the Marsh and the Avon. The drains were well-constructed, and some were later replaced in brick.

In the eastern part of the site a wall was erected against the south face of the wall of the old Norman hall (Wall 33). This, Wall 36, bonded in a slightly pinkish mortar, was built of Brandon Hill Grit with some Pennant and Old Red Sandstone. It was relatively thin - 400mm - and not particularly deeply founded. The wall turned to the south for a very short distance at its eastern end when it met the west face of Wall 2, the west cloister/east cellarium wall, but due to its shallow nature soon ran out. Possibly it originally continued on to meet the east end of Wall 31. Its western end was later destroyed 29 by the construction of a large drain, D.25, and, beyond it, a cess pit, Stone Feature 56 (Periods 5a and 5b, respectively). Partly overlain by the southern side of the wall was the small, earlier pit, P.128. Beyond the south face of the wall the pit was sealed by a 150-200mm deep layer of brownish orange mortary silt that contained some lumps of off-white plaster and pinkish orange mortar (OX). This extended over most of the area as far as Wall 31. Within the deposit the predominant pottery-type was Donyatt wares of the 16th to early 17th centuries, of which 15 sherds were identified, but there were other fabrics of similar date and even a solitary fragment of English tin-glazed ware. Above much of OX was layer OO, rubble with brown silty soil that again included lumps of mortar and off-white plaster. Cutting OX and defining the south-western extent of OO was a larger stone-built drain, D.25. Initially on a north-south route, once it had crossed the line of Wall 33 it turned to drain in a south- easterly direction, exiting the site through the 14th.century doorway in the west cloister wall (S.F.20 in Wall 2). With a channel of generally 350-400mm in width, the drain was capped with slabs of Pennant Sandstone and freestone bonded in a hard grey mortar (NW), indicating that it was cleaned out - presumably because it was still in use - in the late 18th century or later.

Wall 36 was pierced by Drain 25. Slightly eastwards of that point the wall was later robbed out completely, perhaps in the 18th century, by Gully 45 (fill context OV), which also cut the northern edge of OO. In turn, the gully fill was cut by the post-hole P.H.56 [not shown on plan], which was against the south face of Wall 33.

To the south of cellarium cross-wall Wall 31 lay the extensive layer, GN, which was piled up against the Walls 28-32. This was a light yellowish-brown clayey silt layer containing large quantities of ceramic roof tile. Three tile fabrics were identified (plus a single piece of pantile). The largest quantity was of Bristol Rooftile Fabric Series (BRF) type 7, Malvernian tiles of probably 16th century date, although they have been found elsewhere in earlier contexts. Less extensive, but still noteworthy, were the quantities of BRF types 6 and 18, the former, at least, of local manufacture and mostly flat. Ridge tiles in a similar fabric to the latter were found at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Bristol, in 1977-78. As far as the pottery was concerned, there was a single sherd of Devon gravel-tempered ware (BPT 112A) of post-1600 date, also including 10 sherds of Nether Stowey pottery of range 1550-1750 (BPT 280) and three of Wanstrow ware (BPT 96, c1550-1800), and other earlier post-medieval wares in addition to a number of residual medieval fragments. A Nuremburg jetton of c1500-1550 was also recorded within layer GN (small find no.74). The whole layer represented destruction of a roof, possibly that of the cellarium itself. As with the earlier layer PO, it did not extend beyond Walls 30 & 32, nor did it reach north across Wall 31. While the majority of finds from within this deposit suggested a date of shortly after the surrender of the abbey, sealed beneath the layer was context HV that included more products of Wanstrow and Nether Stowey and, more importantly, a couple of sherds of English tin-glazed wares from 1640 or later. A series of spreads and patches of coal dust with some small coal constituted the bulk of this fragmented layer. In the angle between Walls 29 and 30, abutting them and sealed by the combined layers GN and HV, lay the remains of a flagstone floor, S.F.61. The two larger Pennant Sandstone slabs were accompanied by several smaller fragments. To the east, in the corner of the site, was layer FW, comprising up to 200mm of orange-pink mortar/stone rubble together with a number of sherds of 17th/18th century date, principally tin-glazed and Nether Stowey wares (BPT 99c & 280).

With the exception of Wall 36 alongside the southern face of the Norman wall (Wall 33), there was no clear evidence of standing buildings in the area immediately west of the cloister in this period. The Parliamentary survey of 1649 (BRO DC/E/3/2) refers to a “little garden walled about lyeing East uppon the cloysters” at the end of the description of Minster House, and this part of the site may have been that garden. It is possible, however, that Wall 37 was built during this period. Constructed of Brandon Hill Grit, with some red sandstone, and bonded in a pale orange-buff mortar, this was laid against the south face of Wall 31 for the whole of the 3.25m between the western end of the north pier (Wall 52) and the eastern face of Wall 3. In the region of 400-500mm in thickness, the wall turned to the south in front of Wall 3, after which all evidence was lost due to the insertion in the 19th century of a substantial cess pit (S.F.38). 30 To the west of Wall 3 the story during this period is more certain, with a building of almost square plan placed over the site of the 13th-century possible bell tower. However, all memory and above-ground evidence for the latter must have long since disappeared, for the new structure, although of similar size and shape, failed to take advantage of the surviving remains and was constructed a little to the south-south-east. The western wall of the new building even managed to be built slightly overlapping the inner edge of its predecessor.

As may be seen from the several drawings (Ashford, c1825; O’Neill, 1821 (Fig. 10); Saunders, c1822 (Fig.12)), the new erection (Building 5) was a cross-gabled building of one and a half storeys (i.e. the upper floor was in the roof). Gables faced to east, west and south, the last terminating at a large chimney breast and stack. At first glance apparently a cottage, the building seems to have functioned as a detached kitchen, a type of building that was not unusual in Bristol at the time, although most notably associated with houses that were largely of timber-framed construction. The 1649 survey mentions a kitchen with loft over, quite possibly this building (BRO DC/E/3/2). Distancing the kitchen from the main building was a practical solution to the ever present danger of fire, the kitchen being the most likely place for such incidents to occur. An added advantage was that the smells of cooking would also be reduced. On the other hand, separating the kitchen must also have increased the incidence of cold or lukewarm meals arriving at table.

No evidence for the east wall of the kitchen block has survived, but it is fairly certain that Wall 3, the west wall of the former cellarium, was utilised. Paul’s plan shows the northern half of the east wall to be of a considerable thickness, so that part at least must have been the 14th century original. Unfortunately his record of the south wall (Wall 11) only shows a narrow chimney breast, whereas the excavated feature was much wider. At its eastern end the fireplace was defined by Buttress 1 or its equivalent. An opening of no less than 2.75m was created, after which Wall 11 stepped in for 1.60/1.80m before reaching Wall 12, whose east face it abutted. The eastern end of Wall 11 had been uncovered during the 1991 evaluation, recorded there as wall 3. Similar mortar was used in both walls, described at the time of excavation as pink with lime and charcoal, Wall 11 built mainly of Pennant Sandstone and Brandon Hill Grit, Wall 12 mainly of the latter material (Plate 1). Of the two walls, the north-south was the thicker, at 600mm, with Wall 11 being only 500 mm across. Wall 12 ran for a length of 5.75m. In contrast to the neat and square southern end, the northern extremity was a little untidy, and there was no return towards the east. Instead, there was a wall of much lighter construction on a base of pink mortar, Stone Feature 34, extending eastwards for about 2m. At the far end was a rectangular post-hole (S.F.35), approximately 200 x 150mm in size, with stone packing in a small post-pit. A square stone was set above the mortar 700mm to the west of the post-hole. It is possible that there was an entrance between this and the post-hole, with a timber-framed wall to the west. The west end of S.F.34 lay a little to the north of the end of Wall 12. Room 11 lay to the north of S.F.34. At the eastern end of the same feature, immediately beyond the post-hole S.F.35, was the base of another partition, L-shaped in plan. A short leg ran northwards (S.F.16), and a longer section ran eastwards (S.F.17). Both consisted of stones of Pennant Sandstone and Brandon Hill Grit laid in a buff-grey mortar. A continuation of the eastwards line, as S.F.18, was of brick in a similar mortar. Room 7 lay beyond these partitions.

Architecturally, Building 5 appears to be of 17th century construction. The southern footings of Wall 11 were probably sealed by contexts EN or HG, both of which contained pottery of 17th-18th century date, including some from no earlier than 1700. Layer EN was a deposit of between 200 and 300mm of dark brown and red-brown sandy soil and including pinkish, pale grey and white mortar. Gully 26, the foundation trench along the eastern side of Wall 12, produced no dating evidence, but it did cut layer JH (qv). On the opposite side of the wall the footings were sealed by context HM, which included two sherds of post-1680 date.

Within Building 5 a sizeable gully, G.34 (context KM), was cut in a direct north-south line, its northern end destroying part of Drain 24 from Period 3, its southern end meeting Drain 20. Gully 34 cut away the eastern side of layer JH. The largest variety of pottery found within the gully fill was English tin- 31 glazed ware from 1640 or later (BPT 99), of which there were a dozen sherds. Pit 79 was later cut through part of the gully fill, apparently to access the top end of Drain 20 at the west end of the remains of Buttress 2. There were no finds within the pit. Drain 11, running east to west across the northern end of the interior of Building 5, was respected during the construction of Wall 12 by its incorporation within the footings. The main drain fill was a dark greenish grey ‘cessy’ soil with patches of a more yellowish colour (context KL). Finds included 17th and 18th century pottery, amongst which was English tin-glazed ware, foreign porcelain and garden redware. A further fill was EJ-EK, producing two sherds of 18th century stoneware (BPT 186).

Throughout the interior of Building 5 (Room 6) was a deposit of orange-red sandy silt with small stones, lumps of pink mortar and brown soil patches, with a depth of up to 100mm, context GO. Found within the layer were two sherds of Nether Stowey ware from the period 1550-1750 and one sherd of transfer-printed ware of post-1780, the latter possibly an intrusion. Otherwise there were a number of fragments of pottery dating from no later than about 1600. In Room 11, to the immediate north-west of layer GO, and the equivalent of it, was HA, a red (slightly brownish red in places) sandy clay-silt with small stones. Pottery from within the layer consisted of five sherds of wares dateable no more accurately than to the 18th-20th centuries, with a further two from Nether Stowey, and assorted residual medieval fabrics. Room 7, to the north-east of GO and east of HA, was the location of layer GX, spread throughout, a deposit of orange mortary sand and stones that produced no pottery of later than the 16th century. Pit 48, a small irregular feature, fill context EP, cut layer GO in the area between Buttress 2 and Drain 11. Over parts of GO, especially in the north-east part of Room 6, survived a patchy floor of fairly hard pink mortar, EE.

The line of Wall 12 was continued southwards to the southern boundary of the site by Wall 20, a 470mm-wide rubble construction in red sandstone, Pennant Sandstone and Brandon Hill Grit bonded in orange-pink mortar. Unfortunately, the relationship between this and Wall 12 was later destroyed by the building of Drain 10. To the east of Wall 20 and south of Wall 11 was context HG, a red-brown humic silty soil, much disturbed by later features.

In the small area between Wall 20 and Drain 8, against the southern edge of the site, was Pit 80 (fill context HP), which produced no pottery except for four sherds of 18th century white salt-glazed stoneware (BPT 186). Above the pit was the layer HF, a dark brown humic soil containing a number of sherds of 17th-18th century date. Against the south-west corner of Wall 12 was an unnumbered pit, and 200mm to its north, its eastern end cut by the foundation of the same wall, Pit 77, sub-rectangular in plan, within its fill (HO) a solitary sherd of 1550 or later. Beneath the pits was the layer MA, red-brown loamy silt, the equivalent of LZ on the opposite side of Gully 5. Above Pit 77 was layer HM, dark brown humic soil that contained a few sherds, including two of tin-glazed ware of c1680-1780. On part of the west side of HM - which itself overlay the west foundation of Wall 12 - was a line of thin vertical Pennant stones, possibly the demarcation for a bed or border against the wall, Stone Feature 46 (HL). Between the stone edging and Gully 5 was a band of dark brown humic soil (FQ) about a metre wide running alongside the latter feature. The finds within this layer were generally of 17th/18th century date. Over the western side of FQ was a narrower (about 400mm) band of pale pinkish-buff mortar, 10- 20mm in thickness (FO). Above this again was another metre-wide band, EX, dark brown humic soil.

Drain 11 was later replaced west of Wall 12 by the more modern Drain 17 (Period 5b, Fig. 24), but below the latter survived a deposit of dark brown ‘cessy’ silt, apparently the remains of the first drain (context HE). On the south side of the drain was Pit 87 (fill KP), beyond which lay the layer LY, a deposit that contained no pottery but did include a glass stopper of possibly 18th century date (small find no.35). A short distance to the south-west, on the opposite side of Drain 8 but dropping towards it, was the gully G.31 (fill context JN). Further north, Drain 22 fed into the west side of the main drain from a north-westerly direction. The head of the drain sat in the angle between Wall 19 and the south- east buttress of Minster House, a semicircular shape in the corner indicating the position of the bottom of a downpipe. At this end of the drain was a small lead sheet (context MB), perhaps positioned to cushion against some of the force of water issuing from the pipe. Pennant Sandstone was utilised for 32 the base and cap stones, with the walls also partly of brick and Brandon Hill Grit, the whole bonded in grey mortar. At least one brick was 60mm thick, indicating a date probable 18th century date. In the bottom of the 200-250mm wide channel was a 20mm depth of dark grey-green ‘cessy’ sand.

West of Drain 8 as far as Wall 16, and from Minster House southwards to the site boundary was in use as the garden, within which were excavated various pits and gullies during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. One extensive deposit, LZ, ran throughout the southernmost 7m or so of the garden. A red- brown loamy silt generally about 150mm deep, it contained many, often large, lumps and flecks of charcoal, also mortar flecks. This was the equivalent layer to MA on the east side of Drain 8. Above LZ for much of its southernmost 4m or so was the deposit JR, dark brown and reddish brown loamy soil, 200 to 300mm deep, containing ten sherds of English tin-glazed ware, also a small triangular object (of unknown function) in pinky-white marble with a circular concave centre (small find no.104 - Fig. 60.1). Within the layer was a lead water pipe (small find no.58), angular in cross-section and of 50- 60mm external diameter. This ran 3.50m north of, and parallel to, the southern edge of the site, in the general direction of the south-west corner of Building 5, although its final destination could not be confirmed due to the later destruction of that end of the pipe. To the west, the line continued through the base of Wall 16 and on to the area of the Lower Green, although here it had been replaced by a later length of pipe. Above JR, in a strip along the southern boundary of the garden, was layer KF, possibly the fill of a shallow gully, including amongst its five sherds three of 17th century date. From the western end of KF, Pit 84 (fill JK) ran northwards. This pit was crossed by the western end of Gully 29 (JG), a feature whose fill contained 18th and later 17th century pottery. At its opposite end the gully was itself cut, by Gully 25. This latter was aligned north-south, terminating prior to the south garden wall: at the northern end it simply died out. Gully 25 was cut down to Drain 28, apparently for the purposes of removing the cap-stones. The fill of the gully (HH) contained half a dozen tin-glazed earthenware sherds, also pottery produced in the period from 1550 to the 18th century. To the north- west of Gully 25 and to the west of Drain 28, the top of which was just exposed at this level, were three parallel linear pits, P.53-55, the third of which produced several 18th century sherds. Each pit contained similar material, a dark brown humic soil with charcoal and some white flecks (contexts FF & FG). The linear Pit 60 (fill context FK) cut across the lower ends of the three pits. Cutting the east end of the pit fill was a small circular pit, P.56. To the north-east, beside Drain 8, 4.5m from the southern boundary of the site, was Post-hole 31. Extending from the post-hole right to the garden boundary and following the western edge of the line of Drain 8 was Gully 23. The gully fill (GP) was a dark brown humic soil and included only a few sherds, of which two were potentially 18th century in date.

In the south-western area of the garden, in a line that ran parallel to the south garden wall, were, from east to west respectively, Gully 35, Pit 99 and Pit 101 (fills contexts LO, LR & LV). All three sat below the line of the later Gully 20 and all were beneath layer HW. On the south side of Gully 35 was the mid-brown silty soil deposit, JA, whose eastern edge partly overlay JB, pinkish orange mortary soil arranged in a north-south band with a slight ridge that dropped away to either side. In the angle against the south garden boundary and the east face of the west garden wall (Wall 16), extending for 4.50m north and 2m east, was layer HW, black charcoally ashy soil with many tiny coal fragments, charcoal, some patches of brown silt, and the occasional stone, also a fragment of slate marked with calculations in arabic numerals (small find no.232 - Fig. 53.9). There were generous amounts of Nether Stowey and Wanstrow ware from the period, c1550-1750/1800 (BPT 280 & 96), also six sherds of Dutch maiolica (BPT 344), and a drinking glass stem with lion mask decoration (small find no.92, similar to small find no.70, Fig. 59.1). Slightly to the east of HW, its eastern half cut through JA, was the metre-square pit, P.68, its northern side battered, the others vertical. Inside the pit was a fill of brownish green ‘cessy’ sandy soil with small fragments of stone and small lumps of pinkish mortar (GK). Pit 43, 900mm to the east, b-shaped in plan, contained fill EC, brown silty soil with many stones and with lumps of orange-pink mortar. The small circular pit, P.69, lay 650mm to the east again, cut into the fill of Pit 84, its fill similar to Pit 43 but with charcoally soil noted as present.

33 Up in the north-west part of the garden, dark red-brown clayey silty soil (context RA) was deposited against the face of Wall 16. A little to the north, an orange-red mortary soil with a pinkish mortary surface, LJ, in a strip alongside the south side of Minster House for a distance of up to 3 or 4 metres from the garden gate may have been a path. To the south of the path was an east-west band, LG, 1.50m wide and 100-150mm deep, between Wall 16 and the position of the later Pit 11, but merging into HW along its southern edge. This deposit comprised dark brown humic soil with large patches and spreads of black ashy soil, also some patches of orange-pink mortary soil. Above LG and covering the same area was another deposit, LF, again dark brown humic silt, but with patches of yellow-brown clayey soil. Both layers produced 18th/19th century redware, the lower also included 17th/18th century tin-glazed ware. A further layer of dark brown humic silt, context HX, lay above LF, extending slightly over HW also.

Further deposits were left at the western end of the path beside the Minster House south wall. Layer KT, above LJ, was a silty soil with mortar and charcoal flecks and including a large lens of black coally ashy material. At its western end, against the top end of Wall 16, KT sealed a stone step (S.F.64) immediately inside the garden gate (Fig. 32). Cut into KT by the south-east corner of the step were two stake holes (P.H.46 & 47), while into the eastern end of KT was Pit 96, the post-pit for Post-hole 50, which sat in its north-eastern extremity. An upper fill of mixed mortary soil sat above a red-brown silty soil (excavated as Pit 121). At a short distance to the south was Post-hole 51. Over KT was KK, a mixed layer extending for about 4m from Wall 16. Alongside the south side of the garden path was Gully 27, a shallow linear depression of about one metre in width. Recorded for a distance of 3.50m from Wall 16, it may originally have extended further eastward: a projection of its southern edge lines up exactly with the northern edges of the later features Pit 11 and Gully 6. The humic soil gully fill, HT, contained no pottery of later than c1780 in production.

Against the west garden wall, almost a metre south of the gate, was a large rectangular post-hole, P.H.40, 400mm (east-west) by 200mm, and about 800mm deep. This sat within a larger post-pit of similar shape, Pit 98, size 850mm by 500mm. Within the post-hole was fill JE, comprising very loose stones, brick, much clinker, some brown silty soil - and many voids. Pit 98 had a more conventional fill (LH), of humic soil, stones and some grey mortar lumps. A lower fill was subsequently excavated (SS), consisting of mixed dark red clay-silt, orange mortary soil, mortar lumps, stones, patches of grey- brown more humic silt and charcoal flecks, in all some 350mm deep.

Beneath Gully 27 was a single stakehole, P.H.38. The later Gully 24, a narrower feature, defined the southern edge of the path and cut the northern side of Gully 27's fill. Varying in width between 350 and 400mm, this ran from the west wall of the garden, beside the step inside the gate, for a distance of more than 9m, was then cut by the later Wall 18, but did not continue beyond it. However, Pit 75 (fill context GQ, a red clay-silt), immediately on the far side of the wall, may have been related. Either the gully terminated at the porch (later illustrated by Saunders), or it turned to the south to run alongside the north-south path on a line subsequently destroyed by the construction of Wall 18. With another dark brown humic fill, GY, this was deeper than its wider predecessor, at 150mm, but produced no pottery younger than the 18th century. A single pitched pennant (S.F.72) was recorded on the south side of Gully 24. Perhaps the whole gully was originally defined by a row of such stones. Two stake holes were driven into the fill of the gully, and a third beyond it to the south-west, all three in a north- east to south-west line (Post-holes 34, 35 & 36). In an east-west band parallel to Gully 24, its southern edge cut away by the later Gully 6, was layer GW, and, beneath it, close to the location of the later Pit 13, the remains of a stone feature (S.F.70). This comprised a few stones, including one of Carboniferous Limestone, bonded in a pale pinkish mortar, and may have been part of a small wall. On the northern edge of GW was the stakehole P.H.37. Above GW and extending northwards to seal the fill of Gully 24 was layer GV.

In a line between the southern edges of the chimney breast and the south-east buttress, half a metre away from the house and bounding the northern edge of the main path, were a row of single pennants on edge, most of which had been removed from the eastern half (Gully 22), leaving some voids, with 34 more stones in-situ for the western end (Stone Feature 49). These seemed to be sealed by the later layer GB, although Saunders’ view does show a similar edging to the path, which may mean that they belong in the later period.

A large patch of red-brown clay-silt with lumps of pinkish mortar, HB, was deposited in an area of about 2m by 1m, 100mm deep, at the western side of the garden. Partly overlying HB was GS, a deposit of yellow-brown clayey silt and brown humic soil with many flat pennants and chips of the same. This was in two areas, patch of about 3m by 4m near Wall 16, and a strip 800mm wide running for 4m west from the position of the later Wall 18.

The eastern half of Room 1 in the Minster House range was greatly disturbed during the construction of the Victorian nave and west end. One feature that did survive, however, was Stone Feature 57, built up against the south face of Wall 26. This was a small stone and brick construction bonded in grey mortar, its sides enclosing a 260mm-wide channel that was partially roofed. The south end was missing. Inside was a fill of dark grey-brown sandy silt (LA). No function could be discerned. The whole was set into a shallow oval pit cut into natural. In the western part of the room, at a slightly higher level than the top of S.F.57, the westernmost 2.30m of flooring survived (Floor 2, context KZ). Much of the flooring consisted of reused blocks of oolitic limestone, laid as flags, with some red sandstone also in evidence, and Brandon Hill Grit was used as cobbling in other parts. Amongst the reused stone were fragments of window tracery. In Room 2, the corridor alongside Room 1, and into Room 3 to the west layer HS was present. A dirty orange mortary sand with some small stones and chips of freestone, it was recorded throughout the two rooms, where it was seen as a make-up level for a floor. Prior to this period the passage to the west of the doorway S.F.2 (between Walls 5 & 6) was open to the north until the end of Wall 8 was reached, but this was changed by the insertion of Wall 7, which ran between the southern ends of Walls 6 and 8 to create a new room, Room 10, to the north of the passage. The new construction was 2.10m long and 480mm thick, of Brandon Hill Grit bonded in a pinkish buff mortar with lime and charcoal flecks (Fig. 38). At some time it was plastered on its face to the passage.

Within the new room the 16th century stratum of disturbed natural, LT, was overlain by layer of reddish orange sandy soil of 50-100mm depth, KD. Above the western end of KD was a 50mm deposit of pale yellow sand, KG. These were cut in the south-west corner of the room by Stone Feature 62, an oval cut containing a square stone feature in the angle of Walls 7 and 8. A flat slab formed the base of the feature, with a small northern wall and two steeply angled stones defining its eastern end. Around the stones was much grey mortar, but it seemed to be packing the void to the edge of the cut rather than bonding the stones together. The fill of the feature was a dark brown clayey soil including charcoal flecks (context KE). Pit 86 cut into KD and KG at a point about halfway into the room, from where it appeared to occupy the whole of the northern half of Room 10. At its eastern end another stone feature, S.F.63, was built down into it. Consisting of stone rubble bonded in a hard, slightly greyish pink mortar, this abutted the northern half of the west face of Wall 6, then continued for a short distance along the north wall of the room. Although no archaeological evidence for its function survived, it sat directly beneath a chimney stack recorded by several of the illustrations, some of which locate it to the north of the centre line of the building. It was subsequently sealed by the paving of Floor 1, although the shape of the flags preserved its shape, suggesting that it may initially have been surviving above floor level only to be cut down and covered later. Pit 86 was filled with rubble with dirty orange sandy mortary soil (KN). At the bottom of the pit’s west end were a couple of flat stones bonded in a white-buff mortar and overlain with a lime deposit (S.F.66), the southern edge of the stones lining up with the limit of a greyish mortar to the east. Room 10 proper was paved in irregular fashion with a mixture of Pennant Sandstone, Brandon Hill Grit and well-worn oolite, even a few bricks, set in a bedding of buff-pink and dirty pale brown mortar (Floor 1, context KB).

Drain 15 continued in use beneath Room 4. The excavated drain fill, LE, very dark brown loose sandy silt with many small fragments of pinkish mortar and some grey mortar, and containing not a single sherd produced after the close of the 18th century, may have dated from this period. Context LW was 35 the equivalent of LE to the north of Wall 9. On the south side of Room 3, the drain flowed out into the garden beneath the doorway in Wall 19. This had originally been a wide opening but - probably in this period - was reduced in width and partially blocked with stone rubble bonded in a light pink mortar.

A short distance to the north of Room 4, S.F.25, the circular stone feature that fed into Drain 15, was altered so that its wall blocked off the old Drain 30. Drain 16 led into S.F.25 from the east along the northern edge of Wall 27. Due to its proximity to the north section, only a part of the drain was excavated in 1992. Brandon Hill Grit side walls and Pennant Sandstone base slabs were recorded, bonded in pink mortar, but no fill was noted. In the short stretch of Drain 15 before Wall 9 was reached, on the west side, Drain 14 entered. A relatively short structure - about 1.25m in length - it led from the angle between Wall 9 and the northern end of Wall 10, possibly taking rainwater from the roofs at that point. Pink mortar bonded the stone sides of the drain, which had a channel 200mm wide and deep. Pennant flooring was used: the cap-stones did not survive. No fill was recorded. Two fills of S.F.25 were noted. A lower fill of dark brown humic silt (CH) included nine sherds of early Wanstrow ware (late 15th/16th century), also four later examples from the same source, five from Nether Stowey (1550-1750), and other fabrics of 17th/18th century date. In addition, CH contained a double-sided bone comb (small find no.18 - Fig. 57.1). Mixed pink mortar, stones and patches of very dark brown silt formed the upper fill (CF), which contained a mere two sherds, one of yellow ware (BPT 101A, 1650- 1750), the other late 18th century Staffordshire ware.

In a band of about a metre in width running westward from Wall 16 to Gully 18 was layer TP, dark red silt with small stones of Brandon Hill Grit, depth approximately 100mm. Of the two sherds within the deposit, one was of earlier medieval date, the other from after 1600. Cutting this deposit was an unnumbered feature, probably a post-hole, matched by a second 1.20m directly to the north, P.H.43. These may have housed the supports for the front corners of the small structure (possibly a watchman’s box, or even a small conduit head) that was recorded halfway along the west face of the garden wall by both Eyre and de Cort (Fig. 9), although that might then place them in the next period. Above layer TP and the post-holes, and occupying the whole area from Wall 16 west as far as the large drain D.19 was layer HN, red very coarse gravelly soil and silt with some more brownish patches and many small stones, probably redeposited natural. None of the seven sherds found within this layer had a production date of later than 1400. Cutting HN was Pit 41. This sat immediately on the western side of the north-south garden wall, W.16, 3.50m from the southern edge of the site. Finds from the fill (JO) included two sherds of tin-glazed ware (c1640-1780), and one from Nether Stowey, of mid-16th to mid-18th century date. The upper part of this sub-rectangular cut was re-excavated later during the digging of Gully 19.

Gully 18 was a substantial cut running the length of the area to the west of Wall 16. An average of one metre in width, it was 9m long (as excavated), continuing into the sections at both ends. To the south it went beneath the road leading to the cloister; to the north the gully disappeared below the unexcavated area at the western end of the site. Within the gully was a stone-built drain of similar proportions, D.19, consisting of walls largely of Brandon Hill Grit with the floor and cap-stones of Pennant Sandstone, with a channel of roughly square cross-section, 400mm in width and height. Traces of pink mortar survived in the side walls and was also noted adhering to the cap-stones. However, the upper side walls had in places been bonded in grey mortar and the same was used to secure the cap-stones onto the walls, any gaps between side and roof also sealed in the mortar, and this indicated a subsequent reconstruction of the upper part of the drain, probably as part of the process of cleaning it out. Drain 19 was continued north of the unexcavated area as Drain 3 (see below).

The area to the west of Minster House was dissected by various drains that served the gatehouse and the dwelling that lay between it and Mr. Tucker’s house. Although some were of a later period, two were of 17th-18th century date or possibly even earlier. Drain 5, right in the north-west extremity of the excavation, flowed down to the west in a 350mm-wide channel, its upper end destroyed by later replacements. Brandon Hill Grit walls were bonded in orange-pink mortar; the floor was of the usual 36 Pennant Sandstone slabs and was laid on a bed of similar mortar. Drain 3, which cut the upper end of the earlier Drain 5, flowed at first south-westerly, before turning to run southwards. Construction was similar to Drain 5, but with a slightly wider channel (400mm), and orange-pink mortar was again used. Most of the course of this drain was, much later, to be utilised for the laying out of a ceramic sewer pipe. Drain 3 was the northern end of Drain 19.

Two bones from this period, both of them femoral heads from different cows, showed features typical of osteoarthritis. This typically affects older animals. It tends to support the conclusion that the site was of a lower status after the Dissolution, when the quality of animals being consumed had declined.

Period 5b - The Late Eighteenth Century Until 1883 (Fig. 24)

Much would happen during Minster House’s final century, although what happened in the area once occupied by the cellarium is not clearly understood. At the far eastern end of the excavated area, behind the west cloister wall, there are neither illustrations nor photographs, while some of the cartographic evidence is apparently contradictory. What was shown, by Plumley and Ashmead (1828) and Godwin (1863), is an L-shaped building, its longer, northern side on the position of the earlier Wall 31, its eastern end against the cloister, and part of its southern edge adjacent to the lane. The earlier map also showed, abutting the western half of the same building, another, of rectangular plan, approximately 5m by 3m in size. Ashmead’s 1:600 survey of 1854 failed to show any structures in this part of the site, although the later version, produced in 1874 but subsequently revised, recorded a rectangular building for the whole of the southern part of this area (shaded in grey). O’Neill’s view of Minster House from the cloister showed a doorway of 18th/19th century construction just 600mm to the south of the medieval arched entrance in the west cloister wall.

Pit 72, with a fill of loose back charcoally silt (context GL), was dug approximately 3.50m from the southern and eastern edges of this part of the site. Close to the cloister wall, near its southern end, was Pit 62 (fill FY), cut into the earlier deposit FW. Three metres to the north was a further, small pit, Pit 73. In the 3m or so alongside the lane leading to the cloister were demolition layers ER, EW, GC and GD, most containing a variety of sherds representing pottery covering the period from the Dissolution to the close of the 18th century, also a few potentially later examples. Within GD was found the stem of a drinking glass decorated with lion masks (small find no.70 - Fig. 59.1).

Paul’s plan (BRO DC/F/9/1; Fig. 6) showed the L-shaped block depicted by Plumley and Ashmead but not the smaller rectangular structure. The long north wall of the larger structure, shown as about 18 inches (460mm) thick, was clearly not the rather more substantial Wall 31, but in fact was its successor, Wall 25. This was constructed of Brandon Hill Grit and Pennant and other sandstone, bonded in grey mortar. From somewhere to the west of the mid-point of its southern face another wall of similar thickness ran southwards, turning to the west on the line of Wall 28. This north-south wall cut through the two similar deposits of JM, to the west, and JP, to the east. Layer JM, consisting of orange sandy mortary soil, was 100mm deep, whereas JP, orangey mortary demolition rubble, was somewhat thicker, at about 300mm. Defined by the two walls was a room that measured 12 feet 6 inches (3.81m) north to south and about 11 feet (3.35m) in the opposite direction, possibly in use as a scullery. Paul shows a wide south-facing window with internal splay and, at the bottom of the eastern wall, a doorway. Given its thickness, the south wall was apparently Wall 28 still in use. A small area of grey mortar constituted the sole remains excavated of the east wall. According to Paul’s plan a short two foot-thick (610mm) wall connected the south wall to that alongside the lane leading from Lower College Green (College Square), but no evidence of this was found during the excavation. Between the western room and the cloister wall Paul simply showed a large space, 21 feet 6 inches (6.55m) north to south and 19 feet 6 inches (5.94m) east to west. The doorway depicted by O’Neill was shown in the west cloister wall, but Paul drew the stretch to the south of it as only 18 inches thick (Fig.6). Not all of the north wall was drawn - perhaps it had already been largely removed. Excavation revealed a small area of irregular mortared stonework (Wall 40 - context MW) immediately to the south of Wall 37 25, on the line of the old Wall 31. This consisted of Brandon Hill Grit bonded in grey mortar. This area may have been the location for the stable and coach house recorded in the Consolidated Rates, although, alternatively, the stable may have been in the small building shown immediately to the north- west by Plumley and Ashmead in 1828.

Much of the ground beneath the floor of the western room was dug down to about 14.30m aOD. A large cess pit (Stone Feature 38) was created in the void, built out as far as Walls 3, 28, 29 & 30, and extending north for almost three metres. The walls were built of rubble bonded with a hard pale grey- buff mortar and were generally 350mm thick at lower level, where cut into natural, but wider where cutting archaeological strata. Internally the cess pit measured 2.50m by 2.10m by 1.19m to the springing of the vault. Squared Pennant Sandstone flags were used for the floor, each joint covered by a raised seal of mortar. The walls were rendered internally. Brick was utilised for the vaulting, with a square access hatch provided in the south-east corner. Later, when the cess pit had become redundant, it was backfilled with a mixture of loose rubble and lumps of grey and orange-pink mortar with brick and ceramic roof tile (context DQ). Probably at the same time, the majority of the vaulting was removed.

Immediately to the north of the line of the old east-west wall, W.31, a second large cess pit was installed (Stone Feature 56). Like its southern neighbour it too had been backfilled, but this time the roof survived intact. It fitted tightly between Walls 31 and 33 and abutted Wall 3, occupying a space of 3.80m, north-south, by 2.70m. The brick vault of the cess pit was pierced by a D-shaped access or manhole to the north-west of centre. Against Wall 3 was a small shaft, 180mm square, and, a short distance away, was a small inlet pipe. Along its southern edge the top of the vault had been built up with flat-laid pennants (S.F.65), possibly to carry the western end of Wall 25. An area of stonework bonded in cream-buff mortar immediately east of S.F.65 (Wall 44) may have performed a similar function. In the north-western corner, in the angle between Walls 3 and 33, a small area of cobbling survived (S.F.67). To the east of this was a further area of mortared rubble, perhaps a later continuation of Wall 36, including a slab of smooth (worn?) stone, possibly oolitic limestone (S.F.68). This latter was the location for the west jamb of the doorway shown by Godwin (1863, Pl.1). The interior of the cess pit was not investigated until after the completion of the excavation, when it was found to be similar to its southern neighbour. Finds included two stoneware ink bottles and three leather shoes or boots.

For a distance of 1.50m north-east from the eastern side of the cess pit ran Drain 27, a structure with brick walls and Pennant Sandstone cap-stones and base slabs. The channel was about 150mm in width and towards its upper end included a D-trap (S.F.74), which, like the other examples on the site, was carved out of a single block of oolitic limestone. At its lower end the drain dropped into the larger Drain 25. No fill was present within Drain 27 at the time of excavation. In contrast, the larger drain contained four deposits, NY as a top fill, with OJ at the north-west end, OE as a second fill, and OL at the eastern end of the feature under the Wall 2 line. With a thickness of 50-100mm, NY was a greyish green sandy silt with flecks and small lumps of mortar and some small stones. It contained large quantities of transfer-printed ware, white china and stoneware, also a fragment of clay tobacco pipe made in Gouda in the Netherlands. In addition, there were the bases and stems of three drinking glasses (small find nos. 138-39 & 152 - Figs. 59.2, 3 & 4), and part of a bone handle with fleur de lys terminal (small find no.137 - Fig. 57.6). A red-brown silty soil mixed with dark green ‘cessy’ silt (OJ) replaced NY at the upper end of the drain. Again there were sherds of 18th-19th century pottery, also an incomplete object in tin-glazed earthenware, possibly heart-shaped, of uncertain function (small find no.174 - Fig. 60.2). At the lowest end the drain contained loose rubble and grey mortary silty soil (OL), with just a few transfer-printed sherds. The second, or lower, fill of Drain 25 was OE, a yellowish green/grey ‘cessy’ silt with lumps of grey mortar, stone and slate, and containing many fragments of clay tobacco pipe, including the only complete example found during the excavation, the product of Israel Carey I, who was working from 1756 until at least 1786 (Fig. 56.1). Another pipe, marked with a crowned 75 was a highly decorated example produced in Gouda, probably in 1748 to commemorate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (Fig. 56.9). 38 Layer KY lay immediately east of - and was possibly cut by - the northern cess pit (S.F.56), extending as far as Drain 25 and south across the line of Wall 31 to a point where it was beneath Wall 40. It was composed of portions of ceramic roof tile with dark brown silt, also small fragments of orange-pink mortar, and was up to 300mm deep. The tile was predominantly of BRF 6 & 7, with a smaller quantity of BRF 18. Included within the layer were in excess of 40 sherds each of white china (BPT 202) and transfer-printed ware (BPT 278). Over the northern edge of KY and reaching as far as the line of Wall 33 was layer KX, comprising up to 200mm of dark red sandy silt with stones. This in turn was partly overlain by KW, a layer that was generally restricted to the area north-east of Drain 25. Within this dark grey-brown humic silt were some sherds from as late as the 18th century, but nothing more recent. All three deposits were sealed by the more extensive layer JQ that covered the whole width of the area between Wall 25 and the line of Wall 33 and contained examples of various types of 18th and 19th century ceramics, also a lead jetton of probable late medieval date (small find no.109). This was a disturbed level of demolition debris including soil, rubble and mixed mortar. In the arched doorway in Wall 2 (Stone Feature 20) were two small layers, MT, reddish brown clayey silty soil, and, above it, MS, dark grey-brown ashy humic soil. The latter contained a handful of 17th/18th century sherds.

Enabling works for the construction of Street’s new nave included not only the removal of the remains of the uncompleted 16th century nave but also partial demolition of the prebendal house. February 1870's ‘Day Work’ records include reference to cutting away for partition of the building, clearing away an old office, making good up to new work, building up the end wall of the house and buttresses, and making good to the return side wall, also building a retaining wall to the garden (BRO DC/F/1/3). A letter from George Wood, two and a half years earlier, had mentioned the need to build a new wall across Canon Randall’s bedroom (BRO DC/A/8/7,p.211).

Roland Paul’s plan (BRO DC/F/9/1) and the photograph taken in or just after May 1881 (BRO 17563(1-2), p.124) provide evidence for the extent of the demolitions in 1870 (Figs. 6, 16 & 40). The east end of the main Minster House range was removed, with the south wall (Wall 5/33) apparently retained as far east as the north-east corner of the kitchen range, which itself seems to have survived unscathed. One room was retained to the east side of this block. Paul does not show Wall 33 beyond the corner of the kitchen block. This accords with the archaeological evidence, which shows that the eastern section of the wall was almost completely robbed out, leaving the original foundation trench (Gully 32) largely void of stonework. Two layers of backfill were then deposited in the resultant robber trench. The lower layer, thickness about 500mm, comprised red-brown sandy and clayey soil with stones, lumps of mortar and red clay (context KA), and included a bone handle (small find no.108 - Fig. 57.9). Above that was JL, a black ashy deposit. Both layers contained pottery that was predominantly either transfer-printed ware (BPT 278) or white china (BPT 202), JL including a complete jar in the latter fabric. Also found in JL was a clay tobacco pipe produced at Broseley (Shropshire) by W. Southorn & Company, during the period 1855-1900. In addition, the deposit produced a moulded green glass bottle (small find no.91 - Fig. 59.9). At the western end of Gully 32 was Pit 100 (fill context LS), a post-pit for Post-hole 44. Only 450mm to the south-east of P.H.44 was P.H.48. Both P.100 and P.H.48 would later be overlain - the former only partly - by Wall 1. To the north of Gully 32/Wall 33 and sealing the earlier Floor 4 was layer JZ, dark brown silty soil with mortar of various colours, purple clay and charcoal flecks. It was cut by the foundation trench to the Victorian south-west tower, Gully 62 and the associated Pit 111 (fills TG and OG respectively). Pit 111 cut Pit 153 (fill TT), which was the post-pit for Post-hole 81. A shallow pit, P.112 (fill context OK), adjoining one buttress of the south-west tower may also have been associated with the construction of its foundation. Sealing the pit was a clayey soil and mortar layer, OH.

The 1881 photograph looked south-east from a point opposite the Abbey Gatehouse, towards the incomplete west front of the Cathedral (Fig. 16). Although the north-west tower was then complete for a full two stages, its southern companion was a little less complete. Minster House lay tight against the southern end of this latter tower. The taller section of Minster House had been truncated at its eastern end; there was a new eastern buttress and a shorter buttress against the north wall. West of the latter was an arch-headed sliding sash window at first floor; above the buttress, at the second floor, was a 39 smaller, blocked, square-headed window, with a small parapet above. A short section of the lower- roofed part of the house was also included in the photograph, the roof itself at a steeper pitch than that to its east. Both roofs visible in the photograph were laid with clay pantiles. Faintly visible at ground floor level was an opening, although it is unclear whether this was a door or window. Building 5, the kitchen range, remained standing until the surviving portions of Minster House were removed in 1883. The main room, Room 6, appears to have been the kitchen, with Room 7 to its north perhaps a pantry. At the west end of Wall 11, between the wide chimney breast and the south end of Wall 12, there appears to have been a doorway into Room 6 (Stone Feature 4), although the rectangular freestone block at the western end may represent part of a later blocking. It is possible that S.F.4 was a feature from the previous period, since layer GO appears to have run into the northern part. Wall 11 carried through to meet Wall 12 beneath S.F.4, but the north-western part of this short length was cut by a small squarish pit that contained the square brick and stone feature up against Wall 12, S.F.30. Inside it was a brown silty soil with mortar lumps (CK), above which was about 300mm of loose buff, pink and grey mortar lumps with some stones.

Within and slightly beyond the large fireplace that occupied much of the southern end wall of Room 6 were several constructions below ground. The centre and western end of the area were excavated (Pit 89) and a stone and brick feature bonded in an off-white mortar (S.F.42) was installed. Initially this consisted of 500mm-wide slabs running northwards from the back of the fireplace, with shallow masonry side walls, the western of which contained a duct or flue that rose towards the west and was noted as having a sooty surface. Further out from Wall 11 on the opposite side was another that extended for 2m, curving gently around the corner of the eastern jamb of the fireplace. Pennant cap- stones covered the first 1100mm, but the remainder then appears to have been open. Whitish mortar was used to bond the stone walls. This (S.F.41) was initially interpreted as a drain (Drain 13), but was found to contain black, ashy, charcoally fill (context EL). At a later point the rear of S.F.42 was built out from Wall 11 by 250mm. Later, the whole feature was replaced by a new stone-lined rectangular pit with no flues - S.F.29 [not shown on plan]. This measured 500mm by 370mm by 370mm deep internally and was bonded in grey mortar. It was subsequently filled with red-brown sandy soil with much charcoal at the base. The northern part of the earlier stone feature was cut away by the associated Pit 47. Both stone-lined pits are thought to have acted as ash-pits to early kitchen ranges or similar fixtures. The side ducts of Stone Feature 42 could have served coppers or ovens.

Inside the east wall of the room and against the remains of Buttress 2 was a small pit, Pit 27 [not on plan]. There were no finds amongst the fill. Towards the edges of Room 6 were several patches of grey mortar, variously soft or hard, layer BW. The most southerly patch had clearly been used for the seating of floor slabs. It continued into the fireplace area, where it sealed the now-infilled Stone Feature 29. Similar areas of grey mortar were found in Rooms 7 and 11, to the north-east and north- west of Room 6 respectively. A large patch in Room 11 preserved evidence of parallel north-south lines and showed that the strips were of variable width, normally 250-350mm, indicating that the flooring was therefore probably of flagstones. On the east side of Room 7 the grey mortar appears to have covered a spread of orange mortary soil, depth 50mm, context DR, which in turn sealed a patch of black charcoal of similar size but less depth, DS. Defining the western edge of Room 11 was a brick wall of single thickness (110mm), S.F.24, bonded in grey mortar and sat on a shallow bed of the same material.

The relatively narrow strip between Building 5 and the lane leading through to the cloister was packed with features during this period. Initially throughout the area was an earlier deposit of between 200 and 300mm (context EN). This was cut by Drain 2, which ran in a west-south-westerly direction away from the angle between Wall 3 and the southern side of Buttress 1. Brandon Hill Grit was the main constituent in this stone-built feature, which was bonded in a pale grey-buff mortar. As was often the case, Pennant Sandstone was used for the drain floor (JV), here in a pale grey mortar. The top end of Drain 2 was fed by Drain 1, which latter cut diagonally across the line of Wall 3. Loose grey mortary soil and black silt constituted the drain fill (OM). Brick sides were bonded in grey charcoal-flecked mortar. At least one of the floor slabs was of slate. A curving wall ran away from the top end, while, on 40 the opposite side of the drain, an angled piece of slate may have been part of a side inlet. Immediately below these lay another freestone D-trap (Stone Feature 7). Paul’s plan of Minster House shows that there was a doorway above the drain and trap (Fig. 6). Drains 1 and 2 were recorded during the 1991 evaluation as drain 1, and S.F.7 as stone feature 1. Of Drain 12, only a fragment survived beneath the later boundary wall, flowing towards the upper part of Drain 2. Further down the course of the latter, on the opposite side, a short brick-built drain provided a connection from a further D-trap that sat beneath a vertical chute (S.F.6 - context DP). In this instance the mortar was variously described as both light buff and as grey. Black soil (DJ) filled the remainder of the oval cut occupied by S.F.6. Another freestone D-trap with brick shaft (S.F.5 - context DO), in this case draining west by way of Drain 10, was located close to the western end of Wall 11. Surviving in patches amongst the drains were elements of cobbling (S.F.15), mostly composed of Brandon Hill Grit but including a small area of grey mortar. Cutting the cobbling at the west end, against Wall 20, was Pit 83, containing a mixed fill of brown humic silt, red clay-silt, grey mortary soil and lumps of mortar, charcoal flecks and small stones (JF).

The D-trap, Stone Feature 5, just outside the door at the western end of Wall 11, fed into the upper end of the west-flowing Drain 10. At this point the drain retained its original stone construction, but to the west of the line of Wall 20, through which it cut, this was replaced by three lengths of ceramic sewer pipe, internal diameter 230mm. The older part of the drain was largely of stone, together with some brick, all in a grey mortar. Dark grey humic soil formed the fill (DN). Drain 10 sat in Gully 10, whose cut was up to 1.50m in width. Grey-brown humic soil and occasional stones with some lumps of buff and grey mortar (BR) constituted the backfill of the gully beyond the drain: found within BR was a side handle brush (small find no.21 - Fig. 57.3). Wall 20 was rebuilt in a grey mortar around the drain. At the extreme southern end of the earlier Drain 8, where it disappeared into the south section, was the end of a ceramic sewer pipe, its upper end blocked by a vertical slab. No pipes had survived back as far as the junction with Drain 10. It seems that a stretch of about six metres of ceramic pipe in Drain 8, including the joint, had been removed, presumably upon demolition of Minster House, the robber trench being Gully 5, which ran for 6.50m into the site.

In the area defined by Walls 20 & 35 and Gullies 5 & 10 was a layer of dark brown humic soil, 150mm or more in depth, EZ. To the north of Gully 10, beside Wall 12, lay a succession of thin, alternating layers of black charcoal/coal-rich soil and brown humic soil, recorded as the single context DL, and containing only transfer-printed ware. Halfway between the wall and the line of Drain 8 was the post- hole P.H.24, diameter 400mm, containing a dark slightly greenish brown humic soil with flecks of charcoal and white mortar (EY).

Saunders’ view of Minster House from the garden, c 1822, showed a square porch with latticework sides placed in the angle between the south elevation of the house proper and the west wall of the kitchen block (BRSMG M.1752; Fig. 12). The south face of the porch was founded on shallow brick foundations to either side of the central arched opening. These (Stone Feature 27) were set within two cuts, the western of which was recorded as Pit 74. All evidence for the western side of the porch was destroyed by the later Wall 18. Beneath the bottom of Pit 74 was a post-hole, P.H.63, of uncertain date. Slightly off-centre within the southern doorway was a square post hole, P.H.39 (fill context HY). This was, more correctly, a post pit, the post hole proper being slightly smaller and tight against the eastern and southern sides, with very charcoal-rich soil above stone packing to north and west. Post- hole 55, 1.25m to the east, may have been associated. Immediately south of P.H.39 lay the remains of a short linear stone feature alongside the western edge of Drain 8, S.F.55, interpreted as a light wall base, and set in a shallow gully, G.30 [neither on plan]. Both seem to have pre-dated construction of the porch. The post-hole was sealed by EB, a 50mm-thick layer of brown humic soil that occupied much of the porch area. Also below the same layer, and a short distance to the north of the post-hole, was a stakehole (P.H.33). The eastern part of EB was cut by the largish, irregular, Pit 28, which was probably dug to repair or unblock Drain 8 below. Beyond the northern extent of EB lay two small pits, one in the north-east corner, the other, Pit 31, in the area of the upper end of Drain 22. During this period the drain was replaced by a new eastward-running feature, Drain 7 (see below). 41 The earlier Drain 11, after flowing westward beneath Room 6 in Building 5 and carrying through the lower part of Wall 12, had emerged in a short east to west section before joining with the main north- south drain, D.8. This particular part was rebuilt in brick and some stone, bonded in grey mortar, with Pennant Sandstone cap-stones (Drain 17). Against the west face of Wall 12, another freestone D-trap under a short brick chute (Stone Feature 33) was installed, blocking the channel of the now disused Drain 11. Within the drain was a fill of dark grey clay-silt (GZ), over which lay mixed mortar and rubble; inside S.F.33 was brown silty soil with mortar lumps (CO). Adjacent to the south, hard against Wall 12, sat a slab of Pennant Sandstone, rectangular with two diagonally opposing corners missing (S.F.45). It showed no signs of wear, but otherwise was the correct shape and size (1200 x 420mm) for a threshold step - possibly there was originally another slab above it. Parallel, and slightly to the west, was a long (640mm) single pennant on edge (S.F.48), possibly a cousin to the not dissimilar S.F.46 (by the south-west corner of Wall 12), although apparently at a higher level. It should be noted that the uppermost point of S.F.48 was 130mm higher than the surface of S.F.45. Saunders’ illustration suggests that there was a small paved area in the angle between Wall 12 and the south side of the porch, and in fact he shows a garden roller at that spot. Above S.F.45 and surrounding but not covering S.F.48, which stood slightly proud, lay a 100mm thick deposit of humic soil, EQ.

In the western and northern parts of Room 9 lay ES, at a similar level to EQ and not dissimilar to it. Direct comparison was prevented by the existence of several intervening features. Running north- south, roughly on the line of the eastern side of Drain 8 beneath, was a line of grey mortar (Stone Feature 32, not shown on plan), probably the base for a linear brick feature, perhaps the west wall of a privy that was served by the shaft and D-trap of S.F. 33. At its southern end this turned westward briefly before terminating at S.F.37, a squarish block of stonework also in grey mortar. To the south of S.F.32 and the south-east of S.F.37, but largely cut away by the later Gully 5, was a rectangular pit, P.29, which on its eastern side cut layer EQ.

By 1850 the porch illustrated in the 1820s by Saunders had been replaced by a two-storey construction that occupied a somewhat larger area within the angle between the two ranges (Building 6). George Pryce’s drawing (1850), published as the frontispiece to his book of that year, illustrates the new block, although apparently not completely accurately (Fig. 14). The block was not shown by O’Neill in his 1823 view from the Lower Green, nor on the 1828-published large-scale map by Plumley and Ashmead, and it must therefore date from somewhere within the date range of 1823/8-1850. A structure of unusual plan resulted, perhaps suggesting a two-phase construction, although the archaeological evidence is insufficient to say one way or the other.

From the middle of the west side of the kitchen range, Wall 17 ran westwards for 6.50m. There was then a short return northwards, before a short westward leg of just 700mm. From here there was a return to the north, but, although this line was continuous at first floor level, there was a gap of 1.65m between two jambs or responds at either end of the ground floor. The northern end of this wall abutted the eastern end of the Minster House chimney breast. Some 3.20m to the east lay a parallel, continuous, wall, W.18, extending southward from the old south-east buttress (S.F.28) for 2.75m before abutting the north-east corner of a further wall that ran eastward from the dogleg in the west wall and was north of, but parallel to, Wall 17.

Wall 17 was of rubble construction, grey mortar bonding stonework largely comprising Pennant Sandstone. It abutted the west face of Wall 12, and was cut by the later Gully 5. Wall 12 was partially rebuilt in brick and grey mortar where the north side of Wall 17 abutted. Post-hole 7, cut into Wall 12 immediately to the north of the rebuild, may be associated. The far western end of Wall 17 was robbed out after demolition of Minster House, as were most of the other walls. Only the foundation trench survived for the northerly return (Gully 7). The sole part of the east-west wall parallel to Wall 17 to survive was 700mm at its extreme eastern end, although the foundation trench (Gully 6) remained elsewhere. Foundation trenches for the pair of responds on the west side of the building were Pit 13 (at the western end of Gully 6) and Pit 42 (against the breast). Wall 18 was of similar composition to

42 Wall 17. All walls and foundation trenches were of a standard 600mm width with the exception of Pits 13 and 42, which indicated that this section of the west wall may have been slightly thicker.

Enclosed by Wall 17 and its parallel northern neighbour was a long narrow strip 3.30m in length by 950mm in width, closed off to the west by the wall standing in Gully 7 but open at the opposite end. At the western end of this space was a short channel of brickwork bonded in grey mortar with a sloping stone bottom (Stone Feature 23), leading into the upper end of Drain 9. The drain flowed eastwards to empty into the main north-south channel of Drain 8. Only a part of the northern side of Drain 9 survived, built of stone and brick in grey mortar. There is a possibility that a replacement was installed, in ceramic pipework, only for it to be removed during demolition. The narrow space between the parallel walls may have been the location of a staircase - no other possible locations have so far been identified in this area - in which case there would presumably have been a single flight climbing from the east. At the west end, below the top of the staircase and served by S.F.23, was a suitable location for an inside privy or water closet.

The north-western part of Building 6, to the west of Wall 18, appears to have functioned as a large porch or open-ended, undercover area. As has already been noted, the west wall at ground-floor level was not continuous. A photograph published in Faustina Hodges book (1896, opp.p.166) shows the wide opening as possibly not fitted with doors. By the time that the photograph was taken, probably near the end of the life of Minster House, the various climbing plants had reached to the eaves and largely obscured the oriel window at first-floor level. Inside the ‘porch’, patches of mixed dark brown humic soil with much grey mortar were excavated (context GR).

Extending for a little over a metre eastward from Wall 18 was Wall 23, composed mainly of Pennant Sandstone in grey mortar, with a consistent southern face but an irregular northern edge. Covering most of the south-western half of Room 8, to the north of Wall 23, was soft grey mortary soil (CJ). Against the south face of the same wall was an elongated patch of pale grey mortary soil, CA. Cutting the north-east part of CA, at the east end of Wall 23, was the small Pit 17. Close by to the south-east, again cutting CA, was an even smaller pit, P.21, a partial void with loose grey mortary soil and a single large stone, perhaps dug for access to Drain 17 below.

The area to the south of Minster House continued in use as a garden. Saunders’ view shows it laid out as lawn with paths close to the north and west edges, beyond which were beds that included, amongst the plantings, some climbers (Fig. 12). Alongside the south wall, in a 500mm-wide strip between the chimney breast and south-east buttress, was a dark brown humic soil deposit, 150-200mm deep (context GB). On the west side of Drain 8 at its southern end was a deposit of grey-brown humic soil, 250mm deep (DF), that contained a bone tube, possibly a nozzle from a medical instrument (small find no.42 - Fig. 57.4). Most of the garden was covered by a mixed layer, 200mm or more in depth, a dark brown humic soil with many stones and many lumps of pink mortar, also large spreads and patches of black charcoal-rich soil (CZ). This extended north of the line of the later Wall 17 as context BX. A large patch of dark grey humic soil with stones, approximately 6m by 4m in size (DC), lay against the garden face of Wall 16. Beneath part of DC was Gully 20 (fill context EA), a linear feature that contained part of the lead pipe that ran through the garden. The gully extended for a maximum distance of 3.75m eastward from Wall 16. Within it lay what appeared to be a later replacement section of pipework (small find no.59), about 40mm in diameter and consisting of a number of shorter lengths joined together. The pipe had continued beyond Wall 16 as far as the road, but had subsequently been cut on the far side of the said wall. In the opposite direction, the earlier section of pipework was broken - rather than cut - in the southern end of Pit 46, lying between Drains 28 and 8 and approximately 2.50m long and nearly a metre wide, containing a fill of mixed stones and lumps of pink and grey mortar in brown silty soil (context ED). Cutting the northern extremity of the pit and abutting the south face of Wall 17 was a shallow gully (unnumbered) in which was laid a small eastward-flowing drain with brick sides and Pennant floor, bonded in grey mortar, Drain 6. The head of this drain was 3m from the south-west corner of Building 6, in about the centre of the south wall, and may have served a downpipe from the roof. 43 Between the two-storey 19th.century extension and the west garden wall the old path continued in use, shown by both Saunders and the late photograph. Several beds were cut in the strip of 750mm or so to the north of the path. At the eastern end was Gully 28, with, at its western end, the shallow Pit 81 (fill context HR). A metre to the west again lay the deeper Pit 88, its fill (context KQ) a brownish green loamy soil, the others having contained the more typical brown humic soil.

Construction of the new Victorian nave and western towers involved the removal of the eastern end of the main Minster house range. Room 1, in the north-east of the area excavated in 1992, was reduced in size by the erection of a new east wall. This may be the ground-floor portion of the new end wall known to have been built in February 1870 (BRO DC/F/1/3). If that is the case, then the room above must have been the bedroom of Canon Randall, as referred to by George Wood’s letter of 2nd. September 1867 (BRO DC/A/8/7). The photograph of the north side of Minster House (Fig. 16) indicates that the fresh end wall lay close to the southernmost buttress of the new Cathedral west front. Initially it was thought that Wall 24 represented the remains of the end wall, but it now seems more likely that this lay immediately beyond the east face of Wall 24. However, no remains of walling survived here at all, nor was there any evidence of bonding into the north and south walls (Walls 26 and 4). Rubble-built and bonded in grey mortar, Wall 24 itself was laid directly on top of the earlier floor, Floor 2, which was removed beyond it to the east (again suggesting where the new end wall was located). As found in 1992, Wall 24 was merely a short length of walling 300-330mm in height with unfinished ends that suggested that it might originally have been longer. Possibly its construction was associated with the work to truncate Minster House. Room 1 continued in use in its reduced size. The wall against the passage was plastered with a creamy-buff mortar, while the west wall, W.6, appears only to have been whitewashed. Against this were placed three thin, parallel brick walls, S.F.51-53. These were at least three courses in height and may have formed wine bottle bins, or perhaps supported some sort of work surface. Only one wall survived above its grey mortar base, and this was plastered (Stone Feature 51). Coal dust of up to 10mm in depth (context CL) was found in Room 1, including around, but not over, the three bases and Wall 24, indicating use as a coal store. A ferrous peg was found in Floor 2, amongst the flagstones beneath the line of Wall 24 but protruding 30mm or so above the surface. It was rectangular in cross-section, about 30mm by 10mm in size. In Wall 26 was found a smaller ferrous pin with flat head, projecting about 30mm from the south face. Neither object served any obvious purpose.

To the east of Wall 24, Room 1 was extensively disturbed. Wall 26, forming the northern edge of the room, was cut through at a point 4.50m from its western end. Here was dug the outer edge of the foundation trench for the south-west tower. Just outside the southern end of the trench was a double post-hole (unnumbered), of indeterminate date. Immediately north of this was Pit 95 (fill context LN), partly cut into the backfill of the foundation trench. Within the main part of the pit sat a rectangular slab, Stone Feature 59, of sandstone or freestone. A twin to this slab sat 1.65m further west, in the bottom of Pit 94 below the fill LP (S.F.58). No clear reason for their presence could be established at the time of excavation, but they may represent pads for scaffolding or shoring associated with either the building of the nave or the rebuilding of the end of Minster House. Pit 94 lay beneath Pit 76 (fill HD). All three pits seem to have been sealed by layer HC, a mixed rubble and mortar deposit, although Pit 76 may have been cut through it. At a higher level, dug into HC, were Pits 66, 67, 70 and 71, some intercut. Pits 67 and 71 could be associated with the removal of the 1870 end wall at the time of final demolition of Minster House in 1883. Gully 41, to the south of these pits and against the west face of the tower buttress footings, represented the robbing of part of Wall 4. In the face of the said footings were revealed a series of ledges or steps, S.F.43, perhaps originally intended to be one side of a short flight down to the lower, cloister level but apparently never put to use.

Inside Room 10 the walls were all rendered with a pale cream-coloured plaster. Despite the existence of the earlier short flight of steps down into the north-west corner of the room (Stone Feature 31), a second set of just two steps (Stone Feature 44) was added adjacent on the north wall (W.27), constructed of Pennant Sandstone, including the treaders, the whole bonded in grey mortar. Due to the level to which Wall 27 had been demolished, the doorway above the steps had not survived, but 44 there was clearly a third riser at the position of the inner wall face. These steps gave access out into the garden area to the north, whereas those adjacent led north-west up into the prebendal house that partly abutted the north side of Minster House. No definite evidence was available to determine when the room went out of use, but being separated from the passage may have meant relegation to minor use from as early as 1870. The flagstone floor, Floor 1, was overlain by BP, a loose mixed layer of rubble, mortar, plaster, and brown silty soil, generally of 300mm thickness but sometimes more. Within the layer were several fragments of a Thomas Toft charger from the 17th century. Over BP were BN and BE, both described as “garden soil” but also containing lumps and flecks of mortar. A half groat of Edward VI was found within BE (small find no.15).

Grey mortar (context FX) was found throughout Room 2, the eastern end of the passage alongside Room 1. This was the bedding for a floor, equivalent to the layer BW found in Rooms 6, 7 & 11. The mortar bedding continued into the western passage, Room 3, as context EV, and ran through the doorway (S.F.14) in Wall 19 towards Room 11. It was also noted for a short distance into Room 4. Surviving fragments of freestone and Pennant Sandstone suggested that these floors were flagged. The level of the bottom of the wall plaster indicated that the floors had been at the same height as that in Room 1 (Floor 2). Separating the two rooms of the passage was the earlier stone doorway, Stone Feature 2, for which a ferrous pintle survived on the inside (east side) of the south jamb, indicating that the door was hinged on that side. A single Pennant flagstone survived at the eastern end of the entrance into Room 3 through Wall 19 (S.F.12, not shown on plan). Around the corner, against the north face of the wall, a small brick feature survived (S.F.11). There was no foundation, and it was initially interpreted as the bottom of a door jamb, although it could have been the remains of a brick blocking wall. Paul’s plan shows, at the west end of Room 3, an entrance through the southern end of Wall 10 into the large room beyond. This opening (S.F.13) was 910mm (3 feet) in width, its southern edge one with the north face of Wall 19. Surviving brickwork may have been the remains of steps that led down into the lowered area to the west of Wall 10.

Access to Room 4 from the north side of Room 3 was by way of an entrance that was virtually the full width, leaving only a fragment of Wall 41. Both jambs were chamfered to the south with broach stops (Stone Feature 3). However, whereas the western jamb was in the same pinkish mortar as Wall 10 behind, its twin on the opposite side was in a grey mortar, indicating that it had been rebuilt, probably a repositioning further to the east. The result was to form an opening 2.24m in width between the two rooms. In the same grey mortar as the jamb was the small brick feature (S.F.40) that ran northwards for almost 400mm before briefly turning to the west. Of unknown function, this had been built of bricks on edge. Throughout most of Room 4 was a pink mortar floor and its make-up layer (jointly recorded as context FR), although only against the east wall (Wall 8) and part of the north (Wall 9) did the floor proper survive. A sole sherd of late 18th century Staffordshire ware was the only dateable find from this deposit. In the north-west corner of the room was a large pit, sub-rectangular in plan, Pit 82. This was filled with grey mortared rubble (with some unmortared stones), the whole being loose with voids, context JD. No pottery was present, but there was a single clay tobacco pipe bowl, carrying the initials ‘JR’ and probably made either by John Ring (fl.c1803-1818) or John Roberts (fl.c1815-1851). Pit 82 was not identified until after the removal of context FR, but at the time of archaeological excavation was thought to have possibly cut it.

Southwards from the centre of Room 4 the drain, Drain 15, was substantially altered. While the west wall was retained, a new brick east wall was laid along the centre line of the original drain, creating a narrower channel of about 120mm, Drain 26. Pennant was again used for the cap-stones. The fill (LM) was a very loose dark grey ashy-mortary soil with grey mortar lumps. Beyond the new side wall, a wider channel was created by removing the old Drain 15 wall and replacing with brick on a more easterly line. This second route (Drain 18) was capped with more Pennant (JU), the brickwork bonded in grey mortar. Unusually, slate was utilised for the floor, and this was then lined with grey mortar that also ran part-way up the side walls. It ran at a higher level than its westerly neighbour. At its northern end, almost at the middle of Room 4, the channel terminated in a steeply inclined slab. From here there was a gentle drop to a point somewhere towards the far side of Room 3, from where the floor 45 began to rise once more. Crossing the line of Wall 19, the whole curved around to the west to run alongside the southern edge of the same wall as far as the south-east buttress of Minster House. For this section it was recorded as Drain 7. Here, at the end was another inclined slab. Drain 22 had earlier commenced at this same place, but illustrations show that the downpipe had apparently now been replaced by another further to the east, draining into Drain 17 on the east side of Drain 8. Drain 7 was similar to Drain 18, except that the mortar was more of a buff-grey and the channel was marginally narrower at about 200mm. Back at the northern end of Drain 18, there was a brick construction (S.F.54) around the angled slab. Drain 18 contained KJ, a fill consisting of black sooty soil with some brown silt.

The function of Drain 7/18 is not entirely clear, but it is assumed to have performed as a heating duct or flue. Burnt charcoal and black ash were noted on the undersides of the Drain 18 cap-stones. By the 1820s the south-western extremity, against the side of the south-west buttress, was in one corner of the lightly-constructed porch that had, in all probability, not been there for many years. Previous to its erection this had simply been the end of the path leading from the garden gate to the entrance to Minster House. The position occupied by the end of the duct was therefore suitable for locating a ventilator or grille for the provision of air.

As the site was excavated, a long thin strip was opened up between the north section and the northern sides of Walls 26 & 27. A few features were noted between the two edges, but it was not possible to explore then fully in the very limited space, with the exception of a flat-bottomed post-hole, P.H.57, adjacent to the north face of Wall 26. Wall 26, the north wall of Room 1, was noted as possessing a fairly consistent outer face at its eastern end but becoming irregular about halfway along. Abutting the north face immediately east of the point of change was a north-running rubble wall, Wall 45, comprising Brandon Hill Grit and oolite bonded in a hard light grey mortar and in the region of 600- 700mm thick. Only a very short length (less than 300mm) was revealed before it disappeared into the north section. None of the contemporary maps or plans show this wall and its exact function is unknown. To the west, the northern face of Wall 26 continued, albeit in irregular fashion, followed to a point almost in line with the west face of Wall 6. A small patch of pitched stonework, possibly cobbling, survived between the wall and the north section. From thereon, for a metre or so, no face could be discerned, and, in fact, there was possible evidence of a wall turning north from near the eastern end of Wall 27, the north side of Room 10. Successive maps show that, towards the western end of Wall 27, was the end of the eastern wall of a building that was approximately square in plan, known as the house of Mr. Tucker in 1649 (Parliamentary Survey, BRO DC/E/3/2). It is described as late one of the Prebend’s houses, abutting eastwards onto a little common yard that led to the cloister (an area that remained open until construction of the new nave). Measuring 40 feet, east-west, by 38 feet, north- south, it contained three storeys and had three bedrooms, being worth £3. 10s. 0d. a year. The west side of Mr.Tucker’s house was not found during the excavation, but Ashmead’s 1854 city survey indicates that it may have been flush with the western end of Minster House. Nineteenth century illustrations depicted a two-storey house with sliding sash windows, but there was a two-stage buttress part-way along its north-facing facade and another at the north-east corner, and Latimer (1887, 345) recorded that the building included a turret staircase and other early features.

The principal part of Minster House (Building 4) lay at the west end of the long east-west range. This was a rectangular block that measured approximately 8.80m by 4.60m internally, and, for the lowest storey at least, was occupied by a single large room. Later in the life of the building the ground-floor was lowered, to the point where it cut into natural. At the same time, a suspended wooden floor was inserted, supported by a pair of sleeper walls that ran along the longer dimension. Two shallow gullies (G.8 & G.9) were cut into natural and grey mortar bedding was laid. Only the very eastern end of one sleeper wall, the northern (Wall 21), survived, mainly built of Brandon Hill Grit and bonded in the same grey mortar. Low ledges of brick laid in dark grey mortar were added to the insides of the north and south walls of the building to take the outer ends of the joists, each of which had to bridge about 1.22m (4 feet). Two beam sockets (G.64 & G.65) were cut into the inner face of the west wall, Wall 14, but they took beams at a slightly higher level than the side ledges took their joists, and therefore may 46 not have been contemporary - they may represent the supports for an earlier timber floor. Some of the beam end still survived within G.65. In G.64 was an iron plate, about 30mm wide, in-situ and apparently bolted into the mortar 500mm from the inner face of Wall 14. A row of three post-holes set against the same wall (P.H.2, 3 & 4) may be evidence of a need to support the ends of the original beams, which would often to rot first where they met the wall. Two of the post-holes (3 & 4) were later to be sealed by patches of black coal/charcoal-rich soil containing some clinker and slag (layer AT), with a more extensive deposit of the same material in the eastern half of the strip to the north of, and defined by, Wall 21, and therefore not earlier than its construction. A shallow pit in the centre of the natural floor of the building was of indeterminate date.

In the west end of Wall 13, beyond the brick ledge, a rectangular feature with three sides of brickwork bonded in grey mortar was added (Stone Feature 19). Light and dark grey mortars were also noted beyond the brick feature. This all represented work to restore the ground-floor section of the two- storey oriel window, which still looked crisp and fresh when photographed (Hodges 1896, opp.p.166). Pearson’s letter of July 18th.1882 refers to “a small bay window of two stories the lower part of which is modern and an imperfect copy of the original work ...”(BRO DC/F/1/3). On the opposite side of the building, beneath the line of Wall 15, a line of post-holes, at intervals varying between 950 and 1550mm, extended for virtually the whole length of Building 4 (P.H.84-90). Most were rectangular voids, some still with traces of wood, and some included charcoal-flecked silt at the bottom. The majority had flat bottoms, usually with a flat pennant as a base. At the west end the post-holes were directly below the wall, whose bottom was now more than half a metre above the level of the lowered natural. With one exception (P.H.89) the post-holes were in a fairly straight line. The posts were associated with the lowering of the floor, which had cut below the base of Wall 15 and made it essential for shoring to be inserted. Subsequently the posts were enclosed when the medieval wall was properly underpinned by masonry, which strictly speaking created post-pockets rather than conventional post-holes. To the south-west of P.H.84, and directly north of P.H.2, was a possible post- hole, P.H.83, although it may have been no more than a void in the stonework.

Within the bottom of Wall 14 were three channels, each continuing through the full thickness of the wall to a brick-lined shaft immediately outside (Stone Features 8-10; Fig. 39; Plate 21). Between them the three channels or ducts served the three underfloor sections into which the interior had been divided by the sleeper walls. The brick shafts were short, only of a few courses each, and were not visible above ground (they are not shown by any of the drawings or photographs of Minster House). All three were interconnected below ground by a duct built of brick with Pennant Sandstone cap- and base-stones (Drain 39), the cut for which was Gully 36 (context ML). Since the wooden floor inside the building was not raised above the outside ground level, the use of air bricks was not feasible, and it appears that the ducts and associated shafts were added to provide the underfloor ventilation necessary to help avoid the incidence of rot - dry rot in particular - a fate that, as suggested above, may have befallen the previous floor. There is no evidence that the ducts and shafts were ever associated with any form of heating, and there were no signs of burning or the effects of heat, nor deposits of, for instance, soot. Above the capping of two of the ducts were the impressions left by small brick features possibly associated with them (S.F.84 & 85).

Built within the northern end of Wall 10 was a brick-lined rectangular feature (S.F.47), open to the north-east corner of the ground-floor room in Building 4. Single thickness brick walls surrounded a brick floor that was at approximately the same level as the wooden floor of the room; a space of 840mm by 640mm was enclosed. The function of the space was not clear, although initially it was interpreted as a fireplace or similar feature. Construction of S.F.47 cut the upper end of the old Drain 14, the upper fill of which was recorded as a gully, 1.60m in length, Gully 3 (fill context AY).

Immediately to the north of the centre of Wall 15 lay a cess pit, Stone Feature 22, of almost square plan. Rubble walls were bonded in a buff-grey mortar and carried a hard render of similar colour, the corners and base being rounded. As was usual for such features, there was a flagstone floor with raised mortar strips over the joints. The walls survived for about 600mm above floor level. Within the 47 cess pit was a lower fill of black sooty soil, 100mm deep, above which the remaining fill was of mixed mortary rubble (context BY). A short distance to the north-west was another cess pit, S.F.26, but only one corner was within the excavation area and further examination had to wait until works on the site in 1993, when it was found to measure 2.10m (E-W) by 1.60m (N-S). These two features were beneath the house that adjoined Minster House on the north, (formerly Mr. Tucker’s), a building that survived, latterly as the Chapter Office, until March 1881 when it was removed to improve the view of the new West Front (BRO DC/F/1/3).

Between the west front of the Cathedral and the Gatehouse lay an extensive area that had not been touched during the 1992 excavation. This, however, was subsequently disturbed during works to lay paving outside the west front. An archaeological watching brief accompanied the work. Natural was noted at only 200-250mm beneath the surface. At a point almost midway between the standing buildings lay the remains of a backfilled cellar or large cess pit, 5.60m by 4.60m in size. Beside the eastern edge was a wall constructed of Brandon Hill Grit laid with a hard pale grey mortar, on the line of the eastern edge of the building shown by Plumley and Ashmead and others. On the opposite side of the cellar was a less well-defined wall, again of Brandon Hill Grit but with pink mortar and also red brick.

As noted previously, the area to the west of Minster House was dominated by a series of drains. Initially these lay outside the Minster House garden, but with successive extensions outward eventually were to be found inside the fence. The upper end of the earlier, Period 5a, Drain 3 (Fig. 23) was replaced by Drain 4, which ran westward for a short distance from a point just to the north-west of the corner of Minster House. Pennant Sandstone was once again utilised for the base slabs, but the walls were of brick bonded in grey mortar. At the upper end of the drain was a small paved area with the remains of brick and stone walls to east, west and south. These walls approximated to the small square building shown by the OS 1:500 plan of 1883, a structure that, in the corner of a backyard, occupied the classic location for a privy. Also shown on the same plan was the south wall of the yard, and this was seen, briefly, adjacent to the privy, with, to the west of Drain 3, the foundation trench of a further, robbed-out, section. The backyard containing the privy had belonged to the house immediately east of the abbey gate, at one time the home of the Chancellor (Stewart, 1745), but known in its last days as the Precentor’s House and removed in May 1885 (Latimer 1887, 516). This house had possessed a facade of early Georgian design, of three bays and three storeys plus semi-basement and attic.

The earliest recorded enclosure on the west side of Minster House was rectangular in shape and ran west for a short distance from the southern buttress to the west elevation, before turning north to run parallel to the same wall (Eyre, c1776; Samuel, 1792; de Cort, 1794 (Fig. 9)). A gate seems to have been provided adjacent to the buttress. Pit 65, a small post-hole or similar feature 2m south of the Chancellor’s back wall, may have been associated with this fence. A short distance to the north of the pit was an east-west gully, G.17, and on the north side of the east end of this was a larger pit, Pit 64 (context GG). Three stake holes were noted on the northern edge of the pit, with a further one to the east.

Gully 15 represented the re-excavation of Drain 3/4 for the purposes of laying a replacement in ceramic pipework. Within the backfill of the trench (context DA) was a counterfeit halfpenny of 1770 (small find no.28). The northern end of the new drain was later superseded by a length of ceramic pipework running from a north-westerly direction and laid in Gully 16. Drain 3/4 ran outside the edge of the rectangular enclosed area, but, with the later extension of the garden to a new line connecting the southern end of Wall 16 and the south-west corner of the gatehouse, that situation changed.

In the southern part of the area outside Wall 16 (the west wall of the main garden) the lead water pipe (small find no.59) was cut. Gully 19 (fill context GH) represented the robbing out of the pipe. The earlier, Period 5a, Pit 41 (Fig. 23) was partly re-excavated, the subsequent backfill (DX) being similar to the fill of the gully. Emptying of Gully 18 in order to gain access to Drain 19 resulted in the section of 48 Gully 19 that crossed it being destroyed. Later excavation for Gullies 13 and 14 cut away the western end of the pipe rob trench. Pit 40 (fill DW) cut Gully 19 immediately on the east side of Gully 18. A small pit at the extreme southern end of Wall 16 (Pit 106) may be associated with rebuilding at the junction with the wall alongside the cloister access road.

As previously explained, Drain 19, the southern half of Drain 3, was partially reconstructed during this period, in order to gain access for cleaning out. Parts of the upper walls were rebuilt in grey mortar, and the same material was also used to bed down the cap-stones and fill any voids. Gully 18, originally excavated for construction of the drain, had to be re-excavated in order to gain access to the drain within. Once cleaning and repairs had been carried out, the gully was again backfilled, with a fill of mixed redeposited natural, some stones and some buff gravelly soil (context DV). A relatively large number of sherds of a small variety of pottery were found within the fill, including sixteen of white salt- glazed stoneware (BPT 186), dating to around 1720-1780, more than two dozen of yellow wares (BPT 101a), 1650-1750, nearly twenty of English tin-glazed ware (BPT 99c & d), and also eight pieces of white china. Gully 18 cut into the western side of Pit 160 (WE), a feature that also lay beneath Gully 19. Pit 160 was also cut, at its southern end, by Post-hole 82. Within Drain 19 were two surviving fills, contexts JT and, above it, JS. The lower fill, 100-150mm deep, was a grey-green ‘cessy’ silt with some red-purple clayey soil and containing white china and redware. Pale grey mortar, red-brown sandy soil, stone, charcoal and black ash formed JS, which was about 150mm thick and included transfer- printed ware amongst the pottery finds, also producing a bone toothbrush that carried the legend “G.JONES REGISTERED 10 SEPTR. 1844" (Fig. 57.7).

Sealing part of the southern end of Gully 18 was a patch of grey mortar occupying an area of about 1m by 1.50m, layer DB. The south-western edge of DB was cut by the north-eastern edge of the 400- 500mm-wide Gully 13. In the description of the area to the west of Minster House, above, it was shown that the stone-built Drain 3 was later superseded on the same line by a ceramic pipe. This same pipe continued southwards into this part of the site, but had by now parted company with its predecessor, which had run further east as Drain 19. Gully 14/Pit 12 was the trench excavated for the ceramic pipework. Where it crossed the line of Gully 13 then that feature cut it, after which the pipework disappeared below a metalled road surface in the extreme south-west corner of the site. Gully 13 lay beside the north-eastern edge of the metalling, and is thought to have been dug to take the kerb and gutter alongside the road. This line of road and kerb ran parallel to the fence line as it existed from at least the 1820s and still did in the 1860s. By the later 1870s, however, the enclosed area west of Wall 16 had been extended again, to reach the boundaries that still existed in 1992. Ashmead’s 1874 city survey, subsequently updated, while failing to record the revised garden boundary, did show the drain running southwards from the Precentor’s house as far as an east-west sewer laid below the cloister access road.

In the narrow area between the mortary deposit DB and the west side of the old garden wall was a small pit, P.33. This, together with the metalled road surface and everything else in the southernmost 3m or so of the site, was directly below the layer BV, comprising between 100 and 150mm of mixed red clay-silt, grey-brown humic soil, stones and fragments of brick, all of which was deposited after the above-mentioned westward extension of the outer garden. Within BV was a flared copper alloy strap fitting (small find no.23 - Fig. 58.7).

Period 6 - During and after the demolition of Minster House (Fig. 25)

Those parts of Minster House not removed for construction of the new nave managed to survive into the early 1880s. Completion of the nave in 1881 (but with the west front finished only up to the top of the second stage of the towers) saw a review of the function and layout of the space between there and the gatehouse. By this time G. E. Street was dead, and his successor, John Loughborough Pearson, had different views regarding this area, the ‘West End Enclosure’. The view of the west front from College Green/Deanery Road was opened up by the removal in May 1881 of the Chapter Office, 49 but that the remains of Minster House still managed to obscure the view from the Lower Green (College Square). Pearson seemed determined to do away with the house and open up the view from that direction (the south-west). In April 1882 he was set to remove the building as soon as convenient after the current tenant had concluded his tenure in the following September. Minster House was still standing in mid-July of that year, and apparently also in the January following, but a report by Pearson dated April 27, 1883, suggests that by then it had been removed (BRO DC/F/1/3), a fact confirmed by Dean Elliott’s letter published in The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post six days earlier. The building was not shown on the OS 1:500 plan, surveyed in 1883, and in fact the outlines of former abbey buildings shown there bear no relationship to any known structures. Alfred Parkman produced a slightly fanciful illustration of the first floor hall of Minster House, looking west to the traceried end window and showing a vaulted (plasterwork?) ceiling. He described the room as ‘Refectory, Bristol Cathedral, destroyed in 1883 for Cathedral Extension’ (Fig. 17).

The Precentor’s house, adjacent to the abbey gate, was shown on the OS 1:500 plan, as also were the Minster House garden walls to the Lower Green and the road to the cloister, and the west cloister wall. No change of level was apparent from the plan, although it showed the west door of the Cathedral, the small gate to the Lower Green and the old doorway in the cloister wall as all flush with the general ground surface. North of the west cloister wall doorway, the wall thickness was shown as better than a metre. Pearson, in his report of April 27, 1883, confirmed that most of the walls shown around the boundary by the OS were surviving old walls. He proposed to pull down the “wall dividing the Lane” and to run a new one to the gatehouse (to the west) and the old doorway in the cloister wall (to the east). The design would be “a low wall with a good coping on it, and on the top an iron railing”. In addition, “The old cloister door and part of the cloister wall existing I would restore with its inside arch”. He proposed to link the two levels by means of a flight of steps. As for the enclosure to the west of the Cathedral, it would be made nearly level, “the carriage road only being made to slope down to the road in Little College Green” (BRO DC/F/1/3). Two months later, he had produced a specification for the boundary wall, the railings on which would match those on the north side of the Cathedral. Works would include restoration of “a portion of the inside Arch of the doorway marked X which is now wanting” and a new string course and coping would be added to the thick wall over the doorway (BRO op cit).

The Second Edition OS 1:2500 plan, revised in 1902, showed the carriage road, running south from College Green, past the west doors, then turning westward to reach the Lower Green; no other paths were shown. Parallel to, and about 7m west of, the side of the cloister, a wall ran south from the south- west corner of the tower as far as the road leading to the cloister. Subsequently, a path was added to link the carriage road with the doorway in the west cloister wall, and this was recorded in a photograph of November 1934 (Winstone 1986, pl.200).

Ashmead’s later 1:600 survey plan sheet (no.67) covering the cathedral included a small grey- coloured parcel, indicating the survival of a building adjacent to the north side of the access road, between the cloister wall and the parallel wall to its west. Although the Ordnance Survey plan failed to record any trace of the structure, a photograph of Bristol Cathedral taken shortly after the completion of the nave did show it in the background. A couple of tiled ridge roofs were shown, which, at their western end, were supported by the remains of a sturdy wall that had been partly demolished – possibly the remains of the old cellarium wall. These two small structures at the lower, or cloister level, probably did not live beyond the completion of the western towers. A Francis Frith photograph (20141, dated 1887; Hardy 1999, 24-25), showed the West End Enclosure before work had recommenced on the towers but with wooden sheds upon the open area, presumably in preparation for the final works.

In the area west of the cloister, south of the old doorway, were two deposits. Towards the south-east corner was a hard grey mortar layer, CS, probably the remains of a floor. A short distance to the north lay a more extensive deposit, CR, a greenish layer of mixed silty soil. Much of the latter was sealed by CD, another mixed layer predominantly of dark grey-brown ashy silt. All three deposits were, in turn, overlain by BD, mixed mortary soil with stones and some humic soil. Along the eastern side of the 50 area, between the cloister access road and the old doorway, the previous thinner wall was rebuilt to match in thickness that to the north. Gully 21 (fill context FT) was the foundation trench for this feature (the southern half of Wall 2): it cut the eastern end of layer CR. From Wall 2, westwards to the Lower Green then turning north to the gatehouse, a new boundary wall was constructed (Wall 35).

Aligned parallel to the cloister access road in the area west of the new wall were two rows of pits/ post-holes. In some cases, at the time of excavation it was unclear as to exactly whereabouts in the stratigraphic sequence they belonged, since some of the fills were very similar to the deposits above and around, but it is now believed that they lay directly below the later layer AP. The southern row, located a fraction over 3m north of the roadway, comprised three pits, P.52, P.59 and P.51, from east to west. All three were thought to have been post-pits, although only Pit 59 (fill GM) contained a recognisable post-hole, P.H.26. The second line ran with their post-holes 1.90m north of the first. On the east, Pit 57 contained P.H.27; to the north of Pit 59 was Pit 50 (fill HK), containing P.H.25. A second fill of Pit 50 was later excavated, as context QH (Pit 126). Both of the post-holes on this line were rectangular in shape, with the northern half of the bottom stepped up. No third pit was found in this line. However, to the north of Pit 51, the westernmost of the southern row of pits, (and at a distance that was exactly twice that between the two main rows) lay a smaller pit, P.49, cut into Wall 25. Directly north of Pit 49, in the angle between the western buttress and main south wall of the south-west tower, was Pit 148 (fill context TK), a square feature that cut the upper fill of the Victorian foundation trench and above which was Pit 93 (fill LD), of squarish plan. It is likely that the pair of pits were simply two fills of the one feature. Whereas TK contained just two sherds, one of potential 18th- 20th century date, the other medieval, LD included none from earlier than the 18th century (i.e. garden redware and white china).

On the opposite side of the buttress to Pit 93/148 was a post-hole, P.H.1. Against the boundary wall alongside the access road to the cloister was a small pit, P.14 (fill context BS). A wide gully (G.4, fill AV) ran beside Wall 2 from the old doorway southwards then turned alongside the southern boundary wall for a distance. Grey-brown humic soil up to 200mm in depth filled the cut, which may have formed a bed around the edge of a grassed area.

An entry in the Chapter Minute Book for July 3, 1888 (BRO DC/A/8/8, p.168), records that Mr. Pearson was requested to arrange for lightning conductors to be affixed to the central and western towers. Not long afterwards a similar request referred to the central tower only, suggesting that the western towers had by then been equipped. A lightning conductor tape ran down the south-east corner of the southern tower to a point on the west side of Wall 2. Here it divided in two, one line running in a trench cut diagonally across the backfilled robber trench (Gully 32), as far as a point located almost 3m away from the tower. Here, in a square pit, P.90, the tape terminated in a similarly-shaped copper plate. The second line was laid in a trench alongside the wall before turning to enter the cloister area beneath the old doorway. Within the entrance, above the conductor tape trench, was a Pennant Sandstone floor, Stone Feature 21, sat on a base of mixed mortary rubble (context BT). It was necessary during the archaeological excavation to move the conductor tapes to a more convenient line, and this was achieved by excavating a new trench in the north-west corner of the cloister. A narrow cut of almost 5m in length was sent out to the south-south-east from the bottom of the tower. Nothing of particular interest was located during the trench cutting and the material removed (HJ) was not recorded in detail.

Ground levels vary between the West Front/College Green and the cloister by about 1.15m (45 inches). In order to keep the west end enclosure relatively flat a defined change of level was created by the construction of a low retaining wall, built on a line running due south from the south-west corner of the Cathedral. This was Wall 1 (context AF), a construction of Brandon Hill Grit and red sandstone bonded in a dark grey mortar, capped with blocks of oolitic limestone. These included a fragment of coffin lid, decorated with the head of a cross (M.18), and a piece of a square Norman base or capital (M.8). Many fragments of older stonework were re-used in the foundations. Beneath the northern end of the wall was layer SK, which produced a Nuremberg jetton of 1480-90 (small find no.205). 51 Occupying a line a short distance to the east of the old cellarium wall (Wall 3), the new construction passed across the two disused stone-built cess pits, S.F.56 & 38. In the case of the former, it was possible to build directly over the vault. With its southern neighbour, however, the situation demanded that the wall footings run lower than the vault, and to span the backfill material within it was necessary to create a new arch, S.F.39. On the east side of Wall 1, to the north of the centre point, a short flight of steps was added, these giving access to a tarmacadam path that led across the lower area to the old medieval doorway in Wall 2 (S.F.20). An electric cable was laid beneath the path, in Gully 1. Topsoil was laid to either side of the path: contexts AP (to the south) and AQ (to the north). Latterly this was laid out as grass. Layer AP produced a Victorian farthing dated 1881 (small find no.13).

Demolition of Minster House was accompanied by an element of salvage and wall robbing. Pit 45 (fill context AD), a shallow feature on the western side of the north end of Wall 3, the old west wall of the cellarium, was created during the demolition works. Pit 38, a short distance to its south, may be contemporary. Further south again was Pit 91 (fill context KV), presumably post-dating demolition of the wall but only producing a single sherd of post-1550 date. Sewer pipes that had been laid as a direct replacement of Drain 8 were retrieved, presumably for re-use. This entailed the cutting of a trench, Gully 5, between the southern boundary of the site and a point just inside the 19th century two- storey extension. Gully 12 was the equivalent cut leading westwards from the northern end of the pipework stretch of the drain. Grey brown humic soil with stones, lumps of grey mortar and drain-pipe fragments (context BB) was used to backfill the north-south trench, its west-running neighbour containing a similar deposit. A Swiss ten-centime piece of 1850 was recovered from BB (small find no.14). Beneath the bottom of Gully 5, at the point were it crossed the southern edge of Wall 17, was the pit, P.19, containing a fill of the same description. Rectangular in plan with vertical sides but sloping ends, Pit 19 had all the appearance of having been cut by the bucket of a mechanical excavator, possibly for geotechnical investigation, although no record of such work has yet come to light.

Many of the walls of Minster House were only taken down to approximately level with the contemporary ground surface. After all, the principal aim was simply to open up the vista from the south-west, so removal to a suitable level to allow for the necessary landscaping was all that was required. Nevertheless, a few walls were totally robbed out. Those on the west side of the 19th century extension were destroyed completely, as was that running eastwards to the bottom of Wall 18. The empty foundation trenches, Gully 7, Pits 13 and 42, and Gully 6, were backfilled with grey-brown humic soil containing grey mortar and other inclusions. No context was allocated for the Gully 7 fill: the others were BQ, DY and DK/PV. Wall 16, the western boundary to the main garden, was so severely damaged that none of the line of its outside face survived, the east side only surviving because it was more deeply founded.

When it came to that part of Minster House that had contained the first-floor hall, the demolition gangs did a particularly thorough job of removal, leaving only the lower foundations. Francis Frith’s 1887 photograph recorded what appear to be masons’ sheds laid out to the west of the Cathedral. Across part of the south wall (Wall 13) remains and beyond a series of post-holes were laid out in a straight line that ran almost exactly due east, perhaps indicating the line of a fence. Each post-hole sat within a post-pit. Seven post-holes were identified in eight post-pits. It is likely that there was a ninth, rather shallower, post position, above the remains of the northern end of Wall 3. Two parallel rows of posts at 3.2m centres ran northwards from the east end of the single line. North of P.H.16 was P.H.17 in Pit 26: no matching post-hole was identified immediately to the east, although the earlier passage mortar floor was disturbed at precisely the point where one might have been expected.

Various features, mostly unconnected, were excavated in the area of the former garden, sealed by a general make-up layer, AK/AL. Against the remains of Wall 16 were three adjacent parallel cuts, Pits 5 to 7, with a fourth example (Pit 8, fill context BH) at the end of Pit 5 (fill BG). All four contained the same material, namely loose mortar rubble and stones with grey humic soil. It is just possible that they were survivals from the latter days of the previous period and were true garden features. Directly to 52 their east, at a distance of a little over 2m, lay a large rectangular pit, Pit 11, cutting the western side of the backfill to the wall robber trench, Pit 13/Gully 6. Uppermost was a fill of buff-brown silty soil (BM), including part of a rounded panel of leaded glass from a window (small find no.38). Beneath BM lay a stack of panels of leaded window glass dating from the 18th or 19th century. It is unclear from whence these panels derived, but none of the known windows of Minster House were of a suitable size. All the same, it is likely that they had only come a short distance, so probably belonged to one of the buildings within the cathedral precinct. At the bottom of the pit was another fill, a dark brown humic silt including a patchy spread of crushed oolite (CX). Cutting the north-east corner of the same backfilled pit as Pit 11 was Pit 10 (fill BL), the post-pit for Post-hole 8. Two metres further east lay the rectangular Post-hole 11. Pit 116, close to the chimney breast of Minster House, was a relatively modern feature cut from high level whose fill (OW) included many lumps of grey mortar. Within the pit was Post-hole 58. Close by to the north-west, cutting Gully 28, was Post-hole 42. Pit 44, a late, very shallow feature, cut into the top of the surviving part of Wall 13.

In the south-east corner of the old garden area were two small features of questionable origin. Pit 20 (fill context CG), close to the site of Wall 20, was probably formed either by animal or root action, a small burrow or like disturbance running away its south. Post-hole 13, a short distance to the west, was a good example of its sort, but also had a disturbed south side. To the north of the post-hole was a square, relatively shallow cut, Pit 3 (fill BF). A metre to the south-west, against the boundary wall (W.35) was Pit 1 (fill AX), a D-shaped cut reaching down to the surviving end of the stoneware sewer pipe, possibly associated with the insertion of a vertical slab to seal the open end. Further to the west, also against the same wall, lay the shallow Pit 4.

Those walls of Minster House lying to the immediate west of the cathedral survived after demolition to a height of 400-500mm above floor level (deeper in Room 10 where the floor was lower). Various layers of rubble and mortary soil were deposited in order to bring the site level (contexts AW & AZ in Room 10; AB [part], FM, FP, FV, FZ & GA in Room 1). Forming a base layer for the carriage road was FA, a yellow deposit of crushed oolite with spreads and patches of more gravelly material. To either side, dark brown humic soil (topsoil) was laid (ET & FB). With the later extension of the tarmacadam area outside the Cathedral, a make-up layer of small stones, gravel, oolite fragments and yellow- brown sand was laid down (EF). Rubble was also deposited elsewhere within the remains of Minster House, including the passage south of Rooms 1 & 10 (AB - part of), and the large room beneath the first-floor hall (AC). One coin was recovered from context AB (a James I farthing, small find no.2). Within AC were five coins or tokens (a Glastonbury halfpenny, two Nuremberg jettons, a Charles II farthing and a William III halfpenny, small find nos.1 & 3-6).

North of Minster House the ground was levelled using up to 200mm of crushed oolitic limestone (context AE). This material was also utilised for the backfilling of Gully 2, a channel that ran eastwards for 6m along the northern side of Wall 15, cutting the south wall of the cess pit S.F.22, before turning south-east to cross the wall at an angle. Presumably it held a pipe or cable, but none survived at the time of the 1992 excavation. Apparently sealed by AE was, towards the western end, Pit 16 (fill DZ). It did, however, bear a resemblance to Pit 19 in shape, and is therefore another candidate for being a machine-cut hole of much later date. Layers AG, red gravel and sandy soil with oolite chips, and CB, mixed soil with stones, mortar and oolite fragments, were both found below AE. Beneath the eastern end of AG was the mark left by the end of a timber, a feature most likely to have been relatively modern, recorded as Post-hole 64.

Near the west end of Building 4, two of the earlier brick ventilator shafts, S.F.8 & 9, were filled with dark grey humic soil and stones (contexts AR & AS). A general layer in this part of the site (AM) comprised clay, redeposited natural, loamy and clayey soil, stone and crushed oolite, with charcoal. This sealed the backfilled sewer pipe trenches, Gullies 15 & 16, and appears to have done the same for Gully 38, backfilled with redeposited natural (NC) and not fully excavated. To the south of AM was the main entrance to the archaeological excavation, an area that was not fully investigated, south of which again was the general sealing layer of AN, a mixed deposit of clayey soil, stone, lumps of 53 tarmacadam, sandy soil and mortar with charcoal. Below AN were five small features. Post-holes 9 & 10 lay 1.75m apart, both at a similar short distance from the south-west section of boundary wall. They may have held supports for a sign or noticeboard. To the rear of the second post-hole, however, were the small pit, P.9, and, further into the site, Post-hole 6, the three in a row almost perpendicular to the wall. At right angles to the inside end of the line, at 1.75m distance, was the southern end of Pit 15, in plan a dumb-bell shape. Together, all five features made a rectangular shape, although this may not necessarily be significant.

The Trench in the Cloister (Fig. 24)

In the early stages of the excavation it became necessary to divert the lightning conductor tape that fed from the south-west tower. This involved digging a trench south-eastwards into the cloister. Most of the route ran beneath an area of Pennant Sandstone flagstones, but it did extend a short distance into the tarmacadam beyond. The trench was 4.75m in length and 300-350mm wide (context HJ). At its north-west end was exposed a block of freestone that had been utilized as the base for the western end of the Victorian north cloister arcade. Natural was hit at a depth of about 600mm at the south-east end of the trench. Two lines of brick crossing the trench may have marked buried electric cables. No other features were revealed, and the sole find was a sherd of early medieval pottery.

54 4. CONCLUSIONS

Unlike many other archaeological sites excavated in Bristol, the below-ground evidence was complemented by a wealth of other sources, most usefully the visual (e.g. paintings and photographs), but also documentary (including the 1649 parliamentary survey, dean and chapter records, Hodges’ biography, and civil records). These sources have helped considerably in the interpretation of the strictly archaeological evidence, particularly by showing what the building looked like above ground.

The 1992 excavation examined an area that is now associated with the western end of Bristol Cathedral but was formerly part of the precinct of St Augustine’s Abbey, founded by Robert Fitzharding in 1140 as a community of Augustinian canons. Although the evidence available today suggests that initial development of the precinct took place further east, it appears that work on the abbey church commenced soon after 1148. The abbey gatehouse, which stands adjacent to the 1992 excavation site, dates from later in the 12th century.

In most religious houses the west claustral range contained the cellarium or abbey storehouse, although there would have been other storage facilities such as barns or granaries in the outer precinct (what is now College Square, in this instance). There would often be an outer parlour incorporated into the northern end of the west range, providing a facility where outside lay persons could meet with members of the walled community on matters of business. The space between the main gateway, outer court and cloister would be a practical location to house the prior and/or the cellarer, respectively the second and third officers of the abbey (sometimes one and the same person). Tradition suggests that this part of the St Augustine’s Abbey precinct was indeed the location for the prior’s lodging or house.

No evidence was found for any activity on the site before the abbey’s foundation. For the first three centuries or so following, building activity was limited to the eastern half of the area excavated in 1992. This included, in the first phase, a 12th-century west claustral range (cellarium), together with a narrow east-west range across its northern end (Building 1), the latter apparently not extending further east than the north-west corner of the cloister. Although the east wall of the Norman claustral range was not identified during the excavation, it is believed to have been on the same line as that occupied by its 14th century replacement. The west wall was recorded in 1992, however, largely built from Brandon Hill Grit. No evidence was found for intermediate columns down the centre line of the building, so there must have been an unsupported span of almost 9 metres across the interior of the cellarium, which was quite an ask in engineering terms, even if the building had only been single-storey (and they are usually two storeys in height). In addition, no evidence survived of any buttressing on the west side of the original range, whereas the east wall could at least have gained some outer support from the cloister walk and its roof. This method of construction may have been the reason why the range had to be rebuilt after only a couple of centuries.

In the 19th century E. W. Godwin identified a small Norman period structure at the northern end of the cellarium (labelled as ‘D’ on Paul’s plan). Much had been robbed out by the time of the excavation, apparently during the construction of the Victorian south-west tower, but fortunately there had been more than Godwin had recorded, with the west end of the south wall still standing beyond the line of the cellarium. An internal projection on the south wall could have been the base of a respond, and was matched by a gap in the internal face of the north wall (together with a pit), possibly representing a robbed out footing. These indicate that the ground floor of the structure could have been stone- vaulted, but, unfortunately, the foundations for the two southern buttresses of the south-west tower destroyed any corroborating evidence that might have survived further east. The walls were constructed from Brandon Hill Grit, a local stone often used in buildings of this date, and were about 1.2m thick.

55 A new structure was added during the 13th century, in the west angle between the cellarium and Building 1. This was square and stone-built, with substantial walls (Building 2), but had a north wall that paralleled the south wall of Building 1 rather than abutting or incorporating it, although there was a slender connection at the western end. The gap between the two buildings was sufficiently wide to have provided a passageway leading to the outer parlour at the north end of the cellarium. Despite its limited internal size (about 5.2m east-west by 4.5m north-south), Building 2 was provided with a cross- wall, north of centre, and floors. This structure, fairly massively built, is thought to have been a bell tower. Independent bell towers were not unknown, perhaps due to the possibility of vibration damage to the main church. Buildings of similar shape and size in plan may still be seen in some churchyards in South West England. This would also help explain why bell casting took place close by (see below).

Several narrow drains were constructed outside Building 2, but it has not been possible to explain their presence or assess their significance. Instead of the more usual stone slabs, flat ceramic roof tiles were utilised to floor the drains. Such tiles are rare finds from medieval Bristol, since roofing in the more substantial buildings was apparently usually either of thin Pennant Sandstone tiles or slate, with only the crest tiles in clay. Minor stone features were also built to the north-west and south-west of Building 2. Inside the cellarium, thin upright stone slabs set into the ground may have been associated with a new off-centre north-south, partition, probably of timber, together with a short easterly return connecting with the main east wall. A new floor was laid at the eastern end of Building 1.

At this time the ground to the west must still have been open, and it was here that a large pit was excavated to take the base of a temporary furnace for heating the necessary materials for bell-casting. In the bottom of the pit was a circular base divided in four by a principal east-west flue and a narrower cross-flue. The size of the pit was such that it would have created a hazard after use, so was backfilled soon after, the fill including the remnants of 3 circular bell moulds. Bells being heavy and fragile objects, it made sense to cast them as near as possible to their intended final location, and the structure interpreted as a bell tower was only about 10m away. A bell of c.1300 still hangs in the present cathedral, and could be the remnant of a full- or part-peal cast here. Various small pits or post- holes were dug to the north and west of the bell-casting area, but no other relationship could be confirmed. A large pit immediately north of the bell-casting area included fragments of sub-rectangular brick-like objects that have been identified as flooring from a floor tile kiln. This was another process requiring an outdoor location, and again would have been most convenient if not too distant from the main abbey buildings.

The 14th century saw the rebuilding of the west range of the cloister, containing the cellarium, with, as was common, an Outer Parlour at its northern end (although the original Norman northern end wall seems to have been retained in the rebuilding). As already noted, the original Norman construction appeared not to have been well designed, and it would not have been surprising if the long walls had pushed outwards over the intervening two centuries, particularly on the western side where there was no cloister walk to provide at least some bracing support. The replacement structure was erected in Old Red Sandstone (Devonian sandstone), which happens to outcrop at nearby Abbots Leigh, then one of the abbey manors. Buttresses were provided at regular intervals along the western wall, although none were noted on the opposite side of the building (where admittedly only a short length of wall was exposed during the excavation). No buttressing was provided at the northern end of the west wall, but instead there was a contemporary substantial stone base that projected out for about 3m and may have supported an outer porch. The bell tower of the previous century must have been removed, either at this time or earlier. A 14th-century doorway with two-centred head survives in what remains of the east wall of the range, and this may have been the cloister entrance to the Outer Parlour. A pair of short, parallel, east-west walls inside the range are thought to have supported stairs to the upper floor.

Most obvious in this part of the abbey in the 15th and early 16th centuries was the rebuilding and considerable enlargement of the buildings north and north-west of the west claustral range. A first floor hall with angle buttresses was erected close to the abbey gatehouse, and included in its southern elevation a large chimney breast and a two-storey bay window. This was connected, by further new 56 construction, to the old block north of the cellarium range, which itself had been rebuilt. However, it is not clear if all of this new construction took place in a single phase. Steps up to the raised ground to the north were provided inside the link block, Broach stops were provided at the base of some internal doorways. A stone-built drain was installed beneath the new range just east of the hall, running southwards to beyond the limit of the 1992 excavation. Tradition says that the hall was part of the prior’s residence – some records refer to Prior’s - or Priory - Lodge.

O’Neill and Saunders both illustrated 15th or 16th century windows in the south elevation (Figs. 10-13). Windows of two different types sat between the large projecting chimney breast and the south entrance, the western one with two (quatrefoil-headed?) lights, the eastern a taller transomed single- light example with a similar head, both with heavy drip mouldings. Upstairs, but further east, were two Tudor-style mullioned windows, one with two square-headed lights, the other with three. There was a conventional pitched roof with west end gable, perhaps originally containing a large traceried window, similar to that inserted in the 1820s. Internally, the hall would have measured approximately 9m by 5.5m (29.5 x 18 feet), and may have been open to the roof timbers, displaying chamfered purlins and cusped wind-braces. The undated painting of the interior as a refectory gives a possibly slightly fanciful interpretation (Fig. 17). No archaeological evidence remained to indicate if, or how, the lower storey of this block was divided, but the 1649 survey indicates that there were then two cellars occupying the space.

Within the cellarium, additional walling was erected around the existing pair of parallel walls, dividing up the space at that end. The proportions of their foundations suggest that these were full-height masonry walls rather than footings for timber partitions. These seem to have been the final works in this area of the abbey before the establishment was closed down in 1539 during the Dissolution.

Creation of the new diocese of Bristol in 1542 saw the introduction of cathedral status for the site, bringing with it the need for accommodation for the various church officials. The Minster House site was chosen to be the residence of one of the six prebendaries, an office that was often held in plural with others, such that it was an official rather than a regular residence for some of the postholders. It was at this period that the area south of the hall is first known to have been partitioned off, diocesan officials probably demanding more privacy than those of the former abbey. A western wall was erected to create a garden area south of the house. Contemporary features cut within this area could have been associated with gardening activity. Drainage was also enhanced in this early post-Dissolution period. Perhaps the best known of the prebendaries was the geographer Richard Hackluyt (in post 1584-1616), although it is not certain if he ever took up residence in the building.

The 17th century and the majority of the following century, up to c 1780, saw alterations within the main structure, but, perhaps more importantly, the addition of a gabled kitchen block in the western angle between Minster House and the old western claustral range. Consisting of only a single storey with a small attic, this was not a large structure, but it survived sufficiently long to be recorded in early 19th-century illustrations. This was probably the “kitchen with a loft over” that was included in the description in the 1649 Parliamentary survey: the main room was provided with a large fireplace that was 2.75m/9 feet wide and 750mm/2½ feet deep, making such use likely. A lead pipe laid across the garden was probably associated with water supply to the kitchen. More traditional garden activities were also recorded, with various gullies or trenches excavated. A step or threshold immediately inside the northern end of the garden wall showed that there was already an entrance here; a small linear feature parallel to the main house may be evidence for edging to a flower bed. Minor walls were erected elsewhere in this period, together with minor improvements to the drainage. A larger drain was laid beneath the old medieval doorway in the east wall of the old cellarium range. Outside of the property, beyond the garden wall, stone drains were installed at the edge of the Lower Green to serve neighbouring residences.

57 From the late 18th century and until the final removal of the building in the early 1880s, there is extensive archaeological evidence, further enhanced by illustrative material, initially drawings and paintings, with the addition of photography later.

At some point, date unknown, the mass of the west claustral range, or cellarium, was removed, although sections of walling were retained where they were integral to the remainder of the Minster House fabric. Two subterranean stone-built cess pits with vaulted roofs were inserted in what had been the north-west corner of the cellarium and west end of the outer parlour, probably both serving this property; a further pair on the northern edge of the site appear to have served premises fronting College Green.

Externally-visible improvement works in the early 1820s were recorded in a pair of ‘before and after’ illustrations by Hugh O’Neill, dated 1821 and 1823 respectively (Figs. 10 & 11). In the west end gable of the 15th-century block, the first and second floor windows were replaced by a single tall traceried window, presumably salvaged from another local medieval building. The first floor hall must have been reinstated at this time; a small quatrefoil ventilator was inserted much higher in the gable. O’Neill does record that the pair of segmental-headed ground floor windows were retained at this time. The other big contemporary change on site at this time was that the old, 17th century, gabled kitchen block was rebuilt, and now extended all the way to the main Minster House range, presented as a two-storey block with plain pitched roof, with neo-Tudor windows in its western elevation. Back in the main house, the storey below the hall was lowered and a suspended wooden floor installed. Further alteration to the drainage system was undertaken during the 19th century. At some point before 1850, a two-storey extension was added between the main range and the kitchen wing.

Minster House narrowly escaped total demolition when the Victorian cathedral nave was erected, although it still had to endure truncation at its eastern end. The cathedral architect, G. E. Street, must have seen the historic importance of the building, even though it partially obscured his design for the western end and its twin towers. Street’s untimely death before completion of the new work proved to be fatal for Minster House, the new architect, J. L. Pearson, being determined to provide a fitting setting at that end of the cathedral, entailing removal of the remainder of Minster House, which was achieved early in 1883. All that would survive was a short stretch of the east wall of the cellarium, together with its doorway, in the north-west corner of the cloister.

Fortunately for posterity, the demolition of Minster House stopped close to ground level, preserving not only the foundations but also shallow lengths of above-ground walling in places; only a small amount of salvaging of materials took place below this level. At the same time, Pearson’s scheme for lowering the area outside the cathedral great west door came to nothing. Some limited damage was caused by the excavation of a number of post-pits, arranged in rows and possibly associated with wooden stonemasons’ sheds erected for the final works to complete the western towers. Upon completion of the nave and towers, the area between the cathedral and the abbey gatehouse was turfed and laid with paths, defined to west and south by a masonry wall topped with railings. To the east, a low north- south wall included steps down into a new grassed area between the south-west tower and the lane leading into the cloister, the remains of the old cellarium wall being extended southwards to meet the lane. This then remained the situation, with only a few alterations such as the wartime removal of railings and the addition of trees or sculpture, until 1992.

58 5. THE FINDS

5.1 THE POTTERY by Rod Burchill

A little under 4,000 sherds of pottery were recovered during the course of the excavation. The material was quantified by sherd count only. This was considered a satisfactory method given the fragmentary nature of the pottery, making the assessment of vessel equivalents difficult, and the fact that the material represented only a sample of the ceramic potential of the Cathedral site as a whole.

The pottery was sorted by eye into broad fabric groups and then, using a hand lens (x10mag) where necessary, individual fabrics were identified by comparison to the Bristol Pottery Type Series (BPT). The Type Series has recently been reworked and upgraded by the writer for Bristol City Museum and still awaits full publication, however part of the Series will be published with the pottery report on the recent excavations at Welsh Back, Bristol (Burchill forthcoming). The original type series has been partially described in several papers eg. Good and Russett 1987; Ponsford and Price 1979b and 1979c; Ponsford 1988; Ponsford 1991. Ponsford published a version of his original type series in his report on the pottery from St.Bartholomew's Hospital, Bristol (Price and Ponsford 1998), however Ponsford has included type numbers no longer included in the Bristol Museum Type Series.

The Assemblage

Period 1 The pottery of this period was dominated by products of the Ham Green kilns that accounted for some 70% of the pottery recovered from Period 1 contexts. Green glazed jugs of Ham Green A type (BPT 26) were the most common type present (55% of the total Period 1 assemblage) along with cookpots in both the common iron rich fabric (BPT 32) and the coarser BPT 114. The A jugs have been shown to start sometime around 1120 or soon after (Ponsford 1991) and are replaced by the B form after c.1170. Type 114 cookpots are restricted to the 12th century but the more common Type 32 start in the second quarter of the 12th century continuing in production up to the end of the 13th century. No chronology for the Type 32 cookpots has yet been devised, however the Period 1 vessels would appear to be early. This group also included two sherds in the Ham Green B fabric BPT 27 that could date to after 1200 as could two sherds of a probable Malvernian cookpot fabric, Vince's Fabric B1 (Vince 1985), a very rare type for Bristol. Also present were sherds of BPT 46, a calcareous flint tempered fabric found throughout the Avon Valley and beyond and probably made in the Warminster area of West Wiltshire. BPT 46 accounted for some 27% of Period 1 pottery and has been dated in Bristol to between 1150 and 1300, however, in Bath where it is designated Bath A it has been thought to start much earlier possibly in the 11th century (Vince 1979), variants of Bath A were again considered to start in the 11th century at Eckweek, Avon (Young forthcoming).

Period 2 Period 2 pottery was comprised mostly of green glazed jugs (85%) with few coarse wares being present. Bristol/Redcliffe jugs (BPT 118) which start around 1250 or perhaps a little earlier make an appearance, however, they are numerically outweighed by Ham Green vessels mostly of B type (BPT 27). A single sherd in a poorly glazed quartz gritted fabric (BPT 121) probably dates between 1300 and 1350, this fabric is thought to have been produced in South Gloucestershire possibly near Thornbury where it is quite common (Ponsford 1998). Of particular interest in this group is the presence of a vessel in a very coarse fabric containing quite large stone fragments (up to 4mm). This fabric is very similar to BPT 49 that has previously only been identified at Bristol Castle (Ponsford 1979a) and dated there to the 12th century.

The first imported wares make their appearance in this period: a (?)jar lid in a green glazed quartz gritted Normandy ware (BPT 239) [(Fig.27.2), this fabric first arrives in southwest England soon after 1200 (Allen 1984)]; and two sherds of Southwest French green glazed jugs (BPT 156 and 157) both 59 were produced in the area around Saints and are believed to have arrived in the Bristol area with cargoes of wine from the Gironde (Burchill, forthcoming). BPT 156 can be dated between 1250 and 1350 whilst the similar but grittier BPT 157 might be a little earlier.

Period 3 Pottery associated with this period was mostly common medieval wares typical of those found throughout the area. Ham Green wares still accounted for 25% of this group, however they are residual by this date. The output of the Bristol/Redcliffe kilns including the later BPT 120, BPT 123 and the post-1350 BPT 118L totalled some 61% of Period 3 pottery. The standard Bristol/Redcliffe jugs (BPT 118) was the most common pottery type present at 55%: the material covered the full date range for this type, however most were from highly decorated vessels suggesting a date at the very end of the 13th century or the early decades of the 14th century for their production.

A post-1300 date is also provided by the presence of wheel thrown vessels in the Northwest Wiltshire lime tempered fabric BPT 84, the South Gloucestershire fabric BPT 121, a particularly fine Redcliffe fabric BPT 120 and a pink sandy fabric tempered with rose quartz (BPT 254) and attributed by Ponsford to Redcliffe. This fabric is very different to the usual Redcliffe fabrics and in the opinion of the writer a Somerset origin for this material cannot be ruled-out. The group also included six sherds, probably all from one vessel, of Complex Rouletted ware (BPT 153) - these vessels were produced in the Gloucester/Worcester area and the Monnow Valley.

Three sherds in a Donyatt medieval fabric (BPT 124) from Context OP were unusual. Donyatt medieval wares are rare on Bristol sites, a good example was found at St.Thomas Street (Burchill 1989) and another at Water Lane (Burchill 1992) with other examples at Welsh Back (Burchill forthcoming) and St.Bartholomew's (Ponsford 1998), however the northward distribution of these wares generally stop short of the town.

Two sherds in the Malvernian red fired fabric BPT 197 date to after 1400 and are probably intrusive in these contexts.

Period 4a The pottery from this Period consisted of late medieval wares mostly typical of those found throughout the town. Bristol/Redcliffe ware (BPT 118) still accounted for 25% of the pottery in this group although most if not all were by now residual. If all the BPT 118 sherds are considered to be residual then residual material accounts for 51% of Period 4a pottery.

Malvern wares (Vince 1977) which are considered to arrive in Bristol around 1400 or soon after (Ponsford 1988) form some 21% of the Period 4a assemblage. Ponsford has discussed the types of Malvernian vessels that were imported into Bristol where they achieved market dominance for the next century and a half (Ponsford 1988). The Period 4a assemblage also included a small number of Tudor Green wares (BPT 182) as described by Holling (1977), these were certainly in use in the town by the 1420's but appeared not to be traded after 1500 (Ponsford 1988). Seven sherds from black-glazed cups of Falfield origin (BPT 266) (Fowler and Bennett 1974) are 16th century in date. The assemblage also included a small number of Somerset red wares (BPT 96, 268 and 280) although none of these can be earlier than the mid-16th century.

The source of imported material had by this time begun to change. The plainer sparsely glazed southwest French ware (BPT 160) was still present, however imports from the Rhineland including Frechen (BPT 286) and Raeren (BPT 287), and from the Iberian Peninsula Merida-type ware, (BPT 282) were now appearing in small numbers.

Period 4b Some 56% of Period 4b pottery was residual. Of the remainder Malvernian wares were still the most common, however, the number of Somerset made vessels was by this time increasing. Wanstrow 60 wares (BPT 96) (Good 1987, Good and Russett 1988) were the most common along with the products of the Nether Stowey kilns (BPT 280) (Good 1987, Good and Russett 1988). Donyatt vessels (BPT 268) (Coleman-Smith and Pearson 1988) whilst present were few in number.

Imports from southwest France had now all but ceased and the focus for pottery traded into Bristol was by now centred on northern Europe. The Period 4b assemblage included vessels from Raeren in the Rhineland and sherds of at least two Martincamp flask - Hurst Type 1 (Hurst et al 1986) (BPT 307). Merida-type ware (BPT 282), a micaceous red ware from the Spanish/Portuguese border, was present in a small but significant number. This fabric was very common in the 16th century and is found on most if not all Bristol sites of this date.

Of particular interest are eleven sherds in a hard off-white sandy fabric (BPT 290), this is unusual but is probably a local product. Unusual on a Bristol site was the presence of a sherd of North Italian tin- glaze a Ligurian Blue on Blue (BPT 107a) (Fig.27.26).

A single sherd of North Devon Gravel Tempered ware (BPT 112) in Context MQ was probably intrusive as production of this type does not appear to start until c.1600.

Periods 5a, 5b and 6 The pottery from these three periods was very similar. All three periods contained significant quantities of residual material at around 50% of the total sherds.

Pottery from Period 5a was typical for the 17th and 18th centuries. Somerset wares were still very common in Period 5a although, Malvernian vessels were now few in number. On sites elsewhere in the town North Devon vessels were becoming common by the mid-17th century, however at Minster House only 6 sherds in the Gravel Tempered fabric BPT 112 and a single sherd of a slip and sgraffito decorated dish (BPT 108) were recovered from Period 5a contexts.

By the middle of the 17th century English tin-glazed earthenware (BPT 99) began to make its appearance rising to a peak in the first half of the 18th century. Whilst much of the excavated tin- glazed ware could not be sourced with any accuracy most of the identifiable material appeared to be of local, Bristol, manufacture. Beyond the material already mentioned little else could be attributed to the 17th century with any degree of accuracy, however, some examples of yellow slipware (BPT 100 and BPT 101) might be of that date.

By the early 18th century the pottery was dominated by the products of the Bristol and Staffordshire industries with tin-glazed earthenware and yellow slip ware alongside local brown stoneware (BPT 277) and white salt glaze stoneware (BPT 186). Other local wares included Tiger ware (BPT 211), local white wares (BPT 202) and red ware of indeterminate origin but mostly local (BPT 201 and BPT 264).

Period 5a also included a number of imports including vessels from Raeren (BPT 287) and Cologne (BPT 286) in the Rhineland, sherds of South (BPT 344a) and North (BPT 344b) Netherlands Maiolica and a fragment of a rare North Italian Marbled slipware costrel (BPT 82): marbled slipware is made at a number of centres in northern Italy including Pisa from where the present sherd probably originated. Period 5a also included sherds of Spanish oil jar (BPT81) and the ubiquitous Merida ware (BPT 282) along with sherds from a plate in the so-called Columbia Plain style (BPT 333c). Spanish fine wares form a background noise on most Bristol sites but are usually few in number. They are not thought to have been traded in any quantity but to have arrived in the town as souvenirs of Bristol's links with Spain (Ponsford and Burchill 1996).

Of special interest, but residual in these contexts, was a green glazed straight-sided pedestal cup (Fig.29.41). The vessel is decorated with a pimpled iron-rich contrast strip (BPT 274). Stylistically the

61 vessel probably dates from the 15th century. At x30 magnification the fabric would appear to be comparable to the later Wanstrow fabric of the late-16th and 17th century (BPT 96).

Pottery from Period 5b could be distinguished from that in 5a by the presence of Creamware (BPT 326) and Transfer Printed wares (BPT 278) and modern stoneware of post-1835 date (BPT 200). Residual in this group were sherds in a slip-decorated fabric similar to Metropolitan slipware (BPT 109) and dated between 1650 and 1750 and sherds in the somewhat rare (for Bristol) Somerset fabric produced at Wrangway (BPT 334). Period 5b also included examples of biscuit fired `delft' fabric: the source of this waste material is uncertain but some forms suggest that it may have come from the nearby Limekiln Lane Pottery (Jackson et al 1991). The assemblage also included a particularly fine Toft Ware charger or flanged dish (Fig.30.48). Thomas Toft and his brother Ralph were working in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent in the second half of the 17th century with the peak of the quality dated production occurring between 1671 and 1689.

Imports in this period were similar to those in Period 5a with the addition of vessels from the Westerwald in the Rhineland (BPT 95) and a 16th century chafing dish from Southwest France (BPT 232).

Period 6 pottery could not be distinguished from that in Period 5b and a number of sherds from Period 5b and 6 contexts could be joined.

Discussion The pottery from Minster House was with few exceptions typical of that found throughout the Bristol area.

The ratio of glazed vessels to coarsewares was very high throughout the history of the site. This is to be expected from the late medieval period onwards when metal cauldrons replace ceramic vessels for cooking in almost all households, however at Minster House the low numbers of coarsewares in early contexts would suggest that the abbey used metal cooking vessels from an early date.

Throughout the 12th and early 13th century the assemblage is dominated by the products of the Ham Green kilns which gave way to Bristol/Redcliffe wares in the later 13th and 14th century. Malvern wares, which dominate the ceramics of the town in the 15th and early 16th century, are important at Minster House but do not achieve the dominance found elsewhere. Somerset wares that replaced the Malvernian products throughout Bristol in the late 16th and 17th century (Good 1987, Burchill 1989) are common and include significant numbers of Donyatt vessels which are normally scarce in the town. In the 18th and 19th century the range of pottery in use is very broad with many fine examples of the pottery of the period.

Although limited in quantity the range of imports is higher than on the typical Bristol town site. The imports include the usual products of medieval France along with post-medieval wares from France, Northern Italy and the Netherlands. Stoneware from the Rhineland occurs in limited numbers. The largest group of Germanic stoneware being comprised of the late-15th century products of the Raeren kilns. With the exception of the ubiquitous Merida type ware Spanish vessels are rare.

Of particular interest in Context CH are the sherds of a straight-sided pedestal cup in what appears to be an East Somerset (Wanstrow) fabric. Unfortunately the sherds were residual in this context. The form and decoration suggests a date for its manufacture sometime in the 15th century. If the fabric is East Somerset and the suggested date correct then this vessel clearly predates the known products of that kiln. Similar vessels have been found at Rackhay, Bristol (Burchill pers.observ) and Welsh Back, Bristol (Burchill forthcoming).

62 In general the pottery recovered from Minster House is of a higher quality than that found on the typical domestic site within the town and the range of imports wide. The high level of residual material is much as would be expected for an area subjected to a long sequence of building activity.

Catalogue of Illustrated Material

The illustrated pottery accompanying this catalogue has been listed by the context period from which it was recovered. Pottery known or thought to be residual in these contexts but of intrinsic interest has been indicated by *.

Period 1

1. Jar or cookpot rim with thumbed external bead. Ham Green BPT 32 Context SB 12th century

Period 2

2. Lid fragment in a quartz gritted buff-white fabric with external green glaze. Normandy. BPT 239 Context SP 13th century

3. Jug rim with simple pulled spout. Stacking scars on rim top. Fabric is very hard fired and glaze burnt. Probably Bristol. Context QO ?13th century

4. Slightly everted cookpot rim in a coarse quartz gritted fabric, externally folded and decorated externally with twin wavy comb, single wavy groove to rim top and a simple groove under internal rim edge. Ham Green. BPT 114 Context OQ 12th century

5. Rim of a cookpot in a partially reduced fabric containing common large lumps of rock up to 4mm, common rounded quartz, small fragments of chert and other dark grits. BPT 49 Context OQ 12th century

Period 3

6. Jug rim in a hard micaceous pale grey fabric. Decorated with "rope effect applied strip and grooving under a thick green glaze. Probably France BPT 192 Context RY 12th century *

7. Rim and handle eave from a jug with external green glaze. The flared rim is typical of the early Ham Green jugs. Ham Green. BPT 26 Context PA 1120's-1160's *

8. Rim and handle of a jug with thin patchy green glaze. Bristol/Redcliffe. BPT 118L Context NV 1350-1500

9. Cookpot rim with external bead. West Wiltshire. BPT 46 Context NV late-12th century *

10. Rim of a (?) conical jar. Unusual form. Ham Green. BPT 32 Context PK late-12th/13th century *

11. Simple everted cookpot rim. Ham Green. BPT 32 Context PK 12th/13th century

63 Period 4a

12. Everted rim of a cookpot. The rim is grooved internally. External surfaces show the effects of heating. Ham Green. BPT 114 Context QM 12th century *

13. Chafing dish with `cut-out' bowl and simple lug supports. Brown glazed internally with splashes over external surface. Malvern. BPT 197 Context QM 15th/16th century

14. Unglazed pancheon. Malvern. BPT 197 Context QM 15th century

15. Internally bevelled rim of a bowl or jar in an unglazed pinky fabric containing rounded quartz, sparse iron ores and mica. French. (?) BPT 160 Context PN late-14th/15th century

16. Unglazed jug rim. Fine buff fabric. Southwest France BPT 160 Context QQ late-14th/15th century

17. Simple rim with external bevel and overall green glaze. Buff-white fabric containing quartz, unhomoginised clay pellets and dark grits. Probably Bristol on fabric grounds but very odd form. (?) BPT 118 Context PN (?) 14th century

18. Jar with slightly splayed base. Poor brown glaze. Malvern. BPT 197 Context PJ 16th century

19. Pancheon rim with internal fold. Malvern BPT 197 Context QM 15th/early-16th century

Period 4b

20. Tubular spout (bunghole) with pierced decoration and yellow-amber glaze. Somerset (possibly Wrangway). BPT 334 Context RB late-16th century

21. Stoneware drinking jug with figure decoration. Cologne. Small Find 166. BPT 286 Context NA mid-16th century

22. Rolled back rim of a dish or bowl. Merida-type ware. BPT 282 Context NF 16th century

23. Rim of a small bowl with deep neck groove. Merida-type ware. BPT 282 Context NA late-16th century

24. Profile of a shallow dish or plate with thin green-amber glaze and white trailed slip decoration. Donyatt. BPT 268 Context PO late-16th century

25. Rim and handle of a stoneware drinking jug. Brown speckled grey glaze. Raeren. BPT 287 Context MF 1475-1550.

26. Part of a dish. Fine buff fabric with Blue-on-Blue decorated al lover tin-glaze. Liguria (North Italy). BPT 107a Context JH 1575-1625 *

Period 5a

27. Neck of unglazed flask in a white-buff fabric with buff surfaces. Martincamp (Hurst Type 1). BPT 307 Context KM late-15th/early-16th century

64 28. Base of cistern with figure decoration around spigot-hole. Malvern. BPT 197 Context LZ 16th century

29. Base of chafing dish with `cut-outs'. Malvern.

BPT 197 Context FK 16th century 30. Bowl with externally rounded rim and carinated body. Thick olive-green internal glaze. North Devon. BPT 112 Context GN 17th century

31. Lid with crude concentric grooves under rough green glaze. Bristol/Redcliffe. BPT 118 Context KM early-14th century *

32. Tubular spout with wrap-round support. Rare pitcher form. Ham Green. BPT 26 Context HA early-12th century *

33. Base of a small bowl. Merida-type ware. BPT 282 Context GO 16th/early-17th century

34. Shallow dish with rolled-out rim decorated along rim edge with thumb-nail impressions. Probably Donyatt. BPT268 Context HW 17th century

35. Flanged rim shallow dish with allover tin-glaze. Rim is decorated with four cobalt (blue) lines. Central stylised flora motif. English. BPT 99 Context HV 18th century

36. Dish in a lead (green) glazed iron rich fabric decorated with wavy groove to rim flange. Nether Stowey. BPT 280 Context HV 17th century

37. Squat drug jar. Red-pink fabric with all over white tin-glaze. Decorated with blue ring and dots and orange swirls. (?) Anglo-Dutch. Context HW 18th century

38. Encrusted cup. Black-glazed globular cup decorated with crushed quartz applied before glazing. Donyatt. BPT 269 Context OX mid-17th century

39. Dish rim with broad wavy groove on flange. Olive-green internal glaze. Nether Stowey. BPT 280 Context HW 17th century

40. Pierced base of a small white salt-glaze bowl. A strainer. BPT 186 Context EJ 18th century

41. Green glazed straight-sided pedestal cup with brown contrast strip decoration. The fabric and glaze appears to be the same as BPT 96 (Wanstrow) but the form is much earlier than the known products of that kiln. East Somerset. BPT 274 Context CH (?) 15th century *

42. Chamberpot. Slip decorated externally, good green glaze. Wanstrow. BPT 96 Context GS late-17th/18th century

43. Bowl or cup in a pink-buff fabric containing sparse red iron-ores and rare dark grits. Thin green internal glaze. Possibly Coarse Border Ware. BPT 342 Context HW 15th century *

44. Bowl or pancheon with internal green stained amber glaze. Wanstrow. BPT 96 Context HW 17th century

65 45. Splayed base in an unglazed buff-pink fabric containing mica, red iron ore and rare limestone. The base has an upward kick, however, the form is unclear. Probable import from continental Europe. Context OV 46. Base of a jug or vase in a fine buff fabric with a white overall tin-glaze, decorated above the foot with a blue band. Probably Netherlands. BPT 344 Context HB 16th century

Period 5b

47. Rim. Allover tin-glaze on a fine buff fabric externally decorated with dark blue groove with `sponged' pale-blue below. Netherlands. BPT 344 Context LM late-16th century

48. Toft Ware charger. Triple slipped in white (yellow) pale and dark brown. Context BP 17th century

49. Rim with lid seating. Green-brown internal glaze. North Devon (Gravel Free fabric). BPT 112 Context BE late-17th/18th century

50. Crude anthropomorphic head. Micaceous buff fabric with rare quartz. Lustrous green glaze. Southwest France. Small Find 180. BPT 40 Context HC 1280-1320 *

51. Fragment of an embossed medallion decoration. Blue on grey glaze. Westerwald. BPT 95 Context GB 18th century

52. Rim and handle of a pipkin with internal amber glaze. North Devon. BPT 112 Context HY 17th/early-18th century

53. Lion-head decoration from a chafing dish. Yellow and green glaze. Southwest France. BPT 232 Context BN 16th century *

54. Worcester porcelain bowl with blue and white decoration. BPT 203 Context DV 18th century

55. Jug rim with simple pouring lip. Patchy green glaze. South Gloucestershire. BPT 121 Context HQ 1300-1350 * 56. Profile of a shallow dish. Brown glazed internally with a splash of copper-stained slip on the base. Nether Stowey. BPT 280 Context CZ 17th century

57. Bowl. Lead glazed over copper-stained slip. Sgraffito decoration on rim. Nether Stowey. BPT 280 Context CZ 17th century

58. Dish or shallow bowl with internal trailed slip decoration under a clear lead glaze. Wanstrow. BPT 96 Context DV late-17th/18th century

59. Small bowl. Biscuit fired only. Bristol BPT 99 Context CZ 18th century

60. Shallow bowl or saucer. Blue tinted all over tin-glaze with dark-blue flora decoration. English. BPT 99 Context OE 18th century

61. Double handled slip decorated bowl. Bristol. BPT 100 Context CZ 18th century

62. Receiving jar (chemical vessel). Unglazed with thumb decoration to body. BPT 336 Context DF 18th century

66 63. Rim of a large side handled pancheon with thumbed decoration. Internal thick green glaze. North Devon. BPT 112 Context EW 17th/18th century

64. Bowl. Tin-glazed with blue decoration in the Chinese style. Bristol. BPT 99 Context OE 18th century

65. Bifid rim of a (?) chemical vessel in a buff fabric containing clear and rose quartz sand. Clear (yellow) internal lead glaze. Heavily sooted externally. Context GD

66. Lid. Glossy green glaze. Somerset. BPT 285 Context ER 17th/18th century

67. Bifid rim of a bowl. Internal thick green glaze. North Devon. BPT 112 Context ER 17th/18th century

68. Bowl with incurved rim. Internal thick brown glaze. North Devon. BPT 112 Context OE 18th century

69. Small skillet with clear lead glaze. Donyatt. BPT 268 Context DC 17th century *

70. Stoneware vessel of unknown form with speckled brown glaze. English (probably Bristol). BPT 277 Context DA 18th century

Period 6

71. Neck and pierced lug handle of a small bottle-costrel. This form had two opposed handles. Green glaze. Wanstrow. BPT 96 Context AD late-16th/17th century *

72. Shallow vessel with square edged rim and patchy green internal glaze. The vessel has been knife trimmed externally. Some heat damage below rim. Nether Stowey. BPT 280 Context BE/FN 17th century *

73. Decorated plate rim. White salt-glaze stoneware. Bristol. BPT 186 Context AP/BP/CR 18th century

74. Complete stoneware bottle. Stamped `Lipscombe & Co Chesterfield'. BPT 200 Context WJ 19th century

75. Chamber pot. Blue on white ground with crown and `GR' decoration. BPT 202 Context AQ/NY/OJ 18th/early-19th century

76. Small ointment pot with blue tinted tin-glaze. Bristol. BPT 99 Context ND 18th century

77. Tin-glazed candlestick. Pale-blue decoration on a dark-cobalt ground. Bristol. BPT 99 Context AL/AN 18th century

67 5.2 CHINESE PORCELAIN

The following report by Rod Burchill is based on notes prepared by Peter Hardie, former Curator of Oriental Art, Bristol City Museum and art Gallery. The catalogue was written by Jennifer Barry.

Most of the vessels are in under-glaze blue (u-g b) painted porcelain from Jing De-zhen in Jangxi Provence and is of typical 18th century export types which, in incomplete pieces, are difficult to date precisely.

Chinese under-glaze blue porcelain produced for export developed from Chinese forms and decoration to wares more in keeping with the tastes of its European buyers. Two vessels which have marks within double rings can be associated with the Kang XI reign (1662-1721).

The more vitreous porcelain of Dehn in Fujian Provence (the so called blanc de Chine) was here represented by a single vessel.

The relative paucity of the enamelled ware (Chinese Imari), a common down-market ware of c 1725- 1765 is perhaps surprising. The type is represented by just 4 vessels, less than 10% of the assemblage.

Early 18th century famille vert is represented by a single vessel whilst the full polychrome famille rose popular after 1721/2 is conspicuous by its absence.

A single small sherd found during the site evaluation is similar to Kraak ware, a rather coarse porcelain with decoration within ornate panels, made during the 16th and early 17th century. Hardie suggested a date of around 1600 for this vessel although, Barry thought the glossy glaze might suggest a later date.

Three vessels in an under-glaze blue soft paste porcelain are probably English (Worcester). They were not considered as part of this report.

Catalogue of Chinese Porcelain

1. Rim of plate with wide `condiment rim', underglaze blue diamond diaper border and chrysanthemum on interior, plants on exterior, brown rim edge. Symbolism: chrysanthemum:- emblem of Autumn, joviality, life of ease and retirement mid 18C. Context AA, (Fig. 50.1)

2. Rim of bowl slightly indented, underglaze blue diaper border on interior, border of double row solid hexagons on exterior Context AC

3. Rim of rounded vessel, underglaze blue diamond diaper border with cartouche, grass below, brown rim edge Context AL

4. Bowl, underglaze blue plant scroll and chrysanthemum below rim on interior, sketchy plant tendrils and flowers on exterior Context AP, (Fig. 50.2)

5. Rim of plate or dish, underglaze blue ruyi lappets or cloud collar motif below rim on interior. Symbolism: ruyi:- sceptre Context AP, (Fig. 50.3)

6. Fragment of rounded vessel, underglaze blue pine needles on ext. Context BH

68 7. Wall of large rounded vessel, possibly storage jar or bowl, underglaze blue boat on lake with rocky landscape. Degraded glaze and chalky encrustations Context BO

8. Wall of thick rounded vessel, underglaze blue with overglaze red and gold enamel, slightly ribbed, Chinese Imari, 18C? (PH) Context BV

9. Base of bowl, central underglaze blue lake scene on interior, leaf base mark within 2 circles. Possibly 17C (PH). Context DA, (Fig. 50.4)

10. Base and rim of dinner plate, underglaze blue lotus on `condiment rim' interior, sketchy brush stroke exterior, brown rim edge, deep cavetto, European shape. Mid 18C? Context DQ

11. Rim of very fine saucer, underglaze blue fence and plant on int. Diameter 12.5cm. approx Context DV

12. Base of saucer, overglaze flower and grain head in red, 2 greens, brown, black, yellow. Possibly famille verte but enamels somewhat opaque, as in famille rose, maybe due to deposit contamination. Underglaze blue edge of rectangular base mark within 2 circles. Early 18C if famille verte. Context DV, (Fig. 50.5)

13. Base of tea cup, underglaze blue plants with overglaze red enamel, no gold, ribbed, greenish tinge to glaze, 18C? (PH) Context DV/DY

14. Base and part wall of tea cup, underglaze blue large well-drawn leaves, plantain or Chinese cabbage, on exterior surface Base of plate, underglaze blue fine hatched line Context GS

15. Rim of tea cup, underglaze blue, brown rim edge Base of tea cup, underglaze blue floral decoration with traces of overglaze red and gold, possibly mid 18C Chinese Imari Context HF

16. Fragment, underglaze blue decoration Context HG

17. Rim of bowl, underglaze blue diamond diaper border, interior surface. Diameter approx. 11 cm. Context HW

18. Rim and small body sherd, underglaze blue flower. 18C? (PH) Context JL

19. Body sherd fragment, underglaze blue scroll and landscape Context JS

20. Fragment, underglaze blue decoration Context JS

21. Base and fragments of 2 dishes, very fine white body, underglaze blue flowers plus aster? in panel, scrolling rim border on one Context KL

22. Base of tea cup, underglaze blue grass and 3 ducks on exterior, central grass or twigs within single circle on interior. Symbolism: ducks:- emblem of felicity, happy marriage. Context KX, (Fig. 50.6) 69 23. Rim of bowl, under-glaze blue grapes and leaves at rim, prunus below. C18? Symbolism: prunus:- emblem of beauty, sturdy independence, Winter. Context KX, (Fig. 50.7)

24. Base of plate? underglaze blue cloud scroll and landscape int. Context ML

25. Body sherd, undecorated Context NC

26. Base of bowl, underglaze blue base mark of horn/cornucopia (PH) or fish within 2 circles, central solid flower head within 2 circles on interior surface. Early 18C (PH) N.B. doube fish base mark known on coarse blue and white wares from Minnan kilns, Fujian Province. Context ND, (Fig. 50.8)

27. Rim of plate, underglaze blue diamond diaper border on interior. Context NY

28. Tea cup, underglaze blue water plants on exterior surface, single circles at rim and base of cavetto on interior. Height 4.5 cm. Diameter 7 cm. approx. Context NY

29. Saucer, underglaze blue diaper border, central willow tree and large plant on interior surface. Height 2.5 cm. Symbolism: willow:- Buddhist symbol of meekness, emblem of women, sign of beauty, suppleness and frailty. Context OE, (Fig. 50.9)

30. Sherds of saucer, underglaze blue garden fence. Context OE

31. Base of tea cup, underglaze blue swastika garden fence. Symbolism: swastika:- Buddhist symbol. Context OE

32. Base of bowl, underglaze blue, overglaze red and gold enamel, bamboo? on exterior, Chinese Imari. Context OE

33. Rim and wall of tea cup, underglaze blue rim border on interior, magnolia? flower panels with pavilion in landscape on exterior, fine pencil-like drawing technique plus dots. Context OE, (Fig. 50.10)

34. Rim of tea cup, underglaze blue willow branches pendant from rim Context OE, (Fig. 50.11)

35. Two fragments underglaze blue flowers Context OE

Sherds from the Site Evaluation Trenches

36. Body sherd, underglaze blue decoration on both surfaces, floral motif within panel on interior similar to 17C Kraak ware but with very glossy glaze and pale body, might be of later date. Context AC (Ev), (Fig. 50.12)

37. Cavetto of deep plate or soup dish, underglaze blue spikey cloud border, typical of mid to late 18C export ware dinner service Context AB (Ev)

70 5.3 CERAMIC ROOF TILE

This report was prepared from information compiled by Eric Boore assisted by three student volunteers.

The tile had been sorted into flat-tile and ridge tile. Only the ridge tile had been quantified - by sherd count. The fabric had been assigned to a site-specific type series: flat tiles A - G and ridge tiles 1 and 2. Samples of each flat tile fabric and all ridge tile sherds were examined by the writer and re-assigned to the Bristol Roof Tile Fabric series [BRF] (Williams and Ponsford 1988, Burchill 2006). Ceramic tiles date from at least the early 13th century, they were certainly in use in London by 1212 when they occurred in a list of permitted roof coverings; but seem only to have come into general use in southern England during the mid-13th century (Dury 1981).

Little work has been undertaken on the use of ceramic tile in Bristol where clay tiles were in competition with slate and stone roof coverings and in the early medieval period wooden shingles. The earliest Bristol ceramic tiles, all apparently ridge tile, probably date from the mid to late-13th century: no tile is known in Ham Green fabrics. By the mid-14th century the use of ceramic ridge tile had become more widespread throughout the area, however, the lack of evidence for flat tile in the archaeological record suggested that flat tile was not common in Bristol, probably not coming into use much before the late-15th or 16th century (Williams and Ponsford 1988, Burchill 2006, Burchill forthcoming). Both blue slate and stone tile is very common on medieval and early post-medieval Bristol sites and the ready availability of these materials probably reduced the demand for ceramic flat tile.

Ridge Tile The assemblage included 82 sherds of ceramic ridge tile. The material ranged in date from the late 13th/14th century to the 17th century.

Fabrics BRF1 (29%), BRF2 (22%) and BRF9 (28%) dominated the assemblage. Glazed tiles of later 15th and 16th century date were poorly represented. The assemblage included a single ridge sherd in Malvernian fabric (BRF7) and two sherds in BRF6. Both fabrics which occurred in large numbers as flat tiles.

None of the roof tile from the Minster House excavations could be attributed to a particular building.

Flat Tile The archaeological record suggests that flat tiles were not common in Bristol perhaps losing out to the much lighter slate. The only previous significant find of flat roof tile was from the excavations at 94-102 Temple Street, Bristol (Williams and Ponsford 1988). This material BRF6 included wasters and probable kiln lining suggesting they were made on site rather than being the products of an established industry. A small number of flat tiles in BRF6 were found at Welsh Back, Bristol in 1995 (Burchill forthcoming a).

The Minster House tiles included a fabric similar to BRF6 (Boore's fabric type A and B). The tiles were rectangular with two sub-circular peg holes at the top of the tile, they averaged 370mm x 230mm x 160mm in size. The lower half of the tiles had a yellow green lead glaze (Fig.51.1). The tiles had been sanded on the reverse. A number of tiles exhibited the impressions of footprints of both animals and birds, presumably the result of drying the tiles in the open air (Fig.51.2). A report on these impressions is included in archive. A number of tiles of this type were found in 14th century contexts (Period 3): noticeably earlier than the Temple Street examples which were dated to the 15th or 16th century.

The majority of flat tiles were in a Malvernian fabric (Vince 1977), BRF7 (Boore's fabrics C and D). These differ in their method of fixing to BRF6 tiles being nibbed for suspending from battens. Malvernian ridge tiles in a similar but coarser fabric compared to Malvernian pottery first appear in the 71 14th and 15th century with production increasing in the 16th and 17th century. The flat tiles are probably a 16th century product (Vince 1985). In Bristol Malvernian roof tiles are less common than the pottery and those thus far recorded have been mostly ridge tile.

A third, often over-fired, red fabric was tempered with quartz and quartzitic sandstone (Boore's fabric E). Ridge tiles in a somewhat similar quartz gritted red-fired fabric were recognised at St.Bartholomew's Hospital. Bristol where it was recorded as BRF8 (Ponsford 1997). However, Ponsford had previously issued this type number to rooftile in Northwest Wiltshire lime gritted fabric [Minety type] (Williams and Ponsford 1988). The Minster House material has now been assigned to BRF18. No complete tiles were found, however, they were nibbed in the manner of the Malvernian tiles. There was insufficient evidence to date this type, however, Boore thought them to be 17th century.

Samples of tiles in fabric F were not found, however, Boore described them as an orange-red firing fabric with reduced, laminated, core and large red inclusions. The tiles had a good quality green glaze. Boore dated this type to the 18th or 19th century but such a late date for the manufacture of green- glazed tile must be considered unlikely.

Boore's fabric G appeared to be a variant of BRF10.

The assemblage also included pantile and modern Double Roman. A small number of rather thick sherds in North Devon Gravel Tempered fabric were probably roof tile (BRF 11).

Roof Tile Fabric Types Present

Only those rooftile types recovered from Minster House are listed here. A full description of the Bristol Roof Tile Fabric Series (BRF) will be found elsewhere (Burchill 2006). The present BRF series is based on the series published for 94-102 Temple Street, Bristol (Williams and Ponsford 1988).

(R) ridge tile, (F) flat tile

BRF1 Fabric, variable in colour, containing lumps of unhomogenised clay up to 4-6mm. Crests are knife cut, simple knife stabs to sides. Green glaze. Bristol/Redcliffe 14th century. (R)

BRF2 Grey/black fabric with large inclusions of coal measure shale. Crests lower than BRF1 and stabbed with pointed tool. Green glaze. Bristol/Redcliffe 14th century. (R)

BRF4 Dark fabric with abundant white quartz fragments. Crests similar to BRF2. Occasionally decorated with thumbed strips. Green glaze. Bristol late-13th/14th century. (R)

BRF5 Bristol fabric with no distinct inclusions. Low knife cut crests. Green glaze. 14th century. (R)

BRF6 Dark pink to light red fabric, sometimes dark red due to iron rich fragments. Sometimes reduced core. Partial yellow-green glaze. Mostly flat tiles, ridge tiles are rare. Local manufacture. (R) (F)

BRF7 Malvernian tiles as described by Vince (1977). (R) (F)

BRF9 Fabric similar to BRF2 of which it is a variant with much smaller coal measure shale and quartz up to 3mm. Knife cut crests, tiles decorated with thumbed strips. Green glaze. Bristol/Redcliffe 14th century. (R)

BRF10 Fairly hard orange/brown fabric, poorly mixed containing unhomogenised clay lumps and rock fragments up to 7mm. (R) (F) 72 BRF 11 Tiles in North Devon Gravel Tempered fabric.

BRF13 Pan-tile.

BRF16 Grey fabric with red surfaces. Inclusions of quartz and limestone in a matrix of fine quartz sand. Glazes where present are purplish brown. (R)

BRF17 Roof tile in a fabric similar to the Bristol/Redcliffe pottery fabric BPT118. Knife cut crests and pale green glaze. Louvres also in this fabric. (R)

BRF18 Coarse red fired fabric tempered with quartz, quartzite and rare quartzitic sandstone. Occasional sparse glaze. (R) (F)

Catalogue of roof tile

1. Flat tile. Rectangular with twin fixing holes and splashed green glaze. Roof tile Fabric 6 Context RF

2. Flat roof tile with hoof prints, probably goat. Roof tile fabric 6 Context CR

3. Roof finial with three pointed terminals. Orange surfaced, grey fired fabric tempered with quartz, red iron ores and some vegetable matter. Traces of green glaze. Context OQ SF 298

5.4 ROOFING SLATE by Rod Burchill

The excavation recovered 594 pieces of roofing slate, mostly fragmentary, of which 56 were from unstratified contexts. Slate was found throughout the site and at all stages of its history.

Slate is common on most archaeological sites in the Bristol area where it formed a lightweight and readily available roofing material.

Most if not all slate found on Bristol sites is of Welsh (Pembrokeshire) or North Cornish origin. Jope and Dunning (1954) noted that eleven thousand slates were shipped to Bristol from Milford Haven in 1566 and that by 1603 slates were also being shipped from Padstow.

Medieval blue slates were less thick than Pennant Sandstone tiles and weighed substantially less putting less stress on the supporting roof timbers. Jope and Dunning (1954) have suggested a weight of 3lb per sq.ft for slate compared with 12-14lb per sq.ft for Pennant tile.

Medieval and early post-medieval roofing slates were rectangular in shape, sometimes converging at the upper end. The normal fixing method was by suspending the slate from a single peg and most of the Minster House slates were of this type, however two peg versions were found. It is not clear how the Minster House slates were fixed to the roof timbers, the most common method was by the use of wooden pegs, although, there was some evidence to suggest the use of iron nails.

Slates were overlapped on the roof and some fragments bear traces of white mortar. Similar mortar encrusted slates were found at the site of the Austin Friars, Leicester where there are documentary references to "torching" - "to point with lime and hair; said of the inside joints of slating laid on lathing" (Allin 1981). The effect of mortaring the bottoms of the overlapped slates was to improve the waterproofing of the roof.

73 5.5 STONE ROOF TILE

A total of 75 fragments of stone roof tile was recovered from 37 contexts, a further 9 fragments were possibly roof tile but their identification is less certain. All the identified tiles were Pennant Sandstone of local origin.

The material was very fragmentary, however, the tiles were rectangular with a rounded upper end and with either one or two fixing holes. A complete tile probably measured around 280mm x 250mm x 25mm.

Stone roof tile was found throughout the site from Period II onwards being mostly concentrated in Period 4b and 5a contexts.

5.6 INSCRIBED SLATE by Rod Burchill

The inscribed slate includes a number of tallies. All are inscribed with horizontal lines crossed with short vertical strokes. Each group of eight verticals is separated by a circle. It is not certain what the groups of eight represent, however, suggestions might include stones and hundredweights or gallons and bushels. The tally slates dated from the early 14th to the late 15th century and were recovered from immediately outside the Cellarium. It is likely that they were used to record information for later insertion in the abbey's ledgers.

1. Slate fragment scored with a single line. Length 80mm x 45mm. Context SW SF256 Period 2

2. Slate with inscribed anthropomorphic figure on one side and crude lettering on reverse. The figure appears to be that of a man with moustache or beard. The circles above the face probably represents curly hair, an alternative interpretation, a goffered headdress is normally associated with female costume. The figure is dressed in a buttoned garment. Buttons do not normally occur much before 1340 (info Sarah Levitt) which fits well with the objects contextual position. The lettering is unclear. Dimensions 125mm x 90mm. Context N5, (Fig. 52.1) SF134 Period 3

3. Fragment of slate used as a tally. Inscribed on both faces with horizontal lines and short vertical strokes. Each group of eight vertical strokes is separated by a circle. Probably fits onto SF128 Dimensions 110mm x 95mm. Context PC, (Fig. 52.2) SF176 Period 3

4. Part of a slate used as a tally. Inscribed with four shallow horizontal lines. The top line is scored through with short vertical strokes. Each group of eight verticals is separated by a circle. Maximum dimensions 270mm x 235mm. Context RD, (Fig. 52.3) SF195 Period 3

5. Sub-rectangular slate fragment. Inscribed with faint lines possibly representing the number 3. A single line is visible on the reverse. Possibly a counter. Maximum dimensions 55mm x 57mm. Context SY, (Fig. 53.4) SF211 Period 3

6. Rectangular, slate fragment used as a tally. Inscribed with horizontal lines crossed with long vertical strokes. Each group of eight strokes being separated by a circle. Incomplete. Maximum dimensions 123mm x 75mm. Context QF, (Fig. 53.5) SF191 Period 4a

74 7. Slate fragment with scratched "doodle". Maximum dimensions 123mm x 75mm. Context QM, (Fig. 53.6) SF234 Period 4a

8. Fragment of roofing slate with peg hole, used as a tally. One side is inscribed with three lines crossed with short vertical strokes in groups of eight. Maximum dimensions 90mm x 58mm. Context MR, (Fig. 53.7) SF122 Period 4b

9. Slate used as a tally. Slate is inscribed with eight horizontal lines each cross scored with short vertical strokes. Each group of eight cross strokes is separated by a circle. On the reverse are lines which may represent a ship and four more crossed, horizontal lines. There are two peg holes present. Dimensions 208mm max. x 172mm Context NM, (Fig. 53.8) SF128 Period 4b

10. Sub-rounded slate fragment probably used as a counter. Approximate diameter 50mm. Context NF SF258 Period 4b

11. Rectangular slate inscribed with sets of calculations: multiplication and division - arabic numerals. length 140mm x 33mm. Context HW, (Fig. 53.9) SF232 Period 5a

5.7 FLOOR TILE by Bruce Williams

Twenty-four medieval floor tiles were found, eight of these decorated, three are illustrated. None was in-situ, most having come from post-medieval contexts from within Minster House. Mr R. R Burchill using a 10x hand lens examined the fabrics of the tiles and the tiles were subsequently divided into nine groups.

On the whole the undecorated tiles display considerable wear, to the extent that much of their glaze is non-existent. This is not the case with the decorated tiles, which show a lot less wear.

Nothing meaningful can be said of the undecorated tiles. The longest measurable side is a tile in Fabric group 1 at 148mm. The only decorated tile in this group (2) is part of a four tile pattern and is a familiar tile design in Bristol with similar known examples from sites of the Franciscan Friary and the Carmelite Friary. Others are known from Keynsham Abbey, just outside Bristol, which is in a similar fabric, and reportedly Hailes Abbey, in Gloucestershire (Lowe, 128). Interestingly, the Bristol example is in the same group stylistically as tiles from Gloucester, which are thought to have been produced at the tile kiln at Droitwich, in south Worcestershire, discovered in the 19th century, and in production probably in the late 14th to early 15th century. Other tiles of this group can be found at St Augustine’s Abbey, relaid in the Newland Chapel on the north side of the South Transept.

In fabric 2 are fragments of two tiles from a set of four (only No.3 is illustrated) which shows, in the corner, the initial R and part of the arms of the Berkeley family. The un-illustrated tile is of a bleeding heart which is the rebus of John Newland or Nailheart, who was Abbot of St Augustine’s Abbey from 1481-1515. The tiles are thought to have been made during Newland’s abbacy, but after Robert Elyot had risen to a position of importance as Hosteller. Tiles of this set from Bristol Cathedral were published early last century by Robert Hall Warren on the Tiles of Bristol Cathedral (Warren 1900- 1903, 122-127). In it he refers to an earlier article on the set by Rev A. S. Porter but mentions sic “no vestige of the sets mentioned by Mr Porter are to be found in the Cathedral”. The tiles are part of the Malvern series. Other tiles of this set are relaid in the floor of the Eastern Lady Chapel at St Augustine’s Abbey, and another is in the collections of Bristol City Museum (Acc No G2185).

75 In Fabric group 8 is part of a fleur de lys (not illustrated), dating from the late 14th to the 15th century, and in Fabric group 9 (No1) is a border tile which has a scooped key in it’s back; this is one of the earliest tiles from the site and dates from the late 13th-century.

Fabric Group 1

Orange sometimes grey fabric, abundant fine to coarse quartz, rare sparse iron ores and rare non- calcareous white grits.

Maximum measurable sides is 148mm, thickness 15mm to 18mm; two tiles have an overall white slip over their upper surface, one of these was scored diagonally and broken down to produce a triangular tile. Glazes are black or mottled green.

Fabric Group 2

Poorly mixed orange fabric. Sparse medium quartz, sparse to moderates unhomogenised clay pellets, rare iron ores in a matrix containing very fine quartz.

Size 119mm, glaze light to dark brown on decorated tiles, glaze worn from undecorated tile. Thickness 22-31mm.

Fabric Group 3

Orange fabric. Sparse medium quartz, sparse white and yellow mica, rare dark iron ore, rare clay pellets, rare quartzite.

Longest measurable side is 93mm, thickness 40mm, glaze mottle brown-black.

Fabric Group 4

Orange fabric sometimes with dark core. Abundant very fine quartz, common to very common white calcareous grits, rare red iron ore.

Two tiles with unrecognisable designs, maximum measurable side is 74mm, thickness 21mm glaze light-brown, both tiles have shallow scooped keys.

Fabric Group 5

Poorly mixed orange fabric. Sparse red iron ore, rare white grits and unhomogenised clay pellets. Large fragment of felspar in type sherd.

No glaze, maximum measurable side is 11mm, thickness 22mm, three scooped keys in back.

Fabric Group 6

Orange brown fabric. Common buff grog of clay pellets, rare quartzite, rare iron ores in a matrix containing very fine quartz.

Unrecognisable decorated fragment.

76 Fabric Group 7

Poorly mixed, rather chaotic, orange brown fabric containing rare iron ores in a matrix containing fine quartz.

Maximum measurable side is 90mm, thickness 34mm. Very worn.

Fabric Group 8

Orange fabric sometimes with a grey core. Abundant white quartz fragments, sparse iron ore, rare clusters of quartz grains bonded in a white cement.

Maximum measurable side is 102mm, thickness 23-28mm, one decorated tile was scored and broken diagonally. Glaze black over body of tiles.

Fabric Group 9

Dark grey/black fabric. Abundant quartz, moderate dark iron ore.

Oblong tile with a maximum measurable side of 71mm, thickness 25mm. Glaze very worn away.

5.8 BRICK AND TILE KILN FLOORING by John Bryant and Rod Burchill

Fragments of brick or tile of unusual form were found in contexts attributed to the 13th century or slightly later. These thick tiles or `flat' bricks were in an orange-red fired fabric containing very common quartz, moderate iron ores, sparse grog and at x30 magnification rare mica. The fabric is chaotic with numerous voids. The upper surfaces had been smoothed or wiped and the bases sanded or stood on a bed of sand for drying. Tiles from context OQ showed some spalling and cracking of the surfaces possibly the result of heat damage. However, other fragments exhibited no evidence of exposure to heat after their original firing.

Most of the material was very fragmentary, however, partial reconstruction of a "tile" was possible. The tiles or bricks were hand-made, probably in the form of linked rectangles. The surviving rectangle is pierced by a rectangular hole 38mm x 45mm. The evidence suggests a second hole at the end of the linking shaft. Surviving length 190mm: the rectangular end is 166mm x 120mm: the shaft is 125mm x 50mm. Depth 50mm. Original length calculated to be about 320mm.

Tiles not too dissimilar in form were found associated with a medieval tile kiln at Farnham Park, Farnham in Surrey (Riall 1994, 80-81). In that case they were of a different shape, a pair of opposing tiles forming an ‘H’ shape in plan. Each half was 355-360mm in length, 220-225mm wide and 50- 53mm deep, with a pair of circular holes, but with a smallish nib on one side, and the lower face sanded. They have been interpreted as oven-floor tiles, which would explain why only the upper face was smoothed. The kiln would have been rectangular and used for the production of peg tile and possibly crested ridge-tile.

Similar products could have been manufactured at St Augustine’s, including possibly the peg tiles used as floors for some of the 13th-century drains.

Later post-medieval brick

The assemblage also included `modern' red brick in contexts of Period 5b and later (i.e. late 18th century onwards). This material was not recorded in detail. 77 5.9 CLAY TOBACCO PIPES by Reg Jackson

The clay pipes in this report have been dated by their bowl typology and, where existing, from their makers' marks and/or style of decoration. Of the 83 identifiable pipe bowls and stems from the site, 48 are marked with pipemakers' initials or full names.

No attempt has been made to date the pipes by stem bore analysis. A large number of stems are required from each context in order for dating by this method to be accurate, and insufficient material is available from this site. Also, doubts are now being expressed about the validity of stem bore dating (Noel Hume 1982).

Only approximate dates for the pipes are given (e.g. late 17th century, c1660-1680, etc). This is due to the fairly long working lives of the identifiable pipemakers and also the now generally accepted problems of dating pipes due to the length of time an individual pipe mould could remain in use (Oswald 1985).

Bristol was one of the leading pipe producing and exporting centres in England throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and it is only to be expected that almost all the pipes from Minster House were made in the city. The few non-Bristol pipes were most likely brought in by people returning from journeys or by visitors rather than through trade. Only four pipes were definitely made outside the city. Two were made in Broseley, Shropshire and two were made in Gouda, Holland. One pipe may have been made by Thomas Hunt while he was working in Somerset.

Some pipes have decorative motifs instead of makers' initials. These comprise one version of a stylised Tudor Rose and four `gauntlet' marks, three of the latter being identical. The identity of the makers of these pipes is unknown. While pipes bearing the `gauntlet' mark are particularly common in Wiltshire and were obviously made there, the Mould Size Agreement of the Bristol pipemakers written in 1710 refers to a type of pipe they were making as `Gauntletts'.

Of interest is that twenty of the pipes bearing makers' initials have the same mark - the initials `WC' incuse on the heel with swags above and below. These come from ten contexts and it is tempting to suggest that the occupiers of Minster House were obtaining a majority of their pipes from one pipemaker in the second quarter of the 17th century.

Most contexts have only produced one or two dateable pipes and it is therefore difficult to state whether these contexts are reasonably closely dated on clay pipe evidence. However, contexts BN, CZ, GD, HW, and OE all produced a number of pipes which are roughly contemporary in date.

The Marked Pipes from Minster House with a Note on their Makers (Information on the working lives of Bristol pipemakers is taken from Price and Jackson 1975).

The following list is in alphabetical order of the pipemakers' initials found on the pipes.

IC (Fig. 56.1) 2 examples from contexts A5 and OE. The initials occur incuse on the rear of the bowl with a crude six pointed stare above. Make by Israel Carey I who was free in 1756 and was working until at least 1786.

WC (Fig. 56.2) 20 examples from contexts AL, CR, CZ, DC, EH, GP, HH, HW, HX and PH. The initials occur with crude swags above and below incuse on the heels. The bowl forms indicate a date in the second quarter of the 17th century. There were two pipemakers with these initials working in Bristol at that date. William Carter took an apprentice in 1641 and was dead by 1647. William Cooper took apprentices in 1641 and 1642 although nothing else is known of him.

78 H. EDWARDS (Fig. 56.3) 1 example from context DA. Name occurs in a 3 line mark in relief within a circle on the side of the bowl. Made by Henry Edwards who was free in 1699 and was still working in 1731.

PE 4 examples from contexts CZ, EW and Assessment Trench context AC. The initials occur incuse on the heel. Made by either Philip Edwards I who was free in 1650 and was dead by 1683, or by Philip Edwards 2 who was free in 1681 and working until at least 1696.

WE 1 example from context BL. The initials occur incuse on the rear of the bowl. Made by William Evans I, free in 1660, or William Evans 2 who was free in 1667. At least one of them was still alive in 1713.

J. HARVEY (Fig. 56.4) 1 example from context D5. The name occurs in 3 lines in relief within a circle on the side of the bowl. Made by John Harvey I who was free in 1706 or by John Harvey 2 who was free in 1726. One was working until 1746.

RH 1 example from context AP. The initials occur incuse on the heel. Made by Robert Hancock who was a founder member of the Bristol Pipemakers' Guild in 1652, became free in 1655 and was working until at least 1693.

TH (Fig. 56.5) 1 example from context DC. The initials occur incuse on the heel. Possibly made by Thomas Hunt I who was working in Norton St. Philip, Somerset c.1637 (Pers Comm. Marek Lewcun).

TH 1 example from context NW. The initials occur in relief in a circle on the side of the bowl. Made by Thomas Harvey who became free in 1700 and died in 1734.

RN 1 example from context GD. The initials occur incuse on the heel within a circle. Made by Richard Nunney who was a founder member of the Bristol Pipemakers' Guild in 1652, became free in 1655, was still working in 1696 and was dead by 1713.

IO 1 example from context CR. The initials occur in relief on the side of the bowl in a diamond of small raised dots and with, possibly, a crown above. Made by John Okely I who was free in 1732 and was working until at least 1743.

MP 1 example from context DQ. The initials occur incuse on the rear of the bowl. Made by Maurice Phillips who was free in 1721 and was dead by 1740.

JR 1 example from context JD. The scroll initials occur in relief on the side of the bowl. Made by John Ring who was working c.1803 to 1851.

E. SOUTHORN 1 example from context AQ. The name occurs incuse on the stem with `BROSELEY 7'. Made by Edwin Southorn of Broseley, Shropshire, who was working from 1855 until at least 1863 (Atkinson 1975, 82).

W. SOUTHORN & CO. 1 example from context JL. The name occurs incuse on the stem with `BROSELEY 9'. Made by W. Southorn & Co. of Broseley, Shropshire, who were working from 1855 until 1900 (Atkinson 1975, 85).

IT (Fig. 56.6) 1 example from context ER. The initials occur incuse on the heel with decorative motifs above and below. Made by John Tucker who became free in 1662 and was dead by 1690.

79 W. TAYLOR 1 example from context BN. The name occurs in a 3 line mark in relief in a circle on the side of the bowl. Made by William Taylor who was free in 1689 and dead by 1721.

IW (Fig. 56.7) 1 example from context HW. The initials, with two crosses below, occur incuse on heel. Made by John Wall who was apprenticed in 1619 and was dead by 1650.

J. WILSON 1 example from context OE. Mark damaged but in relief within circle on the side of bowl. Made by John Wilson who was free in 1707 and was working until 1723.

Marks other than Initials or Names

Tudor Rose (Fig. 56.8) 1 example from context GD. A stylised Tudor Rose occurs in relief on the heel of a pipe whose bowl form indicate a date c1660-1680. It is possible that this pipe was made in Bristol although the maker is unknown.

Gauntlet 4 examples from context HW. A hand or gauntlet occurs impressed on the heel. The 4 pipes are 17th century in date. Gauntlet marks are common in Wiltshire (Atkinson, 1970).

Crowned 75 (Fig. 56.9) 1 example from context OE. The mark occurs in relief on the tip of the spur. It comprises the mark `75' with a crown above. The pipe bowl and stem are highly decorated in relief. Lettering round the top of the bowl reads `FRIDRICH MAGNUS'. A figure in a frock coat holding a sword stands on a gun carriage wheel and other weapons. A female figure holds a circular wreath containing the wording `5RENE/IN DUYS/LAND' (`Peace in Germany'). On the rear of the bowl is an eye with lines radiating from it. Below is an altar (?) with flames coming from its top. On either side of the spur are the coat of arms of the City of Gouda, 6 six-pointed stars, surmounted by the letter`S'. The `S' stands for `slegte' meaning, literally, `ordinary'. Nevertheless the 'S' was used by the Dutch pipemakers' guild to denote fine quality pipes. The wording on the pipe presumably refers to the Emperor Frederick the Great of Prussia who came to the throne in 1740 and died in 1786. It is likely that the pipe was made to commemorate the Peach of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748 which terminated the Austrian War of Succession. The pipe was made in Gouda, Holland, and the bowl form and type of decoration support a date at the end of the first half of the 18th century. The maker is unknown. The Crowned 75 mark was owned and used successively by a number of pipemakers. (Pers Comm D. Duco; Duco 1982, fig. 698; Krommenhoek & 5rij 1986, fig. 858a).

IN GOUDA 1 example from context NY. The mark `IN GOUDA' occurs on a fragment of stem within chevron decoration applied with a roller stamp. The pipe was made in Gouda, Holland in the mid 18th century (Duco 1987, figs. 405-410).

Complete Pipe (Fig.56.1) There is one complete pipe in the excavated material. This comes from context OE. It has the initials `IC' with a crude star above incuse on the rear of the bowl. The stem is complete (with one break) and measures 243mm (9 inches) from the bowl to the tip of the stem. The pipe was probably made by Israel Carey I in the second half of the 18th century.

80 5.10 ANIMAL BONE by Geraldine Barber

Introduction

The Minster House at Bristol Cathedral was excavated in 1992. The site is an ecclesiastical one, starting out in the 12th century as a monastic chapterhouse, gatehouse and also a Norman guesthouse. Over the next seven centuries the monastery expanded under various abbots, and the Cathedral that stands today was built next to the monastery in the 13th century.

The site is a very complex one, spanning over seven centuries, and over 900 different contexts. The post-excavation strategy was to concentrate on the best contexts, which could answer specific archaeological questions posed by the site. Only dated contexts were examined. Contexts that had been severely disturbed were checked for the presence of any unusual species (e.g. exotic or pathological) and were then discarded before analysis, as were contexts that had a date range greater than one period.

The site can be divided into nine major phases that contained animal bone – the 12th century (Period 1), 13th century (Period 2), 14th century (Period 3), 15th to early 16th centuries (Period 4A), 16th-17th centuries (Period 4B), 17th-18th centuries (Period 5A) and late 18th-late 19th centuries (Period 5B). Period 6 covers a short period of time (late 19th to early 20th centuries), with very few fragments present.

The Sample

Just over five thousand fragments (5268) were selected for analysis. Of these, nearly two and a half thousand (43%) were identified to species. The material was in fair to good condition. The bones were well preserved, but in a fragmentary state which made identification of some bones (especially bird) to species difficult.

Few small mammal and bird and no fish remains were present in the sample. There was no sieving strategy on the site, all bones analysed were hand-recovered. It must be assumed that this will have biased the sample towards larger types of species and skeletal element.

Aims

A sample size of 2277 identified bones spread over eight phases is too small a sample to support lengthy statistical analysis. However it is large enough to begin to answer several questions about the site and animal husbandry practices in the area. After discussion with the archaeologists the aims of the post-excavation analysis were agreed as follows:

1. To assess the range of species represented on the site

2. To determine if there is any change in relative proportions of species over time

3. To look for evidence of changing animal husbandry over time in terms of the age of death, butchery practices and size of the major food species

4. To compare the results from this site with those of contemporary urban sites locally and across the country

Initially it had been hoped that the faunal remains could be used to investigate the functions of the various parts of the site. Given the small numbers of bones recovered for each period in each of the areas, this was not possible. 81 Methods

Recording

The methods by which fragments are identified and counted can bias results. It must always be borne in mind that the majority of any animal bone excavated is only a fragment of the original assemblage of bones from a site, and a biased one at that (Levitan, 1989a). Certain bones often preserve better than others i.e. teeth and phalanges as opposed to the spongy epiphyses (Payne, 1975). Other bones can often be difficult to assign to species such as ribs, vertebrae and some of the less diagnostic skull fragments.

All bones were identified as accurately as possible. For some fragments it was only possible to identify body part, but not species. These are all recorded in the database but they are not used for the analysis.

A selected number of skeletal parts were chosen for analysis. The skeletal elements chosen were: horncores, individual teeth, mandibles, maxilla, proximal and distal humerus, proximal and distal radius, proximal ulna, first and second cervical vertebrae, proximal and distal tibia, proximal and distal femur, astragalus, calcaneum, proximal and distal metapodials, and phalanges. These were chosen as they represented different parts of the body, are frequently occurring and are easily identifiable.

Measurements

Measurements of the identifiable bones were taken where possible. These followed the criteria of von den Dreisch (1976) and are listed in Appendix 1 (in the site archive and not included in this report).

Ageing

Ageing animals can be a problem when they are alive and complete. It is much more difficult if one has only a fragment of bone to assess. Two methods were used to estimate age. States of fusion of epiphyses of the long bones were recorded (as unfused, fusing and fused). These were compared to known fusion ages of modern animals (Silver 1972). One problem with this method is that different breeds can fuse their epiphyses at different ages, so sometimes an average or range of ages is given.

The second method of ageing is by tooth eruption and tooth wear patterns. Tooth eruption ages and grades of wear after Grant (1982) for cows and Payne (1973) for sheep and goats have been used.

Sexing

It is very difficult to determine the sex of individual animal bones. The most accurate part of the body is usually the pelvis. Unfortunately this bone is usually fragmented or butchered. With pigs, the shape and size of the canine can also be used (Schmidt 1976). Sexual dimorphism, the differences in size between the male and female of a species, is another way of estimating sex. This can be a problem when castrates are involved, as they may not reach the same size as males of the same breed.

Minimum Number Of Individuals (Mni)

MNI’s can be a difficult concept to use on urban sites (Levitan, 1989) as meat was most likely to have been brought to this site as joints as well as or instead of whole animals. In addition, given the small numbers of fragments recovered for each of the phases, it was not thought practical to calculate minimum numbers of individuals (MNI’s) for this sample.

82 Butchery/Bone Working

Cut marks and other signs of butchery were recorded, with relevant comments on jointing or use of meat or offal where appropriate.

Pathology

Where a bone showed some form of pathology it was photographed, x-rayed and described. It was not always possible to arrive at a definite diagnosis, but the probable diagnosis and a list of differentials are given where possible.

The Archive

Publication constraints mean that there is not enough space to publish all data produced in the analysis. Copies of the database containing these and all other recorded information can be obtained from the author.

Results

Species Represented

Tables 1 and 2 show a list of all the species identified from this site (NISP), and their relative frequencies for each of the main contexts. Table 1 gives the mammals and Table 2 the birds.

Mammal

Cow Bos taurus Sheep Ovis aries Goat Capra hircus Pig Sus domesticus Fallow deer Dama dama Red deer Cervus elephas Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Hare Lepus europeaus Cat Felis catus Dog Canis familiaris Fox Vulpes vulpes Mouse Mus musculus

Bird

Goose Anser anser Chicken Gallus gallus Pheasant Phasianus colchius Mallard Anas platyrychose Teal Anas crecca Wader Scoropacidae sp.

83 Table 1: Species Identified, per phase (mammals)

Period Cow Sheep/ Pig Roe Red Rabbit Hare Cat Dog Mouse Total goat deer deer 1 4 2 1 1 1 9 2 60 41 29 1 1 1 18 151 3 142 64 23 4 233 4A 26 55 15 1 20 1 118 4B 118 73 29 1 33 1 255 5A 168 234 25 2 29 1 459 5B 275 342 29 4 1 15 3 2 671 6 46 88 37 1 1 3 9 1 186 Total 839 899 188 7 4 103 1 8 13 20 2082

Table 2: Species Identified, per phase (birds)

Period Chicken Goose Pheasant Mallard Grouse Teal Wader Other bird Total 1 2 1 1 4 2 3 1 4 8 3 5 3 2 10 4A 17 3 1 1 3 2 14 41 4B 9 1 2 8 20 5A 27 17 1 4 1 9 59 5B 30 12 1 1 1 3 48 6 4 1 5 Total 97 37 3 8 1 5 2 42 195

Most of the identified fragments are of the three major food species – cow, sheep/goat and pig. Together they represent 84% of the sample across all phases.

Sheep/goat fragments were the most common species identified. Sheep and goat bones are hard to separate to species. Where possible they were separated using the criteria of Boessneck (1969). In most cases the species could not be distinguished and are discussed as sheep/goat. Of the 58 bones that could be identified to species (6.5% of all fragments) most were sheep. Table 3 below shows the sheep/goat ratios for the phases where any of the sheep/goat bones could be separated. It is highly likely that most of the bones identified as sheep/goat are in reality sheep. This has also been suggested at other contemporary sites including Exeter (Maltby, 1979).

Table 3: Ration of Sheep to Goat fragments identified

Period Sheep Goat Not differentiated Ratio 1 0 0 2 All sheep 2 2 0 39 All sheep 3 4 0 60 All sheep 4A 4 0 51 All sheep 4B 5 0 68 All sheep 5A 16 2 216 8:1 5B 25 0 317 All sheep 6 0 0 88 All sheep

Cow and pig were the next two most common species, respectively. They are discussed in detail in the later sections of this report.

84 Although less than 200 fragments of bone were identified as bird (8% of all identified fragments) they represent relatively diverse selection. It can be very difficult to identify birds to species, especially if the bones are fragmented. Most of the bird bones identified are from the domestic chicken. Goose and duck were also present, in much smaller numbers. Odd fragments from pheasant and grouse, teal and an unspecified wader were also present. It is likely these were part of the diet, though no cut marks were found on any of the fragments. The bird bones present are most likely to be severely under- represented as thee was no sieving of the site undertaken (Payne 1975).

A small number of red deer and roe deer were identified, mostly from the earlier pre-Dissolution phases. Larger numbers of deer are associated with high status sites as at Launceston Castle (Albarella and Davies, 1996). It has also been noted that the presence of deer is rare in urban sites (Grant, 1984). The numbers of deer in this sample though small, is larger than other contemporary “lower status” sites locally (Barber 1998).

Other species identified include a number of rabbit bones, and a smaller number of hare, dog and cat bones that are all common findings in small numbers on urban sites.

Only a few fragments of small mammal, all of mouse, were identified. No fish bones were present in the selected sample. The low numbers of specimens from these and other small taxa (including bid) are a result of studying a hand-retrieved sample.

Frequencies Of The Major Food Species Through Time

As noted earlier, sheep/goat, cow and pig make up 84% of the total identified sample. There is a difference in the total numbers of identified bones of the earliest phases (pre-Dissolution) and the larger samples recovered after this. It has not always been possible to always compare all eight phases, as some had little or no data on all three species. For this reason the data given below shows at relative/percentage figures. Figure 1 below gives an overview of the relative frequencies of the three major food species.

Figure 1: Relative proportions of the major food species, by phase

From Figure 1 it can be seen that cattle is the most commonly represented species in the early phases, representing up to two-thirds of the major food species. Post-Dissolution however, changes begin to appear, with sheep/goat becoming more predominant, averaging over 50% from this time onwards. Pig bones make up between 10-20% of the major species across all phases. There does appear to be a decline in its present from the post-Dissolution onwards, until the modern phase (6), but the numbers involved are very small.

85 Part Representation

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show the distribution of the skeletal elements of the three major food species across the phases. Some phases did not produce fragments for any of the species, so these are excluded from the figures.

Figure 2: Percentage body part representation, by phase - cow

All body parts are represented across most of the phases, but there are fewer fragments of skull and mandible than one would expect if the animals were coming onto the site whole. There is some supporting evidence for joints of meat being brought to the site for consumption, especially in the later phases such as the lack of phalanges in phase 4A and the general reduction in numbers of mandibles identified after the same phase. In phases 4A-5B there appear to be an increase in the amount of greater meat-bearing bones (such as humerus and femur).

Figure 3: Percentage body part representation, by phase – sheep/goat

For the sheep/goat bones the lack of skulls and mandibles is even more striking. It would appear that across most of the phases the meat was brought in more as joints than as whole animals. However, as there is no evidence from period 1 (and very little for phases 2 and 3) it is difficult to say if there has been any change over time.

86 Figure 4. Percentage body part representation, by phase – pig

Most of the phases which contained pig bones showed similar body part representation, except that period 2 appeared to have larger numbers of foot bones (the numbers involved are small). Fewer mandible and skull fragments were recorded, as were parts of the back limbs, suggesting that body parts rather than whole animals were brought on site. This finding is in contrast to other contemporary high-status sites e.g. Launceston Castle (Albarella and Davis, 1996), where larger numbers of skulls and teeth were recovered in relation to postcranial skeletal elements.

Ages Of The Major Food Species

The lack of mandibles and skull fragments that has been discussed in the previous section makes the estimation of age at death for most of the fragments difficult or impossible. Table 4 attempts to summarise the state of fusion of the long bones for each of the three species. It gives an overview as direct comparisons of numbers of bones, and bones present vary greatly between phases. Tables 5-7 below show the data collected on tooth eruption and attrition for cow, sheep/goat and pig respectively.

Table 4: Age estimation using fusion of long bones

Period Cow Sheep/goat Pig 1 3:1 adult Adult All young 2 Mostly young Mostly adult All young 3 18:1 adult Mostly adult All young 4A Mostly young Mostly adult (slightly more juveniles than All young previously) 4B Mostly young Few young animals, mostly adult Mostly young – couple of adults 5A Mostly young Mostly adult All young 5B Mostly young Mostly adult All young 6 All adult Mix of young and adults All young

Table 5: Ages using tooth eruption and attrition – cow

DP4 Present M1 erupting M2 erupting M3 erupting M3 in wear Period 5A 2 1 5B 2 2 2

87 It is impossible to draw many conclusions from this sparse data. The mandibles present in both phases are from younger animals. The epiphyseal fusion data from these phases (Table 4) also suggests that most of the animals recovered from these phases are of immature of sub-adult individuals. These findings are similar to those found by Noddle (1985) from the nearby contemporary parish of St Mary-le-Port.

Table 6: Ages using tooth eruption and attrition – sheep/goat Sheep/goat

Period DP4 present M1 erupting M2 erupting M3 erupting M3 in wear 5A 3 1

Only one phase produced any mandibles which could be aged. These results suggested that the animals were young. However the long bone fusion data does not support this, suggesting most animals were adult. These apparent differences may be due to the small numbers involved.

Table 7: Ages using tooth eruption and attrition – pig

Period M1 erupting M2 erupting M3 erupting M3 in wear 2 1 1 5A 1 5B 2

The pig teeth and bones identified were mostly of young and sub-adult individuals in all phases. This is a very common finding on most urban sites.

Estimation Of Sex

Given the small numbers of measurements taken of those bones that can be diagnostic of sex (e.g. the metapodials) it was not possible to estimate the sex of any species using this method. Overall only pig bones could be assessed (by looking at their teeth, as described earlier). In the sample only males were identified – 7 definite and 1 probable. This may mean that the females were kept as a breeding population and were not slaughtered young, or it may be phenomenon of such a small sample size. It may however be interesting to note that the local site of St James’ Priory also had only male animals.

Measurements

Although it was possible to take measurements from many of the bones in the sample, there is not enough data from any one bone or species to produce any clear results. Complete lists of all measurements taken are given in Appendix 1.

Cattle

There were not enough measurements to produce any valid statistical analysis on any one bone. However, there does appear to be a general trend to increasing bone (and thus animal) size over time. The trochlear measurement of the humerus, for example, averages 64.5mm in Period 3 (n=1) and increases to 77.5mm (n=2) by Period 5A.

88 Sheep/Goat

As with cow, the numbers involved are small. However, in the few bones that had sufficient numbers to undertake a basic statistical analysis, there does appear to be a trend to increasing bone size with time. Tables 8-10 below show the mean, standard deviation and numbers of measurements taken for the radius, humerus and tibia respectively.

There also appears to be a slight drop in the mean measurements in the post-Dissolution phase in the tibia measurements. This may support the hypothesis of a change in status of the site, but the numbers involved are very small.

Table 8. Measurements of the sheep radius (BP)

Period N= Mean SD 3 2 29.1 0.6 4A 1 29.2 0 4B 1 31.3 0 5A 6 29.4 1.7 5B 9 31.6 1.9 6 1 28.7 0

Table 9. Measurements of the sheep humerus (BD)

Period N= Mean SD 3 3 27.8 1.1 4A 1 28.8 0 4B 3 27.0 0.7 5A 11 28.4 1.3 5B 18 29.5 2.1 6 5 31.9 1.5

Table 10. Measurements of the sheep tibia (BD)

Period N= Mean SD 2 1 26.9 0 3 2 29.2 4.5 4B 2 26.6 1.3 5A 33 27.0 2.9 6 7 26.4 2.5

Pig

As most of the fragments recovered from this site were of juvenile animals it was not possible to take any measurements.

Pathology

Only 3 phases produced bones which showed any evidence for pathology.

Period 2 (13th Century)

One bone, a proximal phalange of a cow showed marked ligament insertion (enthesis) formation. This is a common finding, and is believed by some to be caused by traction injuries, but this is contentious. 89 Period 5A (17th-18th Century)

Two bones, both femoral heads from different cows, showed evidence of bone remodelling. The femoral heads were eburnated, and had small marginal osteophytes present around their circumferences. There was a slight change in the bony contour of the articular surfaces. These features are typical of osteoarthritis, a joint disease. It typically affects older animals and is of unknown aetiology. The finding of two such cases on a site this size, and in one phase, is unusual. It may support the hypothesis that there was a lowering of status of the site after the Dissolution, when older, poorer quality (and thus cheaper) animals were consumed.

Period 5B (Late 18th-19th Century)

One bone, a rib from a sheep/goat-sized animal showed evidence of a fracture. The bone had healed well with a small amount of callus formation. There was a slight misalignment of the two sides of the break, but this is not unusual.

Butchery

Many of the fragments of bone from all phases showed evidence of butchery. An average of 39% of all fragments of bone (including vertebrae and unidentifiable fragments) had some kind of cut or butchery mark (including the worked bone). Figure 5 below summarises the percentage of all fragments of bone that had been either butchered or worked.

Figure 5: Percentage of bones that displayed butchery marks, by period

It is clear that the animals whose remains are represented here have been extensively butchered. The earlier phases show cut marks on long bones and flat bones. There is evidence that skulls and mandibles were removed. Several of the tarsal bones had cut marks at the ligament insertions. These would be severed to remove the lower limbs.

There is only one difference that can be noted between the earlier and later phases. There appears to be a change in the way that the vertebrae are butchered. In the later phases vertebrae at all levels were cut in half dorso-ventrally. This would indicate that carcasses were being butchered into sides of 90 beef, mutton and pork. Maltby found a similar change at Exeter (1976). He dates the change from the sixteenth century. It would appear that this is similar for Minster House, although there are a few cases earlier than that.

Further Discussion And Comparisons With Other Sites

The amount of the material produced from Minster House is disappointingly small. However, other ecclesiastical sites have also produced only low numbers of faunal remains, such as at Haughmond Abbey, Shropshire (Levitan 1989b). Despite this, the analysis has produced some interesting results as many small changes can be seen in terms of relative numbers of species, their sizes and body part representation.

The Minster House community maintained a high status in the pre-Dissolution period, and this is hinted at in the faunal remains from this period – a predominance of young cattle, supported by sheep and pig, and smaller numbers with other species such as deer and a variety of birds. Many sites of high status have noted similar assemblages e.g. Taunton Priory (Levitan, 1984), Okehampton Castle (Maltby, 1982) and Greyfriars, London (Armitage and West, 1987).

However, the most marked changes can be seen in the immediate post-Dissolution phases. The relative increase in the use of sheep/goat at the expense of both cow and pig in the periods following the Dissolution may be an indicator of decreased site status, as is the increase in bony pathology. The data is not completely clear on this point, however, and there may be an explanation. There is evidence that the Minster was not as affected by the traumas of the Dissolution as other sites, for it became one of Henry’s six new cathedrals.

Locally, Minster House has a similar profile of domestic animal remains to many contemporary sites. St Bartholomew’s Hospital, St James Priory and St Mary-le-Port have the same relative proportions of species, and evidence that butchery practices were similar. Nearby, an obvious comparison can be made with the excavations at Exeter. Maltby has a much larger sample size from several sites, but his results are very similar.

Conclusions

The major conclusions of this report are:

1. The majority of species identified were from the three major food species – sheep/goat, cow, and pig in that order. Smaller numbers of other species were also present, especially in the pre-Dissolution periods. Some of these are seen as “high status” species. No unusual or “exotic” species were identified.

2. There is a marked change in the relative number of species from the post-Dissolution phases onwards, with an increasing emphasis on sheep, and a decline in the use of pig.

3. There is no marked change in age at slaughter of the three major food species across all phases. Sheep were mostly slaughtered as adults. Cows were killed young; although a few older individuals were noted in the immediate post-Dissolution periods. Pigs were killed as immature or sub-adults in all periods. It must be remembered, however, that the numbers involved in these calculations are very small.

4. The body sizes of the two major food species (sheep and cow) appear to increase with modernity.

5. At all times it would appear that joints rather than whole animals were the main source of 91 meat. Butchery practices begin to change between the pre- and post-Dissolution phases, with a trend towards the use of “sides” of meat.

6. There is an increase in the numbers of bony pathologies, especially osteoarthritis, in the post- Dissolution phase.

These conclusions support the hypothesis that there is a change in status of Minster House (from high to lower) after the Dissolution.

5.11 OBJECTS OF BONE (Fig. 57) by Rod Burchill

A group of 17 bone objects were recovered during the excavations.

1. Fragment of one-piece double-sided bone comb. Fine densely packed teeth. Curved end piece. Surviving length 30mm x 40mm wide. Context CH SF18 Period 5a

2. Fragment of bone knife handle. Handle is rectangular in section with chamfered edges. Hollow core retains part of tang. Surviving length 65mm x 15mm x 7mm Context GK SF73 Period 5a

3. Side handle brush. Handle is semicircular with deep rounded notches to the shoulder. Brush head is held at right-angles to handle. Head has 60 bristle holes. Head 45mm x 15mm. Handle 34mm base to apex. Context BR SF21 Period 5b

4. Tubular bone object with tapering shaft. Flared end has twelve external grooves. Possibly a nozzle from a medical instrument (see Gaskell-Brown 1986). Similar objects were recovered from St.James Priory, Bristol (Burchill 2006), however, the St.James nozzles had internal grooving. Surviving length 52mm x max. diam. 8mm Context DF SF42 Period 5b

5. Incomplete, ?rectangular, bone object with central hole. The upper surface is polished and decorated with reeds and cords. Under-surface unfinished. Possibly part of a mount. Context DS SF129 Period 5b

6. Incomplete handle with Fleur de Lys terminal. The terminal is decorated on both surfaces with inlaid metal in a ring and dot motif. The hollow handle is also decorated on both surfaces with inlaid metal in a lozenge pattern. Length 62mm x maximum surviving width 10mm x 6mm deep. Context NY SF137 Period 5b

7. Bone toothbrush. Object worked from a single bone. Narrow rounded head with 66 holes to take the bristles. Four grooves on reverse to take bristle retaining wires. Handle is stamped `G.Jones Registered 10 SEPtr 1844'. Overall length 163mm x max 15mm wide. Context JS SF93 Period 5b

8. Incomplete object, possibly part of a brush. Series of holes drilled from one side. Length 72mm Context JT SF105 Period 5b

92 9. Knife Handle. Context KA SF108 Period 5b

10. Bone disc with central drilled hole. Diameter 12mm Context JF SF94 Period 5b

11. Bone disc with drilled hole in centre. Diameter 15mm Context PF SF173 Period 5b

12. Bone domino punched as 4/5. Length 34mm x 17mm x 6mm Context AL SF236 Period 6 Items 13-17 are not illustrated.

13. Fragment of brush head. Bristle holes approximately 3mm diameter. Seven grooves on reverse to take retaining wires. Surviving length 45mm x 28mm Context AP SF44 Period 6

14. Brush head - polished bone. Approximately 380 sets of bristles. Probably a nail brush (see Mary-le-Port Excavations Fig.92) Length 110mm x 38mm. Context AX SF34 Period 6

15. Fragment of notched, worked bone. Length 70mm. Context DW SF53 Period 5b

16. Fragment of one-piece double-sided bone comb. Teeth very fine and dense. Surviving length 28mm x 22mm Context DN SF48 Period 5b

17. Fragment of rectangular section knife. Surviving length 66mm x 12mm x 6mm Context OE SF199 Period 5b

5.12 MOLLUSCS by A. G. Smith

The oysters are an import to the site from coastal beds via a local fish market, one may safely assume. Oysters are eaten fresh and so the valves must be forced open with a sharp-pointed knife, the animal must be loosened off the shell. Virtually all the shells in this collection showed signs of knife point damage.

Quite a few shells are white and soft. The contexts for these are listed in table 3, as `calcined’ [tables 1 to 3 are in archive only]. It is an effect due to either roasting or ageing or both.

Some shells were brown and one assumes that this is due to some staining on being in contact with an iron-rich seepage. Other shells were encrusted with a hard, iron-like material which is due to forming a chemical alliance with iron objects with which they were in contact. These conditions of `iron-staining’ and `iron caked/encrusted’ are listed in table 3.

One context showed an encrusting of hardened soil which may have an origin in worm casts.

93 Besides edible oyster shell finds numbering 1394 there were 36 other shells and fragments of shell. These are listed in table 1. Their origins are two-fold. On the one hand, cockles, mussels and common whelks are food items and may have arrived in the same way as the oysters. The tellins and razor shells would have arrived through careless sorting from the oysters, perhaps on purchase. Saddle oysters grow attached to oyster shell very frequently, as has occurred in this collection and there is a single left (outer) valve here with knife mark. Alternatively, the garden snail may have moved into the site irrespective of man’s requirements. However, this species is edible and is used today and may have been prepared for food on this site.

Oyster Shell (Worked) by Rod Burchill

The finds assemblage included a group of ten pierced oyster shells. The holes varied from circular to sub-rectangular and were mostly located towards the centre of the shell. The purpose of the holes was not clear, however, they had been deliberately drilled and the holes were generally clean and even, suggesting it was not the result of damage caused during the opening of the shells to remove the meat.

It appears likely that the holes had been used to suspend the shells in the manner of scallop pilgrim badges (Margeson 1993, Biddle 1990).

The holes varied in dimension from 9-15mm (circular) and 15-25mm (sub-rectangular).

5.13 OBJECTS of COPPER ALLOY (Fig. 58) by Rod Burchill

All of the copper alloy was in poor condition. No conservation had taken place at the time of writing and none had been X-radiographed. A number of copper alloy pins were recovered: Nos.17, 23 and 24 were classified according to Margeson (1993) the remainder according to Crummy (1988). The lace chapes were classified according to Margeson's Norwich type series (Margeson 1993).

Unidentified copper alloy fragments were recovered from Contexts AC, AL, AQ, CY, DQ, EF, FC, GH, GY, HF, LD, LS.

1. Trapezoidal copper alloy buckle frame with D-shaped profile. The tongue, concave on the reverse has a simple looped fixing. Context N5 SF136 Period 3

2. Copper alloy ring with slightly flattened sides. Probably a curtain ring. Diameter: external 27mm - internal 21mm. Context GN SF219 Period 5a

3. Copper alloy lace chape. Lace is secured by single copper alloy rivet. Margeson Type 1. Length 24.5mm Context HA SF86 Period 5a

4. Copper alloy object with pointed terminal. The opposing terminal has been bent around to form an open loop. Length 50mm Context KM SF111 Period 5a

5. Copper alloy ring with flattened sides. Probably a curtain ring. Diameter: External 27mm, Internal 20mm. Context LG SF113 Period 5a

94 6. Copper alloy pin. Wire wound spherical head. Crummy type 2. Context LG SF116 Period 5a

7. Flared copper alloy tube with flared terminal is mounted in silver-gilt with chase and punch decoration. The object has been flattened, probably post deposition, and one face bears a scar probably from a cartouche or mount (now missing). A strap end. Length 75mm x 17mm tapering to 2mm Context B5 SF23 Period 5b

8. Copper alloy lace chape. Margeson Type 2. Length 29mm Context DF SF41 Period 5b

9. Copper alloy pin in two pieces. Wire wrapped around shaft to form head. Margeson type 1. Length 49mm. Context EW SF63 Period 5b

Items 10-32 are not illustrated.

10. Length of fine copper alloy wire. Length 45mm. Context RY SF203 Period 3

11. Long, fine, copper alloy pin with wire wound head. Margeson type 1. Length 43mm. Context SY SF213 Period 3

12. Two fragments of copper alloy tube with turned in edges. Possibly a lace chape of Margeson Type 2. However, the tube is rather narrow and fine and a 14th century context is rather early for a Type 2 chape. Length 12mm and 10mm. Diameter max.1mm Context SY SF212 Period 3

13. Copper alloy pin with spherical head - broken tip. Crummy type 2. Length 23mm. Context LW SF117 Period 4a

14. Very fragmentary copper alloy tube - probably a lace chape of uncertain classification. Surviving length appx.19mm Context QM SF193 Period 4a

15. Copper alloy wire. Length 40mm. Context NK Period 4b

16. Very decayed fragment of copper alloy with rivet hole at one end. Possibly part of a mount. Context PO SF183 Period 4b

17. Dome headed copper alloy tack. Context GW Period 5a

18. Two copper alloy pins with globular heads. Margeson Type 5. Length GW Period 5a

19. Group of fifteen silvered copper alloy pins with spherical heads similar to Crummy type 2. Average length 25mm. Context HE SF78 Period 5a

20. Three copper alloy pins with spherical heads. All incomplete. Crummy type 2. Context HG SF79 Period 5a 95 21. Copper alloy disc with recessed upper surface. Diameter 33mm. Context KE SF106 Period 5a

22. Silvered copper alloy pin with spherical head. Crummy type 2. Context LA Period 5a

23. Two copper alloy pins with spherical heads. Crummy type 2. Length 25mm and 23mm. Context LG Period 5a

24. Same as 18 above. Context LG SF112 Period 5a

25. Small copper alloy ring. One surface flattened. Function unclear. Diameter: External 8mm, Internal 4mm. Context OX SF204 Period 5a

26. Rectangular copper alloy sheet with semi-circular cut-out. Additional sheet rivetted to both faces of squared corners. Overall dimensions 99mm x max.65mm. Diameter of cut-out 70mm. Context BE SF66 Period 5b

27. Domed copper alloy tack. Probably an upholstery nail. Head diameter 12mm Context BR SF20 Period 5b 28. Fine, copper alloy, wire ring. Diameter of wire 1.5mm. Diameter: external 19mm - internal 16mm. Context DC SF46 Period 5b

29. Fragment of lace chape. Margeson Type 2. Surviving length 15mm. Context DC SF60 Period 5b

30. Copper alloy pin. Crummy Type 2. Length 29mm Context DF SF43 Period 5b

31. Small, cast copper alloy tack with flat head. Context HR SF84 Period 5b

32. Fragment of coiled, very fine copper alloy wire. Function unclear. Context F5 SF67 Period 5b or 6

5.14 OBJECTS of IRON by Rod Burchill

A large miscellaneous group of iron objects was collected, all of which were in poor condition with heavy accretions of corrosion products. The material had not been x-radiographed nor received conservation, consequently a full analysis of the ironwork was not possible.

The group comprised mostly structural ironwork that was numerically dominated by nails along with holdfasts or wall hooks, hinge fragments, staples and cramps mostly of 18th century or later date, however, context RO contained a pintle found situated within a late 15th or early 16th century doorway.

Few other objects were identified with any certainty except for three knife blades of late post-medieval (19th century) date. 96 5.15 OBJECTS of LEAD By Rod Burchill

None of the lead objects were illustrated.

1. Folded lead strip, possibly hooked at end. Surviving length 120mm x max.10mm Context PJ Period 4a

2. Lead sheet. Approximately 330mm x 150mm Context MB Period 5a

3. Hand made lead pipe. Length 5.2m; diameter approx. 50mm. Context EH SF58 Period 5a

4. Lead sheet with raised pattern. Possibly prepared for cutting out. Maximum dimensions 150mm x 115mm Context EA SF57 Period 5b

5. Length of H-profile window came. Surviving length 170mm x 7mm x 5mm. Context KA Period 5Ib

Unidentifiable fragments of lead were also recovered from contexts AB, AC, AL, BR, B5, CZ, GA, GG, GY, MY, OX.

5.16 VESSEL GLASS (Fig. 59) by Rod Burchill

1. Drinking glass stem (similar to 1 above). Mould blown inverted baluster stem with front and rear facing lion mask decoration in the Venetian manner. Probably English. Similar glasses found at Exeter (Charleston 1984). Height 55mm. Context GD SF70 Period 5b

2. Stem, base and lower bowl of a drinking glass. Wide, flat base. Flange below bowl and mid-stem. Clear glass. Context NY SF139 Period 5b

3. Base, lower bowl and stem of a drinking glass.. Bowl has a stepped base. Double flange to stem. Context NY SF138 Period 5b

4. Plain base, stem and lower bowl of a drinking glass. The stem has been drawn out of the trumpet. Context NY SF152 Period 5b

5. Complete large phial. Pale green glass. Probably medicinal. 84mm x 30mm diam. Context CH SF33 Period 5a

6. Complete narrow necked phial - pale green glass. 65mm x 25mm diam. Context CZ SF29 Period 5b

7. Small phial with wide flanged rim. Heavily weathered yellow-green glass. 40mm x 20mm diam. Diameter of flange 22mm. Context AL SF249 Period 6

97 Similar vessels to 5, 6 and 7 have been recorded at Norwich (Margeson 1993), Exeter (Charleston 1984) and St.James, Bristol (Burchill forthcoming b) where they have been identified as apothecary phials.

8. Fragments of a straight-sided glass vessel, possibly with flanged rim. Context HW SF247 Period 5a

9. Rectangular bottle. Pale green glass with moulded lozenge and ring decoration contained within a recessed cartouche. A company name is moulded into the base. Context JL SF91 Period 5b

10. Wide glass bowl, possibly part of a large drinking glass. Thin, clear glass. Context OE SF248 Period 5b

Items 11 and 12 are not illustrated.

11. Drinking glass stem, mould blown. Inverted baluster with lion mask decoration front and rear in the Venetian style. It is not clear if the glass is English or continental European in origin. Copies of drinking glasses in the Venetian style were certainly being made in London by the late 16th century and the style probably continued in production until the mid-17th century (Charleston 1984). Length of stem 56mm Context HW SF92 Period 5a

12. Fragments of a glass bottle or container. Glass in very poor condition. The vessel has a wide flanged rim but no other detail was discernable. Context OU SF157 Period 4a

Unidentifiable glass was recovered from Contexts HW (SF130), OE (SF248), NY (SF243 and 244). A large quantity of fragmentary window and bottle glass recovered from Period 5b and later contexts was not recorded in detail.

5.17 BELL FOUNDING

The bell mould Davis and Ovenden (1990) have described the two methods of bell founding commonly used in the medieval and early post-medieval periods. These methods were originally described by Theophilus writing c.1110 to 1140 and Biringuccio in 1540.

Theophilus described a `lost wax process' in which the core was covered with a layer of tallow or wax on which the decoration was formed; the cope was then constructed over this. On firing the mould the wax melted and was drained-off to leave a void into which the molten bronze was cast.

By the end of the 13th century the `lost wax process' had been replaced by a `loam pattern' method as described by Biringuccio. In this method the wax had been replaced by a very fine loam that held the pattern. The mould was constructed in a similar way to that described by Theophilus, however, after drying the loam was removed and the two parts of the mould fired whilst separate from each other and then re-assembled for casting.

The method used to cast the bell can usually be identified by the colour of the surviving mould. In the `lost wax process' the core is usually black and the cope black on the inner (metal contact) surface and red/buff externally, whilst the `loam pattern' produces red to buff surfaces, often black beneath, to both core and cope.

There were 276 identifiable pieces of bell-mould along with a large number of crushed or decayed fragments that were to small to identify. The material was mostly recovered from within the casting pit itself. 98 The material could be divided roughly into three groups:

Core A group of some 46 pieces with a convex surface. The surface appears to have been wiped or brushed, although this might have been the result of using strickle boards in the construction of the mould.

A further 16 large, friable, pieces with badly eroded surfaces, some attached to large flat stones were interpreted as the base of the moulds.

Cope 189 pieces with convexo/concave surfaces. All were wiped or brushed in a similar manner to the cope. Some fragments showed minor pitting and cracking of the surfaces.

Two fragments exhibited wire-grooves: one single, the other with four wires.

Other 25 pieces could not be identified as core or cope although on balance they probably represented core material.

Two different sound-bow profiles were noted suggesting that the material represented moulds for at least two bells.

Fabric The mould was comprised of a hard but friable gritty fabric, fired mostly black with orange to red/orange and sometimes buff surfaces. Analysis of the fabric showed it to contain carbonised vegetable matter including cereal seeds and straw probably derived from horse dung (Jones infra). Horse dung together with straw acted as a binder and imparted porosity to the mould on firing (Davies and Ovenden 1990).

Discussion The colour of the surviving mould, mostly red to orange with a black core suggests the bells were made by the `loam pattern method'. This interpretation of the method used to prepare the moulds is supported by the contextual position of the material in the very late 13th or early 14th century (context TF and TY).

Today the central tower contains 4 bells, all that remain out of a set of 9. Only one, Bell 3, is of medieval date with a foundation date of c 1300. The remaining three date to 1500 and 1670 (survey by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1987). The surviving bells were cast with canons and cast-in type clapper staples.

5.18 COINS and TOKENS by David Dawson

A relatively small number of coins were excavated from Minster House and of these relatively few were recovered in their primary context. This is probably more a result of extensive 19th century building and demolition activity than the specific location of the site just inside the outer court of the monastic precinct. The ten coins and eight tokens are a similar selection to those found elsewhere in the medieval city. The proportion of lead jettons may seem low but the sample is too small to assign any significance to this.

The earliest piece is the class 2 longcross penny of Henry III (187). It is in such good condition that it appears to have been deposited not long after it was struck in 1248. The rest of the medieval 99 sequence consists entirely of jettons: one probably of Tournai (188) and three of Nuremberg (205, 4, 74). Lead jettons 109 and 207 are difficult to place: 109 is post-1247 and probably 14th/15th century in date; 207 is more likely to be late 15th/16th century in date.

The post-medieval sequence is a mix of coin of the realm and tokens. The occurrence of a halfpenny token of William Cooper of Glastonbury is worthy of note.

Table 1: Finds in chronological order

Small Find No. Type Description Date Context

187 Penny Henry III 1248 QE

109 Jetton lead ?14th/15th JQ

207 Jetton lead ?15th/16th SW

188 Jetton ?Tournai 1415-1497 QQ

205 Jetton Nuremberg 1480-1490 SK

4 Jetton Nuremberg 1500-1550 AC

74 Jetton Nuremberg 1500-1550 GN

15 Halfgroat Edward VI 1547-1551 BE

3 Jetton Nuremberg 1586-1635 AC

2 Farthing James I 1614-1625 AB

1 Halfpenny Glastonbury 1666 AC

5 Farthing Charles II 1672 AC

6 Halfpenny William III 1697 AC

12 Sixpence William III 1697 AL

7 Halfpenny George III 1806 AA

14 10 centimes Switzerland 1850 BB

13 Farthing Victoria 1881 AP

28 Counterfeit 1770 DA halfpenny

Catalogue Eighteen coins and tokens were recovered. The identifications are listed in small find number order within each period.

Period 2 207. Uniface lead jetton, 16mm.,1.54gms., obv. twelve roughly parallel lines. 17/1992/207. context SW.

Period 3 187. Henry III penny, longcross class 2, 1248 (North 985), obv. im.six-pointed star, HENRICUS REX TERCI, rev. NIC OLE ONC ANT (Nicole of Canterbury). Good condition. 17/1992/187, context QE.

Period 4a 188. Jetton, French Crown type, usually post-1380 but a similar example is attributed by Michener to Tournai c.1415-1497, 28mm., obv. ..SAI.....SAI.IASIV..S, crown, rev. three- stranded cross fleury between four As in quatrefoil between four As. Cf. Michener type 656. 17/1992/188, context QQ. 100 Period 5a 74. Nuremberg Jetton, rose/orb type, c.1500-1550, 24mm, obv. illegible Lombardic inscription, three crowns between three fleur-de-lys round a rose, rev. illegible Lombardic inscription round reichsapfel. Cf. Michener large orb types 1190-1214. 17/1992/74, context GN.

Period 5b 15. Edward VI, halfgroat, postumous issue of Henry VIII, 1547-1551, im.E of Southwark (North 1878). 17/1992/15, context BE.

109. Uniface lead jetton, 22mm., 9.63gms., obv. three curvilinear triangles between a plain cross. 17/1992/109, context JQ.

205. Jetton, Nuremberg copy of Dauphine type, c.1480-1490, 30mm., obv. im. illegible ... BONASUI, powdered with lys, 2 & 3 dolphin. Corroded. Cf. Mitchener type 1039-1044. 17/1992/205, context SK.

Period 6 1. Halfpenny token of William Cooper of Glastonbury, issue, 1666, 21mm., im. and stops, pierced cinquefoils, obv. WILLIAM COOPER, in centre, HIS/HALF/PENY, three pierced cinquefoils; rev. IN GLOSTONBVRY 1666, the front of a house. Williamson Somerset type 142. 17/1992/1, context AB.

2. James I, farthing, Lennox round, type 3c of 1614-1625 (Peck), 15mm. 17/1992/2, context AC.

3. Nuremberg jetton of Hans Krauwinkel fl. 1586-1635, 22mm., obv. sixfoil HANNS KRAVWINKEL IN NVR, three crowns between three fleur-de-lys round a rose, rev. sixfoil HEVT.ROT.MORGEN.TODT., reichsapfel in trefoil, cf. Ecklund type 51, Michener type 1580. 17/1992/3, context AC.

4. Nuremberg jetton, rose/orb type c. 1500-1550, 25mm., obv. lys DEONEIM lys NEONINIVNEODEN, three crowns between three fleur-de-lys round a cinquefoil, rev. crown NEONEN crown NEONONE crown NOENON, reichsapfel in trefoil between six annulets Cf. Mitchener type 1248-1286. 17/1992/4, context AC.

5. Charles II, copper farthing, 1672. 17/1992/5, context AC.

6. William III, halfpenny, first issue, 1697, very worn. 17/1992/6, context AC.

7. George III, halfpenny, fourth issue, 1806. 17/1992/7, context AA.

12. William III, silver sixpence, (?third bust, small crowns type), 1697, Exeter mint, worn. 17/1992/12, context AL.

13. Victoria, farthing, 1881, good condition. 17/1992/13, context AP.

14. Switzerland ten centimes piece, 1850. 17/1992/BB.

28. Counterfeit George III Irish halfpenny, 1770, worn. 17/1992/28, context DA.

101 5.19 MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS by Rod Burchill

1. Triangular object in pinky white marble with deeply concave centre. Function unclear. Context JR, (Fig. 60.1) SF104 Period 4

2. Tin--glazed earthenware vessel, possibly in the form of a heart, with deeply concave centre. White allover tin-glaze. Function unclear. Context OJ, Fig. 60.2) SF174 Period 5b

Clay marbles The finds assemblage included 15 clay marbles all from 19th century contexts.

The marbles varied in size from 12mm to 18mm and from 25mm to 30mm. A single decorated marble had a diameter of 45mm.

102 5.20 WORKED STONE by John Bryant

The majority of the worked stone recovered comprised medieval stonework re-used in later post- medieval features, principally Floor 2 in Room 1, and the wall dividing the two levels after the landscaping of the Minster House site (Wall 1). Relatively little worked stone was found in-situ. In virtually every instance the stone used was the local freestone, an oolitic limestone known as Dundry Stone, technically an Inferior Oolite.

Principal amongst the in-situ features was the surviving 14th-century doorway in the east face of the west cloister wall (Stone Feature 20). This consisted of a two-centred moulded arch with drip mould and label stops, the jambs decorated with plain chamfers, the whole in oolitic limestone. On the west side of the wall was a segmental rear arch and jambs, all in Old Red Sandstone and with a plain chamfer. This latter had been rebuilt towards the end of the 19th.century. At present the moulding on the main arch is in poor condition, having been badly eroded, although a complete profile may still be seen. Roland Paul recorded the profile in 1910, when it was less badly damaged (Fig.7). Hugh O’Neill’s drawing of 1821 (BRSMG M.1893) depicts the doorway in better times, although the stops are still not clearly shown. His illustration shows that the carved head today in position above the arch was also there then. It has a flat top and may have served as a corbel supporting one of the roof trusses above the west cloister walk.

Further in-situ features, found below ground, were the bottoms of three doorways in the remains of Minster House. These appear to have been contemporary, dating to the late 15th or early 16th centuries. All comprised the lower ends of plain chamfered jambs, terminating in stops. Stone Features 2 and 3 each carried broach or pyramid stops, but Stone Feature 1 possessed only a half- broach version.

Re-used stonework Most of the re-used stonework was from contexts that were removed during excavation, and each item was labelled with a number in the M.xx series (M for moulding). Two pieces that were not so treated were Stone Features 28 and 86. The former, the base for the south-east buttress of Minster House, included a large fragment of freestone, part of a scalloped capital of the Norman period. Stone Feature 86 was at one corner of Wall 30 (one of a pair of piers within the 14th.century cellarium) and consisted of a block of Old Red Sandstone, chamfered at one corner with a roll and bar stop.

Four pieces of worked stone were used in the construction of Drain 20. One of the capstones was M.77, part of the square frame to a window that contained three trefoil-headed lights, each opening about 190mm in width (Fig. 61.1). The mullions were narrow but deep, and the line of each was carried up between two smaller hollowed spandrels as far as the lintel. This stonework probably dates from the later 14th century.

Floor 2 in Room 1 (context KZ) produced 22 fragments of worked stone, including medieval window tracery (e.g. M.54 & 85), medieval or later window architrave, and other moulded stonework (e.g. M.78 & 81, Fig. 61.2 ). Fragment M.78 carried graffiti, including the letters XMC.

Within the 18th-19th century layer ER, in the eastern part of the excavated area, was found a fragment of carving of probably late medieval date, possibly incorporating the top of the rebus of Abbot John Newland, or Nailheart (M.33; Fig. 61.3).

After Floor 2, the source of most re-used worked stone was Wall 1, the retaining wall between the upper and lower open areas after completion of the Victorian nave and west front. This produced 17 items, including a fragment of squared Norman stonework with rows of nailhead decoration, perhaps part of a base or capital (M.8; Fig. 62.4) and the upper end of a later medieval coffin lid (M.18; Fig. 62.5). 103

Amongst the worked stone were four D-traps, with their associated vertical members (M.1, 4, 30 & 79, with M.2, 5, 31 & 80). A number of the remaining fragments of worked stone were not moulded as such, merely finished with flat surfaces in several planes.

104 6. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Unpublished sources

In Bristol Record Office (BRO). Diocesan records:- DC/A/8/7 Chapter Minutes, Jan.1858 - Jan.1879 DC/A/8/8 Chapter Minutes, Apr.1879 - Oct.1900 DC/E/3/2 Parliamentary survey of the capitular estates, 1649

108 DC/F/1/3 Letters, specifications, reports, accounts, subscription lists, press cuttings and other papers relating to Cathedral rebuilding and restoration, 1860-1924 DC/F/9/1 Drawings and surveys, 1885-1926 (unnumbered) ‘College Gate, Bristol’, drawing by George Samuel, R.A., 1792

Other records:- Ashmead’s surveys of the City of Bristol, 1854 and 1874 Consolidated Rates for St. Augustine’s Parish Land Tax returns for St. Augustine’s Parish Poor Rate assessments for St. Augustine’s Parish 17563, p.124 Photograph of west end of Cathedral and north side of Minster House, c. May 1881

In Bristol Reference Library:- Census returns for 1841 to 1881

Illustrations in Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery:- K.380 ‘St. Augustine’s Gateway, Lower College Green - 1882', Mary Katharine Moore K.401 ‘The Minster House, St. Augustine’s’, L.Ashford, 1825 M.938 View of the Minster House area from the Lower Green, Henry de Cort, 1794 M.940 View of the Gatehouse and Minster House from the south-west, Edward Eyre, c1776 M.1750 ‘Cathedral and one of the Prebendal Houses’, Hugh O’Neill, 1821 M.1751 ‘The Prebendal House in the Lower Green as now altered ... ‘, Hugh O’Neill, 1823 M.1752 ‘South front of the same Prebendal House’, John Saunders (of Bath), c1822 M.1893 ‘Back entrance to the Prebendal House from the Cloisters’, Hugh O’Neill, 1821 M.4008 ‘Refectory Bristol Cathedral’, Alfred Parkman, 1883 M.4049 View of the Gatehouse and Minster House, Samuel G. Tovey, 1843 Ma.3830 Photograph of Minster House from College Square, c.1860

Illustration in the Bodleian Library:- ‘A View of the Chancellors House, the North side of the College Gate, & the East side of the Deanery’, James Stewart, June 11 & 12, 1745

109 APPENDIX 1: Extract from the Parliamentary Survey of 1649

Transcription in Bettey 2007, p.75

Dr Greenes house

Late one of the Prebends of the Cathedrall, consisting of two sellers lyeing under the great hall called the Bishopps hall, one kitching with a loft over it, a little butterie nere the kitching, a little hall, a Parler wainscoated in the first storie; two chambers and a studdy in the second storie; a garret over the aforesaid chamber in the third storie; one little garden walled about lyeing east uppon the Cloysters and west on the little greene. Yearly rent £3 10s 0d. Worth to be sold £30. Length: East to West 64 feet. Breadth: 20 feet

110 APPENDIX 2: John Taylor’s letter to the Athenæum, reproduced in the Bristol Mercury and Daily Post, Monday May 15th and Saturday May 20th, 1882

THE RESTORATION OF BRISTOL CATHEDRAL

Mr. John Taylor, the librarian of the Bristol Museum Library, has addressed to the Athenæum the subjoined protest against the proposed demolition of the Minster-house:- “Bristol, April, 1882 “A circular from the Dean of Bristol has just been addressed to the Mayor of the same city, and issued to a limited number of citizens, to express the intention of the Chapter to take down a part, or more probably the whole, of what is known as the Minster-house, in order to provide a larger space before the west front of the Cathedral, against the south-west corner of which this condemned house abuts, and funds are requested for furtherance of this design. It is to be hoped that not one penny will be subscribed towards the mischievous procedure. Anyone familiar with Bristol Cathedral, as seen from Lower College-green, must have been struck with the picturesque assemblage of buildings of which Minster-house forms the central piece, between the western end of the church and the great Norman gateway of the Augustinian abbey. The house it is proposed to remove is a fifteenth century building, and comprises remains of the prior’s lodgings; it has a pointed timber roof, with wing braces, which has suffered mutilation but retains its old character, and there are two good oriels, or projecting windows, with a restored Perpendicular window beneath the western gable. The interior has been modernised with plaster additions, but mouldings and other features are in many parts still left in relief. To remove the house would not only be to destroy a picturesque architectural composition and break up the sequestered character of the Cathedral close, bit it would leave only a slim modern tenement to buttress the grand Norman gateway with the two-storied fifteenth century house erected over it. And if this tenement be also removed, as contemplated, it is feared that the whole fabric of the Gate-house will fall for lack of support. At any rate, even with its support, the Gate-house, dissociated from the Minster-house, would appear only an insulated and purposeless block of buildings, which might be likely to procure its own condemnation. To render the purposed destruction the more gratuitous, the western portion of the Cathedral is already sufficiently displayed, inasmuch as, as I have said, the Minster-house touches it only at the extreme north-west angle. Moreover, I might almost say there is no western frontage to the Cathedral; at any rate, the two western towers are not yet built, nor are there funds for their building, and the erection should fairly precede the desire to display them. Again, though it be admitted that the rear of the Minster-house, with its stopped windows, as seen from the Upper-green, is by no means ornamental, it is confessedly susceptible of being made so. Indeed, Mr. Street asserted that the house might not only advisably be spared, but made a conspicuous ornament to the place by an expenditure of about a thousand pounds. If a thousand pounds can be found, may we hope it will be for the preservation, and not for the unnecessary destruction, of the building in question? JOHN TAYLOR

111 APPENDIX 3: Minster House Context Descriptions

AB Rubble and pink mortar – areas of rubble and red-brown sandy soil; patches of white/grey mortar AC Mainly rubble and pink mortar patches and spreads of brownish-grey mortary soil and rubble AD Red-brown mortary soil, stones AE Layer of crushed oolitic limestone AF Brandon Hill Grit, Pennant Sandstone and freestone bonded in dark grey mortar AG Red gravel and sandy soil with some chips of oolitic limestone AK Mixed make-up deposit of grey and red/brown mortar, Pennant, grey mortar, Brandon Hill Grit, charcoal flecks AL Cleaning up over dark brown clayey soil, flecks of grey, white and red mortar, Pennant and Brandon Hill Grit, charcoal flecks AM Mixed layer of dark red/purple clay redeposited natural, dark brown loamy and clayey soil, Pennant and Brandon Hill Grit, charcoal, some crushed oolite AN 15-20cms of mixed deposit of dark brown clayey soil, Pennant, Brandon Hill Grit, charcoal flecks, tarmac, red sandy soil, pink and buff mortar AP Topsoil, dark brown sandy and loamy soil, roots, pea gravel, coal, clinker, small Pennant stones AQ Topsoil; the equivalent of AP AR Dark grey humic soil and stones AS Dark grey humic soil and stones, with mortar rubble AT Black coally soil/ charcoally soil, some clinker and lumps of slag AV Grey-brown humic soil AW Mixed mortary soil with some crushed oolitic limestone and grey humic soil AX Loose rubble and grey mortar with grey-brown humic soil AY Dark grey humic silt, some stones and crushed oolitic limestone AZ Orange-buff mortary soil, some stones

BA Loose grey-brown silty soil, mortar flecks BB Grey-brown humic soil, occasional stones, some lumps of soft grey mortar BC Pinkish mortar rubble with some reddish mortar BD Mixed mortary soil with some stones, lumps of mortar, some humic soil BE Grey brown humic soil, some stones, charcoal flecks BF White and grey mortar rubble, stones, some grey humic soil BG Loose mortar rubble, stones, grey humic soil BH Loose mortar rubble, stones, grey humic soil BL Brown silty soil, lumps of buff mortar, charcoal flecks BM Buff-brown silty soil, many mortar flecks, lumps of buff mortar, small stones, lumps of red clay silt BN Grey humic soil, some stones, charcoal and mortar flecks, occasional lumps of pink and buff mortar BP Mixed pale buff and orange-pink mortar lumps, small stones, brown silty soil BQ Dark grey humic silt BR Grey-brown humic soil, some buff & grey mortar lumps, occasional stones BS Grey-brown humic soil BT Mixed mortar rubble BV Mixed red clay-silt, grey-brown humic soil, stones, brick fragments BW Grey mortar bedding for flagged floor, also patchy underlying layer of dark brown silt over pink mortar in places BX Red-brown silty soil with flecks and some lumps of pinkish mortar, some stones BY Grey mortar, Pennant fragments, some oolitic limestone BZ Red clay, brown humic soil, mortar lumps, stones

CA Pale grey mortary soil CB Mixed brown silty soil and red sandy soil, many small stones, lumps of mortar, fragments of oolitic limestone CC Reddish sandy soil, many small stones CD Mixed layer of dark grey-brown ashy silt, charcoal, some lumps of red clay, patches of pinkish mortary soil CF Mixed pink mortar, stones, patches of dark brown silt CG Dark brown humic soil CH Dark brown humic silt CJ Soft grey mortary soil CK Brown silty soil with lumps of mortar CL Black soil, ?coal dust CO Brown silty soil with lumps of mortar CR Greenish layers of mixed silty soil with ash and gravely soil, small mortar fragments, much charcoal, many small stones CS Hard grey mortar CX Dark brown humic silt, many charcoal flecks, patches red clay-silt, some lumps of mortar CZ Mixed layer of dark brown humic soil with many stones and many lumps of pink mortar, many charcoal flecks; many large spreads and patches of black charcoally soil

DA Mixed brown humic silt, patches of crushed freestone, stones, red clay-silt/sand DB Grey mortar spread DC Dark grey humic soil, stones 112 DF Grey-brown humic soil DJ Grey mortar bonded brickwork and surrounding black soil DK Grey-brown humic soil, soft grey mortar rubble, stones; patches of buff mortary soil; charcoal flecks DL Succession of thin alternating layers of black charcoally/ coally soil and brown humic soil DN Dark grey humic soil DO Mainly brickwork bonded in grey mortar. DP Mainly brickwork bonded in light buff mortar DQ Mainly loose rubble and mortar lumps (orange-pink & grey) with brick & roof tile, some brown silt mixed in DR Spread of orange mortary soil DS Spread of black charcoal DV Mixed mainly redeposited natural with some stones and some buff gravely soil DW Red-brown silty soil, small stones, fragments of roof tile, charcoal flecks, mortar flecks DX Mixed layer of brown silty soil, dark brown humic soil, lumps of redeposited natural, some stones, charcoal flecks DY Mixed layer of lumps of grey mortar in brown humic soil, red sand, some stones DZ Red sandy soil with lumps of freestone and patches of crushed freestone

EA Brown humic soil with stones, lumps of mortar, charcoal flecks, patches of red-brown mortary soil - mainly brown humic soil to east of Wall 16 with only a few stones and no mortar EB Brown humic soil with some lumps & flecks of orange-pink mortar, charcoal flecks, some small stones EC Brown silty soil with many stones, lumps of orange-pink mortar ED Mixed stones, pink & grey mortar lumps in brown silty soil, flecks of mortar & charcoal EE Fairly hard pink mortar EF Small stones, gravel, fragments of oolitic limestone & yellow-brown sand EG Red sand/clay-silt with stones, chips of oolitic limestone EJ Loose grey-black humic silt EK Greyish-green silty sandy/cessy soil EL Black, ashy, charcoal soil, white mortar EN 20-30cms of dark brown and red-brown sandy soil, charcoal, white mortar and pinkish mortar flecks, hard pale grey mortar, Pennant stones EP Loose brown-grey sandy silt, some small stones, some mortar lumps EQ Dark brown humic soil ER Rubble – mainly stones & some mortar lumps, some humic silt; a very mixed layer; much pinkish mortary soil, some yellowish sandy patches ES Dark brown humic soil, some grey mortar patches and flecks, charcoal flecks ET Dark brown humic soil EV Grey mortar bedding for flagged floor, with some small blocks of freestone and Pennant flags as surviving floor level EW Mainly dark brown humic gritty soil, small stones, some mortar, many charcoal flecks EX Dark brown humic soil EY Dark slightly greenish brown humic soil, charcoal flecks, some white mortar flecks EZ Dark brown humic soil

FA Yellow crushed freestone, with spreads and patches of more gravelly material FB Dark brown humic soil FF Dark brown humic soil, some white flecks, some charcoal flecks FG Dark brown humic soil, some white flecks, some charcoal flecks FK Dark brown humic soil, white flecks, charcoal flecks, small stones FL Dark brown humic soil FO Pale pinkish-buff mortar FP Stone rubble with some pink mortar lumps; much Pennant roof tile FQ Dark brown humic soil, flecks of mortar, etc., overlying spread of black charcoally soil FR Pink mortar floor and make-up FT Red redeposited natural over dark brown-black humic ashy soil FV Dirty orange mortary soil with many small stones and lumps of mainly pink with some grey mortar FW Orange-pink mortar and stone rubble FX Grey mortar floor bedding FY Dark brown silty soil, mortar lumps FZ Mixed stone and mortar rubble with some brown silty soil

GA Pink mortar and stone rubble GB Dark brown humic soil with some flecks of pale mortar and charcoal GC Mainly stone rubble, some mortar lumps, some brown silty soil GD Dark brown gritty, ashy, mortary mixed soil, many lumps of mortar, plaster & small stones, much charcoal GG Reddish brown silty soil, some white flecks, charcoal flecks GH Mixed brown silty soil, dark brown humic soil, lumps of redeposited natural, some stones, charcoal flecks GK Brownish green cessy sandy silt, small fragments & lumps of stone, small lumps of pinkish mortar GL Loose black charcoally silt GM Orange-red silt, occasional small stones GN Light yellowish brown clay/ clay silt, many fragments roof tile, some lumps of (?) soft grey mortar or (?) ash 113 GO Orange-red sandy silt, small stones, lumps of pink mortar, brown soil patches GP Dark brown humic soil GQ Red clay-silt GR Mixed dark brown humic soil with much grey mortar, some stones GS Yellow brown clayey silt, brown humic soil, many flat Pennants & chips of Pennant, some lumps of buff-grey mortar GT Red clay-silt, some stones, occasional patches of more red-brown silty soil GV Dark brown humic soil with flecks of red, charcoal flecks, some mortar GW Dark brown humic soil GX Orange mortary soil and stones GY Dark brown humic soil with flecks and small lumps of red clay, charcoal flecks GZ Mixed mortar & stone rubble over dark grey clay clay-silt

HA Red (slightly brownish red in places) sandy clay-silt, small stones HB Red-brown clay-silt, lumps of pinkish mortar, some stones HC Mixed mortar and stone rubble HD Mixed mortar rubble, stones HE Dark brown clay silt HF Dark brown humic soil HG Red-brown humic silty soil HH Mixed dark brown humic soil with many pink mortar lumps, stone, patches of black charcoally ashy soil HJ Fill of lightning conductor trench in Cloister HK Stones (packing for post) with dark brown silty soil, pale mortar flecks; many stones, roof tile, mortar lumps towards bottom HM Dark brown humic soil, some charcoal flecks HN Red very coarse gravely soil and silt, some more brownish patches, many small stones HO Dark brown humic soil, mortar and charcoal flecks, occasional small stones HP Loose soft dark brown humic soil, some stones, charcoal flecks HR Dark brown humic soil with some lumps of mortar HS Dirty orange mortary sand, some small stones, chips of freestone HT Dark brown humic soil, charcoal flecks, flecks of red clay-silt HV Black coal dust with some small coal fragments HW Black charcoally, ashy soil with many tiny fragments of coal, charcoal, some brown silt mixed in in places, occasional stones HX Dark brown humic silt, some stones, some red clay patches, some mortar HY Brown clayey soil with very charcoally soil down N side about 5cms wide and W side up to 2 cms wide; lumps of buff mortar; charcoal is above Pennant packing stones on edge HZ Loose red-brown sandy silt, large stones, tiny chips of freestone

JA Mid-brown silty soil, charcoal flecks JB Pinkish orange mortary soil, lumps of mortar, small stones JD Grey mortar rubble and stones, very loose with voids JE Very loose stones, brick, clinker, some brown silty soil, many voids JF Mixed brown humic silt, red clay-silt, grey mortary soil and lumps of mortar, small stones, charcoal flecks JG Dark grey-brown humic silt, charcoal flecks, flecks and small lumps of grey-whiet and pink mortar, some small stones JH Buff mortary (?)limestone sand JJ Red gravelly sandy layer, some chips of oolitic limestone, some charcoal flecks JK Black ashy charcoally soil with some lumps of orange-pink mortar, some stones JL Top of ashy spread JM Orange sandy mortary soil JN Brown humic clay, many small stones JO Blackish brown humic clay, many stones, charcoal flecks JP Orangey mortar rubble JQ Disturbed layer of demolition debris – very mixed mortar and stone rubble and soil JR 20-30 cms of dark brown and reddish brown loamy soil, charcoal flecks, pink & white mortar flecks, Pennant, Brandon Hill Grit, some patches of black charcoal/ ash JS Pale grey mortar, red-brown sandy soil, Brandon Hill Grit, Pennant, charcoal, black ash JT Grey-green cessy silt, some red-purple clayey soil JU Pennant sandstone capping for drain, bonded in dark grey mortar with black & white flecks, with burnt charcoal and black ash on the underside of the capstones JV Pennant drain base stones, bonded in pale grey mortar with black & white flecks, greyish-green silty soil, charcoal flecks JZ Dark brown silty soil, red-brown-orange mortar, pink mortar, purple clay, charcoal flecks, grey mortar

KA Red-brown sandy and clayey soil, lumps of pinkish-red mortar, Pennant, charcoal flecks, grey mortar, red clay, Brandon Hill Grit

114

KB Pennant sandstone, Brandon Hill Grit and well-worn oolite, buff-pink and dirty pale brown mortar with white flecks KC Reddish orange sandy soil, small fragments of oolitic limestone, fragments of Brandon Hill Grit, charcoal flecks KD Reddish orange sandy soil, fragments of oolitic limestone, patches of pinkish mortar, patches of oolitic limestone ‘sand’ KE Dark brown clayey soil, charcoal flecks KF Reddish grey-brown loamy silt, charcoal flecks KG Pale yellow ‘freestone’ sand KJ Black sooty soil with some brown silt KL Dark greenish grey cessy sand with more yellowish patches KM Dirty reddish orange sandy silt, flecks of charcoal, chips of oolitic limestone, some small stones KN Rubble with dirty orange sandy mortary soil KP Brown loamy silt, some charcoal flecks KQ Brownish green loamy soil, charcoal flecks KS Red-brown sandy silt, large stones, lumps of buff mortar, charcoal flecks KT Reddish orange-brown silty soil, pink mortar flecks, charcoal flecks, and including a large lens of black coally ashy soil KV Red-brown sandy soil, small lumps and flecks of orange-pink mortar KW Dark grey-brown humic silt, some lumps of pinkish mortar KX Dark red sandy silt, stones KY Roof tile with dark brown silt, small fragments and flecks of orange-pink mortar KZ Flagged floor level

LA Dark grey-brown sandy silt LB Reddish brown sandy silt, small stones, lumps of orange-pink mortar LC Loose orange-brown sandy silt LD Dark brown humic silt with many lumps of black ashy soil LE Very dark brown loose sandy silt, many small fragments of pinkish mortar, some grey mortar LF Dark brown humic silt with patches of yellow-brown clayey soil, some small stones LG Dark brown humic soil with large patches and spreads of black ashy soil; some patches of orange-pink mortary soil LH Dark brown humic soil, some lumps of grey mortar, some stones LJ Orange-red mortary soil with pinkish mortary surface LL Orange mortary sandy silt, many small stones, lumps of orange-pink mortar, some patches of brown silt LM Very loose dark grey ashy mortary soil, lumps of grey mortar LN Mixed mortary soil with lumps of pink and grey mortar, some stones LO Dark brown humic soil, patches of black ashy soil, some small stones, lumps of pinkish mortar LP Orangey-brown mortary soil with patches of cleaner orange gritty sand, small stones, flecks of mortar and charcoal LQ Drain construction – Pennant sandstone walls and floor with some capping, also slate and pale grey mortar with black & white flecks LR Dark brown humic soil mixed with black ashy soil, some stones, lumps of pink mortar LS Dark grey brown silt, lumps of pink mortar, small stones LT Natural dark red clay-silt with mortar, oolite and small stones pressed in LV Mixed dark brown humic soil and black ashy soil, some mortar fragments, some small stone LW Very dark brown loose sandy silt, many small fragments of pinkish mortar, some grey mortar LX Mixed orange-brown mortary sandy soil, patches brown silty soil, some mortar LY Dark brown humic soil, with spread of pink mortar, some stones LZ Red-brown loamy silt, many (often large) charcoal flecks & lumps, pale mortar flecks

MA Red-brown loamy silty soil, quite stony in places, some charcoal flecks MB Fill of dark grey green cessy sand to a depth of about 2 cms; lead plate at NW end ME Red sandy clay-silt – top of disturbed natural MF Reddish brown silty soil, stones MG Pinkish orange mortar rubble and stones; lumps of pinkish grey mortar towards bottom MH Orange-brown silty soil, small stones, lumps of freestone MJ Dark red clay-silt, some charcoal flecks, occasional small stones MK Hard packed layer of freestone chips ML Dark red-brown silty soil, some stones, charcoal flecks MM Rubble with lumps of orange-pink mortar and orange-brown silty soil MN Dark red silt with stones MO Loose dark brown humic silty soil and stone MP Dark red silty sandy soil, stones MQ Reddish brown silty soil, with some stones and lumps of mortar (pink and grey) MR Reddish brown silty soil, some stones, buff & off-white mortar flecks, some charcoal flecks MS Dark grey-brown ashy humic soil, some stones MT Reddish brown clayey silty soil, lumps of off-white mortar, small stones, charcoal flecks MW Brandon Hill Grit stone bonded in grey mortar with charcoal and lime flecks 115 MX Dark orange mortar with stones MZ Dark brownish red silty soil, some small stones, flecks of pale mortar, charcoal flecks

NA Red-brown silty soil, some stones, pale mortar flecks, charcoal flecks NC Purplish red hard packed redeposited natural NE Mixed red brown clay-silt and dark brown silty soil, some stones, charcoal flecks NF Red-brown silty soil NG Very mixed brown silt, grey-black ash, many stones, much mortar, much roof tile NJ Orange sandy mortary soil, stones NK About 10-15 cms of red-brown sandy soil, charcoal flecks with much white mortar and plaster and Pennant, some patches of dark brown loamy soil NL Mixed layer, about 20cms of red-brown sandy and clayey soil, charcoal, white and pink mortar flecks, some Pennant, slate and Brandon Hill Grit, also some dark brown loamy-humic soil NM About 15-20 cms of red-brown sandy soil, charcoal flecks, pink and buff mortar flecks, Pennant, some Brandon Hill Grit, some dark red clay in SE corner, grey/brown loose silt NN Dark brown clayey soil, charcoal flecks, grey mortar flecks, buff mortar, dark red clay, Brandon Hill Grit, slate, white mortar NP Dark brown humic soil, much charcoal, flecks of white mortar and red clay, stones NQ Dark brown clayey and humic soil, charcoal flecks, white mortar flecks and red/purple clay NR Dirty orange red-brown sandy soil, small fragments of freestone, charcoal flecks, red clay, Brandon Hill Grit, pale buff mortar, black & white flecks NT Light brown sandy soil, charcoal flecks, cream-white plaster, Pennant and slate, many ceramic roof-tiles NV Red-brown clayey soil, charcoal, oolite flecks, oyster, shell, Pennant, slate fragments, some patches of grey clay NX About 15-20 cms of reddish-brown sandy soil, charcoal flecks, pink mortar flecks, Pennant and much white mortar/ plaster NY Greyish-green sandy silt, flecks of grey mortar, lumps of white mortar/ plaster, loose small Pennant stones NZ Mainly brown sandy soil, with flecks of grey mortar, reddish brown soil, charcoal flecks, Pennant, oolite fragments, pink mortar and slate

OA Brown loamy soil, charcoal, white mortar flecks, pink mortar, some Pennant stone OB Dark brown sandy soil, white mortar, pink mortar and charcoal flecks, large stones; Brandon Hill Grit, Pennant and 1 piece of Carboniferous Limestone with incised marks OC Dark brown loamy soil, charcoal, pink and white mortar flecks, oyster shell, red clay; contained much ceramic roof tile OD Dark brown silty soil, small stones, white mortar, charcoal flecks OE Yellowish-green/grey cessy silt, Pennant, lumps of grey mortar, slate, small stones OG Loose red-brown sandy soil, with much pink mortar, grey mortar, buff mortar, charcoal flecks, lumps of Brandon Hill Grit and Pennant, red-brown clayey soil OH Red-brown clayey soil, much black mortar, pink mortar, Pennant and Brandon Hill Grit, orange-red mortar, charcoal flecks OJ Red-brown silty soil with charcoal flecks, mixed with dark green cessy silt, quite clayey in places OK Orange sandy mortary soil, some red clay lumps, some small stones, charcoal flecks OL Loose rubble and grey mortary silty soil OM Loose grey mortary soil and black silt ON Mixed dark red clay-silt and orange-brown mortary sandy silt, small stones, charcoal flecks OO Rubble with brown silty soil, lumps of white plaster, mortar, etc. OP Hard packed dark red clay-silt and stones OQ Dark red clay-silt, stones, lumps of fired clay (in S part only), some charcoal flecks, very rubbly OR Mixed black coally/ashy soil, with dark red-brown silty soil, some stones, charcoal flecks OS Dark red-brown clayey silty soil, many small stones, fragments of slate, mortar and charcoal flecks OT Reddish-brown silty soil, charcoal flecks, small stones, lumps of pale mortar OV Dark grey-brown loam, charcoal flecks, occasional stones OW Dark brown humic soil and dark red clay-silt mixed; many lumps of grey mortar, stones, charcoal flecks, etc. OX Brownish orange mortary silt, charcoal flecks, some small stones, some lumps of off-white plaster and pinkish orange mortar

PA Dark red slightly brownish gritty clay-silt with many Brandon Hill Grit stones PB Mid-brown loamy silt, darker and more loamy towards top, generally charcoal free but occasional charcoally patches PD Orange-brown sandy silty soil, many mortar flecks, stones, charcoal flecks PE Small stones (mainly Brandon Hill Grit, some Pennant) with some red-brown silt PG Stones (Brandon Hill Grit) and dark red-brown clay-silt, white flecks, some charcoal flecks PJ Brown silty soil, many charcoal flecks, white flecks, patches of black ashy soil PK Orange sandy silty soil, some fragments of freestone, some small stones, patches of dark red clay-silt PL Reddish brown clay-silt PM Dark red clay-silt, some small stones PN Dark red clay-silt, some small stones PO Red-brown silty soil, stones, lumps of plaster and pale mortar, charcoal flecks, some clayey lumps PP Orangey sandy, ?mortary layer 116 PR Crushed oolitic limestone PT Red-brown silt over gritty orange brown sandy soil PV Hard grey mortar PW Stones and orangey sandy soil with lumps of red clay-silt, fragments of oolitic limestone PX Stones bonded with pink mortar – infaced PY Dark red clay silt

QA Orangey sandy silt, flecks of mortar and some charcoal flecks, small stones, some small fragments of freestone QB Dark grey gritty silt, charcoal flecks, some small stones, mortar flecks QC Orange-brown gritty silt, stones, reddish and more clayey in places QE Orange-brown gritty silt, some small stone chips, some charcoal flecks QG Mixed dark red clay silt and orange-brown silty soil, stones, some mortar lumps, charcoal flecks QH Stones and dark red clay silt, much roof tile QJ Orange-brown to light brown silt, charcoal flecks, small stones, some small lumps of orange (bright orange) clay QL Red-brown gritty silt, charcoal flecks, some small stones QM Red-brown gritty silt, small stones, charcoal flecks, some oolitic limestone, some lumps buff mortar QO Stones and dark red clay-silt, some fragments of oolitic limestone, some charcoal flecks QP Brownish red silt, charcoal flecks, pale mortar flecks QQ Orangey gritty silt, some small stones, flecks of charcoal and white flecks, small fragments of buff mortar QR Dark red clay-silt, more orangey and sandy in places, some charcoal flecks, occasional small stones QS Dark red clay-silt more orangey and sandy in places, some charcoal flecks, occasional small stones QT Orange-brown sandy silt, some charcoal flecks QX Orange to orange-brown gritty sandy silt, flecks of charcoal, small fragments of oolitic limestone, some small stones QZ Grey-brown loose silty soil, slate fragments, some small stones, charcoal flecks

RA Dark red-brown clayey silty soil, charcoal flecks, some small stones RB Orangey silty soil, lumps of pinkish mortar, small stones, charcoal flecks RC Orange-brown sandy silt, some patches with much buff mortar, some small stones, charcoal flecks RF Drain construction – ceramic roof tile base, Brandon Hill Grit sides, Pennant capping RG Orange-brown gritty silt, medium-sized Pennant fragments on edge, some charcoal flecks RH Orange-brown and light brown sandy silt, charcoal flecks, patches of red clay-silt, some Pennant RK Light brown silty soil, charcoal flecks, mortar, lime, some Pennant fragments RL Orange sand, some patches of dark red clay silt RM Mixed red-brown and orangey silty soil, large stones RN Brown gritty sandy soil, many chips of Pennant, flecks of charcoal and pale mortar RR Flat ceramic roof tiles reused as drain floor RV Dark orange-red sandy soil, stones RW Chips of Pennant sandstone, some red-brown and light brown sandy silt, some voids, some Brandon Hill Grit RY Orange-brown sandy silt, many stones, fragments of oolitic limestone, lumps of orangey mortar, charcoal flecks; browner and larger stones (often mortared) towards bottom RZ Many stones (Brandon Hill Grit) with dark red clay-silt; some lumps of green clay, some charcoal flecks, mainly towards bottom

SA Orange-brown silt, pale yellow flecks; central ‘post’ filled with lumps of charcoal with some pale brown clayey silt SB Reddish orange silt, some stones, fragments of oolitic limestone, some spreads of crushed oolitic limestone, some charcoal flecks SC Orange-brown silty soil, white flecks SD Orange-brown silty soil, white flecks SE Large Pennant sandstone roof tiles, reused, possibly as a floor SG Stones and light brown silty soil SH Brown gritty silt, some small stone fragments, some charcoal flecks SJ Brownish yellow silt SK Stone and dark red clay-silt with grey mortar from Wall 1 adhering SM Orange-brown silt, white flecks, charcoal flecks; packing stones of freestone and Pennant SN Brownish orange fine sand/ silt, stones (mainly Brandon Hill Grit), fragments of oolitic limestone, some charcoal flecks SO Pale buff mortar SP Green clay SQ Dark orange-brown sandy silt, some charcoal flecks SR Orange-brown sandy silt, white flecks, charcoal flecks SS Mixed dark red clay-silt, orange mortary soil, lumps of mortar, stones, patches of grey-brown more humic silt, charcoal flecks ST Orange-red-brown silt, white flecks SW Orange gritty sandy silt, some small stone fragments, some oolitic limestone fragments, some charcoal flecks, some small slate fragments SX Mixed orange-brown sandy silt and dark red clay-silt, stones 117 SY Orange-brown silt, more orange and sandy in places, small stones, charcoal flecks, many white flecks, mortar flecks, fragments of oolitic limestone

TC Orange sandy silt, white flecks, charcoal flecks TD Orange-brown gritty silty mortary soil, charcoal flecks, flecks of mortar and lime TE Light brown sandy silt, some charcoal flecks, some buff mortar flecks, occasional small stones TF Lumps of fired clay mould fragments with dark red silt, occasional stones; lenses of brown sand and gritty clay, and dark red/purple clay with much charcoal, much burnt Lias and Brandon Hill Grit stone; some bell- mould fragments (3 bucket loads?) discarded TG Mixed stones, orange silty soil, mortar lumps, etc. TH Very loose light brown silty sand, many small bones, charcoal flecks TJ Orange-red-brown silty soil, small stones, charcoal flecks, some lumps of green clay TK Dark red clay silt, with patches of black ashy soil, some stones TL Dark red clay-silt, some stones TM Orange-brown gritty sandy silt TO Floor level of Pennant chips and fragments of oolitic limestone TP Dark red silt with small stones (Brandon Hill Grit) TQ Orange-red-brown silt, some small stones TS Floor of off-white mortar TT Mixed red-brown silt and dark grey ashy silt TV Spread of Pennant sandstone fragments (about 5-8 cms) with patches of oolitic limestone chips TW Orange-brown to red-brown sandy silt, small stones, freestone fragments TX About 20-40 cms of red-brown clayey and silty soil, charcoal flecks, many lumps of Brandon Hill Grit, some Pennant, some bell-mould fragments, oolite fragments TY About 30-40 cms of black ashy silty soil, charcoal, some Brandon Hill Grit, orange-brown burnt clay, some grey/brown clay with red-brown gritty clay and some lime, a mixed layer of bronze and clinker

WA Dark red/purple sandy clay with many lumps of Brandon Hill Grit stone WB Brown and reddish-brown gritty soil, pea gravel, Brandon Hill Grit and oolite fragments – probably a lens within the natural WC Red-brown clayey soil, some Pennant, Brandon Hill Grit, Lias, much charcoal and bell-mould fragments, burnt orange-brown sandy fragments WD Yellow-brown sandy clay and red-brown clayey soil, small stones, (?) water rolled flint WE Red-brown clayey soil and dark brown sandy soil, Brandon Hill Grit, Pennant, charcoal flecks and white fragments WF Depth about 30-40 cms, dark red-purple gritty clayey soil, small lumps of Brandon Hill Grit, orange/yellow compact (burnt) sandy silt, black ash, charcoal, bell-mould (?), some yellow Lias WG As WF but wet, clean dark red-purple very sandy clay, charcoal and yellow-brown sandy soil WH Yellow-brown silty and clayey sand, orange sand much charcoal, Pennant, Brandon Hill Grit, Lias, bell-mould fragments

118 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Brandon Hill

Park Street

Jacob’s Well

St.Marks

Jacob’s Wells Road

College Green

site of St.Augustine-the-Less Cathedral

SITE Abbey Conduit

Anchor Road

Canons Marsh

River Avon (Floating Harbour)

© Crown Copyright All Rights Reserved Bristol City Council 100023406 2015 New Cut

Figure 1 Location of the excavation and places mentioned in the text, scale 1:5000 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

College Green

Gatehouse Deanery Road Bristol Cathedral

Central Library EXCAVATION

Cathedral School

Lower College Green

Anchor Road

Explore Lane

0 50m

Figure 2 The excavation site in relation to the modern buildings, scale 1:1000 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Old Deanery Abbey Gatehouse Mr.Tucker’s Chancellor’s House House

Nave

Excavated Area Site of “Minster House”

Cloister

Deanery

Frater

0 10m

Figure 3 The west end of the Abbey precinct and other buildings mentioned in the text (after Paul 1912) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 4 Millerd’s map of 1673 (detail)

Figure 5 Ashmead’s city survey of 1854 (detail) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 6 Ground plan of the Minster House by Roland Paul, late 19th century

Figure 7 Doorway in west cloister wall by Roland Paul BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 8 Extract from the 1883 Ordnance Survey plan (scale 1:500) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 9 Abbey Gatehouse and Minster House, Eyre c 1776 (BRSMG M.940) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 10 Minster House from the west, before alteration, O’Neill, 1821 (BRSMG M.1750)

Figure 11 Minster House after alteration, O’Neill 1823 (BRSMG M.1751) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 12 Saunders’ view of Minster House’ south front, c 1822 (BRSMG M.1752)

Figure 13 Minster House viewed from the cloister, O’Neill 1821 (BRSMG M.1893) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 14 Minster House from the west, Pryce c 1851 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 15 Photograph of Minster House from the south-west, probably in 1867 (BRSMG R394.A.2)

Figure 16 Photograph of the truncated Minster House, from College Green, probably in 1881 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 17 Parkman’s undated painting of the interior of the first floor hall, looking west BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Key edge of excavation Areas destroyed by later features

New features

Features retained from previous periods

wall 48

102

103 Building 1 wall 42 G.33

g u l l y 5 4 S.F.69 Fig. 29 WB

g u l l y 3 2 wall 33

original 145 cellarium wall PP r r 143

P.H.75 P.H.74 Profile Fig. 26 G.58

Profile Fig. 28 P r

Profile Fig. 27 0 5 10 15 20 25m P r Figure 18 Period 1 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Key 154 P.H.76 Areas destroyed by later features P.H.78

P.H.77 New features 149 JJ 151 150 152 P.H.79 Features retained from previous periods P.H.80

wall 43

wall 47 INSET

P.H.67

wall 50 142 97 wall 49 floor 4

wall 33

wall 34 Fig. 32 P r 139 P.H.72 P.H. 73 140 Building 2 G.59 wall 51 G.57/63 S.F.80 wall 46 P.H.68 P r G.50 INSET P r floor 5 157 156 138 155 Figs. 33 G.51

147 158 wall 43 D.37 Fig. 31 G.52 S.F.82 bell-casting pit D.34 G.49 159 S.F.78 141 P r D.35 147 unexcavated D.37 in D.32 D.31 G.46 under wall 16 S.F.79 Fig. 30 S.F.81

0 5 10 15 20 25m

P rFigure 19 Period 2 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Key

Areas destroyed by later features

New features

Features retained from previous periods

119 113 wall 39

128 wall 2 P.H.70 Fig. 34 wall 38 115

S.F.75 S.F.20 146 wall D.24 G.56 wall 3 2 buttress 2 Fig. 35 P r wall 52 P r P.H.69 D.23 Building 3 137 Fig. 36 118 132 130 D.20 wall 30

buttress 1 131 G.53 P r D.29 D.36 D.38 buttress 3 under 0 5 10 15 20 25m P r Figure 20 Period 3 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Key

Areas destroyed by later features

New features

Features retained from previous periods D.30

S.F.25 wall 27

wall 15 S.F.31 wall 26 Fig. 39 wall 9 Room 4 G.39 wall 10 wall 14 wall 6 Room 1 Building 4 D.15 Room 10 S.F.1 G.37 wall 41 wall 8 S.F.2 wall 4 G.47 S.F.3 Fig. 38 Room 3 Room 2 wall 5 S.F.36/60 Fig. 29

wall 13 wall 19

G.48 S.F.28

122

S.F.73

G.55 D.8 wall 31 S.F.50 PP r r wall 32 Fig. 35

wall 29 127 wall 28 129 P r Fig. 37

P.H.62 107 123 114 117 0 5 10 15 20 25m P r a Figure 21 Period 4a BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Key

Areas destroyed by later features

New features

Features retained from previous periods

P.H.54

Fig. 32

P.H.66 P.H.65

D.28 D.11 wall 78 16 108 P r P.H.60 P r 125

105 135,136 P.H.41,45,49 133 S.F.71 D.28 120 G.44 P.H.61 P r G.43 134 G.42

110 0 5 10 15 20 25m P r Figure 22 Period 4b BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

S.F.63

S.F.66

86

S.F.62 Room 10 D.3 D.5 INSET INSET D.14 D.16 Key

Areas destroyed by later features S.F.57 New features floor 1 floor 2 Features retained from previous periods

wall 7

G.45

G.22 Room S.F.64 96 S.F.49 wall 36 D.22 11 P.H.46,47 P.H.51 G.24 P.H.34 S.F.34,35,16,17 Room 7 75 98 P.H.38 S.F.70 P.H.35 P.H.36 P.H.37 S.F.18 D.25 P.H.40 G.27 D.19 G.31 in G.25 wall 12 48

P.H.43 53-55 Building 5 wall 37 P.H.31 kitchen block 79 G.35 60 56 S.F.46 Room 6 lead pipe G.34 41 99 84 77 101 G.25 43 S.F.61 G.29 G.23 68 wall 11 69 wall 20 PP r r 80 0 5 10 15 20 25m P r a Figure 23 Period 5a P r BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Key

S.F.26 Areas destroyed by later features

New features

S.F.22 Features retained from previous periods

D.4 P.H.83,84,85,86 S.F.31 76/94 & S.F.58 P.H.87 P.H.88,89,90 P.H.57 wall 45 G.16 64 S.F.47 P.H.2 wall 26 95 & S.F.59 G.17 S.F.10 S.F.84 ROOM S.F.44 S.F.51 70 G.65 G.8 4 wall 65 S.F.52 24 G.15 wall S.F.54 P.H.3 82 71 66 S.F.9 21 S.F.40 S.F.53 67 S.F.3 S.F.43 ducts G.9 G.41 G.64 S.F.1 D.39 G.62 doorway P.H.81 P.H.4 S.F.13 S.F.19 D.18 & 26 S.F.11 S.F.2 112 S.F.8 P.H.44 in 100 153 111 S.F.14 P.H.48 G.32 D.7 Room S.F.67 S.F.68 Room 8 31 doorway G.28 11 Room G.14 88 81 28 42 wall S.F.24 7 18 P.H.39 S.F.27 S.F.56 D.27 & S.F.27 & 74 S.F.74 13 17 P.H.55 Building 6 wall S.F.65 D.17 & S.F.33 wall 44 23 S.F.48 G.6 21 wall 25 29 S.F.45 wall D.9 16 G.7 S.F.23 Room 9 P.H.7 G.18 wall 17 Room wall 40 P r 6 P r D.6 40 41 73 S.F.38 47 S.F.41 G.19 G.20 P.H.24 S.F.30 G.5 S.F.42 road 160 surface G.13 89 33 46 S.F.4 72 P.H.82 S.F.15 S.F.7 D.10 in G.10 62 P r S.F.5 D.1 & 2

S.F.15 83 D.12 106 S.F.6 Room 5 0 5 10 15 20 25m P r Figure 24 Period 5b BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Key

Areas destroyed by later features

P.H.64 New features 16 Major features from previous periods

P.H.29 G.2

G.38

58 63 61

2 32

wall 1

26 22 P.H.1 44 30 93/148 lightning conductor 37

39 36 25 35 23 P.H.42 34 116 24 45 90

G.1 S.F.21 P.H.11 10 S.F.20 49 38 G.12 5-8 11 57 P r wall 1 15 19 50 P r P.H.6 S.F.39 P.H.34 wall 2

G.5 51 P.H.9 9 59 52 3

P.H.10 4 G.21 P.H.13 20 14 G.4 P r w a l 3 5 1

w a l l 3 5 0 5 10 15 20 25m P r Figure 25 Period 6 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 26 West-east profile of the cellarium area, after excavation

Figure 27 North-south profile of the cellarium area, after excavation

Figure 28 North-south profile west of the cellarium, after excavation BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

E Wall 5 W blocked doorway

Wall 10 Stone Feature 60 floor level

16m Drain 15

Buttress Cathedral (Stone Feature 69) Buttress

Figure 29 Elevation of the north face of walls 5 & 33, i.e. south wall of passage

N S

white mortar Drain 23 Buttress Buttress 1 Buttress 2 16m

void

Wall 3 footings footings

Brandon Hill Grit Pennant Sandtone Drain 37 Oolitiic Limestone

Figure 30 Elevation of cellarium west wall and section through drains 23 & 37 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

E W Wall 16

bell-casting pit

not 16m excavated

Figure 31 Long (east-west) section through pit 147

S N Path

Wall 16 step KK Pit 101 NK Wall 13 stone feature 64 Pit PN/RA 16m LZ PN/RA 144 NX posthole 66 OQ

TF Pit 138 TY

Pit 147 WF WG Stone Feature 83 WG

Figure 32 North-south section at west end of garden, including remains of wall 16 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

E W

15m AOD flue

natural

S N

15.36m AOD

flue

natural

0 1m

Figure 33 Sections through the bell-casting furnace base, stone feature 83 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

S N top of wall

capping

freestone corbel rubble (repositioned)

17m

16m

oolitic limestone

Figure 34 Medieval doorway in cloister west wall: east-facing elevation

S N Wall 52 Wall 30 Wall 32

Wall 31 15.50m

0 2m

Figure 35 East-facing elevations of walls 30, 32,31 & 52

W 1991 Ground Surface E

JH NA NA BW

Wall 12 16m NF NF KM NM pit 149 post hole 41 post hole 45 D20 Wall 3 gully 50 pit 137

Drain 37

Figure 36 East-west section through buildings 2 & 5 and room 6 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

W E Wall 28

Wall 3 15.50m

Gully 53

Gully 53 0 2m

Figure 37 South-facing elevation of wall 28 and section through gully 46

W E Stone Feature 3 Wall 7 Wall 6 Wall 4 pintle

doorway

Stone Feature 2 16m natural

Pit 97 Gully 33 & 0 2m Wall 42

Figure 38 North wall of passage (south-facing elevations of walls 4 and 6-8)

S N Stone Feature 8 Stone Feature 9 Stone Feature 10 position of timber timber

Wall 13 Wall 15 vent vent vent 16m

0 2m

Figure 39 East-facing elevation of wall 14 (west wall of Minster House) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Figure 40 Suggested possible layout of Minster House after the 1860s truncation 1

2

4

3 5

Figure 41 Pottery, Periods 1 & 2

9 6

10

7 11

8

0 10cms

Figure 42 Pottery, Period 3 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

12

13

14 15

16

17

18 19

Figure 43 Pottery, Period 4a 0 10cms

20 23

24

21 26

22 25

Figure 44 Pottery, Period 4b BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

31 29

27

30

28

33 32

34

35

36

Figure 45 Pottery, Period 5a 0 10cms BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

37 38

40

39

42

41 45

44

46 43

0 10cms

Figure 46 Pottery, Period 5a (contd) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

47

50

51

49 48

52

53

55

56 58

57 54

0 10cms Figure 47 Pottery, Period 5b BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

59

60 61

62

63

64 65 66 67

70

68

69

0 10cms

Figure 48 Pottery, Period 5b (contd) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

72

71

73 77 74 76

75

0 10cms

Figure 49 Pottery, Period 6 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

1 2

3

6

5 4

7

10

12 8

9

11

0 10cms

Figure 50 Chinese porcelain BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

2

1

3

0 10cms

Figure 51 Ceramic roof tile BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

1

2

0 10cms

3

Figure 52 Inscribed slates BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

4

6 5

7

8

9

0 10cms Figure 53 Inscribed slates (contd) BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

1 3

2 0 10cms

Figure 54 Medieval floor tile

1

0 10cms Figure 55 Brick BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

1

2 4 3 5

7 6

8

9 Figure 56 Clay tobacco pipe 0 5cms BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

1

3

2

0 5cms 7

5

6

4 8

9

10 11 12 Figure 57 Objects of bone BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

1 2 3

4

5

6

8

0 5cms 9

7

Figure 58 Objects of copper alloy BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

1

2 3 4

8

9 6

5

10

7 0 10cms

Figure 59 Objects of glass

1 2 0 5cms Figure 60 Miscellaneous objects BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

0 20cms

1

3

2

Figure 61 Architectural stone BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

5

0 20cms

Figure 62 Architectural stone (contd) 4 BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 1 The site in context, seen from the west before excavation commenced

Plate 2 View of the west end early in the excavation, seen from the cathedral south-west tower BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 3 Excavation well advanced, looking east from the Central Library

Plate 4 West and central areas of the excavation, seen from cathedral tower BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 5 View looking north from the Cathedral School, buildings 2 and 5 in the foreground

Wall 3

Plate 6 Eastern area of excavation, seen from the cathedral tower, looking south BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 7 South elevation of wall 26, with remains of wall 48 underneath

Plate 8 West-facing elevation of west cellarium wall, showing the footings BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 9 Floor 3, looking west

Plate 10 Period 2 drains, looking north, with walls 11 and 12 beyond BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 11 Drain 32, emptied of fill, looking south-west

Plate 12 Drain 31 part-demolished, showing floor of reused roof tiles BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 13 Pit 147 in the early stages of excavation, looking north

Plate 14 Pit 147 after excavation, looking west, showing the furnace base BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 15 Stone feature 83 (furnace base) in pit 147, looking north

Plate 16 Stone feature 83 (furnace base) in pit 147, looking east from above BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 17 Bell mould remains in the fill of pit 147 (1m scale)

Plate 18 Gullies 51 & 59 and stone feature 80, with wall 31 beyond BRSMG 17/1992 Minster House Excavation

Plate 19 Corner of wall 30, showing stone feature 86

Plate 20 Drain 20, looking south, showing stones reused as the roof

Plate 21 Minster House looking eastwards, showing the underfloor ventilation system outside of wall 14