28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire

An Archaeological Watching Brief

For Mr and Mrs Keeping

by Jennifer Lowe

Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd

Site Code 28TSB04/102

December 2004 Summary

Site name: 28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire

Grid reference: SP6553 1401

Site activity: Watching Brief

Date and duration of project: 29th October–8th November 2004

Project manager: Steve Ford

Site supervisor: Jennifer Lowe

Site code: 28TSB04/102

Summary of results: Three pits were encountered during the course of the watching brief. Two were late post-medieval/modern in date and the third early post-medieval. This latter pit cut a possible make up or levelling layer containing only medieval pottery.

Monuments identified: Pits

Location and reference of archive: The archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading and will be deposited at Buckinghamshire County Museum in due course.

This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder

Report edited/checked by: Steve Ford9 15.12.04 Steve Preston9 16.12.04

i

28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire An Archaeological Watching Brief

by Jennifer Lowe Report 04/102 Introduction

This report documents the results of an archaeological watching brief carried out at 28 Temple Street, Brill,

Buckinghamshire (SP 6553 1401) (Fig. 1). The work was commissioned by Mr and Mrs Keeping, 28 Temple

Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9SX.

Aylesbury Vale District Council have granted planning consent (04/1216) for the construction of an extension to the existing property at 28 Temple Street. As a condition of the planning permission an archaeological watching brief was required during any ground disturbance works.

This is in accordance with the Department of the Environment’s Planning Policy Guidance, Archaeology and Planning (PPG16 1990), and the District’s policies on archaeology. The field investigation was carried out to a specification approved by Mr David Radford, Archaeological Officer with Buckinghamshire County

Archaeological Service (Radford 2004). The fieldwork was undertaken by Pamela Jenkins, Jennifer Lowe and

Andy Taylor between 29th October and 8th November 2004, and the site code is 28TSB04/102.

The archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading and will be deposited at

Buckinghamshire County Museum in due course.

Location, topography and geology

The site is situated at the northern extent of the village, within the historic core of Brill (Fig. 2). The site itself is situated on the eastern side of Temple Street and is currently occupied by a two-storey residential property. The site lies at a height of approximately 105m Ordnance Datum and the underlying geology is Whitchurch Sand

Formation (BGS 1994).

Archaeological background

The village of Brill is mentioned in Domesday Book (1086) and is at this time referred to as Brunhelle and prior to this, in 1072, as Bruhella meaning ‘hill called Bre’ (Mills 1998), which, since ‘bre’ (almost certainly the ultimate source of Bru- here) also means hill, is quite an unusual mixture of Celtic and Old English word elements with identical meanings (‘hill hill’). The village was located within the forest of Bernwood, along with the neighbouring settlement of Boarstall. At the time of Domesday Book Brill was held by King Edward and he

1

is also thought to have had a residence in the village (VCH 1927). The town was an important centre in the medieval period and is perhaps best known, archaeologically, for its medieval pottery and tile production industries, which continued into the late 19th century (VCH 1927). On Temple Street itself an three post- medieval kilns have been recorded (Yeoman 1988; Cocroft 1985).

A range of Ordnance Survey and other historical maps of the area were consulted at Buckinghamshire

Record Office in order to ascertain what activity had been taking place throughout the site’s later history and whether this may have affected any possible archaeological deposits within the proposal area

The earliest map consulted was Saxton’s map of Buckinghamshire, 1574. Brill is recorded on this map however very little detail is provided. A map of Bernwood Forest, 1590, provides greater detail for the village which is at this time, recorded as Bryll. This map illustrates the southern half of the village and shows the location of the market place, with a stone cross located at its centre, as well as the church, recorded as Bryll

Chapell. The full extent of Temple Street is not recorded on this map but what is illustrated indicates that the route is not heavily developed at this time. Jeffery’s map of Buckinghamshire, 1770 highlights the full extent of the village at this time. The route leading out of the village to the north-west, presumably Temple Street, is partially lined with buildings, however due to the scale of the map it is difficult to identify if the site is occupied by buildings at this time. The town is however recorded as Brill on this map. Similarly Bryant’s map of

Buckinghamshire, 1825, shows the limits of the village at this time but provides no further detail for the site.

According to the Tithe map of Brill the village has become much more developed (Fig. 3). Temple Street, although not named, is clearly visible on this map and several properties now line the road. At this time a building appears to occupy the plot at 28 Temple Street.

By the time of the First Edition Ordnance Survey map, 1885 (Fig. 4) the site is still occupied by a structure, and although this map is at a small scale it does seem to indicate the presence of a well associated with this building. The Provisional Edition Ordnance Survey map (no date) provides no further detail for the site.

Buckinghamshire Sites and Monuments Records

A search was made of the Buckinghamshire Sites and Monuments Records (SMR) for a radius of 500m around the site. This revealed 40 entries within close proximity to the site but none on the site itself. The results of this search have been summarized in Appendix 1 and their locations are shown on Figure 1.

2

Prehistoric

There are only two entries for this period, both relate to casual finds. The first is for several possible Mesolithic flint blades found in the back garden of 17 The Green [Fig. 1: 1] the second is for a Bronze Age palstave, however the precise location of the find spot is unknown.

Roman

Entries from this period are also very sparse. Two bronze coins were recorded from the garden of 22 Brae Hill to the south-west of Temple Street. The coins are thought to be of Constantine, or his sons, giving a date in the early 4th century [2]. There is also a reference to other coins from Brill but the references are obscure [1].

Medieval

Documentary sources indicate that Brill was the manor of Edward the Confessor, and this is also recorded in the

SMR. Henry II and Henry III are also thought to have kept court there. Brill ceased to be a royal residence in

1337. Many of the entries for this period relate to the pottery and tile industry which was known to thrive in the village during the medieval, and later, periods. Immediately to the north of the site, four late 13th-to 14th-century kilns were excavated and the importance of this area is recognised with its status as a Scheduled Ancient

Monument (SAM 144) [3].

Medieval, 13th-century, pottery, has been recorded to the south-west of the site in the same area as the presumed location of the earlier royal residence of Edward the Confessor [5]. Medieval pottery was also collected from allotments further to the south, and possibly suggests the presence of a kiln within close proximity [7]. Several waster sherds were recorded from a field close to Temple Farm [9], while at Temple Farm itself [10] 14th- to 15th-century pottery was recorded again suggesting the presence of a kiln close by. Post- medieval features were also recorded at this location. Also to the north an extensive scatter of medieval pottery was excavated [12]. Fieldwork carried out on the site of the former Magistrates Court recorded a medieval tile and pottery kiln, as well as an 18th-century ha-ha [12]. The location of medieval clay pits is recorded to the south-west with usage continuing into the post medieval period [13].

Other entries not directly related to the pottery and tile industry include an escutcheon with enameled decoration found by a metal detectorist [4]; All Saints Church, located to the south of Temple Street, which was built c. AD1120 [6]; a stone cross located at the centre of the market [8], and a manor house located close to the south-west edge of the village, which is thought to be 15th-century in date [17].

3

Post medieval

There are several entries for this period again many of which relate to the pottery and tile industry. A pottery kiln is recorded north of the site close to Temple Farm [11]. Further to the west, the site of the last working brick and tile works in Brill is recorded, which is known to have been in use in 1919 [19]. A partially brick built flue kiln is recorded at 40 Windmill Street [21] and closer to the site, at Prosser's Yard, two kilns were investigated, with early 18th-century earthenware pottery being retrieved from the site [22]. Fieldwork on Temple Street recorded a large pit, possibly a quarry pit, which contained post medieval material including kiln wasters [22]. A circular brick kiln is noted to the north of the site and is located on the site occupied by the last Brill potter, Thomas

Hubbocks [23]. The location of a brick and tile works is marked on a map from 1798, situated to the north on

Brill Common [26]. Also to the north of Temple Street several kilns were investigated in 1978 [27]; a layer of

18th century pottery was recorded to the west of the site in 1979 [28]; and the presence of a kiln is recorded on the Brill Tithe map 1839, however no structures are known from this area [29].

Other entries for this period record the presence of three windmills to the north west of the village. Nixeys

Windmill, which is late 17th century in date [14], the 1839 tithe map also records the presence of Nixeys mill however there are no visible remains of this structure [30]. A second windmill, thought to have been built in

1634, is recorded on a map of 1788 [18], and the presence of a third windmill is also noted [20]. Brill House

Mansion is recorded in the SMR which was constructed in 1770 by Thomas Saunders and demolished in 1828

[24]. A well, bequeathed to the residents of the village, is recorded in place names such Wellfield and Well

Close, and 16th- 17th century pottery has also been retrieved from this area [13]. A brick structure, 18th-19th century, of unknown function is recorded to the north west of the site [25]. The SMR records the presence of activity in the Brill Common area. The information, largely obtained from maps, appears to indicate possible pits and dumps as opposed to actual structures [31]. Finally the location of The Cage, the former prison in Brill is recorded to the south east [32].

Mixed

The remains of an old moated site are located immediately to the south of the site at Temple Street [33]. The defensive earthworks date from the Civil War but are thought to have earlier origins, possibly Saxon or medieval. Iron Age finds have also been retrieved from the area. This site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument

(SAM143).

4

Objectives and methodology

The purpose of the watching brief was to excavate and record any archaeological deposits which will be damaged or destroyed by the new groundworks. This was to involve the examination of areas stripped of topsoil/overburden for footings, drain and service trenches.

Footing trenches were excavated on the south-east and south-west edges of the existing structure. Due to spatial constraints the footings were hand excavated, under archaeological supervision. The spoilheaps were monitored for finds.

Results (Figs 5 and 6)

The footing trench for the extension at the south-east corner of the property varied in depth from 1.30m to approximately 0.60m where the trench met the rear of the property (Fig. 5). A pit (1) was observed in the south- west section of the shorter stretch of NW––SE footings. The stratigraphy in this stretch of trench consisted of approximately 0.20m of topsoil which overlay pit 1 (Fig. 6). The full extent of the pit was not observed as it had been truncated to the south but it was recorded to a depth of 0.75m and six sherds of pottery (5 medieval and one

17th century) were retrieved from its fill (51). The pit cut a layer of mid brown orange clay (52) approximately

0.20m thick which in turn overlay a layer of mid grey brown silty clay (53) from which four sherds of medieval pottery were retrieved. A clean orange sand was observed at the base of the trench. No other features were recorded in the remainder of the footing trench, however the stratigraphy throughout the rest of the trench comprised of topsoil overlying layer (53), which in turn overlay clean orange sand.

The footings located for the south -west extension again varied in depth from 0.75m to 1.05m. The stratigraphy in this area differed from the previous trench as several layers of late post-medieval made ground were encountered immediately below the turf. Two pits were recorded, both late post-medieval (19th/20th century) in date. The first (2) was observed in the north-east facing section, however the full extent of this feature was not recorded. The other pit (3) was noted in the south-west facing section, and was approximately

1.20m wide and 0.26m deep, with very steep sides to a flat base. Fragments of late post-medieval brick and tile were retrieved from the fills of both pits (not retained).

5

Finds

Pottery by Paul Blinkhorn The pottery assemblage comprised 20 sherds with a total weight of 389g. It was all medieval or later, with the bulk of the assemblage consisting of pottery of the 13th – 15th century, and manufactured in Brill. The post- medieval earthenwares are likely to also have been made in the village. The unstratified material included two sherds which were burnt and partially vitrified, and appear likely to be kiln waste, and another was noted in context 51.

Brill was an important pottery production centre from the 13th century onwards, and supplied the city of

Oxford with much of its pottery throughout the medieval period (Mellor 1994). Relatively large numbers of medieval and post-medieval pottery kilns have been excavated in and around the village, including Temple

Street itself, where a manufactory of the 16th century was excavated in 1983 (Yeoman 1988).

Fabric Where appropriate, the pottery was recorded using the coding system of the Milton Keynes Archaeological Unit type-series (e.g. Mynard and Zeepvat 1992; Zeepvat et al. 1994), as follows:

MC9: Brill/Boarstall Ware c. AD1200-?1600. 17 sherds, 270g PM8: Red Earthenware. 17th century. 3 sherds, 119g

The pottery occurrence by number and weight of sherds per context by fabric type is shown in Appendix 2. Each date should be regarded as a terminus post quem.

Conclusion

The watching brief at 28 Temple Street recorded three pits and a layer. Two of the pits were late post-medieval in date, probably of 19th or 20th century date whereas the third appears to be earlier date containing pottery broadly dated to the 13th to 15th century but more importantly a single sherd of 17th century red earthenware pottery. This pit cut through a layer which only produced medieval pottery, albeit only four sherds but appears to date to the medieval period. It possibly represents a levelling or making up of the ground surface in this area.

Also of note are the three sherds of possible medieval kiln waste retrieved from the site.

From the survey of the Buckinghamshire SMR it is clear that the site lies in an area of archaeological interest with several known medieval and post-medieval kiln sites within close proximity. It is not surprising therefore that features containing pottery associated with the Brill pottery industry were encountered. The results

6

of this small investigation have therefore provided further, albeit limited, information about the historic topography of the village and its pottery production industry.

References BGS, 1994, British Geological Survey, 1:50 000, Sheet 237, Solid and Drift Edition, Keyworth Cocroft, W, D, 1985, ‘Two post medieval pottery kilns and associated products from Prosser’s yard, Brill, Buckinghamshire’, Records of Buckinghamshire, 27 PPG 16, 1990, Archaeology and Planning, Dept of the Environment Planning Policy Guidance 16, HMSO Mellor, M, 1994, Oxford Pottery: A Synthesis of middle and late Saxon, medieval and early post-medieval pottery in the Oxford Region, Oxoniensia 59, 17-217 Mills, A, D, 1998, Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names, Oxford Mynard, DC and Zeepvat RJ, 1992, Great Linford, Bucks Archaeological Society Monograph Series 3 Radford, D, 2004, ‘Brief for an archaeological watching brief for 28 Temple street, Brill, Buckinghamshire’, Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Services Yeoman, PA, 1988, Excavation of an early post-medieval kiln at Temple Street, Brill 1983, Records of Buckinghamshire 30, 123 - 155 Zeepvat, RJ, Roberts, JS and King, NA, 1994, Caldecotte, Milton Keynes. Excavation and Fieldwork 1966-91 Bucks Archaeological Society Monograph Series 9 VCH, 1927, Buckinghamshire Victoria County History, 4, London

7

APPENDIX 1: Sites and Monuments Records within a 500 m search radius of the development site No SMR Ref Grid Ref (SP) Type Period Comment 1 02053 6571 1379 Struck flints Mesolithic? Flint blade, edge damaged, 4 further blades found in back garden, 17 The Green 00529 Brill Palstave BA Palstave, whereabouts and find spot also unknown 00582 Brill Coins Roman Coins of Commodus and Constantius? 2 05216 6526 1393 Coins Roman 22 Brae Hill. Two small bronze coins found in garden. Constantine or sons early 4th century 3 00576 6564 1428 Kiln Medieval Late 13-14th century pottery, excavation of 4 medieval kilns, 3 superimposed one further away, other in immediate vicinity SAM 144 4 067620 6514 Bowl Saxon Hanging bowl escutcheon with enameled decoration. Found in 1994 by metal detector now on display at Ashmolean, close parallel to Sutton Hoo. 5 00528 655 139 Castle/ motte Saxon Castle mound. Possibly Edward the Confessor’s royal palace. 02195 655 139 Pottery Medieval 7 pottery vessels, 13th century, found in field. 6 02192 6562 1385 Church Medieval All Saints Parish church built c. 1120, various additions through life but largely rebuilt in 1888 7 02478 6550 1375 Pottery Medieval Pottery collected from allotments. Possibly indicting the presence of a kiln. 8 04191 654 138 Cross Medieval Stone cross in centre of market (1317 doc of market) cross could be pre- late16th/early 17th century. 9 05058 6593 1422 Find Medieval Medieval pottery waster sherd, may indicate other kilns in vicinity 10 05678 65644 14170 Finds Medieval Temple Farm, 58 Temple Street. Medieval pottery found, 14th and 15th century, suggesting possible kiln. 18th century features also exposed, site probably extends beneath adjacent properties 11 05681 6558 1427 Find Medieval Extensive scatters of pot in Pond Walk field, suggesting possible kilns here. 06760 6555 1425 Kiln Post Medieval Pot kiln found in 1953, not excavated. 12 05712 6560 1408 Kilns Medieval Excavation in the garden of former Magistrates Court in 1990. Recorded pot kiln and tile kiln and 18th century HaHa 13 02499 6583 1375 Well and Medieval/ Post Wellfield, Well Close. Well bequeathed to residents pottery Medieval 16th –17th century pottery, no evidence for kiln but may be one here too. 14 02583 6519 1414 Windmill Medieval/ Post Nixeys Windmill Late 17th century. Red brick Medieval windmill one of few remaining in operation 1688 probably earlier on site, original round house reconstructed 15 00719 655 144 Clay pits Medieval/Post Clay pits believed to be Medieval, brick and roof tiles Medieval made, later in 1700 also 16 05293 6552 1413 Kilns Medieval/ Post Watching brief and small excavation in 1983 recorded Medieval a 17th-18th century kiln and a second kiln containing 15th-16th century pottery. 17 02196 6533 1372 Manor House Medieval?/Post Manor House shaped in E shape of late 15th century Medieval timber framed walls encased in brick now in domestic Gothic style. 18 00581 6520 1431 Site of Post Medieval One of a pair of windmills on 1788 map. Three Windmill windmills in total were recorded in Brill. Built 1634, no visible remains destroyed by clay extraction 19 00796 6502 1432 Kilns Post Medieval Site of last working brick and tile works in Brill in 1919, two kilns remains as garages for houses, 1 kiln is updraught, the other downdraught 20 00797 653 143 Site of Post Medieval Windmill shown on maps, removed since to Long windmill Crendon in 1830? 21 02129 6538 1407 Kiln Post Medieval 40 Windmill Street, sub-rectangular multi flue kiln partially built of brick, early 17th century, straight sided pots found in- situ 22 02153 6548 1405 Kiln Post Medieval Prosser's Building Yard, horse shoe shaped brick structure reported, a second kiln found in 1977 and excavated. Early 18th red earthenware pottery retrieved from the site. 067610 65458 14046 Pit Post Medieval Large pit or quarry with post medieval material including kiln waster recorded during a watching brief on the site. 23 02235 6559 1423 Kiln Post Medieval Circular brick kiln found during works in 1975, no real excavation carried out. Structure is located on the site of last Brill potter Thomas Hubbocks 1791 24 02257 6553 1418 Garden Post Medieval Brill House mansion built in 1770 by Thomas remains Saunders, taken down in 1828 only trees and a mound,

8

No SMR Ref Grid Ref (SP) Type Period Comment former stables converted into Grove House. The Lawns and The Walks 25 02497 6530 1426 Excavation Post Medieval North Hills. Brick structure c. 18-19th century, partially excavated in 1976 26 02498 6543 1436 Structure Post Medieval Brick and tile works marked on maps from 1798, Norcotts Kiln 27 04394 6563 1431 Excavation Post Medieval Excavation in 1978 found opposed flue kiln with central pedestal, probably disturbed SAM 144 28 04480 6520 1404 Find Post Medieval Layer of 18th century pottery found on west side of Sails Cottage in 1979. Presumably a kiln located within close proximity. 29 04651 6527 1438 Kiln Post Medieval Tithe map 1839, ‘Presence Kiln’ marked on maps, no structures are known 30 04652 6533 1416 Mill Post Medieval Nixeys Mill on tithe map 1839, no remains, row of terraced houses over it 31 04654 6514 1434 Structure Post Medieval Maps, no structures, may be mixed/ indistinguishable from other pits and dumps on Brill Common 32 05266 6543 1375 Structure Post Medieval The Cage, between 16 The Square and Waterloo House, the old prison, possibly in side garden- 33 00106 6554 1390 to Linear Mixed Remains of old moated site, defensive earthworks from 6566 1390 Earthwork civil war 1644. Possibly earlier medieval or Saxon, IA finds also. SAM 143 02310 Brill Manor Saxon/ Brill was manor of Edward the Confessor, Henry II and medieval III kept court there, location of court is unknown. Ceased to be royal residence in 1337

9

APPENDIX 2: Table 1: Pottery occurrence by number and weight (in g) of sherds per context by fabric type

MC9 PM8 Context No Wt No Wt U/S adjacent to 1 8 139 2 98 1(51) 5 112 1 21 53 4 19 Total 17 270 3 119

10 SITE

29 15 26 31 27 19 18 20 25 11 3 24 23 9 30 14 10 16 21 12 28 22 14000 4

2 5 33 6 SITE 8 1 32 7 13 17

13000

Key: Medieval Prehistoric Post medieval

Roman Mixed

SP65000 66000 28TSB04/102 28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire, 2004 An archaeological watching brief

Figure 1. Location of site within Brill and Buckinghamshire.

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Pathfinder 1093 SP61/71 at 1:12500 Ordnance Survey Licence 100025880 14100 SITE

14000

13900

13800

13700

SP65300 65400 65500 65600 28TSB04/102 28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire, 2004 An archaeological watching brief

Figure 2. Location of site on Temple Street within Brill.

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Superplan at 1:12500 Ordnance Survey Licence 100025880 SITE

28TSB04/102 28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire, 2004 An archaeological watching brief

Figure 3. Brill Tithe map, 1839. SITE

28TSB04/102 28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire, 2004 An archaeological watching brief

Figure 4. First Edition Ordnance Survey map, 1885 14030 Temple Street

N

14025

Existing building

SP65540 2

3

Location of footing trenches

1

65550

28TSB04/102 28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire, 2004 An archaeological watching brief

Figure 5. Plan showing location of footing trenches observed and features. 28 Temple Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire, 2004

NW SE 187.1m 50 52

53 51

base of trench 1

S N

187.1m

Made Ground

natural 54

base of trench 2

SW NE

Made Ground

55

base of trench 3

0 1m

Figure 6. Sections 28TSB04/102