Broadgate Excavations

March 1933

BROADGATE EXCAVATIONS. (II.)

Continuing the story of excavations on the Lloyds Bank site, a peculiar formation of stone was found at the east corner, near Messrs. Waters & Co. The builder, clerk of works, along with the writer, thought because of its shape it was a crypt, and being where the corner pillar was to stand, they set about breaking it open. The stone appeared to be put in like crazy pavement, and it was with difficulty that the men broke through, only to find it was a natural formation of a layer of stone about a foot thick, and between each piece of stone, which was edgeways, the clay had percolated like lime or cement. Beneath this was a solid layer of marl.

At the south end the quarry ended, and only 7-ft. or 8-ft. of rubbish on top of the sand. Here had stood a large mediaeval house, its stone foundations still intact, and quite a number of small medieval pieces of pottery were found. Close to these foundations two wells were discovered - one made of the white sandstone so much used in the period of St. Mary's Hall, the Churches, and White Friars' Monastery, which stone was quarried at Whitley. The width of the wall was one yard. Nearer to the house another well was discovered, about 14-ft. deep, but filled in. This well was much wider, and at the bottom in the mud a tall jug of the 15th century was found, nearly complete. It was of the green glaze and pinched base, and had stripes of black running from end to end, flower pattern between, and between two of the stripes clay placed on in the form of human hands. One piece of interesting pottery was in the form of a wine bottle, the top being of green glaze, the neck and spout being connected with handle; it is supposed to be 16th century, but nothing is known of any similar pot.

An antler was discovered which had the appearance of a pole-axe, only one sharp point being left, with a heavy wide piece of antler behind to give it weight. A perfect specimen of a 17th century wine flagon was found. Another interesting thing revealed was a double bricked pit, boarded over, its date being considerably old, as the nails were found to be hand made. Within this pit was a large quantity of good puddle. It was with great difficulty it was got out, as it adhered to the shovels, causing delay in the men's work. The brickwork also was with great difficulty broken up.

Thus ends the story of Lloyds Bank site.