Priory Pool & DIstrict

January 1935

PRIORY POOL AND DISTRICT

My readers will remember the boundary wall reaching to the factory buildings that stood towards Palmer Lane. This wall actually stood on the foundations of the original boundary wall, although it was not known by the builders, as a distance of 12-ft. or so in depth lay between the two walls. Within a few yards, and at a depth of about 11 feet, a cattle shed was found, the posts still in position, but the top fallen in. Goats horns were found there, also quantities of cattle dung and bracken, which had been used as bedding. Two knives, as used by butchers, and a part of a large green glaze jug of about 14th century period was found in the shed. A large tree-stump was found at a distance of a few yards, which had been used for a shelter for the shed, similar to the tree mentioned in the Well Street excavations. Within a few yards of these, and at a depth of about 8 feet, a very interesting discovery was made when one of the two fishponds belonging to the Monastery was discovered. This pond was made of stone and mortar, and was 15-feet to 20-feet in width, and two feet in depth. Most of the stonework was in position at a depth of 8 feet from the present level. It was the usual practice to have fishponds built near to the larder and kitchens. In this case it was so, as the stables and killing sheds built (1643) opposite the mill house, were built into the Monastery buildings. The fish would be caught in the Swanswell Pool, the Priory Pool, and Saint Osburg's Pool (now Pool Meadow), and carried alive to the ponds for storage.

An eel spur was found near this spot, also quite a number of larder hooks. At a short distance towards the west a wall of great thickness was discovered. It was made of large stones, many from the earlier churches, and was bedded with blacksmith's ashes. The width was four feet, and the foundations about 12-ft. 6-ins. from the present level. Near by this was a large quantity of dross, as if a blacksmith's forge had been near - this was very probable, as this wall divided the stables and killing sheds from other parts of the ground. A large quantity of hand-made nails lay about, as also a few new horse nails, almost in shape like a crutch, and similar to others found in horse-shoes of the mediaeval period. To what extent the wall ran will be revealed in making the new Trinity Street, and I hope to record it.

Next month I hope to give an article on the discovery of a tower and city wall found in the river bed near the Fire Station.