Oxoniensia 35

A new method of excavating the very complex and densely-set pits was successfully evolved on the Church Street site. Here the stone footings of Whitehall, a 14th/15th century building, had been preceded by two ovens. Traces next door were still more vestigial and the future of medieval tenement excavation in Oxford looks unpromising in terms of structures. The Greyfriars site had been heavily robbed but parts of this major church could be planned, together with an upstanding piece of "city wall" coinciding with the N wall of the choir. Some of the moulded pier bases will be preserved in the new development. Five phases of the church are recognised, c 1246-late 15th century. No certain remains of Saxon defences were found; the sections dug so far are however untypical owing to later works. Under Castle Street was found a coffin from St Budoc's church.