Trans Woolhope Natur Fld Clb 49 (2)

Excavation at the Buttercross in Leominster revealed a sequence of deposits dating from the twelfth century onwards, correlating with the earliest documentary evidence for the development of commercial activity in Leominster with the granting of a fair in 1170. The excavation, situated within plots fronting onto the High Street and possibly Burgess Street, revealed that up to the fifteenth century this area was not intensively used, but was used for cooking (domestic ovens) and some rubbish disposal. The presence of ironworking waste in some of the pits indicated that a blacksmith was working in the vicinity in the thirteenth or fourteenth century. About the late-fifteenth century stone structures were erected, including two cellars, and a stone-lined latrine. Other contemporary stone walls were probably stub walls for timber-framed buildings. This suggested considerable late-medieval building development in the town. Associated pottery included a high percentage of Malvernian ware, indicating a strong trade link with Worcestershire in this period. It is clear that some of the later medieval structures fell out of use during the seventeenth to eighteenth century. In the mid-nineteenth century several properties were combined, and any earlier structures demolished to make way for a large market hall. Includes separately authored contributions on

Short reports on archaeological investigations carried out in Herefordshire during 1998 by Archaeological Excavations Ltd; Archenfield Archaeology; Border Archaeology; the Archaeological Service of Worcestershire County Council; Marches Archaeology; and at Wigmore Castle.