| Abstract: |
Excavations on the site of one of Britain's largest medieval hospitals took place between 1982 and 1991. There is a `Preface' by Roberta Gilchrist (ii). Previous recording was undertaken during the 1930s. The fully integrated report is designed to achieve a greater understanding of the site's history through a combination of stratigraphic, documentary, finds, and environmental evidence. The cemetery associated with the first foundation (1197) was partially excavated; no buildings were revealed, although architectural fragments were found. A 57m length of Bishopsgate Street, dating to the first half of the thirteenth century lay along the western edge of the study area. The extensive refoundation in 1235 marked the beginning of a complete rebuilding of the priory and hospital. A stone infirmary and chapel at right angles to each other were constructed, and an associated cemetery laid out to the west; the population of this thirteenth-century cemetery has been analysed and is notable for the high numbers of adolescents contained within it. A new infirmary was built at the end of the thirteenth century, and the northern end of its predecessor was used as a chapel; burials, some in tombs, were excavated in this chapel. In the garden of the infirmary lay a large waterlogged pit containing ceramic, wooden, and leather artefacts. The monastic cloister was also built at the end of the thirteenth century and evidence of timber buildings, possibly for the lay sisters, was found. During the fourteenth century the infirmary was extended, a stable was constructed, stone buildings were built for the lay sisters and new drainage systems were laid out and latrines built. Tenements for wealthy residents were constructed during the latter years of the establishment's history. Seven thematic chapters address particular aspects of the hospital. There are separately authored specialist reports on: `The pottery' by Roy Stephenson with Paul Spoerry (184--6); `Moulded stone' by Mark Samuel with Christina de Domingo (186--95); `Ceramic building material' by Naomi Crowley (195--201); `Non-ceramic finds' by Geoff Egan (201--10); `The glass' by Bridget Brehm, John D Shepherd & Christopher Thomas (210--15); `The leather' by Alison Nailer (215--17); `Clay tobacco pipes' by Kieron Heard (217--18); `The human bone' by Janice Conheeney (218--31); `The animal bone' by Alan Pipe (231--4); `The fish bones' by Alison Locker (234); `The plant remains' by Anne Davis (234--45); `Insect fauna' by David Smith (245--7); `Parasite remains' by Clare de Rouffignac (247--8); `The eggshell' by Jane Sidell (248); and the `Conservation' by Dana Goodburn-Brown (248--9). There are summaries in French and German, a bibliography and list of abbreviations, and an index. |
