T H A M E S V A L L E Y

S E R V I C E S

ARCHAEOLOGICAL

Friars Lane, Lower Brailes,Warwickshire

Archaeological Evaluation

by Kyle Beaverstock and David Platt

Site Code: FLW 16/33

(SP 3159 3922)

Friars Lane, Lower Brailes, Warwickshire

An Archaeological Evaluation

for Mr Alan Griffin

by Kyle Beaverstock and David Platt

Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd

Site Code FLW 16/33

February 2016

i

Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd, 47–49 De Beauvoir Road, Reading RG1 5NR

Tel. (0118) 926 0552; Fax (0118) 926 0553; email tvas@tvas.co.uk; website: www.tvas.co.uk

Summary

Site name: Friars Lane, Lower Brailes, Warwickshire Grid reference: SP 3159 3922 Site activity: Archaeological Evaluation Date and duration of project: 17th February 2016 Project manager: Danielle Milbank Site supervisor: David Platt Site code: FLW 16/33 Area of site: 0.13ha Summary of results: The evaluation successfully identified four ditches and a probable hedgerow. Two of the ditches contained pottery which suggests they are medieval in date; the hedgerow is modern. The site therefore has a moderate archaeological potential. Location and reference of archive: The archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading and will be deposited with Warwickshire Museum Service in due course. This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. All TVAS unpublished fieldwork reports are available on our website: www.tvas.co.uk/reports/reports.asp. Report edited/checked by: Danielle Milbank�10.3.16 Steve Preston� 14.03.16

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Friars Lane, Lower Brailes, Warwickshire An Archaeological Evaluation

by Kyle Beaverstock and David Platt

Report 16/33

Introduction

This report documents the results of an archaeological field evaluation carried out at The Old Bakery, Friars

Lane, Lower Brailes, Warwickshire (SP 3159 3922) (Fig. 1). The work was commissioned by Ms Isabel Lisboa,

of Archaeologica Ltd, 7 Fosters Lane, Bradwell, Milton Keynes MK13 9HD on behalf of Mr Alan Griffin, The

Old Bakery, Lower Brailes, Warwickshire, OX15 5HU.

An application for planning permission (14/03588/FUL) for the erection of two houses with associated

double garage, landscaping and hard surfacing has been refused by Stratford-on-Avon District Council. One of

the grounds for refusal lay in the absence of archaeological information. Re-submission is to take place and this

report will supply the required information on the archaeological potential of the site to allow an informed

decision to be reached with regard to the archaeological implications of the proposal. This is in accordance with

the Department for Communities and Local Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2012),

and the District Council’s policies on archaeology.

The field investigation was carried out to a specification (Lisboa 2016) approved by Ms Anna Stocks,

Planning Archaeologist at Warwickshire County Archaeological Service, the archaeological adviser to Stratford-

on-Avon District Council. The fieldwork was undertaken by David Platt and Jesse Coxey on the 17th February

2016 and the site code is FLW16/33. The archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services,

Reading and will be deposited at Warwickshire Museums Service in due course.

Location, topography and geology

The site is located in the hamlet of Lower Brailes (Fig. 1) c.12km west of Banbury. The site itself consists of an

irregular parcel of land located to the east of Friars Lane and is bordered to the west by The Old Bakery and the

east by a former school, and to the south by the Sutton Stream (Fig. 2). The underlying geology is Charmouth

Mudstone Formation (BGS 1982) and the site lies at 106m above Ordnance Datum sloping down from west to

east towards the stream.

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Archaeological background

The archaeological potential for the site was highlighted in the WSI (Lisboa 2016) and stems from its location

within the medieval settlement of Lower Brailes, which was centred on the Church of St George located c.80m

to the north-west of the site. The village contains the Scheduled remains of the original medieval motte. Bronze

Age and Iron Age artefacts have been recovered within a 1km radius of the site, and a possible Bronze Age pit

alignment and possible Neolithic long barrow have been recorded in Upper Brailes.

Objectives and methodology

The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the presence/absence, extent, condition, character, quality and

date of any archaeological deposits within the area of proposed development. The particular aim of the project

was to identify, map and date any evidence of the medieval settlement of Lower Brailes within the site, and to

recover any associated finds.

It was proposed to dig two trenches, both 15m in length and 1.6m wide targeting the footprints of the

proposed development. Topsoil and other overburden were removed using a 360° machine equipped with a

toothless ditching bucket under constant archaeological supervision. Where archaeological features were

encountered they were to be excavated or sampled by hand to satisfy the aims of the project.

Results

Both trenches were dug as intended (Fig. 3). They were 13.0m and 17.0m in length and 0.60m and 0.53m in

depth. A complete list of trenches giving lengths, breadths, depths and a description of sections and geology is

given in Appendix 1

Trench 1 (Figs 4 and 5; Pl. 1) Trench 1 was aligned roughly east - west and was 13.0m long and 0.60m deep. The stratigraphy consisted of

0.10m of topsoil and 0.30m subsoil overlying a pale grey-yellow clay natural geology. A ditch (4) was recorded

which was over 1.10m wide and 0.26m deep with a single fill (52) which consisted of dark brown-grey silty clay

with occasional stone inclusions. A single fragment of Northants Shelly Ware dated to the 12th to 15th century

and one fragment of modern earthenware was recovered along with a piece of formless fired clay and two tiny

scraps of animal bone. However, the deposit also contained mass-produced transfer-printed pottery (‘china’) and

coal which were noted but not retained. This demonstrates that the earlier pottery was residual and that the ditch

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was late post-medieval in date. The base of the ditch was undulating and heavily rooted suggesting that this may

have been a hedgerow.

Trench 2 (Figs 4 and 5; Pl. 2) Trench 2 was aligned north - south and was 17.0m long and 0.53m deep. The stratigraphy consisted of 0.25m of

topsoil and 0.27m subsoil overlying a pale grey yellow clay natural geology. In total 4 ditches were uncovered,

three of them intercutting. Ditches 1, 2 and 3 were observed in the southern end of the trench, all aligned NW–

SE (Pl. 3). Ditch 1 was 0.14m deep and contained a single fill (53) which consisted of a pale brown-grey clayey

silt with very occasional stone inclusions. No finds were recovered and the ditch was cut by ditch 2. Ditch 2 was

0.21m deep and contained a single fill (54) which consisted of a mid brown-grey clayey silt with very occasional

stone inclusions. A single fragment of St Neots type ware (10th - 12th century) and two fragments of Northants

Shelly Ware (12th - 15th century) as well as animal bone and two small fragments of featureless fired clay were

recovered. Ditch 3 was at least 0.35m deep but due to its location in the trench its total depth and width were not

visible: no finds were recovered. The relationship between ditches 2 and 3 was unclear.

Ditch 5 (Pl. 4)was observed at the northern end of the trench, it was 1.0m wide and 0.14m deep and

contained a single fill (56) which consisted of a mid brown grey clayey silt with very occasional stone

inclusions. A single fragment of Early Medieval Oxford Ware (11th - 13th century), two small fragments of

featureless fired clay and animal bone were recovered.

Finds

Pottery by Paul Blinkhorn

The pottery assemblage comprised 6 sherds with a total weight of 95g. It was recorded using the conventions of

the Warwickshire Medieval and Post-Medieval Pottery Type-Series (Ratkai and Soden, in archive), as follows:

CS01: St Neots type Ware, 10th – mid 12th century. 1 sherd, 3g, SG03: Early Medieval Oxford Ware, late 11th – mid 13th century. 1 sherd, 36g. CS05. Northants Shelly Ware, 1100-1400. 3 sherds, 55g. MGW: Modern Earthenwares, late 18th century onwards. 1 sherd, 1g.

The pottery occurrence by number and weight of sherds per context by fabric type is shown in Appendix 3. Each

date should be regarded as a terminus post quem. All the wares are common finds in the region. The whole

assemblage consisted of undecorated bodysherds. The modern sherd aside, all the sherds are in good condition,

and most fairly large, indicating that they were reliably stratified. The range of medieval wares indicate that there

was activity at the site in the 11th – 12th centuries.

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Animal Bone by Lizzi Lewins

A small assemblage of animal bone (17 pieces, weighing a total of 174g), was recovered from three features

during the course of the evaluation (Appendix 4). The bone was classified according to size (large - cattle/ horse;

medium - sheep/goat, pig, deer) and where possible by species. The condition of the bone was good with little

surface abrasion or erosion noted. Texts by Hillson (1992) and Schmid (1972) were used to confirm

identification when necessary.

Ditch 2 (54) contained six pieces of identifiable bone which consisted of a sliced rib fragment from a

medium sized mammal and two re-fitted fragments of neural spine from a medium/large mammal. Three re-

fitted fragments of a right, proximal cattle metatarsal were also identified and show evidence for bone working

in the form of cut marks which were present on all sides of the shaft. The bone was cut through using a blade

rather than a saw and has left a visible flange on the inner shaft. The metatarsal is considered to be an off-cut of

the bone working process (Pers. Comm. Matilda Holmes).

Ditch 4 (52) contained one identifiable bone which consisted of a sliced rib fragment from a medium/large

mammal. Ditch 5 (56) contained three fragments of a distal cattle metatarsal which could not be re-fitted and

consisted of the shaft and two fragments of the epiphysis. A 35mm long cut mark was noted running down the

length of the shaft.

The small assemblage has shown evidence for both butchery in the form of slicing and bone working taking

place within the immediate area of the site. Apart from the slicing and cutmarks no further taphonomic processes

were observed.

Fired clay by Danielle Milbank

Fired clay weighing 605g was hand collected during the excavation, and was examined under x10 magnification.

Typically, the fabric was slightly soft and frequently friable fine clay with occasional sandy inclusions, and an

orange red colour. Several fragments are of a dark red brown and black colour. None of the recovered fragments

have wattle impressions identifying them as daub, however they are generally highly fragmented and abraded

and may represent daub material. No further categories of fired clay object (such as loomweights) were

identified, and the material cannot be dated.

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Conclusion

The evaluation revealed largely undisturbed stratigraphy, with subsoil and natural levels present and little

modern truncation on the site.

Four ditches were identified, along with a probable post-medieval hedgerow. Of the ditches found, one was

undated, and three were dated to the medieval period, though on the basis of a very few sheds of pottery. The

undated ditch is also likely to be of medieval date. The medieval ditches (1, 2, 3, and 5) are likely to represent

field boundaries, with ditches 1, 2 and 3 representing a re-definition of the same boundary. Ditch 4 is modern in

date and represents a hedgerow, with one sherd of residual medieval pottery. The archaeological potential of the

site can be considered to be moderate.

References

BGS, 1982, British Geological Survey, 1:50000, Sheet 201, Solid and Drift Edition, Keyworth Hillson, S, 1992, Mammal Bones and Teeth, An Introductory Guide to Methods of Identification, London Lisboa, I, 2016, ‘Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation, Friars Lane, Lower Brailes

Warwickshire’, Archaeologica ltd, Milton Keynes NPPF, 2012, National Planning Policy Framework, Dept Communities and Local Govt, London Ratkai, S and Soden, I, in archive ‘Warwickshire Medieval and Post-Medieval Pottery Type-Series’ Schmid, E.1972 Atlas of Animal Bones, London

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APPENDIX 1: Trench details

0m at south and west end

Trench Length (m) Breadth (m) Depth (m) Comment 1 13.0 1.6 0.60 0–0.10m topsoil, 0.10-0.40m subsoil, 0.40m+ natural geology. Ditch 4. [Pl 1] 2 17.0 1.6 0.53 0–0.25m topsoil, 0.25-0.53m subsoil, 0.53m+ natural geology. Ditches 1,2,3

and 5. [Pls 2, 3 and 4]

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APPENDIX 2: Feature details

Trench Cut Fill (s) Type Date Dating evidence 2 1 53 Ditch Medieval Stratigraphy 2 2 54 Ditch Medieval Pottery 2 3 55 Ditch 1 4 52 Hedgerow Post Medieval Pottery 2 5 56 Ditch Medieval Pottery

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APPENDIX 3: Pottery occurrence by number and weight (in g) of sherds per context by fabric type

CS01 SG03 CS05 MGW Date Trench Cut Depositt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt (century AD)

2 2 54 1 3 2 16 12th 1 4 52 1 39 1 1 MOD 2 5 56 1 36 Late 11th Total 1 3 1 36 3 55 1 1

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APPENDIX 4: Catalogue of animal bone.

Cut Deposit Type No. Frags Wt (g) Cattle Medium/ Large

Medium Unid Notes

2 54 Ditch 8 70 3 2 1 2 Slicing, Cut marks 4 52 Ditch 2 14 1 1 Slicing 5 56 Ditch 7 90 3 4 Cut marks

Total 17 174

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APPENDIX 5: Catalogue of fired clay

Cut Deposit Type No Wt (g) 2 54 Ditch 2 11 4 52 Ditch 1 8 5 56 Ditch 2 8 Total 5 27

SP31000 32000

SITE

FLW 16/33

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Explorer 191 at 1:12500Ordnance Survey Licence 100025880

SITE

Stratford-upon-Avon

Warwick

Kenilworth

Rugby

Bedworth

Nuneaton

RoyalLeamington Spa

Land at Friars Lane, Lower Brailes,Warwickshire, 2016

Archaeological EvaluationFigure 1. Location of site within Lower Brailes and

Warwickshire.

41000

40000

39000

SP31500 31600

39200

39300

SITE

N

FLW 16/33

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping under licence.Crown copyright reserved. Scale 1:1250

Land at Friars Lane, Lower Brailes,Warwickshire, 2016

Archaeological EvaluationFigure 2. Detailed location of site off Friars Lane.

FLW 16/33

Figure 3. Location of trenches.

Land at Friars Lane, Lower Brailes, Warwickshire, 2016

Archaeological Evaluation

0 25m

N

SP31600

39200

Friar

s Lan

e

1

2

FLW 16/33

Figure 4. Trench plans and Sections.

Frairs Lane, Lower Brailes,Warwickshire, 2016

Archaeological Evaluation

4

123

5

NE SW

52

41

2

3

5

SE NW

S N

56

53 5455

4m11m

0m 3m 13m 16m

N

N

105.7m aOD 106.7m

106.5m

Trench 1

Trench 2

0

0

1.25m

2.5m

FLW 16/33

Figure 5. Location of features in relation to new development.

Land at Friars Lane, Lower Brailes, Warwickshire, 2016

Archaeological Evaluation

0 25m

N

SP31600

39200

Friar

s Lan

e

1

2

1,2,3

5

4

Plate 1. Trench 1, looking east, Scales: 0.5m, 1m and 2m.

Plate 2. Trench 2, looking north, Scales: 0.5m, 1m and 2m.

FLW 16/33

Friars Lane, Lower BrailesWarwickshire, 2016

Archaeological EvaluationPlates 1 - 2.

Plate 3. Ditches 1, 2 and 3, looking east, Scales: 0.10m and 1m.

Plate 4. Ditch 5, looking south west, Scales: 0.10m and 1m.

FLW 16/33

Friars Lane, Lower Brailes,Warwickshire, 2016

Archaeological EvaluationPlates 3 - 4.

TIME CHART

Calendar Years

Modern AD 1901

Victorian AD 1837

Post Medieval AD 1500

Medieval AD 1066

Saxon AD 410

Roman AD 43BC/AD

Iron Age 750 BC

Bronze Age: Late 1300 BC

Bronze Age: Middle 1700 BC

Bronze Age: Early 2100 BC

Neolithic: Late 3300 BC

Neolithic: Early 4300 BC

Mesolithic: Late 6000 BC

Mesolithic: Early 10000 BC

Palaeolithic: Upper 30000 BC

Palaeolithic: Middle 70000 BC

Palaeolithic: Lower 2,000,000 BC

Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd,47-49 De Beauvoir Road, Reading,

Berkshire, RG1 5NR

Tel: 0118 9260552Fax: 0118 9260553

Email: tvas@tvas.co.ukWeb: www.tvas.co.uk