NHER 101 (Monument record) - Late Saxon to post-medieval pottery and possible medieval undercrofts

Former library building now recorded as NHER 62412.

Former library. 1837 by J. T. Patience. Yellow brick with masonry dressings.

1898. Casual Observation.
In 1898 there was a serious fire on Dove Street, which led to the destruction of the Edinburgh public house, which stood on the west side of the junction between Dove Street and Pottergate. It is recorded in (S1) that this building had a datestone inscribed '1586'. Apparently this building had upper and lower cellars, both of which were broken through when the building collapsed. The upper cellar had an entrance on Pottergate "...with two pointed arches and recesses to either side of it". The remains of vaulting examined after the fire "…were found to be of brick probably of the 13th century". A lower cellar was completely destroyed, apart form "…a semi-circular arch at the east end".
Apparently it was discovered that an earlier house on the site had been occupied by Anthony Solempne, an Elizabethan printer.
See notes (S2), found in A. Carter archive.
P. Watkins (HES), 21 November 2017.

1852 and 1898. Stray Find.
Found at corner of Dove Street and Guildhall Hill (site of Chamberlin's Warehouse):
Much 10th- to 11th-century pottery including several whole pots and wasters.
This material is comparable to pottery recovered on Pottergate (where a number of Late Saxon pottery kilns have been discovered).
Three pots donated to Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1852.85 - two vessels; NWHCM : 1929.69 - single vessel).
Information from (S3).
This first discovery was report in (S4) and the site is also mentioned in (S5), although in both cases the finds are erroneously described as Roman. The pottery from this site is also noted in (S6) and (S7).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 November 2017.

1966. Field Observation.
Material recovered from a pit during alterations to Marshal Snelgrove site, including a sherd of Stamford Ware.
Other material from a rubbish pit or infill next to Guildhall Hill was of 18th- to 19th-century date.
These sherds were donated to Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1966.228).
Information from (S3).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 November 2017.

1966. Stray Find.
Also found at this site around this time:
Saltglaze stoneware jug (handled).
Purchased by Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1966.284).
Information from (S3).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 November 2017.

1976.
In circa 1976 the crowns of vaults below the yard of the library building (NHER 62412) were revealed in repaving. Covered over again without being entered.
Information from W. Milligan (NCM).
E. Rose (NLA) 4 December 2000.