NHER 84 (Monument record) - Part of site of St Michael Conesford Church, No 99 to 107 King Street

1967. Borehole material.
Medieval sherds, wood, brick fragments, charcoal and oyster shell 1968.
Excavations on the site of the Austin Friary (NHER 374) by T. Clough (NCM) and UEA for the NRC and UEA Archaeological Society.

A number of medieval walls were found.
Dating is difficult but there were a number of building phases. A series of walls in the southernmost trench were regarded as forming part of the church of St Michael Conesford (NHER 594), which was demolished as part of the extension of the Friary in 1360.
A number of walls were also recorded in the pile holes dug commercially.
Together show that the plans published in (S1) and (S2) are wrong!

1970. Development in the area of the 1968 - 1969 excavations.
Plan made of foundations.
Lava mill stone, medieval pottery, Thetford-type Ware, stonework.

1971.
Masonry and mill stone fragments found. Plan of walls found.

March 1972. Eastern extension of King Street.
Post medieval pottery.

See file for further details.

1998. Desk-based Assessment.
An archaeological impact assessment emphasizes the historical significance of King Street, the north-south spine of the Late Saxon town and the character of the site, which was occupied from an early date although just outside the line of the defensive circuit. The waterfront area of King Street was of growing importance to institutional 'developers' from the 13th century, with ecclesiastical and commerical interests dominating in the 15th century (resulting in 'Dragon Hall'). After the Dissolution the major ecclesiastical precinct, the Austin Friars, became private gardens to the Duke of Norfolk's townhouse, Howard House. Development here will have a major impact on the remains of the defensive circuit and may provide an opportunity to examine further the Late Saxon remains and the medieval friary and waterfront complexes.
See report (S7) for further details. The results of this assessment are also summarised in (S8).
D. Holburn (HES), 5 December 2011.