NHER 1196 (Monument record) - Medieval building and tenement boundaries, 40-41 High Street

Before June 1971. Systematic observation and recovery from machine-excavated sill trenches between pile caps.
Only in one trench was the full sequence to the subsoil revealed. Along most of the length of this trench this was at around 2.75m (9 feet) OD but in the extreme west, against High Street, this rose to 4m (13 feet) OD. Over natural silt and blue buttery clay was a layer of heavily organic soil 1.5m (5 feet) thick which contained only sherds of Grimston cooking pots and Software. Between 3.65m (12 feet) and 4.25m (14 feet) OD a band of clean silt, interleaved with thin occupation levels, produced sherds of Grimston and Yorkshire jugs.
The upper levels of the site, between 4.25m (14 feet) and 5.5m (18 feet) OD were associated with medieval and late medieval walls, which apparently defined seven extremely elongated tenements. Only on one of these, No. 41, did evidence of a building survive. The walls of this building, like most of the walls on the site, were of mixed flint and clunch rubble set on a foundation trench, which was filled with layers of gravel and mortar alternating with dirty silt. Within the building only small patches of rammed chalk and plaster floors survived. Behind the building a cobbled courtyard extended at leasdt 80 feet back from the street frontage. Patches of a similar courtyard were found behind No. 39 between 33.5m (100 feet) and 35m (115 feet) from the frontage, but elsewhere the yards seem to have been unsurfaced. The only pits were behind No. 42 (NHER 1197).
Most of the finds came from very disturbed deposits, although there were a few sherds of Grimston cooking-pots, Grimston and Yorkshire jugs, a SW French jug and a pottery finial from the foundation trenches dividing No. 42 and between Nos. 41 and 42.
Most of the pottery consists of Grimston cooking-pots and jugs, but includes a Software curfew sherd, Grimston bowls and four dripping pans. Of post-medieval date are local and imported slipwares, Raeren, Cologne, Frechen and Westerwald stonewares and tin-glazed earthenware.
See (S1) for further information, site plan, finds drawings and descriptions.
A. Carter (KLAS), amended by A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 11 January 2019.

1970. Stray finds.
Green glazed Grimston ware, Stamford ware, and Brownglazed pottery. In KLM. Also 19th century clay pipe with arms of Lynn, by Taylor.
E. Rose (NAU).