2008 PROJECT SELECTION

130-136 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Evaluation and Excavation

In advance of the construction of a new hotel and restaurant, and the extension of existing properties at the former Craghills Garage, 130-136 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria a programme of archaeological work was carried out. Initially this involved a desk-based assessment that led to an archaeological evaluation of the site, South Lakeland District Council agreed that the findings of the five evaluation trenches necessitated full excavation of the east half of the development area, which was funded by the Lake District Estates Company Limited.

Possible 18th century metal workshop

Detail of possible quenching pit

Pit with charcoal layer containing cereal drying residue

Pit or posthole and trench of another 18th structure

Large posthole with remains of post in situ

The excavation provided an excellent opportunity to investigate three of Kendal’s medieval burgage plots, these parcels of land are among the first evidence of medieval town planning and typically date from the 13th century. The burgage plot was a narrow strip of land that ran perpendicular from the street frontage, often just wide enough for a single property on the street front. The land behind the dwelling could then be used by the residents to generate their own cash by growing vegetables, keeping animals, and operating small scale industries. The plots were typically two perches wide (11 yards) and often occupied a quarter to a half acre with a back lane linking them to the rear. The plots and houses were rented from the lords of the manor and essentially gave the residents a means to pay their own way and therefore to be free from the feudal system. Several such plots have been excavated in Kendal although few excavations have yet been published; these have typically revealed rubbish pits, latrines and wells which have incorporated the domestic refuse of the day. Other typical features of these plots would include kilns, ovens, outbuildings, horticultural deposits and evidence of butchery and tanning.

Quarry pit backfilled with domestic refuse

‘Doughnut’-shaped pit

Quarry pits during excavation

South end of site during excavation

The excavations at 130-136 Stricklandgate are the first in Kendal to have recorded two separate plot boundaries, which in this case are roughly 12m apart. The nature and quantity of features within each of the three plots illustrates different ownership and usage of the land within the same part of the town. The site also extends the town’s known northern limit of medieval burgage tenure, demonstrating that Kendal was one of the largest settlements in the north-west of England at this time. Apart from the complex of medieval clay extraction and rubbish pits, a 16th century well and 13th century boundary ditches were recorded, along with a single massive medieval post hole that was located close to the street frontage. The post-medieval period was represented by the remains of a mid 18th century building associated with metalworking, probably the production of small scale items such as buttons, pins, and thimbles as well as a second possible structure of a similar date whose function has not yet been ascertained. The site produced a wealth of evidence for local industrial activity including bones and horn from butchery and horn working, slag from metal working, off cuts from medieval leatherworking, burnt limestone pieces indicative of mortar or plaster production, and a huge collection of pottery. A large number of environmental samples were taken and these provided evidence of possible lead working and corn drying in the vicinity, and included some well-preserved deposits containing intact leaves and even wool.

Plan of metal working structure showing quenching pits, wall foundations and floor surface