The Commandery - '06 Dig Archive Week 3

THE COMMANDERY: DIG ARCHIVE 2006

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moulded sandstone

Annette Clews discovered a fragment of moulded sandstone.

sandstone closeup

Close up of find.

waterlogged trench 1

Part of the excitement this week, was caused by the severe storms on Wednesday evening. Before the path in trench 1 could be photographed, we had to wait for the water level to subside – the trenches had been filled with flood water from the canal which had overflowed. More serious, though, was the collapse of the boundary wall between the Commandery and the adjacent houses on Prince Rupert Road.

trench 1 jug handle

Trench 1 was also the place where a 13th century jug handle was found. These jugs were well made and highly decorated with patterns and a shiny green/yellow glaze.

Trench 2 is hosting the liveliest debates – concerning the function of the two square structures. They could be the base of an elaborate garden feature – or possibly merely cess pits. They are being examined and recorded, and there will hopefully be some evidence found, which will reveal the truth.

trench 7

The large sandstone wall has been cleaned, photographed and recorded, and the Victorian drain running alongside it has now been removed. We believe the wall’s date is 13th century. The deposits which butt against this wall are now being excavated and contain large amounts of floor tile and pottery. These deposits are probably the remains left behind following building demolition. Any materials worth keeping would have been re-used.

[ WYAC at the Commandery ]

More about archaeology at the Commandery...

excavator on site

The Commandery Excavation 2006:

This page: [ Latest News ] [ Commandery Background ]

The Commandery Dig Archive 2006
[ week 1 ] [ week 2 ] [ week 3 ]
[ week 4 ] [ week 5 ] [ week 6 ]

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Introduction
The Commandery excavation is back! Following the success of last year's programme, the archaeologists are back on site for the rest of June and the whole of July. The team of volunteers will be excavating in the Commandery gardens for more remains of the medieval hospital, and the site is open every day for visitors (Tuesday - Sunday).

Watch this space for updates on this year's discoveries and for details of the Open Days during National Archaeology Week (July 22 and 23).

Week 3. 3rd Jul to 9th Jul
The week began with much excitement, when volunteer excavator Annette Clews discovered a fragment of moulded sandstone. We suspect it may be from St Gudwal’s Chapel. It is decorated with gold leaf, with a band of black and a third section of red lead based paint. The piece was discovered during the excavation of a limestone rubble path running parallel to the foundations of the timber framed building in Trench 1. (see picture top left).

[ News from the Finds Room 05 ]

COMMANDERY BACKGROUND:

We know very little about the early history of the Commandery. Tradition has it that the building was founded as a hospital around 1085 by Saint Wulfstan, then Bishop of Worcester. However the hospital was built around a much earlier Saxon chapel dedicated to Saint Gudwal - which was located to the North of the present building

Although all traces of this chapel have gone from the area, it must have been a considerable structure, today all that remains are the base pillars of three nave columns placed on the lawn outside and some medieval glass re-used in the Great Hall windows.

The building attributed to Saint Wulfstan was a monastic institution designed to act as a hospital. It seems to have been established with the needs of travellers in mind. Its location, just outside the city walls beside the Sidbury gate, put it at the junction of the main roads from London, Bath and Bristol. Here it could provide travellers with aid should they arrive after the closing of the gates at night

After serving its original function for nearly 500 years, the hospital was among the last monastic institutions to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. From this date onwards the Commandery was to fulfill a number of vastly varied roles that would see it the focus of national events during the Civil War through to quieter times as a family home. The building itself would undergo a range of improvements, repairs and re-buildings throughout its history as each successive owner sought to make their stamp on the place.

Throughout its life therefore, the Commandery has been a living building, changing to reflect the needs placed on it by functions as diverse as home, military headquarters, factory and college.

Today, the Commandery still adapts itself to the needs of the age whilst retaining the fabric of its history for future generations. Above all the building is one that is held in great affection by the people of Worcester and all those who have come into contact with it.

Worcester City Council has been awarded £985,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to conduct a complete refurbishment of the building, displays and garden area. Click here for further information about this exciting new project.

[ Latest News ] [ Commandery Background ]