The Commandery - '06 Dig Archive

THE COMMANDERY: DIG ARCHIVE 2006

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demolition rbble trench1

In Trench 1 the team have been excavating an extensive late medieval layer of demolition rubble 11 mixed with domestic rubbish, including pottery and animal bone.

trench 1 pennies

We have found a medieval penny - a long cross penny from Edward IV's reign (1460s).

trench 2 cess pits

In Trench 2, after much deliberation, we now know that the two square stone structures are cess pits. They were built in the early 19th century, and used stone blocks from demolished medieval buildings. The cess pits usually had roughly built privies over them. They were emptied regularly and the contents spread over the gardens.

The pits have now been fully excavated and recorded. The finds from them included a lot of fine table ware - thrown out when it was broken in the most convenient place available.

No Image.

In Trench 6 we have been excavating through further layers of fill. They contain 16th century finds and building rubble, and perhaps date from the end of the life of the medieval hospital.

trench 7

In Trench 7 the team have uncovered more of the sandstone wall. It stands 0.75m high. It appears to be the east wall of a large stone building. There is a corner with two buttresses and the wall turns a right angle continuing beneath the east wing of the Commandery. Inside the building to the south of the trench, the team from WHEAS recorded the south-east corner of this building, also with two buttresses, as well as the south wall. We’re still working on the theory that this is part of the hospital chapel, dedicated to St Gudwal.

Carved into three of the blocks in the wall are mason's marks, including 5 pointed stars. Stonemasons at the time used many different types of symbol to mark their work, and there are many to be seen all over the Cathedral.

trench 7 coin

A 16th century token was found in this trench.

[ WYAC at the Commandery ]

More about archaeology at the Commandery...

excavator on site

The Commandery Excavation 2006:

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The Commandery Dig Archive 2006
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[ week 4 ] [ week 5 ] [ week 6 ]

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 4. 10th Jul to 16th Jul

[ 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 ]