Bristol Cathedral Choir School 5th form entry building, 2017

Transcription

1 FIG Rowland Paul plan Bristol Cathedral Choir School 5th form entry building, 2017 By Dr Kevin Blockley (PhD, MCIfA, MPhil, FSA, MRBS) Report No. 709 Date: May 2017 (Draft 1) Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd Old Chapel Farm, Llanidloes Powys SY18 6JR Telephone:

2 Bristol Cathedral Choir School 5th form entry building, 2017 Prepared for: Skanska UK plc On behalf of: Bristol Cathedral Choir School By Dr Kevin Blockley (PhD, MCIfA, MPhil, FSA, MRBS) Report No: 709 Date: May 2017 (Draft 1) Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd Old Chapel Farm, Llanidloes Powys SY18 6JR Telephone:

3 Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th from entry building CONTENTS 1 Introduction Aims and Objectives Methodology Results of the DBA Discussion Impact assessment Recommendations for future work... 8 Acknowledgements... 9 Bibliography... List of Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 General location plan of 5 th from entry building Detailed plan showing existing and proposed foundations 1480 plan by William de Wyrcestre 1617 map by Jacob Millerd 1773 map by Donn 1815 map by Mathews 1821 map by Donn 1828 map by Ashmead 1838 map by Chilcott 1849 map by Lavar 1912 phase plan by Rowland Paul Copyright Notice: Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd. retain copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, and have granted a licence to Skanska UK plc and Bristol Cathedral Choir School to use and reproduce the material contained within. The Ordnance Survey has granted Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. AL 52163A0001) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey. 1 CAP Report 709

4 Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th from entry building Non Technical Summary This report results from a Desk-based Assessment for the new 5 th form entry building proposed by Bristol Cathedral School. The study was undertaken by Cambrian Archaeological Projects Ltd (CAP). Records show that the proposed building lies on the site of the 16 th century Bishop s Palace and the earlier monastic infirmary chapel. 1 Introduction 1.1 Location and scope of work The site is located east of the monastic infirmary cloister to the south of Bristol Cathedral (Fig 1) The work is situated at National Grid Ref: East ; North A recent Heritage Feasibility Study was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology (2017). This set out the planning and legal structures in place, the likely hood of medieval remains on the proposed site and recommended a detailed desk-based assessment be carried out. The Feasibility Study had not identified the green line (precinct boundary) and red line (ecclesiastical exemption). Both of these are shown in Fig The work undertaken comprised a Desk-based Assessment of the 5 th form entry proposal (Fig 2) This report was commissioned by Scanska UK plc on behalf of Bristol Cathedral Choir School. 1.2 Geology and topography The site of the work overlies Triassic mudstones (British Geological Survey 1979). Recent archaeological work in the cloister located the natural red sandstone bedrock (Blockley 2016). 1.3 Archaeological and historical background The general history of the abbey and subsequent Cathedral has been outlined by Joe Bettey (1996; 2000) and John Canon & Beth Williamson (2011). Some facts pertinent to the cathedral and monastic buildings are given here (with other references introduced where appropriate): The Cathedral lies on the site of an Augustinian Abbey founded by Robert Fitzharding in 1140 The eastern end of the church was complete and in use by c.1159 The church, cloisters and associated buildings (including the Chapter House) were complete by c.1170 A medieval plan of the abbey was drawn up by William de Wyrcestre in CAP Report 709

5 This shows a typical monastic arrangement Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th from entry building The nave, chancel, Lady Chapel, cloisters, and frater (on the south side of the cloister) were rebuilt by Abbot Knowle ( ). Work on the chancel was probably started in 1298 when Knowle was treasurer. The Berkeley and Newton Chapels were built c The central tower was built by Abbot Newbury ( ) and the transepts rebuilt, with work continuing on the transept vaults under Abbot William Hunt ( ) and Abbot Newland ( ) The cloisters, upper level of the gatehouse, dormitory, frater and priors lodgings were rebuilt by Abbot John Newland ( ). The rebuilding of the nave was started by Newland but never completed. In 1515 the new walls were up to sill level on the north and west sides of the cathedral In 1539 the abbey was given over to the King The incomplete nave was demolished between 1539 and 1542 (Boore 1992) In 1542 the cathedral was established, comprising chancel, transepts and central tower In 1649 the bishopric, cathedral, dean and canons were abolished In 1660 the monarchy was restored and the bishop, cathedral, dean and canons re-established. The cathedral was repaired By 1788 the south and west walks of the cloister had been demolished In 1831 rioters sparked by The Second Reform Act destroyed the cathedral s archives and library, damaged the Chapter House and destroyed the Bishop s House The north cloister walk was rebuilt when the nave was built in 1868 by G E Street In 1912 R W Paul published his plan of medieval and later foundations recorded during rebuilding of the nave (Paul 1912) In the early 19 th century the frater, on the south side of the cloister, was refaced by architects R S & T S Pope and much of the east range cloistral rebuilt in 1923 In 1963 the Bishop s Palace (a ruin since the riots in 1831) was finally demolished, sadly without any record being made 2 Aims and Objectives 2.1 Desk-based Assessment The main scope and objectives of the desk-based assessment is to provide information on the history and archaeology of the site so that an informed planning decision may be made regarding the proposed development. 3 CAP Report 709

6 Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th from entry building The work was conducted in accordance with standards and guidance laid down by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA). 3 Methodology 3.1 Scope of Fieldwork To review published sources, to review map evidence, to review the results of previous archaeological work in the area. The desk-based assessment was undertaken by the Cathedral s archaeological consultant Dr Kevin Blockley from Cambrian Archaeological Projects (CAP). 4 Results of the desk-based assessment 4.1 Map evidence The map evidence has been reviewed to see what information has been recorded in the study area. William de Wyrcestre s drawing of 1480 (Fig 3). This shows the proposed building lies over one of the monastic buildings on the south side of the cathedral. In this location the building is clearly the infirmary chapel which extends east of the infirmary cloister. The scale of this drawing is uncertain and the precise location of walls unreliable. This is the only available plan showing the monastic arrangement of the abbey before the dissolution of the monastery in 1539 and establishment of the Cathedral in Jacob Millerd This map is too sketchy to be reliable, and does not depict any structures within the study area (Fig 4). Rocque This map is available on the internet, but the quality is not sufficient to replicate the plan here. Donn This map clearly shows a range of buildings extending south of the cathedral with an eastward extension presumably the Bishop s Palace (Fig 5). Mathews The building forming an F in the study area is that on the site of the 5 th form entry building (Fig 6) and depicts the Bishop s Palace. Donn As with the two previous maps this map shows the F shaped Bishp s Palace (Fig 7). Ashmead This map is very detailed and shows very clearly the standing (and labelled) Bishop s Palace, the southern half of which lies on the site f the proposed 5 th from entry building (Fig 8). Chilcott This map is sketchy and drawn shortly after the 1831 riots which burned down the Bishop s Palace. The building shaded in black (labelled 11) in 4 CAP Report 709

7 the study area is that of the Bishop s Palace (Fig 9). Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th from entry building Lavar Although sketchy and lacking detail, Lavar s map does show, and label, the Bishop s Palace (Fig 10). Rowland Paul This detailed phased plan shows two phases of buildings in the study area (Fig 11). The pink walls (labelled of uncertain date by Paul) may be the remains of the later 12 th century infirmary chapel. The yellow walls (labelled 13 th century by Paul) are likely to be the remains of the post-dissolution Bishop s Palace of 1542, perhaps converting (and extending) medieval structures. The 5 th form entry building sits over parts of the infirmary chapel and the Bishop s Palace 4.2 Previous archaeological work An archaeological assessment was undertaken by the Cathedral Archaeologist (Blockley 2009) as a requirement of the Cathedrals Measure. This has informed the general phasing and layout of the monastic remains and survival throughout the precincts Much of the archaeological work in the cathedral has taken place north of Pates building higher up the natural slope (for example: Blockley 2010, 2015, 12016; Boore 2016). In the area of the lower (infirmary) cloister a watching brief was carried out on a new service trench in 2015 (Blockley 2015). This identified an intact medieval floor surface at a depth of 500mm below present ground level. Recent work in the Old Deanery (ongoing) following a water leak, has identified three phases of substantial surviving medieval remains dating from the 12 th century onwards (Blockley forcoming) There is no evidence that human remains were buried on the site of the proposed 5 th form entry building. The main burial ground lay to the north of the Cathedral (now College Green). A further, smaller, burial ground lay to the east of the chapter House 5 Discussion From the above study it is clear that the 5 th form entry building (replacing the current link building and gym extension) sits over the site of the medieval infirmary chapel and Bishop s Palace When the link building and gym extension were built no archaeological recording took place and there will have been damage done to the below ground archaeological levels. The foundations for these buildings are of unknown depth The presumption will be in favour of preservation of archaeological deposits insitu, with the foundations being designed to avoid any direct impact on surviving archaeological levels. 5 CAP Report 709

8 Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th from entry building 6 Discussion Since the proposed building is within the green line (Fig 2) approval will have to be sought from the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE) under the Cathedrals Measure, from Bristol Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee FAC) and from the local planning authority As yet there are no detailed foundation designs are available for the new building. A plan has been provided by Skanska UK plc (Fig 2). This drawing shows the existing ground plan (pink), walls that will be demolished (red) and new walls (black). The north wall of the current building will be retained and two existing doorways blocked. The west wall will be formed from the adjacent Palliser Martin Building Since the presumption is for preservation of archaeological deposits in-situ, it is recommended that Skanska work with a structures engineer to design foundations that do not require piling and that keep the footings above archaeological levels Provided the details in can be achieved, the following archaeological mitigation is suggested: Item Task Mitigation 1 Removal of existing foundation slab And underlying levelling material archaeological watching brief 2 Clean and record archaeological deposits exposed under task 1 archaeological recording 3 Prepare ground for foundations archaeological watching brief 7 Recommendations for further work More details of the proposed foundations will be required in order to provide the most informed impact assessment and suitable mitigation proposals. A phase of test pits would also help inform the nature of the current foundations and level of archaeological survival. 8 Acknowledgements My thanks go to Paul Gibbs and Nathan Bowerman of Skanska UK plc and Wendy Matthews (Chapter Clerk of Bristol Cathedral). 6 CAP Report 709

9 Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th from entry building 9 Bibliography Bettey J 2000 St Augustine s Abbey in J Rogan (ed) 2000 Bristol Cathedral: History and Architecture, Bettey J 1996 St Augustine'sAbbey, Bristol, Bristol Historical Society Booklets, 88 Blockley K 2009 Archaeological Assessment Blockley K 2010 Bristol Cathedral, Fabric Recording 2010: Archaeological standing fabric recording South Transept and Chapter House, CAP Report 668 Blockley K 2015 Bristol Cathedral, Pates Heat Main Trench 2015: Archaeological watching brief, CAP Report 695 Blockley K 2016 Bristol Cathedral, Cloister Heat Main: Archaeological watching brief, CAP Report 702 Blockley K forcoming CAP Report Bristol Cathedral, Old Deanery: Archaeological Fabric recording, Boore E J 1992 Minster House at Bristol Cathedral excavations in 1992, Bristol and Avon Archaeol Soc, 10, British Geological Survey 1979 Geological Survey Ten Mile Map: South Sheet Cannon J & Williamson B The Medieval Art, Architecture and History of Bristol Cathedral: An Enigma Explored Dimes F G 1989 Notes on the Stones of Bristol Cathedral (typescript report) Historic England 2016 Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Practice Paul R W 1912 The Plan of the church and monastery of St Augustine, Bristol Archaeologia, 63, Rogan J 2000 Bristol Cathedral: History and Architecture Stonebridge E 1999 Bristol Heritage in Stone Wessex Archaeology 2017 Report Bristol Cathedral Choir School, Heritage Feasibility Study, 7 CAP Report 709

10 COLLEGE Trinity Street m ST GEORGES ROA Car Park FROG LANE Fn to 29 BM 18.97m (site of) St Mark's Church (The Lord Mayor's Chapel) Gaunt's House STREET The Council House Pond Fn College Green 30 31a 31 COLLEGE GREEN 18.0m College House 37 Statue (Queen Victoria) 17.1m Fn LB 17.8m Statue Abbey Gate BM 17.96m Abbey Gate House Cathedral Church of The Holy and Undivided Trinity Central Library COLLEGE SQUARE The Old Deanery St Augustine's Abbey Cathedral Grammar School (remains of) Abbey House 9.1m PCs 5th form entry building BM 9.91m ANCHOR ROAD Chy Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence Number Red line - as existing Areas in ecclesiastical use not currently within red line (includes Sub-croft Chapel, Undercroft, Pump Room, Cathedral Refectory, lobby and store, first floor Education Room) Cathedral Precinct Metres Scale Approximate CLIENT 9 CHARLECOTE MEWS STAPLE GARDENS WINCHESTER HAMPSHIRE SO23 8SR TEL: FAX: Bristol Cathedral Scale 1:1250 Seymour & Bainbridge :: mail@seymourbainbridge.co.uk JOB Drawn FIG 1. Location plan of 5th form entry building CHARTERED ARCHITECTS TITLE Site Boundary Plan and Red Line Date Drg. No. Feb /01B

11 FIG 2. Plan of existing and proposed foundations

12 INFIRMARY CHAPEL 5th form entry building FIG plan by William de Wyrcestre

13 Study area Fig 4. Jacob Millerd, map of 1671, showing Study area

14 Study area Fig 5. Donn map of 1773, showing Study area

15 Study area Fig 6. Mathews map of 1815, showing Study area

16 Study area Fig 7. Donn map of 1821, showing Study area

17 Study area Fig 8. Ashmead map of 1828, showing Study area

18 Study area Fig 9. Chilcott map of 1838, showing Study area

19 Study area Fig 10. Lavar map of 1849, showing Study area

20 FIG Rowland Paul plan APPROX LOCATION OF 5TH FORM ENTRY BUILDING

21 Bristol Cathedral School, 5 th form entry building ARCHIVE COVER SHEET Bristol Cathedral Choir School 5 th form entry building Site Name: Site Code: PRN: NPRN : SAM: Bristol Cathedral Choir School, 5 th from entry building BCS17/DBA N/A N/A N/A Other Ref No: CAP Project No NGR: Site Type: Project Type: Project Officer: Urban Dr Kevin Blockley Project Dates: May 2017 CAP report number: 709 Categories Present: Location of Original Archive: Location of duplicate Archives: Number of Finds Boxes: Location of Finds: Museum Reference: Copyright: Restrictions to access: N/A CAP Office N/A N/A N/A To be arranged CAP Ltd None CAP Report No 642.