Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Medieval Town Defences Of Bridgwater
Hob Uid: 190991
Location : Somerset Sedgemoor Bridgwater
Grid Ref : ST2996036870
Summary : Parts of the medieval town ditch and bank have been found during excavations in the 1970's and 1980's. The ditch was 5 metres deep and was open until the 16th century, before being sealed by 18th and 19th century material. There were four town gates, which were removed before 1878.
More information : [ST 2970 3719] NORTH GATE [GT] (Site of) [ST 2996 3687] SOUTH GATE [GT] (Site of) [ST 2949 3693] WEST GATE [GT] (Site of) [ST 3029 3713] EAST GATE [GT] (Site of) [ST 2956 3709] MOAT [GT] (Site of) (1) Opinion, generally, holds that Bridgwater was never walled. Leland (a) recorded only the four gates. Jarman (3) thought it had been walled but that all traces had gone by the mid. 16th cent. The gates, which were of iron, were wheel hung 'under strong stone arches'; they were removed some years before 1878 (4). The North Gate was situated outside King's Square; South Gate was in the lower part of St. Mary Street, near Holy Trinity Church vicarage, and the East Gate spanned the roadway where the present Queen's Head stands in Eastover; West Gate was sited by the corner at Penel Orlieu. The Moat extended from the North gate to the West gate, thence along Moat Lane (4). (2-4) There is a 'moat' shown from North Gate (AO/64/274/1) (b) eastwards to the River Parrett on 18th cent. plans (AO/64/274/7) (d). This moat was probably also the northern defence of Bridgwater Castle (ST 23 NE 9). There are no remains of the town gates or any surface indications of a town ditch. No trace of the West Gate or a ditch around the south-western perimeter of the town has been observed by the Bridgwater Arch. Soc. during building demolition and the construction of a By-Pass road in this area. (5) The town ditch was revealed at ST 29453700 when topsoil was removed and a drain cut across the Classic Cinema car park in Mount Street. A 14m wide stretch of dark earth was found to be at least 4-5m deep cut into Keuper Marl. (6) Parts of the medieval town ditch and wall have been located during excavations and watching briefs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. the ditch was located at 43 Friars Street (ST 29670 36830) where it was found to be at least 3m deep with a bank on its eastern side. It was open until the C 16 before being sealed by C 18 and C 19 material. (7) ST 298 372. Site of the north gate was located during a watching brief. (8)

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Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 25" 1930
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Hist & Arch of Somerset 3 1791 75 (Rev J Collinson)
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : (P Ellis)
Page(s) : 69-74
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Vol(s) : 129 - 1985

Source Number : 8
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Source details : (M Langdon)
Page(s) : 152
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Vol(s) : 130 - 1986

Source Number : 9
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Source details : Medieval Towns in England and Wales (ed) Barley
Page(s) : 58-9
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Vol(s) : 14 - 1975

Source Number : 2a
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Source details : Leland II Itin II 96
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : History of Bridgwater 1889 260 (S G Jarman)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : (G Parker)
Page(s) : 46-7
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Vol(s) : 23 - 1878

Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 GHP 11-NOV-64
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Source Number : 5b
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Source details : Illustration in Blake Museum Bridgwater 18th cent (? Chubb)
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Source Number : 5c
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Source details : Plan of Castle Grounds 1777 (R Locke)
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Source Number : 5d
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Source details : Map of Bridgwater 18th century (? Strachey)
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : (M Langdon)
Page(s) : 73
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Vol(s) : 120 - 1976

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Gate, Ditch, Town Defences
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Post Medieval
Monument End Date : 1901
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Gate, Ditch
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 23 NE 20
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1964-11-11
End Date : 1964-11-11

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1974-01-01
End Date : 1974-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1983-01-01
End Date : 1983-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1985-01-01
End Date : 1985-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Medieval Town Defences Of Bridgwater