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Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Record Details

NHER Number:	36
Type of record:	Monument
Name:	Undercroft, possibly of the Carmelite Friary

Summary

In the Jarrold's Printing Works the Printing Museum is situated in a brick-built undercroft, which may be connected to the Carmelite Friary. Excavations in the 1950s discovered the footings of a number of Monastic buildings, a brick ossuary and a number of burials. A futher excavation in 1978 also discovered evidence of structures nearby.

The earliest phase of the undercroft itself was constructed in the 14th century, and may have incorporated the walls of the now abandoned church. In the 15th century the undercroft was extended and the vaulting rebuilt, and by the 17th century it was being used as part of a smithy.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:	TG 23412 09262
Map Sheet:	TG20NW
Parish:	NORWICH, NORWICH, NORFOLK

Full description

The Printing Museum, Jarrold's Printing Works, Cowgate.

1889. Post medieval pottery found.

1921. Medieval-post medieval pottery found.

1950. Medieval-post medieval sherds found.

1952. Foundations of walls of Carmelite Friary and burials revealed in digging foundations.

1958. Medieval book clasp found.
See (S2) for comparison.

1958.
Walls observed during digging of foundation trenches for new building.
Subsequent excavations revealed footings of Monastic buildings, a brick ossuary and numbers of burials. Remains of about sixteen skeletons (human).
These discoveries are summarised in (S4) and (S5). See also notes made following initial observations (S10).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 October 2015.

1969. Undercroft floor about street level.

November 1973. Demolition of four cottages along the frontage of Whitefriars exposed wooden beams.
See secondary file for photographs.
S. Howard (NLA), 8 January 2010.

1978. Excavation by M. W. Atkin for the Norwich Survey on the site of what used to be 133 Cowgate. General occupation and building activity.
14th century. The earliest phase of the undercroft was built, incorporating the walls of the now abandoned ?church.
15th century. The undercroft was extended and the vaulting rebuilt.
Early 17th century. The undercroft was used as part of a smithy.
Late 17th century and later. There was a change of use to an unknown function.
Compiled by M. Atkin.
See (S8) for further details.

April 1986. Listed, Grade II*.
Listing Description Excerpt:
"Brick-built undercroft, former use unknown but probably connected to the Carmelite Friary. Now used as printing museum. Late C13 and C14 walls with C15 vaulting. Flint and brick with some stone dressing."
Information from (S12).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 8 November 2019.

May 1997. Descheduled.
These remains have been descheduled but they remain protected as a Listed Building.
Information from (S11).
H. Hamilton (HES), 31 May 2018.

Monument Types

CARMELITE FRIARY (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
CEMETERY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
INHUMATION (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
TRACKWAY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
UNDERCROFT (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1499 AD)
BLACKSMITHS WORKSHOP (16th Century to 17th Century - 1600 AD to 1699 AD)

Associated Finds

ANIMAL REMAINS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BOOK FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
CLASP (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
HUMAN REMAINS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
HUMAN REMAINS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SHOE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

Listed Building

Sources and further reading

---	Correspondence: Desel, J. 1973. Letter from J. Desel to B. Green regarding possible German pottery fragments from Norwich. 24 December.
---	Serial: 1958. Council for British Archaeology Group 7 Bulletin of Archaeological Discoveries. Vol 5. p 4.
---	Designation: [unknown]. Ancient Monuments Form. SAM Record. DNF14760.
---	Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 36.
---	Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1999. Tribute plaque unveiled. 4 August.
---	Thesis: Smith, R. 1990. An Architectural History of Norwich Buildings, c. 1200 - 1700. Unpublished Thesis. p 327.
---	Article in Monograph: Atkin, M. and Evans, D. H. 2002. Excavations in North-East Norwich. Excavations in Norwich 1971-1978 Part III. East Anglian Archaeology. Atkin, M. and Evans, D. H. No 100 pp 154-198.
---	Record Card: NCM Staff. 1973-1989. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card - Norwich.
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Norwich - Post Roman.
---	Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1>	Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1211208.
<S2>	Article in Serial: Moorhouse, S. 1972. Finds from Basing House, Hampshire (c. 1540-1645): Part Two. Post-Medieval Archaeology. Vol 5 (for 1971) pp 35-76. p 59; Fig 25; No 162.
<S4>	Article in Serial: 1959. Other Archaeological Excavations 1958. Norfolk Research Committee Bulletin. Series 1 No 11 (for 1958) pp 1-2. p 2.
<S5>	Article in Serial: Wilson, D. M. and Hurst, J. G. 1960. Medieval Britain in 1958. Medieval Archaeology. Vol III (for 1959) pp 295-326. p 305.
<S6>	Article in Serial: Atkins, M. W., Sutermeister, M. and Carter, A. 1978. Excavations in Norwich - 1977/8. The Norwich Survey - Seventh Interim Report. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXXVII Pt I pp 19-55.
<S7>	Monograph: Jennings, S. 1981. Eighteen Centuries of Pottery from Norwich. East Anglian Archaeology. No 13. p 246.
<S9>	Unpublished Contractor Report: Penn, K. 2001. Jarrold's Printing Works, Whitefriars, Norwich. An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment. Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 630.
<S10>	Unpublished Document: [Norwich Castle Museum staff]. 1958. NCM notes on field observation at Jarrold's Printing Works.
<S11>	Designation: English Heritage. 1990-2013. English Heritage Scheduling Notification. Notification. DNF14760.
<S12>	Designation: Department Of The Environment. 1986. List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historic Interest. 15th List. City of Norwich (Norfolk). Greenback. p 366.

Related records

26598	Part of: Carmelite Friary and Baptist Graveyard, Jarrolds/Whitefriars, Norwich (Monument)
430	Part of: Precinct of Whitefriars (Monument)

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Parish Summary: Norwich (Parish Summary)