The river crossing and access to the River Thames were major influences on the siting of Roman Southwark, where Watling Street and Stane Street converged. Excavations at Courage's Brewery revealed an archaeological sequence dating back to Prehistoric times. The Roman remains begin from AD 40-55 and show the development of the site from the 1st to the 4th centuries, as the area increased in wealth before the occupation phase ended to be replaced with a cemetery. This excavation report provides important new information about the development of Roman Southwark, leading the way for further...

This volume is the second of several volumes presenting previously unpublished findings relating to Roman Southwark. This looks at an extensive sequence of Roman metalworking workshops and hearths, from the late 1st-late 4th centuries AD. The book is split into discussions of the metalworking industry, the period covered, and an analysis of the finds and is extensively illustrated throughout.

Excavations in 1996-7 uncovered important new evidence for the development of the eastern part of the Roman Londinium, as well as medieval and later activity. Early Roman activity took place on sloping ground near a minor tributary of a small stream, known as the Lorteburn in the medieval period. First-century development included ditches and a scatter of timber buildings. Boundaries were aligned with a nearby road to the north-west of the site, and did not match the orientation of either the forum to the west or the Colchester road to the north. Development increased until interrupted by the...

The Palace and Abbey of Westminster provide one of the most familiar images in the world. From its beginnings on an island surrounded by the Rivers Thames and Tyburn more than 7000 years ago, the site became the most important centre of English history from the 11th century onwards. The palace, which started as one of many royal residences, became the principal home of the English monarchs until it was damaged by fire during the reign of Henry VIII. The former royal chapel of St Stephen became the home of the House of Commons and the palace, with the rise in the power of Parliament in the mid...

Excavations upstream of Roman London bridge in north Southwark uncovered evidence for mid 1st-century AD land reclamation and the establishment of a road and buildings. The waterfront was extended northwards in c AD 80 and new buildings, including rectangular and circular masonry buildings associated with grain storage, were constructed around a newly aligned yard or roadway. In the early 2nd century a prestigious new building complex, established on a different alignment, may have had a military or administrative purpose. Ranges of rooms, some plastered and elaborately painted, enclosed a...

Excavations at Beddington have uncovered a long occupation sequence which includes Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age fields, a Late Iron Age enclosed settlement and early Roman finds. A villa was established at the site in the late 2nd century AD and included a house, bathhouse and five other buildings, two of which were barns, although there was no direct evidence of crop or livestock production. In the late 3rd century AD wings were added to the house, the bathhouse was modified and the barns were replaced by a large aisled structure. Unlike many other villa sites there is no evidence for...

This long-awaited publication elucidates a remarkable monument, now preserved in situ beside the Tower of London. Excavations at Tower Hill in 1979 uncovered substantial remains of the medieval postern gate at the junction of the City's defensive wall and the moat of the Tower of London. The postern gate was constructed between 1297 and 1308, towards the close of the reign of Edward I. It formed a defensible terminus to the City wall and a minor gateway suitable for pedestrian traffic. The base of a rectangular tower survived on the south side of the gate passage, along with a staircase...

Archaeological rescue excavations in Southwark between 1983 and 1990 uncovered parts of the London house of the medieval bishops of Winchester. The archaeological evidence, mainly from the east part of the site, is supplemented by detailed documentary evidence. The property developed from the mid 12th century into a palatial residence, based around an inner and an outer courtyard, and enclosed by a boundary wall. In the 14th-century palace, a great hall, service rooms and kitchens occupied the north range, household and servants were accommodated around the other sides of the inner courtyard,...

The earliest Roman activity was associated with the Cad 50 establishment of the main road. Contemporary quarries and boundary ditches. Activity declined in the later Roman period and five 4th-century burials cut into a disused secondary road.

Excavations 1976-90 at the priory of St Mary Merton revealed much about the layout and development of this monastery from the 12th century to the Dissolution. Founded on its present site beside the Wandle river, c 11.3km south-west of London, in 1117, Merton was one of the most influential of all the English houses of regular canons, and was much favoured by Henry III. Of particular interest are the monastic infirmary complex - hall, chapel, cloister and ancillary buildings - and the large number (700+) of burials excavated from the external cemetery, church, cloister and chapter house.