report 11 romsey abbey

Further Comments on the Pottery from Romsey Abbey, Hampshire Ben Jervis Archaeological Report 11

By Ben Jervis MA PIFA

INTRODUCTION This report provides some additional comments on the pottery excavated at Romsey Abbey,

Hampshire and is designed as a supplement to the pottery report in the site archive by Dr. Andrew

Russel. The report has 2 principle aims, firstly to discuss the pottery in terms of the site phases

outlined in the Romsey Abbey monograph and secondly to better define the wares present,

following the further analysis of pottery from elsewhere in Romsey as well as the study of pottery

from elsewhere in Hampshire. Pottery from later excavations, in 1996, as well as at Abbey Meads

and the Vicarage are also discussed here. The types mentioned here are defined in Jervis, B.

Forthcoming “Medieval Pottery from Romsey: An Overview” and fabric descriptions have been

lodged with Hampshire Museum Service.

DISCUSSION BY PHASE

Phase 2: Earliest Soil Horizon

Five sherds of Roman pottery were recovered during the excavations in 1988. These will not be

discussed further.

Phase 3: Earliest Features Cutting or Sealing the Phase 2 Soil (table 1)

Only 2 sherds were recovered, from the 1988 excavations. These consist of a single small sherd of

prehistoric pottery, which is residual, and a single sherd of Wessex Coarseware. Wessex Coarse

dates from the 11th-14th centuries and therefore this sherd is likely to be intrusive.

Ware Sherd Count

Sherd Weight

Prehistoric 1 1 Wessex Coarseware 1 12

Total 2 13

Table 1: Pottery from Phase 3

No pottery was recovered from phase 4.

Phase 5: Timber Structures and Clay Floor and Phase 6: Graves Aligned NW-SE

Two small sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from this phase. They are both residual. A

single residual sherd of prehistoric pottery was recovered from phase 6.

Phase 7 and 8: Late Saxon Graves on an East-West Alignment (table 2)

These two phases are discussed together as there seems to be a degree of uncertainty as to which

phase some of the graves belong. A total of 98 sherds were recovered from features of this date but

many would appear to be intrusive. The earliest sherds are 9 fragments of Roman pottery, which are

residual. The bulk of sherds are of Late Saxon or Saxo-Norman date. The Late Saxon wares consist of

5 sherds of Flint Tempered Ware. A further sherd of Coarse Flint and Chalk Tempered Ware are also

likely to be contemporary. Eight sherds of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware and 21 sherds of Wessex

Coarseware are also present. These may be contemporary with the very latest part of this phase, the

11th-12th centuries, but do persist into the 13th and 14th centuries so are potentially intrusive. There

are 11 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware. These may be contemporary, as there is a Late Saxon tradition of

wheelthrown sandy wares (to which the products of the Michelmersh kilns belong), however sandy

wares of this type are ubiquitous throughout the sequence. Their number does suggest that they are

contemporary with the filling of these graves however. All of this contemporary material is

fragmentary and all sherds are likely to have been redeposited during the filling of graves.

There is a great deal of intrusive pottery present in these deposits, demonstrative of later

disturbance. There are 8 sherds of Laverstock-type Ware and a single sherd of Southampton-type

Sandy Ware, both types date to the 13th-14th centuries. There are 10 sherds of fabric MQ4, which

dates to the 14th-15th century and a single sherd of Late Medieval Sandy Ware. Post Medieval Wares

are represented by sherds of Tudor Green and Verwood. There are also sherds of 5 undated fabrics

present, given the small number of sherds and the disturbed nature of the deposits it is not possible

to date them closely on the basis of their presence here:

ARG1 is an oxidised ware with a fairly fine matrix, the only visible inclusions are large clay pellets. It is possible

that sherds of this fabric are actually from ceramic building material.

ARGmq1 is pinkish buff throughout. Inclusions consist of occasional sub-rounded, medium sized quartz grains

and common sub-rounded, iron rich clay pellets. It is likely to be of 12th

-14th

century date.

FEQfqfe1 is an oxidised sandy ware. Inclusions consist of abundant fine, iron stained and non-iron stained

quartz with occasional black iron ore. The date of this fabric is unknown.

MQargf2 is unevenly fired. Inclusions consist of sparse medium sized quartz inclusions with occasional flint and

clay pellets. It may be of Saxo-Norman date.

MQfe2 is white/buff throughout. Inclusions consist of moderately abundant, medium sized quartz with

occasional black iron ore. This fabric is likely to date from the 13th

-14th

century on the basis of its occurrence

elsewhere in Romsey.

Phase 9: Construction of the Norman Choir and Crossing

A single sherd of FQ5, a medieval sandy ware, probably of 12th-14th century date was present. This

may be contemporary with the deposit.

Ware Sherd Count

Sherd Weight ASW

Roman 9 35 4

Flint tempered ware 5 53 11

Flint and sand tempered ware 1 8 8

Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 7 38 5

Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 1 5 5

Wessex Coarseware 21 209 10

Fine sandy ware 11 38 3

Laverstock-type Ware 8 54 7

Southampton Sandy Ware 1 2 2

ARG1 1 22 22

ARGmq1 1 18 18

FEQfqfe1 3 14 5

MQargf2 2 23 12

MQfe2 3 19 6

MQ4 10 59 6

Late Medieval Sandy Ware 1 1 1

Tudor Green 3 4 1

Verwood 3 20 7

Misc. Medieval 1 3 3

Unid 5 26 5

Total 98 653

Table 2: Pottery from Phases 7 and 8

Phases 10-15: Demolition of the Late Saxon Abbey and Construction of the Norman Abbey

(table 3)

Pottery from these phases has been amalgamated as the report does not clearly determine which

phase every context belongs to. As well as including contexts from the 1970’s and 1980’s

excavations, a series of layers from the 1996 excavations can also be assigned to this phase.

Seven small sherds of Roman pottery are residual in this phase. Two large sherds of Flint Tempered

Ware, of Late Anglo-Saxon date, as well as some of the Fine Sandy Ware may relate to the

demolition of the Late Saxon Abbey. Two sherds of glazed Winchester-type Ware are present. There

are 12 sherds of Saxo-Norman Flint and Sand Tempered wares present. As elsewhere in Romsey the

most abundant ware is Wessex Coarseware, whilst there are also 148 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware,

some of which are likely to date to this period. The bulk of this pottery was recovered from layers

(6010) and (6012) from the 1988 excavation. Some of the other medieval wares are also likely to be

contemporary with this phase, which covers the 12th-13th centuries. The 15 sherds of Laverstock-

type Ware, 5 sherds of South Hampshire Redware, 39 sherds of Southampton-type Sandy Ware and

4 sherds of Saintonge Whiteware are all contemporary with this phase. Elsewhere in Romsey the

flint tempered fabric FQF1 has also been dated to the 12th-14th centuries, whilst fabric MQfe2 is also

a 13th-14th century type. Fabric FQfeq1 is also likely to be of Saxo-Norman date, being a variant of

Wessex Coarseware. Fabric MQfe3, an oxidised sandy ware with a reduced core and common quartz

and black iron ore inclusions, may also date to the 13th-14th centuries. Fabric MQfe4 is an oxidised

sandy ware with abundant quartz grains and common black iron ore. The date of this fabric is

unknown, There are intrusive sherds present however, consisting of 37 sherds of MQ4 and a sherd

of MQ3, later medieval sandy wares which date to the 14th-15th centuries, 2 sherds of Spanish Coarse

Ware olive jar, likely to date to the 15th-16th centuries and sherds of several post medieval types. The

post medieval types include Verwood, Post Medieval Redware, Tudor Green and Refined

Earthenwares. Some of these later wares are present in the structural features as well as the make-

up and demolition layers, demonstrating that there was a great deal of disturbance in the post

medieval period. Most sherds are contemporary with this phase however and it would seem that a

fairly typical range of locally produced coarsewares and glazed sandy wares from slightly further

afield were being consumed at the abbey, with a small quantity of imported pottery matching the

quantity and types present elsewhere in Romsey.

Ware Sherd Count

Sherd Weight

Roman 7 51

Flint tempered ware 2 38

Flint and sand tempered ware 8 51

Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 4 38

Flint tempered with coarse sand 1 2

Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 1 13

Winchester-type Ware 2 28

Wessex Coarseware 302 3952

Fine sandy ware 149 1630

Laverstock-type Ware 15 183

South Hampshire Redware 5 77

Southampton Sandy Ware 39 686

Saintonge Whiteware 4 37

FQF1 2 57

FQfeq1 8 126

MQfe2 2 16

MQfe3 3 18

MQfe4 3 79

MQ3 1 2

MQ4 37 664

Spanish Coarseware 2 22

Tudor Green 2 4

Verwood 11 309

Tin Glazed Ware 1 8

Post Medieval Redware 7 49

Pearlware 1 2

Refined Earthenware 1 4

English Stoneware 1 1

Misc. Medieval 8 89

Unid 1 10

Total 631 8251

Table 3: The Pottery from Phases 10-14

Phase 14: Construction of the Cloisters and Domestic Range

Some pottery can definitely be assigned to phase 14 and therefore this is considered separately. The

pottery comes from 2 distinct areas, so these will be discussed separately.

The 1974 Excavations (table 4)

A total of 22 sherds can be assigned to this phase from the 1974 excavations. Two sherds of Roman

pottery are residual and it is likely that a single sherd of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware is too. Eight

sherds of Wessex Coarseware as well as a sherd of Laverstock-type Ware and sherds of FQfeq1 and

MQfe3 are contemporary. It is unclear whether the 7 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware are contemporary

or residual. A single sherd of MQ4 is likely to be intrusive.

Ware Sherd Count

Sherd Weight

Roman 2 30





FQfeq1 1 49

MQfe3 1 12

MQ4 1 3

Total 22 276

Table 4: Phase 4 Pottery from the 1974 Excavations.

The 1988 Excavations (table 5)

Considerably more pottery was recovered from features from the 1988 excavations at the northern

side of the abbey. Again the most abundant type is Wessex Coarseware, of which 215 sherds are

present. Two small sherds of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware may be residual however 2 larger

sherds of Fine Sandy Ware are likely to be contemporary with this phase. Definitely contemporary

are 3 sherds of Laverstock-type Ware, 2 sherds of South Hampshire Redware and 4 sherds of

Saintonge Whiteware. A similar range of less common wares are present to in the phase 10-15

deposits, including FQfeqf1 (possibly of Saxo-Norman date), Fqarg1 and Mqfe2. There is intrusive

material present, in the form of sherds of MQ3, MQ4, Late Medieval Sandy Ware and Post Medieval

Redware, indicating some later disturbance to the deposits.

Phase 15: Later 13th Century Rebuilding (table 6)

A total of 195 sherds were recovered from deposits dated to phase 15. Much of this would seem to

be intrusive and may relate to dumping during the dissolution. Several sherds can be dated to the

later 13th century; 5 sherds of Laverstock-type Ware and a sherd of Southampton-type Sandy Ware.

There are a number of residual sherds present, including 3 sherds of Roman pottery and Anglo-

Saxon/Saxo-Norman Flint and Sand Tempered and Chalk Tempered Wares. Several sherds date to

the later 14th or 15th century, including 3 small sherds of MQ4, 2 sherds of maiolica, 8 sherds of

Tudor Green and 4 sherds of Spanish Coarseware. The remaining sherds date to the 15th-19th

century, including fragments of Border Ware, Verwood, Post Medieval Redware and industrially

produced wares. Some of the 14th-15th century types may relate to use during this period, the later

wares clearly demonstrate later disturbance.

Ware Sherd Count

Sherd Weight








FEQfqfe1 1 6

FQarg1 1 10

MQfe2 22 364

MQ3 1 8

MQ4 28 694

Late Medieval Sandy Ware 1 6


Misc. Medieval 40 171

Unid 1 64

Total 324 4481

Table 5: Phase 14 Pottery from the 1988 Excavations

Phase 16: Construction of the Additional Parish Aisle on the North Side

Two small sherds were recovered from this phase. A sherd of Fine Sandy Ware is likely to be

intrusive, whilst a sherd of MQ4 may be contemporary with this construction activity.

Phase 17: Dissolution(table 7)

The dissolution saw a number of demolition layers form across the site. These comprise a mixture of

contemporary and residual pottery. The presence of some intrusive material is demonstrative either

of later disturbance or some of these deposits dating to several centuries after the dissolution.

When dealing with the residual wares it must be considered that some of this pottery may not have

come from the Abbey Precinct, and may have been brought in from elsewhere in Romsey. That said,

the wares present are typical of those in the earlier phases, although it must be pointed out that a

similar range of wares were consumed within the Abbey as elsewhere in the town. These residual

wares consist of Saxo-Norman Flint and Sand Tempered Wares, Wessex Coarseware and the usual

range of 13th-14th century glazed sandy wares. There are sherds of Saintonge Whiteware present, as

in earlier phases. There are 2 new types present however, 2 small sherds of Rouen-type Ware and 2

sherds of Surrey Whiteware. Both of these types are known elsewhere in Romsey and it is

conceivable that these were consumed in small quantities at the Abbey.

Only a small proportion of the sherds date to the late medieval and early post medieval periods.

There are sherds of Late Medieval Sandy Ware, including MQ3 and MQ4 which are common in

Romsey. Surrey wares are present in the form of both Tudor Green and Border Ware. Sherds of

Verwood and Post Medieval Redware are likely to be intrusive, as these did not come into currency

in large numbers until the 17th century. The same can be said of sherds of Tin Glazed Ware and

Refined Earthenware. Imports are also present. There are 5 sherds of Rhenish Stoneware and a

single sherd of Westerwald Stoneware, types known elsewhere in Romsey. More unusual are sherds

of Maiolica and Spanish Coarseware, although these are both present in small quantities elsewhere.

Their presence may be suggestive of consumption of these wares and their contents within the

Abbey, although they could have been waste brought in from elsewhere. Two small sherds have

been identified as Low Countries Redware, however this is not known elsewhere in Romsey and may

actually be Post Medieval Redware.

The dissolution saw massive demolition activity, leading to the redeposition of residual material and

the dumping of contemporary waste in the Abbey Precinct. Much of this may not have been used

within the Abbey itself. The presence of later wares is demonstrative of continued dumping in this

area, potentially into the 19th century.

Ware Sherd Count

Sherd Weight

Roman 3 17




Chalk tempered ware 1 13




MQ4 3 12

Maiolica 2 21


Rhenish Stoneware 12 666

Border Ware 13 687

Tudor Green 8 69

Verwood 1 21


Post Medieval Brown Glazed 5 75

Tin Glazed Ware 1 8

Pearlware 11 104

Porcelain 6 24


Creamware 39 164


Flower Pot 3 46

Misc. Medieval 1 3

Total 195 3099

Table 6: Pottery from Phase 15 Deposits

Phase 18: Post Dissolution (table 8)

As with the phase 17 deposits it must be considered that much of the residual material was brought

in from elsewhere in Romsey, whilst later pottery may also represent deposition from elsewhere in

the town. Much of the pottery from these deposits has simply been recorded as ‘medieval’ Because

of this the deposits will not be discussed in detail, but peculiarities will be pointed out. Several early

medieval wares are present in these deposits, including sherds of Shell Tempered Ware (rare in

Romsey as a whole), Portchester-type Ware (the only sherd of this ware in Romsey) and Crystalline

Tempered Ware. A single sherd of Saintonge Polychrome Ware is present. There are a number of

Ware Sherd Count

Sherd Weight











Surrey Whiteware 2 12


Rouen-type Ware 2 4

FEQfqfe1 1 7

FQarg1 13 105

FQfearg1 1 15

FQfeq1 3 42

MQargf1 1 36

MQfe3 3 64

MQfearg1 1 2

FQ5 2 28

MQ3 1 8

MQ4 23 248


Low Countries Redware 2 7

Maiolica 1 2



Westerwald-type Stoneware 1 19

Border Ware 1 28

Tudor Green 36 148

Post Medieval Sandy Ware 1 8

Verwood 77 2207



Tin Glazed Ware 1 8


Flower Pot 5 18


Total 450 12362

Table 7: Pottery from Dissolution Deposits

Ware Sherd Count Sherd Weight

Roman 2 11






Shell tempered Ware 1 8

Portchester-type Ware 1 16

Crystalline tempered 3 128






Saintonge Polychrome 1 8

CQfe1 1 9

FEQ1 1 14

FEQfqfe1 3 8

FQarg1 2 50

FQfeq1 1 15

MQargf1 1 5

MQfe2 2 112

MQfe4 1 8

MQfearg2 1 8

MQ3 5 121

MQ4 4 38


Maiolica 1 2



Border Ware 1 10

Tudor Green 8 29

Raeren-type Stoneware 1 39

Frechen-type Stoneware 2 18

Westerwald Stoneware 2 20


Verwood 162 3478



Tin Glazed Ware 4 32

Porcelain 8 41

Red Stoneware 1 8

Staffordshire White Salt Glazed Stoneware 5 8


Industrial Slipware 1 1

Creamware 13 90


Flower Pot 17 115


Misc. Post Medieval 1 48

Total 1537 18819

Table 8: Pottery from Post-Dissolution Deposits

industrially produced ‘Staffordshire-type’ wares, including Creamware, White Salt Glazed Stoneware

and Industrial Slipware present. Their presence is demonstrative of continued dumping in the Abbey

Precinct.

POTTERY FROM UNPHASED DEPOSITS (TABLES 9, 10 AND 11) A further 261 sherds were recovered from unphased deposits within the Abbey Precinct. Most of

these sherds are Wessex Coarseware or of post medieval date. Some wares are present in these

deposits which are not known from elsewhere within the precinct. These include a sherd of Mid-

Saxon Organic Tempered Ware as well as sherds of various minor wares. These include FEQ1,

possibly a Dorset Whiteware and FQ2 a form of Fine Sandy Ware. It is not possible to date these

wares based on their presence in these deposits.

Pottery has also been recovered from 2 other small evaluations which took place outside of the

precinct. These have not been related to the main Abbey phasing and will be considered separately.

At Abbey Meads a series of layers were excavated. Most of the pottery would appear to be of 13th-

14th century date, consisting of 41 sherds of Wessex Coarseware, with Laverstock-type Ware, South

Hampshire Redware, Southampton Sandy Ware and Local Whiteware all being present. (table 10)

There are also sherds of Saintonge Whiteware and Saintonge Polychrome Ware. Therefore the 13th-

14th century assemblage is similar, in broad terms, to that from elsewhere in the Abbey Precinct.

There is a single sherd of Medieval Chalk Tempered Ware. Definite late 14th century type are present

in the form of MQ3, MQ4 and Late Medieval Sandy Ware. FEQ1 may be a Dorset Whiteware whilst

FEQ3 appears to be a late 14th century ware.

Ware Name Sherd Count

Sherd Weight

Prehistoric 2 65

Roman 10 122

Mid Saxon Organic Tempered 1 3












FEQ1 1 4

FEQfqfe1 2 7

FQ2 2 13

FQarg1 2 13

FQarg2 1 3

FQarg3 1 12

FQc1 1 6

FQfeq1 1 15

MQargf1 3 80

MQfe2 2 16

MQfe4 1 4

FQ5 2 15

MQ4 6 105


Border Ware 3 20

Tudor Green 9 19

Raeren-type Stoneware 2 13

Westerwald Stoneware 2 15


Verwood 74 3263



Tin Glazed Ware 3 12


Creamware 3 22


Flower Pot 3 111

Unid 1 40

Total 261 5271

Table 9: Pottery from Unphased Deposits

Ware SC SW

Winchester-type Ware 2 111 Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 3 19




FQfeq1 4 90




Local Whiteware 2 15



Medieval chalk tempered ware 1 14

FEQ1 2 7

FEQ3 1 6

FQ4 2 88

FQarg1 3 64

MQ3 3 39

MQ4 7 72



Total 111 1732

Table 10: Pottery from Abbey Meads

Excavations at the Vicarage site in 1988 uncovered a stream channel as well as a series of layers

overlying it. The 380 sherds are generally earlier in date than those from Abbey Meads (table 11).

The most common type is Wessex Coarseware (120 sherds), but there are a number of Anglo-Saxon

and Saxo-Norman types present. These include sherds of Flint Tempered Ware, Flint and Sand

Tempered Ware, Chalk Tempered Ware, Flint and Chalk Tempered Ware and Crystalline Tempered

Ware. Thirteen sherds of Fine Sandy Ware may also date to this period. Some later 13th-14th century

types are present, in the form of sherds of Laverstock-type Ware, Southampton-type Sandy Ware

and Surrey Whiteware. The latest sherds are 2 pieces of MQ4, whilst sherds of other flint tempered

(MQargf1) and chalk tempered (FQc1) of uncertain date are also present. There are also 7 sherds of

Roman pottery, which are residual. Most of the pottery was recovered from the stream channel and

this would suggest that this feature was filled during the 11th-14th centuries. Most of the later wares

came from a single context (19), perhaps indicating that the stream was filled over a long period of

time. The average sherd weight is generally low (10g for the assemblage as a whole), perhaps

indicating that the stream channel was filled with redeposited material, perhaps with material which

entered the stream during natural silting. Sherds of earlier types are generally larger, perhaps

indicating some secondary deposition in the stream channel during the Saxo-Norman period, but

this is difficult to determine on the basis of such a small assemblage.

Ware SC SW

Roman 7 78






Flint and sand tempered ware 24 390 Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 5 32






FEQfqfe1 1 7

FQc1 1 4

MQargf1 2 34

MQ4 2 2

Misc. Medieval 1 10

Total 380 3962

Table 11: Pottery from The Vicarage Excavations.

CHARACTERISATION OF THE ASSEMBLAGE Clearly the deposits are greatly disturbed and residuality and later disturbance are problems in

interpreting this assemblage. It is possible however to offer a characterisation of the assemblage,

both in terms of the wares and vessels present, to allow comparisons with elsewhere in the town.

For this purpose a division has been made between pre- and post-dissolution deposits.

Wares Present (table 12)

Residual Roman and Prehistoric pottery is present in both pre- and post- dissolution deposits,

demonstrating that residuality occurs throughout the assemblage. The earliest medieval pottery is a

single sherd of Mid-Saxon Organic Tempered Ware. This was recovered from an unphased deposit,

so cannot be taken as evidence of early-mid Anglo-Saxon occupation in the area. A single sherd of

Shell Tempered Ware was recovered from a post-dissolution deposit. This sherd is difficult to

interpret as this is not a common ware in Romsey as a whole. As elsewhere in Romsey, Chalk

Tempered and Flint and Chalk Tempered Wares are the most common Late Anglo-Saxon wares in

the assemblage. These were principally recovered from pre-dissolution deposits, however many

were residual in later contexts. Therefore, these cannot be directly related to the occupation of the

Anglo-Saxon Abbey and may be indicative of the movement of spoil around the Abbey Precinct or

from elsewhere in Romsey during the various later construction phases. These may however derive

from disturbed, earlier contexts within the Abbey area. Crystalline Tempered Ware is rare and 3 of

the 4 sherds are residual in post-dissolution deposits. Its presence in Romsey is important however,

even though it may not have been used in the Saxon abbey itself. A single sherd of Portchester-type

Ware is present, but again this is in a later deposit. Four of the 6 sherds of Winchester-type Ware

came from pre-dissolution deposits, principally the post-conquest construction deposits. As with the

other Anglo-Saxon wares these sherds may be residual, however their presence in greater (although

still small) quantities at the Abbey than elsewhere in Romsey may be significant. The Anglo-Saxon

pottery assemblage is generally typical of pottery from elsewhere in Romsey, however the sherds

themselves cannot generally be directly associated with their use within the Abbey. Not all of these

wares are local, and the presence of Winchester- and Portchester- type wares may be indicative of

wider contact, as may the sherds of Crystalline Tempered Ware.

A great quantity of sherds were recovered which date to the Saxo-Norman period, and the majority

are associated with the various Norman construction phases. Therefore they may be reflective of the

pottery consumed within the Abbey, or alternatively may be indicative of the movement of spoil

around the town during the construction of the Abbey. It is likely that both interpretations are true

to differing extents. There are a high number of Flint and Sand Tempered wares which likely date to

the earlier part of this phase (perhaps the 10th-12th centuries), which is followed by a transition to

Wessex Coarsewares (dated to the 12th-14th centuries). Some of the 194 sherds of Fine Sandy Ware

may include Late Saxon pottery produced at Michelmersh or elsewhere in the Winchester

wheelthrown sandy ware tradition. Given the ubiquity of these fabrics it is likely that they continued

to be produced well into the medieval period. No sherds could be identified as coming from the

distinctive Michelmersh-type pitchers. The Saxo-Norman assemblage appears similar to those

elsewhere in Romsey on the basis of the wares present, with the pottery generally being locally

sourced and seeing a transition from flint to sand tempered wares during the 10th-12th centuries.

The 13th-14th century glazed sandy ware assemblage is also similar to that elsewhere in Romsey.

Locally produced Laverstock-type Wares are the most common, followed by Southampton-type

Sandy Ware and South Hampshire Redware. Other Whitewares are also present in small quantities.

Imported wares are present in the form of Saintonge and Rouen-type jugs. These account for only a

tiny proportion of the wares present and do not demonstrate that the Abbey was a major consumer

of imported pottery. In fact, the wares present are also present in small quantities elsewhere in

Romsey and therefore suggest that the Abbey acquired pottery through similar means to the secular

households within the town. Much of the Saintonge Whiteware was recovered from post-dissolution

deposits, so some of these sherds could have been redeposited from elsewhere in the town.

A wide range of other wares are present in small quantities. These cannot generally be closely dated,

but the variety present does contrast to other sites in Romsey and may demonstrate that the Abbey

had some wider contacts. These include fabric FEQ1, possibly a Dorset Whiteware and finer flint and

chalk tempered wares possibly indicating some contact with the upper Test Valley or the Kennett

Valley. Iron rich sandy wares are common across Hampshire in the medieval period and some of

these wares are likely to date to the 14th-15th century, belonging to the late well fired sandy ware

tradition.

The most common late 14th-early 15th century ware is MQ4, a common ware throughout Romsey.

MQ3 and other late medieval Sandy Wares are also present in smaller quantities. Their presence in

pre-dissolution deposits is likely to relate to their use in the Abbey during the later medieval period.

The remaining wares date to the post-dissolution period. These clearly do not generally relate to the

occupation of the Abbey and may instead be related to other households in Romsey, who dumped

waste in the Abbey Precinct. Analysis of this material can only give insights in broad terms into the

supply of pottery to Romsey in the post medieval period. Surrey Wares are present in the form of

Tudor Green and Border Ware. Some sherds came from pre-dissolution deposits and these may have

been consumed within the Abbey in the latter phases of its occupation. Similarly, sherds of Maiolica

and Spanish Coarseware may have been consumed within the Abbey, but these are present in small

quantities elsewhere in the town. Rhenish Stoneware is present in small quantities and these types

are known from elsewhere in the town. A consideration of the earthenwares demonstrates that the

Phase: Pre-

Dissolution Post-

Dissolution Unphased

Ware SC SW SC SW SC SW

Prehistoric 4 7 2 65

Roman 33 232 2 11 10 122

Mid Saxon Organic Tempered 1 3

Shell tempered Ware 1 8

Flint tempered ware 8 109 2 17 4 64

Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 8 66 2 15 1 7

Chalk tempered ware 12 98 6 124 3 13

Crystalline tempered 1 5 3 128

Portchester-type Ware 1 16

Winchester-type Ware 4 139 1 10 1 7

Flint and sand tempered ware 35 455 9 198 11 60

Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 21 144 7 18 8 44


Wessex Coarseware 710 9522 91 983 38 376

Fine sandy ware 194 2049 23 209 10 84

Laverstock-type Ware 57 615 37 442 1 29

South Hampshire Redware 10 207 7 92 4 70

Southampton Sandy Ware 46 729 8 133 1 96


Surrey Whiteware 1 1 2 12

Saintonge Whiteware 11 111 13 125

Saintonge Polychrome 1 7 1 8

Rouen-type Ware 2 4


ARG1 1 22

ARGmq1 1 18

CQfe1 1 9

FEQ1 2 7 1 14 1 4

FEQ3 1 6

FEQfqfe1 5 27 4 15 2 7

FQ2 2 13

FQ4 2 88

FQ5 1 30 2 28 2 15

FQarg1 4 74 15 155 2 13

FQarg2 1 3

FQarg3 1 12

FQc1 1 4 1 6

FQF1 2 57

FQfearg1 1 15

FQfeq1 13 265 4 57 1 15

MQargf1 2 34 2 41 3 80

MQargf2 2 23

MQfe2 27 399 2 112 2 16

MQfe3 4 30 3 64

MQfe4 3 79 1 8 1 4

MQfearg1 1 2

MQfearg2 1 8

MQ3 5 49 6 129

MQ4 89 1509 27 286 6 105

Late Medieval Sandy Ware 3 11 3 13

Tudor Green 13 77 44 177 9 19

Border Ware 13 687 2 38 3 20

Frechen-type Stoneware 2 18

Raeren-type Stoneware 1 39 2 13

Westerwald Stoneware 3 39 2 15

Rhenish Stoneware 12 666 9 140


Maiolica 2 21 2 4

Spanish Coarseware 6 222 2 63 1 63

Post Medieval Sandy Ware

5 80 14 67

Verwood 15 350 241 5701 74 3263

Post Medieval Brown Glazed 5 75 5 36 1 3

Post Medieval Redware 21 625 12 372 1 5

Tin Glazed Ware 2 16 5 40 3 12

Staffordshire White Salt Glazed Stoneware 5 8

Red Stoneware 1 8

Porcelain 6 24 8 41

Creamware 39 164 13 90 3 22

Pearlware 12 106

English Stoneware 9 62 54 1583 9 191

Refined Earthenware 48 192 223 8251 15 94

Industrial Slipware 1 1

Flower Pot 3 46 22 133 3 111

Misc. Medieval 56 397 1033 10768

Misc. Post Medieval 1 48

Unid 8 102 1 40

Total 1774 22529 1989 31197 261 5271

Table 12: Pottery Present in the Assemblage from Romsey Abbey.

Verwood area was the principle supplier of earthenware pottery to Romsey in the post medieval

period. Romsey was also a consumer of a number of industrially produced wares, including

Creamware, Pearlware and White Salt Glazed Stoneware from Staffordshire (amongst other places)

and Tin Glazed Ware from Bristol or London.

With the exception of a wider variety in the minority medieval fabrics then, the assemblage from

Romsey Abbey can be characterised as being fairly typical of assemblages from the town as a whole.

Pottery was generally sourced locally, with glazed sandy wares generally being sourced from the

Laverstock kilns and Wessex Coarseware dominating the 12th-14th century assemblage, with MQ4

being the most common ware in the 14th-15th centuries. Whilst their presence is remarkable, the

occurrence of Saintonge and Rouen-types is not unusual within the town and cannot be argued to be

reflective of the Abbey’s status.

Vessels Present (table 13)

Only the medieval forms present in the pre-dissolution phases will be discussed here, in order to

best consider the pottery forms consumed at the Abbey. Jars/Cooking pots are the most common

form in the assemblage. In the Saxo-Norman period these are principally present in Wessex

Coarseware or Fine Sandy Ware, demonstrating that these were sourced locally. The later vessels

are principally in MQ4. Jars are present in some sandy wares, including the iron rich sandy wares

MQfe2 and MQfe4, as well as in Southampton Sandy Ware and a single sherd in of Laverstock-type

Ware.

Jugs are the next most common form. A single sherd of Winchester-type Ware may be from a jug,

making this the earliest jug at the site. Some Wessex Coarseware sherds have been assigned to jugs,

but these may be from tripod pitchers. The bulk of the jugs date to the 13th-14th century and are

present in the various glazed sandy wares. This demonstrates that jugs were sourced from a wider

range of production centres than jars, but all types appear to have been available within the town. In

the late medieval period, as elsewhere in the town, there is a change with both jugs and jars being

present in fabric MQ4. Tripod pitchers are present in Wessex Coarseware and the iron rich MQfe3,

which could therefore be a Saxo-Norman type. Three spouted pitcher sherds are present in Wessex

Coarseware. It is noticeable that none of the distinctive Michelmersh-type Spouted pitchers were

identified.

Bowls/dishes would appear to be utilitarian coarseware vessels, rather than decorated serving

vessels. Most sherds are in Flint and Sand Tempered Ware or Wessex Coarseware. It is likely that

vessels in other materials were used for the serving of food. A relatively high number of sherds

appear to be from curfews, perhaps related to the various dormitories and kitchens within the

Abbey. Other forms include Dripping Pans, Lamps, Border Ware tripod pipkins and a Tudor Green

Chafing Dish, the latter 2 dating to the end of the Abbey’s occupation.

Form Jar/ Cpot Jug Tpod Pitch.

Spout Pitch.

Bowl/ Dish

Chaf. Dish Curfew

Drip. Pan Pipkin Lamp Unid.

Ware SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW

Flint tempered ware 3 54 5 55 Flint tempered with coarse sand and chalk 3 12 5 54

Chalk tempered ware 1 10 11 88


Winchester-type Ware 1 105 3 34

Flint and sand tempered ware 23 368 1 32 11 55 Flint and sand tempered ware (Newbury type) 4 39 17 105

Flint tempered with coarse sand 8 239 2 40 167 1161

Wessex Coarseware 445 6088 30 455 6 47 3 498 3 57 17 183 11 504 2 51 193 1639

Fine sandy ware 112 1362 4 53 37 306 41 328

Laverstock-type Ware 1 5 25 316 1 14 30 280

South Hampshire Redware 8 182 2 25

Southampton Sandy Ware 5 116 34 547 7 66



Saintonge Whiteware 10 108 1 3



ARG1 1 22

ARGmq1 1 18

FEQ1 2 7

FEQ3 1 6

FEQfqfe1 4 20 1 7

FQ4 1 70 1 18

FQ5 1 30

FQarg1 3 70 1 4

FQc1 1 4

FQF1 2 57

FQfeq1 1 26 10 216 2 23

MQargf1 2 34

MQargf2 2 23

MQfe2 1 32 11 118 15 249

MQfe3 4 30

MQfe4 3 79

MQ3 1 8 4 41

MQ4 20 339 39 791 6 186 24 193


Tudor Green 9 71 1 2 3 4

Border Ware 4 161 6 440 3 86

Total 631 8799 192 3138 10 77 3 498 17 490 1 2 54 489 11 504 6 440 2 51 566 4734

Table 13: Medieval Vessel Forms Present in pre-Dissolution Deposits.

CONCLUSIONS There are considerable difficulties in interpreting this assemblage. These have been caused by the

prolonged excavation and the confused state of the site archive. As with other Abbey sites large

dumps of secondary waste were not recovered and therefore much of the material is likely to be

redeposited. Some material from post-dissolution deposits may not relate to the occupation of the

Abbey at all. It has however been possible to characterise the assemblage in broad terms. The wares

present demonstrate that the Abbey, in general terms, consumed the same wares to secular

households in the town. A similar range of vessel forms are also present, sourced from similar

production centres. Whilst these deposits do not really allow us to better refine the dating of the

wares present, the assemblage does give us some insight into the consumption of pottery within the

Abbey and within Romsey as a whole.

report 11 romsey abbey

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