Medieval Hungate 1069-1500

The Norman Conquest marks a key point in the development of the Hungate area. William the Conqueror dammed the River Foss to form a moat for his castle, causing major change in water levels and forming what is known as the King's Pool.

Plan of Medieval York showing possible extent of the King's Pool

The extent of the King's Pool, and the stages by which land was reclaimed, would have shaped the lives of the medieval community in Hungate. The Pool edge and river deposits have much to tell us about land management, agricultural regimes, rural industries and polluting activities both on the site and further upstream.

The medieval church of St John in the Marsh was located in this area. Possible traces of both church and graveyard were discovered in evaluation trenches but, if encountered again, these will be preserved and not excavated. The Carmelite Friars also had their establishment here, but largely outside the area to be excavated. We may find traces of related structures but we don't expect to learn anything significant about this institution.

Daily life in medieval Hungate is something we will learn more about. New insights into the layout of streets, where the prosperous dwelt and the craftsmen worked, will allow us to make comparisons with other parts of the medieval city.

Documents suggest that medieval town rubbish was dumped here. An archaeological gold mine! This would be a discovery which resonates with modern concerns, and scientific analyses of these deposits might cast light on topics such as the causes, variables and rates of decay.

Traditionally this dumping has been associated with reclamation of land from the King's Pool. Alternatively, was medieval dumping encouraged because the area was already deemed to be unsavoury? If there were medieval tanneries associated with leather working the area must have been extremely smelly.