Untitled - Council for British Archaeology

LITTLE WOOLSTONE; HOLY TRINITY CHURCH - R.A. Croft
Excavations inside Holy Trinity Church, Little Woolstone.
(SP 875 393), took place in Marchand Aprir
The simplified block phase plan (Fig.22) outlines the
main stages in the development of the church. This interpretation
is as yet provisional and may well be subject
to re-interpretation as the final report is produced.
Phase 1 - Pre-Norman?
This simple single cell, 6.7m east-west x 3.8m northsouth
internally, represents the earliest stone-built church
op-the site. The foundations of this church cut into
substantial occupation deposits which in turn sealed a
Roman ditch. The foundations consist of one course of
rough limestone blocks forming 'the base overlain by large
pebbles set in a sandy orange matrix.
Phase 2 -.Norman I.?"
A chancel some 3.0 east-west ana at least 4.0m north-.
south,was added at some point. The chancel did not have
a limestone.foiandatiotv, .and the:eaSt end wall:.consisted of
large 'pebbles in a sandy Orange matrix similar to that of
the nave.
Phase 3 - Norman 2?
An extension was added to the Vest end 1of the 'tw.o cell
church. The function Of the break in -the north side mf this
foundation trench is unclear and may posdibli-repres6nt a,
doorway.
This entire church was then 'demolished 'although a fine
stone font of the 12th or 13th century and a fragment of a
chevron arch 'survived in the:church..
Phase 4 - Medieval (13th-14th century)
The chancel arch is perhaps the earliest detail of this
phase which,survives. The walls of the nave are,likely to
be 13th or 14th century. A small chapel or transept was
open on the north side. The internal width of the chancel
was confirmed during the excavation, but the length eastwest
has been taken as being the same as the existing chancel.
There wai no evidence for it being shorter. A stone coffin
with scratched gaming boards on its surface was discovered
buried in the nave.
Phase 5 - Late Medieval (15th-17th century) -
The north chapel was demolished during the-medieval
period but it is as yet uncertain when this occurred. A
porch was added on the south side. The north door of the
church was still open.
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