Stone coffin found in the precincts of St Mary's Hospital during excavations for the Stephenson Monument. Donated to the Society of Antiquaries by Newcastle Corporation.

Medieval pottery found in Westgate Road on the north side of Stephenson's Monument in the Roman wall ditch. Donated to the Society of Antiquaries in January 1934 by Newcastle and District Electric Lighting Co. Ltd (per Mr NS Tennant of 81 Westgate Road).

Ancient wooden pipes used to supply the town with water. Found by workmen excavating in front of the Tyne Theatre. Pipe had to be sawn through to allow its removal, otherwise in a very sound state of preservation. 5 feet long, 10 inches in diameter, 3 inch bore. Donated to the Society of Antiquaries on August 23 1895 by Newcastle Corporation.

Fine floreated grave cover, discovered near the Stephenson Monument, on the site of the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (later grammar school) HER 1502. Donated to the Society of Antiquaries by Tyrie and Graham, contractors, Redheugh, Gateshead. Dated C13th.

Dr Bruce found a tiny clay bowl (tobacco pipe?) dug from a depth of 10 feet in 1854, at the back of the Assembly Rooms of Newcastle where, when a sewer under the Vicarage House was being laid. He was looking for the remains of Hadrian's Wall.

The lower half of a parapet figure from the town wall was found in a house beyond the West Gate and presented to the Society of Antiquaries on 5 September 1860 by Martin Dunn of Gateshead. Dated C14th.

The medieval grammar school was founded by Thomas Horsly, Mayor of Newcastle in 1525. In his will he left all his lands in Newcastle for the construction of a grammar school, which was to be free for anyone within and without the town. In 1559 the school moved from St Nicholas's Churchyard to West-spittle (into the former hospital of St Mary the Virgin HER 1502). Queen Elizabeth ordered that there should be a Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Newcastle, with one master. On the north aisle of the church there was a large gallery, which was for the use of the boys of the grammar school. The first Grammar school building was sited in St Nicholas churchyard from at least 1525. Known as “Halley House” probably corruption of Holy House. Churchwarden’s account mentions that the school building needed shoring in 1563. Moved into the redundant St Mary the Virgin Hospital in 1607. Old school demolished same year.
B. Mains and A. Tuck (eds), 1986, The Royal Grammar School. Dated C16th.

A carved stone was found in a deep drain on the north side of St. Nicholas' churchyard. Donated to the Society of Antiquaries by Mr Edward Spoor on May 3 1854.

A fragment of the cover of a leaden coffin was found when a burial place was opened in the nave of St Nicholas' church. Donated to the Society of Antiquaries by the churchwardens on October 6 1840.

Two bells inscribed "Ralph Reed Esq. Mayor. Francis Johnson Esq. Sherriff 1717. R Phelp Londini fecit". Melted down in 1892. The common bell was cracked in 1794 and recast and inscribed "Cuthbert Smith Esqr Mayor William Rowell Esqr Sherriff 1754 Thos Lester and Thos Pack fecit". Melted 1892. The "Major" bell bore Major Anderson's armorials. Melted 1891. In 1891-2 all of the bells from the cathedral were melted down except the 3 medieval bells and the C17 bell {1}. Bells have rung at St. Nicholas since the 14th century. R.J. Charleton reported that there were five bells at St. Nicholas at first, three were dedicated to St. Nicholas, the Virgin and St. Michael. The fourth bell was the common, thief or reiver bell which was rung at fair times to notify the population that it was safe to bring out their cattle and sheep. The fifth bell bears Newcastle's arms. Three more bells were added in 1717. The 'Pancake Bell' was rung on Shrove Tuesday to call people together to confess their sins. In 1833 Major George Anderson of Anderson Place bequeathed a sum of money (£500) to purchase a bell and was named 'the Major Bell' in his honour. The bell was cast by Messrs Hawks of Gateshead. It was recast in 1891 by Messrs Taylor of Loughborough. It weighs 5 tons 18 cwt (8064 lbs) and is over 6 feet in diameter. The size and weight of the bell made it necessary to change the mechanism of the clock, which had been built by John Walker in 1832. The present clock was built by William Potts of Leeds in 1895. Until 1895 a gun was fired from the castle at 1 o' clock but the sound of the Major Bell was too much competition. Over the years the bells have been re-cast. There are now 12 bells, three are pre-Reformation. The clock uses four bells for the chimes. One bell is used to announce daily services. The Major Bell strikes on the hour {2}.