English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
CONDITION
Good
Crossref
87
DAY1
13
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Incomplete grave marker, or grave-cover, 10 cm high x 5.7 cm wide x 1.5 cm deep, in fine grained, calcareous red sandstone or siltstone. Broken but unworn. Decoration includes the left horizontal arm of a cross, and inscriptions of names in runic and Anglo-Saxon scripts. The names are different, and are probably those used before and after entry into the religious life. Dated to the last quarter of the 7th century or first quarter of the 8th century. Found in 1961 during archaeological excavations.
Site Type: Broad
Grave Marker
SITEDESC
Incomplete grave marker, in fine grained, calcareous red sandstone or siltstone. Broken but unworn. A (broad): the fragment is edged by a fine double grooved moulding, and centrally placed is the left horizontal arm of a cross, with double outlines and a central square. In the upper left quadrant is part of a runic inscription, in the lower left one in Anglo-Saxon capitals. The names are different, and are probably those used before and after entry into the religious life. Cross form is the square-ended type favoured by Monkwearmouth and Jarrow carvers. Face B and bottom F are broken off. Faces C and D, and top E smoothly dressed The smallest surviving name-stone. 10 cm high x 5.7 cm wide x 1.5 cm deep. Last quarter of C7 to first quarter of C8. Found in 1961 in archaeological excavations. Dated C7-8th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon grave marker
Site Type: Specific
Gravestone
HER Number
91
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 91 >> D.M. Wilson & D.G. Hurst, 1963, Medieval Britain in 1961, Medieval Archaeology, Vol. VI-VII, p. 315
R.J. Cramp, 1964, A Name-stone from Monkwearmouth,Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XLII, pp. 294-8, plate XVI.2
B. Colgrave & R.J. Cramp, 1969, St. Peter's Church, Wearmouth Reprint, p. 23
R.J. Cramp, 1965, Early Northumbrian Sculpture,Jarrow Lecture, p. 4
E. Okasha, 1971, Hand-list of Anglo-Saxon, Non-runic Inscriptions, p. 101, pl. 91
R.I. Page, 1973, An Introduction to English Runes, pp. 22, 25, 34, 104, 136, 143, 217, plate 11
J. Higgitt, 1979, The dedication inscription at Jarrow and its context, Antiquaries Journal, LIX, pp. 360, 363-4, pl. 66A
R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 123-4, Pt 2 pl. 110.600 (Monkwearmouth 4)
SURVIVAL
60-79%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
CONDITION
Fair
Crossref
87
DAY1
13
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 45 NW 11
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Lower part of a grave marker, or grave-cover, 31cm high x 19 to 12.2 cm wide x 6. deep, in medium-grained, micaceous sandstone. Broken into two joining pieces, but unworn. Relief decoration and lettering includes the runic inscription of a masculine personal name, and a figure between two broad flat bands. Said to have been found in 1834 "at a great depth" c.20 feet from the south side of the church within part of an area called "The Manor House". Dated to the first half of the 10th century.
Site Type: Broad
Grave Marker
SITEDESC
Lower part of grave marker, in medium-grained, micaceous sandstone. Broken into two joining pieces, but unworn. Edged by a wide flat-band moulding. A (broad): a runic inscription tidfiry, a masculine personal name, divides the face with, above, in relief a roughly shaped loop between 2 uprights and, below, 2 figures holding a rectangular panel above a standing cross. B and D (narrow): two incised grooves enclosing a panel. C (broad): a figure between two broad flat bands, all in relief. The latest solely runic inscription in the area. 31 cm high x 19 to 12.2 cm wide x 6.5 cm deep. First half of C10 Said by Hodges to have been found in 1834 "at a great depth" c. 20 ft from the south side of the church, and within an area of what is called "The Manor House". Dated C10th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon grave marker
Site Type: Specific
Gravestone
HER Number
90
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 90 >> J. Raine, 1864, The Priory of Hexham, Surtees Society, I, 44 (for 1863), pp. xxxix-xl
Dr. Charlton, 1865, Runic Legend from Monkwearmouth 2, Archaeologia Aeliana, VI, 196
C.C. Hodges in W. Page, ed. 1905, Anglo-Saxon Remains, Victoria County History, Durham Vol. I, p. 213, plate facing 214
C.C. Hodges, 1908, The Memorial Stone...of Tidfirth, the last bishop of Hexham, Antiquities of Sunderland VII (for 1906), 13-16
R.A. Smith, 1923, A Guide to the Anglo-Saxon...Antiquities... p. 123
W.G. Coliingwood, 1927, Northumbrian Crosses of the Pre-Norman Age, p. 12, fig. 17D
B. Colgrave, 1948, Saint Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, Vol. X, (for 1944-53), p. 194
B. Colgrave & R.J. Cramp, 1969, St. Peter's Church, Wearmouth Reprint, p. 26
R. Page, 1973, An Introduction to English Runes, pp. 104, 136, fig. 26
R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Part 1 p. 123, Part 2 plate 107 592-595 (MWM. 3)
SURVIVAL
40-59%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
CONDITION
Fair
Crossref
87
DAY1
09
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Corner or base of a cross-arm, in medium-grained, micaceous red sandstone, found in 1966 during archaeological excavations. It is 9 cm high x 10.5 cm wide x 9 cm deep, broken but unworn, and finely dressed. Possibly 8th century in origin.
Site Type: Broad
Religious House
SITEDESC
Corner of cross-arm, or base, in medium-grained, micaceous red sandstone. Broken but unworn, and finely dressed. Edged with a roll moulding on three sides. 9 cm high x 10.5 cm wide x 9 cm deep. Possibly C8. Found in 1966 in archaeological excavations. Dated C8th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon cross-arm
Site Type: Specific
Cross
HER Number
89
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 89 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984 Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Pt 1 p. 123, Pt 2 pl. 107, 584-6, 589 (Monkwearmouth 2)
SURVIVAL
1-19%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
CONDITION
Fair
Crossref
87
DAY1
09
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Fragment of a cross-arm, in medium-grained micaceous yellow sandstone, found in 1966 during archaeological excavations. Only a fragment of one carved face survives, and part of the edge, broken but unworn, and finely dressed. The fragment is 10 cm high x 13 cm wide x 5.5 cm deep. Considered to be early 8th century in origin
Site Type: Broad
Religious House
SITEDESC
Fragment of cross-arm, in medium-grained micaceous yellow sandstone. Broken but unworn, finely dressed. Only a fragment of one carved face survives, and part of the edge. "The carved face is edged by a flat band moulding; partly encroaching on this is a deeply moulded rosette-type flower. The centre is chipped away, but curling from it is one long petal which is tucked into the corner of the arm". 10 cm high x 13 cm wide x 5.5 cm deep. Early C8th. Found in 1966 in archaeological excavations.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon cross-arm
Site Type: Specific
Cross
HER Number
88
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 88 >> R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Part 1, p. 122, plate 107, 590-1 (Monkwearmouth 1)
SURVIVAL
1-19%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
CONDITION
Good
Crossref
88
DAY1
05
DAY2
13
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
4
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 45 NW 11
Northing
557800
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
SAMNUMBER
32066
Description
Wearmouth monastery was founded by Benedict Biscop in 674 A.D. Documentary sources record a stone church built by Gaulish masons, including a 'porticus' and refectories with windows glazed, like those of the church, by glaziers from Gaul. It was abandoned after Viking attacks of the mid 9th century and revived briefly in 1072 by Aldwine, Prior of Winchcombe, who found the buildings in ruins, before it became a cell of Durham in 1083. Suggested plans of the monastic buildings and their dates (there are probably two Saxon phases) are based on surviving remains of Biscop's church - i.e. west wall and porch - 19th century observations, and Prof. Cramp's excavations in the 1960s. South of the church is a Christian cemetery, its earliest burials predating some Saxon buildings there. The site of the monastic buildings is now flat grass. SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT AND LISTED GRADE 1.
SITEASS
The site of the monastic buildings is now flat grass. There is no interpretation, outside the church, of what has been excavated.
Site Type: Broad
Religious House
SITEDESC
Wearmouth monastery was founded by Benedict Biscop in 674. Documentary sources record a stone church built by Gaulish masons, a 'porticus' and refectories with windows glazed, like those of the church, by glaziers from Gaul, cubiculae for the senior monks, and oratories. House was abandoned after Viking attacks of mid C9. Revived briefly in 1072 by Aldwine, Prior of Winchcombe, who found the buildings in ruins, before it became a cell of Durham in 1083. Suggested plan of the monastic buildings and their dates (there are probably 2 Saxon phases) are based on surviving remains of Biscop's church, i.e. W wall and porch,19th century observations, and Cramp excavations of 1960s. Plan: a church, either of nave, choir and chancel/E porticus, or the nave of St. Peter's joined on to a chapel perhaps of St. Mary. On W end a porch flanked by 2 porticus. S of church a Christian cemetery, earliest burials predating some Saxon buildings there, which included a gallery and a ? Latrine. An MA student from Durham University carried out a geophysical survey at this site in September 2003, which identified presumed monastery buildings. Dated C7-9th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Anglo-Saxon monastery
Site Type: Specific
Monastery
SITE_STAT
Scheduled Monument, Local Authority Guardianship
HER Number
87
Form of Evidence
Demolished Building
Sources
<< HER 87 >> R. Surtees, 1820, History of...Durham, 2, pp. 2-5, pl. opp. 10
W. Greenwell, 1870, Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, I (for 1862-8), pp. xlii-xliii
Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, 1870, St. Peter's, Monkwearmouth, I (for 1862-8), pp. 141-4
Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, 1870, Church Reports III: St. Peter, Monkwearmouth, I (for 1862-8), pp. 1-8
J.R. Boyle, 1885, Church of St. Peter, Monkwearmouth Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, I (for 1882-4), 252-3
J.R. Boyle, 1886, On the Monastery and Church of St. Peter, Monkwearmouth Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, XI, 33-51
G.F. Browne, 1886, Notes on...the Original Church of St. Peter, Monkwearmouth... Newcastle Library Local Studies
J.R. Boyle, 1892, The County of Durham, pp. 533-45
C.C. Hodges, 1893, The pre-Conquest churches of Northumbria, Reliquary, New series, VII
J. Patterson, 1903, Some Saxon Remains at Monkwearmouth Church, Antiquities of Sunderland, Vol. II (for 1901), pp. 73-82
C.C. Hodges, in W. Page, ed. 1905, Anglo-saxon Remains, Victoria County History- Durham, Vol. I, pp. 213, 234
D.S. Boutflower, in H.R. Leighton, ed. 1910, Memorials of Old Durham Monkwearmouth and Jarrow, pp. 146-62
J.F. Hodgson, 1912, Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, The churches of Escomb, Jarrow and Monkwearmouth, Vol. VI (for 1906-11), pp. 163-87
D.S. Boutflower, 1925, Types of Saxon Churches in the County of Durham, Antiquities of Sunderland, XVII (for 1916-17), pp. 9-21
J. Patterson, 1920, The Church of St. Peter, Monkwearmouth
J. Hall, 1931, The Dates of the Monastic Remains at St. Peter's Monkwearmouth, Antiquities of Sunderland, XVIII (for 1918-25), pp. 36-62
W. & T.R. Milburn, 1931, St. Peter's Church...Notes on...repairing the Tower and West Wall, Antiquities of Sunderland, XVIII (for 1918-25), pp. 63-74
E. Gilbert, 1947, Anglian Remains at St. Peter's, Monkwearmouth, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XXV, 140-78
B. Colgrave, 1948, St. Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, X (for 1944-53), pp. 179-94
Radford, 1954, St. Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, C.A.R. Archaeological Journal, CXI, pp.
R. Hyslop, 1960, St. Peter's Church, Wearmouth
E.A. Fisher, 1962, The Greater Anglo-Saxon Churches
H.M. & J. Taylor, 1965, Anglo-Saxon Architecture, I
B. Colgrave & R.J. Cramp, 1969, St. Peter's Church, Wearmouth Reprint
R.J. Cramp, 1969, Excavations at the Saxon monastic sites of Wearmouth and Jarrow... Medieval Archaeology, XIII, 21-66
M.A.S. Hickmore, 1973, St. Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth
R.J. Cramp, 1974, Anglo-Saxon Monasteries of the North, Scottish Archaeological Forum, V, 104-24
R.J. Cramp, 1976, The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England in D.M. Wilson, ed. Monastic Sites, 201-52
R.J. Cramp, 1976, Monkwearmouth Church, Archaeological Journal, Vol. 133, pp.
R.J. Cramp, 1984, Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Vol. I, Parts 1 pp. 122-34, 2 plates
Excavation report, D.M. Wilson & J.G. Hurst, eds. 1960, Medieval Britain in 1959, Medieval Archaeology, IV, 139-40
Excavation report, D.M. Wilson & J.G. Hurst, eds. 1963, Medieval Britain in 1961, Medieval Archaeology, VI-VII, 315
Excavation report, D.M. Wilson & J.G. Hurst, eds. 1964, Medieval Britain in 1962 and 1963, Medieval Archaeology, VIII, 232
Excavation report, D.M. Wilson & J.G. Hurst, eds. 1965, Medieval Britain in 1964, Medieval Archaeology, IX, 171
Excavation report, D.M. Wilson & J.G. Hurst, eds. 1967, Medieval Britain in 1966, Medieval Archaeology, XI, 264

Excavation report, D.M. Wilson & J.G. Hurst, eds. 1968, Medieval Britain in 1967, Medieval Archaeology, XII, 156
Excavation report, L.F. Webster & J. Cherry, eds. 1972, Medieval Britain in 1971, Medieval Archaeology, XVI, 150-2 (& plan)
R.J. Cramp, 1971, Excavations at Monkwearmouth, Dept. of Archaeology Durham
Nigel Barker, 2003, St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth Application of Geophysical Prospecting Techniques; WA Archaeology, 2015, St Peters, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland - Archaeological Watching Brief; ASUD, 2009, St Peters Church, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland - Archaeological Watching Brief; Archaeological Research Services, 2008, Land to the south of North Sands Business Centre, Sunderland - Archaeological Evaluation;
Bailiff, I. 2011. Report on Luminescence testing of mortar samples at St. Peter's church, Wearmouth and St. Paul's Church, Jarrow, Co. Durham; Simpson & Brown, 2010, The Twin Monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, nominated as a World Heritage Property, conservation plan
SURVIVAL
20-39%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
2004
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Defence
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
CONDITION
Poor
DAY1
06
DAY2
22
District
Sunderland
Easting
440700
Grid ref figure
6
HISTORY_TOPIC
World Wars
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
559300
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Roker
Description
Probably originated in the second half of the 18th century as the battery at Holey Rock, aka Abbs Point and Roker Battery, or the northern of Sunderland's two batteries in 1779. Built of stone, with a four foot thick parapet, positioned 56 feet above sea level, North Battery commanded the roads, but in 1779 had 6 guns all unfit for service. 1780-1 a 4 gun battery was built at Roker, and there was more building workin the period 1797-1813. In 1828 it was described as elliptical in plan with 4 dismounted 18-pounderrs, and a stone magazine with a brick arch roof. The battery was re-armed from time to time, - two 4.7 inch QF Mk IV on naval mountings in revetted earth emplacements and 2 searchlights in the First World War; two Mobile Naval Base Defence Organization 6 inch guns and two searchlights in the Second World War. Finally superseded in 1951.
SITEASS
Site assessed as part of Defence of Britain Project. The remains of the two gun emplacements were still visible in 1965 on aerial photgraphs, but the rest of the area had been landscaped. Some remains still in place with the two emplacements present in the planted areas. The Imperial War Museum has 2 photographs showing the guns in position [Alan Rudd, pers comm].
Site Type: Broad
Coastal Defence Site
SITEDESC
This seems to originate in the second half of the 18th century as the battery at Holey Rock, aka Abbs Point and Roker Battery, or the northern of Sunderland's two batteries in 1779. Built of stone, with a four foot thick parapet, positioned 56 feet above sea level, North Battery commanded the roads, but in 1779 had 6 guns all unfit for service. 1780-1 a 4 gun battery was built at Roker, and there was more building work 1797-1813. In 1828 it was described as elliptical in plan with 4 dismounted 18-pdrs, and a stone magazine with a brick arch roof. The battery was re-armed from time to time, - two 4.7 inch QF Mk IV on naval mountings in revetted earth emplacements and 2 searchlights in the First World War; two Mobile Naval Base Defence Organization 6 inch guns and two searchlights in the Second World War. Finally superseded in 1951.
Site Name
Roker Battery
Site Type: Specific
Coastal Battery
HER Number
86
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
<< HER 86 >> Fortress Study Group Conference, 1988, The Defences of Tyneside - Roker Battery, Sunderland, pp. 3-4; Defence of Britain Project, 2002, Defence of Britain Database, S0015126; M.J. Anderton, 2000, World War Two Coastal Batteries; D. Clarke & A. Rudd, 1989, Tyneside in the Breech Loading Era Fortress, No. 3, pp 33-42; Archaeological Services Durham University, 2021, Roker Battery Archaeology Project, Cliffe Park, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear: geophysical surveys, ASDU report 5553; Tees Archaeology, 2022, Archaeological Excavation, Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland, report TA22/04
SURVIVAL
1-19%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
2002
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Defence
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
06
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
441120
EASTING2
4112
Grid ref figure
8
HISTORY_TOPIC
World Wars
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
558430
NORTHING2
5828
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Second World War 1939 to 1945
Place
Sunderland
Description
An emergency battery of two 12-pounder guns emplaced in August 1940, one on each of the inner pier heads. Initially B Battery, 509 Coast Regt; later 265 Coast Battery RA. This was a difficult command due to the need to detour several miles through Sunderland to get from No.1 Gun on the north pier to No. 2 Gun on the south pier. Despite this, during a 1941 tour of inspection, it is described as a 'good battery' with a note that it lacked a command post and overhead covers. Placed in care and maintenance in April 1944, abandoned December 1944.
Site Type: Broad
Coastal Defence Site
SITEDESC
"An emergency battery of two 12-pounder QF emplaced August 1940, one on each of the inner pier heads. Initially B Battery, 509 Coast Regt, later 265 Coast Bty RA. This was a difficult command due to the need to detour several miles through Sunderland to get from No. 1 Gun on the north pier to No. 2 Gun on the south pier. Despite this, during a 1941 tour of inspection, it is described as a 'good battery' with a note that it lacked a command post and overhead covers. Placed in care and maintenance April 1944, abandoned December 1944".
Site Name
Barrons Battery
Site Type: Specific
Coastal Battery
HER Number
85
Form of Evidence
Demolished Building
Sources
<< HER 85 >> Fortress Study Group Conference, 1988, The Defences of Tyneside - Barrons Battery, Sunderland,p. 1
D. Clarke & A. Rudd, 1989, Tyneside in the Breech Loading Era Fortress, No. 3, pp 33-42; Northern Archaeological Associates, 2019, Sunderland Wave Basin Battery, Hendon Dock, Statement of Significance
SURVIVAL
None
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Defence
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
CONDITION
Good
DAY1
06
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440920
Grid ref figure
8
HISTORY_TOPIC
World Wars
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Sandstone
MONTH1
8
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 45 NW 73
Northing
558140
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Sunderland
Description
The general anxiety about the defences of the UK led to the River Wear Commissioners giving the War Office in 1860 a site for the erection of a battery on the south side of the River Wear, next to the Wave Basin. Its precise date of construction is unknown, but the battery was certainly finished by 1882. It was "entirely constructed of masonry and consisted of a mole projecting into the river, surmounted by four gun emplacements …The main armament consisted of four 80 pounder Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) Guns", - old 68 pounder smooth bore guns converted by the insertion of rifled liners. Because of the expansion of the port and construction of new piers, the battery was soon obsolete, and was retained only for training until perhaps the beginning of the 20th century. LISTED GRADE 2
SITEASS
The Fortress Study Group want it scheduled: it is unique in the NE, the only surviving RML battery between the Humber and Berwick, and in good condition.
Site Type: Broad
Coastal Defence Site
SITEDESC
The general anxiety about the defences of the UK led to the River Wear Commissioners giving the War Office in 1860 a site for the erection of a battery on the south side of the River Wear, next to the Wave Basin. Precise date of construction is unknown, but the battery was certainly finished by 1882. It was "entirely constructed of masonry and consisted of a mole projecting into the river, surmounted by four gun emplacements". "The main armament consisted of four 80 pounder Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) Guns", - old 68 pounder smooth bore guns converted by the insertion of rifled liners. Because of the expansion of the port and construction of new piers, the battery was soon obsolete, and was retained only for training until perhaps the beginning of the C20. Nothing was listed for it on the armaments return of 1913 - but Alan Rudd's list states that the battery had two 6" gun emplacements in the C20.
Site Name
Wave Basin Battery
Site Type: Specific
Coastal Battery
SITE_STAT
Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
84
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
<< HER 84 >> Fortress Study Group, 1987, Wave Basin Battery, Sunderland,
Fortress Study Group Conference, 1988, The Defences of Tyneside - Wave Basin Battery, pp. 1-2
Dept. of National Heritage, of Buildings of Special ... Interest, 920-1/9/215
1875, Official plan of Hudson Docks in Sinclair N.T., 1986, Railways of Sunderland, p 60; NMR monument number 956440; Vertical aerial photograph reference number RAF 106G/UK/1585 5006 20-JUN-1946; C.S. Dobinson 2000 Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.1. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956
6.1 Page(s)106-115; C.S. Dobinson 2000 Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.2. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956, 6.2 Page(s)227; Michael J. Anderton 2000 Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two Coastal Batteries, page 57
SURVIVAL
40-59%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Maritime
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
29
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440000
Grid ref figure
4
HISTORY_TOPIC
Anglo-Saxon
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MONTH1
7
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 45 NW 19
Northing
558000
General Period
EARLY MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Early Medieval 410 to 1066
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
The Harbour at the mouth of the Wear, known to Bede as Wiranmuthe, was well-known in the early medieval period, as evidenced by the wide range of goods imported through it. However, the charter of Hugh Pudsey, towards the close of the 12th century, is the first authentic documentary evidence of the existence of the Port or Borough of Southern Wearmouth as a place of maritime commerce.
Site Type: Broad
Dock and Harbour Installation
SITEDESC
"The Harbour at the mouth of the Wear, Wiranmuthe (Bede), or Ostium Vedrae, was well known in the Saxon ages...the five journeys of Benedict Biscopius to Rome; the splendour of his Churches; his importation of Monks, glazed windows, and prick-song; the devastations of Hubba and Hinguar, and of Malcolm...all belong to the Northern Wearmouth: and the charter of Hugh Pudsey, towards the close of the twelfth century, is the first authentic evidence of the existence of the Port or Borough of Southern Wearmouth as a place of maritime commerce and resort". Dated C7th.
Site Name
Wearmouth, possible Anglo-Saxon harbour
Site Type: Specific
Harbour
HER Number
83
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 83 >> R. Surtees, 1816, History of...Durham, Vol. I, p. 255
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
23
DAY2
25
District
Sunderland
Easting
440900
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MONTH1
7
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 45 NW 18
Northing
557700
General Period
UNCERTAIN
Specific Period
Uncertain
Place
Sunderland
Description
In 1849, when clearing some old houses occupying the Pier or Commissioners' Quay (on what was once the north-east corner of the Town Moor) to make the river entrance to the Sunderland dock, the remains of what was supposed to have been the site of a Roman pottery works were brought to light. Eight feet below the surface was a circle, 20 - 25 feet diameter, hewn out of the limestone, and containing a circle of small rubble stones like a horse-mill, apparently erected to grind clay. Close by was found red and yellow ochre, and pottery, both sherds and four perfect Roman vessels of unglazed red earthenware. One went to Sunderland Museum, but was later dismissed as not Roman. From the description of both the structural remains and pottery it would seem likely that they were neither the remains of a pottery works, nor of the Roman period.
SITEASS
It all sounds extremely spurious. If Sunderland Museum can find the pot we might at least be able to get a date.
Site Type: Broad
Pottery Manufacturing Site
SITEDESC
In 1849, when clearing some old houses occupying the Pier or Commissioners' Quay (on what was once the north-east corner of the Town Moor) to make the river entrance to the Sunderland dock, the remains of what was supposed to have been the site of a Roman pottery were brought to light. Eight feet below the surface was a circle, 20 - 25 feet diameter, hewn out of the limestone, and containing a circle of small rubble stones like a horse-mill, apparently erected to grind clay. Close by was found red and yellow ochre, and pottery, both sherds and four perfect Roman bottles of unglazed red earthenware. One went to Sunderland Museum, and was later dismissed by Petch as not Roman.
Site Name
Sunderland, Roman pottery kiln
Site Type: Specific
Pottery Kiln
HER Number
82
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 82 >> J.W. Summers, 1858, History of...Sunderland, pp. 12-14
T. Potts, 1892, Sunderland, pp. 58-9
J.A. Petch, 1925, Roman Durham, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, I, p. 27
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
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