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Roman London - the London wall
These pages are based on a "Royal Commission On Historical Monuments 1834" - actually it is 1928; which is in the public domain.
(32) . Christ’s Hospital site (A). In 1907-9 a stretch of wall near King Edward
Street was exposed. The total height was 10 feet 2 inches, the plinth resting at
a depth of 13 feet 8 inches below the ground-level. Above this point one triple
and two double bonding-courses remained. There were somewhat indefinite
indications of a bank built against the inner face. It extended 16| feet from
the wall, and remained to a height of about 5 feet. It was composed of an
orange-coloured loam which was clearly distinguishable from the surrounding
made-earth , where it had been covered by this bank, the face of the wall was
remarkably well preserved.
(33) . Christ’s Hospital site (B). A portion of the wall at the back of the
bastion (17) was uncovered at the same time. The base of the plinth was 9 1/2
feet below the surface, and was surmounted by four courses of squared rag-stone,
a double bonding-course of brick, five of rag, a second double bonding-course
and two courses of rag. The width above the plinth was 8 1/2 feet.
(34) . Christ’s Hospital site (C). A further long stretch of wall was uncovered
West of the above. It was of similar character. At one point just below the base
levelling-course of brick was a flooring of large Roman tiles laid on a bed of
puddle-clay 1 feet thick, and extending for a distance of 10 feet from the wall.
(35) . Christ’s Hospital site {D). At the North West corner of the wall, a
fragment of the Roman structure adjoining the angle-bastion. It was built on the
curve, and the base of the plinth was 12 feet below the surface. The
substructure was upwards of 6 feet deep.
The outer face of the wall bore evident marks of water having stood against it
for a protracted period." On removing this coating the whole face was seen to
have been pointed with pink mortar. Above the plinth were five courses of
squared rag-stone, a double bonding-course of brick, five courses of squared
rag, and a second double bonding-course. The thickness above the plinth was 7
3/4 feet. The wall had evidently tilted outwards at this point and badly cracked
before the addition of the bastion. This portion of the wall with the
angle-bastion is preserved in a specially constructed enclosure and can still be
inspected.
Site of Christs Hospital, now the General Post Office 1909
Christs Hospital, Newgate street
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