Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A number of features and finds, including architectural fragments, tombs and human remains, which may be linked to the Medieval St. Peters Church, were discovered during the works associated with the construction of the Lloyd’s Bank on the northern side of Market Square, Dover. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1611 AD?)
• HUMAN REMAINS (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1611 AD)
• TOMB (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1611 AD)
• Wall Foundation (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1611 AD)

Associated Finds

• ANIMAL REMAINS (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1611 AD)
• CAPITAL (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1611 AD)
• HUMAN REMAINS (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1611 AD)

Full description

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A number of features and finds, including architectural fragments, tombs and human remains, which may be linked to the Medieval St. Peters Church, were discovered during the works associated with the construction of the Lloyd’s Bank on the northern side of Market Square, Dover. Much of the stonework which was either decorative or valuable was removed in the early 17th century when the church was demolished, though the lower chalk blocks of the foundations were discovered during these works. Alongside the foundations, a ‘perfect’ Norman capital, which is likely to have originally topped one of the columns of the Nave of the Church of St Peter, was located amongst the rubble. Half of a small chalk coffin was also located as well as a burial vault containing a large quantity of human remains. (1-2) Amongst the human remains which were uncovered were the remains of an antler, possibly belonging to a red deer. There were also the bones of about 26 individuals, more male than female. This was possibly because in the Middle Ages, Dover was an active seaport as well as a religious centre and therefore there was likely to be more men than women. Most of the human skulls had white, sound, and regular teeth but were greatly worn, possibly, due to eating coarsely ground grain and tough, badly cooked, meat. The bones showed that, overall, the people had died in the prime of life without long standing ailments. This Dr Parsons’ suggested, was because the time between when infections where caught and death was short – which would explain why in St Peter’s church, St Roch was venerated. Another reason given by Dr Parson, was that, ‘old records show that there were few more turbulent places than the Cinque Ports, and probably many of these men were killed in some brawl or another.’ The exhumed skeletons were first buried in St Martin’s Cemetery that stood at the top of Market Street until 1970. They were then re-interred in Charlton Cemetery. (3)

<1> Dover Express, 1905, The Dover Express - Friday 21st of July 1905 (Newspaper). SKE32398.

<2> Dover Express, 1905, The Dover Express - Friday 28th of July 1905 (Newspaper). SKE32399.

<3> Lorraine Sencicle, 2014, The Dover Historian -St Peters Church (Website). SKE32118.

Sources and further reading

Related records