Hunt for remains of 12th century gatehouse

More than 200 keen amateur archaeologists turned up at St John’s House Museum recently after being invited to take part in a hunt for the remains of a medieval hospital gatehouse.



Dr Cathy Coutts of Archaeology Warwickshire knows that buried beneath somewhere in the grounds of the museum are the foundations of an 800 year old hospital founded by the Earl of Warwick for the benefit of travellers and the poor of the parish.

The hospital and its gatehouse were eventually replaced by the 17th century St John’s House.

Sadly the gatehouse was not uncovered at the weekend although there were a number of finds, including some painted medieval glass and a circular carriageway built over the hospital.