A rectangular shaped pit was found within the modified north chamber of the Prior's Lodge adjacent to the blocked eastern doorway of the central partition of the lodge. Added during the late 14th to early 15th century, the pit measured 1.50m by 1.70m and 1.50m deep, with vertical sides and a flat base. It was lined with a 0.25m thick cladding of chalk blocks laid in irregular courses,the chalk block sides were clean but the base was stained dark green. Inset within the top of the installation was a series of parallel slots 0.10m across and 0.10m deep to take timber joists supporting a planked covering, with perhaps a trap door entrance. Immediately adjacent to the pit was a dividing wall which was added at the same time replacing an earlier flimsy wooden partion.

Its function is unclear, but it may have served as a private cool store (it is known that food supplies for the lodge were kept in the north chamber); or alternatively it may have acted as a cess pit, but this is unlikely if food was stored there and the former seems most likely. It went out of use in the 16th century and was backfilled with Dissolution dated rubble.

Hicks, M., 1989, 'St. Gregory's Priory: The Church and Conventual Buildings' (Article in serial). SKE30366.

Hicks, A. & Hicks, M., 2001, St. Gregory's Priory, Northgate, Canterbury, Excavations 1988-1991 (Monograph). SKE30367.