Documentary evidence suggests that the site was well occupied from the 13th century and records suggest the presence of several medieval messuages across the site (dwelling houses along with any associated outbuildings and land). Riverside staithes and a quay are also recorded at the end of Fullerhole and Bleckstershole.
The stone foundations of two medieval buildings, which may both date from the 15th century, were discovered just below the modern surface in the central area of the site. Numerous surfaces, drains and layers associated with the buildings construction survived at their base. The impressive remains of one of these structures exceeded 2m in depth, which was initially thought to represent part of the Duke’s Palace complex. However, the building lies west of the lost medieval lane of Bleckstershole which is known to mark the western limit of the Palace grounds. Remarkably, both of theses buildings rested above the flint and mortar foundations of earlier robbed foundations of a likely 14th century date. Demolition waste from these earlier buildings appears to have been recycled into their replacements.
From the 14th century stone buildings were often replaced by timber constructions that were cheaper to maintain. These buildings are of particular interest as very few secular stone buildings survive from this period in Norwich.