Building
Mason's yard
A mason's yard was the working area on a building site where stone was cut and dressed. At Rochester Cathedral some 15 to 20 banker masons dressed the 12th-century Caen stone ashlar at a time, cutting their personal marks, over 4,000 of which survive, so that work could be counted for pay. Axe marks show on much of the ashlar, with chisels reserved for finer carving.
Caveats (confidence: high)
Sheltered masons' lodges are documented; the precise layout of 12th-century yards is not.
Sources: kentarchaeology.org.uk