Royal Anglo-Saxon Rendlesham – HIAG Talk
This is an extraordinary site. The seat of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom for 300 years from the 5th century, close to Sutton Hoo, and occupying an area of 50 hectares! The wealthiest of all sites in the country in this period?
Royal Anglo-Saxon Rendlesham with Faye Minter, Senior Archaeological Officer, Suffolk County Council on Monday 15th February 2021 at 7:30 pm
The now tranquil Deben valley in south-east Suffolk was once at the heart of the East Anglian Anglo-Saxon Kingdom, which is home to the princely ship burial discovered at Sutton Hoo in 1939, and the long-lost royal settlement found at Rendlesham.
This royal settlement, or vicus regius, is first mentioned in the 8th century by the venerable Bede, a Northumbrian monk, in his book The Ecclesiastical History of the English People.
Archaeological investigations at Rendlesham by Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service identified the site of this royal settlement in 2008 and has since revealed that it was active for almost 300 years, from the 5th to 8th centuries. Covering 50 hectares, the size of 70 football pitches, it is the largest and wealthiest settlement of its time known in England.
In this talk, Faye Minter will explore the archaeology of this Anglo-Saxon royal settlement and the archaeological techniques which have revealed it.
Faye is an archaeologist who specialises in the identification of Roman and early medieval metal artefacts. As Senior Archaeological Officer for Suffolk County Council, Faye manages the county’s archives, the Finds Recording Team and several research projects, as well as advises developers and landowners.
For the past 12 years, Faye has been investigating Rendlesham on behalf of the archaeological service, which has involved many specialists, organisations, and volunteers. Faye also manages the new community archaeology project Rendlesham Revealed: Anglo-Saxon Life in South-East Suffolk which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. To find out more visit: https://heritage.suffolk.gov.uk/rendlesham
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