In 2016, archaeologists unearthed an Anglo-Saxon royal palace and settlement in Rendlesham, just 6 km (four miles) from the famous Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk, England. Work continued over the years has unearthed a number of fascinating finds, revealing more about the Eastern Anglican kingdom and a likely link between the palace and the well-known site of the tomb.
Professor Christopher Scull, an honorary visiting professor at University College London and Cardiff University and academic leader of the project called Rendlesham Revealed: Anglo-Saxon Life in South-East Suffolk, said that “Establishing Rendlesham and Sutton Hoo in the its broader panorama promises new understandings of the early Eastern Anglican kingdom, its people and rulers, and the wider English and North Sea worlds of which they were a part. ”This community archeology project would be executed by 2020 -2024 and has included research into lesser-known sites in the Deben Valley, hoping to provide more context for the major discoveries of Sutton Hoo and Rendlesham.
Upper: Incomplete medieval (Anglo-Saxon) copper alloy frame, dating from 450-700 AD. (Suffolk County Council / CC BY 2.0) Bottom: A silver (Anglo-Saxon) silver excess (proto-cent), dating from 680-710 AD. (Suffolk County Council / CC BY 2.0) Both artifacts were found in Rendlesham.
The Royal Palace of Rendlesham and its link to Sutton Hoo
The Suffolk Heritage Explorer website which provides in-depth coverage of the excavations at Rendlesham Royal Settlement reports that “After 12 years of archaeological research, we have identified the site of the Eastern English Royal Settlement at Rendlesham, mentioned for the first time in the seventh century by Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People “. Bede wrote: “Swithelm, the son of Seaxbald, was the successor of Sigeberht. He was baptized by Cedd in East Anglia, in the royal village called Rendlesham, that is, the residence of Rendil. King Aethelwold of East Anglia, the brother of King Anna, the former King of the East Angles, was his sponsor. ”
Rendlesham is close to the Sutton Hoo burial site, known for its quiet boat burial, magnificent Anglo-Saxon hull and treasure trove of ornate artefacts of exceptional historical and archaeological importance. It is one of the most famous discoveries ever made in Britain and has recently again attracted popular attention after the release of the film ‘The Dig’ on Netflix. Sutton Hoo is the speculated burial place of a king who resided at Rendlesham.
Replica of the Anglo-Saxon mask discovered at Sutton Hoo. (Bill Tyne / CC BY-SA 2.0 )
In 2016, Rendlesham project coordinator Faye Minter reported that her team discovered the remains of a 23 m (75 ft) by 9 m (30 ft) structure, which could once have been a room. royal or a palace. He concluded that it was possible that there were other royal burials similar to Sutton Hoo, which was first excavated in 1939 and dates back to the 7th century. It consists of about 20 tombs and excavations revealed many fascinating and impressive treasures. Researchers hope to find even more burials, which could have been placed along the Deben River.
This LIDAR survey shows the main Anglo-Saxon areas of Rendlesham, including the main area of residence. (Suffolk / Colchester Archaeological Service + Ipswich Museums)
“We’ve discovered what we think is a great Anglo-Saxon hall, which could be the palace itself, if it could be called that,” Faye Minter said. [ via BBC ]. “We are convinced that we have found a royal settlement with a very high status and I suppose it would be a large hall instead of a palace, as it would come to mind.”
As researchers announced during the conference at Bury St Edmunds in 2016, the remains of the palace cover a 50-hectare (120-acre) site and were discovered through the analysis of aerial photography and geophysical prospecting.
More than 4,000 items have been found in Rendlesham to date, including complex metalwork, coins and weights. However, only about 1,000 are Anglo-Saxon. According to Dr. Helen Geake of the British Museum, the discovery of the palace was an “incredibly exciting” moment.
High-quality jewelry finds indicate that Rendlesham was probably a royal residence. (Rendlesham rediscovered )
More hidden archeology in the region
Researchers assume that there may be some more palaces or halls such as Rendlesham or burials that dot the surrounding area, which is why excavations in the region have continued. The king would have traveled his kingdom to show his power, magnificence and charisma, so it seems logical that there should be many palaces so that he could be based in the area that belonged to him. Findings made during the excavations may also provide more context for Rendlesham Palace and Sutton Hoo in the high-medieval communities and the local landscape to which they belonged.
In 2018, excavations provided archaeologists with the discovery of a treasure in the form of Roman coins, fragments of gold jewelry and a solid silver ingot dating from the Viking or Anglo-Saxon period. These artifacts were found near Woodbridge. Minter told BBC News that the findings “add to the image of what we have for this great state site of the 7th century [Rendlesham]”.
Anglo-Saxon strap with Borre style decoration and silver ingot that evidences the metal work in Rendlesham. (Suffolk / Colchester County Council Archeology Service + Ipswich Museums)
Top image: Sutton Hoo burial mound ( Public domain ). Insertion: A pearl of gold and garnet discovered in the royal settlement of Rendlesham. ( Rendlesham rediscovered )
Updated February 4, 2021.