Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Early 7th century Anglo Saxon inhumation with grave goods including coins, a gold ornament and a Roman intaglio were found in St Martin's churchyard in 1844.

The site lies on the lower part of a west-facing slope. OD 25-30m.

Monument Types

• FINDSPOT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• CEMETERY (CEMETERY, Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 600 AD to 632 AD)

Associated Finds

• COIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 500 AD to 600 AD)
• JEWELLERY (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 580 AD to 630 AD)

Full description

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AS inhumation cemetery, St Martins Churchyard. [TR 158577, OS 1:1250 1976] TR 158577. Circa 1844: 6 or perhaps 7 coins fitted with loops were found in St Martin's Churchyard with a Roman intaglio and a circular Frankish gold ornament set with garnets and a green stone. The coins date to c580, and are thought to be English although imitating Merouingian and Byzantine coins. They include one with the inscription Leudardus Eps, probably struck in honour of the Frankish Bishop Liudhard. (1) The Canterbury (St Martin's) 'Hoard', 1844? The hoard as it exists today consists of six coin-ornaments, as well as a Roman sard intaglio set in a gold mount and a Frankish gold mount set with garnets and green glass. It has been assumed that these represented a single find from one grave, but there are reasons for doubting this. Analysis and archaeological dating suggest that the assemblage forms two groups, one deposited about 580 and the other about 630. The likelihood of the pieces representing more than one burial is borne out by what is known of the early history of the group. As Rolfe was only able to exhibit three pieces in 1844, it seems likely that the other pieces came separately into his possession, although he does record that the second group had been found 'with' the others. The churchyard of St Martin's was in use over such a long period that it should not be surprising to have items from different burials.The churchyard may have been used as the burial ground for the early Christian community of Canterbury. (2) Additional bibliography. (3-8) Additional bibliography - not consulted. (9-12)

Andrew Richardson, 2000, Gazetteer of Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries and Burial-Sites in Kent (Unpublished document). SKE29253.

<1> Gaz of E AS Burial Sites 1964 113 (ALS Meaney) (OS Card Reference). SKE43490.

<2> Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles 1982 xvi-xviii pl1 5-10 (M Warhurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE49791.

<3> JBAA 44 1888 207 (HH Higgins) (OS Card Reference). SKE44983.

<4> VCH Kent 1 1908 341-2 (RA Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE50843.

<5> Arch J 1 1845 279 (WH Rolfe) (OS Card Reference). SKE36525.

<6> Arch Cant 3 1860 39-40 (CR Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE34982.

<7> Arch Cant 8 1872 232-3 (DH Haigh) (OS Card Reference). SKE35681.

<8> Arch Cant 57 1944 72-74 (RU Potts) (OS Card Reference). SKE35296.

<9> Num Chron 6 1844 27-28 (OS Card Reference). SKE47723.

<10> Num Chron 7 1845 187-91 (OS Card Reference). SKE47731.

<11> Coll Ant 1 1848 63-64 176-78 (OS Card Reference). SKE39088.

<12> Brit Num J 3rd Ser 7 1952 39-51 (OS Card Reference). SKE38349.

Sources and further reading