In 2016, archaeologists discovered an Anglo-Saxon royal palace and settlement at Rendlesham, just 6 km from the famous Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England. Continued work over the years has unearthed a number of fascinating discoveries, revealing more about the kingdom of East England and a probable connection between the palace and the famous tomb site.
Professor Christopher Scull, an honorary visiting professor at University College London and Cardiff University and the academic leader of the project called Rendlesham Revealed: Anglo-Saxon Life in South-East Suffolk, said that “Setting Rendlesham and Sutton Hoo in their wider landscape promises new understandings of the kingdom of early East England, its people and rulers, as well as the wider English world and the North Sea to which they belonged. “This community archeology project was to take place between 2020 and 2024 and included the investigation of lesser-known sites in the Deben Valley, hoping to provide more context for major discoveries at Sutton Hoo and Rendlesham.
Above: an incomplete frame of early medieval copper alloy (Anglo-Saxon), dating from 450-700 AD. (Suffolk County Council / CC BY 2.0) Bottom: an early-medieval (Anglo-Saxon) silver flake (proto-penny), 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 connection to Sutton Hoo
The Suffolk Heritage Explorer website provides in-depth coverage of excavations at the Rendlesham royal settlement, reporting that “After 12 years of archaeological investigations, we have identified the site of the early East Rendlesham Royal England settlement, first mentioned in the 7th century to Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Bede wrote: “Swithelm, son of Seaxbald, was the successor of Sigeberht. He was baptized by Cedd in Eastern England, in the royal village called Rendlesham, meaning Rendil’s residence. King Aethelwold of East England, the brother of King Anna, the former King of the East Angles, was his sponsor.
Rendlesham is located close to the Sutton Hoo burial site, known for its undisturbed burial of the ship, the magnificent Anglo-Saxon helmet and the treasure trove of ornate artifacts of remarkable historical and archaeological significance. It is one of the most famous discoveries ever made in the UK and was recently brought back to popular attention after the release of “The Dig” on Netflix. Sutton Hoo is the speculative burial place of a king who lived in 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 his team discovered the remains of a 23 m (75 ft) by 9 m (30 ft) structure that could once have been a royal hall or palace. She concluded that there may be other royal burials similar to Sutton Hoo, which was first excavated in 1939 and dates from the 7th century. It consists of about 20 funerary mounds, and the excavations have revealed many fascinating and impressive treasures. Researchers hope to find more burials that 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 Archaeological Service / Colchester Museums + Ipswich)
“We discovered what we think is a large Anglo-Saxon hall, which could be the palace itself, if you could call it that,” said Faye Minter. [ 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 rather than a palace, because it would come to mind.”
As announced by researchers at the 2016 Bury St Edmunds conference, the palace’s remains cover a 120-acre (50 ha) site and were discovered by analyzing aerial photographs and geophysical surveys.
To date, more than 4,000 items have been found in Rendlesham, including complex metalwork, coins and weights. However, only about 1,000 of them are Anglo-Saxons. According to Dr. Helen Geake of the British Museum, the discovery of the palace was an “incredibly exciting” moment.
Discoveries of high quality jewelry indicate that Rendlesham was probably a royal residence. (Rendlesham rediscovered )
More archeology hidden in the region
Researchers suggest that there may be a few more palaces or halls such as the one at Rendlesham or burials that partially divide the surrounding area, which is why excavations have continued around the region. The king would have toured the kingdom to show his power, greatness and charisma, so it seems logical to have a lot of palaces so that it could be based around the area that belonged to him. The discoveries made during the excavations may also provide more context for Rendlesham Palace and Sutton Hoo in the early medieval communities and the local landscape from which they belonged.
In 2018, the excavations offered archaeologists the discovery of treasures in the form of Roman coins, fragments of gold jewelry and a solid silver ingot dating from either 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 that high-rise 7th century site.” [Rendlesham]. ”
Anglo-Saxon strap with Borre-style décor and silver ingot that provides evidence of metalworking at Rendlesham. (Suffolk County Council Archeology Service / Colchester + Ipswich Museums)
Top image: Sutton Hoo burial mound ( Public domain ). Insert: A gold and garnet bead discovered at the royal settlement of Rendlesham. ( Rendlesham rediscovered )
Updated on February 4, 2021.