Monument record 611/1 - Probable Early Saxon Cemetery, Stone Pits Close

Saxon inhumation cemetery found in 1778 at Stone Pits Close. Two skeletons accompanied by various burial goods were found in a cist in the late 18th century. Other burials may have been destroyed without record.

{1} Necklace was found in 1822. The objects found with the Anglo-Saxon burials at Welton are in
Northampton Museum.

{2} In 1778 there were found two skeletons, with two small bronze brooches of the square headed pattern, and beads of glass and amber about their necks and wrists. Between the two was a small urn of pottery, not large enough to hold a cremation burial, plus coins of Constantine and Flavia perforated for use as pendants. Other burials were probably destroyed without record.

{3} Saxon cemetery discovered in a field known as Stone Pit Close; this is thought to be the area later planted and re-named Long-ground Spinney. Two small skeletons were found in a rough cist, accompanied by two bronze small-long brooches, 23 beads of jet, amber and green and pattered glass at the wrists and throat, and fragments of a spear. Between the skeletons was a small biconical vessel with an everted rim, decorated with line and dot ornament. Four or five perforated Roman coins of Constantine and Flavia were also discovered. A plain urn, thought be from Welton, was in Netherhall, Cumberland in 1794. In 1822 Baker found a necklace of 45 glass and amber beads. It is thought other burials may have been destroyed without record. Small fragments of Roman pottery were found in the area in 1969.

{4} Discovered in 1778 in a probable cist at a depth of 2ft. Fieldname: Long Ground Spinney.

{7} The field called 'Stone-pit Close' is now planted and called 'Long-ground Spinney'. [Centred SP 5723 6592] Probably many skeletons were found there.

{9} A plain urn thought to be from Welton was in the Netherhall Collection, Cumberland in 1794. A few grey ware sherds were found in 1969.

{12} The authority for {11} was the Schoolmaster at Welton, who quotes Baker {1}, incorrectly giving the date as 1775. He is also responsible for the indentification of Stone Pit Field as parcel no. 19.

In view of Sir Henry Dryden's reputation for accuracy his identification is probably more reliable. No Tithe Map is available for Welton Parish.

{6} No further information. Perambulation of "Long-ground Spinney", now arable, produced some small fragments of RB grey ware.

<1> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.466 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<2> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.235-36 (checked) (Series). SNN100368.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.198 Site 2 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP56NE4 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.196 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<6> Akerman, Pagan Saxondom, (unchecked) (Series). SNN8544.

<7> The Society of Antiquaries of London, 1884, Archaeologia (48.2), p.337 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN103563.

<8> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1972, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1971, p.67 (checked) (Journal). SNN59984.

<9> 1956, Transactions of The Cumberland and Westmorland Archaeological Society, p.70-72 (unchecked) (Series). SNN47440.

<10> MYRES J.N.L., 1977, A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Pottery of The Pagan Period (Both Vols), p. 103 (Book). SNN55363.

<11> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 25" 1923 (Map). SNN112944.

<12> Chapman, DJ, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 DJC 23-NOV-60 (Note). SNN112959.

<13> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F2 JB 17-MAR-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<14> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Object Name Book reference, Revision O.N.B. 1923 (Archive). SNN113537.

Record last edited

Mar 15 2023 3:05PM