Monument record 356/1 - Early Saxon Cemetery, north of Marston Hill Farm

A 6th century Saxon inhumation cemetery with some cremations was found in 1842-3 a little more than 1/4 mile North of Marston Hill farm, in the parish of Marston St Lawrence, 200 or 300 yards West of the Moreton road, in a field called Bar-Furlong. 32 inhumations were discovered, their heads to the South-West and 3 or 4 cremations. Among the finds were knives and brooches - saucer, trefoil-headed and ring, and one square headed.

{1} After the discovery of a single skeleton in 1842, an excavation was carried out in 1843. This revealed 32 inhumations, all with their heads to the S.W. and all but three with grave goods, including two pairs of saucer brooches, four pairs of small-long brooches, a large square-headed brooch and a bronze clasp. There were also four urns, three of which definitely contained cremations. The skeleton of a horse was also discovered. The cemetery has been tentatively dated to the late 6th century.

{2} An AS burial ground a little more than 1/4 mile N of Marston Hill farm, in the parish of Marston St Lawrence, 200 or 300 yards W of the Moreton road, in a field called Bar-Furlong (area SP 542439); 32 inhumations were discovered, their heads to the SW and 3 or 4 cremations. Among the finds were knives and brooches - saucer, trefoil-headed and ring, and one square headed.

{9} A skeleton was discovered in Barfurlong field on a high ridge of land running WNW to ENE overlooking the vale of Cherwell to the south. The land had been ploughed for many years and the topsoil was from 1.25 to 2ft deep on top of limestone rock.
Fieldname: Bar Furlong Field.
Classified as a "mixed cemetery".

{11} Plan: MSS of cemetery.

{13} Skeleton, tentativley dated to the 6th century.

{15} D. Kennett suggests that the brooches are from a grave in the cemetery excavated by Dryden at Marston St Lawrence.

{17} Excavation undertaken in 1899. Several inhumations with grave goods; there are notes on the sketch plan about the finds from each. Plan: sketch.

{18} Some finds in Northampton Museum - discovered 1842.

{19} Mr D J Barrett a local archaeologist could offer no further information about this site. The indicated area is under crop. Local enquiry and examination of "Enclosure Field Names" (1761) and "Field name Survey" (1932) (Both in CRO Northampton) negative regarding "Bar-Furlong".

{20} Note on the account of early Saxon remains at Barrow Furlong on the Hill Farm;

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.100/Site 14 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Dryden, H, 1884, Excavation of an Ancient Burial Ground at Marston St. Lawrence, co. Northampton, p.327ff (unchecked) (Article). SNN103563.

<3> Uncertain, 1922, The Antiquaries Journal, p.11 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN9666.

<4> Bailey, S., Photos of Culworth, (checked) (Photographic prints (B&W)). SNN108993.

<5> Ashmolean Museum Accession Register, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN10110.

<6> British Museum Accession Register, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN10055.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP54SW4 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<8> BROWN G.B., 1915, The Arts In Early England (Vol.4), p.78 (unchecked) (Series). SNN36226.

<9> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.192 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<10> The Society of Antiquaries of London, 1912, Archaeologia (63), p.200 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN9667.

<11> Northampton Museum Topographical Index, (unchecked) (Index). SNN1470.

<12> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.226-50 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<14> The Society of Antiquaries of London, 1849, Archaeologia (33), p.326-34 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN103443.

<15> 1969, Journal of The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (6), p.49 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN9670.

<16> MYRES J.N.L., 1977, A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Pottery of The Pagan Period (Both Vols), 800+3126-7 (unchecked) (Book). SNN55363.

<17> Northampton Museum Records, Dryden: Hepplewhite Cabinet Drawer 8 (checked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<18> Northampton Museum 6 Inch Map, Northampton Mus 6" ref Arch 48. (Map). SNN10162.

<19> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 14-APR-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<20> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/182/4 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:13PM