Monument record 4763 - Possible Iron Age, Romano-British Settlement and Saxon cemetery

Significant quantities of Roman finds including pottery have been found suggesting that this is the site of a Roman settlement. Large quantities of human bone of both sexes, including children, have been found in this area over the years and it has been suggested that this may have been the site of Boudicca's last battle. However, some of the bones have been radiocarbon dated to the 5th or 6th centuries AD, indicating that it is actually the site of a Saxon cemetery.

{1} Visible burial strip containing at least 16 very shallow burials in top 6in. Included children. Very damaged by ploughing but appeared to lie parallel with the east edge of the field. Pottery scatter, Belgic to late 4th century, mostly 3rd/4th century. Stone yard surfaces with 2nd to 4th century pottery.

{2} Preface "some few years ago, in company with the late Sir H Dryden and Mr George of the Northampton Museum, I visited an arable field (in the parish of Paulerspury) now in the occupation of Mr Tapper in which, very little below the surface, any quantity of human bones - men's, women's and children's was to be found; my learned companions came to the conclusion that these remains, judged by their condition, were of an earlier date than either Dane or Roman and to me they suggested, from the haphazard way in which they had beeen interred, the massacre of a considerable village population in prehistoric times"

{5} Several inhumations and a Roman pottery scatter revealed by ploughing.

{6} The whole area of this valley from the north east outskirts of Pury End to the Watling Street is reputed to be rich in finds of human bone.

{8} "I have no doubt at all that there had been a massacre. A 1st century massacre is not impossible but there was late Roman pottery around and on balance I think this is more likely the date." The whole site was so cut about there was no quick way of telling what dated levels were cut by graves.

{9} Burials (SP 714465), N of Pury End and N of the fishpond SP 74 NW 2 Large quantities of human bones of both sexes, including children, have been found over a number of years in this area. A few sherds of Roman pottery, including the base of an unusual 1st century pot, have also been discovered. It has been suggested that it is the site of a Saxon cenetery but this is by no means certain.

{10} Possible Saxon cemetery

{11} Bones were found at SP7130 4619, near the bones found in 1986. Date for the bones given as 640 AD. No grave goods were found, possibly indicating an early Saxon Christian burial? A 7th century gilt bronze brooch was also found.

<1> Woodfield, C., 2000?, Oral Report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN106797.

<2> GOLDBERG A., 1909, A Short History of Paulerspury, (unchecked) (Book). SNN44099.

<3> HALL D.N., 1973, Paulerspury survey 1973, 3/67 (checked) (Article). SNN77045.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.314 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<5> Musgrave E.C.; Tingle M. (editors), 1991, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1990, 23/111 Paulerspury (checked) (Article). SNN100325.

<6> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1978, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1977, 13/182 (checked) (Journal). SNN2192.

<7> Woodfield C., 2000, Luddell finds, (checked) (Letter). SNN100671.

<8> Woodfield C., 1997-8, Correspondence re. Human Remains at Luddell Field, (checked) (Correspondence). SNN51887.

<9> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.117/Site 24 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<10> Rowley R.T.; Fowler W.J. (Editors), 1974, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (4), p.27 (checked) (Newsletter). SNN17341.

<11> Woodfield C., 1987, Correspondence re. Finds From Luddell, Paulerspury, (checked) (Letter). SNN45526.

<12> Woodfield C., 2000, Luddell finds, (checked) (Letter). SNN100671.

<13> Oxford University Radiocarbon Accelerator unit, 2000, Radiocarbon dates for Paulerspury (Letter). SNN111076.

Record last edited

Jun 11 2025 2:25PM