Monument record 5009/1 - Unlocated Saxon cemetery, Hardingstone

In 1855, according to Bateman, a Saxon cemetery was discovered 'at Hardingstone' (SP 7657). An iron spearhead, and perhaps part of another are in Northampton Museum, as also is a two-piece bridle bit with cheek piece rings, said to have been found in the mouth of a horse and apparently in the same interment was a handsome circular bronze attachment plate. This has a central boss, with 4 others (settings lost) at the points of a cruciform star of garnets. Between them were four fish and intertwined ornaments. According to Meaney, the site is thought to be at Hunsbury, but there is no evidence for this in the sources Meaney quotes, or indeed in any other available account. Instead be associated with the possible cemetery near Hardingstone Primary School.

{1} Finds apparently found in 1855 somewhere in the parish. It has been claimed that the material came from Hunsbury, but there is no evidence to corroborate this and it may instead be associated with the possible cemetery near Hardingstone Primary School (Pref ref 5016/1). The size of the cemetery is uncertain but it seems to have contained more than one burial since it is recorded that ' evidence of pagan rites attending some of the interments coupled with the Christain character of the relics....and which may be probably fixed about the close of the 7th century'.

{2} In 1855, according to Bateman, an AS cemetery was discovered 'at Hardingstone' (SP 7657). An iron spearhead, and perhaps part of another are in Northampton Museum, as also is a two-piece bridle bit with cheek piece rings, said to have been found in the mouth of a horse and apparently in the same interment as a handsome circular bronze attachment plate. This has a central boss, with 4 others (settings lost) at the points of a cruciform star of garnets. Between them were 4 fish and intertwined ornaments. "The site is thought to be at Hunsbury". (There is no evidence for this in the sources Meaney quotes, or indeed in any other available account).

{6} In the museum…formed by the late general Pitt-Rivers, is a very highly gilt circular ornament set with garnets; this was found in 1860, associated with a burial at Hardingstone, near Northampton.

{7} No further information at Northampton Museum, and nothing known there to suggest that the finds might have been made at Hunsbury (but see SP 75 NW 13).

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.290 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.189 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<3> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.253 and Illustration opposite p.233(unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<4> BATEMAN, 1860, RELIQUARY, Reliquary 1 1860 189 (T Bateman). Plate & bit illus (Uncertain). SNN45512.

<5> NDC SMR Records, AS4 (Database). SNN103358.

<6> George T.J., 1904, An Archaeological Survey of Northamptonshire, 15,7 (Index). SNN10170.

<7> 1968, Field investigators comments, F1 21-MAR-68 (F1 not identified) (Notes). SNN116362.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 7:48PM