Monument record 5210/0/1 - Saxon Burial Mound in Cow Meadow, Northampton

A round barrow at Cow Meadow was apparently destroyed in the 19th century when a park was established in the area. A pavilion now stands on the approximate site. In 1844, two small urns and a brooch were recovered from the mound, while other finds from the barrow include a bone pin, bronze tweezers, a small cup-shaped metal object, and some iron arrowheads. A drawing of an urn from the mound apparently depicts a vessel of Anglo-Saxon date.

{1} Tumulus in Cow Meadow, now partly levelled but still recognisable. In 1844 two small urns were recovered from the mound. They were evidently not intended to hold ashes. Also a pierced circular brooch with fylfot in centre of type common in Northamptonshire and East Anglia.

{2} Shows tumulus in Cow Meadow.

{3} Site of tumulus. Saxon brooch etc found in area of Cow Meadow now called Becketts Park. Site indicated now occupied by a pavilion.

{4} Tumulus with Anglo-Saxon burial and finds was destroyed during the C19th.

{5} Northampton II Cow Meadow. Possible primary inhumation burial in barrow. In 1844 two small urns were found with a pierced circular swastika brooch. The tumulus was said to be partly levelled but still recognisable in Cow Meadow. In Northampton Museum from this site are a small roughly-shaped fragment of bone possibly representing a pin and part of the long bone of a sheep or pig and pigs tooth. Also a small curved piece of bone stained green by bronze. Also a pair of plain bronze tweezers and a small cup-shaped thin metal object. The museum also has a drawing of an Anglo-Saxon urn which may be cinerary but the object itself is missing. In 1957 the mound was said to have been levelled when the park was made and is no longer visible.

{6} Barrow in Cow Meadow at Northampton produced two pots and a disc brooch.

{7} Tumulus in Cow Meadow was destroyed in the C19th.

{8} Tumulus producing Anglo-Saxon material in Cow Meadow.

{9} Tumulus in Cow Meadow. George describes the feature as a pre-Roman earthwork. Anglo-Saxon fylfot brooch was recovered from the tumulus.

{10} Faint traces of the barrow to be seen in Cow Meadow. In 1844 from this came brooch of Anglian type along with other remains.

{15} Anglo-Saxon tumulus including a burial with two small urns and pierced circular brooch.

{17} In 1844 two small urns and a circular brooch with pierced swastika design were found in the tumulus as well as pair of plain bronze tweezers and a small cup-shaped thin metal object.

{18} (SP 75816007). Tumulus with Anglo-Saxon burial and finds destroyed during the 19th century.

{19} Indicated site now occupied by a pavilion.

{20} Drawings of artefacts found "in a barrow in the cow meadow" 1844;

<1> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.247 (checked) (Series). SNN100368.

<2> MERRYWEATHER, 1770, Map of The Commons of Northampton, (unchecked) (Map). SNN40713.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP76SE42 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, (unchecked) (Archive). SNN115.

<5> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.193 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<6> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.27 (checked) (Series). SNN1320.

<7> Shaw M.; Williams J., 1971-1981, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Record Cards, AS10 (checked) (Index). SNN133.

<8> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, AS10 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<9> George T.J., 1904, An Archaeological Survey of Northamptonshire, p.18 (unchecked) Handwritten notes in NDC File AS10; (Index). SNN10170.

<10> GEORGE T.J., 1904, Excursion of an Archaeological Section to The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Duston, p.280-1 (unchecked) (Report). SNN110.

<11> Ordnance Survey, OS Map 'Dark Ages' No.43, (unchecked) (Map). SNN55063.

<12> GEORGE T.J., Manuscript Notes, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN60875.

<13> DRYDEN, 1884, Manuscript Notes, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN56102.

<14> 1919, Journal of Northants.Nat.His.Soc.& Field Club, p.43 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN55064.

<15> Northampton Museum Records, Moore W.R.G. Site No.47 Notes (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<16> Northampton Museum Donations Forms, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN56103.

<17> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.326 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<18> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Corr.6" (R.W.Brown, 1949) (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<19> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 26-FEB-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

<20> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/198/715 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Nov 27 2024 11:20AM