Monument record 1844/1 - Saxon Burial Site, Possibly also in Use During Romano-British Period

5th and 6th century Saxon inhumation cemetery between 'Peter's Cabin and Twywell Field'. Found before 1757, but further finds made in 1878 and in 1917-8. Two Roman cinerary urns were re-used by the Saxons.

{1} A 'Roman' skeleton with a 'helmet', presumably a shield boss, was found hereabouts in the mid 18th century. In 1878 when the area was being worked for ironstone, three or four burials in graves, a shield boss, glass, beads and a large number of bronze brooches, clasps and buckles were found. In 1917–18 further graves were discovered associated with numerous beads, buckles, brooches, shield bosses, spearheads, pottery and two glass dishes. Two Roman 'cinerary urns' were also found and it is possible that some of the graves were of Roman date. The location of the site is different from that given by Meaney and is based on OS map evidence.

{2} A 'Roman' skeleton with 'helmet' (probably umbo) and spear found before 1757 'between Peter's Cabin and Twywell Field' on the north side of the road from Thrapston to Market Harborough.

{3} During ironstone quarrying in 1878, three to four human burials, aligned east to west, and in separate graves, were found; there was a portion of skull adhering to the shield boss; there were glass, terracotta and amber beads with one burial; a fragment of cloth between two metal plates; a large number of bronze ornaments; they were found 'close adjoining' the Thrapston to Kettering turnpike where it passes the iron smelting works of Mr Plevins on the Drayton House property.

{4} Finds found during quarrying in 1917 and 1918; the ancient burials and artefacts were examined by the British Museum; possibly 6th century in date; consisted of two plain Saxon urns, a small cup, a shield boss, a knife and ring, bronze tweezers, glass and amber beads, a bronze buckle, glass cups and a bowl and plain clasps and brooches; illustrations;

{5} A 'Roman' skeleton with 'helmet' (?umbo) and a spear was found pre 1757 'between Peter's Cabin and Twywell Field' on the north side of the Thrapston to Harborough Road; OS quote ref 2. From approx. SP970785. Finds from old burial ground on high promontory removed by ironstone working; possible area SP969785 where there was quarrying in 1901. Quarry at SP971784 in 1888.

{8} From old burial ground on high promontory removed by ironstone working;

{13} Burials in Northampton Museum; one burial extended with the head on a limestone slab; no coffin nails were found; finds list; late 5th to mid 6th century in date. Site location varies from other sources.

{14} Illustrations.

{18} The three accounts above {2, 3 and 4} taken together to make up an inhumation cemetery of probably 5th - mid 6th c date, with siting at SP 980 790. Finds recorded as at Drayton House, Northampton Museum, BM(NH), and Royal College of Surgeons. Also quote (apparently from BM/NH) that the 1917 material came from 'an old burial ground situated in a somewhat high promontory which was removed for excavation for Islip iron-stone works.

Pelvin's Smelting works were clearly the 'Islip Furnaces' (published on first and second ed 6", 1888, 1901) at SP 971782; and the workings of 1888 were at SP 971784, which is therefore reasonable siting for the 1878 guide. The earlier and later finds are not so easily sited (the former particularly, as neither 'Peter's Cabin' nor 'Twywell Field' is identifiable). The most likely workings for the 1917 finds are those at SP 969785, which were not in being in 1888 but had started in 1901. This would agree with the 'somewhat high promontory'. Meaney {13} is probably right to group the three accounts, but a siting to the general area SP 970 785 is much preferable to hers.
The whole area has been extensively mined for ironstone and at no point can the original ground level be determined.

{19} Two vessels listed as:- 5-7c Grp B III d, Fig.25 and 5-7e Grp b II, e, 6.

{20} The brooches have been shown to have affinities with cruciform brooches found in Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire.

{21} The glass objects cited in this record are probably from the site located at SP 970785.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.59/Site 8 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> 1757, The Gentleman's Magazine (1757), p.20 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN35601.

<3> Baker Rev.R.S., 1882, Islip, p.89-91 (part checked) (Journal). SNN36234.

<4> 1918, Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries, 30/113-20 (checked) (Full Report). SNN36238.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97NE7 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.228-49 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<7> Uncertain, 1941, The Antiquaries Journal, p.234-36 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN36246.

<8> BRITISH MUSEUM QUARTERLY, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN36239.

<9> Kettering Museum Records, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN28658.

<10> ROMANO-BRITISH REMAINS, 236 (unchecked) (Series). SNN45343.

<12> BROWN G.B., 1915, The Arts In Early England (Vol.4), p.782 (unchecked) (Series). SNN36226.

<13> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.190-91 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<14> 1969, Journal of The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (6), p.37-41 (checked) (Journal). SNN9670.

<15> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1974, Archaeology In Northamptonshire 1973, 9/103 (unchecked) (Article). SNN9109.

<16> History and Antiquities of Twywell, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN59890.

<17> MYRES J.N.L., 1977, A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Pottery of The Pagan Period (Both Vols), p. 102 & Figs 99 & 339 (Book). SNN55363.

<18> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 29-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<19> Harden D.B., 1956, Dark Age Britain, p. 159-160 (Book). SNN77351.

<20> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1976, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1975, p. 196 (Journal). SNN169.

<21> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Inf Jones E, Northants SMR 1992 (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<22> Harden, D B, 1978, Anglo-Saxon and Later Medieval Glass In Britain: Some Recent Developments, p. 3 (Article). SNN116475.

<23> Evison, V I, 1982, Anglo-Saxon glass claw-beakers, p. 67 (Article). SNN116476.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 8:14PM