Archaeologists from Newcastle University and the University of Exeter confirmed the location of the lost residence of Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, in Bosham, West Sussex. The discovery comes after a re-analysis of previous excavations, which identified clues indicating a very high-status Anglo-Saxon building. These clues include a substantial moat, evidence of a large tiled building as illustrated in the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry, and an internal en-suite loo.
This site has emerged as the most plausible location of Harold Godwinson’s residence, with some medieval sources suggesting he may have been buried adjacent to his palace. A house in Bosham, now a private home, stands on the site of his lost residence. Bosham is depicted twice in the Bayeux Tapestry, including scenes of Harold enjoying a feast in an extravagant hall before setting sail for France and upon his return.
In 2006, excavations uncovered remains of a latrine within a large wooden structure on the site. The inclusion of a latrine in a wooden structure proved pivotal in indicating the elite status of the building. “Looking at this significant clue, along with all the other evidence, we have no doubt that we are dealing with the residence of Harold Godwinson, depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry,” stated Duncan Wright, Senior Lecturer in Medieval Archaeology at Newcastle University.
Over the last decade, archaeologists identified a trend in England starting in the 10th century CE, involving the inclusion of toilets in the homes of high-status individuals, signifying their elite status. The presence of an internal en-suite loo in the wooden structure at Bosham supports the site’s importance as a high-status Anglo-Saxon residence.
The research at Bosham was carried out as part of the Where Power Lies project, which aims to explore the early development of aristocratic centers across England and is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The findings are described in the latest issue of The Antiquaries Journal, and the research was led by Wright in association with Professor Oliver Creighton, an archaeologist at the University of Exeter.
“The Norman Conquest replaced England’s Anglo-Saxon elite with a new ruling class, leaving few physical traces of their predecessors. Discoveries like this are hugely significant, as they offer a rare glimpse into the architectural and cultural identity of Anglo-Saxon aristocracy,” said Professor Creighton, according to RMF24.
Harold Godwinson ruled for only nine months in 1066 before he was killed in the Battle of Hastings, a key event depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. The tapestry, an 11th-century artifact, chronicles the Norman Conquest of England, including events leading up to and following Harold Godwinson’s defeat at the Battle of Hastings.
The timber building depicted in the tapestry almost certainly represents part of Harold Godwinson’s residence, which has been confirmed through recent archaeological findings. The site at Bosham housed a high-status complex, including a grand hall likely used by Harold himself, covering around an acre and consisting of several buildings. The wider complex included a church, which remains intact to this day, further reinforcing the importance of the site as a focal point of power in pre-Conquest England.
The team of archaeologists used a range of methods to investigate the early history of the property in Bosham, with the 2006 excavations proving to be the most important. Geophysical surveys of the surrounding area were conducted, and an assessment of the standing remains was made. “Looking at all the evidence, it is beyond reasonable doubt that we have now identified the location of King Harold’s main power centre, the one famously depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry,” remarked Wright, as reported by The Independent.
“We have found an Anglo-Saxon show-home,” emphasized Creighton, according to Popular Science.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
