[MR] History Blog: Saxon Brooch Found in Topsoil Dump

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends, Especially Anglo-Saxons,

Today the History Blog and other sources are reporting on the story of a
Saxon brooch found in a Norfolk farmer's field after a load of topsoil was
dumped there. A coroner's inquest is certain to declare the brooch as
treasure. The British Museum has already announced the discovery is of
"National importance". Unfortunately, nobody knows where the topsoil came
from.

The item is silver and shows delicate workmanship, with its pin and hinge
still intact.

Your can read the story on the History Blog at
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/58720 .

BBC also has a version of the story at
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-52724170 .

The BBC story references the Pentney Hoard, a clutch of six similar
brooches discovered by a gravedigger in 1978. The current brooch seems to
be of similar style and workmanship, and might even have come from the same
workshop. Somewhat annoyingly, the link provided to the British Museum only
goes to a reference page for Pentney with no real information. That said, I
am happy to direct you to a Wikipedia article on the Pentney Hoard at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentney_Hoard .

The style of the current find and the Pentney hoard is described as
"Trewhiddle" style. Ah! There is also a Wikipedia page for that at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trewhiddle_style .

The Trewhiddle page has a whole mess of links to other treasures. You could
geek out on this stuff all day, and since most of us are currently
housebound that might be a pleasant way to pass the time. If so, have fun!

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆