An Archaeological History of Britain: Continuity and Change from Prehistory to the Present by Jonathan Mark Eaton

Author:Jonathan Mark Eaton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain
ISBN: 9781473851030
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2014-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

ELITES

The arrival of Anglo-Saxon incomers is undisputed. Rising sea levels in the fifth century, alongside political turbulence in their homelands, may have prompted their migration to Britain. Yet we should discount the notion of an Anglo-Saxon invasion followed by the extermination of the native population. Genetic evidence indicates that the population movement into Britain was relatively small, perhaps less than 10,000 individuals in total. There was assimilation between the natives and incomers leading to the distinctive culture of Anglo-Saxon England. Given the impact which these incomers achieved, it is possible that they quickly formed an elite group either on their own accord or in alliance with pre-existing rulers.

English speaking areas in the late sixth and early seventh centuries witnessed the coalescence of powerful groups and their rulers into forms approaching kingdoms and kings as we would recognize them. These emerging royal houses sought to legitimize their authority through emphasising the historic longevity of their ruling dynasties, often falsely. Rulers in Kent, for example, claimed descent back to Hengist and Horsa and therefore ultimately to the god Woden. The historic landscape of Britain was exploited by kings through linking royal architecture to sites of ancient significance.

Yeavering in Northumberland is a perfect example of the manipulation of the landscape by emerging dynasties. By the early seventh century, Yeavering was a key royal site for the northern kingdom of Bernicia.13 Yeavering is not a single site, but rather a hilly landscape dominated by Yeavering Bell which rises over 360 m over sea level. Archaeological evidence indicates that Yeavering was first visited by hunter-gatherers during the Mesolithic period who probably hunted deer on the hilltops. Neolithic people constructed at henge monument close by. During the Bronze Age, Yeavering was settled during the period of expansion into upland areas. There is substantial evidence for large scale woodland clearance during this period. The local Bronze Age community buried their dead beneath cairns and in a cemetery in the shadow of Yeavering Bell. Perhaps as early as the late Bronze Age Yeavering Bell was in use as a hillfort, one of the largest ever constructed in Northumberland. The hillfort was surrounded by a defensive perimeter stone wall standing up to 3 m in height. An area of 13.8 acres was enclosed. The hillfort was densely occupied when in use. In all, 125 separate hut platforms have been identified on the site. It is likely that Yeavering Bell was occupied on a seasonal basis. Winters would have been deeply inhospitable so the population probably moved to lowland settlements during harsh weather. The hillfort would have been of ceremonial importance for the community, as well as a refuge in times of crisis. Although the hillfort went out of use, Yeavering continued to be occupied during the Roman period. Roundhouses were built by local farmers surrounded by extensive field systems.

Yeavering’s importance was reaffirmed in the sixth and seventh centuries with the creation of a royal hall and associated buildings (Fig 7). The royal complex included a number of unusual features including the Great Enclosure, ‘theatre’ and numerous burials.

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