Papers by Imogen Tompsett
Doble 1997, 4). These links with English-named religious rulers suggest that English forms of wor... more Doble 1997, 4). These links with English-named religious rulers suggest that English forms of worship may have begun to pave the way for consolidation of Anglo-Saxon control of the region. Parts of eastern Dumnonia may already have been under West Saxon control, whilst attempts to gain further control of the South West, at least on an ecclesiastical level, are evidenced by a letter written in AD 710 by St Aldhelm to King Geraint, urging him "the lord who guides the sceptre of the western kingdom" and his bishops or priests to adopt Roman (and therefore probably Christian) practices (ibid.). This presents two images, firstly that the Christian church was clearly still firmly linked to Roman ideas of culture and the papacy in Rome, and secondly that Dumnonia was viewed as a separate region with clear territorial boundaries and a strong political leader, with associated traditions of worship that were seen as 'other'. The written account of Samson of Dol in the Saint's Lives-whose life was spent between Cornwall and Brittany (Cunliffe 2001, 475-476)-attests to the strength of Christianity prior to the establishment of later Anglo-Saxon regimes and to an ongoing link between the South West and other Atlantic communities. Subsequently, the Annales Cambriae tell of three battles of Pencon among the Comuensis, where the Britons were the victors each time (Williams 1860, 9). According to Doble, several battles took place between the Anglo-Saxons and societies in the South West throughout the eighth and ninth centuries, including one at Callington in Cornwall that implies that Devon had already been subjugated (1997, 6). This incursion into Cornwall was part of a series of skirmishes that allowed the westward progression of the Wessex border and suggests that the strength of British culture and political power against the Anglo-Saxon east was weakening. Between AD 815 and 838, Egberht, the then ruler of Wessex, invaded Cornwall in a series of raids which appear to have removed all Cornish rulers, resulting in Cornwall being treated as a conquered kingdom throughout his reign, with the landholders dispossessed and a general exploitation of the region (Pearce 2004, 253; 256). By the ninth century a Cornish bishop had been made subordinate at Canterbury and the last known Cornish King, possibly Doniert, had died in AD 875 (Probert 2007,231). Evidence from King Alfred's will of c. AD 881 shows that the Wessex kings owned substantial areas of Cornish land; however, despite the battle of Kingston Down in AD 838, marking the end of Cornish rule and independence from Wessex, there was still very little West Saxon settlement, even as late as the eleventh century (Pearce 2004, 253-254). There are numerous mentions in ninth-century chronicles of Exeter and its function as a stronghold for the "raiding ship-army", probably the Danes, against This chapter introduces theforms and functions of settlements across the South West as well as the evidence for cemeteries and Early Christian features. These settlements were introduced or developed in the region in the prehistoric, Romano-British and early medieval periods and are classified as such, before then being assessed based on their occupation phases and locations in the landscape. Burial traditions, Early Christian and non-Christian features are also assessed and discussed in terms of distribution and chronology. The chapter then assesses the proportional analysis of imported ceramics at the different morphological types before briefly concluding. MetaJ Emperor Struck Reference Arzon. Brittan) Bronze Giot 1988 Chysauster Copper alloy Maurice Tiberius (7). (582-602) Alexandria Anast/Justin IJJust.n. 40 noumia. 498-Exeter Copper alloy 538 Holbrook & Bidwell Exeter Copper alloy Justinian. 40 noumia (527-38) Constantinople Holbrook & Bidwell Exeter Copper alloy Heraclius. 40 noumia (639-640) Constantinople Holbrook & Bidwell Exeter Copper alloy Constans 11.40 noumia. 641-668 Constantinople Holbrook & Bidwell Exeter Copper alloy Constans 11.40 noumia. 641-668 Constantinople Holbrook & Bidwell Exeter Copper alloy Constantine IV. 10 noumia (668-685) Constantinople Holbrook & Bidwell Exeter Copper alloy
Excavation and field survey at Ballachly, Dunbeath, Caithness in 2007-10 produced evidence which ... more Excavation and field survey at Ballachly, Dunbeath, Caithness in 2007-10 produced evidence which suggests the existence of a possible early medieval and later Norse site centred around the hillock known as Chapel Hill, on top of which is located an, as of yet, indeterminate unicameral stone building. The site, already known for its Early Christian inscribed stones, lay within a substantial stone-walled enclosure of late medieval to early post-medieval date possibly constructed to enclose an undeveloped burgh of barony, thought to be Magnusburgh, which was reported to have been licenced in 1624. Although most of the enclosed area did not yield evidence of occupation, two separate areas at the base of the hillock produced evidence for medieval industrial activity, including ironworking and a cobbled possible working surface. This activity post-dated a palaeo-channel, possible reused as a ditch, and substantial stone wall, forming a possible boundary enclosure, whose lower-lying area h...
Originated 22 Feb 2010 by Martin Carver and Chris Loveluck Contact: [email protected]; Chr... more Originated 22 Feb 2010 by Martin Carver and Chris Loveluck Contact: [email protected]; [email protected] Contributors: Stuart Brookes, Martin Carver, Robin Daniels, Gareth Davies, Christopher Ferguson, Helen Geake, David Griffiths, David Hinton, Chris Loveluck, Edward Oakley, David Pelteret, Imogen Tompsett. Critical friends who have commented on texts: Jan Bill, Dries Tys. Chairmen and Editors: Martin Carver and Chris Loveluck
Recent excavations by a team from Nottingham University have discovered strong hints of an early ... more Recent excavations by a team from Nottingham University have discovered strong hints of an early medieval structure, a Norse settlement and a possible medieval burgh. The project started with a preliminary reconnaissance excavation in 2007 to assess the site, and began its three year investigation in June 2008, directed by Drs Lloyd Laing, Edward Oakley, Anne Sassin and Imogen Tompsett.
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Papers by Imogen Tompsett