Aspects of Kentish Local History

Home
News & Events
  Publications Archaeological
Fieldwork
Local & Family
History
Information
by Parish
 


Archaeologia Cantiana -  Vol. 1  1858  page 45

On Anglo-Saxon Remains Recently Discovered at Faversham, at 
Wye and at Eastwell, in Kent. By C. Roach Smith, Esq

above; but others, of baser material and of different forms and decoration, prevail. The same distinction in other sepulchral objects is almost equally marked; while at the same time, in the weapons and umboes of shields, and in other particulars, as well as in the general mode of sepulture, there is a striking accordance, such as would be expected in tribes springing from a common source. The contents of the graves in the Saxon cemetery at Chessell, in the Isle of Wight1 (which island Bede states was peopled, as well as Kent, by the Jutes), have some striking points of resemblance to those of the graves of Kent, such as seem to be common only to these two districts.
   Although, unfortunately, the circumstances under which the Faversham antiquities were obtained,2 deprive them of the advantage accompanying such as are taken from graves carefully excavated, they are nevertheless of great value to the archaeologist, who, from comparison, will be able to classify most of them. In the plates of Faussett's 'Inventorium Sepulchrale' will be found most of the types of the ornaments, of the weapons, and of those miscellaneous objects which it was the custom of our Saxon forefathers to deposit with the dead. The largest gold, fibula, of which the framework only remains, is of the same class as the superb perfect example from Kingston-down, figured in plate i. In its incomplete condition it is useful as showing the manner in which the cells were constructed previous to their being filled with pastes and coloured stones. Some of the pendants, fibulae, and buckles supply us with new varieties; and from their elegant design, good workmanship, and rich material, strengthen our convictions of 
  1 History and Antiquities of the Isle of Wight; by G-. Hillier. 1856.
   2 They were collected, from the workmen engaged in the railway excavations, by Mr. Gibbs, to whose good taste and vigilance their preservation is entirely due.

Previous Page       Back to Page listings       Next page      

Back the Contents page      Back to Archaeologia Cantiana listing

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs. Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received so
that we can amend our pages to give as accurate a record as possible. Please send details too localhistory@tedconnell.org.uk