The exceptionally rich and extensive early Anglo-Saxon settlement of Rendlesham in Suffolk includes the characteristics of a palace site and was very probably the East Anglian ‘vicus regius’ (royal settlement) recorded by Bede as sited at Rendlesham in the 7th century.
Since 2008 Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service has been co-ordinating a major programme of survey and investigation at Rendlesham. This began when the landowner became concerned about regular nighthawker looting from his fields; the aims of the project were to understand past activity, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon period and to protect the archaeology beneath the surface.
The study area, in south-east Suffolk, is in the valley of the River Deben, four miles upriver from the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo. The methods of investigation used, over a total area of 160 hectares, have included systematic metal detecting, geophysics and small scale excavations.
The results suggest a place that may have been significant from the 5th until the mid-8th century. It was certainly particularly large at around 50 ha, extremely wealthy and well connected in the late 6th and 7th centuries.
To find out more about the project please see https://heritage.suffolk.gov.uk/rendlesham-project
On the 24th September 2016 a one day conference; Anglo-Saxon Rendlesham, a Royal Centre of the East Anglian Kingdom, is to be held in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The conference will present the much anticipated results of archaeological investigation 2008-2014 to the wider public for the first time.
This is a joint conference organised by Suffolk County Council, CBA East, The Sutton Hoo Society and UCS. The lead sponsor for the event is Suffolk Archaeology CIC.
Speakers include local Archaeologists Jude Plouviez, Andrew Rogerson and Faye Minter as well as Professors Chris Scull and Tom Williamson. Sessions will be chaired by Catherine Hills, Leslie Webster and Martin Carver.
To book tickets for the day please see https://www.theapex.co.uk/whats-on/event/2923/anglo-saxon-rendlesham
