World Timelines- Anglo-Saxon princely life and death

British Isles > England AD 410-1066 Early medieval

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Grave goods from a princely burial Grave goods from a princely burial Grave goods from a princely burial Grave goods from a princely burial

Grave goods from a princely burial

Taplow gold belt buckle	Taplow drinking horn
Taplow gaming pieces	Taplow glass claw beakers

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	Buried about AD 610 Excavated at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England We do not know who was buried in the grave at Taplow, but the quality of the objects in the grave suggests that it was a man of very high status. They reflect a rich and princely lifestyle which revolved around strengthening social bonds that were vital for maintaining order and power. Buried about AD 610 Excavated at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England We do not know who was buried in the grave at Taplow, but the quality of the objects in the grave suggests that it was a man of very high status. They reflect a rich and princely lifestyle which revolved around strengthening social bonds that were vital for maintaining order and power. Buried about AD 610 Excavated at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England We do not know who was buried in the grave at Taplow, but the quality of the objects in the grave suggests that it was a man of very high status. They reflect a rich and princely lifestyle which revolved around strengthening social bonds that were vital for maintaining order and power. Buried about AD 610 Excavated at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England We do not know who was buried in the grave at Taplow, but the quality of the objects in the grave suggests that it was a man of very high status. They reflect a rich and princely lifestyle which revolved around strengthening social bonds that were vital for maintaining order and power.

	Drinking horn length: 445 mm; Diameter: 110 mm (rim) Belt buckle length: 99 mm; Width: 47 mm
	The British Museum PE MLA 1883,1214.1; 7; 13-16; 19-20

Anglo-Saxon kingdoms

Warfare

The creation of England

Anglo-Saxon princely life and death

The Danelaw

Anglo-Saxon England and the Continent

	Anglo-Saxon princely life and death Anglo-Saxon society was a strict hierarchy whose social divisions were upheld by law. Much in Anglo-Saxon life depended on rank and status - the land you worked, the weapons you carried, the jewellery you wore, even the compensation paid if you were killed by someone. The most important person in Anglo-Saxon society was the king. He owned land, weapons and riches which would be given out as rewards to his supporters. It was vital for the success and safety of a king to keep a large number of these supporters. Royal hospitality, with feasting, drinking and entertainment, played an important role in reinforcing the bonds of loyalty between the king and his men. Gold and treasure meant success, and Anglo-Saxon rulers displayed their wealth as a sign of their power. This remained true after they had died. Only a few royal burials have been discovered but the grave goods found in them show that the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy chose to be buried with the objects that had enabled them to create and maintain their power. Examples of these objects are gold, silver, jewels, fine weaponry and objects from the royal halls such as drinking horns, silver dishes, gaming pieces and musical instruments. View this article in the Timeline Viewer (requires Flash Player 7)

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