Information for record number MWA2785:
Site of Saxon Cemetery to SE of Bransford Bridge

Summary The site of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery dating to the Migration period. Inhumations and one cremation urn were found during an excavation. Brooches and spearheads were amongst the artefacts found. The cemetery was located to the north east of Churchover.
What Is It?  
Type: Cemetery, Burial, Inhumation, Cremation
Period: Migration (410 AD - 800 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Churchover
District: Rugby, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 52 81
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Saxon burial ground found in 1824 when repairing Watling Street between Bensford (Bransford) Bridge and Pilgrims Lowe (Gibbet Hill).
2 The skeletons were buried on both sides of the road and in the centre, and extended for half a mile to the SE of the Bridge along the road; they were from 0.45m to 0.61m below the surface. A variety of articles, such as shield bosses, spear heads, knives, rings, buckles and pots. With the burials of women and children various types of brooch, rings, tweezers, amber and glass beads were found. Only one cremation urn was discovered. This was ornamented and closely associated with a sword and spearhead. No particular note was taken of how the weapons were placed in relation to the bodies; the shield bosses, however, appeared as if placed over the breast of the body, the spearheads near the head or shoulder, and the knives by the side.
3 The burials appear to have been found under the actual road surface. M H Bloxam had in his possession in the 1880s two pots, five shield bosses, six spearheads, other knives and rings, 50 glass, amber or clay beads, a number of brooches, clamps and other articles.
4 Various finds from this cemetery are known to have been given to Bristol Museum and the British Museum.
5 Original finds in 1823 included an iron shield-boss and spearhead probably with an interment. The majority of burials were found in 1824. The finds are now in Warwick Museum and include two very early cruciform brooches with horse-head feet.
6 Correspondence about the Bloxam collection.
7 Correspondence about items from Churchover.
8 Letter to Leicester Museum about proposed work on Watling Street.
9 Notes on the site.
 
Sources
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: E A S Burial Sites
Author/originator: Meaney A
Date: 1964
Page Number: 259
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Bibliographic reference
Author/originator: Bloxam M H
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: MSS
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: RSNHS
Author/originator: Bloxam M H
Date: 1884
Page Number: 9-10
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Fragmenta Sepulchralia
Author/originator: Bloxam M H
Date: 1855
Page Number: 56-8
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Bloxam Collection
Author/originator: WM
Date: 1950
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Finds from Churchover
Author/originator: The City Museum, Bristol
Date: 1957
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Watling Street
Author/originator: WM
Date: 1962
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Note
Title: Watling Street burials
Author/originator: WM
Date: c 1830
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Plan
Title: Trunk Road A5: Bransford Spinney to County Boundary
Author/originator: WCC
Date: undated
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 48NW5
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1960
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 48NW5
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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monument CREMATION * A funeral rite in which the human body is burnt, usually on a pyre, leaving fragmentary charred or completely combusted remains. Often found buried, occasionally in a container associated with grave goods. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument CLAMP * A temporary structure used for the firing of bricks or tiles. Unfired bricks or tiles were stacked upon a layer of fuel (usually wood) and then surrounded by a wall of old bricks and covered by a layer of mud or clay. The clamp was then fired. back
monument INHUMATION * An interment of unburnt, articulated human remains. Use specific type where known. back
monument URN * A garden ornament, usually of stone or metal, designed in the the form of a vase used to receive the ashes of the dead. back
monument COUNTY BOUNDARY * The limit line of a county. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument GIBBET * An upright post with projecting arm from which the body of a criminal would be hung in chains after execution. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument CEMETERY * An area of ground, set apart for the burial of the dead. back
monument BURIAL * An interment of human or animal remains. Use specific type where known. If component use with wider site type. Use FUNERARY SITE for optimum retrieval in searches. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record