Anglo-Saxon Attitudes [antikvár]

COLUMN IN THE TIMES NOVEMBER 1912 It is now possible to make a tentative statement about the extensive archaeological excavations undertaken this summer in the former kingdom of the East Folk. The work was originally carried out by the East Coast Antiquarian Association under the direction of the well-known antiquary the Rev. Reginald Portway, who is Secretary of the Association. The later stages of the excavation were supervised by Professor Stokesay. Excavations were carried out at many sites on the marshy tracts of land near the coast between Bedbury and Melpham. Apart from traces of a pagan Anglo-Saxon cemetery near Bedbury, the outstanding discovery was the tomb of Bishop Eorpwald in the grounds of Melpham House, five miles outside the village of Melpham. The whereabouts of this tomb have long been an historical mystery. Eorpwald, who died in 695, was buried at Sedwich. In 867, when the Norsemen were approaching, the monks of Sedwich carried away his coffin and buried it elsewhere. Tradition spoke of Melpham or Bedbury. The excavation, of course, reveals this long-hidden secret. The stone coffin has inscriptions and ornaments of great interest to historians of the seventh century. The most remarkable discovery, however, is undoubtedly that of a wooden fertility figure. Similar Saxon figures have been found twice before, preserved hi the marshy bogs of Jutland and Friesland. But this discovery is unique in English archaeology. Its presence in the coffin of Bishop Eorpwald has given rise to a number of theories among historians of the period. A satisfactory solution must wait upon the publication of the reports of Professor Stokesay and the Rev. Portway. At a coroner's inquest the tomb and its contents were found to be the property of the owners of Melpham Hall - the Rev. Portway and his sister-in-law, Mrs T. Portway, well known to the public as Miss Lilian Portway, the actress. It is understood that negotiations are in progress for the sale of the objects between the owners and the Trustees of the British Museum. For further documents relating to the Melpham burial see the Appendix at the end of this book.