The Watlington Hoard: Coinage, Kings and the Viking Great Army in Oxfordshire, AD875-880

In 2015, the Watlington Hoard was discovered in southern Oxfordshire by a metal detectorist and acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford in 2017. It is a nationally significant find of coinage and metalwork, dating from the late 870s, and includes over 200 silver pennies, 23 silver and gold pieces of contemporary metalwork, and an important re-assessment of the coinage of the late 870s. The hoard has wider implications for our understanding of hoarding in late 9th-century southern Britain, interactions between the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia, and the movements of the Viking Great Army after the Battle of Edington in 878.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2022
Publisher: Archaeopress

The Watlington Hoard, a remarkable discovery made in southern Oxfordshire in 2015 by a metal detectorist, was acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, in 2017. This hoard, consisting of coinage and metalwork, holds national significance and is the first major Viking-Age hoard from the county. Dating back to the late 870s, a pivotal and turbulent period in British history, the contents of the hoard are truly remarkable. Among the treasures found are a collection of over 200 silver pennies, predominantly featuring Alfred the Great, king of Wessex, and Ceolwulf II, king of Mercia. These coins have significantly altered our understanding of the coinage during this period. Additionally, the hoard contains 23 silver and gold pieces of contemporary metalwork, many of which originated from Scandinavia.

In this comprehensive publication, the authors present the complete inventory of the objects and coins found in the Watlington Hoard. They also offer an important re-assessment of the coinage of the late 870s, shedding new light on this crucial period in British history. The book delves into the broader implications of the hoard, exploring topics such as hoarding practices in late 9th-century southern Britain, the interactions between the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia, and the movements of the Viking Great Army following the Battle of Edington in 878. Furthermore, the book offers a captivating account of the hoard's discovery and excavation, detailing the meticulous conservation work and acquisition by the Ashmolean Museum. It also showcases the public outreach projects that ran alongside the scholarly research, ensuring that the hoard's significance is accessible to a wider audience.

The Watlington Hoard is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of England and the remarkable discoveries that continue to be made in the fields of archaeology and history. Its significance lies not only in the treasures it holds but also in the insights it provides into the complex social, political, and economic dynamics of the late 9th century. This publication is a valuable contribution to our understanding of this remarkable hoard and its place in British history.

Weight: 970g
Dimension: 219 x 281 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789698299