Staffordshire Hoard

Staffordshire Hoard. The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found, it was discovered in a field near the village of Hammerwich in 2009. Comprising over 4,600 items, predominantly martial in nature, it dates to the 6th and 7th centuries AD, a pivotal period in the formation of early English kingdoms. The extraordinary collection has fundamentally altered understanding of Anglo-Saxon art, craftsmanship, and the political landscape of the Kingdom of Mercia.

Discovery

The find was made in July 2009 by local metal-detectorist Terry Herbert on farmland owned by Fred Johnson near the historic parish of Hammerwich. Following the legal protocol for treasure trove in England, Staffordshire County Council's Portable Antiquities Scheme was notified, and an emergency excavation was conducted by archaeologists from Birmingham Archaeology. The initial excavation, funded by English Heritage, recovered over 1,500 items, with subsequent work revealing thousands more fragments. The discovery site lies close to the route of the ancient Watling Street, a major Roman road that remained a significant thoroughfare, and is not far from the later important Mercian center at Tamworth.

Contents and description

The assemblage consists overwhelmingly of high-status military equipment fittings, with no domestic items or female jewelry. It includes over 5 kg of gold, 1.5 kg of silver, and thousands of garnet cloisonné settings. Notable items are numerous hilt fittings, pommel caps, and scabbard mounts from swords and seaxes, many decorated with intricate Animal style interlace. There are also exceptional pieces of gold filigree work, niello-inlaid silver items, and a distinctive folded cross. Strikingly, almost all objects were violently stripped from the weapons they adorned, suggesting the hoard represents a collection of war trophies or tribute rather than a personal cache.

Historical context and significance

The hoard was deposited during the 7th century, a time of intense warfare and shifting power among Anglo-Saxon kingdoms like Mercia, Northumbria, and East Anglia. Its location in the heartland of the Kingdom of Mercia suggests a direct connection to the kingdom's militaristic expansion under powerful rulers such as Penda of Mercia and his successors. The quality and quantity of the material indicate access to immense wealth, possibly derived from plunder, Danegeld, or the spoils of a major battle. The find has forced a reassessment of the sophistication and resources of early Mercian rulers, showing they commanded artisans capable of work as fine as that found at the royal site of Sutton Hoo.

Conservation and display

Following its declaration as Treasure, the collection underwent a meticulous conservation and research program at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent. A major public fundraising campaign, supported by donations from groups like the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund, secured the hoard for the nation. Key items are now on permanent display in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent, with significant pieces having been included in exhibitions at the British Museum. Ongoing research continues to reveal details about Anglo-Saxon metallurgy and artistic techniques.

Ownership and valuation

The hoard was legally owned by the Crown as treasure, with Terry Herbert and landowner Fred Johnson declared the finders. It was subsequently valued by the independent Treasure Valuation Committee at £3.285 million, a sum divided between the finder and landowner. The acquisition of the hoard was made possible by this valuation and the successful public appeal, with the collections now jointly owned by the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery on behalf of the nation. The discovery significantly influenced policy and public interest in the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Category:Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites Category:Treasure troves in England Category:History of Staffordshire Category:2009 archaeological discoveries