Death & Taxes

How did Middle Saxon kings govern their estates? How did they administer their kingdoms? A spectacular site on the outskirts of Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire has demonstrated that archaeology can add significantly to our understanding. Between 1993 and 2003, in excavations funded by the Duchy of Lancaster, Oxford Archaeology uncovered extensive remains of a large 8th-century complex of enclosures and buildings, along with a high quality malting oven. It is argued that the complex represents a purpose-built tribute centre for a royal estate. The complex at Higham Ferrers managed judicial as well as economic affairs. Human remains from an execution site were found - possibly linked to the sudden destruction of the tribute centre at the beginning of the 9th century.