Historical & Archaeological Background: Anglian

The Anglian wic

Before excavations of the 1980s by York Archaeological Trust, few hints had been identified concerning the nature of early medieval activity in this area of York; it was assumed that activity would be focussed near to the postulated episcopal and royal centre in the area of the Minster. During construction of the Glassworks, workmen are reported to have found a

'small cubicle about eighteen inches square, formed of flags loosely put together, in which imbedded in the soil, which had penetrated through the crevices of the flags was a human skull and a gold finger ring or ear-ring. The skull was perfect with the exception of a deep hole in one side of the head. Near to this was also found a curious leaden medallion, about two inches across, stamped with an ecclesiastical device, and some fragments of the priory buildings'
(Spence n.d., 3; YCA Redfearn deeds)

The ring has been ascribed to the early medieval period (Tweddle et al 1999, 284-5); although the significance of this find is still unclear.

Discovery of Eoforwic

Excavations on the site of 46-54 Fishergate between 1985 and 1986 revealed evidence for occupation, craft-working and exchange, dating to the late 7th to mid-9th century (Kemp 1996). Features encountered included boundary ditches, postholes, stakeholes and pits, the fills of which were rich in material. These features appeared to belong to a possibly pre-determined organised settlement, with rectilinear, post-built structures, property divisions and a possible road with evidence for municipal maintenance. Material recovered attested to a range of craft activities, including bone- and antler-working, metal-working, glass-working, textile-working and possibly the processing of skins.

This activity, assigned Period 3, was sub-divided into three phases: Period 3a (first half of the 8th-century), was characterised by post-built structures, sunken-featured buildings and linear features, including a north-south ditch, interpreted as the eastern boundary of the settlement. This phase was sealed by an homogenous, charcoal-rich layer, assigned Period 3b, which separated Period 3a from a later, early-mid-9th century phase (Period 3c) (Kemp 2001, 92-3). Conjoining pottery sherds and similar finds from Period 3a and Period 3b deposits have been used to support the suggestion that the homogenous Period 3b layer derived from Period 3a occupation debris, and had been deposited in a single event (Kemp 1996, 59). Period 3c comprised a further series of rubbish pits, and a second boundary ditch running parallel to the first. Features which were outside the stratified area were allocated Period 3z, although were judged by their contents to bear comparison to Period 3a features.

Indeed, the date of Period 3 activity was determined largely by the finds. As a group, the earliest coinage provided a date of 700/5 x 735/7 (Kemp 1996, 66), and other Anglian period finds included an iron chatelaine, buckles, dress accessories and a sword pommel. The latest coins were used suggest decline or abandonment in the mid-9th century, before reoccupation almost a century later.

This site, which has come to be known by its Old English name of Eoforwic, was interpreted as a wic site, adding to the growing number of sites identified as such from the 1980s onwards (cf Hill and Cowie 2001, 95f). Prior to this period, only two such sites (also referred to as emporia) had been identified, at Southampton (Hamwic) and Ipswich (Gipeswic). Since then, finds at Lundenwic have added to the body of knowledge, and historical sources have been used to suggest wic or emporia sites at Fordwich, Sandwich and Sarre (Cowie 2001, 15). 46-54 Fishergate was therefore easily interpreted as Eoforwic, described as 'a late 7th to 9th century trading settlement' (Kemp 1996, 64).

apc > monographs > blue bridge lane & fishergate house > historical & archaeological background: anglian