Coins and Crosses
Exploring some of the stories behind a wealthy Anglo-Saxon lady, her exceptional jewellery - and what she was doing in a field in Winfarthing.
Introduction
In 2014, an incredible discovery was made in a field in the Norfolk village of Winfarthing, when metal detectorist Tom Lucking uncovered a large bronze bowl.
Archaeologists were alerted and the site was carefully excavated, revealing that the bowl was part of the grave of an Anglo-Saxon woman dating from around 650-700AD.
The woman was buried with exceptional jewellery, indicating that she must have been of very high social status, possibly even royalty – yet there was no previously known Anglo-Saxon history in the area, so what was this possibly royal woman doing here?
The Winfarthing Anglo-Saxon Project was developed to try and answer some of these questions and share their findings with the local community.
What inspired this project?
For years, Suffolk Artlink has devised and delivered creative heritage projects, encouraging different communities to engage with and enjoy their local heritage.
When the Winfarthing Anglo-Saxon Project asked if we would run a similar programme for them, as part of Coins and Crosses, we were delighted to oblige.
Coins and Crosses – which is funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund – aims to raise awareness and deepen a sense of local connection to the previously unknown Anglo-Saxon history of Winfarthing.
Our creative team will visit Castle Museum in Norwich, to see the treasures for themselves, learn more about the excavation process and then, in June, run a programme of creative sessions with residents at De Lucy House Care Home in Diss and Oak Lodge in Attleborough to explore some of the stories behind the Winfarthing Lady.
The resulting artwork will be displayed in Winfarthing church during Heritage Open Days in September, reaching wider audiences and adding to the understanding and celebration of this rich and fascinating history.