In an unprecedented discovery, the monastery of one of the most powerful queens in Britain has been found by archaeologists in the south east of the country. Synethith is the only known Anglo-Saxon queen depicted on a coin.
The discovery of an Anglo-Saxon monastery in the county of Berkshire in the south-eastern UK provided a unique insight into the life of one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages and her possible final resting place.
In the 8th century the lost Monastery of Queen Synethrath, next to the Church of the Holy Trinity, was discovered by archaeologists from the University of Reading, Second Oh Daily Mail.
Archaeologists excavate the site where the Queen’s Monastery was found
Cynethrith is the only known Anglo-Saxon queen to be depicted on a coin, rare anywhere in Western Europe during this period. 798 AD. he died in
“The evidence we found confirms […] That Anglo-Saxon monastery was situated on a gravel island by the River Thames, now occupied by the present parish church. Despite their documented royal associations, almost nothing is known about what life was like in this monastery. […] due to a lack of archaeological evidence,” said archaeologist and excavation leader Gabor Thomas.
With the help of local volunteers, archaeologists have unearthed the remains of several wooden buildings as well as many artifacts providing information about their lives.
“The objects that have been discovered will allow us to give a detailed impression of how the monks and nuns who lived here ate, worked and dressed,” Thomas said.
Remains of various wooden constructions with various artifacts found at the site
The archaeologists explained that the site was divided into a series of functional areas, each separated by a moat.
One area, for example, appears to have been used for housing, while the other, based on the cutouts of a set of fireplaces used for metallurgy, will be devoted to various industrial activities, according to the researchers.
One of the volunteers who helped the archaeologists in the excavation found an artifact that appeared
When Synethrath’s husband, King Offa, was alive, the queen and king ruled the kingdom of Mercia together, and were considered to be of equal status by other leaders of Europe such as Charlemagne.
Archaeologists unearth the site where the lost monastery was found
Offa is famous for ordering the construction of an earth barrier called the “Dyke of Offa” that separates England from Wales, parts of which can still be seen today.
