The Anglo-Saxon Agricultural Revolution in Norfolk

Proceedings of a Conference to Mark the 25th Anniversary of the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project

Edited by Richard Hoggett Edited by Neil Faulkner

Book cover: The Anglo-Saxon Agricultural Revolution in Norfolk

Extent: 204 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: Medieval Studies, World Archaeology

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(July 2025)

ISBN: 9781805830726

6.85 x 9.65 inches

Price: $56.00

In stock

This volume brings together insights from a 2020 conference celebrating 25 years of archaeological work at Sedgeford. Exploring life in the ‘long 8th century’, it highlights new perspectives on agriculture, estate development, trade, and society in Middle Anglo-Saxon Norfolk and its wider European context.


In the 25 years since the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (SHARP) began fieldwork in north-west Norfolk, Sedgeford has emerged as a major site for investigating the agricultural revolution of ‘the long 8th century’. The period between c. AD 650 and 850 saw the consolidation of kingdoms, the rise of the Church, the creation of great estates, the transformation of agriculture, and the development of emporia, craftwork, and long-distance trade in prestige goods. These proceedings present the results of a day conference held in 2020 which reviewed the results of 25 years’ work at Sedgeford in the context of new discoveries and changing ideas about the Middle Anglo-Saxon period in Norfolk, England as a whole and the wider contemporary world.

Introduction - Richard Hoggett

Neil Faulkner: A Tribute - with contributions from Keith Robinson, Tiggy Harris, Eleanor Blakelock, Gareth Davies, Andrea Beckham, John Jolleys and Jeffrey Bonas

Part I: Anglo-Saxon Sedgeford

An Archaeological and Archaeobotanical investigation into the Anglo-Saxon Malting complex at Sedgeford - Eleanor Blakelock and Hannah Caroe

The Sedgeford Landscape in the 'Long 8th Century' - John Jolleys, Brian Fraser, David Wood and Kathryn Oliana

Part II: Anglo-Saxon East Anglia

West Norfolk in the Middle Anglo-Saxon Period: 25 Years of Changing Approaches and Perceptions - Gareth Davies

Slow Wheel Revolution: Ipswich Ware in the East Anglian Landscape - Sue Anderson

Part III: The Anglo-Saxon Economy

The Animal Economy: A Zooarchaeological Perspective on Agriculture and Trade in Anglo-Saxon England - Matilda Holmes and Helena Hamerow

The Political Economy of Middle Anglo-Saxon England: A Hypothetical Model - Neil Faulkner

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Introduction – Richard Hoggett

Neil Faulkner: A Tribute – with contributions from Keith Robinson, Tiggy Harris, Eleanor Blakelock, Gareth Davies, Andrea Beckham, John Jolleys and Jeffrey Bonas

 

Part I: Anglo-Saxon Sedgeford

An Archaeological and Archaeobotanical investigation into the Anglo-Saxon Malting complex at Sedgeford – Eleanor Blakelock and Hannah Caroe

The Sedgeford Landscape in the ‘Long 8th Century’ – John Jolleys, Brian Fraser, David Wood and Kathryn Oliana

 

Part II: Anglo-Saxon East Anglia

West Norfolk in the Middle Anglo-Saxon Period: 25 Years of Changing Approaches and Perceptions – Gareth Davies

Slow Wheel Revolution: Ipswich Ware in the East Anglian Landscape – Sue Anderson

 

Part III: The Anglo-Saxon Economy

The Animal Economy: A Zooarchaeological Perspective on Agriculture and Trade in Anglo-Saxon England – Matilda Holmes and Helena Hamerow

The Political Economy of Middle Anglo-Saxon England: A Hypothetical Model – Neil Faulkner

  • Edited by Richard Hoggett
  • Edited by Neil Faulkner

'...the volume itself has much to commend it, and publication in Open Access will result in greater appreciation by a far wider readership than the paperback version alone could have attracted.' — Dr Andrew Rogerson (2025): Norfolk Archaeology 4