Archaeologists have unearthed burials dating back over 1,000 years in the garden of The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. These Anglo-Saxon remains, which include 24 skeletons and material related to several other individuals, are dated between 670 and 940 AD. The discovery has provided significant physical evidence of the early monastic community linked to Malmesbury Abbey.
Abbey’s Early Days: Middle Saxon to the Golden Age
The find was made last year during a routine machine-watching assignment, required as part of the planning conditions for new construction at the hotel. The remains of Anglo-Saxon men, women, and children were discovered in the hotel’s grounds, which are adjacent to Malmesbury Abbey. These findings are particularly noteworthy as they pertain to the abbey’s earliest days when it was first established as a monastery.
Paolo Guarino, Assistant Publications Manager and Malmesbury resident said in a press release by Cotswold Archaeology:
“We knew from historical sources that the monastery was founded in that period, but we never had solid evidence before this excavation. The discovery includes remains from the Middle Saxon period, marking the first confirmed evidence of 7th to 9th century activity in Malmesbury.”
These burials offer new insights into the functioning of Malmesbury Abbey during its golden age when it was a leading center of scholarship in Western Europe.
One of the 24 full skeletons found at the site. (Cotswold Archaeology)
Abbey Remains at the Old Bell
The Old Bell Hotel, a historic building dating back to 1220, is located next to Malmesbury Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery founded around 676 AD by the scholar-poet Aldhelm.
The abbey, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is historically significant, containing the burials of notable figures such as Máel Dub, who founded the first monastic community in Malmesbury, and Æthelstan, regarded by many as the first king of England. The abbey is also believed to be a potential site where the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf was transcribed, reports The BBC.
The abbey has endured through the centuries, with parts of the original structure still standing. Despite suffering damage during the English Civil War and the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the abbey church remains an architectural marvel. Its Norman architecture, intricate carvings, and the famous 15th-century tower are a major source of attraction for tourists and historians alike today.
Owners of The Old Bell, Kim and Whit Hanks expressed their excitement and commitment to preserving local history:
“We are honored to act as stewards of local history, a responsibility we take very seriously. This exciting discovery intertwines history with the present, providing a rare insight into the lives of Middle Saxon period Malmesbury residents.”
Careful excavation of one of the Anglo-Saxon age burials. (Cotswold Archaeology)
Monasteries During Middle Saxon England
Monasteries played a crucial role during the Anglo-Saxon period, serving as centers of religious, cultural, educational, and economic life. Their influence extended beyond spiritual matters, significantly shaping the social and intellectual landscape of early medieval England.
Monasteries were primarily religious institutions, dedicated to worship, prayer, and the monastic lifestyle. They adhered to the Rule of St. Benedict or other monastic rules, emphasizing communal living, discipline, and devotion. Monks and nuns engaged in daily cycles of prayer and liturgical services, contributing to the spiritual life of the broader community. These monasteries often became pilgrimage sites due to their association with saints and relics.
Many monasteries wielded significant political influence. They were often founded or patronized by kings and nobles, leading to close ties with the ruling elite. Abbots and abbesses, who led these monasteries, sometimes acted as advisors to kings and played crucial roles in political affairs. The wealth and land controlled by monasteries further enhanced their power and influence in secular matters. Monastic art and architecture, including the construction of churches and monastic buildings, left a lasting legacy on the English landscape.