A leading Anglo-Saxon expert proposes a groundbreaking reinterpretation of the famed Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk. Instead of lavishly buried kings, the expert suggests the site might belong to British soldiers who fought for the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century.
The site, unearthed in the 1930s, features a substantial 27-meter oak burial ship and artifacts including Byzantine silverware and high-quality textiles. This suggests a level of status and wealth often associated with royalty.
However, Dr. Helen Dittos, a medieval history professor at the University of Oxford, argues that the presence of these treasures doesn't necessarily imply royal status. "We always want these individuals to be kings," she noted in comments to The Times, "but this highlights how significant honors could be awarded in burials without necessarily implying royal lineage."
Dr. Dittos’ research, published in the English Historical Review, examines Sutton Hoo alongside other similar burial sites. A key element is the presence of items originating from regions like modern-day Syria, suggesting a wider network and potential military connections.
The 6th-century Byzantine Empire was actively recruiting soldiers across Europe, including Britons. Historical evidence, including a Byzantine military manual, indicates that Britons were highly valued fighters in woodland settings and that Emperor Justinian provided subsidies to Britain. This recruitment drive could have extended to the northern regions, potentially including the individuals buried at Sutton Hoo.
Dr. Dittos points out that battlefield honors and status could have been reflected in these burials, much like the accumulation of honor displayed in the heroic tales of figures like Beowulf.
The research suggests a compelling alternative interpretation to the traditional view of Sutton Hoo as a royal burial site. While the possibility of Raedwald, an Anglo-Saxon King of East Anglia, remains a possibility, the new perspective offers a valuable lens for understanding the complexity of Anglo-Saxon society and its interactions with wider European powers during this period.
