https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/04/roman-swords-gloucestershire-villa-iron-age-settlement-discovery
The swords were found in 2023, I think they've been mentioned here before.
There's some odd dating in this. The swords are apparently from the 2nd or 3rd century but were buried to protect them from rampaging Saxons (5th century?). Are these family heirlooms? And if you were going to run off and escape from the rampaging Saxons, wouldn't a sword be a handy thing to take with you?
You would assume....
As heirlooms, possibly blunted. Perhaps buried by people who assumed that they would run faster or were unskilled as warriors etc. Was there actually a monetary value in the swords worth saving? Guess we will never know. Good to unearth them though.
Bit of polishing....
I haven't read the Guardian report (I try not to sign up for advertising if I don't have to - it's just one of my funny ways). Presumably there is some mention of Saxons (as indicated in Anthony's post)?
Reports on the BBC and Sky News don't appear to have any hint of Saxons and the Historic England report, here, https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/iron-age-roman-settlement-willersey/ gives more detail and pictures but still no Saxons. Perhaps it is, yet again, a case of a journalist creating 'their story' rather than sticking to what they are told?
Quote from: Adrian Nayler on Jul 04, 2025, 06:32 PMPresumably there is some mention of Saxons (as indicated in Anthony's post)?
The paragraph in question states
"The work has led to the hypothesis that the swords, which go on display at the Corinium Museum, in Cirencester, from 2 August, may have been hidden in a Roman courtyard or garden to stop them falling into the hands of the Saxons as they surged through the region."
This suggests the journalist is quoting the thinking of an unidentified other, rather than making it up. The article quotes a project officer and the findings of Historic England scientific staff, either of whom might be the source.
I am happy to put the swords in a display case in my loungeroom and am willing to list the invaders as Saxons, Sea Peoples or even aliens teleported through Stonehenge if that's what it takes.
Me too...
You both have 4ft climate controlled display cabinets in your lounges? Beats a fishtank, I suppose.
2 actually :)
Mounted below the Elgin Marbles frieze I managed to smuggle out one chip at a time.
I had one of those ages ago but swapped it for a sword in a stone thingey