Stratton, Biggleswade: 1,300 Years of Village Life in Eastern Bedfordshire from the 5th Century AD

Cover
Title Page
Copyright page
Contents Page
List of Figures
	Figure 1.1: Site location, showing former dependent townships of Biggleswade and the modern parish boundary
	Figure 1.2: Contextual phasing hierarchy
	Figure 2.1: Selected section drawings from Period 1 and 2 features
	Figure 2.2: Plan of all excavated remains from Periods 1 (Neolithic to Bronze Age) and 2 (early Iron Age)
	Figure 3.1: Plan of all excavated remains from Period 3 (early Anglo-Saxon), with selected section drawings
	Figure 3.2: Pottery drawings from Period 3 features. Scale 1:4
	Figure 3.3: Plan of all excavated remains from Period 4 (middle Anglo-Saxon) overlain on the Period 3 plan
	Figure 3.4: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 4a
	Figure 3.5: Gridded layout of middle Anglo-Saxon enclosure systems
	Figure 3.6: Close-up plan of land-use areas L8 and L9, with other Phase 4a features in grey
	Figure 3.7: Plan of graves in cemetery L9, with radiocarbon dates
	Figure 3.8: Close-up plans of the more complete skeletons in cemetery L9
	Figure 3.10: Inhumation 7414
	Figure 3.9: Inhumation 7412
	Figure 3.11: Inhumation 7415
	Figure 3.12: Inhumation 7416
	Figure 3.13: Plan showing the spatial arrangement of cemetery L9, with associated structure G615
	Figure 3.14: Close-up plan of land-use area L10, with section drawing of well G1095, and other Phase 4a features in grey
	Figure 3.15: Close-up plan of land-use area L11, with other Phase 4a features in grey
	Figure 3.16: Selected section drawings from Phase 4a features
	Figure 3.17: Excavation of well G5244 in progress
	Figure 3.18: Wattle lining in well G5244
	Figure 3.19: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 4 (L15)
	Figure 3.20: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 4b
	Figure 3.21: Selected section drawings from Phase 4b features
	Figure 3.22: Close-up plan of land-use areas L19–22, with selected section drawings, and other Phase 4b features in grey
	Figure 3.23: Plan of graves in cemetery L19, with radiocarbon dates
	Figure 3.24: Selected pottery drawings from Period 4 features. Scale 1:4
	Figure 4.1: Plan of all excavated remains from Period 5 (late Anglo-Saxon to Saxo-Norman) overlain on the Phase 4/4b plan
	Figure 4.2: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 5a
	Figure 4.3: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 5, with section drawing
	Figure 4.4: Close-up plan of land-use areas L28, L34 and L37, with section drawing
	Figure 4.5: Close-up plan of land-use area L29, with other Phase 5 features in grey
	Figure 4.6: Close-up plan of land-use area L30
	Figure 4.7: Close-up plan of land-use area L31, with section drawing
	Figure 4.8: Close-up plan of land-use area L33
	Figure 4.9: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 5b
	Figure 4.10: Close-up plan of land-use area L38, with section drawing
	Figure 4.11: Selected pottery drawings from Period 5 features. Scale 1:4
	Figure 5.1: Plan of all excavated remains from Period 6 (medieval) overlain on the Period 5 plan
	Figure 5.2: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 6a
	Figure 5.3: Close-up plan of land-use area L47
	Figure 5.4: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 6
	Figure 5.5: Close-up plan of land-use areas L49, L51 and L59, with other Phase 6 features in grey
	Figure 5.6: Selected section drawings from L49 and L51 features
	Figure 5.7: Close-up plan of land-use areas L50 and L56, with other Phase 6 features in grey
	Figure 5.8: Close-up plan of land-use areas L50 and L54–58, with other Phase 6 features in grey
	Figure 5.9: Close-up plan of land-use area L52, with section drawings; other Phase 6 features in grey
	Figure 5.10: Close-up plan of land-use area L52–55, with other Phase 6 features in grey
	Figure 5.11: Selected section drawings from L58 features
	Figure 5.12: Selected pottery drawings from Period 6 features. Scale 1:4
	Figure 6.1: Plan of all excavated remains from Period 7 (late medieval to early post-medieval) overlain on the Period 6 plan
	Figure 6.2: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 7
	Figure 6.3: Close-up plan of land-use areas L61, L64 and L74, with other Phase 7 features in grey
	Figure 6.4: Plan of Phase 7 dovecot G3500
	Figure 6.5: Dovecot G3500, looking west
	Figure 6.6: Reconstruction drawing of dovecot G3500
	Figure 6.7: Close-up plan of land-use areas L65–67 and L71, with other Phase 7 features in grey
	Figure 6.8: Close-up plan of land-use area L68, with other Phase 7 features in grey
	Figure 6.9: Close-up plan of land-use area L69, with other Phase 7 features in grey
	Figure 6.10: Close-up plan of land-use areas L70 and L72, with section drawing, and other Phase 7 features in grey
	Figure 6.11: Overall plan of all excavated remains from Phase 7b
	Figure 6.12: Close-up plan of land-use area L76, with section drawing, and other Phase 7b features in grey
	Figure 6.13: Close-up plan of land-use area L79
	Figure 6.14: Selected pottery drawings from Period 7 features. Scale 1:4
	Figure 6.15: Plan of all excavated remains from Period 8 (post-medieval) overlain on the Period 7 plan
	Figure 6.16: Selected section drawings from Period 8 features
	Figure 7.1: Plans and section drawings of Period 3 SFBs
	Figure 7.2: Plan of SFB G3163 showing posthole depths
	Figure 7.3: Plans and section drawings of Period 3 SFBs
	Figure 7.4: Plans and section drawings of Phase 4a SFBs
	Figure 7.5: Plans and section drawings of Phase 4b SFBs
	Figure 7.6: Plans and section drawings of small sunken structures (Periods 5 and 6)
	Figure 7.7: Plans and section drawings of Period 5 SFBs
	Figure 7.8: SFB G3235, looking south-west
	Figure 7.9: Plan and section drawing of Period 5 SFB G5259
	Figure 7.10: Plans of Phase 4b earthfast timber buildings
	Figure 7.11:  Mortuary structure and cemetery L9, looking east
	Figure 7.12: Plans of Phase 4/4a earthfast timber buildings
	Figure 7.13: Building G5153, looking south-west
	Figure 7.14: Plans of Phase 5 earthfast timber buildings
	Figure 7.15: Plans of Phase 5 earthfast timber buildings
	Figure 7.16: Plan of Phase 5b earthfast timber building G5108
	Figure 7.17: Building G5108, looking south-west
	Figure 7.18: Plans of Phase 6 earthfast timber buildings
	Figure 7.19: Plans of Phase 6a earthfast timber buildings
	Figure 7.20: Plans of Phase 7 earthfast timber buildings
	Figure 8.1: Medieval watering pot P291 and pipkin P408. Scale 1:4
	Figure 8.2: Medieval helmet. Scale 1:4
	Figure 8.3: Late medieval / post-medieval wooden stool or workbench. Scale 1:4
	Figure 11.1: Phased plan of all features
List of Tables
	Table 1.1: Date and relative sizes of the individual excavations
	Table 1.2: Domesday lords (with their antecessors in 1066)
	Table 1.3: Taxation and ploughs on Ralph d’Isle’s Biggleswade estate in 1086
	Table 1.4: Recorded peasantry in 1086 (all estates)
	Table 1.5: Descent of Domesday Book fees
	Table 1.6: Analysis of the 1297 taxation in Stratton
	Table 1.7: Analysis of 1297 taxation in various vills
	Table 1.10: 1666 hearth tax statistics
	Table 1.8: Lay subsidies: number of tax payers with assessment
	Table 1.9: Taxation rankings of Stratton within Biggleswade hundred
	Table 1.11: 1670 hearth tax statistics
	Table 1.12: 1801 census statistics
	Table 1.13: Numbers of Holme and Stratton wills 1600–1799
	Table 3.1: Radiocarbon dates from Period 3 deposits
	Table 3.2: Period 3 pottery quantification
	Table 3.3: Radiocarbon dates from cemetery L9
	Table 3.4: Radiocarbon dates from Phase 4a settlement-related deposits
	Table 3.5: Radiocarbon dates from Phase 4 deposits
	Table 3.6: Radiocarbon dates from Phase 4b settlement-related deposits
	Table 3.7: Radiocarbon dates from cemetery G302
	Table 3.8: Phase 4a pottery quantification
	Table 3.9: Phase 4 pottery quantification
	Table 3.10: Phase 4b pottery quantification
	Table 4.1: Radiocarbon dates from Period 5 deposits
	Table 4.2: Phase 5a pottery quantification
	Table 4.3: Phase 5 pottery quantification
	Table 4.4: Phase 5 pottery from buildings
	Table 4.5: Phase 5b pottery quantification
	Table 4.6: Evidence for horse-riding in Period 5
	Table 4.7: Residual and intrusive Other Artefacts in Period 5 (intrusive items in italics)
	Table 5.1: Phase 6a pottery quantification
	Table 5.2: Phase 6 pottery quantification by feature type
	Table 5.3: Phase 6 pottery quantification by land-use area
	Table 5.4: Phase 6 CBM quantification by land-use area
	Table 5.5: Knives from Period 6
	Table 5.6: Lead spills and droplets
	Table 5.7: Weight of lava quern by Period
	Table 5.8: Earlier medieval coinage in date order
	Table 5.9: Horse-related equipment in Phase 6 (italics indicate intrusive; * indicates residual)
	Table 6.1: Phase 7 pottery quantification by feature type
	Table 6.2: Phase 7 pottery quantification
	Table 6.3: Phase 7b pottery quantification
	Table 6.4: Phase 7 CBM quantification by land-use area
	Table 6.5: Phase 7b CBM quantification by land-use area
	Table 6.6: Comparison of frequency of building materials and fasteners and fittings in the early medieval and late medieval periods at Stratton
	Table 6.7: Distribution of building materials and fasteners and fittings in Period 7
	Table 6.8: Household-related finds in Period 7 (items in italics are intrusive; * items are residual)
	Table 6.9: Craft-related finds in Period 7
	Table 6.10: Subsistence-related finds in Period 7
	Table 6.11: Dress-related finds from Period 7 (items in italics are intrusive; * items are residual)
	Table 6.12: Period 8 pottery quantification
	Table 6.13: Post-medieval pottery fabrics
	Table 6.14: Post-medieval forms by vessel count (all periods)
	Table 7.1: Summary of SFB dimensions
	Table 7.2: Summary dimensions of small sunken structures
	Table 8.1: Pottery quantification by Phase
	Table 8.2: Early and middle Anglo-Saxon pottery fabrics (from all periods)
	Table 8.3: Anglo-Saxon pottery quantification by Phase
	Table 8.4: Late Anglo-Saxon pottery fabrics (all phases)
	Table 8.5: Medieval pottery fabrics (all periods)
	Table 8.6: Medieval pottery quantification from Period 6
	Table 8.7: Medieval forms by vessel count — all phases
	Table 8.8: Functional attributes by ware group
	Table 8.10: Late medieval forms by vessel count (all periods)
	Table 8.9: Late medieval pottery fabrics (all periods)
	Table 8.11: CBM quantification for Phased deposits
	Table 8.12: Roman CBM quantification by fabric type and form
	Table 8.13 Medieval and post-medieval CBM quantification by fabric and form
	Table 8.14: Quantity of phased flint by Period
	Table 9.1: Summary of fully analysed charred environmental samples from all periods of Stratton excavations
	Table 9.2: Summary of fully analysed waterlogged environmental samples from all periods of Stratton excavations
	Table 9.3: Comparison of Anglo-Saxon economic plants from Stratton with other sites in the region
	Table 10.1: Mammal NISP counts by Phase (including ABGs)
	Table 10.2: Mammal NISP counts and percentages by Phase (excluding ABGs, rabbits and small mammals)
	Table 10.3: Cattle element counts (NISP) by Phase (including ABGs)
	Table 10.4: Cattle mandibular ageing data
	Table 10.5: Sheep/Goat element counts (NISP) by Phase (including ABGs)
	Table 10.6: Sheep/Goat mandibular ageing data by Period
	Table 10.7: Pig element counts (NISP) by Phase (including ABGs)
	Table 10.8: Pig mandibular ageing data
	Table 10.9: Horse element counts (NISP) by Phase (including ABGs)
	Table 10.10: Dog element counts (NISP) by Phase (including ABGs)
	Table 10.11: Cat elements counts (NISP) by Phase (including ABGs)
	Table 10.12: Red deer element counts (NISP) by Phase
	Table 10.13: Bird NISP counts by Phase
Digital Appendices
Contributors
Acknowledgements
Preface
About this publication
	Date of writing
	Figures and Tables
	Location of the archive
	Structure
	Terminology and abbreviations
Summary
Chapter 1. Introduction
	Introduction
	Location, topography and geology
	Project background and nature of the investigations
	Nature of the phasing structure and contextual hierarchy
	Nature of the post-excavation analysis
	Archaeological background
		Anglo-Saxon
		Earlier prehistoric
		Iron Age and Romano-British
		Medieval
	Historical background
		Domesday estates
		Introduction
		Later manorial history
		Ecclesiastical organisation
		Economy and demography
		Conclusion
Chapter 2. Pre-Settlement Landscape
	Early Iron Age (Period 2)
	Neolithic to Bronze Age (Period 1)
	Period 3 artefacts
		Pottery
	Period 3 structural narrative (early Anglo-Saxon: c. AD 400–600)
Chapter 3. Early–Middle Anglo-Saxon Settlement
	Other artefacts
	Period 4 structural narrative (middle Anglo-Saxon: c. AD 600–850)
		Phase 4a
		Phase 4
		Phase 4b
	Period 4 artefacts
		Pottery
		Other artefacts
Chapter 4. Late Anglo-Saxon / Saxo-Norman settlement (Period 5: c. AD 850–1150)
	Period 5 structural narrative
		Phase 5a
		Phase 5
		Phase 5b
	Artefacts
		Pottery
		Other artefacts
Chapter 5. Medieval settlement (Period 6: c. AD 1150–1350)
	Period 6 structural narrative
		Phase 6a
		Phase 6
	Artefacts
		Pottery
		Ceramic building material
		Other artefacts
Chapter 6. Late medieval to post-medieval settlement (Periods 7–8: c. AD 1350–1700)
	Period 7 structural narrative
		Phase 7
		Phase 7b
	Period 7 artefacts
		Pottery
		Ceramic building material
		Other artefacts
	Period 8 artefacts
		Pottery
		Other artefacts
	Period 8 structural narrative
Chapter 7. Building forms
	Sunken-featured buildings (SFBs)
		Introduction
		Period 3: early Anglo-Saxon
		Period 4: middle Anglo-Saxon
		Period 5: late Anglo-Saxon / Saxo-Norman
		Period 6: Medieval
	Earthfast timber buildings
		Introduction
		Period 4: middle Anglo-Saxon
		Period 5: late Anglo-Saxon / Saxo-Norman
		Period 6: medieval
		Period 7: late medieval
Chapter 8. Overview of the artefacts
	Pottery
		Early and middle Anglo-Saxon (Periods 3 and 4)
		Introduction
		Late Anglo-Saxon / Saxo-Norman (Period 5)
		Medieval (Period 6)
		Late medieval / early post-medieval (Period 7)
	Ceramic building material
		Introduction
		Assemblage by date
		Tiles
		Brick
	Other artefacts
Chapter 9. The vegetational history of Stratton
	Introduction
		Environmental sampling at Stratton
	Woodland Resources
		Early Anglo-Saxon (Period 3)
		Middle Anglo-Saxon (Period 4)
		Late Anglo-Saxon / Saxo-Norman (Period 5)
		Medieval (Period 6)
		Late medieval / early post-medieval (Period 7)
		Post-medieval (Period 8)
		Summary
	The surrounding environment
		Early Anglo-Saxon (Period 3)
		Middle Anglo-Saxon (Period 4)
		Late Anglo-Saxon/ Saxo-Norman (Period 5)
		Late medieval / early post-medieval (Period 7)
		Medieval (Period 6)
		Post-medieval (Period 8)
		Summary
	Cultivation of crops
		Comparison with other Anglo-Saxon sites in the region
		Continuity of CPR results between the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods
	Conclusions
Chapter 10. Faunal remains
	Animal exploitation at Stratton
	Introduction
	Cattle
		Cattle abundance
		Cattle Associated Bone Groups (ABGs)
		Cattle element representation
		Cattle ageing and sexing evidence
		Cattle metrical data
	Sheep/Goat
		Sheep Associated Bone Groups (ABGs)
		Sheep/goat abundance
		Sheep/goat element representation
		Sheep/goat ageing and sexing evidence
		Sheep metrical data
	Pig
		Pig Associated Bone Groups (ABGs)
		Pig abundance
		Pig element representation
		Pig ageing and sexing evidence
		Pig metrical data
	Horse
		Horse Associated Bone Groups (ABGs)
		Horse abundance
		Horse element representation
		Horse ageing evidence
		Horse metrical data
	Dogs
	Cats
	Deer
	Birds
		Domestic fowl (chicken)
		Goose
		Other birds
		Pigeon
	Hares and rabbits
	Other mammals
	Amphibians and fish
Chapter 11. Discussion
	Introduction
	Settlement origins, development and demise
		Early to middle Anglo-Saxon (Periods 3–4)
		Late Anglo-Saxon / Saxo-Norman (Period 5)
		Late medieval to post-medieval (Periods 7–8)
		Medieval (Period 6)
	Farming economy, diet and the surrounding environment
		Woodland resources
		Farming economy and land use
		Diet
	Manufacturing, consumption and exchange
		Exchange and consumption of traded goods
		Manufacture of goods
	Death and burial
Bibliography
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