Conjectural site of Anglo-Saxon camp, 'Canute's Camp', Butts Hill, Canewdon (EHER 13415)

The supposed site of Canute's Camp. It possibly comprised a rectangular enclosure of approximately 6 acres. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was noted that the vallum had been levelled but the fosse was still visible. In 1974 a ditch on the northern side of Duchetts Mead was still visible and probably part of the camp. In the medieval period, the village archery butts were located here, giving the field the name 'Lower Butts'.

Supposed site of Canute's Camp. Florence of Worcester (AD 1020) mentioned that Canute and Thorhill built a church on the hill called Assndun, probably as a thank offering. Noted in earlier EHER notes that Canewdon might derive from Assandun. VCH I (<2>) claimed that there was an enclosure present of approximately 6 acres of oblong shape. <1> At the beginning of the last century stated that the vallum had been levelled but the fosse was still visible. Mr A. Benton considered that Duchetts Mead, which adjoins the fosse had a ditch 'a rod wide' on its northern side, which was still visible in 1974, and was probably the site of the camp. Records of urns found on Butts Hill 1712-1713 AD (probable cremation cemetery, EHER 7903). Uncertain as to what period they are derived from, last suggestion was that they were similar to Iron Age vessels recovered in 1924 (EHER 13414). OS survey card suggests that urns were Roman. <2> - <5> The village archery-butts were located here. Benton (1867) records that in the field known as Lower Butts was a place called ‘camping-ground’, a medieval term referring to its use as a recreation ground or football pitch for the village. <6> See also <7>. NRHE data transfer: Supposed site of (NAT) Canute's Camp (NR). <8> There is said to have been a camp here with a bank and ditch; the bank had been levelled but the ditch was still visible about 1800. It enclosed about six acres. Benton considers that Ducketts Mead, which was adjacent to the ditch and had a ditch on its N side, probably now occupies the site. <2> <9> Nothing visible on air photographs. <10>