Early Saxon inhumation burials from All Saints' churchyard, Rectory Grounds (or 'Rectory Fields'), Great Chesterford (EHER 4951)

The antiqurian Lord Braybrooke (also known as Hon.R.C. Neville) excavated two graves containing the remains of four human skeletons and an ironwork finds assemblage.

1853-1854. Antiquarian excavation. During an excavation of 17 Roman shafts or pits (EHER 4954) by Lord Braybrooke (also known as Hon.R.C. Neville), two large square graves thought to be Anglo-Saxon in date were recorded. The precise locations of the graves is not known, but they were near the west wall of the churchyard, in an area described by Braybrooke at 'Rectory Grounds'. Grave 1. Above Pit 5 (EHER 4954) was a square grave in which was an iron key, a fragment of bronze armlet and a bronze circular box. Grave 2/3. A large square grave some 4yds (3.66m) from Grave 1 containing three skeletons intermingled and accompanied by 6 bronze armlets, a finger-ring, an iron falx (sickle/bill-hook), a buckle, a ladle and a two-handled glass bottle. To one side was a fourth skeleton with a bronze ring, 2 iron knives, bronze box, spoon, an iron shield boss and spear, a coin of Arcadius and an urn with bossed shoulders, of probable late 5th-century date. <1> More information on the graves: Ironwork and four skeletons found adjoining the churchyard. <2> A 'sort of square grave" found in 1854 outside the town hall and adjoining the churchyard. Four skeletons, accompanied by Roman objects, an iron hook, two knives, a spearhead and an urn of grey ware. According to the VCH the "knives and spearhead seem to indicate an early Saxon interment." A coin of Arcadius was found with them. <3> According to Neville six bronze armlets of Roman type and broken bronze box of Saxon type were among the grave goods. NGR here given as TL 505427. <4> <5> <6> The grey urn is described as having 'bosses on sides and shoulders'. <3> <7> Evison postulates that this burial together with other human and horse burials (EHER 13857) nearby may be part of a major Anglo-Saxon cemetery. <7> NRHE data transfer: "On the 3rd of January, 1854, a sort of square grave was opened by my labourers in the Rectory grounds at Great Chesterford" (TL 505427). It contained four inhumations accompanied by grave goods, including, a coin of Arcadus, six bronze armlets of Roman type and a broken bronze box of Saxon type. <6> Saxo-Norman pottery from this site. <8> Probably 4th century. <6> <8>