This preliminary page is intended as an alternative focus for those interested in the royal burial mounds of Sutton Hoo in south-east Suffolk. It is widely believed (and no serious argument has ever been mounted to cast any doubt on the view) that this was the main burial-place of the Wuffings from the late sixth to the early seventh centuries.

The most famous of the Sutton Hoo burial-mounds is Mound One, which was excavated in 1939 and found to contain an enormous early seventh-century ship-burial. Amidships lay one of the greatest treasure-hoards ever discovered in European archaeology, including the gold-cloisonné regalia of a warrior-king, silver feasting equipment, and other wonders, including several mystery objects.

Mound One is believed by many to be that of King Rædwald, one of the greatest of the Wuffing kings. Rædwald was overlord of all the kingdoms of the English from c.617 until his death c.625. For an imaginative painting showing how King Rædwald might have looked wearing the full regalia from Sutton Hoo, click here.

The treasures from the Sutton Hoo ship-burial are now to be seen in the British Museum, although excellent presentations can also be seen in Ipswich and Woodbridge Museums. For an excellent introduction to this remarkable site, including an on-line tour and information on guided tours, see the Sutton Hoo Society Website at <http://www.suttonhoo.org./.

If you wish to hire me to conduct you on a special guided tour of the site, you can contact me directly by e.mail at samnewton@anglianet.co.uk

1. Echoes of Lost Literature at Sutton Hoo

2. What Literature Reveals about Beliefs Associated with Royal Burial Mounds

3. In Defence of the Wuffings: My Review of Martin Carver's Book, "Sutton Hoo: Burial Ground of Kings?" (March 2000)

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