ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS 



was any racial difference between Angle and Saxon * it would naturally be 

 reflected in the archaeological data. 



It is more than probable from the map that the Anglian immigrants 

 who ventured farthest west ascended the Trent and its tributaries ; but 

 another means of access to the interior must not be overlooked in tracing their 

 progress. There were in the sixth century at least two Roman military roads 

 available here for crossing vast areas that would otherwise have remained 

 practically impassable. Neither forest nor swamp could deter the Romans, 

 and most of their highways through Staffordshire are still in use to-day. The 

 Watling Street, which enters the county at Fazeley, passes through Wall and 

 westward south of Cannock on its way to Wroxeter and Chester, in long 

 straight stretches ; and from the south the Icknield (or Ryknield) Street 41 

 crosses it near Wall and then strikes north-east down the Trent valley. This 

 road would not have materially assisted the newcomers, but the Watling 

 Street communicated with the central plain and London ; and, at least in 

 later Anglo-Saxon times, was recognized as a thoroughfare and controlled at 

 the county border by the stronghold at Tamworth erected by ./Ethelflaed 

 of Mercia in 914. When the West Saxons were pushing northward in the 

 sixth century both roads would have been of strategical importance ; * 2 and it 

 may have been originally due to such considerations that the Mercian king 

 frequently resided at Tamworth.* 3 



What little is known concerning the pagan or semi-pagan settlers who 

 gained a footing in Staffordshire in post-Roman times is derived from their 

 grave furniture and modes of burial ; and it should be observed that nothing 

 definitely referring to the Christian belief has been recovered from their 

 cemeteries. Neither is there anything that can be referred to the fifth 

 century, when we may suppose the Roman tradition was still strong and the 

 Teutons were struggling to effect an entry on the east. It is therefore to 

 the sixth and early seventh centuries that these remains must be attributed, 

 and some of the graves without arms or ornaments may even be later, for 

 though the priest may have effected this reform, it was not till the 

 middle of the eighth century that the law as to burial of converts in the 

 consecrated churchyard was rigidly enforced. Archaeology suffers by these 

 changes, but the pious then began to found monasteries and secure charters, 

 to build stone churches, and place carved monuments over their dead. From 

 that time forward history is based on records and enduring stone. 



10 This point is disputed by Mr. Chadwick, op. cit. 88. 



11 The name is discussed in V.C.H. Derb. \, 246 ; see also Arch. Journ. xiv, 102. 



** Penda was at Cirencester in 628 ; Roman roads would have served him all the way. 

 43 For details of the position see J. R. Green, Conquest of Engl. (1899), i, 223. 



215 



