Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Thursday 16 October 2014

Viking hoard found in Dumfries and Galloway


Last weekend there was the announcement of a major archaeological discovery on land belonging to the Church of Scotland in Galloway and Dumfries. The find, last September, was of a Viking hoard of very considerable importance.

Treasure hunter - Viking Hoards in Scotland


The largest silver alloy Carolingian pot ever found, and which still retains its lid, and a 9th - 10th century silver cross with unusual enamels from the Dumfriesshire hoard

Image:ancient-origins.net 

Many newspapers and other media have picked up the story - the facts are the same, but some give fuller coverage or better illustrations:

It is already written up on Wikipedia at Dumfriesshire Hoard, and another report of the discovery, Treasure hunter uncovers one of the most significant Viking hoards  gives more historical background to Scandinavian raids on Scotland in the ninth century

All of which points to our continuing fascination with the past, and to the fact that discoveries such as this continue to both add to our knowledge and to re-shape our understanding of the appropriate period of history.

 


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