Draft Mercian Trail Leaflet - 21 February

THE STAFFORD

SHIRE HOARD

MERCIAN TRA

IL

Discover the heart

of Anglo-Saxon

England

www.st

affordsh

ireho

ard.org.uk

STOKE-ON-TRENTBIRMINGHAMLICHFIELDTAMWORTH STAFFORDSHIRE

Staffordshire, 2009

A solitary man with a metal detector makes an

astounding discovery in a farmer’s field in Hammerwich,

Lichfield District – more than 3,500 objects and fragments

of gold and silver with precious stone decorations.

Now world famous, the Staffordshire Hoard is so much

more than a collection of Anglo-Saxon war booty – it’s

the legacy of craftsmen whose artistry fashioned precious

metals and gemstones into incredibly detailed sword hilt

fittings, helmet parts and other items.

It’s also the story of kings, religious men and their

warriors, who carried these pieces into battle, who fell,

and were later stripped of their gold.

Staffordshire, 2012

A solitary farmer and his plough

makes a further astounding

discovery. Another 81 items of

the Staffordshire Hoard, including

a cheek piece and a cross-shaped

mount are found in the same

Hammerwich field.

Find out more, keep up to date,

and help to save these new

dazzling treasures for the nation at

www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

But this is a story with

missing pages...

Who hid this treasure?

Was it collected by the

victors after one battle or

several?

How did all these pieces

come to be buried together,

and why?

“The Staffordshire Hoardprovides us with vital clues to our ancient past.” David Starkey,historian and broadcaster

The Staffordsh

ire H

oard The Staffordshire Hoard

The Staffordshire Hoard totals 5.094 kilos of gold, 1.442 kilos of

silver and 3,500 cloisonné garnets. There is nothing comparable in

terms of content and quantity in the UK or mainland Europe.

It is remarkable for being almost exclusively war-gear, with an

extraordinary quantity of pommel caps and hilt plates from swords

and daggers. Many feature beautiful garnet inlays or animals in

elaborate filigree.

The artefacts have tentatively been dated to the 6th or 7th

centuries, placing the origin of the items in the time of the

Kingdom of Mercia. Since the find, a research and conservation

programme, headed up by leading experts in the field, has been

launched and will be underway for several years.

02

The Mercian

Trail

Follow the story of theStaffordshire HoardTo delve further into the mystery of the Staffordshire Hoard and bring

the thrilling story of Mercia to life, follow the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian

Trail across the region. The trail is in its early stages of development. Find

out more about the future plans on the back of this leaflet:

PAGES 4 & 5

The Potteries Museum & Art

Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Discover what life was like for the

Anglo Saxons and marvel at the

largest collection of Staffordshire

Hoard items currently on display.

PAGES 6 & 7

Birmingham Museum & Art

Gallery, Birmingham

See a changing display of the

Staffordshire Hoard as

conservators carry out their

intricate work.

PAGES 8 & 9

Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield

Marvel at the St Chad Gospels and

Lichfield Angel and take in a small

display of the Staffordshire Hoard,

linked information boards, replicas

and guided tours.

PAGES 10 & 11

Tamworth Castle, Tamworth

Learn about the battles, blows and

bloodshed of the Anglo-Saxon era,

the kings and the kingdoms, and

see a small selection of the

Staffordshire Hoard.

PAGES 12 & 13

Follow the story of Anglo-Saxon

Mercia and the Staffordshire

Hoard further afield at historical

sites across the region.


03

The Po

tteries Mus

eum &

Art G

allery

What you’ll see

An exciting new exhibition, which runs until Sunday

1 September 2013, and sets the Staffordshire Hoard in

historical context, revealing the story of its discovery and

conservation. More than a hundred specially chosen pieces

are displayed in all their dazzling glory, including many

previously unseen pieces. The exhibition features iPad

interactives, a stunning timeline and other Anglo-Saxon

treasures discovered in Staffordshire.

These breathtakingly beautiful examples of delicate Saxon

metalwork have intrigued archaeologists and forced

historians to question what they thought they knew about

England in the 7th century and the Dark Ages. Every

expert has a different opinion – so, come along, find out

more and tell us yours?

See the Staffordshire Hoard at

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trentwww.stokemuseums.org.uk

Open daily, visit website to check times.

FREE ENTRY but donations appreciated.

This seahorse is a mostremarkable piece. Threeof its filigree spiraldecorations are the sizeof a grain of rice.

A 9ft sculpture of anAnglo-Saxon warrior,inspired by theStaffordshire Hoard, ison display in the lobbyof The PotteriesMuseum & Art Gallery.

Long term

A new gallery is planned that will uncover

what Anglo-Saxon life was like in

Staffordshire, the role local towns and cities

played in Anglo-Saxon times, and the

importance of the kingdom of Mercia.

The Potteries Museum & Art GalleryBetheseda Street,Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3DW

Telephone: 01782 232323

04

Stok

e-on

-Trent

Gladstone Pottery Museumwww.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm

Trentham Gardenswww.trentham.co.uk

Wedgwood Visitor Centre & Museumwww.wedgwoodmuseum.org.ukwww.wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com

Emma Bridgewater Factorywww.emmabridgewaterfactory.co.uk

Don’t miss

The Po

tteries Mus

eum &

Art G

allery

Where to stay

To make the most of your visit, and to ensure

you don’t miss out on anything the city has

to offer, why not stay for a couple of days?

Whether you want to stay for a night, a short

city break, or a longer holiday, there’s sure to

be a hotel, guesthouse, B&B or self catering

cottage to suit your requirements and budget.

Where to eat

To enjoy the very best culinary treats Stoke-

on-Trent has to offer, make sure you visit one

of our award-winning eateries during your

stay. From first class hotels and restaurants, to

city pubs, bars and bistros, there is a fantastic

choice of places to eat to suit all tastes and

budgets. During your visit, make sure you

sample the local delicacy, Staffordshire

Oatcakes - delicious served hot with various

fillings, including cheese and bacon. They're

available from local oatcake bakers and cafes.

To find a great place to stay or eat visit

www.visitstoke.co.uk or call the tourist

information centre on 01782 236000.

The Gladstone PotteryMuseum gives a glimpseinto the industrialrevolution in the 18th tomid 20th century.

What else you can see in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent is famous for its potteries and is home to Wedgwood,

Moorcroft, Portmeirion, Aynsley and Emma Bridgewater. With over 25

factory shops, ceramic museums and visitor centres to choose from, one day

is not enough. Go on a factory tour around Emma Bridgewater, Moorcroft

and Wedgwood. The Wedgwood Museum takes visitors on a 250 year

interactive tour, then throw or paint a pot before shopping for great bargains.

There are stunning gardens including the Trentham Estate, with its mile long

lake, sculpture and arts trail, and you can tour the world at Biddulph Grange.

Wander amongst the monkeys at the Trentham Monkey Forest.

To find out what else to see and do visit www.visitstoke.co.uk

05


Birmingham Museum & Art Gallerywww.bmag.org.uk


FREE ENTRY but donations appreciated.The museum hosts regular‘behind the scenes’ toursto the conservationstudios. Contact themuseum to find out more.

Birm

ingh

am M

useu

m &

Art G

allery

Birmingham Museum & Art GalleryChamberlain Square,Birmingham B3 3DH

Telephone: 0121 303 1966

Long term

A new gallery, planned to open in September 2014,

will uncover the secrets of the jewellery makers, who

crafted the exquisite pieces of the hoard. It will also

reveal little-known trading routes between the UK

and eastern climes that carried the gold and garnets

to our shores.

What you’ll see

The Staffordshire Hoard is made up of over 3,500

objects and fragments of beautifully crafted gold and

silver from the 7th century Anglo-Saxon kingdom of

Mercia. Hundreds of pieces still need to be cleaned and

conserved by a team of skilled conservators at the

museum. In the museum’s exhibition in Gallery 16,

you can see a changing display of hoard objects that

have just been cleaned, and others still waiting their

turn to be conserved.

The exhibition tells the story of the discovery of the

Staffordshire Hoard and places it in its Anglo-Saxon

context. As well as seeing hoard objects, you can use

the interactives to take a closer look at some of the star

items that are not currently in the exhibition. You can

also handle a Saxon sword and knife.

06

Birm

ingh

am

Where to eat

As a city packed full of different cultures and nationalities,

eating out in Birmingham is like a gastronomic tour of the

world! With enticing new restaurants opening all the time,

representing some 27 different nationalities and styles of

cooking, if you love to dine out, then you’re in the right place.

The city boasts no less than three Michelin Star restaurants

and plenty of wannabes to tempt you, and a whole quarter of

the city is devoted to creating our very own Asian speciality,

the Balti!


www.visitbirmingham.com

What else you can see in Birmingham

Birmingham's diverse history has created some outstanding

heritage and cultural attractions to discover and explore.

From jewellery makers in the Jewellery Quarter, and the

origins of Cadbury’s chocolate at Bourneville, to the Back to

Backs that offer a glimpse into the city’s past, there’s

something for everyone to enjoy. The city also boasts one

of the most compelling and eclectic British arts scenes,

with events, shows, concerts and more taking place

throughout the year. And, if you’re visiting as a family, you’ll

be spoilt for choice, with Thinktank, the SeaLife Centre,

canal boat rides and more to tempt you.

To find out what else to see and do, visit


Where to stay

Whether you want luxurious decadence, boutique chic,

or low cost and practical, there’s a hotel, B&B, or

guesthouse to suit your needs.

Birmingham Back to Backswww.nationaltrust.org.uk

SeaLife Centrewww.visitsealife.com/birmingham

Thinktankwww.thinktank.ac

The Museum ofthe Jewellery Quarterwww.bmag.org.uk

Don’t miss

Birm

ingh

am M

useu

m &

Art G

allery

Birmingham is a vistor’sdelight - from culture, toart, to history, there’s somuch to be discovered.

07

What you’ll see

The origins of Lichfield Cathedral are rooted in

the time scholars believe the Staffordshire

Hoard was buried.

The cathedral’s Chapter House boasts the stunning Anglo-Saxon

treasures, the Lichfield Angel, believed to be a piece of the tomb

of St Chad, and the St Chad Gospels, which are older than the

Book of Kells. A small number of pieces from the Staffordshire

Hoard are also on display alongside exquisite replicas. Visitors to

the exhibition can learn about the Christianisation of Mercia

and the heroic figure of St Chad, as well as marvel at the

stunning Anglo-Saxon treasures on display.

Lichfield Cathedral19A The Close, Lichfield,Staffordshire WS13 7LD

Telephone: 01543 306100


Lichfield Cathedralwww.lichfield-cathedral.org


FREE ENTRY but donations appreciated.

Credit Lichfield Cam

era Club, Keith Jo

nes

Lich

field Cathe

dral

08

Where to stay

From cosy farmhouse bed and breakfasts to

stylish contemporary hotels, Lichfield District

has a range of accommodation for couples,

families and groups. Whether you want to

snuggle up before a roaring fire in one of our

rural villages, or taste the highlife at a city

centre hotel, we’re sure you’ll find something

that’s just right.

Where to eat

For a sumptuous treat, sample elegant

splendour at Chapters, the cathedral’s coffee

shop, afternoon tea at the Tudor Of Lichfield,

or visit the Green Room at the Lichfield

Garrick, one of the region's best loved

theatres. As night falls you will be spoilt for

choice – from country pubs, to city centre

Thai, Italian, Indian, and fusion cuisine. And,

with award winning restaurants across the

city and district, even the choosiest

connoisseurs will be pleased.


www.visitlichfield.co.uk

Lich

field Cathe

dral

Lichfield is a historylover’s delight - travelback in time at our manyvisitor attractions.

Lich

field What else you can see in Lichfield

With a history spanning back to Anglo-Saxon times, featuring tales of

saints, gospels, playwrights and dictionaries, Lichfield is a history lovers’

delight. The city boasts an eclectic mix of heritage venues. From Erasmus

Darwin House, the home of Charles Darwin’s grandfather, through to

birthplace of the father of the modern dictionary – the Samuel Johnson

Birthplace Museum. And, to see an exhibition of 2,000 years of Lichfield’s

rich and varied past, step into Lichfield Heritage Centre in

St Mary’s Church in the city’s market square.

No visit to Lichfield District is

complete, without a trip to the

National Memorial Arboretum. Set

in 150 acres of wooded parkland, it

features the stunning Armed Forces

Memorial, which is a nationally

significant focus for remembrance.

To find out what else to see visit

www.visitlichfield.co.uk/attractions

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museumwww.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk

Erasmus Darwin Housewww.erasmusdarwin.org

Wall Letocetum Roman Sitewww.english-heritage.org.uk

National Memorial Arboretumwww.thenma.org.uk

Don’t miss

09


Tamworth Castlewww.tamworthcastle.co.uk

Open Tuesdays - Sundays, April to October

Saturdays & Sundays, October to April

Visit website to check times. Entry fee applies.

Tamworth Castle

Tamworth CastleThe Holloway, Tamworth,Staffordshire B79 7NA

Telephone: 01827 709626

What you’ll see

Step back in time and experience the weapons

and warfare of the Anglo-Saxon age in the

stunning setting of Tamworth Castle. Tamworth

was the ancient capital of Mercia. It was once

home to the Mercian kings, the site of King Offa’s

palace, and was a royal administrative centre.

See pieces of the Staffordshire Hoard brought to

life, with replica weapons and hand-on activities.

Marvel at the intricate sword fittings, then build

your own sword, have a go at rune writing and try

on some Saxon costumes.

Explore the rest of the castle

with its 900 years of history.

See the maze of intact rooms,

halls and chambers that still

echo with events from the

castle’s Norman beginnings,

Medieval dynasties, Tudor

grandeur and great

family influences.

Tamworth Castle flies a flagbearing the cross of St Alban,a yellow cross on a bluebackground. This flag hasbeen used since the time ofHenry VIII as the flag of theKingdom of Mercia and theEnglish Midlands.

10

Aethelflaed's statue - theLady of the Merciansstands at the foot ofTamworth Castle

Tamworth Castle

Tamworth

Drayton Manor Theme Parkwww.draytonmanor.co.uk

SnowDomewww.snowdome.co.uk

Strykers Bowl and Kids Kingdomwww.namcofunscape.com

Take a Blue or Green BadgeGuided tourwww.visittamworth.co.uk

Don’t miss

What else you can see in Tamworth

Dating back to Saxon times, Tamworth had one of Britain’s earliest

watermills positioned on the River Anker, and had a royal mint from the

reign of King Aethelstan (924 - 939). Discover how ancient meets modern

today as you wander around this beautiful historic town. Visit the

magnificent church of St Editha dating back 1200 years, believed to be

named after either the daughter of King Egbert of Wessex, or the aunt of

King Edgar, who refounded the church in 963. St Editha is credited with

spreading Christianity across Mercia in the 900s. Gaze upon Tamworth’s

beautiful Town Hall, built by Thomas Guy of Guy’s Hospital in London. Look

for the bronze statue of Sir Robert Peel, former Tamworth MP and twice

British Prime Minister. In Victorian times Tamworth was his home and was

where he founded the

modern police force.

And, if you’re visiting as a

family, you’ll be spoilt for

choice, with the SnowDome,

Drayton Manor Theme Park,

cinema, bowling alley, a

theatre and more right on the doorstep.

To find out more call the Tamworth

Information Centre on 01827 709581 or

visit www.visittamworth.co.uk

Where to stay

Make Tamworth your base and choose from

first class hotels, cosy B&Bs and a superb

choice of caravan and camping sites.

Tamworth has a range of accommodation

that offers a great welcome, superb value for

money and a family friendly atmosphere.

Where to eat

With many local food suppliers on its

doorstep, Tamworth offers a great range of

eating places. Check out family run

restaurants such as Christopher’s and Da

Quino’s Italian, enjoy the atmosphere of the

many bustling bars like Wetherspoons, or opt

for a real ale house, a quaint café, or a coffee

shop for a light bite. There are also lots of

famous brand outlets and pubs offering

traditional food and drink.


www.visittamworth.co.uk

11

On the trail o

f the

Ang

lo-Sax

ons ac

ross Staffords

hire

St Chad's Church, Lichfield and The Two Saints Waywww.saintchads.org.uk

St Chad's Church was founded by Chad in 669. Chad came to

Lichfield to be its first bishop and settled at the site of a spring of

fresh well water. Here he founded a small monastery beside the

well, which still exists today. The church was rebuilt during the

12th century and nothing remains of the original Anglo-Saxon

building. The Two Saints Way, a pilgrimage route between

Lichfield and Chester, passes by the well. Find out more at

www.twosaintsway.org.uk

St Peter ad Vincula, Stokewww.stokeminster.com

Stoke Minster was founded in the 7th century as a ‘holy place’,

which can be translated into Old English (spoken by Anglo-

Saxons) as ‘Stoche’, on the River Trent - hence Stoke-on-Trent.

The first stone church was built in 805 and the remains of this

can still be seen in the churchyard. Although the church was

rebuilt in 1826 it still boasts its Anglo-Saxon font and carved

stone preaching cross. Stoke Minster is also included on The Two

Saints Way.

On the trail of the Anglo-Saxonsacross Staffordshire and beyondThe name Mercia derives from Mierce - people of the march or

border. King Offa, who built a famous dyke to protect Mercia's

border, was the best known Mercian king. Tamworth was his capital

and he was buried at Swinfen, near Lichfield City, which was home

to St Chad, who helped convert Mercia to Christianity in the 7th

century. After his death Chad's bones were enshrined in Lichfield

Cathedral. Staffordshire and Birmingham were once part of Mercia

and are rich with Anglo-Saxon stories, waiting for you to discover.

St Wystan’s Church, Reptonwww.reptonchurch.org.uk

St. Wystan's Church, Repton has been described as ‘one of the

most precious survivals of Anglo-Saxon architecture in England’.

Along with parts of the chancel, crossing and transept, the church

has an Anglo-Saxon crypt, once described by Sir John Betjeman as

‘holy air encased in stone’. It was built during the reign of King

Æthelbald (716-757), King of Mercia, and later converted into a

mausoleum to receive the bodies of powerful Anglo-Saxons. Its

domed and vaulted roof is supported by decorative pillars.

12

On the trail o

f the

Ang

lo-Sax

ons ac

ross Staffords

hire The Anglo Saxon Charters

Staffordshire Record Office, Stafford

Anglo-Saxon charters were royal documents that

granted lands and privileges to individuals, churches

and abbeys during the Anglo-Saxon period. Over

1,000 charters exist today, with 200 in their original

form. Staffordshire Record Office holds some of the

most important charters, including the Will of

Wulfric Spot, dating back to 1004. You can view the

charters by appointment only. Call 01785 278373

or visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk

St BertelinStafford & Ilam, Derbyshirewww.stmarysstafford.org.uk

www.ilam.org.uk

St Bertelin is the patron saint of Stafford, and is

credited with founding the town in 700. He was a

holy man who established St Bertelin’s chapel, the

remains of which can still be seen today in the

churchyard of St Mary’s Church in Stafford town

centre. St Bertelin is reputed to have died at Ilam in

Derbyshire, where his tomb can be visited at the

Church of the Holy Cross.

St Peter’s Church, Kinverwww.stpeterskinver.org

St Peter’s Church was built in the reign of Wulfhere,

the first Christian king of Mercia, in memory of his

two sons. It is believed that the church was built to

signify Wulfhere’s and the kingdom’s conversion

from Paganism to Christianity.

Mercian Trail touring exhibition

A touring exhibition is being developed by

Staffordshire County Council. The team

have secured funding from the Heritage

Lottery Fund and the exhibition will begin

to tour regional venues in 2013. The

exhibition will tour schools, galleries, visitor

centres and more, taking the story of the

Staffordshire Hoard and Anglo-Saxon

Mercia to a wide audience.

For dates and venues visit


13

Mercia, 7th century –a time of deadly conflict

Around 410 the Romans lost control of Britain.

The Roman army left to defend France against

Barbarian invaders.

We do not know exactly what then happened in

Britain, but things changed dramatically. Petty kings

took over local communities, coins went out of use

and town life declined. Germanic migrants from

continental Europe began to arrive in the mid 5th

century, bringing with them a culture we now know

as Anglo-Saxon. This culture spread and several

kingdoms were formed.

One of the great kingdoms to emerge was called

‘Mercia’. Mercia was often at war with its neighbours,

and its borders fluctuated with its fortunes. At its

height it stretched from Wales to the east coast, north

to the Humber and south to the Thames.

The Saxon Kingdom of Mercia

Early Mercia was not a literate society and much of

what little we know about the Mercians was

written by the Northumbrian monk Bede, who

regarded them as enemies. The great Mercian kings

included Penda, who was killed in 655, his son

Wulfhere, and Offa, who reigned in the 8th century.

The Saxon heartland of Mercia coversthe region that today includesLichfield, once the home of St Chad,Tamworth, once the home of KingOffa, Birmingham, Stafford and Stoke.

The Sa

xon King

dom of M

ercia

14

Journey back in time with theStaffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail ...

The proud kingdom of Mercia is expanding its power

and lands. Its armies are fighting bloody wars with

neighbouring kingdoms – Northumbria to the

north, East Anglia to the east and Wessex to the

south. Superbly armed warriors fight and die on

blood splattered battlefields. Their swords and

battle finery are collected and stripped of their gold

fittings. Gathered together with religious artefacts

and other fine objects, this precious treasure is

mysteriously buried on a hill top.

Follow the Mercian Trail to find out more…

Research

ing an

d Co

nserving

the

Hoa

rd

Researching and conservingthe Staffordshire Hoard

Research

ing an

d Co

nserving

the

Hoa

rd

To continue this vital conservation and research work, and to

display the hoard in a series of galleries and exhibitions, we now

need to raise further significant funds.

To find out more about this vital work to care for one of our

nation's finest treasures, visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

We are very grateful to English Heritage and the many other

funders who have supported the conservation and research

programme to date.

To donate visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/donate

Researching and conserving the Staffordshire Hoard is vital to

unlocking its secrets, and shedding a light on the Dark Ages.

Already garnet-encrusted objects from the hoard have visited the

Louvre Museum in Paris for analysis, and a team at Birmingham

Museum & Art Gallery are meticulously cleaning and conserving the

hoard. The archaeological research work, which will help to piece

together the mystery of the hoard, is being carried out at The Potteries

Museum & Art Gallery.

15

The Staffordshire Hoard is owned and cared for by Birmingham CityCouncil and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, on behalf of the nation.

Help us to develop the Mercian Trail

The Mercian Trail Partnership brings together

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, The

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Lichfield

Cathedral, Lichfield District Council, Tamworth

Borough Council and Staffordshire County

Council. The aim of the partnership is to tell the

emerging story of the Staffordshire Hoard and

the Anglo-Saxon history of the region, through

a series of informative permanent and

temporary displays and a programme of

outreach activities aimed at residents and

visitors alike. The trail is in its early stages of

development and long-term, feature galleries

are planned at Stoke-on-Trent and

Birmingham, as well as enhanced displays at

Lichfield and Tamworth, along with a touring

exhibition that will tour schools, museums and

more, led by Staffordshire County Council.

If you would like to donate to the ongoing

development of the Mercian Trail and

conservation and research of the Staffordshire

Hoard visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

M54

M6

M42

M6

M5

M40

M6

M6 Toll

M42

A5

SHROPSHIRE

WORCESTERSHIRE

WARWICKSHIRE

STAFFORDSHIRE

W.MIDLANDS

SHROPSHIRE

WORCESTERSHIRE

WARWICKSHIRE

STAFFORDSHIRE

W.MIDLANDS

Telford

Hereford

Worcester

Coventry

Warwick

Stratford-upon-Avon

Wolverhampton

Kidderminster

Stafford

Shrewsbury

LICHFIELD

TAMWORTH

BIRMINGHAM

STOKE-ON-TRENT

How to get to the heart ofAnglo-Saxon EnglandWe look forward to welcoming

you to Staffordshire and the

West Midlands, located in the

heart of the country, to enjoy

all that the Staffordshire Hoard

Mercian Trail and our region

have to offer.

For detailed travel directions to any

of the venues on the Staffordshire

Hoard Mercian Trail, please visit


For information about the

delights of Staffordshire, visit

www.enjoystaffordshire.com or

for more information about the

delights of Birmingham visit


Documents

Draft Mercian Trail Leaflet - 21 February