Table of Contents

Timeline
Acknowledgements and illustration credits
List of abbreviations
Introduction
Discovery and investigation
Conservation and research
What is the Hoard?
Jewel of Mercia
Weapons and warfare
The royal smith
Belief in the Anglo-Saxon world
Christian objects
Art styles
Treasure of kingdoms
Burial
Afterword
Glossary
Bibliography and recommended reading

About the Author

Chris Fern is an expert on the archaeology and artefacts of the early Anglo-Saxon period. He was the lead specialist for the Staffordshire Hoard (2011–19). Jenni Butterworth is a consultant for Drakon Heritage and Conservation. She has worked with the Staffordshire Hoard in various capacities since 2010.

Reviews

‘This wonderful book on the mysterious and famous Staffordshire hoard from central England describes in detail the discovery, the finds and their conservation, and the wider context of the hoard in the Anglo-Saxon world. Given the huge public interest in the discovery, the book is written to inform a wide audience; however, it will not disappoint any specialist readers. The authors have succeeded in balancing an academic depth of knowledge with an accessible style. Inset boxes clearly explain certain techniques or sources. Beautiful images illustrate the different steps of conservation and investigation and show off the outstanding finds and the complex manufacturing technologies… detailed investigations show that every object has its own story—sometimes literally, in the form of intricate images of serpents, an eagle catching fish, horses, mythical beasts and much more.’ Marion Uckelmann, Antiquity

‘A measured, highly informed and extremely well-illustrated description of the hoard, with some archaeology and history to put it into context, but without being eclipsed by wider aspects of the Anglo-Saxon world: it lives up to its title.\’ Mike Pitts, British Archaeology

‘This book is an important summary, both of the results of research on the hoard and of its significance. The inclusion of comparative material helps place it in context, and a neat time-chart shows the changing styles of metalwork within the hoard. This, along with a tabulation of the finds, gives an overview that is not otherwise easily available.\’
Kevin Leahy, Current Archaeology