Page:VCH Norfolk 1.djvu/413

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ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS figured in Martin's History of Thetford^ and some from the Norwich mint are given in Mason's History of Norfolk ; while the whole question of the East Anglian coinage has been discussed by Daniel Haigh in the Numis- matic Chronicle? From the ethnological point of view the coinage yields some interesting evidence for the parts of England subject to the Vikings. The names of the moneyers show that there must have been following their banners a very mixed nationality, by no means of pure Scandinavian blood. In the lists are two varieties of un-English names, some which appear to be Prankish and others which are certainly Scandinavian. Under Eadwig the Prankish names grow fewer, and almost disappear by the time of iEthelred II., while the Scandinavian naturally continue in large numbers. Three alternative explanations are suggested : perhaps ' there were a great many Prankish soldiers in that portion of the great army which, under Guthrum, settled in East Anglia and Mercia ; or the army brought over a certain number of Prankish thralls who, having some skill in metal work, were employed to engrave dies and were authorized to place their names upon them ; or finally, the coins were issued by traders, and the majority of these in East Anglia at this time were men of Prankish descent.' ' Concerning the date of the many remarkable earthworks attributed to Anglians or Danes in this county it is difficult to say anything that may not presently be upset by historical research or excavation. The view put forward by the late Mr. Geo. T. Clark has recently met with unfavourable criticism in more than one quarter ; * and many of the mounds and base-courts generally known as Anglo-Saxon burhs may presently turn out to be Norman motes. All that can be given here is a reference to plans and descriptions of the principal Norfolk earthworks, which are at Castle Acre,° Thetford, Mileham,* Denton,' Buckenham,* Castle Rising * and Norwich.^"

  • p. 32, supplemented in Norfolk Archaology, vol. iii. p. 30. * Vol. iv. (1841), pp. 34, 195.

' Grueber and Keary, Catalogue of English Coins (British Museum), vol. ii. p. xliv. ; see also pp. xxix., ciii., cxii., cxiii. for particulars of Norfolk coins.

  • Quarterly Review, July, 1894, p. 43 ; Scottish Review, October, 1898, p. 209 ; Society of Anti-

quaries of Scotland, Proceedings, 18 99- 1900, p. 260. ^ Journal of Jrckteological Institute, vol. xlvi. p. 282. 8 Norfolk Archaologj, vol. viii. p. 10 (plan). ' Op. cit. vol. ix. p. 335 (plan). ' Op. cit. vol. xi. p. 137. " Op. cit. vol. iv. p. 59 (plan). '" Journal of British Archaoloffcal Association, 1858, pp. 9-13 (plans). 351