The Chew Valley Hoard was an extraordinary discovery made in January 2019 by a group of metal detectorists in a field near Chew Valley, Somerset, England.

This hoard, which is the largest known coin hoard from the period immediately following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, provides invaluable insight into one of the most turbulent times in British history.

The hoard contained 2,584 silver pennies, most of which were minted during the reign of William I, the first Norman king of England. There were also 1,240 coins from the reign of Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon king, who, as we know, was defeated at the Battle of Hastings.

Among the coins, there was also a rare piece from the reign of Edward the Confessor, the last king of the House of Wessex, and several “mule” coins, which were hybrid coins combining elements from different reigns, likely produced to evade taxes! No there’s an idea!

The coins were minted by approximately 100 moneyers across 46 mints in England, including major cities like Bath, Bristol, Exeter, and London. This variety indicates the widespread circulation and the impact of the Norman Conquest on the economic and political landscape of England.

The hoard is believed to have been buried around 1068, a time when England was embroiled in local rebellions against Norman rule. The deliberate damage to many of the coins…such as them being cut into halves or quarters…suggests they were intended for use in everyday transactions. Valued at £4.3 million, the Chew Valley Hoard was acquired for the nation with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Art Fund.

It was declared treasure under the Treasure Act 1996 and is now housed at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, with prior displays at the British Museum in London.

The Chew Valley Hoard is a remarkable link to the Norman Conquest’s aftermath, shedding light on the immediate economic and political effects of William the Conqueror’s victory and the shifting societal dynamics of 11th-century England. Now, I wonder… whoever buried the coins…..at what point did they give up?