Recently, archaeological find, which has become known recently, has opened new horizons to study the history of medieval England. During the construction of a new Sizeweell C nuclear power plant in the east, archaeologists found a unique treasure: 321 silver coins that were buried almost 1000 years ago. Coins dating from 1036 to 1044 were found in perfect condition, wrapped in a cloth and a lead wrap.
This find belongs to the reign of Anglo -Saxon King Edward the Confessor when the country was experiencing political and social instability. The coins, no doubt, belonged to a wealthy person, because at that time they could buy as many as 16 cows, which was a large amount for that time. Scientists suggest that the owner of the treasure probably worried for his property during changes in power and kept it in case of confiscation. The find is quite rare, since archaeologists have found only three such treasures related to the reign of Edward the Confessor. The first years of his reign were marked by numerous political upheavals when the king expelled many representatives of the local elite and confiscated their property. Of particular importance is the condition of coins, since most ancient treasures are not stored so well. Thanks to the lead wrapper and fabric packaging, these coins have survived to this day, giving scientists the opportunity to better understand how they have been used and stored in medieval England. However, the question of why a lead wrapper, not a regular ceramic pot, remains unanswered to keep the treasure. There is another interesting hypothesis as to why the coins have not been returned to the owner. He may have died before he was able to pick up his treasure, or was expelled from the country and could not return to get his money.
This find will undoubtedly become an important element for the study of the history of England, providing new testimonies about the stages of changes in society and the country's political landscape during the reign of Edward of the Confessor.
