Is one of history's earliest warlords buried in the British countryside? ... trends now
The burial site of a mysterious Dark Age king who founded the kingdom which grew into England is in a Hampshire field, an author who wants to dig up the site believes.
Cerdic became the first king of Wessex after invading England in around 500AD, ancient Anglo Saxon chronicles say.
The warlord is believed to have carved out a realm after bloody battles around the New Forest and the Solent following the end of Roman Britain.
But his final resting place has been shrouded in mystery for more than 1,000 years.
Historian Paul Harper, the author of new book Cerdic: Mysterious dark age king who founded England, believes he lies in a field on the outskirts of the town of Andover.
The burial site of a mysterious Dark Age king who founded the kingdom which grew into England is in a Hampshire field, an author who wants to dig up the site believes. Cerdic became the first king of Wessex after invading England in the sixth century, ancient Anglo Saxon chronicles say
He tracked down the location after studying an ancient royal charter, which makes reference to 'Ceardices Beorg' - the Old English term for 'Cerdic's Barrow'.
In the charter, Edward the Elder - who as the the son of heralded figure Alfred the Great was king of the Anglo Saxons in the late ninth century - granted 10 hides to Winchester Cathedral.
That equates to around 11,000 acres, an area which now largely makes up St Mary Bourne parish in Hampshire.
The charter, dated to 900 AD, featured various landmarks to show the boundary of the land, including Cerdic's Barrow.
Inspired by research from academic George Grundy, Mr Harper's investigation discovered a burial mound in the location of Cerdic's Barrow.
It has been identified in Hampshire County Council's historic environment records.
The approximate location of the burial site of Cerdic, the first king of Wessex
Historian Paul Harper, the author of new book Cerdic: Mysterious dark age king who founded England, believes he lies in a field on the outskirts of the town of Andover. Above: A view of the site
The barrow's location was discovered by pinpointing landmarks from the 10th century charter, such as a 'Withig Grafe' (Willow Grove) next to a wood which had a watercourse running alongside it. Above: Willow Grove recently
Although the mound has now been flattened and ploughed over, aerial photographs that were taken in the 1960s and 1970s showed traces of a massive barrow measuring 72feet in diameter.
With a height of up to 12ft, this would have been a spectacular and imposing feature of the landscape.
Mr Harper said: 'The exciting discovery has brought the story of Cerdic from a lost period of British history to life.
'This could be overwhelming proof that Cerdic was not just a product of fantasy in the chaotic aftermath of post-Roman Britain but a real warlord who
