Christening Spoon Found In Grave Of Saxon King

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 4-9-2004 | David Derbyshire

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Christening spoon found in grave of Saxon king

By David Derbyshire, Science Correspondent
(Filed: 09/04/2004)

An ancient silver spoon buried in the grave of an early Christian king may be one of the earliest christening spoons found in Britain, archaeologists said yesterday.

The spoon was discovered alongside a lyre and copper box for holding relics in the burial chamber of the so-called Prince of Prittlewell, a high-ranking aristocrat who lived in Essex 1,400 years ago.

When the grave was discovered this year in Southend-on-Sea, archaeologists described it as one of the most important finds in decades.

Although the bones had long vanished, tiny foil crosses placed near the body suggested that the Anglo-Saxon prince was Christian. The finds announced yesterday confirmed that he was an early convert.

The two most likely candidates are King Saeberht, the first Christian king of Essex, and King Sigebert II, who ruled Essex a few years later. However, the researchers say he may have been an unknown king or member of a royal family.

Ian Blair, of the Museum of London archaeology service, said the objects were found as researchers searched slabs of earth from the site.

"The spoon is one of the most interesting objects. It may have been a christening gift and was obviously significant," he said.

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GGG ping.

[billorites]

Would it have killed you to get it engraved?

[curmudgeonII]

What is/was a christening spoon?

[blam]

"What is/was a christening spoon?"

I don't know. I was expecting some of you high IQ folks to tell me.

[Ciexyz]

Pic?

[blam]

Sterling Silver Heraldic Christening Spoon

[Ciexyz]

O-kay! But I was wondering what the one found in the grave looked like.

[lizma]

From what I can tell it's the most traditional christening gift in medieval times. Pretty much everyone got one as a gift with the material that it was made of (wood, bronze, silver, etc.) being dependent on social statues. It's where we get the phrases "born with a silver spoon in his mouth"

It was used throughout the recipient's lifetime. A spoon was usually not provided when you ate at someone else's home and you were expected to bring your own.

[AnalogReigns]

"What is/was a christening spoon?"

Since ancient and medieval Christians often didn't immerse persons in baptism, instead like Roman Catholics and magisterial Protestants (Lutherans, Anglicans & Presbyterians) today, just put a little water on the head, I would expect a christening spoon would be used for this--and hence a very precious object. Significance of it is he was baptized--and hence a Christian, in 5th Century England.

St. Augustine of Canturbury is supposed to have brought Christianity to the Pagan Angles and Saxons in Britain at about that time. This may have been a noble converted by Augustine and his missionary helpers? Pretty exciting stuff, imho.

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this ping list.

[EggsAckley]

Thanks for the pings! You've been busy today. Great stuff!

[ruoflaw]

This is really amazing. One does learn something new every day thanks to people like you!

[Henchman]

When did we get a fork to go with it?

[SunkenCiv]

Time Team Special 18 (2005) - The King of Bling (Southend, Essex)

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.google.com/search?q=essex%20king%20of%20bling&spell=1&ie=UTF-8

and images:

http://www.google.com/search?q=essex+king+of+bling&spell=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&tbm=isch