Kempsey in the Dark Ages

Please click a topic:

• Saxon Raiders
• The King of Mercia and Kempsey Monastery
• Danish Raiders
• The Saxon Origin of the Name 'Kempsey'
• Population
• Dark Age Links

Saxon Raiders
Two Saxon brothers raided and sacked Worcester in 538 AD.

The King of Mercia and Kempsey Monastery
Coenwulf, King of Mercia, gave Abbot Balthun of Kempsey Monastery thirty smallholdings in return for the military service and maintenance work of Kempsey locals. Click here for more details from the Victoria County History of Worcestershire.

Danish Raiders
To commemorate the departure of the Danes Bishop Aelhun built an oratory dedicated to St. Andrew. Then the Danes raided again, and the monastery was destroyed.

The Saxon Origin of the Name 'Kempsey'
Kempsey is named after a Saxon chief called 'Kemys', the full name meaning "Kemys' Eye", as the original settlement, where the church now stands, was an semi-island between the River Severn and marshland. Click here for a view of the church over the flooded marsh. Lyf's Lane is also named after a Saxon Chieftain.

Population
In 799 AD the population was about 150.

(All details from 'Kempsey Collection')

Dark Age Links
Angelcynn (pronounced 'Angle-kin') is a living history society which aims to recreate, as authentically as possible, the richness of the birth of a nation which has passed into legend and into lore. It seeks to create all aspects of life in the period; food, crafts, warfare, pastimes, in fact everything that made up the life of these first English people. Angelcynn lays great stress on all manner of details that comprise the clothing, weaponry, artefacts and most importantly, the culture of this distant age.

© 1999 Andy Morrall

Last updated 15^th August 1999.

E-mail: andymorrall@geocities.com

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