Cookham's important Anglo-Saxon and later medieval history

As part of a new and ongoing project to investigate Cookham's important Anglo-Saxon and later medieval history,
students from the University of Reading are carrying out an extensive archaeological excavation at Holy Trinity Church paddock for two weeks, from 9th-20th August 2021, under the direction of Dr Gabor Thomas. They are being assisted by a few members of local archaeological groups - about 40 people in total are involved..

Now at the end of the first week, we are finding some very exciting, significant evidence of the mid-Saxon minster, or monastery, which is documented from 740, the site of which has never previously been proved. It played an important role in our nation's history. Cookham's minster and lands were negotiated back from Mercia to Wessex in the 790s's by Cookham's Abbess, Cynthryth, who was the widow of King Offa of Mercia. Later royal Witans, or king's councils, were held at Cookham, which was also the site of a c879 fort of Alfred the Great in defence of Wessex.

Visit to the site is by invitation only.