Archaeologists have recently discovered that a house in England may be the long-lost residence of Harold, the final Anglo-Saxon King of England, featured in the Bayeux Tapestry. Through revisiting earlier digs and performing new surveys, the researchers believe they have pinpointed a place of significance related to Harold Godwinson, who met his end during the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Archaeologists have recently discovered that a house in England may be the long-lost residence of Harold, the final Anglo-Saxon King of England, featured in the Bayeux Tapestry.
By analyzing prior excavations and conducting new assessments, a group from Newcastle University, along with colleagues from the University of Exeter, is convinced that they have found a power center associated with Harold Godwinson, who was killed at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Bosham, located on the southern coast of West Sussex, is illustrated twice in the Bayeux Tapestry, a famous artwork that recounts the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. This event saw William, the Duke of Normandy, challenge Harold for the throne. The Tapestry concludes with William’s victory at Hastings, but earlier scenes depict Bosham as the location where Harold enjoys a lavish feast in a grand hall before departing for France, and again upon his return.
The exact location of Harold’s residence in Bosham has never been definitively established, though it has been proposed that a house in the village, which is currently a private residence, could be situated on the original site.
Archaeological Investigation
The archaeologists employed various techniques to unravel the early history of the property. These included conducting a geophysical survey of the area, examining existing structures, reviewing maps and historical records, and re-evaluating findings from excavations done in 2006 by West Sussex Archaeology.
This investigation confirmed the presence of two previously unnoticed Medieval structures: one is integrated into the current house, while the other is located in the garden. A key finding pointing to the site’s ancient origins was discovered during the 2006 excavations, which uncovered a latrine situated within a large wooden building. Over the last decade, archaeologists have begun recognizing a trend in England since the 10th century AD, where high-status homes incorporated toilets. The identification of this latrine suggested to the team that the timber building was of high status and likely part of Harold’s residence depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. This hall was part of a larger complex that included a church, which still exists today.
The findings, published in The Antiquaries Journal, were spearheaded by Dr. Duncan Wright, a Senior Lecturer in Medieval Archaeology at Newcastle University. He stated, “The discovery that the 2006 digs had essentially found an Anglo-Saxon en-suite confirmed our belief that this house is on the site of a prestigious residence that predates the Norman Conquest. Evaluating this crucial clue alongside our other findings leaves no doubt that this is indeed the location of Harold Godwinson’s private power center, famously illustrated in the Bayeux Tapestry.”
Professor Oliver Creighton from the University of Exeter and co-investigator of the project added, “The Norman Conquest led to the rise of a new ruling class that replaced the English aristocracy, which has left very few physical remnants. Therefore, the discovery at Bosham is hugely important—we have uncovered an Anglo-Saxon showcase home.”
The research conducted in Bosham was part of the broader Where Power Lies initiative, involving teams from both Newcastle University and the University of Exeter, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The project’s goal is to explore the origins and early evolution of aristocratic centers like Bosham, examining archaeological evidence from sites across England for the first time.
