Coin Hoard
Coin hoards were common in early medieval Europe. Many Norse coin hoards have been found through Scandinavia, likely the result of raiders attempting to protect their plunder . Coin hoards show historians when and where successful raids took place, based on their proximity to the hoards. This specific coin hoard was found in the Breckland district of Northern England, in an area that was likely under the control of Danelaw (the territory controlled by the Norse on in Britain in the ninth and tenth centuries).[1] The coins were found in March of 2014. They are made of silver, and they feature king Edward the Wise, as well an inscription that reads “WEIOL WCBIO ”, possibly an old English phase that has been lost.
This small coin hoard matches up with the many other archaeological finds of this era.[2] This has been presented as a common practice by the Norse, and the hoard supports that idea. This specific hoard is important because it confirms the Norse presence in the Breckland district in the northern portion of England. The horde shows historians the locations and movements of the ancient Norse, as well as the possible time periods in which they had abundances of coins to protect.
