Eleven Centuries In Ashwell

The north Herts village of Ashwell is enjoying a special year marking 1,100 years since its founding. Bianca Wild looks at its rich history and ongoing celebrations.

Picture-postcard Ashwell has been a hive of activity this year with events to mark its 1,100th anniversary. Everything from street parties to a major Ashwell at Home event have been held to celebrate the history of the north Herts village.

But where did it all start? Evidence of activity in the area can be found much earlier than the 917 date chosen for this year’s celebrations. Ashwell historian David Short has written extensively on the period and notes that during the Roman occupation of Britain (before the sacking of Rome and the withdrawal of Roman administrators and soldiers in 410), Roman presence was felt in the area. In 2002, in a field in Ashwell End at what is now the outskirts of the village beside the river Cam, a source of which rises in the village, a metal detectorist uncovered 26 silver and gold plaques and jewellery – votive offerings at a shrine complex to a previously unknown goddess. The goddess was Senua (or Senuna) – a Celtic diety with elements of the Roman Minerva.

After the Romans, incoming Anglo-Saxons settled and built houses scattered around the countryside, populations grew and estates were formed. Ashwell, with its freshwater springs, was the centre of such an estate, which also included nearby Hinxworth, Caldecote, Newnham, Radwell and Bygrave. The church serving the estate would have been a minster – something between a parish church and a monastic house.

The 9th century saw a spell of Viking inhabitancy in the country, but this was to come to an end when Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great, reclaimed the land and created burhs and towns, including Ashwell in 917.