Bedford Town Bank and The Kings Ditch
Has been described as a Certain Urban Defence
There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains
| Name | Bedford Town Bank and The Kings Ditch |
| Alternative Names | Kings Dyke |
| Historic Country | Bedfordshire |
| Modern Authority | Bedfordshire |
| 1974 Authority | Bedfordshire |
| Civil Parish | Bedford |
A battle is said to have taken place at Bedford in 571. Bedford's position on the Saxon/Norse frontier meant that it was frequently involved in conflict between the English and Danes in the 10th and 11th centuries. In 919, Edward the Elder recaptured the burh from the Danes and ordered the construction of a second burh on the south side of the river. The fortifications are still to be seen as a water filled ditch, known as the King's Ditch, although the western part has now been built over. The town was captured and burned by the Danes in 1010. Excavations have revealed evidence for late Saxon and early medieval occupation. (PastScape)
A section across the bank inside the Kings Ditch in the south-east part of the town indicated a primary Norman date rather than the traditional early 10th century context of Edward the Elder's burh construction. It may have functioned as a flood-prevention earthwork, and was heightened several times in the Medieval period. (Kennett, 1972)
Loop of ditch and trace of bank, prob. C10 origin, to south of river, no traces remain of Anglo-Saxon defences north of the river. Does not seem to have lasted as a defence very long into post-Conquest period and Bond puts the defences in his 'of no post-Conquest significance' list.
Not scheduled
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | TL050449 |
| Latitude | 52.1307487487793 |
| Longitude | -0.46424999833107 |
| Eastings | 505000 |
| Northings | 249600 |
