Southwark Town Defences

Has been described as a Possible Urban Defence

There are no visible remains

NameSouthwark Town Defences
Alternative NamesSuthriganageweorce
Historic CountrySurrey
Modern AuthorityLondon Borough of Southwark
1974 AuthorityGreater London
Civil ParishBermondsey Rotherhithe And Southwark

In the Anglo-Saxon period Southwark is mentioned in the 'Burghal Hidage. The Anglo-Saxon name for Southwark of Suthringa Geweorc or Sud Geweorc implies that it was then part of the system of defence for London, an outpost for the guarding of the bridge. It became very important when the war against the Danes was waged, in the 9th, 10th and 11th centuries, in the Thames Valley. In 1016 the Danes were besieging London in the area of Southwark and Cnut's men dug a ditch round the southern end of London Bridge. By this means they were able to drag their ships round the bridge, across low-lying land intersected with ditches and into the upper river. (Greater London HER)

Gatehouse Comments

It is unlikely that anything from the C11 has survived the later development of Southwark and the actual line of the Saxon defence is lost but Saxon minister church, now Southwark Cathedral (at given map reference), probably within the circuit. There is no evidence to suggest it was maintained post-Conquest.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTQ325803
Latitude51.5061111450195
Longitude-0.0897200033068657
Eastings532560
Northings180350
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2013, Medieval Walled Towns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 157 (mention)
  • Creighton, O.H. and Higham, R.A., 2005, Medieval Town Walls (Stroud: Tempus) p. 262
  • Bond, C.J., 1987, 'Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Defences' in Schofield, J. and Leech, R. (eds) Urban Archaeology in Britain (CBA Research Report 61) p. 92-116 online copy)
  • Turner, H.L., 1971, Town Defences in England and Wales (London) p. 176
  • Johnson, David, J., 1969, Southwark and the City (City of London Corporation) p. 7
  • Gover, J.E.B, Mawer, A. and Stenton, F.M., 1934, The Place-Names of Surrey (English PLace Name Studies 11)
  • Malden, H.E. (ed), 1912, VCH Surrey Vol. 4 p. 125 online transcription