Burpham Burh

Has been described as a Possible Urban Defence

There are earthwork remains

NameBurpham Burh
Alternative Names
Historic CountrySussex
Modern AuthorityWest Sussex
1974 AuthorityWest Sussex
Civil ParishBurpham

Burh superseded by Arundel. Possible in use until C11.

The Early Medieval Burh of Burpham, probably created by either Alfred or Edward the Elder between 890-919 as an 'emergency burh'. A possible location of the burh may be at Burpham Camp, an Iron Age promontory fort (see TQ 00 NW 11). This site yielded evidence of Late Saxon pottery and buildings within the presumably Iron Age fortifications. (PastScape)

Burham, the burh of Burpham, is first mentioned in c.900 as a burh with 720 hides assigned to it in the Burghal Hidage (Bereford and Finberg 1973).

The 720 hides assigned to the burh could represent a bank along the neck of the promontory and down the Eastern side, but excluding the Western side covered by the River Arun (Hill and Rumbole 1996). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Despite being in an ideal position to besiege Arundel Castle this site is never suggested as the site for a possible siege castle of either the 1102 or, possible 1138, sieges of Arundel.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTQ039085
Latitude50.8671188354492
Longitude-0.5244500041008
Eastings503930
Northings108550
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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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. 64, 262
  • Hill, D. and Rumbole, A., 1996, The Defence of Wessex: ‪The Burghal Hidage and Anglo-Saxon Fortifications‬ (Manchester University Press) p. 195
  • 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
  • Drewett P.L. (ed), 1978, Archaeology in Sussex to AD 1500 (CBA Research Report 29) p. 66, 87-8 online copy
  • Aldsworth, Fred and Freke, David, 1976, Historic towns in Sussex: an archaeological survey (Sussex Archaeological Field Unit) p. 11
  • Wilson, David M., 1976, The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England p. 127-412
  • Beresford, M. and Finberg, H.P.R., 1973, English Medieval Boroughs: a Handlist (Newton Abbot: David and Charles) p. 170
  • Turner, H.L., 1971, Town Defences in England and Wales (London) p. 148 (slight)
  • Clinch, G., 1905, 'Ancient Earthworks' in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Sussex Vol. 1 p. 468 online copy

Journals

  • 1976, Sussex archaeological collections_ i>Vol. 114 p. 194-206
  • 1973, 'Medieval Britain in 1972' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 17 p. 150 online copy
  • Godfrey, W.H., 1960, 'Burpham Earthwork' Sussex notes and queries Vol. 15.5 p. 171
  • 1959, Sussex notes and queries Vol. 15.4 p. 139
  • 1959, Sussex notes and queries Vol. 15.3 p. 105
  • Curwen, Eliot and Curwen, E Cecil, 1922, 'Notes on the Archaeology of Burpham and the Neighbouring Downs' Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol. 63 p. 2-3