Archaeology at Reading: The ‘Lost’ Monastery of Queen Cynethryth at Cookham

The location of the 8th century monastery in the Berkshire village of Cookham, on the banks of the Thames, was a mystery until now, despite being well known from contemporary historical sources. Written records show it was placed under the rule of a royal abbess: Queen Cynethryth, the widow of the powerful King Offa of Mercia. In the session, Dr Thomas will introduce you to the Cookham site and tell you about the excavations that were carried out by staff and students there last summer.