london177 The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial In 1939, a great barrow excavated at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk yielded a remarkable find: a rich Anglo-Saxon burial contained within the hull of a longship. Dated to the 7th century by coins, the burial seems to be that of a local ruler, possibly Redwald, King of the East Angles and overlord of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, who died c. AD 625. The King's Weapons The rich collection of weapons and amour that was buried at Sutton Hoo reflects the warrior status of the dead king as well as the sorts of weapons used in Anglo-Saxon England. In the early seventh century, the fledgling kingdoms of England were continually defending and extending their borders with neighboring kingdoms. Skirmishes with small bands of armed men would have been commonplace. The items found at Sutton Hoo include a magnificent parade shield, an iron helmet, a mailcoat, several spears, an iron axe-hammer (perhaps a cavalry weapon) and a sword. These reflect the different types of weapons used by fighting men in early Anglo-Saxon England. The spear was the most basic weapon and some men fought with spear and shield. But those of the highest status, such as the buried king, possessed a sword as well.