1 An Archaeological Resource Assessment of Anglo - Saxon Northamptonshire ( 400 - 1066 )

1.1 Definition of period The period as defined from political changes runs from c.450 to 1066. The earlier 5th century should ideally be dealt with together with the Roman period but is considered here because the only significant evidence presently available is from comparison of the pattern revealed in the early Saxon period with that found in the Roman period. Even more importantly, there is such a distinct break in the 10th century, marking a clear origin for the medieval landscape, that it would be far more useful to divide Saxon from Medieval at 900. For consistency with other county papers the 4001066 range has been used here but the period 900-1066 is dealt with in a quite separate late Saxon section and many themes will be picked up from that section in the medieval paper.