Recent archaeological findings have shed new light on a long-standing mystery about Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. A collaborative study conducted by the Universities of Newcastle and Exeter has identified the location of a previously lost royal residence in Bosham, West Sussex. This site, depicted in the famous Bayeux Tapestry, has been revealed through a combination of reexamined evidence, new archaeological studies, and the discovery of a medieval latrine.
The Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century artifact, chronicles the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It portrays key events leading up to and following Harold’s defeat at the Battle of Hastings, including scenes of Bosham. In the tapestry, Bosham is featured as a prominent location where Harold enjoys a lavish banquet before embarking on his ill-fated journey to France.
Until now, the precise location of Harold’s residence in Bosham had been a matter of speculation. However, a manor house in the village, now a private residence, has emerged as the most plausible site.
The breakthrough came when archaeologists reanalyzed evidence from 2006 excavations conducted by West Sussex Archaeology. These efforts uncovered a latrine within a large wooden structure on the site. Subsequent investigations revealed two medieval buildings: one integrated into the current house and another in the surrounding gardens.
This discovery, combined with geophysical surveys and historical analysis, confirmed that the site housed a high-status complex, including a grand hall likely used by Harold himself.
The inclusion of a latrine in the wooden structure proved pivotal. During the 10th century, high-status residences in England began incorporating such features, signifying their elite status. Dr. Duncan Wright, a senior lecturer in medieval archaeology at Newcastle University, emphasized the importance of this find: The discovery of an Anglo-Saxon latrine essentially confirms that this site was an elite residence preceding the Norman Conquest. All the evidence points to this being Harold’s private power center, as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.
The wider Bosham complex also included a church, which remains intact to this day, further reinforcing the significance of the site as a focal point of power in pre-Conquest England. The project, titled Where Power Lies, aims to explore the early development of aristocratic centers across England. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, it seeks to provide a deeper understanding of these locations and their role in shaping medieval society.
Professor Oliver Creighton from the University of Exeter highlighted the broader implications of the find: The Norman Conquest replaced England’s Anglo-Saxon elite with a new ruling class, leaving few physical traces of their predecessors. Discoveries like this are hugely significant, as they offer a rare glimpse into the architectural and cultural identity of Anglo-Saxon aristocracy.
This discovery not only confirms the existence of Harold’s residence but also provides a rare look into the material culture of the Anglo-Saxon elite, whose history has often been overshadowed by the Normans. The findings underline the importance of Bosham as a site of both historical and archaeological significance, bridging the gap between myth and material evidence.
SOURCES
David Gould, Oliver Creighton, Scott Chaussée, Michael Shapland, Duncan W Wright. Where power lies: lordly power centres in the English landscape c. 800–1200. The Antiquaries Journal, 2025; 1 DOI:10.1017/S0003581524000350
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