KINGSBRIDGE

ABOUT THIS MONUMENT

+ / -

EH Visitor Information
Related Monuments
Related Text
Investigation History

More Pictures
Modern Map
Old Map
Aerial Photograph

Monument Types
Sources
Thesaurus
Description

DESCRIPTION

+ / -

Possible Anglo-Saxon burh and pre-Conquest church. Both are suggested to have been built before 909.

DETAIL

+ / -

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES

+ / -

(Burh sited to Kingsteignton, SX8673, from OS 10560 1969).

It is possible that Kingsbridge was part of the system of burhs created by Edward the Elder, situated just below the highest point of tidal flow on the R.Teign and at the lowest convenient crossing place. In Domesday it is called Taignbridge, and was the head place of a hundred which was ancient demesne of the King. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recorded its destruction by the Danes in 1001. (1)

Reichel argues that Kingsteignton church was in existence by 909 AD on the grounds that it is recorded as being in the patronage of the chapter of Old Sarum in Domesday. Had it been founded after 909, when the bishopric of Devon was created out of the old Dioecese of Sherborne, it would have been in the patronage of the bishop or the chapter of Devon. The church must have served as a minster.(2)

The church and market at Kingsbridge lie to the North of the postulated area of the burh. The parish of this church comprises the whole of the burh and its extra-mural area, and is carved out of the parish of Churchstow. There is increasing evidence from Wessex burhs that this relationship of defended area to settlement was deliberately planned, and is a proto-urban feature. (3)

SOURCE TEXT

(1) General reference

Haslam J (ed) 1984. Anglo-Saxon Towns in Southern England. London: Philimore 275-6

(2) Devonshire Association reports and transactions

Reichel OJ 71, 1939 Page(s)336,339

(3) Society for Landscape Studies Landscape history

Page(s)33

MONUMENT TYPES

+ / -

COMMENTS

+ / -

Please help us keep our information accurate let us know if you see any errors on this page.

Further information about monuments may be obtained by contacting NMR Enquiry and Research Services , through the English Heritage website.

EH Prints
English Heritage
Heritage Explorer
Heritage Gateway
Images of England
NMR
ViewFinder