Gone Medieval: Episode Summary – "Medieval Burials"

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Host/Author: History Hit

Introduction to Medieval Burials

In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Yonega engages in an insightful discussion with Dr. Jo Buckbury, the Director of Studies at the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences at the University of Bradford. Their conversation delves deep into medieval burial practices, exploring how these rites offer a window into the beliefs, social structures, and daily lives of medieval communities.

Dr. Eleanor Yonega emphasizes the significance of burial practices in understanding medieval societies:

"[...] the way that people related to their bodies after their deaths tells us an awful lot about what their society valued."
(04:58)

Pagan vs. Christian Burial Practices

Dr. Buckbury begins by highlighting the transition from pagan to Christian burial rites during the early medieval period. She uses the iconic Sutton Hoo site as a primary example to illustrate the blend of pagan and Christian elements in burial customs.

Dr. Jo Buckbury discusses the complexity of interpreting burial rites:

"Was the person buried in that mound a Christian, a pagan, somebody who was a little bit undecided, [...]"
(11:48)

The conversation underscores the difficulty in definitively linking burial practices to religious beliefs due to overlapping customs and the gradual nature of religious conversions.

Grave Goods: Types and Meanings

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the variety of grave goods found in medieval burials and their implications.

Dr. Buckbury categorizes grave goods into several types:

• Weapon Burials: Including swords, shields, and spears, though relatively rare.
• Jewelry Burials: Featuring brooches, beads, armbands, wrist clasps, and girdle hangers.

"These are the kind of things that were part of people's clothing... sometimes just a sword or a shield."
(16:23)

Dr. Eleanor Yonega expresses admiration for the craftsmanship:

"I love the jewelry in particular. [...] Could we have replicas? Yeah, I'm trying to buy this."
(18:05)

The inclusion of grave goods provides insights into social status, personal identity, and community values, reflecting both practical and symbolic significances.

Status and Burial Mounds

Dr. Buckbury explains the social stratification evident in burial practices, particularly through the construction of large burial mounds.

"The biggest mounds are thought to be related to social status. [...] It's like, you know, this is me with my big burial mound, [...]"
(22:46)

These mounds, akin to smaller-scale pyramids, signify the high status and power of individuals, often coinciding with the rise of larger kingdoms and kingship during the 7th century.

Mass Graves and Battlefield Burials

The episode explores the aftermath of medieval warfare, focusing on the handling of fallen soldiers.

Dr. Buckbury references the Towton mass grave:

"They have very nasty injuries that occurred during the battle. They're things that certainly contributed to their death [...]"
(36:00)

She contrasts battlefield burials with community burials, noting that high-status individuals like the enigmatic Saint Bees man received elaborate Christian burials even after dying in distant lands, suggesting significant societal efforts to honor certain individuals.

"Saint Bees man, almost certainly very, very high status, which is why his body was brought back for burial in his parish church."
(38:55)

Changes in Burial Practices Over Time

The transition from pagan to Christian burial practices is marked by a decline in grave goods and a shift towards standardized Christian burials, typically aligned east-west to symbolize the resurrection.

"From the seventh century, the norm burial rite for most people is to be buried in their grave. [...] generally no grave goods."
(28:45)

Despite the general trend, personal touches and symbolic items occasionally persisted, reflecting individual or familial preferences within the broader religious framework.

Personal Reflections and Relevance Today

The conversation concludes with reflections on the human connection to burial practices, both past and present. Dr. Yonega and Dr. Buckbury discuss the enduring fascination with medieval burials, attributing it to both personal connections and a morbid curiosity about death and remembrance.

"It's something that I'm always really quite interested in because it seems that often people in the past are just a bit more comfortable."
(45:57)

Dr. Buckbury draws parallels between historical burial practices and contemporary responses to mass fatalities, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting humanity's consistent need to find pragmatic and meaningful ways to honor the dead.

"It's a deeply emotional time. [...] doing something that has meaning to you."
(51:44)

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Eleanor Yonega (04:58):

  "The deceased person may well have had a say in all of that, but you can start to build ideas about what was important to that community."

• Dr. Jo Buckbury (11:48):

  "Whether it's the tombs of Westminster Abbey or immense memorials like Sutton Hoo."

• Dr. Eleanor Yonega (18:05):

  "I am the woman who bought a replica Iron Age necklace when I was visiting a museum because it was just too beautiful."

• Dr. Jo Buckbury (22:46):

  "It's very much the same today. [...] burying a loved one, you make decisions about that burial."

• Dr. Jo Buckbury (31:24):

  "These are beautiful pieces of artwork, really."

Conclusion

"Medieval Burials" offers a comprehensive exploration of how burial practices serve as a mirror to medieval society's beliefs, social hierarchies, and cultural transitions. Through meticulous archaeological analysis and thoughtful interpretation, Dr. Jo Buckbury provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the medieval afterlife and the enduring human need to honor and remember the dead.

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