In 1939, just before the onset of World War II, a remarkable archaeological discovery emerged in Suffolk, England: the Sutton Hoo site. Uncovering a ship burial alongside more than a dozen other graves, the site has since provided invaluable insights into Anglo-Saxon history. Among the artifacts, a helmet with articulated cheek guards and a neck guard captured significant attention due to its distinctive Roman features. Researchers suggest that this helmet and the chain mail coat found nearby were likely modeled on Byzantine armor, hinting at a fascinating link between Anglo-Saxon warriors and the Byzantine Empire.
The Sutton Hoo helmet's design suggests Anglo-Saxon warriors might have served as mercenaries for the Byzantine Empire during the sixth century. At that time, the Byzantine leaders were known for recruiting foreign warriors, providing them with armor and financial incentives to purchase additional equipment. The presence of elaborately decorated horse equipment and horse skeletons in these graves further indicates that these warriors were skilled horsemen.
The discovery of the Prittlewell grave in 2003 has shed additional light on these findings. Located in Essex, east of London, this grave belonged to an Anglo-Saxon nobleman dubbed the Prittlewell Prince. Through modern excavation techniques, archaeologists dated the grave between 580 and 605 AD. Among its contents were a bronze pitcher, silver spoons, and metal bowls, seemingly crafted in the eastern Mediterranean. These items support the theory that the Prittlewell Prince may have acquired them while fighting in the East.
Further historical evidence suggests that during the 570s, Byzantine leaders launched significant military campaigns against the Sasanian Persians, who posed a threat to their Eastern territories. This period coincides with historical records showing that Byzantines recruited mercenaries from "both sides of the Alps."
"Those who returned brought back with them metalwork and other items which were current, and distinctive, and not the kinds of things that were part of normal trading networks." – Helen Gittos
The chain mail coat discovered at Sutton Hoo is now heavily rusted but was likely modeled after those worn by soldiers in the Byzantine army. Such details align with historical accounts that describe how Byzantines used lucrative incentives to enlist foreign fighters.
"rendered the recruits' hearts eager for danger through a flowing distribution of gold, purchasing from them enthusiasm for death by respect for payment" – A seventh-century Byzantine historian
Importantly, both the Sutton Hoo and Prittlewell discoveries help paint a broader picture of the cultural exchanges occurring during this period. While the Sutton Hoo helmet indicates potential military ties with Byzantium, the Prittlewell artifacts reflect broader trade or diplomatic exchanges. These findings enrich our understanding of early medieval European societies and their interactions with distant cultures.
