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This volume describes how Ipswich (Gipeswic) was operating as a landing place for continental visitors by sea in the 7th century and as a permanent town from the early 8th century. Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period its primary function was as a port, importing wine and mill stones from northern France, Belgium and the Rhineland, but it was also a major craft production centre, dominated by pottery production. It was also important during the Viking settlement of eastern England in the late 9th century. The Danish occupation was associated with an economic boom and the town was first surrounded with a bank and ditch. Soon after the Norman Conquest, in 1066, the town was ravaged by the Conqueror, and many burnt-down houses have been excavated of late 11th century date. In some, the charred remains of their contents survived, including some bread rolls. However, the town soon recovered and a castle was built in the 12th century, which was demolished decades later.

The account covers the excavations, directed by Keith Wade, from 1974 onwards. It provides information about the individual sites and includes specialist reports on the non-ferrous metal objects, glass and Anglo-Saxon coins - the bone and antler has already been published in 2024. 

More information and pictures can be found on the Suffolk Heritage Explorer

The monograph is volume 184 in the journal East Anglian Archaeology Series. It is priced at £35 and is available from Script Books . It will also be available through Suffolk Community Libraries.