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WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE ANGLO-SAXONS IN ESSEX?

The modern county of Essex was a kingdom in the Dark Ages that included London and Middlesex.

The name Essex means 'Land of the East Saxons', who settled the region after migrating from North-West Germany and sailing up the River Thames.

The first king was a man named Aescwin, who lived in the mid Sixth Century. He claimed that the Saxon god, Saxnot, was his ancestor.

The kings are thought to have lived at Cripplegate in London and their Royal monastery was at St Paul's Cathedral.

The kings often shared their kingdom between brothers and the most famous King of Essex was King Saexa.

He ruled from 600 to 616 AD, during which time he converted to Christianity and helped St Mellitus set up St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

He died in 617 AD and some researchers believe he was buried in Westminster Abbey. 

Others argue that he was probably buried in the Royal grave excavated at Prittlewell.

The most recent findings suggest that, rather than the burial site of King Saebert, the grave in fact belonged to his brother, Prince Saexa. 

The date of the chamber, now known to be between 580AD and 605AD, rules out that it contained King Saebert, as previously thought.

Experts now believe his brother, Prince Saexa, was the one given such a grand send-off.

Royal families emerged in Anglo-Saxon times in Kent, Essex and across south-east England. 

Saebert and Seaxa's mother was from the Kentish royal family, but their maternal aunt, Bertha, was a French princess who married into their royal family and brought her Christian beliefs with her.

That may explain the gold crosses on the prince's eyes and the coins in the chamber, which are clearly Christian, while the very idea of a burial chamber is Pagan.

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