Market and fortress in England in the reign of Offa
Jeremy Haslam
Abstract This paper puts forward a dual hypothesis of the formation system public fortifications or burhs in Mercian England by King Offa later 8th century, with which were associated series new ‘urban’ markets. These defended enclosures, each linked bridge, formed systematic defence kingdom preventing penetration up major rivers Viking warships. It is argued that markets development from royally created and controlled emporia wics, response to general increase over Northern Europe local, regional international trading century. Both burh market systems can be seen as essential aspects wider episode state Offa, parallels developments Carolingia are archaeologically historically rather better evidenced.
World Archaeology