Reconstruction of Saxon settlement at Portchester, Portchester, Hampshire
This is a reconstruction drawing of what the Saxon settlement at Portchester Castle looked like in the late 10th century. It is unlikely that the fort at Portchester was ever entirely abandoned after the collapse of the Roman empire. However the first definite documentary evidence relating to the Saxon fort comes from AD 904. In that year Edward, king of the West Saxons, recieved Porceastra from the bishop of Winchester. At about this time the fort was turned into a burgh, one in a series of fortified bases intended to defend the kingdom of Wessex from a Viking attack. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2011). Find out more.
