This book shows how, near the ruins of a Roman town, the early Anglo-Saxons came, bringing their own culture and beliefs from their ancestral homes in Europe, and formed the community that would in time be known as High Ham. The archaeological discoveries have shown that in later years Higham became a Saxon Royal estate, part of Offa's great kingdom of Mercia. Background information on Higham Ferrers. Today the town of Higham Ferrers spreads along high ground on the east bank of the River Nene, some 15 miles downstream from the county town, Northampton. In a community of some 6000 people, the fine buildings and large ornate church testify to the historic importance of the town in the Middle Ages. But what gave Higham Ferrers its importance? How did the town originate, and are there clues in its past to explain its later importance? Until now history could shed no light on the Dark Ages of Higham Ferrers. But in the course of nine years work spanning the turn of the 21st century, archaeologists have excavated a huge area on the outskirts of the town, revealing a wealth of evidence that illuminates those unknown times, telling a story by turns fascinating, chilling, gruesome, and tragic. Now, for the first time, the archaeology and history are brought together to throw light on the origins of Higham Ferrers. This book shows how, near the ruins of a Roman town, the early Anglo-Saxons came, bringing their own culture and beliefs from their ancestral homes in formed the community that would in time be known as High Ham. The archaeological discoveries have shown that in later years Higham became a Saxon Royal estate, part of Offa's great kingdom of Mercia. Higham was a centre for the collection of tributes and taxes, and, more darkly, a centre for trial and execution. The discoveries at Higham represent evidence of one of the earliest examples of Saxon government in action, the first in a line stretching all the way to today's Parliament.