Scheduled MonumentsEnglandSaxon Shore fort and Anglo-Saxon monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea

Saxon Shore fort and Anglo-Saxon monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea

England
List entry 1013834
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Bradwell-on-Sea is a Saxon Shore fort built in the third century as part of the Roman coastal defence system protecting south-eastern Britain. The fort, known as Othona, occupies a promontory jutting into the Blackwater estuary and originally comprised a substantial rectangular fortification with defensive ditches and walls of flint and stone. In the seventh century, following the departure of Roman forces, the ruined fort was reoccupied when Saint Cedd established an Anglo-Saxon monastery within its walls, converting the Roman defences into a sacred enclosure for the new religious community. The site remains archaeologically significant as a rare example of Roman military architecture being deliberately repurposed for monastic use during the early medieval period.

Saxon Shore fort and Anglo-Saxon monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1013834. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Saxon Shore fort and Anglo-Saxon monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea?

Bradwell-on-Sea is a Saxon Shore fort built in the third century as part of the Roman coastal defence system protecting south-eastern Britain. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1013834.

Who is responsible for protecting Saxon Shore fort and Anglo-Saxon monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea?

Saxon Shore fort and Anglo-Saxon monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1013834.

What other scheduled monuments are near Saxon Shore fort and Anglo-Saxon monastery at Bradwell-on-Sea?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Saxon coastal fish weir at Sales Point (1.3 km), Decoy pond 700m north east of Marsh House Farm (4.1 km), Coastal fish weir at the northern end of The Nass (4.3 km).

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