New research shines light on the curious cultural identity of "Conquest Man"

Researchers have been analyzing the remains of an unknown man buried at St. Peter’s Church in Barton-upon-Humber, in Lincolnshire, whose identity is a great example of a historically blurred identity. This man has been affectionately dubbed ‘Conquest Man’, as he lived through one of the most turbulent periods of English history, the Norman occupation.

Previous analysis found that the tree used in his coffin was felled in 1079, placing the man's time of death at around the same time. Yet his cultural identity – whether he an Anglo-Saxon or of Norman or even Norse origin – was a mystery... until now.

Analyzing Conquest Man 

A new collaborative effort between researchers at Historic England, the Francis Crick Institute, the British Geological Survey, the University of Southampton and Liverpool John Moores University has shed light on some of the physical and cultural origins of 'Conquest Man'.

His remains have been examined, and the skeletal evidence points toward probable Scandinavian origins. This Scandinavian background was confirmed not only by an analysis of his skull but also by his DNA. The levels of oxygen isotopes were measured; analysis suggests that he may have spent part of his childhood or younger years in a far colder environment across the Norwegian Sea before arriving in England. 

Researchers also managed to produce a facial reconstruction of the man, which shows that this early medieval middle-aged man looked remarkably like a modern middle-aged man – receding hairline and all.

A facial reconstruction of "Conquest Man". Source:  Liverpool John Moores University

Neither Norman nor Anglo-Saxon

Kevin Booth, English Heritage’s head of curator collections, spoke to The Guardian about this discovery. He said that the identity of 'Conquest Man' was largely assumed for years to be either Norman or Anglo-Saxon and that “he’s likely neither, and we shouldn’t be shocked by that.”  

The location of his final resting place, deep in the English Midlands, also gives a hint to his Scandinavian origins. We know that during the 11th century, much of this area was in the Viking sphere of cultural and political influence, the so-called Danelaw.  

Mr. Booth spoke of this milieu and said that, “...he was born into a world where one king ruled England, Denmark, Norway and parts of Sweden...our man could have come across in early adulthood within this common North Sea territory...” 

Reenactment of the Battle of Hastings. Source: Wikimedia / Author: Duncan Graham

The complicated picture of 1066

However, attempts to link with him the Norman invaders that landed in southern England in 1066 were, in Mr. Booth’s opinion, too far. Whilst it was possible that he may have arrived in England from Normandy, “it’s just not perhaps...the most likely account” as the Scandinavian interactions with Normandy had ceased by the mid-11th century.

Scientific collaboration and research have, however, helped to illustrate the complicated picture of Norman conquest. The people that lived through the events of 1066 were not just Anglo-Saxon or Normans; people with Scandinavian origins were also caught up in this consequential, tumultuous period of English history.

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