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The short version

  • Excavations at the Palazzo della Rovere yielded nineteen silver pennies and one halfpenny minted in various English regions during the tenth century.
  • The discovery supports historical records of the Schola Saxonum, an English enclave that enjoyed unique papal privileges including the right to use native currency.
  • Evidence of local craftsmanship and the absence of melted bullion suggest residents conducted everyday transactions using English money rather than converting it.

Archaeologists working within the walled gardens of Rome’s Palazzo della Rovere have uncovered a cache of medieval coins that offers tangible evidence of a distinct English community in the city during the tenth century. The find includes nineteen silver pennies and a single halfpenny, all minted in regions such as East Anglia, Kent, London, and the West Midlands. These artifacts bear the names of Edward the Elder, Athelstan, and Eadred, kings who were direct descendants of Alfred the Great. The coins were discovered in close proximity to ruins identified as part of Emperor Nero’s first-century theater, linking the Anglo-Saxon presence to a site of significant historical depth.

The concentration of these specific artifacts challenges previous assumptions about the economic integration of foreign pilgrims in medieval Rome. Historically, scholars relied on textual references to understand the existence of the Schola Saxonum, an English quarter located between the Vatican and the Tiber River. While written records indicated that this enclave received special papal privileges, including burial rights, physical proof of its daily operations remained elusive. The newly discovered coinage fills this gap by demonstrating that English currency circulated freely within the district, suggesting a level of economic independence rarely granted to other foreign groups.

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Rory Naismith, a historian at the University of Cambridge who assisted in interpreting the findings, noted the unusual volume of Anglo-Saxon money compared to local papal coinage. He observed that the sheer number of English coins found at this specific site indicates a substantial flow of capital from England into Rome during this period. This imbalance suggests that the English residents did not merely pass through as transient visitors but maintained a sustained economic presence. The coins were not stored as treasure but appeared to have been lost or discarded over time, pointing to active use in daily commerce.

The composition of the hoard provides further insight into the nature of transactions within the enclave. The inclusion of a halfpenny is particularly significant because such small denominations are typically associated with routine market exchanges rather than large-scale trade or tribute. Researchers found no signs that the silver had been melted down for bullion, which would have indicated an effort to convert English wealth into local currency. Instead, the intact state of the coins implies that merchants and residents conducted everyday business using their native money, a privilege that underscores their unique status within the city.

Beyond the currency, the excavation site revealed traces of leatherworking, bone carving, and metalworking activities. These industrial remnants suggest that the Schola Saxonum was not just a religious waypoint for pilgrims but a vibrant residential and commercial hub. The presence of full-time artisans indicates that hundreds of people may have lived in the area permanently, creating a self-sustaining community. This finding aligns with comparisons to modern ethnic enclaves in major global cities, where specific cultural groups maintain distinct economic and social structures within a larger urban environment.

The historical context of this discovery highlights the exceptional nature of Anglo-Saxon relations with the papacy. While other European groups, such as the Lombards, Franks, and Frisians, also traveled to Rome and established institutions near the Vatican, they did not appear to enjoy the same degree of autonomy. Francesca Tinti, a historian at the University of the Basque Country, emphasized that the English made extraordinary efforts to reach Rome, enduring dangerous journeys that claimed many lives. In return for this devotion, the papacy granted them special protections and rights that facilitated their long-term settlement.

The location of the find within the Leonine City district corroborates earlier hypotheses about the geography of the Schola Saxonum. Founded in the eighth century, this area served as a critical stop for English pilgrims traveling to holy sites. The discovery of coins from multiple English kingdoms suggests that the enclave attracted visitors and residents from across the region, rather than being limited to a single local group. This diversity likely contributed to the economic vitality of the neighborhood, fostering a complex network of trade and cultural exchange.

The implications of this find extend beyond confirming the existence of the English quarter. It provides a material basis for understanding how medieval cities accommodated foreign communities with distinct legal and economic statuses. The ability to use native currency in a foreign land was a significant privilege that reduced transaction costs and reinforced community identity. As researchers continue to analyze the site, these coins may offer further clues about the social hierarchy and daily life of tenth-century Rome’s international residents.

Future studies will likely focus on correlating the coin hoard with other archaeological evidence from the Palazzo della Rovere site. The initial discovery of Nero’s theater ruins in 2023 already signaled the area’s rich historical layers, and the Anglo-Saxon artifacts add another dimension to its narrative. By examining the wear patterns and distribution of the coins, historians hope to reconstruct the timeline of English presence in Rome more precisely. This ongoing work promises to refine our understanding of medieval urban integration and the unique role played by English pilgrims in the history of the Vatican.

The publication of these findings in a new volume on foreigners in early medieval Rome marks a significant step forward in the field. It moves the discussion from theoretical reconstruction based on texts to empirical analysis of material culture. The coins serve as silent witnesses to a time when an English community thrived in the heart of Italy, operating under special privileges that allowed them to maintain their economic distinctiveness. This discovery not only validates historical accounts but also enriches the broader story of cultural exchange and coexistence in medieval Europe.

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Go to the original reporting

  • Smithsonian Magazine↗What Are Medieval English Coins Doing in Rome? They Could Be Rare Evidence of a 'Little England' Enclave That Received Special Papal Privileges