Stratfield Mortimer was named, in Saxon times, after the Strad-Feld
or “Street-Field”, the open land around the
Devil’s Highway, the Roman road from London to Silchester.
There is an extremely rare Saxon tombstone in the parish church. It
reads:
"On 8th before Kalends of October, Aegalward son Kypping was
laid in this place. Blessed be he who prays for his Soul. Toki
wrote this".
Aegalward is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in AD 994.
He was a historian, a translator of the chronicle and a man of
influence. Kypping, his father, was Lord of the Manor of Stratfield
Mortimer. Toki was a wealthy courtier in Canute’s Reign.
Further information about this ancient village can be seen at
the
Royal Berkshire History website.
You are looking for a black round container.
The co-ordinates shown above will take you to the lychgate.
Enter the churchyard and follow the right hand path to the back of
the church where you will find a name plate attached to a wooden
bench. From the name plate find make a note of the years Cyril
Jewell was born and died.
He was born on 9 January 18AB, and died on 8 February
19CD.
The cache can be found at N51 22.(AB+196) W001
02.(CD+473).
Finally, don't forget to search out Aegalward's resting
place.
Good luck with your quest!