Windsor History

Roman Remains at Old Windsor, 1865

Some interesting remains have been discovered on the Crown lands at Old Windsor where our Saxon Kings had a palace and Edward the Confessor kept his court. The discovery was made by workmen in some drainage works on the farm of Mr Allen of Tyleshod, and consists of two tombs, the chambers of each forming a cube of four feet. The remains were found about two and a half feet below the surface of the soil.

One tomb contained an elegant glass bottle with an ornamental handle and some charred human bones but no urn to contain them but the second tomb at about 18" from the first contained a handsome cinerary urn of half baked clay about 14" in height. Within the urn was a quantity of charred human bones almost as white as ivory; and beside the urn were the fragments of a fine terra-cotta bottle. Both tombs occupied positions due north, south, east and west. The interiors were filled to a depth of 18" with a thick deposit of clay. No inscription, ornament or any coins were found in either tomb to denote its age; but the site where they were found is thought to be a Roman byway, leading from "Ceasar's Camp" on Bagshot Heath through Bracknell and Datchet. John Horsley (c. 1685-1732), the British archaeologist, fixed the Roman station, Pontes, near Old Windsor; but others prefer Staines, in Middlesex.

Her Majesty Queen Victoria has inspected these curious remains.