University of Reading archaeologists have made a "breakthrough discovery," solving a mystery that has "puzzled" historians for years.
Queen Cynethryth of Mercia was the widow of the powerful King Offa of Mercia and is the only Anglo-Saxon queen known to be depicted on a coin - which was uncommon in Western Europe at the time.
Mercia was one of the main Anglo Saxon kingdoms in Britain, which spanned the English Midlands.
The 8th-century monastery was discovered this summer, on the banks of the Thames.
The archaeologists have been excavating the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, along with local volunteers, which is one of the rumoured locations of the monastery.
Historical sources had referred to its existence in the past, but its whereabouts was a mystery until now.
The excavation, in August, sought to answer this question by investigating open spaces straddling the churchyard, which still stands today.
University of Reading archaeologist and leader of the excavation Dr Gabor Thomas said that "the lost monastery of Cookham has puzzled historians, with a number of theories put forward for its location".
The team found the remains of timber buildings at the site, which would have housed those living in the monastery. They also uncovered artefacts that have given the archaeologists an insight into their lives.
He said the evidence found confirms "beyond doubt" that the Anglo-Saxon monastery was located on a gravel island beside the Thames now occupied by the present parish church.
A "wealth" of evidence has been discovered including food remains, pottery vessels used for cooking and eating, and items of personal dress including a delicate bronze bracelet and a dress pin, probably worn by female members of the community.
"Despite its documented royal associations, barely anything is known about what life was like at this monastery, or others on this stretch of the Thames, due to a lack of archaeological evidence," said Dr Thomas.
"The items that have been uncovered will allow us to piece together a detailed impression of how the monks and nuns who lived here ate, worked and dressed. This will shed new light on how Anglo-Saxon monasteries were organised and what life was like in them."
While the monastery's exact location has been long debated, archaeologists believe it was of "strategic and political importance".
Monasteries were built along the Thames in Anglo-Saxon England because it was an important trading route, which allowed them to develop into wealthy economic centres.
The area where Cookham lies is a contested boundary between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex.
Clear evidence has now emerged for the layout of the monastery which was organised into a series of functional zones divided by ditched boundaries.
One of these zones appears to have been used for housing and another for industrial activity indicated by a cluster of hearths probably used for metalworking.
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Who was Queen Cynethyrth?
Written records show that the monastery was placed under the rule of a royal abbess. The recent discovery has given them a "unique insight" into the Queen's life, and her likely final resting place.
She joined a religious order and became the royal abbess of the monastery after the death of her husband, King Offa, in AD 796.
The King had ruled Mercia before his death, and is considered by many historians to have been the most powerful Anglo-Saxon king before Alfred the Great.
He is known for ordering the creation of the earth barrier on the border between England and Wales, known as Offa’s Dyke, which can still be seen today.
Dr Thomas added that “Cynethryth is a fascinating figure, a female leader who clearly had genuine status and influence in her lifetime. Not only were coins minted with her image, but it is known that when the powerful European leader Charlemagne wrote to his English counterparts, he wrote jointly to both King Offa and Queen Cynethryth, giving both equal status."
“We are thrilled to find physical evidence of the monastery she presided over, which is also very likely to be her final resting place.”
Archaeologists believe the Queen died sometime after AD 798.
Their dig is scheduled to be completed on August 20.
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