The Sutton Hoo Sceptre and the Roots of Celtic Kingship Theory

The Sutton Hoo whetstone sceptre is the most enigmatic and mysterious emblem of kingship of the Early Middle Ages. Produced c.600 AD and long held to be Anglo-Saxon, the author of the present work argued in 1983 that it was actually made by Celtic craftsmen who deployed Celtic iconographic themes in its carving. That thesis is now accepted by many scholars but continues to be a matter of debate. Here the thesis is re-examined with a wealth of evidence never before discussed. Enright establishes that the sceptre is undoubtedly a British artefact, one that reflects a long history of Celtic king ship theory. It is the end of a tradition that begins with the Iron Age Pfalzfeld pillar. Because the sceptre's design reflects that of the pillar, a comparison of their creator's ideas is possible. The results are important and surprising. It is safe to say that this book casts a wholly new light on a number of significant topics in the field and that its findings will be of considerable interest to scholars in a variety of areas.