Child’s Leather Shoe from Oxford: 8th century

The present college of Christ Church was the site of the important monastery of St Frideswide from the 8th century. Excavations under Medieval properties along St Aldates opposite Christ Church Meadows revealed early stages of a riverbank settlement.

In length and proportions, the little shoe found in excavations of the riverbank community would suit a toddler. It was simply but sturdily made by stitching together with thongs a sole and one-piece upper. It is unusual to find a whole Medieval shoe in good condition - shoes were only discarded when worn out. Presumably it was lost by the toddler.

Recent research suggests that this is probably the oldest preserved Anglo-Saxon shoe in England.