If you were able to float downstream on the River Wye through High Wycombe until you encountered the Thames and then continue south towards Maidenhead, you would soon pass under a chalk cliff which is topped by the village of Taplow. 

Taplow may have played an important, if undocumented, part in Wycombe’s history. 

Here a Saxon prince was buried beneath a large earthen mound which is still visible today. 

Although his name does not appear in any historical records of the period, it is a fair guess that he was called Taeppa and that Taplow was named after him. 

We don’t know for certain the area he ruled over but it is probable that he and his followers would have controlled a large area of the Chilterns - including the site of what was later to become High Wycombe.

In the past the huge mound has attracted the attention of local antiquarians and on October 15, 1883, Mr James Rutland with twelve workmen risked their lives by digging under a large yew tree which then capped the mound. 

They reached a depth of about twenty feet and to their delight uncovered human bones and magnificent objects which had been buried with the occupant. 

These included remains of drinking horns, glass and bronze vessels, gold and garnet jewellery, parts of a shield, a spear and even traces of fabric with gold thread woven in; perhaps the cloak of the prince himself.

The discovery of these finds, which date to around AD 600, caused a national sensation at the time. 

However, a rival local antiquarian, Alfred Heneage Cocks, who had himself hoped to dig into the barrow, noted with some satisfaction that the side of Mr Rutland’s trench had ‘colted in’ during his excavation and nearly killed him.

The Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society (of which both Rutland and Cox were members) is celebrating its 170th anniversary and is arranging a series of events across the county. 

Leslie Webster who formerly looked after the Taplow finds in the British Museum has kindly agreed to give a talk about the burial and other important Saxon finds, in High Wycombe at 2.30pm on Saturday, April 28 at the Trinity United Reform Church, London Road.

Everyone is welcome to this special occasion which is being organised in conjunction with the High Wycombe Society - and admission is free!

For further information please contact the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society’s Mike Farley 01296 4582966 or mfarchaeol@btinternet.com