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Hillfort
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| Whilst reading "The Real Middle Earth" by Brian Bates, a curious coincidence led me to explore an excellent site, namely Drakelow hillfort, at Sladd lane, Drakelow, near Kidderminster. This lies pretty much due west of Wychbury, and there is an excellent view east to there from Drakelow. I caught a bus that goes from Kinver to Kidderminster last year, and this goes right past the "fort" if that is what it is (it's marked as that on the map) I was intrigued about the curious looking sandstone "tump" with its many strange looking trees clinging to the top, their roots exposed. I knew the word Drake refers to Dragons and I was also intrigued by the nearby cave dwellings, one of which was recently sold for 100,000 sterling! Anyway, i resolved to check in the local history section in Kiddy library, but time drifted by, and i had a bus to catch, so i took out the first book i found interesting on the shelves, which was, "The Real Middle Earth". As i opened the book, on my return journey, I was astonished to find that Bates gives a full account of Dragon mythology using as a touchstone reference none other than .... Drakelow, Worcestershire!! So inspired was i by this piece of apparent synchronicity that i incorporated the site into my novel, called "Ismere". Somehow, the appelation Hill fort seems odd, for the site is small, more suitable as an observatory for ceremonial rather than military use, but i guess populations were probably small. If anyone knows any more about the site, and especially the cave dwellings and the Dragon legends, please contact me. I'll try to take some pics and get the place posted in its own right. Its just outside Wolverley, near the Bodenham arboretum.
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Posted by forrester 2
15th October 2007ce
Edited 17th October 2007ce
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