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Castle Hill (Huddersfield)

Hillfort

Folklore

There is much history and folklore attached to this hill.

Queen Cartimandua of the Briganitines is said to have used the hill as her stronghold during the Brigantine Civil War against her ex-husband Venutius.

Cartimandua was a client ruler of the Romans. When she handed the fugitive Caratacus over to Rome, Venutius divorced her. She took his brothers and kinfolk captive, which led to civil war between 55 - 71 AD.

However, no archaeological evidence has been found of this and as the fort was abandoned around 400 BC, it seems unlikely.

The Norman castle built on the hill during the 12th century probably wiped away any archaeological traces, if Cartimandua's camp had been there.

The Roman name for the hill was Camulodunum (not to be confused with Colchester), which has lead to suspicions that Castle Hill was Arthur's Camelot. There certainly was a 5th century King of the Pennines called Arthius, but no proof that he inhabited Castle Hill has been found.

Other folklore is that tunnels lead from the hill, one to the Deadmanstone at Berry Brow, and another to Almondbury.

The Devil is said to have leaped to Castle Hill from Netherton Scar (where he left his footprint), some eight miles away. This may be a memory of the fire at the hillfort which lead to it's abandonment.

The hill is also said to be the lair of a dragon which guards a golden cradle.
Kozmik_Ken Posted by Kozmik_Ken
7th June 2004ce
Edited 7th June 2004ce

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