Crookbarrow Hill Artificial Mound View all content for Crookbarrow Hill

From "On The Ancient British, Roman, and Saxon Antiquities and Folk-Lore of Worcestershire" 2nd ed - Jabez Allies (1852): "Cruckbarrow Hill, In Whittington This fine conical elevation is most probably an ancient British broad barrow. ... It was in all likelihood used by the Romans as a signal station, as it overlooks Worcester, and the Roman Camp at Kempsey, and is nearly opposite to Powick: a few Roman coins are said to have been found here. In shape it is elliptical, and measures 512 yards round, within the ring fence at the base, and about 180 yards round the crown. It is commonly said to contain about six acres of land; but, measured horizontally within the ring fence, it contains 4A. 0R. 18P. The elevation is considerable. I consider the is was partly a natural hill, but it owes its extreme regularity of contour to artificial means. The sides, which are sloped as evenly as a sugar loaf, are covered with a fine green turf. The ends of the oval stand east and west. According to the measurements which I have made, Cruckbarrow Hill is rather larger than Silbury Hill, in Wiltshire. Silbury Hill is said to be perfectly artificial, but Cruckbarrow only partially so." Jabez Allies (what a name) then goes into a great amount of detail about his research into the name "Cruckbarrow". One older version of the name he finds in some title deeds is "Crugbarrow", of which he states: "Now, as the word Crug in ancient British and Welsh, and Cruach in Irish signifies a hill or heap, the name Crugbarrow appears to prove that the elevation in question was an ancient British hill barrow." Hmmm.

Posted by thesweetcheat 11th February 2009ce

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