wysefool

‘....near the scarp foot stands the curious isolated stump of Dragon Hill. This spur of natural rock has been shaped for some unknown purpose in antiquity. Its sides have been steepened and its top levelled to make a drum shape. In the early nineteenth century Dragon Hill was thought to be a built feature such as a barrow, and the Saxons believed it was a barrow too, but when explored in 1852 it was concluded that it was a natural rock outcrop. Its projection well above the surrounding chalk slope nevertheless suggests that it is at least in part a built feature.‘

From ‘Ancient British Hill Figures’ by Rodney Castleden.

He also writes that in the Saxon charters it was named Ecelesbeorg (church barrow?) and
that roman coins were found on the summit.

‘Yet the stone was certainly in its present position in 1761. In 1749 the Atkins family bought the Kingston Lisle estate which they retained until sometime after 1907, and in view of statements in the following poem published in 1855 (NOTE: this is entitled ‘A day on the downs’ and is described in another post for this site), I am inclined to think that the stone was found on or near White Horse Hill between 1750 and 1760 and its blowing properties recognised, as a result of which it was moved to its present position in front of the cottages at the instigation of a member of the Atkins family’.

L V Grinsell – White Horse Hill and surrounding country

‘The tradition that King Alfred blew through it to summon the Saxons to fight the Danes is probably more picturesque than historically true. It has in fact been sometimes known as King Alfred’s Bugle Horn. I beleive the Alfred tradition connected with this stone is traceable to the influence of Wise’s Letter to Dr Mead (1738) and the theory which he expounded in that work’.

L V Grinsell – White Horse Hill and Surrounding Country

‘Alfred’s Castle, on the hill west of Ashdown, was called Ashberry Camp on a map of Shrivenham Hundred in 1532 referred to in Miller’s History of Ashbury, and it was given the alternative names of Alfred’s Castle and Ashbury Camp by Wise in 1738. There is no doubt that the original name was Ashbury Camp, and it is almost certainly the camp from which Ashbury was named, which was spelt Aescesburh in the Anglo-Saxon charters.‘

Exceprt from White Horse Hill and surrounding country by L V Grinsell

Horse and Dog Skeletons

Among various finds from the digs at Blewburton hill, the skull and complete skeleton of a young horse was found and part of the lower jaw of an older horse. These were considered rather small horses and compared to modern day New Forest ponies.

The skull and limb bones of of an Early Iron Age dog were also found. The dog was thoough to be of a mongrel type of small size, with an estimated height at the shoulder of 20 inches.

All images credited to ‘W J Hemp’ were added from a document entitled ‘The Chambered Cairn of Bryn Celli Ddu’ by W J Hemp FSA published in 1930, I presume after the digs in 1928/29. (misc post added for reference)

Excavation at Notgrove Long Barrow (from 1935 Archaeology Report)

Excavations were carried out this summer on Notgrove Long Barrow, in the parish of Notgrove, Gloucs, one of the well-known Cotswold group, by Mrs E M Clifford. The barrow stands at 800 feet O.D. and its orientation is roughly east and west.

The chamber is of double cruciform type and differs from the other three chambered barrows in England and Wales which have two pairs of side chambers in having a considerable area expanded as a kind of antechamber immeadiately west of the horned entrance. The chamber is formed with alternating Megalithic slabs (the tallest is six feet five inches above ground) and dry stone walling. The complete plan has been recovered, the sockets of the missing stones being found besides two hitherto unknown orthostats. The centre of the monument is occupied by a dome, which is a circular structure, twenty-three feet in diameter, formed of large stones faced with dry stone walling which was protected or supported by large slabs in which were the bones of a man.

The two revetment walls were traced from the portal around the horns to both sides of the mound and the inner one appeared to have extended the whole length of the barrow, while the outer one was less definite. Its line, however, was marked by a small sharply defined trench cut in the upper surface of a clay bed which everyone was laid outside the inner wall, and which was necessary on the north side to level up the ground. The whole of the material used is of local origin. The dome, the antechamber, and the horned entrance are the new structural features which these excavations have produced, while fragments of Windmill pottery, a bone bead and pieces of bone skewers were found in the chamber. The lower part of a Peterborough bowl with decoration of herring bone incisions and a gouge made out of a tooth were found in the material which blocked the entrance.

Notes on Excavations during 1935

Hembury Fort 1935.

The 5th season of the D.A.E.S. Excavations at Hembury Fort, Devon, carried out in May under the direction of Miss Liddell FSA, saw the uncovering of the eastern Early Iron Age Entrance practically completed. In contrast to the western Entrance this had no revetment posts, but relied on more complicated palisade work. There were 60 feet of cobbled roadway leading through an elaborate gateway, and wooden structures represented by the sockets and cores of 18 posts set in two huge pits. The iron shoe upon which one gate revolved was found in one post-hole, and ornamented ‘Glastonbury’ type pottery from some others now dates the building of the main ramparts.

Numerous Neolithic cooking holes, and abundant traces of Neolithic dwellings were found beneath the Iron Age earthworks about this gateway, and an unusually long section of Neolithic ditch, measuring over 70 feet, traverses the entrance, running beneath the cobbled roadway. The course of this second Neolithic ditch has not yet been traced, and it remains a problem whether it can possibly haver any connection with the Neolithic ditch in the southern half of the Fort, or whether it is part of an independant ring in the northern half.

The 6th and 7th sections of the first Neolithic Ditch were located in the southern half, showing its course to curve right across to the eastern vallum on its way to encircle the Neolithic habitation site previously discovered on the extreme southern point of the Fort.

Two large Neolithic post-holes were found on the margin of the 7th section of the ditch. Quantities of flint and greenstone implements and of native and imported Neolithic pottery were recovered.

A trial cutting in the northern half disclosed a 4th period of occupation in a Romano-British pit, which had cut through an earlier Iron Age pit, amd which contained pottery of the third century A.D.

E B Nunn’s account of digging the barrow in the 19th Century

‘April 26th 1855, Opened the Long Hill on Royston Heath. Made a cut about 7 feet wide to the base of the hill throughout its length. Found in the east end at about 1 foot from the top a small heap of calcined human bones, and a small piece or two of iron very much corroded, a few pieces of flints. At the depth of 4 feet a human skeleton lying with its legs crossed, the internment was Head NE by SW, at the base of the hill a bank of flint lying NW-SE the portion above described relates to portion no.1 on ground plan. In portion no. 2 a cyst was found cut in the chalk at the base of the hill about 2 feet depth being 18 to 20 inches, containing ashes, at 6 yards farther west another cyst was found of the same description and dimensions. At about 2ft farther west a skeleton was found, the bones being placed in a kind of heap or circle. This was also on the base of the hill. Nothing more was found.‘

EBN (of Royston)

from the Reliquary and Illustrated Archaeologist – published 1899

The Grinlow Barrow

“A short mile south-west of Buxton is a hill of irregular shape, known as Grinlow. Upon its summit, which is 1,440 feet above the level of the sea, stands a conspicuous prospect tower, erected by public subscription about two years ago. You can ascend this tower by means of a winding stairway, and from the top you command an extensive stretch of rugged limestone scenery. Over the door is a tablet which records the particulars of its erection, also the fact that it occupies the site of an ancient barrow; and it further informs you where an account of this barrow may be found, namely, in the ‘Proceedings of the society of Antiquaries of London, 2nd Series, vol XV., page 419’ .”

---

So begins the text of the report. Rather than re-type in its entirety, here are some points which may be of interest:

1. The report was on four barrows in the area, Mr Micah Salt, of Buxton opened two of them and Prof. J P Sheldon of Sheen, Staffs opened the other two.
2. Until 1894, no one apparently had suspected the presence of a barrow beneath the structure.
3. Solomon’s Temple was built one severe winter nearly seventy years ago to ‘afford occupation to the unemployed of Buxton‘
4. The construct of un-mortared rubble, succumbed to the wind and weather and became a heap of stones (which were then used as building material)
5. The dig began on April 25th 1984
6. The original construct was of a Cairn, and over time vegetation and earth had filled the rocks, so that it looked like an earthen barrow.
7. The primary internment was of ‘a powerful man who died in middle life’. It lay on the right side, on a shelf of rock, with the head pointing to the east.
8. Two other secondary internment’s were noted, one of a woman (buried with a cow’s tooth and some pottery) and another male, with the urn (see image at this site).

It is interesting to note that the Spelling of Grinlow was all one word and now in modern references appears to be separated.
Wysefool

Of times on Liddington’s bare peak I love to think and lie,
And muse upon the former day and ancient things gone by,
To pace the old castellum walls and peer into the past,
To learn the secret of the hills, and know myself at last,
To woo Dick Jefferies from his dreams on sorrow’s pillow tossed,
And walk with him upon the ridge, and pacify his ghost.

Alfred Williams (local poet and friend of Richard Jefferies)

Lowbury hill is a probable Romano-Celtic temple and an Anglo-Saxon burial site. (source the archaeological journal vol 151 – 1994)

This is a poem that fronts a book entitled ‘A School History of Berkshire’ by E A Greening Lambourn.

Old god of ancient worshippers,
Hoar guardian of the Vale,
Reveal the secrets of the years,
And to thy children’s eager ears
Unfold thy wondrous tale.

While yet the she-wolf’s litter played
On the seven hills of Rome,
I saw yon dimpled hollows made
With pick of stone and wooden spade,
To be the Flint-man’s home.

I watched the painting victim bound
On Wayland’s altar-stone,
The low-browed priesthood chanted round,
I saw the red blood soak the ground,
I heard the dying groan.

Look where the lines and circles there
Make patterns in the wheat:
Oh, that was a city, great and fair,
With temples tall and market-square,
And many a stately street.

Where wind-swept Ashdown stretches free
Above the laden plain,
I saw the Northmen break and flee,
Heard Alfred shout for victory,
And saw Earl Sidroc slain.

I heard the Gospel message given
Where village crosses stand;
Where wild beast-men had snarled and striven,
I saw the spires rise white to heaven,
Throughout a peaceful land.

Where Ock once ran through wild and waste,
By rush and reed and thorn,
I watched the jolly monks, moon-faced,
With shaven head and corded waist,
Bind up the rustling corn.

But yesterday I saw you claim
Your Father’s heritage;
The land that bears the English name,
The race that won the English fame,
I watch from age to age.

Old Watcher we are known to thee
As children of the breed:
We will not shame the ancient name
Nor fail the ancient creed.

E.A.G.L. (published 1908)

From: The Berkshire Archaeological Journal Vol 42 Part 2, Berkshire Barrows by L V Grinsell (1938)

Foxes Beorge (Fox Barrow)
Blewbury Charter;
There is no doubt this is a barrow, and it is the barrow still called Fox Barrow adjoining Grims Ditch at the meeting point of the parishes of Compton, Blewbury, and East Ilsley.

What is a causewayed camp?

Unlike an iron age hillfort, where the ditch and bank runs almost completely around the fort, a causewayed camp has a ditch which is crossed many times with entrances. An iron age hill fort is for defence, a causewayed camp is not. Its prime purpose is not defensive in nature.

It was first thought that they were enclosures for cattle in the Neolithic period. Many bones from culled animals of many types were found in the ditches surrounding these structures.

It is thought that they performed a variety of social, economic and religious functions for early neolithic communities.

More Holy than rightious...

Those huge sarsens at Waylands (and indeed many other sites). Ever noticed that huge one at Waylands full of little holes? Well how? I was dicussing this recently with a visitor to the site who suggested that the geological formation of the sarsen was to blame. Apparently, the holes were formed when the sedimentary sandstone in more liquid form, moulded around tree roots. The later cooling and formation of the stones caused these holes to appear. The wood, rots away, or at best creates a weakness, and hey presto, the holes appear and erode. Holy or Hole-y?

Those interested in Waylands Smithy Neolithic origins should consider getting hold of a copy of John North’s wonderful book ‘Stonehenge, Neolithic Man and the Cosmos’ in which a section is devoted to the Archaeo-Astronomy of Waylands Smithy and how it is sited according to the rising and setting of certain star constellations that had either ritual, or functional importance to neolithic man. Apparently, Waylands Smithy has a relationship to Deneb, a star in Cygnus (the swan) in the Milky Way. This was a star that set on the northern point of the horizon and was revered in Northern Mythology.

At the site, there is usually a leaflet about the legend of the blowing stone that you can take (for a small contribution). It explains the folklore and written references. Worth a quick stop if you are heading to White Horse Hill or Waylands Smithy.

There is a reference to this barrow and the adjacent one in the Anglo-Saxon charters. In ‘Berkshire Barrows’ by ‘L.V. Grinsell’ (Berkshire Archaeological Journal vol 42 part 2 – 1938) it is listed as:

Hafoces Hlaew and Hundes Hlaew Mr O G S Crawford (note on OS map at Southampton) thinks these may be Idlebush barrow and the disc barrow to South, on 19 N.W.

Hafoc is A-S for ‘Hawk’ and Hundes is probably A-S for ‘Dog or Hound’. Many bronze age barrows in the area are named by Anglo-Saxons after animals or people from their own mythology (i.e. Waylands Smithy).

A new book by a local author about waylands smithy has been released this year.

It is called ‘Myths and Mysteries of Wayland Smith’ by ‘Clive Alfred Spinage’ and is priced at £10 (GBP). It contains much folklore about the local legend of Wayland as well as more mythological folklore. There is also a good description of the archaeology relating to the site.

There are some excellent prints in it (although the print quality is a bit lacking) including a lovely ariel shot of the site showing that the ridgeway once flowed right past the front of the tomb rather than on its present course.

It is up for sale at www.amazon.co.uk, but I purchased mine local from a bookshop called ‘wessex press’ in Wantage. Good reading for those interested in both the archaeology and folklore of the site.