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GRAVE-MOUNDS AND THEIR CONTENTS.
[Illustration: CIB HILL TUMULUS, NEAR ARBOR-LOW, DERBYSHIRE.]
GRAVE-MOUNDS AND THEIR CONTENTS:
A Manual of Archæology,
As Exemplified in the
Burials of the Celtic, the Romano-British, and
the Anglo-Saxon Periods.
by
LLEWELLYNN JEWITT, F.S.A.,
ETC., ETC.
With nearly Five Hundred Illustrations.
London:
Groombridge and Sons,
5, Paternoster Row.
1870.
TO
MY OLD AND MUCH-ESTEEMED FRIEND,
JOSEPH MAYER, ESQ.,
FELLOW OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF LONDON;
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ANTIQUARIES
OF COPENHAGEN;
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY;
MEMBER OF THE SOCIETIES OF ANTIQUARIES OF
FRANCE, NORMANDY, THE MORINI,
ETC., ETC., ETC.;
ONE OF THE MOST ARDENT AND ZEALOUS OF ARCHÆOLOGISTS,
AND MOST KINDLY OF MEN;
THE PRINCELY DONOR TO THE PUBLIC
OF THE FINEST AND MOST EXTENSIVE
MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES
EVER COLLECTED TOGETHER BY A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL;
I, WITH TRUE PLEASURE,
Dedicate this Volume.
LLEWELLYNN JEWITT.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Grave-mounds in general--Their Historical Importance--General
Situation--Known as Barrows, Houes, Tumps, and Lows--List of
Names--Division into Periods 1
CHAPTER II.
Ancient British or Celtic Period--General characteristics of
the Barrows--Modes of construction--Interments by inhumation
and by cremation--Positions of the Body--Hitter Hill
Barrow--Elliptical Barrow at Swinscoe--Burial in contracted
position--In sitting and kneeling positions--Double Interments 6
CHAPTER III.
Ancient British or Celtic Period--Interment by
cremation--Discovery of lead--Burial in Urns--Positions of
Urns--Heaps of burnt Bones--Burnt Bones enclosed in cloth
and skins--Stone Cists--Long-Low--Liff’s-Low, etc.--Pit
Interments--Tree-coffins 31
CHAPTER IV.
Ancient British or Celtic Period--Sepulchral Chambers
of Stone--Cromlechs--Chambered Tumuli--New Grange and
Dowth--The Channel Islands--Wieland Smith’s Cave, and
others--Stone Circles--For what purpose formed--Formation of
Grave-mounds--Varieties of Stone Circles--Examples of different
kinds--Arbor-Low, etc. 50
CHAPTER V.
Ancient British or Celtic Period--Pottery--Mode of
manufacture--Arrangement in classes--Cinerary or Sepulchral
Urns--Food Vessels--Drinking-cups--Incense Cups--Probably
Sepulchral Urns for Infants--Other examples of Pottery 83
CHAPTER VI.
Ancient British or Celtic Period--Implements of
Stone--Celts--Stone Hammers--Stone Hatchets, Mauls,
etc.--Triturating Stones--Flint Implements--Classification
of Flints--Jet articles--Necklaces, Studs, etc.--Bone
Instruments--Bronze Celts, Daggers, etc.--Gold articles 109
CHAPTER VII.
Romano-British Period--General Characteristics--Modes of
Burial--Customs attendant on Burial--Interments by cremation
and by inhumation--Barrows--Tombs of Stone--Lead Coffins--Clay
and Tile Coffins--Sepulchral Inscriptions, etc. 134
CHAPTER VIII.
Romano-British Period--Pottery--Durobrivian Ware--Upchurch
Ware--Salopian Ware--Pottery found at Uriconium--Potteries
of the New Forest, of Yorkshire, and of other
places--Sepulchral Urns--Domestic and other vessels 151
CHAPTER IX.
Romano-British Period--Pottery--Samian Ware--Potters’
Stamps--Varieties of Ornamentation--Glass Vessels--Sepulchral
Vases, etc.--Lachrymatories--Bowls--Beads--Coins found
with Interments 175
CHAPTER X.
Romano-British Period--Arms--Swords--Spears,
etc.--Knives--Fibulæ--Armillæ--Torques of Gold, etc.--Other
Personal Ornaments 190
CHAPTER XI.
Anglo-Saxon Period--Distribution of Anglo-Saxon Population
over England--General characteristics of Grave-mounds--Modes
of Burial--Poem of Beowulf--Interments by cremation and by
inhumation--Articles deposited with the Dead--Positions of
the Body--Double and other Interments--Burial in
Urns--Cemeteries and Barrows 202
CHAPTER XII.
Anglo-Saxon Period--Pottery, general characteristics
of--Cinerary Urns--Saxon Urn with Roman Inscription--Frankish
and other Urns--Cemeteries at Kings Newton, etc.--Mode
of manufacture--Impressed Ornaments 214
CHAPTER XIII.
Anglo-Saxon Period--Glass
Vessels--Drinking-glasses--Tumblers--Ale-glasses--Beads--Necklaces
--Ear-rings--Coins, etc. 228
CHAPTER XIV.
Anglo-Saxon Period--Arms--Swords--Knives--Spears--Shields--Umbones
of Shields--Buckles--Helmets--Benty-Grange Tumulus--The
Sacred Boar--Grave at Barlaston--Enamelled
Discs and pendant Ornaments, etc.--Horse-shoes 236
CHAPTER XV.
Anglo-Saxon Period--Fibulæ--Enamelled circular Fibulæ--Gold
Fibulæ--Pendant Cross--Cruciform Fibulæ--Penannular
Fibulæ--Irish and English examples--Pendant Ornaments, etc. 266
CHAPTER XVI.
Anglo-Saxon Period--Buckets--Drinking-cups of wood--Bronze
Bowls--Bronze Boxes--Combs--Tweezers--Châtelaines--Girdle
Ornaments--Keys--Hair-pins--Counters, or Draughtmen,
and Dice--Querns--Triturating Stones, etc.--Conclusion 280
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
ANCIENT BRITISH OR CELTIC PERIOD.
Fig. Page
Gib Hill Tumulus. (Frontispiece.)
2 Section of Grave-mound, Lord’s Down, Dewlish, Dorset 8
3 Section of Grave-mound, Gib Hill, Derbyshire 9
4 Section of Grave-mound, with two modes of interment by
cremation 10
5 Section of Grave-mound, with inverted urn 10
6 Interment, Smerril Moor 12
7 Interment, Tissington 13
8 Interment, Roundway Hill 14
9 Interment, Hitter Hill 15
10 Plan of Barrow, showing interments, Hitter Hill 17
11 Interments, Hitter Hill 18
12 Interments, Hitter Hill 20
13 Skull, Hitter Hill 21
14 Plan, with interments, Swinscoe 23
15 Interment, sitting position, Parcelly Hay 26
16 Interment, sitting position, Monsal Dale 28
17 Plan of Barrow, with interments, Monsal Dale 29
18 Plan of Barrow, with interments, Cressbrook 30
19 Section of Barrow 32
20 Stone Cist, Baslow Moor 33
21 Section of Barrow 33
22 Inverted Urn, with burnt bones, Wardlow 34
23 Plan of Long-Low 36
24 Stone Cist, Long-Low 38
25 }
} Skull, Long-Low 39
26 }
27 Mode of construction, Long-Low 40
28 Stone Cist, Middleton Moor 41
29 Stone Cist, Liff’s-Low 42
30 Stone Cist, Gib Hill 43
31 Portion of woollen garment, Scale House 45
32 }
} Tree-coffin, Gristhorpe 48
33 }
34 Dagger, etc., Gristhorpe 49
35 Flint, etc., Gristhorpe 49
36 Tree-coffin, boat shape 49
37 Cromlech, Lanyon 52
38 Cromlech, Lanyon plan 52
39 Cromlech, Chun 53
40 Cromlech, Chun plan 53
41 Cromlech, Plas Newydd 54
42 Minning-Low, plan 55
43 New Grange, general view 56
44 New Grange, entrance to passage 57
45 Dowth, general view 58
46 Dowth, entrance to passage 58
47 Cromlech, Knockeen 59
48 Cromlech, Knockeen plan 59
49 Cromlech, Gaulstown 60
50 Cromlech, Gaulstown plan 60
51 Cromlech, Ballynageerah 61
52 Cromlech, Ballynageerah 62
53 Cromlech, Ballynageerah plan 62
54 Cromlech, L’Ancresse 63
55 Chambered Tumulus, Gavr Innis, south entrance 64
56 Chambered Tumulus, Gavr Innis, opening in north chamber 65
57 Chambered Tumulus, Gavr Innis, plan of chamber 65
58 Chambered Tumulus, Gavr Innis, carved stones 65
59 Chambered Tumulus, Gavr Innis, carved stones 66
60 Chambered Tumulus, Gavr Innis, carved stones 66
61 Chambered Tumulus, Gavr Innis, carved stones 67
62 Chambered Tumulus, Stony Littleton 68
63 Chambered Tumulus, Stony Littleton plan 58
64 Chambered Tumulus, Five Wells, Taddington 69
65 Chambered Tumulus, Five Wells, Taddington plan 69
66 Flax Dale Barrow, plan 72
67 Section, Elk-Low 73
68 Stone Circle, “Nine Ladies,” Stanton Moor 73
69 Stone Circle, “Nine Ladies,” Stanton Moor plan 74
70 Stone Circle, construction of 75
71 Stone Circle, Sancreed 76
72 Stone Circle, 76
73 Stone Circle, Isle of Man 76
74 Stone Circle, Trewavas Head 77
75 Stone Circle, Mule Hill 77
76 Stone Circle, Channel Islands 78
77 Stone Circle, with “twin barrow” 78
78 Stone Circle, with “twin barrow” 79
79 Stone Circle, construction 79
80 Stone Circle, Boscawen-un 80
81 Stone Circle, Aber 80
82 Stone Circle, Berriew 81
83 Stone Circle, Penmaenmaur 81
84 Stone Circle, Arbor-Low, Derbyshire 82
85 Pottery--fragment, Darwen 86
86 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Monsal Dale 87
87 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Ballidon Moor 88
88 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Ballidon Moor _in situ_ 88
89 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Trentham 89
90 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Darwen 90
91 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Dorsetshire 91
92 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Dorsetshire 91
93 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Darley Dale 92
94 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Stone 93
95 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Cleatham 93
96 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Cleatham 93
97 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Calais Wold, Yorkshire 94
98 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Darley Dale 95
99 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Tredinney 96
100 Pottery--Cinerary Urn, Morvah 96
101 Pottery--Food vessel, Trentham 97
102 Pottery--Food vessel, Fimber 98
103 Pottery--Food vessel, Hitter Hill 98
104 Pottery--Food vessel, Hitter Hill 99
105 Pottery--Food vessel, Monsal Dale 100
106 Pottery--Food vessel, Fimber 100
107 Pottery--Drinking-cup, Fimber 102
108 Pottery--Drinking-cup, Hay Top, Monsal Dale 102
109 Pottery--Drinking-cup, Grind-Low 102
110 Pottery--Drinking-cup, Elk-Low 103
111 Pottery--Drinking-cup, Elk-Low bottom 104
112 Pottery--Drinking-cup, Roundway Hill 104
113 Pottery--Drinking-cup, Gospel Hillock 105
114 Pottery--Incense cup, Yorkshire 106
115 Pottery--Incense cup, Yorkshire 106
116 Pottery--Incense cup, Yorkshire 106
117 Pottery--Incense cup, Yorkshire 106
118 Pottery--Incense cup, Yorkshire 106
119 Pottery--Incense cup, Yorkshire 106
120 Pottery--Incense cup, Dorsetshire 106
121 Pottery--Incense cup, Yorkshire 106
122 Pottery--Incense cup, Stanton Moor 107
123 Pottery--Incense cup, Baslow 107
124 Pottery--Incense cup, Dorsetshire 107
125 Pottery--Incense cup, Darley Dale 107
126 Pottery--Handled vessel, Yorkshire 108
127 }
}
128 }
}
129 } Stone celts, Royal Irish Academy 110
}
130 }
}
131 }
132 Stone celt, Derbyshire example 110
133 Stone hammer-head, Wollaton 111
134 Stone celt, Derbyshire example 112
135 Stone hammer-head, Winster 112
136 Stone hammer-head, Cambridgeshire 112
137 Stone hammer-head, Trentham 112
138 Stone hammer-head, Dorsetshire 113
139 }
}
140 } Stone mauls, Royal Irish Academy 113
}
141 }
142 Stone hammer-head, Mickleover 113
143 }
} Triturating stones 114
144 }
145 Spindle whorl 115
146 }
}
147 }
}
148 }
}
149 }
} Flint arrow-heads, Greenlow and other places in Derbyshire 116
150 }
}
151 }
}
152 }
}
153 }
154 Flint, Green-Low 117
155 Flint, Arbor-Low 118
156 Flint, Calais Wold 119
157 Flint, Calais Wold 119
158 Flint, Gunthorpe 119
159 Flint, Ringham-Low 119
160 Flint, Calais Wold 119
161 Flint, Calais Wold 119
162 }
}
163 }
}
164 }
}
165 }
} Flint, Derbyshire examples 120-122
166 }
}
167 }
}
168 }
}
169 }
170 Flint celt, Gospel Hillock 122
171 Necklace of jet, Middleton Moor 123
172 Necklace of jet and bone 124
173 Necklace of jet, Fimber 125
174 Jet studs, Gospel Hillock 126
175 Jet studs, Calais Wold 126
176 Jet pendant, Derbyshire 126
177 Bone implement, Green-Low 126
178 }
}
179 }
} Bone implement, Thor’s Cave, etc. 127
180 }
}
181 }
182 Bone pendant, Arbor-Low 127
183 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 128
184 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 129
185 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 129
186 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 129
187 Bronze celt, Moot-Low 129
188 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
189 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
190 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
191 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
192 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
193 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
194 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
195 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
196 Bronze celt, Royal Irish Academy 131
197 Bronze socketed celt, Kirk Ireton 131
198 Bronze dagger, Bottisham 132
199 Coin, Mount Batten 133
200 Coin, Mount Batten 133
201 Coin, Mount Batten 133
202 Coin, Mount Batten 133
203 Coin, Mount Batten 133
204 Coin, Birkhill 133
205 Coin, Blandford 133
ROMANO-BRITISH PERIOD.
206 Cist of stone, York 144
207 Leaden coffin, Colchester 144
208 Leaden coffin, Bishopstoke 145
209 Clay coffin, Aldborough 145
210 Chest of stone, with pottery, etc., Avisford 147
211 Tomb of tiles, York 148
212 Potter’s kiln, Castor 152
213 }
}
214 } Pottery, Headington 154
}
215 }
216 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, scroll ornaments 155
217 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, scroll ornaments 157
218 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, scroll ornaments 157
219 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, scroll ornaments 157
220 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, hare hunting 157
221 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, hare hunting 158
222 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, hare hunting 158
223 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, stag hunting 158
224 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, stag hunting 158
225 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, stag hunting 159
226 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, indented urn 161
227 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, cup 161
228 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, indented urn 161
229 Pottery, Durobrivian ware, indented urn 161
230 Pottery, Upchurch ware, group of vessels 163
231 Pottery, Upchurch ware, urn 164
232 Pottery, Salopian ware, group of vessels 166
233 Pottery, group, Headington 167
234 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Toot Hill 167
235 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Little Chester 168
236 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Leicester 168
237 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Little Chester 169
238 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, 169
239 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, 169
240 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, London 170
241 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Water Newton 170
242 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, London 170
243 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Leicester 170
244 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Winchester 170
245 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Castor 170
246 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Water Newton 170
247 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Castor 170
248 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, Castor 171
249 Pottery, Sepulchral Urn, London 171
250 Pottery, Amphora London 172
251 Pottery, Amphora London 172
252 Pottery, Amphora London 172
253 Pottery, Amphora London 172
254 Pottery, Mortarium London 171
255 Pottery, group, Headington 173
256 Pottery, Headington 173
257 Pottery, Headington 173
258 Pottery, Headington 173
259 }
}
260 }
}
261 }
}
262 }
} Pottery, various localities 174
263 }
}
264 }
}
265 }
}
266 }
267 Pottery, Samian ware, cup, Leicester 175
268 to 275 Potters’ marks 176
276 Potters’ stamp 177
277 Pottery, Samian ware, bowl, London 178
278 Pottery, Samian ware, bowl, Arezzo 179
279 Pottery, Samian ware, bowl, Arezzo 179
280 Pottery, Samian ware, bowl, London 179
281 Pottery, Samian ware, bowl, London 180
282 Pottery, Samian ware, patera London 180
283 Pottery, Samian ware, foliage 181
284 Pottery, Samian ware, bowl, Castor 182
285 Pottery, Samian ware, bacchanalian scene 182
286 Pottery, Samian ware, bowl, Castor 183
287 Pottery, Samian ware, Cologne 183
288 to 291 Samian ware, cups, etc., London 184
292 Glass, sepulchral vessel, Bartlow Hills 185
293 Glass, bowl, Leicester 186
294 to 297 Glass beads 186
298 Glass beads, etc. 187
299 Sword, Lough Lea 191
300 Sword, Lincolnshire 191
301 Spear or lance-head, Little Chester 190
302 Spear or lance-head, Hartshay 190
303 Spear or lance-head, Wardlow 192
304 Arrow-head, bronze 192
305 Knife 192
306 Knife Wetton 193
307 Fibula, Waleby 194
308 Fibula, Elton 194
309 Fibula, Monsal Dale 194
310 to 315 Fibulæ, various localities 194
316 Fibula, Royal Irish Academy 194
317 Fibula, Little Chester 194
318 Fibula, Bottisham 195
319 Fibula, Elton 195
320 Fibula, Hoylake 195
321 Armillæ, Stony Middleton 196
322 Torques, Needwood Forest 198
323 Torques, Royal Irish Academy 199
324 Horse-shoe, lamp, and fibulæ, Gloucester 201
ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD.
325 Plan of interment, Lapwing Dale 209
326 Pottery, Cinerary Urns, Kingston 215
327 Pottery, Cinerary Urns, North Elmham 217
328 Pottery, Cinerary Urns, Chestersovers 217
329 Pottery, drinking vessel 217
330 Pottery, Cinerary Urns, Selzen 221
331 Pottery, Cinerary Urns, Londinières 221
332 Pottery, Cinerary Urns, Selzen 221
333 Pottery, Cinerary Urns, Londinières 221
334 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Cologne 221
335 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Pfahlbau 223
336 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Pfahlbau 223
337 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Pfahlbau 223
338 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Pfahlbau 223
339 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 222
340 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 222
341 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 224
342 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 224
343 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 224
344 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 225
345 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 225
346 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 225
347 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 226
348 Pottery, Cinerary Urn, Kings Newton 226
349 Pottery, notched stick 227
350 Pottery, notched stick 227
351 Pottery, punctured ornament, Kings Newton 227
352 Pottery, cup, Kings Newton 227
353, 354, 355 Glass tumblers 229
356, 357 Ale-glasses 229
358 Glass cups 229
359 Cup-bearer, with ale-glass 230
360 Cellarer, with barrels and pitchers 230
361 Banquet 231
362, 363 Glasses, decanter shape 231
364, 365, 366 Ale-glasses 232
367, 368, 369 Glass and clay beads 233
370 Glass and amber necklace 234
371 Glass Bead and ring 235
372 Sword, Tissington 237
373 Sword, Grimthorpe 237
374 Sword, Grimthorpe guard 237
375 Sword, Grimthorpe chape 237
376 to 390 Swords, from illuminated MSS. 239
391 Swordsman with shield and sword 240
392 to 396 Knives or daggers, Kentish graves 242
397 to 403 Spear-heads, Kentish graves, etc. 244
404 Spears, from illuminated MSS. 244
405 Shield plates, etc., Grimthorpe 246
406 Umbone of shield, Kentish graves 247
407 Umbone of shield, Kentish graves 247
408 Umbone of shield, Tissington 247
409 to 416 Shields, from illuminated MSS. 248
417 to 428 Buckles, from Kentish graves 249, 250
429 Drinking-cup, Benty Grange 251
430 Enamelled ornaments, etc., Benty Grange 251
431 Helmet, Benty Grange 253
432 Ornaments, Benty Grange 253
433 Plan of interment, Barlaston 259
434 Bronze ring, Barlaston 259
435 Enamelled disc, Barlaston 260
436 Enamelled disc, Middleton Moor 261
437 Enamelled ornament, Middleton Moor 262
438 Enamelled ornament, Royal Irish Academy 262
439 Bronze disc and rivets, Grimthorpe 263
440 Horse-shoe, Berkshire 264
441 Horse-shoe, Berkshire 264
442 Plan of interment, Rhine 265
443 Fibula, Kingston Down 267
444 Fibula, Winster Moor 269
445 Pendant cross, Winster Moor 269
446 Fibula, Sittingbourne 270
447 Fibula, Wingham 270
448 Fibula, Kent 270
449 Fibula, Stowe Heath 271
450 Fibula, Ingarsby 271
451 Fibula, Northamptonshire 272
452 Fibula, Stow Heath 272
453 Fibula, Royal Irish Academy 272
454 Fibula, Royal Irish Academy 273
455 Fibula, Royal Irish Academy 273
456 Fibula, Westmoreland 274
457 Fibula, Bonsall 275
458 Fibula, Bonsall 276
459 Fibula, Westmoreland 277
460 Bucket, Northamptonshire 281
461 Bucket, Fairford 281
462 Bucket, Envermeu 282
463 Drinking-cup, Sibertswold 283
464 Drinking-cup, Sibertswold 283
465 Bronze bowl, Over-Haddon 284
466 Bronze box, etc., Church Sterndale 285
467 Bronze ornament, Church Sterndale 285
468 Bronze box, Newhaven 286
469 Comb, Royal Irish Academy 287
470 Comb, Kent 287
471 Comb, Thames 288
472 Comb, Arica 288
473 Comb, Arica 288
474 Comb, Indian scalp 288
475 Comb, Tweezers, Leicestershire 289
476 Châtelaines, Kent 290
477 Latch-keys (?) Ozengall 291
478 Girdle suspenders, Wilbraham 291
479 Girdle suspenders, Searby 291
480 Hair-pin, Searby 292
481 Hair-pin, Royal Irish Academy 292
482 Hair-pin, Royal Irish Academy 292
483 Hair-pin, Royal Irish Academy 292
484 Draughtmen, Cold Eaton 294
485 Dice, Gilton 295
486 Quern, Winster 295
487 Quern, Kings Newton 296
488 Triturating stones 296
489 Triturating stones 296
INTRODUCTION.
The object of the following work is, I apprehend, so obvious as to
render an introduction scarcely needful. It may be well, however,
to remark, that it is the only work of its kind which has ever been
issued, and that therefore, taking a stand of its own, and following no
other either in plan or treatment of its subject, it is hoped that it
will command the attention of antiquaries and of all who are interested
in the history and the manners and habits of our early forefathers.
It has long appeared to me that a general _résumé_ of the almost
endless store of knowledge presented by the very varied relics of the
grave-mounds of the three great divisions of our history--the Celtic,
the Romano-British, and the Anglo-Saxon--kept distinct from the
histories of those peoples, and from extraneous matters, and treating
them more in a general than in an ethnological manner, could not fail
to be a useful addition to our archæological literature, and would
prove of great value and convenience to the general reader, as well as
to the antiquary and the historian. Thus it is that I have been induced
to prepare the present volume.
I have treated my subject in a popular manner, divesting it of
technicalities, of theories, and of discursive matter, and have
endeavoured, as far as space would permit, to give, simply and clearly,
as correct an insight as possible into the modes of burial adopted
in early times in our own country, and into the various remains of
different races which an examination of their grave-mounds discloses.
Having great faith in the usefulness of engravings, and believing that,
if judiciously introduced, a work of the kind cannot be too profusely
illustrated, I have brought together in my present volume a larger
number of engravings than could well have been expected; and these,
I trust, will add much to its usefulness and value. To all my kind
friends who have aided me in this matter I give my hearty thanks.
The work may have some, perhaps many, defects. If such exist, I shall
be thankful to have them pointed out, and to remedy them in a future
edition.
LLEWELLYNN JEWITT.
WINSTER HALL,
DERBYSHIRE.
Grave-mounds and their Contents.
CHAPTER I.
Grave-mounds in General--Their Historical Importance--General
Situation--Known as Barrows, Houes, Tumps, and Lows--List of
Names--Division into Periods.
To the grave-mounds of the early inhabitants of our island, more than
to any other source, we are indebted for our knowledge of their arts,
their habits, and their occupations. Indeed, to these mounds and their
contents, we owe almost all the knowledge we possess as to the history
of the races and peoples who have preceded us, and are enabled to
determine, approximately, their chronological succession as masters of
the soil.
From the very earliest ages men of every race have bestowed peculiar
care over the graves of the dead, and have marked to later ages, in an
unmistakable manner, these places of sepulture, which have, in many
instances, been preserved with religious care to modern times. Thus
the relics which they contain have come down to us intact, and even
now tell their wondrous tale, in a language of their own, of ages and
of races of beings long since passed away. A single implement of stone
or of flint; a weapon or an ornament of bronze, of iron, or of bone; a
bead of jet or of glass; an urn, or even a fragment of pottery; or any
one of the infinity of other relics which are exhumed, no matter to
what period they belong, or from what locality they may have come; one
and all tell their own tale, and supply new links to our ever-extending
chain of knowledge.
To the graves, then, of our earliest ancestors, must we mainly turn for
a knowledge of their history and of their modes of life; and a careful
examination and comparison of their contents will enable us to arrive
at certain data on which, not only to found theories, but to build up
undying and faultless historical structures.
As, wherever the country was populated, interments of the dead must,
as a necessity, have taken place, these all-important store-houses
of after-knowledge exist, or have existed, to more or less extent in
almost every district throughout the land, and give evidence, whenever
opened by experienced hands, of their historical value and importance.
The earliest grave-mounds are mostly found in the mountainous districts
of the land--among the hills and fastnesses; the latter overspreading
hill and valley and plain alike. Thus, in Cornwall and Yorkshire,
in Derbyshire and in Dorsetshire, in Wiltshire and in many other
districts, the earliest interments are, or have been, abundant; while
the later ones, besides being mixed up with them in the districts
named, are spread over every other county. In the counties just
named Celtic remains abound more than those of any other period. In
Dorsetshire, for instance, that county, as the venerable Stukeley
declares, “for sight of barrows not to be equalled in the world,” the
early mounds abound on the downs and on the lofty Ridgeway, an immense
range of hills of some forty miles in extent, while those of a later
period lie in other parts of the county. In Yorkshire, again, they
abound chiefly in the wolds; and in Cornwall, on the high lands. The
same, again, of Derbyshire, where they lie for the most part scattered
over the wild, mountainous, and beautiful district known as the
High Peak--a district occupying nearly one half of the county, and
containing within its limits many towns, villages, and other places
of extreme interest. In this it resembles Dorsetshire; for in the
district comprised in the Ridgeway and the downs are very many highly
interesting and important places, around which the tumuli are most
plentiful.
It is true that here and there in Derbyshire, as in other counties,
an early grave-mound exists in the southern or lowland portion of the
county; but, as a rule, they may be almost said to be peculiar, and
confined, to the northern, or hilly district, where in some parts they
are very abundant. Indeed, there are districts where there is scarcely
a hill, even in that land, where
“Hills upon hills,
Mountains on mountains rise,”
where a barrow does not exist or is not known to have existed. In
passing along the old high-road, for instance, over Middleton Moor
by way of Arbor Low,[1] Parcelly Hay, High Needham, Earl Sterndale,
and Brier Low, to Buxton, or along the high-roads by way of Winster,
Hartington, or Newhaven, the practised eye has no difficulty in resting
on the forms of grave-mounds on the summits of the different hills or
mountains, whose outlines stand out clear and distinct against the sky.
The situations chosen by the early inhabitants for the burial of their
dead were, in many instances, grand in the extreme. Formed on the tops
of the highest hills, or on lower but equally imposing positions, the
grave-mounds commanded a glorious prospect of hill and dale, wood and
water, rock and meadow, of many miles in extent, and on every side
stretching out as far as the eye could reach, while they themselves
could be seen from afar off in every direction by the tribes who
had raised them, while engaged either in hunting or in their other
pursuits. They became, indeed, land-marks for the tribes, and were,
there can be but little doubt, used by them as places of assembling.
Sepulchral tumuli are known as barrows, lows, houes, tumps, etc.
_Barrow_ is of pretty general use; _low_ is almost universal in
Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and other districts; _tump_ is in use in
Gloucestershire, etc.; and _houe_ in Yorkshire.
In Derbyshire and Staffordshire, the term “Low” is so very usual that,
wherever met with, it may be taken as a sure indication of a barrow
now existing or having once existed at the spot. As a proof of this,
it will only be necessary to say that at about two hundred places in
Derbyshire alone, and at about half that number on the neighbouring
borders of Staffordshire, which bear the affix of _Low_, barrows are
known to exist or have already been opened. For my present purpose,
it will be sufficient to give the few following names:--Arbor-Low,
Kens-Low, Ringham-Low, Blake-Low, Fox-Low, Gib-Low, Green-Low,
Great-Low, Grind-Low, Cal-Low, Chelmorton-Low, Casking-Low, Larks-Low,
Thirkel-Low, Ribden-Low, Har-Low, Bas-Low, High-Low, Foo-Low, Lean-Low,
Huck-Low, Borther-Low, Dow-Low, Totman’s-Low, Staden-Low, Stan-Low,
Blind-Low, Boar-Low, Bottles-Low, Brown-Low, Caldon-Low, Calver-Low,
Cock-Low, Cop-Low, Cow-Low, Cronkstone-Low, Dars-Low, Drake-Low,
Elk-Low, End-Low, Far-Low, Pike-Low, Fowse-Low, Galley-Low, Gris-Low,
Grub-Low, Herns-Low, Hawks-Low, Horning-Low, Hard-Low, Knock-Low,
Knot-Low, Laidmans-Low, Lady-Low, Liffs-Low, Lomber-Low, Lousy-Low,
Mick-Low, Moot-Low, Money-Low, Musden-Low, May-Low, Needham-Low,
Nether-Low, Ox-Low, Off-Low, Pars-Low, Painstor-Low, Peg-Low,
Pigtor-Low, Pike-Low, Pinch-Low, Queen-Low, Ravens-Low, Rains-Low,
Rick-Low, Rocky-Low, Rolley-Low, Round-Low, Rusden-Low, Saint-Low,
Sitting-Low, Sliper-Low, Thoo-Low Three-Lows, Ward-Low, Warry-Low,
White-Low, Whithery-Low, Wool-Low, and Yarns-Low. To some of these I
shall again have occasion to make reference. In Yorkshire, the names
of William Houe, Three Houes, and Three Tremblers Houes, will be
sufficient indication of the local use of the term “Houe.”
Grave-mounds may, naturally, be divided into the three great periods;
the Celtic, the Romano-British, and the Anglo-Saxon. This division
will be adopted in the present volume, and it will be its aim, while
speaking of the characteristics of each, to classify and describe their
contents, and to point out, briefly, such circumstances of interment,
and such evidences of customs, as they may present, and which may
appear to be of sufficient interest and importance to its plan.
Of the forms of barrows, and their characteristics and modes of
construction, occasion will be taken to speak in a later chapter.