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| HER Number | MWB18052 |
|---|
| Record Type | Monument |
|---|
| Name | 'The Mountain', Donnington Park Estate |
|---|
Summary
Possible artificial mound for viewing the hunt, documented on 17th century map
Monument Type(s):
Full Description
Godfrey's 1654 map of Donnington Park Estate <1> depicts a feature called 'The Mountain' to the northwest of Donnington Castle. This is a mound with figures on it who may be hunters with guns. Although nothing is shown in this location (Castle Wood) on the First Edition Ordnance Survey mapping <2>, by the 5th epoch a small round earthwork about 20m across is depicted <3>. This mound is also on 21st century mapping <4>, on a spur of high land overlooking the Lambourn valley.
It is possible that it might be associated with other structures, such as a hunting lodge, although this is conjectural. Donnington deer park is documented from 1509 <5>.
It is also noted in contemporary descriptions of the siege of Donnington Castle <6> that Sir John Boys made a mount some 200 paces from the castle. This seems to have been in connection with a previous attack from the north and a place called 'the Queen's oake', from where the castle might be easily stormed. However the earthwork mound at SU 45902 69508 is about 400m away from Donnington Castle.
Sources and further reading
| <01> | Godfrey, J. 1654. Donnington Park Estate. [Map / SWB147719] |
| <02> | Landmark. 1872-85. Digital Ordnance Survey Mapping Epoch 1, 1:2500 (25 inch). Digital. 1:2500. [Map / SWB14341] |
| <03> | Ordnance Survey. 1962-1981. Ordnance Survey Epoch 5, 1:2500. 1:2500. [Map / SWB14665] |
| <04> | 2007-. OS Master Map (digital). Digital. [Map / SWB147179] |
| <05> | Berkshire Archaeological Society. 1979-80. Berkshire Archaeological Journal 1979-80 70. 70. In ADS Journals. 10.5284/1000017. p67-79 The Medieval Parks of Berkshire by J M Catherly and L M Cantor. [Article in serial / SWB6837]
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/berks_bas_2007/journal.cfm?volume=70 (Accessed 07/09/2016) |
| <06> | Wood, M. 1964 (1978). Donnington Castle, Berkshire - Department of the Environment Official Handbook. 2011 WBC Network. p15. [Monograph / SWB7048]
https://westberks.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=277885 (Accessed on 14/01/2022) |
Related Monuments
Associated Excavations and Fieldwork
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