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| Name: | SEYMOUR'S MOUNT |
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| HER No.: | 2807 |
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| Type of Record: | Monument |
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Summary
A circular hollow with a low earthwork bank around its perimeter sited on top of a small west-facing greensand spur north of Warren Farm. Possibly created as an observation point westwards but could alternatively be associated with a medieval rabbit warren.
Full Description
<1> P. J. Fowler (ed), 1972, Archaeology and the Landscape, J F Dyer (Bibliographic reference). SBD11030.
"…..a regular circular hollow, c.100ft. In diameter, the material from the flat central area having been used to provide a low bank round the perimeter of the hollow. Sited on a hill-slope, they have no external ditch, but an entrance on the lower, downhill side is present…..Seymour's Mount near Steppingley, Bedfordshire…..lies at the extreme end of a short west-facing spur of greensand. A short water-filled moat cuts off the spur from the main hill-mass on the east. On the top of the spur a flat circular area 110ft. In diameter has been dug out of the hill. Some of the material removed has been used to make a very low bank round the rim of the steep-sided hollow created. Entry was probably effected at the lower, western end of the enclosure, which butts directly on to the front of the spur. The purpose of such a site is difficult to explain, but, lying below the natural ground level, it would make a good hide-out or observation-point for a small group of men who wished to look westwads, with a moat behind them for protection". TL 001 351.
<2> John Wood, Comments & Observations, Sept. 1981 (Observations and Comments). SBD10843.
This earthwork is similar to another at Sharpenhoe Clappers, Streatley, which is a rabbit warren. Seymour's Mount is next to Warren Farm, Steppingley and may also have served the same purpose. (For Sharpenhoe Clappers see HER 238).
<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Record Cards, OS: TL 03 NW 9 (Unpublished document). SBD10879.
Seymour's Mount: ringwork ?Anglo-Danish
TL 001351. Ring-work of possibly Anglo-Danish date called Seymour's Mount near Steppingley. It lies on the extreme end of a short west-facing spur, cut off by a short water-filled moat. On the top of the spur a flat circular area 110 feet in diameter has been dug out of the hill, with a very low bank round the rim. (Arch. & the Landscape 1972 (ed P J Fowler) 233-4, 235 (J. Dyer).
R1 CDA 29/5/1981
<4> Bedfordshire County Council, 1970 - 2000s, HER Photograph Archive, F1052/6a-10a, 28/11/1994 (Photograph). SBD10506.
5 colour photos showing earthwork bank and hollow within.
<5> NMR/AMIE, HE NRHE Monument Inventory, 360037 (Index). SBD12367.
An early medieval ringwork, possibly Anglo-Danish.
Protected Status:
- SHINE: Rabbit warren at Seymour's Clump
Monument Type(s):
Associated Finds: None recorded
Associated Events: None recorded
Sources and Further Reading
| [1] | SBD11030 - Bibliographic reference: P. J. Fowler (ed). 1972. Archaeology and the Landscape. J F Dyer. |
| [2] | SBD10843 - Observations and Comments: John Wood. Comments & Observations. Sept. 1981. |
| [3] | SBD10879 - Unpublished document: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Archaeology Record Cards. OS: TL 03 NW 9. |
| [4] | SBD10506 - Photograph: Bedfordshire County Council. 1970 - 2000s. HER Photograph Archive. F1052/6a-10a, 28/11/1994. |
| [5] | SBD12367 - Index: NMR/AMIE. HE NRHE Monument Inventory. 360037. |
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