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Summary

Medieval fire beacon mound on Fire Beacon Hill to the north-west of Bosomzeal Manor

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1019949: Beacon mound at Fire Beacon Hill, 250m north west of Bosomzeal

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 446040
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX85SE/3
• Old SAM Ref: 33791
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX85SE34

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BEACON (XV to XVI - 1500 AD to 1600 AD (Between))

Full description

Polwhele, R., 1793-1806, The History of Devonshire, 143 (Monograph). SDV21030.

Russell, P., 1955, Fire Beacons in Devon, 281 (Article in Serial). SDV336138.

Fire beacon 164 metres above sea level. Pre-Elizabethan. Grid reference given as SX86175418.

Devon County Council, 2000, Fire Beacons: Warning Signals across the Countryside (Monograph). SDV320945.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2001, Beacon Mound at Fire Beacon Hill 250 metres north-west of Bosomzeal (Schedule Document). SDV346657.

This monument includes a beacon mound of 16th century date, on the crest of a high spur, overlooking the estuary of the River Dart. The mound is conical, measuring 15 metres diameter and 3 metres high with a flat top 1.5 metres across. It lies on the east side of a deep lane, running north-south, whose bank abuts the mound. A buried ditch approximately 3 metres wide will enclose the mound. A modern beacon post has been sunk into the mound; fires are occasionally lit in its iron basket to mark important events. The modern road surfaces, where these impinge on the mound's 2 metres protective margin, are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included. Beacons were fires deliberately lit to give a warning, by means of smoke by day and flame by night, of the approach of hostile forces. They were always sited in prominent positions, usually as part of a group, chain or line which together made up a comprehensive early warning system covering most of the country. Beacons were extensively used during the Medieval period. The beacon mound at Fire Beacon Hill is unusually well-preserved. The mound and its buried surrounding ditch will contain archaeological and environmental information relating to its construction and use in the contemporary landscape. The recent erection of a cresset on the mound represents the continuity of use as a beacon site. Other details: Monument 33791.

National Monuments Record, 2011, 446040 (National Monuments Record Database). SDV346658.

A 16th century beacon mound on Fire Beacon Hill, overlooking the estuary of the River Dart. The mound is conical and measures 15 metres in diameter and 3 metres high, with a flat top 1.5 metres across. A modern beacon post has been sunk into the mound and fires are occasionally lit here to mark important events.

Ordnance Survey, 2011, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV346129.

Earthwork shown on Fire Beacon Hill.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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