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Monument Types

• BARROW CEMETERY (Early Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 1501 BC)

Summary

There are numerous possible barrows recorded in the area around King Lud's Entrenchments, some visible as mounds, some as cropmarks, forming a barrow cemetery. There are also various other possible prehistoric features such as pit alignments.

Additional Information

The area around King Lud's Entrenchments has many round barrows. Those present identified or suspected are...
CROXTON KERRIAL:
82NE B: 2 ?barrows (MLE3554)
82NE C: 2 ?barrows (MLE3556)
82NE D: 2 barrows (one slight earthwork, one cropmark) (MLE3558)
82NE E: 7 ?barrows (MLE3559)
82NE P: 1 ?barrow (low mound) (MLE3563)
82NE Q: 1 ?barrow (MLE3564)
SPROXTON...
82NE F: 6 barrows and ?barrows (MLE4091)
82NE T: 1 barrow (MLE4102)
82NE U: 1 ?barrow (MLE4103)
82NE V: 1 barrow (MLE4104)
82NE W: 1 ?barrow (MLE4106)
82NE X: 1 ?barrow (MLE4107)
Possible barrow at SK 8586 2867 (MLE28442)

<1> 2016, National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) accessioning (Website). SLE4981.

SUMMARY: "Barrow cemetery; the earthworks are in various states of preservation, excavation in the 19th century recovered an inhumation in one barrow and animal bones in another; excavation in 1978 of another barrow recovered cremations."
URL: 'https://nrhe-to-her.esdm.co.uk/NRHE/RecordDetail.aspx?pageid=45&he_uid=323543', accessioned 11/12/2023.

<2> Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 (6") and 10K historic mapping, OS 6" NSL (Map). SLE7243.

[A SK 86642790 B SK 86702783] Tumuli [OE]

<3> Nichols J, The History and Antiquities of Leicestershire, Vol 2 pt 1 (1795), p305 (Bibliographic reference). SLE7.

"On the south side [of King Lud's Entrenchments] near the East end of two barrows: one close to the ditch is 86 yds round and about 8 ft high; the other at the distance of 60 or 70 yds is 96 yds round and apparently the same height." This latter barrow was opened by the first Duke of Rutland who found it 'full of bones'. Two hollow places near the top have not been completely filled in.

<4> Downman, EA, 1914, Ancient Earthworks in Leicestershire, p11 (Bibliographic reference). SLE7438.

'Two heaps to the SE of the E end [of King Lud's Entrenchments] are called Tumuli on the Ordnance Survey map: one of these lately excavated proved only to be a rubbish heap'.

<5> Virtual catalogue entry to support NAR migration, C. W. Phillips. A.O. 8.8.1929 (Unpublished document). SLE7248.

'A' Round Barrow, almost destroyed; diameter 22 paces; height 1ft.
'B' Round Barrow ruthlessly destroyed; not filled in. A large number of large stones are showing in centre. Diameter 32 paces; height 4'6" - 5'.
'C' [SK 8679 2775] Doubtful Round Barrow full of rabbit holes and almost flat; dark earth at centre; diameter 15 paces; height 1ft.
'D' Round Barrow 26 paces in diameter; height 6 ft; small depression on top; slopes to the north; carries a number of pine trees. [SK 86752794].

<6> Virtual catalogue entry to support NAR migration, Rec 6" (M. P. Dare) (Unpublished document). SLE7248.

'E' [SK 86682787] A small barrow here.

<7> Bateman, Thomas, 1861, Ten Years Digging in Celtic and Saxon Grave Hills, p109-111 (Bibliographic reference). SLE6360.

On 21st September, 1860, Thomas Bateman opened two barrows at Saltby. The first excavated is that nearest 'King Luds Entrenchment' (A). Fragments of an urn of "coarse Celtic Pottery" a human skeleton and the bones of a dog and other animals were found. At a depth of 5ft on the natural surface, evidence of a large fire was found and among the charcoal, a tarsal ox bone. The second barrow (B) yielded only animal bones. Discolouration of the natural surface indicated a fire but all traces of charcoal had been removed before the barrow was constructed.

<8> Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 13-JUN-72 (Website). SLE3488.

The barrow 'A' SP 86632789 has been completely destroyed.
The barrow 'B' SP 86692782 remains but is much spread.
The barrow 'C' SP 86782775 has been destroyed.
The barrow 'D' SP 86752793 is in good condition 1.7m high.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Several other barrows were seen as low spread mounds of stone in arable land at SP 86442808, 86612804, 86732808 and 86772807.
Also two large areas of scattered stone with indications of barrows were noted centred to SP 86402815 and SP 86602810. No traces of E, the barrow noted by Dare was seen - destroyed by war-time buildings.

<9> 1977-8, Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society, Volume 53, Vol 53 (1977-8), p79 (Journal). SLE5951.

At Saltby more barrows have been located forming a dispersed cemetery along the northern edge of the former Saltby Heath. There are now six certain barrows and six possible barrows located.

<10> Scheduled Monument List/Amendment, English Heritage SAM Descheduling Amendment 26-SEP-1995 (Scheduling record). SLE7368.

King Lud's Intrenchments (see SK 82 NE 1) and two adjoining tumuli -
SK 8664 2790. Monument No. 90656 formerly LE 46b. Barrow. Descheduled.
SK 8670 2783. Monument No. 90655 formerly LE 46c. Barrow. Descheduled.

Sources

Associated Finds

None recorded

Designations

• Scheduled Monument 1013184: KING LUD'S INTRENCHMENTS AND ADJACENT BARROW
• SHINE: Bronze Age barrows (barrow cemetery), World War 2 camp buildings, King Lud's Entrenchments, Egypt Plantation
• SHINE: Cropmarks of Bronze Age barrow cemetery including 3 mounds and pit alignments at Hungarton

Associated Images

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