Robin Hood's Butts
Robin Hood's Butts are a group of nine Bronze Age barrows near Otterford on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, each being a scheduled ancient monument.
Name
The origin of the name "Robin Hood's Butts" is of unknown date. Local folklore describes their use by Robin Hood and Little John to play quoits,[1][2] though the name indicates a place of archery practice, which is more in keeping with the Robin Hood legend, if its location in the West Country is not. The name is known to have been used since the 19th century appearing on a tithe map created in 1844.[3]
Description
Two of the bowl barrows 230 yards and 650 yards north-west of Brown Down Cottage are between 90 feet and 290 feet in diameter.[4] The two barrows 410 yards west and 750 yards north-west of Beech Croft are slightly larger with one being 138 feet and the other 144 feet in diameter.[5]
The other barrows are of the round barrow type and are located a hundred yards south of School Farm. Four are bowl shaped and the other a bell barrow.[6]
Outside links
- Location map: 50°54’31"N, 3°5’12"W
References
- ↑ "Key archaeological & historic places". Neroche Scheme. http://www.nerochescheme.org/archaeologyPlaces.php. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ↑ "Robin Hood's Butts barrow cemetery, Brown Down, Otterford". Somerset County Council. http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/43470. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ↑ National Monuments Record: No. 190473 – Robin Hoods Butts
- ↑ National Heritage List 1016414: Two bowl barrows north west of Brown Down Cottage
- ↑ National Heritage List 1016415: Two bowl barrows, west and north west of Beech Croft
- ↑ National Heritage List 1017055: Round barrow cemetery south of School Farm