In another example of serendipity (see Jonathan Freitag’s comment to the previous post today), I saw the above link to the Daily Telegraph in my Google News feed. Normally the DT is behind a paywall but for some reason I was able to read the whole article.
In case you can’t read the article, it quotes Simon Marsh of the Battlefields Trust saying that the site of the ECW Battle of Stow is actually about a mile distant from the location registered as the battlefield by Historic England. The Battlefield Trust’s case is based on archaeological evidence (present on the ‘new site’ but largely absent at the ‘official site’). Historic England will consider the evidence submitted and decide whether to change the registration (which will have consequences for preservation of the site).
Interesting that when given the resources to research these sites, how things might change to a greater or lesser extent.
ReplyDeleteYes. I was aware that metal detectors had been used at Marston Moor which shed new light on the action, whilst not altering the location. I was told that work had been done at Cheriton too but I haven’t seen any publication with the results.
DeleteChris
Considering advances in methods and technology, it is probably no surprise that a number of battle sites are being, or have been, relocated. After the chroniclers were interested in the event not in providing exact locations.
ReplyDeleteGood point about chroniclers Richard. For all but the most modern periods the whole subject is fraught with difficulties which we need to take account of when walking the ground.
DeleteChris