Archaeology on Folly Hill
Excavated bones tell us that the battles on the bare Hill (the trees were only added in the 1780s) were many, brutal and bloody. There were hill forts in pre-Roman times; King Alfred the Great had a castle here in the 9th century, as did Queen Matilda 300 years later. And when her cousin Stephen stormed the Folly Hill Castle, Matilda only narrowly escaped.
An investigation in 1935 by E T Leeds, while excavations for the Tower were taking place was published in the Journal of Antiquities, July 1937. An Adulterine castle*(*Adulterine castles were fortifications built in England during the 12th century without royal approval, particularly during the civil war of the Anarchy between 1139 and 1154.)
An investigation in 1935 by E T Leeds, while excavations for the Tower were taking place was published in the Journal of Antiquities, July 1937. An Adulterine castle*(*Adulterine castles were fortifications built in England during the 12th century without royal approval, particularly during the civil war of the Anarchy between 1139 and 1154.)
The Civil War and Cromwell’s Battery
With King Charles I headquartered in Oxford (1642), Faringdon was on the Civil War front line and was embroiled in many gory battles. Cromwell’s men were stationed on the slopes of Folly Hill from where they bombarded Faringdon.
Faringdon was almost raized to the ground
With King Charles I headquartered in Oxford (1642), Faringdon was on the Civil War front line and was embroiled in many gory battles. Cromwell’s men were stationed on the slopes of Folly Hill from where they bombarded Faringdon.
Faringdon was almost raized to the ground
In 1935, a number of skeletons were discovered while excavating to build the Tower.
Article from Shields News 11 May 1935
Evening paper of Tynemouth, Whitly Bay and Monkeaton; Ashington; Blyth; Wallsend; and adjoining District
Skeletons on Historic Site
Believed to be relics of Cromwellian Siege
Skeletons thought to be of soldiers during the siege of Faringdon, Berkshire, by Cromwell's forces were unearthed during building operations on Folly Hill, Faringdon, yesterday. Workmen were digging foundations for an observation tower to be erected on the summit of the hill when a collapse of sand brought to light human bones.
Dr W Harding, of Faringdon, stated that the bones were more than 100 years old and had probably lain buried for nearly 3 centuries. One skeleton he established to be that of a man in the early twenties.
At the time of the discovery the workmen were preparing the foundation for 100 feet high observation tower to be erected on the summit of the hill for Lord Berners. This tower has caused bitter fights in the Faringdon district, the local council rejecting the plans as likely to cause an eyesore on a noted landmark. Lord Berners appealed to the Ministry of Health and won.
Article from Shields News 11 May 1935
Evening paper of Tynemouth, Whitly Bay and Monkeaton; Ashington; Blyth; Wallsend; and adjoining District
Skeletons on Historic Site
Believed to be relics of Cromwellian Siege
Skeletons thought to be of soldiers during the siege of Faringdon, Berkshire, by Cromwell's forces were unearthed during building operations on Folly Hill, Faringdon, yesterday. Workmen were digging foundations for an observation tower to be erected on the summit of the hill when a collapse of sand brought to light human bones.
Dr W Harding, of Faringdon, stated that the bones were more than 100 years old and had probably lain buried for nearly 3 centuries. One skeleton he established to be that of a man in the early twenties.
At the time of the discovery the workmen were preparing the foundation for 100 feet high observation tower to be erected on the summit of the hill for Lord Berners. This tower has caused bitter fights in the Faringdon district, the local council rejecting the plans as likely to cause an eyesore on a noted landmark. Lord Berners appealed to the Ministry of Health and won.
In 2014 an Archaeological investigation by PHF Archaeology Ltd was undertaken.
The principal aim of this project was to survey the area at folly hill to record and analyse the nature and extent of any sub surface archaeology. This was to be completed through a geophysical survey using magnetometry.
Their full report can be read here
The principal aim of this project was to survey the area at folly hill to record and analyse the nature and extent of any sub surface archaeology. This was to be completed through a geophysical survey using magnetometry.
Their full report can be read here
