Robin Hood's Moss (Loxley, Sheffield)

From International Robin Hood Bibliography
Locality
Coordinate Near 53.409133, -1.528923
Adm. div. West Riding of Yorkshire
Vicinity c. 5 km NW of Sheffield
Type Natural feature
Interest Robin Hood name
Status Defunct
First Record 1855
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Possible, approximate location of Robin Hood's Bower and Moss.

By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2013-08-07. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2022-05-01.

The exact locations of Robin Hood's Bower and Moss (a.k.a. Bower Wood) recorded in 1637 are not known. Misled by a cross-reference in Smith,[1] Dobson & Taylor suggest a location near the coordinates 53.446077, -1.466976, just north of Ecclesfield, slightly north of Ecclesfield Park. However, as Smith is well aware, the 1637 evidence makes it quite clear that the Bower and Moss were in or very near Loxley, immediately NW of Sheffield. The alternative name of Bower Wood probably gives us a clue to the whereabouts, for at 53.409298,-1.530440, just at the south end of Loxley Common, slightly NW of Loxley House, we find Bower Cottage. Loxley Common was then as now a wooded area. People with firsthand knowledge also suggest a location near Loxley Common.[2] S.O. Addy was convinced that the name Robin Hod's Bower referred to the arbour or tent so-called that was sometimes set up at May games.[3] That nearby localities came to be named Bower Wood and Bower Field suggested to him that the locality known as Robin Hod's Bower was used for May games on a more permanent basis. This is certainly possible, but the bower may also have been some kind of natural feature or perhaps a minor ancient monument. The site known as Robin Hood's Arbour in Maidenhead, Berkshire, is an Iron Age animal pen. Is there still a "moss" or bog in the area near Loxley Common?

Approximately 12 km WNW of the locality now under discussion, in the High Peak, near the Yorkshire/Derbyshire border, there is a Robin Hood Moss.

Records

1637 - Robin Hood's Bower (Loxley, Sheffield)

Imprimis Great Haggas Croft (pasture) lying near
Robin Hood's Bower & invironed with Loxley
Firth & Cont.                                                                                   1—2—27
Item little Haggas Croft (pasture) wherein is ye
foundacion of an house or Cottage where Robin
Hood
was borne this piece is Compassed about
with Loxley flirth [sic!] & Cont.                                                  00—2—13
Item Bower wood lying betweene Loxley firth East
& ye lands of Mr Eyre in part west & Cont.                                 4—1—5
Item Bower field (arable) lying betweene ye last
piece East & ye lands of Mr Eyre North & west
& Loxley firth South & Cont.                                                      2—1—5[4]

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