White Gate (Stubwood)

From International Robin Hood Bibliography
Locality
Coordinate 52.957007, -1.857836
Adm. div. Staffordshire
Vicinity Somewhere in Stubwood, c. 5.6 km NNE of Uttoxeter
Type Miscellaneous
Interest Local tradition
Status Defunct
First Record 1865
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White Gate (Stubwood).
Stubwood Lane / Google Earth Street View.

By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2020-10-16. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2021-01-07.

According to a 19th century local tradition, Robin Hood was standing at White Gate in Stubwood when he shot several arrows that landed at Robin Hood's Butts, c. 2.5 km SSW. It has not been possible to determine where in Stubwood the White Gate was located.

See further the page on Robin Hood's Butts (Combridge).

Allusions

1865 - Redfern, Francis - History of Town of Uttoxeter (1)

A barrow still exists at Lowfields with trees growing upon it. It is called "Robin Hood's butts," and the place from whence he is said to have shot his arrows from the trusty bow, is placed at the White Gate on the Stubwood. This low is but slightly elevated above the surrounding surface. Fragments of swords are said to have been turned up near it, in the course of draining operations which have been carried on. There is a tradition current among the peasantry, that a battle was at one time fought at Low Fields, and the appearance of the low would lead one to the belief that it is a Saxon barrow, and may form part of a cemetery of that period.[1]

1886 - Redfern, Francis - History and Antiquities of Town of Uttoxeter (1)

[...] there is what has every evidence of being a Saxon cemetery in Uttoxeter parish at Low Fields, where it has hitherto been supposed there was only an ordinary tumulus. A slightly raised mound of this character, and of but small extent, certainly exists in the field just on the north-east side of the place hitherto supposed to be a low, but now the trees and impenetrable brushwood have been cleared away from the site conjectured to have been a barrow, it proves to be an extensive cemetery enclosed by a circular ditch and fence. Over the surface of the enclosure there are slightly raised earthern banks in the form of a cross, and which must indicate it to be a Saxon Christian burial ground. One of these remains has the name of Robin Hood's butts, and the land on which they exist is so denominated in an old survey of Uttoxeter parish. The position from which he is stated to have shot his arrows from his trusty bow, is placed at the White Gate at Stubwood. There is a prevalent tradition also, that a great battle has been fought at Low Fields in remote times, and [p. 87:] that the contest surged in that direction from Rocester, and it is said that fragments of swords have been dug up thereabouts.[2]

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