Robin Hood figure (Mottram Moor): Difference between revisions
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The artifact was described as follows in 1998: | The artifact was described as follows in 1998: | ||
<div class="plainquote">[...] an attractive squatting full-size figure from Mottram Moor which may depict a native hunting deity. This figure is a half-life sized sculpture carved in one piece upon a low square plinth. Found near a spring, the figure once carried a bow which has since been lost, as at some stage the carving has been damaged [p. 229:] resulting in the loss of the left hand. [...] the circumstances of its original discovery remain unclear but in local tradition the figure was known as "<keyword>Robin Hood</keyword>" and a public house near the find-spot took its name from the local traditions surrounding the figure. [...] the "squatting" figure is [...] enigmatic in style due to the rarity of Celtic depiction of the full human figure. The face shows typical "Celtic" features in respect of the small lentoid eyes and individual curls of hair carved upon the head in Graceo-Roman style, and wears a short tunic which can be compared with figures known from Gaul, of second century AD date.<ref>{{:Clarke, David 1998a}}, pp. 228-29, 263 nn. 78, 79. IRHB's brackets.</ref></div> | <div class="plainquote">[...] an attractive squatting full-size figure from Mottram Moor which may depict a native hunting deity. This figure is a half-life sized sculpture carved in one piece upon a low square plinth. Found near a spring, the figure once carried a bow which has since been lost, as at some stage the carving has been damaged [p. 229:] resulting in the loss of the left hand. [...] the circumstances of its original discovery remain unclear but in local tradition the figure was known as "<keyword>Robin Hood</keyword>" and a public house near the find-spot took its name from the local traditions surrounding the figure. [...] the "squatting" figure is [...] enigmatic in style due to the rarity of Celtic depiction of the full human figure. The face shows typical "Celtic" features in respect of the small lentoid eyes and individual curls of hair carved upon the head in Graceo-Roman style, and wears a short tunic which can be compared with figures known from Gaul, of second century AD date.<ref>{{:Clarke, David 1998a}}, pp. 228-29, 263 nn. 78, 79. IRHB's brackets.</ref></div> | ||
Comparable figures are known from Northumberland, Lancashire and South Yorkshire. It has been suggested that the head of the figure was reworked at some point to remove a hood or horns and that the sculpture depicts Cernunnos. If its date remains uncertain, the sculpture bears clear marks of Romano-Celtic influence.<ref>{{:Clarke, David 1998a}}, pp. 229, 263 n. 81.</ref> | |||
A look at the early 6" O.S. maps listed below will make it clear that there were several wells in the immediate vicinity, any of which may have been that where the sculpture was found. The coordinate indicated on the interactive map on this page is or was the location of one of these wells. It is quite unclear if this is the well in question. The artifact was acquired by Manchester Museum in 1974.<ref>Clarke, ''op. cit.'', p. 263 n. 78. Manchester Museum collection accession number, 1974.46.</ref> The local traditions were first recorded as late as 1993 and 1996.<ref>Clarke, ''op. cit.'', p. 263 n. 79.</ref> If the name of the public house was in fact inspired by the sculpture, the latter would have to have been discovered no later than 1798, when the [[Robin Hood (Mottram Moor)|Robin Hood public house]] first figures in the records. While this is of course possible, it must be noted that IRHB currently includes information on {{#ask:[[Category:English place-names]][[PlaceNamesType::Public house]]|format=count}} public houses named after Robin Hood, and with the possible – though not likely – exception of this at Mottram Moor, not one of them seems to have needed such an exotic reason to acquire the name Robin Hood. In all probability the [[Robin Hood Farm (Mottram Moor)|Robin Hood Farm]] also situated on Carrhouse Lane was named after the public house, but of course it might also owe its name to the sculpture if this were recorded before 1798. | A look at the early 6" O.S. maps listed below will make it clear that there were several wells in the immediate vicinity, any of which may have been that where the sculpture was found. The coordinate indicated on the interactive map on this page is or was the location of one of these wells. It is quite unclear if this is the well in question. The artifact was acquired by Manchester Museum in 1974.<ref>Clarke, ''op. cit.'', p. 263 n. 78. Manchester Museum collection accession number, 1974.46.</ref> The local traditions were first recorded as late as 1993 and 1996.<ref>Clarke, ''op. cit.'', p. 263 n. 79.</ref> If the name of the public house was in fact inspired by the sculpture, the latter would have to have been discovered no later than 1798, when the [[Robin Hood (Mottram Moor)|Robin Hood public house]] first figures in the records. While this is of course possible, it must be noted that IRHB currently includes information on {{#ask:[[Category:English place-names]][[PlaceNamesType::Public house]]|format=count}} public houses named after Robin Hood, and with the possible – though not likely – exception of this at Mottram Moor, not one of them seems to have needed such an exotic reason to acquire the name Robin Hood. In all probability the [[Robin Hood Farm (Mottram Moor)|Robin Hood Farm]] also situated on Carrhouse Lane was named after the public house, but of course it might also owe its name to the sculpture if this were recorded before 1798. | ||
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* Not included in {{:Dobson, Richard Barrie 1976a}}, pp. 293-311. | * Not included in {{:Dobson, Richard Barrie 1976a}}, pp. 293-311. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
* {{:Clarke, David 1998a}}, pp. 228-29, 241, 263 nn. 78, 79. | * {{:Clarke, David 1998a}}, pp. 228-29, 241, 263 nn. 78, 79, 81. | ||
== Maps == | == Maps == | ||
* [https://maps.nls.uk/view/114581287#zoom=5&lat=9951&lon=15279&layers=BT 25" O.S. map ''Cheshire'' XI.3 (1886; surveyed 1872)] | * [https://maps.nls.uk/view/114581287#zoom=5&lat=9951&lon=15279&layers=BT 25" O.S. map ''Cheshire'' XI.3 (1886; surveyed 1872)] |
Latest revision as of 19:49, 18 June 2021
Locality | |
---|---|
Coordinate | Near 53.45897, -2.00017 ? |
Adm. div. | Cheshire |
Vicinity | At a well on or near Carrhouse Lane, on S side of A57 in Mottram Moor, near Mottram in Longdendale |
Type | Artifact |
Interest | Artifacts |
Status | Extant |
First Record | 1993 |
By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2021-06-18. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2021-06-18.
A sculpture found at or near a well on or near Carrhouse Lane in Mottram Moor was believed locally to depict Robin Hood and was accordingly known under that name.
The artifact was described as follows in 1998:
Comparable figures are known from Northumberland, Lancashire and South Yorkshire. It has been suggested that the head of the figure was reworked at some point to remove a hood or horns and that the sculpture depicts Cernunnos. If its date remains uncertain, the sculpture bears clear marks of Romano-Celtic influence.[2]
A look at the early 6" O.S. maps listed below will make it clear that there were several wells in the immediate vicinity, any of which may have been that where the sculpture was found. The coordinate indicated on the interactive map on this page is or was the location of one of these wells. It is quite unclear if this is the well in question. The artifact was acquired by Manchester Museum in 1974.[3] The local traditions were first recorded as late as 1993 and 1996.[4] If the name of the public house was in fact inspired by the sculpture, the latter would have to have been discovered no later than 1798, when the Robin Hood public house first figures in the records. While this is of course possible, it must be noted that IRHB currently includes information on 236 public houses named after Robin Hood, and with the possible – though not likely – exception of this at Mottram Moor, not one of them seems to have needed such an exotic reason to acquire the name Robin Hood. In all probability the Robin Hood Farm also situated on Carrhouse Lane was named after the public house, but of course it might also owe its name to the sculpture if this were recorded before 1798.
Gazetteers
- Not included in Dobson, R. B., ed.; Taylor, J., ed. Rymes of Robyn Hood: an Introduction to the English Outlaw (London, 1976), pp. 293-311.
Sources
- Clarke, David. The Head Cult: Tradition and Folklore surrounding the Symbol of the Severed Human Head in the British Isles. Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. National Centre for English Cultural Tradition and Language, Division of Adult Continuing Education, University of Sheffield, 1998, pp. 228-29, 241, 263 nn. 78, 79, 81.
Maps
- 25" O.S. map Cheshire XI.3 (1886; surveyed 1872)
- 25" O.S. map Cheshire XI.3 (1898; rev. 1896) (georeferenced)
- 25" O.S. map Cheshire XI.3 (1898; rev. 1896)
- 25" O.S. map Cheshire XI.3 (1910; rev. 1907)
- 25" O.S. map Cheshire XI.3 (1938; rev. 1933–36)
- 6" O.S. map Cheshire XI (1882; surveyed 1872)
- 6" O.S. map Cheshire XI.NE (1899; rev. 1896–97) (georeferenced)
- 6" O.S. map Cheshire XI.NE (1899; rev. 1896–97)
- 6" O.S. map Cheshire XI.NE (1911; rev. 1907)
- 6" O.S. map Derbyshire II (1924; rev. 1919)
- 6" O.S. map Cheshire XI.NE (c. 1945; rev. 1938)
- 6" O.S. map Cheshire XI.NE (c. 1950; rev. 1938).
Background
Also see
Notes
- ↑ Clarke, David. The Head Cult: Tradition and Folklore surrounding the Symbol of the Severed Human Head in the British Isles. Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. National Centre for English Cultural Tradition and Language, Division of Adult Continuing Education, University of Sheffield, 1998, pp. 228-29, 263 nn. 78, 79. IRHB's brackets.
- ↑ Clarke, David. The Head Cult: Tradition and Folklore surrounding the Symbol of the Severed Human Head in the British Isles. Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. National Centre for English Cultural Tradition and Language, Division of Adult Continuing Education, University of Sheffield, 1998, pp. 229, 263 n. 81.
- ↑ Clarke, op. cit., p. 263 n. 78. Manchester Museum collection accession number, 1974.46.
- ↑ Clarke, op. cit., p. 263 n. 79.