Long Man of Wilmington
Encyclopedia
The Long Man of Wilmington is a hill figure
located in Wilmington, East Sussex, England
on the steep slopes of Windover Hill, 9.6 kilometres (6 mi) northwest of Eastbourne
. The Long Man is 69.2 metres (227 ft) tall and designed to look in proportion when viewed from below.
The Long Man is one of two main human hill figures in England; the other is the Cerne Abbas giant
, north of Dorchester. Both are Scheduled Ancient Monument
s. Two other hill figures that include humans are the Osmington White Horse
and the Fovant regimental badges
. The Long Man is one of two hill figures in East Sussex, the other being the Litlington
White Horse.
The origin of the Long Man remains unclear. Archaeological work done by Professor Martin Bell of the University of Reading
suggests that the figure dates from the sixteenth or seventeenth century AD.
Originally, the earliest known record was in a drawing done by William Burrell when he visited Wilmington Priory, near Windover Hill in 1766. Burrell's drawing shows the figure holding a rake and a scythe, both shorter than the staves. However, in 1993, a new drawing was discovered, made by the surveyor John Rowley in 1710. This drawing suggested that the original figure was a shadow or indentation in the grass with facial features, rather than an outline of a human figure. The staffs were not depicted as a rake and scythe as was once thought, and the head was a helmet shape.
Between 1873 and 1874, Reverend W. de St Croix marked out the outline with yellow bricks cemented together though it is claimed that the restoration process distorted the position of the feet.
Aubrey Manning
investigated when the figure dates from for his Open University show Landscape Mysteries. He concluded that it probably dates from the 16th century.
Others believe the figure to be more ancient. Tira Brandon-Evans believes it represents a shaman or druid
connected to teinm láida, a type of British Celtic divination described in the Auraicept na n-Éces
. Professor John North wrote that during the centuries around 3480 BC the figure would have been positioned to mark the constellation Orion's movement across the ridge above it. The figure may have been a manifestation of a Neolithic astral religion.
In 1925, the site of the Long Man was given to the Sussex Archaeological Trust (now the Sussex Archaeological Society
) by the Duke of Devonshire
. During the Second World War it was painted green to avoid it being used as a landmark by German aircraft.
The 1993 book, The Druid Way by Sussex author Philip Carr-Gomm
, drew attention to the supposed significance of the Long Man as a sacred site for the modern world.
At dawn on May Day
, the Long Man Morris Men
dance at the foot of the Long Man. The Long Man plays host to neo-pagan rituals on Sundays closest to the eight Pagan Festivals through the year.
In 2007, the Long Man of Wilmington was used in Trinny Woodall
and Susannah Constantine
's television fashion show Undress the Nation. Trinny, Susannah and 100 women gave the Long Man a temporary female form by using their bodies to add pigtails, breasts and hips. ITV
stated that they were given permission for the event by Sussex Archaeological Society and that they took "the utmost care... to protect this historical site". The Long Man was not permanently changed or affected, according to the owners, the Sussex Archaeological Society. The stunt prompted local Druid Greg Draven to form a protest during filming. Sussex Archaeological Society later apologised for any offence caused to any "individuals or groups" by the filming. The Council of British Druid Orders claimed the stunt would "dishonour an ancient Pagan site of worship".
Overnight, between 17 June and 18 June 2010 a giant phallus
was painted on the Long Man rivalling that of the Cerne Abbas giant
. Observed by the local Druids, it appears that a football pitch marker or similar object was used to paint the phallus onto the Long Man.
Hill figure
A hill figure is a large visual representation created by cutting into a steep hillside and revealing the underlying geology. It is a type of geoglyph usually designed to be seen from afar rather than above. In some cases trenches are dug and rubble made from material brighter than the natural...
located in Wilmington, East Sussex, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on the steep slopes of Windover Hill, 9.6 kilometres (6 mi) northwest of Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
. The Long Man is 69.2 metres (227 ft) tall and designed to look in proportion when viewed from below.
The Long Man is one of two main human hill figures in England; the other is the Cerne Abbas giant
Cerne Abbas giant
The Cerne Abbas Giant, also referred to as the Rude Man or the Rude Giant, is a hill figure of a giant naked man on a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas, to the north of Dorchester, in Dorset, England. The high, wide figure is carved into the side of a steep hill, and is best viewed from...
, north of Dorchester. Both are Scheduled Ancient Monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
s. Two other hill figures that include humans are the Osmington White Horse
Osmington White Horse
The Osmington White Horse is a hill figure sculpted in 1808 into the limestone Osmington hill just north of Weymouth called the South Dorset Downs, within the parish of Osmington....
and the Fovant regimental badges
Fovant
Fovant is a medium-sized village and civil parish in southwest Wiltshire, England. It is located between Salisbury and Shaftesbury on the A30 road in the Nadder valley. Its name is derived from the Old English Fobbefunta, meaning "spring of a man called Fobbe"...
. The Long Man is one of two hill figures in East Sussex, the other being the Litlington
Litlington, East Sussex
Litlington is a village in the Cuckmere valley in East Sussex, England, about 7 miles to the south east of Lewes.The name is Saxon, and probably indicates Litl's homestead.Maria Fitzherbert, mistress of George IV, lived at Clapham house in the village....
White Horse.
Origins
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
suggests that the figure dates from the sixteenth or seventeenth century AD.
Originally, the earliest known record was in a drawing done by William Burrell when he visited Wilmington Priory, near Windover Hill in 1766. Burrell's drawing shows the figure holding a rake and a scythe, both shorter than the staves. However, in 1993, a new drawing was discovered, made by the surveyor John Rowley in 1710. This drawing suggested that the original figure was a shadow or indentation in the grass with facial features, rather than an outline of a human figure. The staffs were not depicted as a rake and scythe as was once thought, and the head was a helmet shape.
Between 1873 and 1874, Reverend W. de St Croix marked out the outline with yellow bricks cemented together though it is claimed that the restoration process distorted the position of the feet.
Aubrey Manning
Aubrey Manning
Professor Aubrey William George Manning OBE FRSE FIBiol is a distinguished English zoologist and broadcaster.-Life:...
investigated when the figure dates from for his Open University show Landscape Mysteries. He concluded that it probably dates from the 16th century.
Others believe the figure to be more ancient. Tira Brandon-Evans believes it represents a shaman or druid
Druid
A druid was a member of the priestly class in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul, and possibly other parts of Celtic western Europe, during the Iron Age....
connected to teinm láida, a type of British Celtic divination described in the Auraicept na n-Éces
Auraicept na n-Éces
Auraicept na n-Éces is claimed as a 7th century work of Irish grammarians, written by a scholar named Longarad....
. Professor John North wrote that during the centuries around 3480 BC the figure would have been positioned to mark the constellation Orion's movement across the ridge above it. The figure may have been a manifestation of a Neolithic astral religion.
20th and 21st centuries
Sussex Archaeological Society
The Sussex Archaeological Society, founded in 1846, is the largest county-based archaeological society in the UK. Its headquarters are in Lewes, Sussex...
) by the Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Devonshire is a title in the peerage of England held by members of the Cavendish family. This branch of the Cavendish family has been one of the richest and most influential aristocratic families in England since the 16th century, and have been rivalled in political influence perhaps only...
. During the Second World War it was painted green to avoid it being used as a landmark by German aircraft.
The 1993 book, The Druid Way by Sussex author Philip Carr-Gomm
Philip Carr-Gomm
Philip Carr-Gomm is an author in the fields of psychology and Druidry, a psychologist, and one of the leaders of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.-Biography:...
, drew attention to the supposed significance of the Long Man as a sacred site for the modern world.
At dawn on May Day
May Day
May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
, the Long Man Morris Men
Morris dance
Morris dance is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers. Implements such as sticks, swords, handkerchiefs and bells may also be wielded by the dancers...
dance at the foot of the Long Man. The Long Man plays host to neo-pagan rituals on Sundays closest to the eight Pagan Festivals through the year.
In 2007, the Long Man of Wilmington was used in Trinny Woodall
Trinny Woodall
Trinny Woodall is an English fashion advisor and designer, television presenter and author. She was raised in a wealthy family and was privately educated...
and Susannah Constantine
Susannah Constantine
Susannah Caroline Constantine is an English fashion journalist, advisor, television presenter, author and designer. Her second book, entitled What Not to Wear, has won her a prestigious British Book Award and sold 670,000 copies....
's television fashion show Undress the Nation. Trinny, Susannah and 100 women gave the Long Man a temporary female form by using their bodies to add pigtails, breasts and hips. ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
stated that they were given permission for the event by Sussex Archaeological Society and that they took "the utmost care... to protect this historical site". The Long Man was not permanently changed or affected, according to the owners, the Sussex Archaeological Society. The stunt prompted local Druid Greg Draven to form a protest during filming. Sussex Archaeological Society later apologised for any offence caused to any "individuals or groups" by the filming. The Council of British Druid Orders claimed the stunt would "dishonour an ancient Pagan site of worship".
Overnight, between 17 June and 18 June 2010 a giant phallus
Phallus
A phallus is an erect penis, a penis-shaped object such as a dildo, or a mimetic image of an erect penis. Any object that symbolically resembles a penis may also be referred to as a phallus; however, such objects are more often referred to as being phallic...
was painted on the Long Man rivalling that of the Cerne Abbas giant
Cerne Abbas giant
The Cerne Abbas Giant, also referred to as the Rude Man or the Rude Giant, is a hill figure of a giant naked man on a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas, to the north of Dorchester, in Dorset, England. The high, wide figure is carved into the side of a steep hill, and is best viewed from...
. Observed by the local Druids, it appears that a football pitch marker or similar object was used to paint the phallus onto the Long Man.
External links
- The Long Man of Wilmington at the Sussex Archaeological Society