Waulud's Bank
Encyclopedia
Waulud's Bank is a possible Neolithic
henge
in Leagrave
, Bedfordshire
dating from 3,000BC.
The Waulud's Bank earthworks lies on the western edge of the Marsh Farm
Estate in Leagrave
, Luton
. The River Lea forms the western side, its source located within the vicinity of the surrounding marsh. Archaeological excavations in 1954 and 1970/71 date the site to around 3000 bc, in the Neolithic
period, although there was evidence of earlier mesolithic hunter/fisher activity in the immediate area. The 'D' shape of the earthwork is almost identical to that of Marden in Wiltshire, both sites have a river forming one side, and each produced neolithic grooved-ware pottery. Waulud's Bank lies on a glacial ridge along the top of which runs the prehistoric Icknield Way. Initially it was probably a domestic enclosure used for cattle herding. It has been suggested that it later became a henge monument, although the position of its surrounding ditch outside its timber-faced bank would be unusual. Evidence suggests that the site was briefly re-used in the Iron Age
, during the Roman occupation and in medieval times.
The enclosure consists of a bank and external ditch of around 7 hectares with a turf-reveted chalk and gravel bank faced by a wooden stockade. No entrances have been identified. Most external features have been destroyed by a 19th century gravel quarry on the south, the Marsh Farm Estate and the irresponsible dumping of tons of chalk and top-soil along the eastern side during building construction in the 1970s. Geophysical surveys in June 1970 and January 2009 failed to reveal any very positive indications of internal features.
The bank still stands 2.6 m high in places and on the north side the excavated ditch was 9.2 m wide and 2.1 m deep. Finds included neolithic pottery
, animal bones and flint arrow heads (some are on display at Stockwood Heritage Centre,Luton Museum).
The building at the edge of Waulud's Bank was a one time farmhouse called Marsh Farm House, the occupants of which owned the area that later became the Marsh Farm
Estate.
god 'Lug
' or 'Lud' or 'Lyg', presided over the springs.
'Lug' is the Celtic
god of light, and the name 'Lea' may be derived from this name. The town now known as Luton
is named after this river which may mean the river of the god Lugus. 'Ton' is an Anglo-Saxon
name for a town
or large settlement. So therefore Luton
could mean 'the town on the river of Lugus', although this is open to speculation.
The English Heritage
record claims that Waulud may be a corruption of the name Wayland (the smith) who was a Norse
god, also known as Wolund, Weyland, Weland, (see also Wayland's Smithy
).
The record also mentions that 'some early writers' believed Waulud's Bank to be a place called Lygeanburgh (the similarly sounding Limbury
meaning a fortified place on the river Lea is nearby). This was one of four settlements mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle captured by Cuthwulf
, (Prince of Wessex
) in 571
. Lygeanburgh and Limbury were almost certainly the same place, but so far there has been no excavated evidence to link them directly with Waulud's Bank.
There are no foundations for rumours that a substantial Roman
villa once existed in Bramingham Road which borders Waulud's Bank. As mentioned above the site is in close proximity to the point where the prehistoric Icknield Way
fords the river Lea, and about 5 miles (8 km) in distance from Watling Street
in Dunstable
- also connected with Roman History.
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
henge
Henge
There are three related types of Neolithic earthwork which are all sometimes loosely called henges. The essential characteristic of all three types is that they feature a ring bank and ditch but with the ditch inside the bank rather than outside...
in Leagrave
Leagrave
For other uses see Leagrave Leagrave is a former village and now a suburb of Luton in Bedfordshire in the northwest of the town. Connected by train from Leagrave station into London and Bedford by First Capital Connect...
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
dating from 3,000BC.
The Waulud's Bank earthworks lies on the western edge of the Marsh Farm
Marsh farm
Marsh Farm is a large housing estate in Luton, Bedfordshire near to Leagrave and Limbury, mainly of council and social housing.The estate was built in the late 1960s, with a mixture of flats and houses as part of the post-war expansion of Luton. The estates at Farley Hill, Hockwell Ring and...
Estate in Leagrave
Leagrave
For other uses see Leagrave Leagrave is a former village and now a suburb of Luton in Bedfordshire in the northwest of the town. Connected by train from Leagrave station into London and Bedford by First Capital Connect...
, Luton
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
. The River Lea forms the western side, its source located within the vicinity of the surrounding marsh. Archaeological excavations in 1954 and 1970/71 date the site to around 3000 bc, in the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period, although there was evidence of earlier mesolithic hunter/fisher activity in the immediate area. The 'D' shape of the earthwork is almost identical to that of Marden in Wiltshire, both sites have a river forming one side, and each produced neolithic grooved-ware pottery. Waulud's Bank lies on a glacial ridge along the top of which runs the prehistoric Icknield Way. Initially it was probably a domestic enclosure used for cattle herding. It has been suggested that it later became a henge monument, although the position of its surrounding ditch outside its timber-faced bank would be unusual. Evidence suggests that the site was briefly re-used in the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, during the Roman occupation and in medieval times.
The enclosure consists of a bank and external ditch of around 7 hectares with a turf-reveted chalk and gravel bank faced by a wooden stockade. No entrances have been identified. Most external features have been destroyed by a 19th century gravel quarry on the south, the Marsh Farm Estate and the irresponsible dumping of tons of chalk and top-soil along the eastern side during building construction in the 1970s. Geophysical surveys in June 1970 and January 2009 failed to reveal any very positive indications of internal features.
The bank still stands 2.6 m high in places and on the north side the excavated ditch was 9.2 m wide and 2.1 m deep. Finds included neolithic pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
, animal bones and flint arrow heads (some are on display at Stockwood Heritage Centre,Luton Museum).
The building at the edge of Waulud's Bank was a one time farmhouse called Marsh Farm House, the occupants of which owned the area that later became the Marsh Farm
Marsh farm
Marsh Farm is a large housing estate in Luton, Bedfordshire near to Leagrave and Limbury, mainly of council and social housing.The estate was built in the late 1960s, with a mixture of flats and houses as part of the post-war expansion of Luton. The estates at Farley Hill, Hockwell Ring and...
Estate.
Myths and legends
Its interesting to note that the source of the River Lea is known as the 'Five-Springs' and lies in the north-west corner of Wauluds Bank. According to legend, the CelticCeltic mythology
Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure...
god 'Lug
Lugh
Lug or Lugh is an Irish deity represented in mythological texts as a hero and High King of the distant past. He is known by the epithets Lámhfhada , for his skill with a spear or sling, Ildánach , Samhildánach , Lonnbeimnech and Macnia , and by the...
' or 'Lud' or 'Lyg', presided over the springs.
'Lug' is the Celtic
Celtic polytheism
Celtic polytheism, commonly known as Celtic paganism, refers to the religious beliefs and practices adhered to by the Iron Age peoples of Western Europe now known as the Celts, roughly between 500 BCE and 500 CE, spanning the La Tène period and the Roman era, and in the case of the Insular Celts...
god of light, and the name 'Lea' may be derived from this name. The town now known as Luton
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
is named after this river which may mean the river of the god Lugus. 'Ton' is an Anglo-Saxon
Old English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
name for a town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
or large settlement. So therefore Luton
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
could mean 'the town on the river of Lugus', although this is open to speculation.
The English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
record claims that Waulud may be a corruption of the name Wayland (the smith) who was a Norse
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
god, also known as Wolund, Weyland, Weland, (see also Wayland's Smithy
Wayland's Smithy
Wayland's Smithy is a Neolithic long barrow and chamber tomb site located near the Uffington White Horse and Uffington Castle, at Ashbury in the English county of Oxfordshire ....
).
The record also mentions that 'some early writers' believed Waulud's Bank to be a place called Lygeanburgh (the similarly sounding Limbury
Limbury
Limbury, or using the full name Limbury-cum-Biscot, was a civil parish in Bedfordshire before becoming part of Luton and has a long history dating back before the Norman conquest of England....
meaning a fortified place on the river Lea is nearby). This was one of four settlements mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle captured by Cuthwulf
Cuthwulf
Cuthwulf was a medieval Bishop of Hereford. He was consecrated between 836 and 839 and died between 857 and 866.-External links:* . Includes photos of the remaining fragments of the charter....
, (Prince of Wessex
Wessex
The Kingdom of Wessex or Kingdom of the West Saxons was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the West Saxons, in South West England, from the 6th century, until the emergence of a united English state in the 10th century, under the Wessex dynasty. It was to be an earldom after Canute the Great's conquest...
) in 571
571
Year 571 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 571 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Religion :* The Monophysites again reject the...
. Lygeanburgh and Limbury were almost certainly the same place, but so far there has been no excavated evidence to link them directly with Waulud's Bank.
There are no foundations for rumours that a substantial Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
villa once existed in Bramingham Road which borders Waulud's Bank. As mentioned above the site is in close proximity to the point where the prehistoric Icknield Way
Icknield Way
The Icknield Way is an ancient trackway in southern England. It follows the chalk escarpment that includes the Berkshire Downs and Chiltern Hills.-Background:...
fords the river Lea, and about 5 miles (8 km) in distance from Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
in Dunstable
Dunstable
Dunstable is a market town and civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London. These geographical features form several steep chalk escarpments most noticeable when approaching Dunstable from the north.-Etymology:In...
- also connected with Roman History.