Sir,—We live and learn, and I am much indebted to the writer of the article in last Saturday’s “Leicester Mail” under the heading, “Ancient Roads, Secret of Leicestershire Mounds,” for throwing further light on a subject that has long puzzled me. The writer takes as his text the recently published book, “Early British Trackways,” by Mr. Watkins. The publication refers principally to the mounds or the tumps of Herefordshire. Your correspondent endeavours to apply the theories advanced by Mr. Watkins to this county, and gives practical illustrations in support thereof—I think with considerable success.
One of the most interesting features of Leicestershire topography not hitherto fully explained is the series of minor mounds that even to the lay mind obviously have a significance. The writer points out that mounds and ancient earthworks in general are sometimes met with in fields comparatively remote from everywhere. The mound near Ingarsby interested me in the subject in the first instance, or to be more correct, the excavation or dry moat surrounding it. I believe that the late Mr. Harry Quilter told me that it was called “The Monks’ Grave.” Possibly failing a better explanation its proximity to the old grange or farm associated with Leicester Abbey, and now known as the Old Hall, Ingarsby, may provide a clue to the earthwork’s local name.
Further, a part of Old Humberstone is called the Monks’ Rest. Starting from Scraptoft vicarage, follow the old lane almost due east. Unfortunately the delightful old world road is in parts being rapidly spoilt by cutting down trees and the introduction of up-to-date wire fences. Still, the alteration is necessary.
The mound is situated close by the side the cart road, which at that point passes through the open fields, and on the top of the last hill before the Houghton-on-the-Hill and Ingarsby road is reached. Or on wheels it can be reached within a few hundred yards from the ford on the road just referred to. Three knarled trees of great antiquity mark the spot. Unfortunately boys have so damaged one by fire that it may fall any time.
In passing, I earnestly ask all, and in particular the younger generation who enjoy a picnic in the country, which occasionally necessitates a small fire in one form or another, to take every precaution and see that all is safe before leaving. The request also applies to smokers, who throw aside hot fag ends on a breezy day. Much damage to valuable hedgerows, Cutting damaged, words lost
I should be obliged if the writer could enlighten me regarding the circular pond or moat at the crossing of the roads between Humberstone and Keyham and Scraptoft and Barkby Thorpe. Golden carp flourished there at one time. Does it mark the site of another mound?
The history of the deep oblong excavation just off the footpath in the field adjoining Evington Church would prove interesting. It may not be of great antiquity, but it is also another instance of an earthwork and a good supply of spring water, which, alas! soon loses its purity in a ditch fouled with sewerage from the village.
It is interesting to note the value of salt to the inhabitants in the remote past. The writer of the article goes on as to the uses made of these direct roads. The primary one seem to have been military; a second one was commercial, indicated here, and there by names that still exist. He quotes Saltby and Saltersford. I might add Salters Hill, well known to Leicestershire fox-hunters. It is situated in the vicinity of Burrough-on-the-Hill and Thorpe Satchville.
A pillar of salt is mentioned in the Bible. “Not worth his salt,” “The very salt of the earth,”
and “To be taken with a grain of salt,” the latter in Latin and English, are all old sayings commonly quoted
to-day. Humour for our little dots is represented by “Put a bit of salt upon its tail.” The wandering tribes
of gipsies, whose forefathers doubtless traded on the ancient roads for countless generations to and from the salt
districts, frequently hawk salt today. A little thought reveals the tremendous part played by salt in the universe. Take
the sea as a simple example. Yours truly,
A. W. FOSTER.
1½, Stoughton Street, Leicester.
Source info: Cuttings agency.