Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Forbury Hill
Hob Uid: 244967
Location : Reading Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : SU7190073630
Summary : Circular mound 2.0 metres high situated on a good position on a northern facing slope overlooking the River Thames. Its original purpose or date is not known, but it was incorporated into a garden design during the mid 19th century. Possibly a Civil War battery.
More information : [SU 71907363] Forbury Hill [TI] Earthwork [GT]. (1) Considered by Peake to be a castle mound, although no ditch is now visible, Smallcombe regards it as part of the Civil War fortifications. (2-3) A roughly circular mound, averaging 2.0m high, commanding a good position on a northern facing slope overlooking the Thames. Now part of an ornamental garden. In its present condition its purpose or date could not be determined. 1/1250 survey revised. (4) Additional bibliography (5-6) Listed (7) A motte had been built by King Stephen on Abbey land and was destroyed in 1153. It was evidently used as part of the town's Civil War defences. (8)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 25" 1961
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : F1 CFW 07-DEC-54
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Source Number : 3a
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Source details : W.A.Smallcombe
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F2 JP 03-APR-63
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Slade C F. 1969. Reading, Historic Towns Atlas
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Aston M. Bond J. 1976. The Landscape of Towns, 126-127
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Berkshire
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Vol(s) : Part 3

Source Number : 8
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Page(s) : 11
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Motte
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Civil War
Monument End Date : 1649
Monument Start Date : 1642
Monument Type : Battery
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Mid C19
Monument End Date : 1866
Monument Start Date : 1833
Monument Type : Artificial Mound
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date :
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Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Mound
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SU 77 SW 22
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1954-12-07
End Date : 1954-12-07

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1963-04-03
End Date : 1963-04-03

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2004-01-01
End Date : 2005-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Forbury Hill