Monument record 1098/0/1 - Possible Bronze Age Round Barrow, Oster Hill

A mound or 'eminence' was recorded here by Bridges and local tradition states that officers killed in battle, including one named Publius Ostorius, were buried here. No trace of a mound exists on the ground.

{1} A furlong boundary which looks very much like a mound. Field name: Oster Hill.

{3} Possible barrow called Oster Hill is said to have lain south-east of the village. Bridges recorded "an eminence" and that according to vulgar tradition several officers were buried here who fell in battle. He then goes on to suggest that it is the tumulus of Publius Ostorius. No trace of a mound exists on the ground.

{4} There is a tradition that several officers who fell in battle were buried under "an eminence" at Oster Hill.

{5} Supposedly the tumulus of Publius Ostorius, the confusion is probably due to the Scandanavian placename of "Austr" meaning east.

{6} "Ostor Hill" was supposed by Bridges {4} to be the tumulus of Publius Ostorius. The ONB is destroyed and no evidence can be found that there was ever, in fact, a tumulus. Bridges (and his informants) may have been influenced simply by the place name, although, according to the English Place Names Society
it is probably of Scandinavian origin - "austr" meaning "east". There is no tumulus shown in this area on OS 1st editions.

{7} (SP 6415 7145) Ostor Hill Site of Tumulus (LB).

{8} There are no surface indications of a barrow either on the hill or in the immediate vicinity.

<1> Hall D. N., Oral Report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN50542.

<2> Northamptonshire Notes and Queries (Series 1), p.41 (unchecked) (Series). SNN59627.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.97 Site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.599 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP67SW6 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p.71 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5881.

<7> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<8> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 21-FEB-69 (Notes). SNN111907.

Record last edited

Mar 7 2024 10:21AM