Monument record MDO4334 - Melbury Beacon, Melbury Hill, Melbury Abbas
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Summary
Site of beacon, which is recorded in 1588. It survives as an earthwork and possibly some structural remains.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Listed by H T White as being the site of a beacon, number 27 (1)
The beacon site has the remains of a hearth, a hollow, 8m in diameter and 0.5m deep, surrounded by a protective bank, possibly a buried stone wall, with what appears to be two flues, on the southern and eastern sides, extending outwards 3.4m. Both flues have kinks at the end presumably to facilitate through draught. The beacon is mentioned in a letter concerning the county defences in 1588, Armada year, which stated that Melbury was to be fired to warn Wiltshire's inhabitants of impending attack. Hutchins in his History of Dorset, 1774, lists the beacon and it is shown on Greenwood's map of about 1825, suggesting continued use.
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SWX1179 Article in serial: Russell, P. 1959. 'White's Schedule of The Dorset Beacons'; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society 81. 81.
- <2> SDO99 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1972. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North). 48.
- <3> SDO59 Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 1960. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1959. 81. 103-106.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
| Grid reference | ST 873 197 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ST81NE |
| Civil Parish | Melbury Abbas; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 1016893: Melbury Beacon and circular enclosure on Melbury Hill
- Scheduled Monument 556
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 2 038 016 B
- Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Melbury Abbas 16
Record last edited
Jan 18 2016 2:42PM