Scheduled Monument: HIGH FIELD HLAEW (1008818)

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION Hlaews are pre-Christian burial monuments of Anglo-Saxon or Viking date and may be found singly or in small groups. Typically they are constructed of earth and usually comprise a low hemispherical mound or a combination of mound, inner ditch and outer bank covering one or more burials which may be inhumations, cremations or both. Most hlaews contain rich grave-goods, indicating the high status of the occupants, and these goods date Anglian hlaews to the late sixth and early seventh centuries AD and Viking hlaews to the ninth century. There are only between fifty and sixty authenticated hlaews recorded nationally, with particular concentrations in the Peak District and Wiltshire. They are one of a restricted range of monuments from the Anglian and Viking periods and contain evidence not only of burial customs and craft skills but also of colonisation and settlement patterns. Because of this, and due to their extreme rarity, all hlaews exhibiting good survival are considered to be of national importance. Although the centre of High Field hlaew has been disturbed by excavation, it is still a well-preserved example and retains substantial areas of intact archaeological remains. DETAILS High Field hlaew, or Anglian burial mound, is situated on Lapwing Hill which is part of the limestone plateau of Derbyshire and forms a promontory between Miller's Dale and Monsal Dale. The monument includes a sub-circular barrow measuring 17m by 14.5m and standing c.1m high. Originally it would have been more uniformly circular and slightly higher but ploughing in the past has altered the profile somewhat. In 1850 Thomas Bateman carried out a partial excavation of the barrow and found it to be of earthen construction with a central rock-cut grave which contained an extended inhumation which had been laid upon animal hides on a wooden bier or coffin. To the left was an iron sword with a sheath of thin wood covered in decorated leather, and a short iron knife which lay under the hilt of the sword. Above the right shoulder of the body were two iron spear points while, among the stones that filled the grave, about a foot from the bottom, were many iron objects of uncertain use but including clenched iron nails which would have been part of the coffin or bier. These remains indicate that the barrow was built in c.AD600. SELECTED SOURCES Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Barnatt, J - Title: The Peak District Barrow Survey (1989) - Date: 1989 - Type: PLAN: MEASURED Book Reference - Author: Bateman, Thomas - Title: Ten Years Diggings in Celtic and Saxon Grave-Hills (1861) - Date: 1861 - Page References: 68-70 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Marsden B - Title: The Burial Mounds of Derbyshire (1977) - Date: 1977 - Page References: 25 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Meaney A - Title: Gazetteer of Early Saxon Burials - Date: 1964 - Type: DESC TEXT Article Reference - Author: Fowler M J - Title: Anglian Settlement of the Peak - Date: 1954 - Journal Title: Derbyshire Archaeological Journal - Volume: 74 - Page References: 150 - Type: DESC TEXT Article Reference - Author: Lucas J F - Title: The Reliquary - Date: 1867 - Journal Title: The Reliquary - Type: DESC TEXT