Ancient names of Arbor Low.

Arbor Low 11

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AR Jul 7, 2004 18:13:32

I have been reading 'The Modern Antiquarian' and thinking about the name'Arbor Low'. The Anglo Saxon name for the site is Eothburg Hlaw. Do people think that this could have a link to the mother goddess Julian Cope talks about as Eoth means earth which may link up to Ur the goddess. It may also be possible that Hlaw(hill) links up with the side of the goddess who is called Hoeur as they may sound similar. Does anybody know anything about this??? xx

TomBo Jul 7, 2004 18:27:15

Replying to AR

That's interesting, AR, I didn't know it used to be called Eothburg, or that Eoth meant Earth. It could point to a goddess connection, or it could simply be that the name means "earthern mound" (a law, as you say, being a hill or a mound). The "burg" bit is interesting - this name, in my experience, is associated with settlements, villages and towns, even cities. I have a vague memory of it meaning "farm" in one of the Gaelic languages. Have a look for Bur in the Modern Antiquarian, though. I'd argue that the "hlaw" isn't a Hoeur name, but instead remembers Llew/Lugh.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/13009

Buck Jul 7, 2004 18:56:32

Replying to AR

Hello - nothing to do with names... but found an article by Roy Loveday on Arbor Low in Prehistoric Ritual and Religion (eds) by Alex Gibson and Derek Simpson.

Also stuff in there on hengiform types, entrances etc...

erm... I think the N.S.G. 2002 argued against the term 'Henge' (RIP?), but can't really remember that far back!

Check Darvill's and Brophy's web sites as they might have some of their most recent papers on henges....

Hope this helps! Buck xxx

daveyravey Jul 8, 2004 16:00:03

Replying to AR

Burl calls it Eordburgh-hlaw, meaning earthwork mound. He also calls it the Stonehenge of the North (how silly). Given its age, it has probably had plenty of names

Dave

AR Jul 9, 2004 21:28:25

Replying to AR

Do any of you know any stories ie Old Wives' tales type things about Arbor Low. Again, the terrible guidebook says there aren't any. x