Historic site in Burghwallis, South Yorkshire
| Robin Hood's Well | |
|---|---|
 Robin Hood's Well, picture taken from rear to show dual carriageway in background | |
| Location | Burghwallis, South Yorkshire |
| Coordinates | 53°35′59.1″N 01°13′01.7″W / 53.599750°N 1.217139°W / 53.599750; -1.217139 |
| Built | 1710 |
| Architect | Sir John Vanbrugh |
| Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Robin Hood's Well |
| Designated | 5 June 1968 |
| Reference no. | 1314882 |
  Location of Robin Hood's Well in South Yorkshire | |
Robin Hood's Well is a historic structure beside the A1 road near Burghwallis, South Yorkshire, England. It was originally built in 1710 as a well house over a spring alongside the old Great North Road, but the structure was moved to its present location alongside the Doncaster By-Pass in what is known as Barnsdale (sometimes Barnsdale Forest).
Description
Robin Hood's Well is an ornamental well cover that was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1710 for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle. The stone that makes up the well cover is finely cut, ashlar Magnesian Limestone. Three of its sides are made up of arched entrances with pendant keystones. Originally the well was built as a stepwell sourced from a spring alongside a park wall, with the spring lying at the base of some steps under the structure. The spring was buried in 1960 during the construction of the Doncaster By-Pass and the well was relocated away from its original location, being placed alongside the highway on a concrete foundation. After its relocation the structure was rehabilitated in 1993 with a stainless-steel frame to ensure its prolonged survival.
History
The ballad "Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar" gives the figure of Robin Hood a connection to fountains, which may account for the original naming of the spring where the well was established. The well itself was given the name "Robin Hood's Well" by Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, who had the well named after the figure in an attempt to solidify the area's identity as the home of the legends.
The spring associated with the well was first recorded in 1622 by the antiquarian, Roger Dodsworth, and a little later in "Barnaby's Journal" by Richard Braithwaite. It was said to have restorative powers and was exploited as such by local hostelries. It is also mentioned in a contemporary play, "The Sad Shepherd: or a Tale of Robin Hood", by Ben Jonson.
When in its original location, according to letters by Roger Gale in John Nichols topographical book of Britain, recorded that there was an epigram in Latin that read:
- "nympha fui quondam latronibus hospita sylvae. Heu nimium sociis nota, Robine, tuis. Me pudet innocuous latices fudisse scelestis, iamque viatore poculo tuta fero, en pietatis honos! Comes hanc nihi Carliolensis Aedam sacravit qua bibis, hospes, aquas."
and translates as:
- "I was once a nymph, the host of robbers in the forest. Alas, too well known to your companions, Robin. I am ashamed to have spilled the innocuous laces of criminals, and now I will carry the traveler's cup safe, in the honors of piety! The count of Carlisle consecrated this house where you a guest eat, drink, and water."
The site next to the Great North Road was shown on the maps for the journey from London to in tourist guide, British High Roads (arranged for the use of tourists). And also featured on the maps in the book, "An actual survey of the Great Post Roads between London and Edinburgh", by the geographer Mostyn John Armstrong.
The stone structure known today as Robin Hood's Well was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1710. It was erected to the east of the Great North Road. Barnsdale Forest had been associated with the legend of Robin Hood for centuries at the time of its construction, so Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle had the well named after the figure in an attempt to solidify the area's identity as the home of the myths. The well house was moved from its original location during the construction of the Doncaster By-Pass in 1960. Hence it is no longer a real well, and now rests upon a solid concrete base. After its relocation it was listed as a Grade II building on 5 June 1968, affording it protections due to its historic value.
Other Robin Hood Wells
There are anumber of other wells named after the legendary figure. They are located at:
- Helmshore, near Bury
- St Ann, Nottingham
- Fountains Abbey, Ripon
- Stanbury Moor, West Yorkshire
See also
References
- ^ Historic England (2020). "Robin Hood's Well (1314882)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- "Robin Hood's Well and Barnsdale Summer House, Burghwallis, South Yorkshire". The Folly Flâneuse. 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ "History of Doncaster's '˜Robin Hood's Well'". Doncaster Free Press. 15 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- Basford, Kathleen H. (1968). "The Foliate Head". Folklore. 79 (1). JSTOR 125929. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- "Robin Hood's Well – University of Edinburgh blog by Anna Groundwater". Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- Greg, W. W., ed. (1905). Ben Jonson's Sad Shepherd with Waldron's continuation. London: David Nutt. p. n84, stanza 560.
- Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica: Antiquities in Yorkshire; being the second volume of the Bibliotheca topographica Britannica, Volume 2. J.Nichols. 1790. p. 427.
- British High Roads (arranged for the use of tourists) Part I North and North Eastern Routes. 8 Catherine St, Strand, London: Tinsley Brothers. 1877. p. Map 10.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - Armstrong, Mostyn John (1776). An actual survey of the Great Post Roads between London and Edinburgh. London: Mostyn Armstrong. p. Plate 14.
- "Robin Hood's Well, Helmshore near Bury". Lancashire Past – Lancashire History Website and Blog. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- Taylor, Henry. Noble, A. J. (ed.). The Ancient Crosses and Holy Wells of Lancashire, Revised Version, Volume IV Salford Hundred. Wigan: North West Catholic History Society.
- "International Robin Hood Bibliography". Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- Stevenson, W. H.; Raine, James, transl.; Baker, W. T. Guilford, E. L., Gray, Duncan, Walker, V. W. (ed.). Records of the Borough of Nottingham, Being a Series of Extracts from the Archives of the Corporation of Nottingham (London; Nottingham, 1882–1956).
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Historic England. "Robin Hood's Well, Fountaions Lane (Grade II) (1149812)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- Speight, Harry (1891). Through Airedale from Goole to Malham. Leeds: Walker & Laycock. p. 189.
- Sutcliffe, Halliwell (1899). By Moor and Fell in West Yorkshire. London: T. Fisher Unwin.