Scheduled MonumentsEnglandDouthwaite pillow mounds

Douthwaite pillow mounds

England
List entry 1016024
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Douthwaite pillow mounds is a scheduled ancient monument comprising a series of earthen mounds located in Yorkshire, England. These features are characteristic of medieval and early post-medieval rabbit warrens, a form of managed landscape associated with the period from approximately the 13th century onwards, when rabbits were kept in enclosed spaces as a valuable source of meat and fur for elite landowners. The pillow mounds themselves are distinctive oblong or rounded earthworks, typically between 3 and 7 metres long and 1 to 2 metres high, constructed to provide dry conditions and burrow systems for the kept rabbit population. The site represents an important example of the specialist land management practices that accompanied the medieval and early modern economy, and such monuments retain considerable archaeological interest for understanding medieval subsistence patterns and the exploitation of animal resources.

Douthwaite pillow mounds is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1016024. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Douthwaite pillow mounds?

Douthwaite pillow mounds is a scheduled ancient monument comprising a series of earthen mounds located in Yorkshire, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1016024.

Who is responsible for protecting Douthwaite pillow mounds?

Douthwaite pillow mounds is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1016024.

What other scheduled monuments are near Douthwaite pillow mounds?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Neville Castle, 430m north west of the parish church (3.6 km), Moated site known as Vivers Hill Castle, 300m north east of the parish church (3.7 km), Starfits round barrow, 450m north east of Starfits House (3.9 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Douthwaite pillow mounds