Warren Prideaux Castle

1 warren

1.1 war ring
1.2 question of rabbits
1.3 prideaux warren

warren

prideaux castle has been known prideaux warren. in popular imagination, has found 2 explanations.

war ring

metanalysis or, folk etymology, of name prideaux warren has yielded prideaux war-ring , based on apparently defensive purpose of concentric ramparts, undoubtedly surmounted palisade during fort s heyday. there no ordinary precedent usage war ring.

the question of rabbits

coney s castle hillfort in dorset grid reference sy372975 hardly more unequivocal identity rabbitry. however, identification fanciful or whimsical. pilsdon pen, large hillfort contains remains of described (typical) rectilinear mediaeval domestic warren.

because of french spelling of name prideaux, presumed connection conqueror, , because cuniculture believed norman innovation britain, prideaux warren has been been associated domestic warren. there no evidence, however, of of typical structures associated type of animal husbandry.

this use has not been proven; topology of general area suggests may have been involved in fact free warren of prideaux (below).

prideaux warren

adjacent fort 2 extents of forest, 1 named prideaux woods, other warren woods. after centuries of deforestation these join forest, north slope woods, covering south side of luxulyan valley.

the maps , satellite views show crescent of woods surrounding fort on north, east, , south. of forestation has been backfilled during recent periods; other parts known ancient.

prideaux wood (sx0655) near st blazey site of disused quarry. around quarter of woodland of ancient origin; remainder being coniferous , planted in 1960s. conifers gradually being removed, care being taken not disturb numerous greater horseshoe bat colonies roost here.

at time of semi-legendary paganus, have coincided heyday of norman afforestation, fort have been centered on wooded area of perhaps 6 square kilometers. enough area support beasts of free warren, or of chase.

nearby hillfort castle dore has been dated 3rd or 2nd century bc, , abandoned during roman occupation, reoccupied hunting lodge in pre-saxon period.

the remains of large (27 m 12 m) wooden structure found during excavation @ fort. interpreted having been hunting lodge. if prideaux free warren, lodge have been useful. however, no remains in evidence.

paganus, lord of prideaux understood referring franchisee, or officer, of prideaux (free) warren.