Hartshead Pike
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Hartshead Pike is a local monument in Tameside, Greater Manchester, England.[1] It overlooks Ashton-under-Lyne, Mossley and Oldham.
Before the arrival of the Romans, the local tribes lit fires here to celebrate the cycle of the seasons; there were many ancient sites close by. It is highly probable that the druids worshipped at Hartshead Pike during the Iron Age, and sacrifices may have been held to appease their gods.
During the Roman occupation the area took on a more mundane role and became a beacon site, the trackways became routes for the Romans to navigate to the Roman road at Limeside. The beacon may have been lit in times of unrest to warn the local garrisons.
Although the name "Hartshead Pike" is generally used to mean the tower, it was originally the name of the hill itself. The pike is not the highest part of the hill, but, at 940 feet (290 m) above sea level, its prominent position[2] has meant that, from early times, it has been the site of a beacon or signalling station.[1] Hartshead Pike may have been the site of a beacon in the late 16th century.[3]
The tower was rebuilt in 1863 by John Eaton to commemorate the marriage of HRH Albert Edward to Princess Alexandra, replacing a building that had been on the site since 1751.[3] An inscription stone reused in the tower states "This Pike Was Rebuilt By Publick Contributions Anno Domini 1751"[3] In the 1930s the tower was open to the public and contained a sweet shop; this closed at the outbreak of the Second World War and the tower entrance was bricked up.
The inscription on the tower reads "Look well at me Before you go And See You nothing at me throw".
[edit] References
- ^ a b Hartshead Pike. Ashton-under-Lyne.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
- ^ From Harthead Pike four ancient counties may be seen: Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Hartshead Pike- Ashton
- ^ a b c Nevell (1996), p. 144.
[edit] Bibliography
- Nevell, Mike (1996). Buildings of Tameside. Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council with the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit. ISBN 1-871324-14-9.
