Today’s Treasures – Old Oswestry Hill Fort
Old Oswestry is one of Britain’s most impressive Iron Age hillforts, a unique ancient monument of national importance and a valuable ecological habitat.
From around 800 BC until the Roman invasion in 43 AD it was an important stronghold where people lived, worked and traded. In the early 9th century, it became part of the route of Wat’s Dyke, a 60 km bank and ditch, similar to Offa’s Dyke which divided the Anglo Saxon kingdom of Mercia from the Welsh kingdoms to the west. Wat’s Dyke stretches approximately 40 miles from Basingwerk Abbey to Maesbury incorporating the hillfort in its length.
It is traditionally believed that the Battle of Maserfield was fought near here in AD 642 when the Pagan Kings – Penda, Eowa and Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon along with Prince Cynddylan ap Cyndrwyn beat the invading Christians under King Oswald of Northumbria. Oswald was killed in the battle and later became venerated as a saint. His body was dismembered, and legend tells of a raven carrying an arm to an ash tree – Oswald’s Tree – attributed with miracles – and a spring called Oswald’s well where the arm fell from the tree – the springwater is believed to have healing properties.
The Normans built Oswestry Castle and founded the town on the lowlands to the south of the hillfort. The Welsh name Croesoswallt means ‘Oswald’s Cross’ but the Middle English name Oswaldestroe translates as ‘Oswald’s Tree’.
It is a mythical place, known in Welsh as Caer Ogyrfan, meaning ‘City of Gogyrfan’, referring to the father of Guinevere in Arthurian legend – it is said to have been the birthplace of Queen Guinevere – Gwenhwyfar in Welsh Literature – and Prince Cynddylan is said to be the last descendant of King Arthur to reign in the Welsh Marches.
The imposing ancient hill fort dominates the skyline on the fringe of the market town of Oswestry and the summit gives panoramic views across North and Mid Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire.
Published in the September edition of the Whitchurch Gossip