King's Standing Bowl Barrow facts for kids
The barrow in February 2005, looking North
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| Alternative name | Kingstanding Mound |
|---|---|
| Location | Kingstanding, Birmingham, England |
| Type | Bowl barrow |
| Site notes | |
| Management | Birmingham City Council |
| Public access | Yes |
| Designated | 9 October 1981 |
The King's Standing Bowl Barrow, also called the Kingstanding Mound, is a very old and important place in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham, England. It's a special type of ancient burial mound, shaped like a bowl. This mound was built a super long time ago, during the late Neolithic (New Stone Age) and late Bronze Age. It sits right next to an old Roman road called Icknield Street, just south of Sutton Park.
This mound is famous because it's believed that King Charles I stood here on October 18, 1642. He was checking on his soldiers during the English Civil War. This important event is how both the mound and the area around it got their names.
What is the King's Standing Bowl Barrow?
The King's Standing Bowl Barrow is a scheduled monument. This means it's a really important historical site that is protected by law. It's a type of ancient burial mound. These mounds were built by people long ago to bury their dead.
A Look Back in Time
The King's Standing Bowl Barrow dates back to two very old periods:
- The late Neolithic period: This was the end of the Stone Age, when people started farming.
- The late Bronze Age: This was when people began using bronze to make tools and weapons.
The mound is made up of earth and other materials. It holds the remains of ancient burials and gives us clues about how people lived thousands of years ago. It's located near an old Roman road called Icknield Street.
How the Mound Got its Name
The name "King's Standing" comes from a famous story linked to the English Civil War. This war was fought in England between 1642 and 1651. It was a big conflict between those who supported King Charles I and those who supported Parliament.
The story says that King Charles I himself stood on this mound on October 18, 1642. He was there to review his troops before a battle. Because the King "stood" there, the mound and the whole area became known as Kingstanding.
