Willy Howe facts for kids
Willy Howe (sometimes called Willey-Hou) is a very old, large earth mound found in the Yorkshire Wolds area of England. It is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire. This type of mound is also known as a tumulus or a barrow, which means it was built a long, long time ago, possibly as a burial place.
What is Willy Howe?
Willy Howe is a big, round mound of earth. It stands about 7.5 meters (about 25 feet) high, which is like a two-story building! You can find it between the villages of Wold Newton and Burton Fleming, near Thwing.
Digging into the Past
People have dug into Willy Howe several times to see what was inside.
- In 1857, a person named Lord Londesborough explored the mound.
- Later, in 1887, a Reverend Greenwell also dug there.
Even with these digs, they did not find any ancient burials or special items (called grave goods) that might have been buried with someone. However, Reverend Greenwell did find a shallow pit that looked like it could have been a grave.
Because of these old digs, the mound now has a space in its center. Reverend Greenwell's work also created a small ramp of earth on the side. Some people think Willy Howe might have been used as a "Thingstead" long ago. A Thingstead was a special meeting place in medieval times, where people would gather to discuss important issues or make decisions.
Today, Willy Howe is a protected site. It is listed on the National Heritage List for England as a Scheduled Monument. This means it is an important historical place that is kept safe. Its special number is 1008040.
Amazing Old Stories
Willy Howe is famous for its old folk tales! A writer named Thomas Wright wrote about a story from the 12th century, told by William of Newburgh.
The most famous story goes like this: A man was riding his horse home one night, passing by Willy Howe. He was surprised to hear music, laughter, and singing coming from inside the mound! When he got closer, some fairy-folk offered him a cup to drink from. The man was smart and careful. He secretly emptied the drink and then quickly rode away with the cup! The fairy-folk chased him, but he got away.
The story says this cup was very unusual and colorful. It was passed down through history and even ended up with King Henry I and other kings after him.
There are other magical stories about Willy Howe too:
- One tale talks about a chest filled with treasure that no one could move.
- Another story is about a fairy bride who left gold for the human she loved.
These stories show how important and mysterious Willy Howe has been to people for hundreds of years!
