A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
November 26, 2024
Walkhampton Commons & Dartmoor Forest Markers erected to correct the boundary between Eylesbarrow and Great Mis Tor from 1867
The bounds of Dartmoor Forest as first perambulated in 1240, then in 1608 stated the confirmed boundary between Eylesbarrow Hill, South Hessary Tor, North Hessary Tor and Great Mis Tor were a series of straight lines between the locations. However, sometime at the turn of the 18th century (according to evidence given in 1702), one of these straight lines made a deviation from North Hessary Tor to near Rundlestone Corner then onwards to Great Mis Tor. This was to the benefit of Walkhampton and was not corrected until 1867. Interestingly, 15 years prior to the 1867 correction, in 1852, the Duchy were leasing the slither of land between the correct boundary and the erroneous boundary, and the correction in 1867 was the Duchy merely reclaiming what was theirs.
Additionally to this, in the early part of the 19th century, there was a map published in 1818, which was incorporated in a prospectus by Sir Thomas Tyrwitt, which extolled the virtues of having a railway to Princetown. On the map, it appears that the Duchy had claimed erroneously the line of the Forest Bounds from South Hessary Tor to ‘Rendlestone’, not through North Hessary Tor but to the north and west via the small outcrop which has the inscribed rock. It is possible this Duchy breach was also not corrected until 1867.
A probable key date in the timeline for correcting the Walkhampton then Duchy incursions, appears to have been on 24th November 1853, when Amos Shillabeer was paid £6 for “tracing and marking out the line of the boundary between Walkhampton Commons and Dartmoor Forest between Aylesborough (Eylesborough) and Great Mistor”.
In 1867, the manor of Walkhampton was under the ownership of Sir Massey Lopes. The dispute with the Duchy regarding the Forest bounds was finally solved and a deed of agreement was dated 10th August 1867 confirmed the agreed boundary. The agreement (taken from Dave Brewer’s Dartmoor Boundary Markers – second edition 2002) read : “From Deadlake Foot in a straight line to the summit of Great Mis Tor to be marked by an iron cross; thence in a straight line to North Hessary Tor (iron cross); thence similarly to South Hessary Tor (iron cross); thence similarly to Nun’s Cross; thence similarly to Eylesborough (iron cross)”. There are two Iron Crosses which can still be found (one a 2015 replacement and one a replacement from circa 2006/7) and have variously been known a Iron Spikes, Cobra’s or Excalibur. The boundary correction on or before 1867 was also reflected by the Duchy erecting a series of plain boundstones.
This post covers all the markers (known to the author) between Eylesbarrow and Great Mis Tor, which mark the Walkhampton / Forest Boundary. For consistency with nomenclature, the author has used the same labelling as found on Dartefacts.
Bibliography
Dave Brewer (2002) – Dartmoor Boundary Markers (2nd Edition)
Masson Phillips, E. N., 1937, The Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon: Part I, 309
Sketch map showing the locations of 27 boundary markers (annotated BS0 through BS26) ranging from granite posts, to ancient crosses through to Iron Spike’s (affectionally known as ‘Cobra’s’ or even ‘Excalibur’). Most of these were erected circa 1867. There is also a fallen BS (or gatepost)Annotated map from late 19th Century showing Eylesbarrow – Iron Spike – BS0), locations of BS 1 and BS 2 plus Siwards Cross – BS 3The first of four iron spikes on the boundary, affectionally known as “Cobra’s” or even “Excalibur”. This picture at Eylesbarrow was taken around 0630 on Sunday 15th July 1990, when the author was completing the 750th anniversary ‘Perambulation’ walk over that weekend. The author started at Belstone at 0900 on the Saturday, camped at Erme Pits and returned to Belstone around 1600 on the SundayIn February 2015 this replica ‘Cobra’ was made at the Princetown forge and was instated at Eylesbarrow on 25th March 2015, the cost was borne by the Duchy of Cornwall and the Dartmoor National Park Authority. The “Cobra” original had became loose, then was vandalised (in 2014) before being replaced. Inscription ‘WB’ on one side of the ‘Cobra’ indicating Walkhampton BoundsInscription ‘FB’ on one side of the ‘Cobra’ indicating Forest Bounds. Note the date also, 1867The date of the replacement ‘Cobra’ is inscribed on its shaftThe Iron Spike has survived well in the last 9 years (2015-2024)On the granite block, which has the Iron Spike there is an inscription ‘JM 2015’. The JM is for Jane Marchand, who for a remarkable 25 years worked as an archaeologist for the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), contributing significantly to the preservation and understanding of Dartmoor’s rich heritage. In the final five years leading up to her retirement (in 2015), Jane held the esteemed position of Senior Archaeologist within the DNPA. Information taken from Dartmoor Preservation Association website.The Walkhampton Commons / Forest of Dartmoor, boundary marker annotated BS 1 with a PCWW1917 stone behindBoundary Stone 1 (BS 1) looking north BS 1 is located at SX60123 69012The Walkhampton Commons / Forest of Dartmoor, boundary marker annotated BS 2 with a PCWW1917 stone behindBoundary Stone 2 (BS 2) looking north BS 2 is located at SX 60267 69391Nuns Cross Farm from near BS2Siwards Cross (crucem Syward) is also known as Nun’s Cross. This cross has been repaired (being broken in 1846,) and strengthened with iron rods which are still visible. It now stands 2.2 metres high. It is inscribed with ‘Bocland’ (thought to be ‘Buckland’) on the western face, which given the light in the picture is clearly shown up.Siwards Cross looking north. ‘Siward’ is inscribed on the eastern face. Masson-Phillips suggests this inscription “….appears to be later lettering as though it had been added after the cross had borne this name in order to perpetuate it”.Close up of the SIWARD inscription. Masson-Phillips records that: “The cross was standing in the year 1241. It marks the boundary between the Forest of Dartmoor and the manor of Walkhampton…….. It is associated with Seward, Earl of Northumbria who held the neighbouring manors of Tavy and Warme in the reign of Edward the Confessor. It is a granite boundary cross between the property of Buckland Abbey and the Forest of Dartmoor belonging to the crown in the 12th century, and was mentioned in the Perambulation of Dartmoor in 1240 as a boundary, and again in the Abbey foundation charter of 1280”. Close up of the inscription ‘BOC / LOND’A festive wreath adorning Siwards Cross from Christmas 2023Annotated map from late 19th Century showing locations of BS 4, BS 5 and BS 6Nun’s Cross Farm from the northThe Walkhampton Commons / Forest of Dartmoor, boundary marker annotated BS 4 with PCWW1917 stone behindBoundary Stone BS 4 looking north westBS 4 is located at SX60416 70141The Walkhampton Commons / Forest of Dartmoor, boundary marker annotated BS 5 on mapBoundary Stone BS 5 on the west side of the trackBoundary Stone BS 5 is located at SX60261 70631This fallen stone is located between BS5 and BS6. Nothing appears at this location on 19th century maps, so this might be just a gatepost. The location is rather strange as there are no obvious places here where it could have been used. As BS 7 is missing, it would be great if this could be placed where BS 7 was originally located !The fallen stone is located at SX60116 71079The Walkhampton Commons / Forest of Dartmoor, boundary marker annotated as BS 6, is located at SX59992 71445BS 6 is located to the east of the wall, which runs alongside the trackPCWW1917 stone in relation to BS 6Annotated map from late 19th Century showing locations of BS 7 (now missing), BS 8 and South Hessary (BS 9 – Iron Spike)Benchmark ref B.M. 1426.3, is on west side at SX59819 71960. The reason for adding this is that it is inscribed approx. 20m from where BS 7 would have been locatedThe benchmark, where behind the wall BS 7 would have been locatedApprox location where BS 7 would have been located – Location would have been at around SX59836 71967 according the 19th century mapsThe Walkhampton Commons / Forest of Dartmoor, boundary marker annotated as BS 8, is located at SX59744 72250BS 8 is located near South Hessary TorSouth Hessary Tor – also known as South Hisworthy Tor, Little Hisworthie, Histworthy Tor, Lookout Tor, Look Out Tor, Look-Out Tor, Tor Royal (ref: Tors of Dartmoor website). This is annotated BS 9 on the sketch map in this post – like Eylesbarrow the original Iron Spike (Marker) from the 1867 boundary agreement between the Duchy and Sir Massey Lopes (manor of Walkhampton) has been lost, to be replaced by a new one.During the summer of 2006, vandals broke off this ‘Cobra’. The base of the original is shown in this picture View from the South Hessary ‘Cobra’ looking north towards Princetown and North HessaryClose up of the South Hessary ‘Cobra’Evidence where BS10 and BS11 were located, which are now where PCWW 1917 inscribed uprights are located.This PCWW 1917 inscribed upright represents the water catchment area around Burrator. After the construction of the Burrator Reservoir (from 1893-1898), Plymouth Corporation Water Works (PCWW) placed numerous markers on south west Dartmoor. Farms within the water catchment area were purchased and cleared after 1916. This stone is at the location where is is probable an original 19th century stone marking the Walkhampton / Forest Boundary once stood (BS 10). It is located at SX59578 72501This PCWW 1917 upright is at the location where it is probable an original 19th century stone marking the Walkhampton / Forest Boundary once stood (BS 11). It is located at SX59183 72903Evidence where BS12 and BS13 were located, which are now where PCWW 1917 inscribed uprights are located. Also, location of BS 14, which is now in the property boundary of No 5 Station Road (the old Station Masters House)This PCWW 1917 upright is at the location where it is probable an original 19th century stone marking the Walkhampton / Forest Boundary once stood (BS 12). It is located at SX59000 73086On the western boundary of Princetown, this PCWW 1917 upright is at the location where it is probable an original 19th century stone marking the Walkhampton / Forest Boundary once stood (BS 13). It is located at SX58785 73304. The upright is unusual, insofar as the ‘PC’ and ‘WW’ appear on two lines, one above the other. All other stones in the series ‘PCWW’ is on the same horizontal lineThis Walkhampton / Duchy ‘WD’ bound stone (BS14) photograph taken as a garage was being built. Picture courtesy of Dartmoor Chris. Note the amount of stone below the surface level of the land here ! This bound stone (BS 14) is located at SX58631 73452, and can be seen on 19th century maps from National Library of Scotland.The bound stone (BS 14) lies on the boundary of Walkhampton parish and the Duchy (forest) boundary. If ‘W’ and ‘D’ are inscribed on this stone they are not very discernible. Note: Please note this stone is on private ground and the author saw the owners of the property (as they were on their way out) and explained what he was trying to photograph as this bound stone lies within the boundary of their propertyEvidence where BS 15 and plain ‘Stone’ as marked on late 19th century mapThis boundary stone (BS 15), is simply inscribed with a ‘Broad Arrow’, indicating Government property. It can be found at SX58355 73726This boundary stone is marked simply as ‘Stone’ 19th century map. It can be found at SX58357 73728 near to BS15North Hessary Tor – also known as Hessary Tor, Hisworthie Tor, Ysfother, Hisworthy Tor, North Hisworthy Tor, Efforther (ref: Tors of Dartmoor website). This is annotated BS 16 on the sketch map in this post and like Eylesbarrow and South Hessary once had a Iron Spike (Marker) from the 1867 boundary agreement between the Duchy and Sir Massey Lopes (manor of Walkhampton). Sadly, the Iron Spike has long gone but has been replaced.On top of North Hessary Tor where the Iron Spike once stood. Between 1935 – 1962, Triangulation pillars were established which not only assisted with surveying heights but also assisted with improved accuracy of locations. Many of these pillars, use ‘flush brackets’ which had been used since 1912. The ‘flush bracket’ on the North Hessary Tor triangulation pillar is numbered OS BSM 3442.On the west side of the tor, there is an inscription “PCWW 1917” which stands for Plymouth Corporation Water Works. It is the only one in the series which is inscribed onto a rock and not part of a granite boundary post or cast iron marker. More information can be found here: https://dartmoorexplorations.co.uk/plymouth-corporation-water-works-pcww-granite-boundary-posts-and-cast-iron-markers/Annotated map from late 19th Century showing Rundlestone (Rendlestone) and locations of BS 17, BS 18 and BS 19BS 17 is in an unusual location (as a 1850 DCP marker) as it is not on the original prison boundary (which went through Herne Holne Tor or Little Torr). It is too far west for the DCP boundary but is exactly on the Forest of Dartmoor boundary. Is it possible that this stone was originally placed elsewhere on the prison boundary, circa 1850, then moved in 1867 when the duchy reclaimed part of their boundary in the same year the new DCP’s were erected. Thus, was it once a old DCP stone and became a Forest of Dartmoor BS ? Or did the prison authority incorrectly mark a forest boundary stone which was already extant ?BS 17 is located at SX57732 74448. It has a broad arrow (Government Property) suggesting it was once a DCP (Director Convict Prisons) boundary markerDuring the late 18th and early 19th centuries the Duchy was in conflict with a number of parishes including Gidleigh, Throwleigh and Walkhampton. Regarding the latter, there appears to be some ‘physical’ evidence of this, insofar as there is an inscribed outcrop to the north and west of North Hessary Tor, marked with the letters “TOR”, which is preceded by and indecipherable ‘cartouche’. This annotated Tithe Map, by drawing a straight line (red) along the shaded part of what looks like a boundary and beyond a ‘kink’ in the wall leads straight to the outcrop with the inscription “……..TOR”. This conflict was circa 1818. More details can be found here: Possible Duchy incursions into Walkhampton Parish near North Hessary Tor – Dartmoor ExplorationsClose up of an inscription on a small outcrop. The Letters “TOR” are very discernible. The cartouche to the left of “TOR” was speculated at reading ‘N. Hisworthy’ or ‘N. Hessary’ by Dave Brewer. If this is the case, was this done by the hand of a Duchy official as a proclamation that the Forest Boundary ran to ‘N. Hisworthy Tor’ and this was that tor ! Others have speculated that it might read ‘Peter Hill’ or ‘Dewer Hill’. (ref: Dartefacts). That said, as stated by Brewer the inscription has been professionally chiselled away, thus making it almost indecipherable (even when filled with snow and ice). The location is SX57460 74250The 18th century erroneous boundary seems to be due to naming an intermediate reference point ‘Rundlestone’ between North Hessary and Great Mis Tor in 1702. Of course, there is a tor which is named Rundlestone but in the 18th century there was also a large granite pillar called the ‘Rundle Stone’ (sometimes referred to as “A Great Stone called Roundle” – Ogilvy’s maps of Devon). Rundlestone Tor lies on the direct line between North Hessary and Great Mis Tor, but the ‘Rundle Stone’ was located near to Rundlestone Corner, where the (relative) modern telephone box is located. So, it appears that the ‘Rundle Stone’ was incorrectly used as an intermediate marker. More details can be found here: Erroneous Dartmoor Forest Boundary change in 18th Century at Rundlestone – Dartmoor ExplorationsDave Brewer in his publication (page 36), re-sketched a map from the Ordnance Survey Boundary ‘remark book’ from 1881. Above is the authors adapted effort on the same sketch which helps to explain the reason why the erroneous boundary was made. The Rundle Stone (or “A Great Stone called Roundle”), which appears to be at the centre of the confusion has been recorded or written about by notable Dartmoor Authors such as: R. Hansford Worth, Mrs Bray, John Lloyd and William Crossing. The Rundle Stone was said to have been inscribed with an “R” and was 7ft (2.13m) tall and 4ft (1.22m) around. With a granite pillar of such dimensions, it is easy to seen why it may have been incorrectly used as an intermediate boundary marker. The original OS sketch from 1881, as recorded by Dave Brewer, unlike the above version, did not show the Rundle Stone, so it is speculated that the stone disappeared sometime before that date.BS 18 at Rundlestone Tor. Located at SX57635 74618Next to a stile which leads into the Rundlestone enclosures and for any perambulator to follow the true Dartmoor Forest Boundary is one of the 1867 boundary markers (BS 19) which measures 1.3m high, 0.35m wide and 0.3m thick.Annotated map from late 19th Century showing Mount View (Mis Tor Lane) and locations of BS 20, BS 21 and BS 22Crossing the B3357 and heading up Mis Tor Lane the next 1867 boundary marker (BS 20) can be found. It is behind a wire fence, so the picture has been taken through a gap. It is located at SX57286 75189Further up Mis Tor Lane the next 1867 boundary marker (BS 21) can be found. It is to the east of the main track near a right angle of two drystone walls. It is located at SX57213 75315As Mis Tor Lane enters open moorland, the next 1867 boundary marker (BS 22) can be found. The marker stone can be found at SX56917 75807Annotated map from late 19th Century showing Great Mis Tor – Iron Spike – BS26) and locations of BS 23, BS 24 and BS 25Just outside the New Forest Newake there is another 1867 Forest boundary marker (BS 23). This boundary marker is located at SX56661 76237New Forest Corner recumbent boundary marker (BS 24) at SX56565 76417The final granite post 1867 Forest Boundary marker (BS 25) can be found just below Great Mis Tor. It can be found at SX56343 76784It is likely that to old Great Mis Tor “cobra” (BS 26 on sketch map) is where the military have erected a flag pole. The picture shows sheep sheltering from a bitter easterly wind in March 2018.Mis Tor basin or Devil’s Frying Pan. The Forest / Walkhampton boundary continues down the hill to Dead Lake Foot. Dead Lake can be seen in the photograph
