The Viking Ship?

This unusual mound with trees growing on it in the centre of the field known as Babstocks meadow has generated a large amount of speculation.

Photo by Gary Tacagni

One theory is that the strange shaped mound was at one time used for keeping rabbits, the mound would have provided a home for them, and the field in those days would have been mainly underwater, this would have made the mound an island which would have stopped the rabbits escaping, the rabbits would have provided a valuable food source for the landowner.

Another theory is that in the past the Vikings were thought by some people to have travelled as far as Congleton, Cheshire, U.K. using the river Dane to navigate along. In those days much of Congleton and the surrounding area would have been marsh land and much wetter than it is today. The river Dane would have been much wider and it would have been navigable all the way from the sea to Congleton. The name Babstock is ancient Norwegian for “flooded meadow” and is only one of two places in the area which has an ancient Norwegian name. The story claims that a Viking named Toxy was forced out of Ireland with his men, he sailed across the Irish sea and landed at a place called Toxsteth, which was named after him, Tox was derived from his name and Steth means landing place in ancient Norwegian. Toxy and his men then sailed up the river Mersey in their Viking Longship and then joined the river Weaver and carried on sailing up this destroying many encampments on the way, eventually he reached Congleton by sailing up the river Dane, until he could travel no further as the river becomes smaller and unnavigable past Congleton.

There is no record of Toxy leaving the area, and it is speculated that he was buried with his Longship in the centre of Babstock, hence the unusual boat shaped mound. Also under the topsoil of the mound can be found rocks which appear to have been placed there as if to cover something up, perhaps to conceal the body of Toxy and his Longship?

As to the trees growing on the mound they are a more recent addition and are probably no more than 100-200 years old, and were probably planted there on purpose which is a shame as it would make an archaeological dig more difficult.

Yet another explanation I have heard for this curious mound is that it was used as a mass grave for plague victims, perhaps one day its real purpose will be revealed once and for all!

Photo by Gary Tacagni