The Cats of Charnwood Forest
LOCATIONS
By Constantine
CHARACTERS
Cademan Woods stands to the north of the village Whitwick.
The woods are home to some of the most wonderful outcrops and views in the area. The area is also home to some amazing history.
Prior to St Bernard Abbey’s foundation, the local church performed the passion play at Calvary Hill. And according to conventional wisdom a path ran to Calvary Hill from the hillock known as Twenty Steps, which sits a few hundred meters to the south east, and is one the most intriguing and magical place. Close by are the remains of a norman Motte and Bailey Castle.
The woods are home to some of the most wonderful outcrops and views in the area. The area is also home to some amazing history.
Prior to St Bernard Abbey’s foundation, the local church performed the passion play at Calvary Hill. And according to conventional wisdom a path ran to Calvary Hill from the hillock known as Twenty Steps, which sits a few hundred meters to the south east, and is one the most intriguing and magical place. Close by are the remains of a norman Motte and Bailey Castle.
Whitwick was recorded in the doomsday book as Witewic in 1086, Twenty years after the norman invasion.
Between the defeat of Harold in 1066 and the Doomsday Book in 1086, William the Conquerer faced a number of rebellions which culminated in an attack on the north of England known as the Harrying of the North.
One such rebellion happened around Nottingham. Witewik Castle would appear to have been created in response to as it is within a days march of Nottingham.
There has been little evidence of a pre-norman occupation in the town and it is known that the rapid creation of motte and bailey Castles by William 1st was in response to these rebellions. It is, therefore, probable that the town grew around the Castle. The Middle-English proves difficult, however. when considering during the period in which the castle was built, the meaning of "Wite" was "Guard" and "Wic" meant dwelling. It would appear that the castle was called a "Guard-house" and the town that sprouted up around it took this name.
Whitwick has also been given the monicker "The town of three Cities". At one point in the midlands particularly a "City" was any collection of buildings. One road in Whitwick is entitled "City of Dan," another is entitled "City of three waters". Where the third city is a matter of conjecture but who knows, Maybe Bailey and Scruff will find out one day
Between the defeat of Harold in 1066 and the Doomsday Book in 1086, William the Conquerer faced a number of rebellions which culminated in an attack on the north of England known as the Harrying of the North.
One such rebellion happened around Nottingham. Witewik Castle would appear to have been created in response to as it is within a days march of Nottingham.
There has been little evidence of a pre-norman occupation in the town and it is known that the rapid creation of motte and bailey Castles by William 1st was in response to these rebellions. It is, therefore, probable that the town grew around the Castle. The Middle-English proves difficult, however. when considering during the period in which the castle was built, the meaning of "Wite" was "Guard" and "Wic" meant dwelling. It would appear that the castle was called a "Guard-house" and the town that sprouted up around it took this name.
Whitwick has also been given the monicker "The town of three Cities". At one point in the midlands particularly a "City" was any collection of buildings. One road in Whitwick is entitled "City of Dan," another is entitled "City of three waters". Where the third city is a matter of conjecture but who knows, Maybe Bailey and Scruff will find out one day
