Brokenback
Early-attested site in the Parish of West Rasen
Historical Forms
- brokenbak a1244 MC
- Brokenbak 1337 Cl
- Broken Back 1804 EnclA
- Brokenback Hill 1824 O 1830 Gre
Etymology
BROKENBACK, brokenbak a1244MC , Brokenbak 1337 Cl, Broken Back 1804EnclA , Brokenback Hill 1824 O, 1830 Gre; brokenback is not recorded in NED and MED only gives broke (n )-bak (ked ), adj., in the sense 'hunchbacked'. This p.n. is clearly a compound noun and must represent OE *brocen -bæc from OE brocen 'broken' and bæc 'a back', used topographically of something resembling a back.The mound, now covered with trees and undergrowth, is described by Mr Ian George, Sites and Monuments Record Officer, City and County Museum, as flat-topped, about 26' across at the top, 7' high, with a ditch 15' broad and 3' deep and with a causeway on the west side. Its overall diameter is about 100'. It stands in the midst of medieval ridge and furrow to which it appears to be related. It may be noted that on 1824 O it is marked as a windmill, but there is no visible evidence of this today. The origin of the mound is unknown, though it is clearly artificial and could well be a round barrow.