By Peter Hanlon
IF WE look at the rolling hills of Saddleworth, we can appreciate it is a special environment – but just how did it come about? Where do the names come from?
Some 300 million years ago, Saddleworth was part of a river delta. Sediments formed sandstone that we know as those jagged peaks of millstone grit such as over Dovestone reservoir.
Most of this stone was eventually covered in trees such as oak, birch and pine, which were then cut down leaving the bleak moorland of saturated peat that exits today.
In prehistoric times, animals migrated from Scotland through the pass and hunters lay in wait for them in such places as Pule hill on the way to Marsden, where Stone Age tools have been found in caves.
At the time of the Romans, the main tribe in this area were the Brigantes, the ‘high’ people or those who worshipped Celtic goddess, of fertility, Bridget. This Celtic tribe ruled all the way to the Midlands and most of Yorkshire.
They are linked to a stone head worshipping cult (some such carvings can be found in Glossop) and were often allies of Rome. They were described by the Romans as one of the most militant tribes in Britain. A Roman cohort was said to be attacked and killed on the moor and some walkers have reported their ghostly images.
There is a view the Brigantes may have had some kind of protected camp which was taken over and improved by the Romans at Castleshaw. The Romans had this wooden and turf fort which for a time was garrisoned by Hispanic legionnaires who came form what is now Northern Portugal.
Some say Castleshaw is Rigodunum that Ptolemy identified on the Road between York and Chester but there is no direct evidence of this.
After the Romans left, there came Saxon then Viking invaders, who used to pass through on their way to battle (such as battle of Chester 660) or settle in the area.
If we fast-forward to the early 1800s ‘Baines directory of York’ reports Saddleworth as ‘a bleak region made up of 4 Meres, Quick, Lords, Shaw and Friar Mere’. Quick road still exists, as does Friar Mere, which led to the Black Friary that was established in Delph.
The directory lists the name ‘Saddleworth’ as possibly linked to the shape of the rolling hills. Others suggest a village settlement, long past ruin, that was situated near the Church Pub in Uppermill.
So we live here today, with our tribal, Celtic, and, possibly Hispanic heritage. The Moors and hills cradle us and despite modern intrusions, define the area in which we live.
