Olaf Godredson (d. 1153), also known as Olaf I, was King of Mann and the Isles for a reign of approximately forty years. He maintained the Norse kingdom through diplomacy and alliances, and the Chronicle of Man records that he kept peace throughout his long reign. He was succeeded by his son Godred II.
Bronze Age burial mound. The obvious feature is the large burial cist, the cap- and side stones of which are exposed in the roadside hedge. The burial chamber was originally covered by a large circular mound, half of which was cut away for road widening in 1848. The mound would appear to have been about 18m in diameter and 2m high before the roadway was widened and deepened.
The cist measures 1.3 by 0.8m and 0.9m deep, while the capstone has maximum dimensions of 2.1 by 1.3 by 0.3m.
Neolithic chambered tomb. Despite its name, which is an invention of local folklore, the tomb was begun as much as 6,000 years ago, and comprises two separate chambered monuments. It is a rare example of two such tombs built in such close proximity that they have become confused as one. The two tombs were probably constructed several hundred years apart.
The westerly tomb comprises two rectangular chambers built using massive slabs of local stone which may have been collected from several miles around. The original construction involved the chamber nearer the house, but a second, subdivided chamber was later built and a forecourt added at the end furthest to the south-west which took the form of a shallow horseshoe overlooking the nearby gully and the main Laxey valley. Only one tall stone and the stumps of several others survive to indicate how these standing stones held back a cairn of rubble which was built up over the burial chambers. The early part of the structure is comparable with Cotwold tombs, whilst the forecourt is reminiscent of tombs in south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Neolithic chambered tomb. Despite its name, which is an invention of local folklore, the tomb was begun as much as 5,500 years ago, and comprises two separate chambered monuments. It is a rare example of two such tombs built in such close proximity that they have become confused as one. The two tombs were probably constructed several hundred years apart.
The easterly tomb, which faces north-east, consists of a segmented chamber of at least three compartments covered by a trapezoidal-shaped cairn with a deep U-shaped forecourt and a fa?ade of impressive slabs linked by dry-stone walling and two fine portal stones. It is possible that the chamber extended further, but has been cut away by the construction of a road and a house during the 19th century. The portal is now blocked by a stone which may have fallen or been deliberately placed in front. The entire forecourt is also closed off by a line of stones placed between the tips of the horns, but it is not entirely clear if this is a deliberate act of closure during prehistoric times or a more recent structure associated with agricultural activity in the area in modern times.
Neolithic chambered tomb. King Orry's Grave is one of perhaps ten Neolithic chambered tombs that are known on the Island. Despite its name, which is an invention of local folklore, the tomb was begun as much as 5,000 years ago, and comprises two separate chambered monuments. It is a rare example in the British Isles of two such tombs built in such close proximity that they have become confused as one. The two tombs were probably constructed several hundred years apart.
The westerly tomb comprises two rectangular chambers built using massive slabs of local stone which may have been collected from several miles around. The original construction involved the chamber nearer the house, but a second chamber was later built and a forecourt added at the end furthest to the south-west which took the form of a shallow horseshoe overlooking the nearby gully and the main Laxey valley. Only one tall stone and the stumps of several others survive to indicate how these standing stones held back a cairn of rubble which was built up over the burial chambers. The early part of the structure is comparable with Cotwold tombs, whilst the forecourt is reminiscent of tombs in south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The easterly tomb, which faces north-east, consists of a segmented chamber of at least three compartments covered by a trapezoidal-shaped cairn with a deep U-shaped forecourt and a facade of impressive slabs linked by dry-stone walling and two fine portal stones. It is possible that the chamber extended further, but has been cut away by the construction of a road and a house during the 19th century. The portal is now blocked by a stone which may have fallen or been deliberately placed in front. The entire forecourt is also closed off by a line of stones placed between the tips of the horns, but it is not entirely clear if this is a deliberate act of closure during prehistoric times or a more recent structure associated with agricultural activity in the area in modern times.
Godred Crovan sailed to the Isle of Man in 1079. He was Norse-Gaelic, a survivor of Stamford Bridge, and he came by sea.
The Manx people named the Milky Way after him — Raad Mooar Ree Gorree, the Great Road of King Orry, the path his ships followed across the night sky.
On a clear night, go outside and find the Milky Way. You’re looking at the same sky Godred’s sailors navigated by nearly a thousand years ago.
Bring a blanket. Bring a flask of something warm. Bring the story of how a man who lost at Stamford Bridge won a kingdom in the Irish Sea.
It is recorded that Mr Frank Matthews of Glen Moar opened a cist grave on the Peel side of the megalithic tomb known as King Orry's Grave (PRN 0934.00). This grave was said to be 'much smaller in size' than the megalithic tomb, but was found to contain a 'battle-axe, a stirrup and a handful of beads of various colours, shapes and sizes'. The beads and ornaments were preserved in the Jermyn Street Geological Museum, London for some time during the mid-19th century, but now appear to be lost. The 'battle-axe and stirrup' could not be traced even as early as 1868. The finds have been interpreted as representing a Viking burial, possibly of the 9th century.
A burial ground apparently stood 'on the Western edge of the natural plateau on which stands Tynwald Hill, about 193 yards West-South-West of the mound... Here, at a height above sea-level of about 145 foot, lintel graves have been found in ploughing, and from the description given of them by Mr Matthews, and the stones found in them, now lying in the hedge, they appear to have been Christian' but no keeill was found in association with them...'.
A sword fragment from the same vicinity was presented to the Manx Museum in 1937 by Mr T.C. Moore who stated that it was found some years previously by workmen employed in digging gravel.
Plaques on four sides of the memorial obelisk. Side facing Castletown inscription as follows: "Pro Patria / 1914-1918." Below is a list of 71 names. Side facing Derbyhaven: "Pro Patria / 1914-1918." Further list of 65 names, continuing alphabetically. Side facing towards college/airport : "Pro-Patria / 1939-1945." Below is a list of 38 names. Side facing towards the college chapel: "Pro Patria / 1939-1945." Further list of 39 names, continuing alphabetically.
First and Second World Wars.
Constructed from Cornish grey granite with Celtic cross on top and sword with Manx emblem on main column. Names are on bronze tablets. Unveiled on Friday 28 July 1922 by Sir George Beatson, M.D, K.C.B. Dedicated by Right Rev. James Denton Thompson, Bishop of Man. Designed by Ronald F. Dodd of Oxford, son of T.M. Dodd of Castletown. Built by messrs W.H. Avtell and co. of Oxford. (Mona's Herald, 2 August 1922, p.5).
The college consists of a number of buildings surrounded by extensive grounds. The main part is a three storey stone structure dominated by a massive stone tower. Numerous alterations and additions adjoining this nucleus have not always been consistent in either the 'style' or the materials of the original building (e.g. dormers in front elevation roof). However the sheer bulk of the original building provides a certain measure of consistency to the overall character typical of 19th century academic architecture. The Chapel has maintained its original integrity more or less intact although the scale of the large pitched slate roof to low stone walls contrasts with the opposite expression of the main school. To the rear of the main building, and in the annexe to the west, a different character altogether prevails with no underlying architectural acknowledgement of the unity of the complex. No comprehensive analysis of individual features has been made either internally or externally. The building complex and grounds have historic significance. The founding of the school extended the tradition of the Castletown Grammar School as the historic seat of learning on the island. Governor Smelt laid the foundation stone in 1830 and the college was opened by Bishop Ward in 1833. The fire of 1844 destroyed the priceless collection of Manx books and documents acquired from the Grammar School and kept in the college library. The complex including the grounds should be listed as a unit.
This appraisal was undertaken prior to the existence of Registered Building or Conservation Area legislation on the Isle of Man in order to assess whether the complex was worthy of protection. In the event, King William's College was placed on the Protected Buildings Register in 2001 (No. 185): the protected area only includes the main building, the chapel, and the cricket pavilion. the war memorial outside the chapel was subsequently protected (No. 314).
A flax mill was recorded here by P.M.C. Kermode. The remains of header pond were visible in 1978 and the possible site of the mill seen after clearance of Lough Cranstal drain in 1984.
The site of an Iron Age Roundhouse or defended enclosure which has been partially excavated by Peter Gelling. It was concluded that this was a metal-working establishment of 7th-8th century AD, with a second phase of activity dating to the 9th century.
The site of an Iron Age Roundhouse or defended enclosure. It survives as a grass covered earthwork, set in a marshy area. Its siting and general construction is comparable to the earth built Roundhouses of about 200 AD. It consists of an oval raised area which measures 25.0 metres east to west and slightly larger north to south. It is raised approximately 0.7 metres above the surrounding ground surface. It has an outer ditch with an outer bank visible to its north side but this is not apparent in the remaining quarters of the monument. No entrance has been identified.
An area of lazy bed cultivation visited by the RCHME in 1985.
Record History: Site visit RCHME/NAR OS Field Worker DS (99) 07/07/1985 - Desktop update Robinson, Harry A., Dr (99) 30/04/1987 - Desktop update & edit Robinson, Harry A., Dr (99) 21/09/1987
A ditchless, grass-covered, rather irregular mound which resembles a barrow. It is situated on the brow of a hill and has an average diameter of 18.0 metres with a height to the east of 2.0 metres. It is much mutilated on its top and at the sides and the lower slopes have been under the plough. On the top in the north west is a prostrate white quartz block, 0.7 x 0.4 x 0.3 metres. The position is similar to the Viking mound at Knock y Doonee. It may be a Bronze Age barrow or maybe more likely to be a Viking barrow.
