Friar Tuck's Well, Fountaindale, Lynhurst.

Lyndhurst, near Blidworth, was established as a Holy place long before the days of Robin Hood. Originally the site of a Pagan Shrine, the Fountaindale moat was formed in order to protect its holy relics. Those relics were moved from the shrine by a loyal priest and buried nearby to safeguard them from invading Vikings. They've never been found since. During later Christian times a similar small chapel or shrine was maintained here by Friar Tuck, no doubt attached to nearby Newstead Abbey.

Will Scarlet alerted Robin Hood to Friar Tuck's prowess with a sword. Robin, feeling he must enlist such an accomplished fighter into his band of outlaws, was so wary of the Friar he even wore armour before making the trip to Lynhurst to find him. The story of their meeting, carrying each other back and forth over the moat, became one of the most popular stories associated with the legend. A Well on the Eastern edge of the moat became known as Friar Tuck's Well. By Victorian times this had become a stone and iron work structure, and popular for the "healing waters" it was said to contain. Sadly, what little remains of Friar Tuck's Well today is regarded as being on Private Property. But if one visits the site in Spring, before the unkempt greenwood obscures everything from view, traces of it may still be viewed from a respecful distance.

Note: End photograph is copyright Andy "Holywell" of The Megalithic Portal, and I am grateful for his kind permission to use this.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Robin Hood
• Sheriff of Nottingham
• Nottinghamshire
• Sherwood Forest
• Harlow Wood
• Thieves Wood

[noahwayne]

Enjoyed watching your latest videos today....I couldn't find Lynhurst or Lyndhurst but did find Lindhurst near Blidworth using google earth. It would be great if the locations you visit could be pinpointed on a map for enthusiasts to visit. The vids are great and are a very enjoyable watch.