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Os grid reference SD.360 482. Hakon's Mound, locally called 'The Mount' is the site of Preesall's war memorial - the cross stands upon the small grassy, well-kept mound with steps leading up to it at the side of Lancaster road (B5270). It stands more or less on the opposite side to St Oswald's church. According to the legend, Hakon or Haakon, an early 10th century Viking chieftain or seafarer was buried inside the mound. He apparently sailed up the river Wyre and set up his settlement just inland from Knott End; the place is now occupied by Hakensall Hall which takes its name from him. From his settlement he laid siege to the area, pillaging and murdering - that is, of course, according to legend, which might be a bit embellished as is often the case.
However, by the 11th century Hakon was gone and his camp or settlement at Hackensall had been abandoned but was later put to use as a defensive site, possibly by the Normans. But why Hakon should be buried under Preesall war memorial we just do not know - maybe the low mound or tumulus looked the right place for the siting of a modern-day Christian cross commemorating the fallen from the two world wars. Or maybe it was a way of saying "We have Christianized this site which "you" Hakon a pagan lie within" or something like that. Today 'The Mount' is a peaceful place to come and pay your respects to the war dead.
Just a foot note here with regard to Hackensall Hall at Knott End which is located about three-quarters of a mile north-west of Pressall. A hoard of 500 Roman coins called 'The Hackensall Hoard' was found close to the hall, and out on Pressall Moss, close to Pilling, an ancient dug-out canoe was found. We know that Pressall and nearby Pilling have been occupied by Neolithic, Bronze-Age, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman peoples - so quite a vast span of history in one small area. As for Hakon, only his name remains in Hackensall Road which leads upto Hackensall Hall at Knott End.
Hakon's Mound (The Mount) at Preesall near Knott End, west Lancashire.
However, by the 11th century Hakon was gone and his camp or settlement at Hackensall had been abandoned but was later put to use as a defensive site, possibly by the Normans. But why Hakon should be buried under Preesall war memorial we just do not know - maybe the low mound or tumulus looked the right place for the siting of a modern-day Christian cross commemorating the fallen from the two world wars. Or maybe it was a way of saying "We have Christianized this site which "you" Hakon a pagan lie within" or something like that. Today 'The Mount' is a peaceful place to come and pay your respects to the war dead.
Just a foot note here with regard to Hackensall Hall at Knott End which is located about three-quarters of a mile north-west of Pressall. A hoard of 500 Roman coins called 'The Hackensall Hoard' was found close to the hall, and out on Pressall Moss, close to Pilling, an ancient dug-out canoe was found. We know that Pressall and nearby Pilling have been occupied by Neolithic, Bronze-Age, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman peoples - so quite a vast span of history in one small area. As for Hakon, only his name remains in Hackensall Road which leads upto Hackensall Hall at Knott End.
Hakon's Mound (The Mount) at Preesall near Knott End, west Lancashire.
Last edited by Sunbright57 on Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:18 am; edited 1 time in total
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