Approximate Location:
OS Grid Reference: SJ 84139 73943
Latitude: 53°15′44″N 002°14′21″W
Identified as a possible prehistoric burial mound which sits on top of a natural knoll, Sodger’s Hump is also known locally as Soldier’s Tump. The latter name may be in response to the antiquarian discovery of a “brass weapon of war” according to the Victoria County History.
In Weirdstone, Chapter 17 – Mara, the fugitives spotted a figure on horseback (which later turned out to be Gaberlunzie) on the mound from their vantage at Dumville’s Plantation. The arcane atmosphere surrounding Sodger’s Hump is described by Alan Garner in some detail:
“A mile away, above the cross-roads on Monk’s Heath, a grassy hill stood out above the land. It was like a smaller Shuttlingslow – or a tumulus. It had the tumulus’s air of mystery; it was subtly different from the surrounding county; it knew more than the fields in which it had its roots. And this uneasy mood was heightened by a group of Scots pines that crowned the summit. They leaned towards each other, as though sharing secrets.”
Garner, A., 1960 (1989 edition), The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. William Collins / Lions. London. p173.
Later in time, Colin and Susan were again brought to Sodger’s Hump during their ride with the Herlathing (Gomrath, Chapter 9 – The Horsemen of Donn). Further mysterious detail was given that “strange, pale lights are said to move among the trees on certain nights of winter.” However, the truly strange aspect of the mound at this moment is that it yielded its incumbents: Fallowman, son of Melimbor and Bagda, son of Toll – both Einheriar of the Herlathing:
“Round heads of black hair they had, the same length at neck and brow, and their eyes gleamed darkness. They wore long-hooded, black cowls, and carried black, wide-grooved swords, well balanced for the stroke. The horses were black, even to the tongues.”
Garner, A., 1963 (1988 edition), The Moon of Gomrath. William Collins / Lions. London. p75.