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Cwichelm's Cache Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Madame Mazda: Time to lay this one to rest as it's gone missing a couple of times and the last replacement didn't last a week. Thanks to all the cachers who found this cache and who gave it a fave point.

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Hidden : 3/29/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A small-ish cache not far from a little-known ancient monument adjacent to the Ridgeway.

Scutchamer Knob, also known as Cuckhamsley Hill and occasionally as Scotsman's Knob or Beacon Hill, is an early Iron Age round barrow on the Ridgeway.

Originally called Cwichelmeshlaew or Cwichelm's Barrow, it is recorded as having been the place where King Edwin of Northumbria killed Cwichelm of Wessex in AD 636 and, in the Middle Ages, became the meeting point of the Shire Moot (or market) which was abolished in 1620. It was long thought to be the actual burial place of Cwichelm but the mound has been excavated several times without serious finds. In 1006, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that the Danes marched to Cuckhamsley Hill as they believed that if they reached the Hill, they would never return to the sea.

The mound today resembles a huge bramble-covered croissant but in ancient times before the woods were planted, must have been an impressive sight in the chalky downland. The views are spectacular from every part of the Ridgeway in this area.

This cache can be done as part of the Ridgeway trail, as a nice circular walk with other nearby caches, or as a cache and dash. You can drive up from nearby East Hendred and parking is available at N51 33.743 W001 20.458, not far from the cache.

You are looking for a small screw top container full of goodies. Please make sure the cache is well covered when you leave.

Happy caching ;-)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Onfr bs vil pbirerq fghzc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)