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Pillow Mound

Artificial warrens built to house rabbits, which were farmed for their fur and meat during the medieval and post-medieval period. A licence was required from the King, which gave the 'Right of Free Warren' and people who looked after pillow mounds were called Warreners.

Pillow mounds are visible as long, low earthwork mounds, usually cigar-shaped and in groups. They had many entrances in and out so the rabbits could sit on the mound of earth, spot predators, and run for cover if necessary. It was the Normans who introduced the Rabbit or Coney to Britain.

Much of our evidence for pillow mounds in Surrey comes from surviving earthworks, or old maps which show field names such as 'Coneyberry Field', Chiddingfold; 'The Warren' in Chertsey and 'Coney Burrow Field', Godalming.

Contributor:Surrey Heritage

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