White Horse

["Neil B. M. Calton" <nbc@vax-d.rutherford.ac.uk>]

> From: ileaf!io!jaguar!dbjag@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (David Benjamin)
> Subject: XTC - "English Settlement" cover

> Does anyone know the name or location of the horse figure printed on
> the cover of XTC's "English Settlement" album.  I know it is located
> somewhere in Britain, and that it was etched into a hillside quite a
> long time ago.  The figures on the back of the album are also
> represent ancient land drawings, but I'm more interested in the
> horse.  Perhaps someone with a little knowledge of British history
> can provide the name, location, and maybe some background.

This would be the White Horse carved on a hill at Uffington in
Berkshire. It is midway between Wantage and Swindon (home of the XTC
lads). It was probably first cut in Iron Age times, though it was
later attributed to King Alfred who was supposed to have cut it after
a victory over the Danes. A prehistoric trackway - the Ridgeway - runs
close by the White Horse. There are a number of other ancient sites in
the area. There are other "white horses" cut into hillsides in
England, but this one is the oldest. Hope that helps.

Be seeing you.