406 THE VALLEY OF KNILL. 



Knill Court, the residence of Sir John Walsham, Bart., one of the Assistant 

 Poor Law Commissioners, is built in the Elizabethan style of architecture. It 

 is beautifully situated close to the banks of the Somergil, and is, alone, well 

 worthy of the traveller's attention. 



But this lovely Valley has other charms and attractions than those of the land- 

 scape. To the geologist there is an unbounded field for exertion, for the formations 

 are not only various and interesting, but have been but slightly investigated. 

 The northern side of the valley is chiefly composed of the Caradoc sandstone, 

 which, having been forced upwards, has thrown the Dudley and Wenlock Lime- 

 stone and Shale on either side. 



The hills on the south are the Upper Ludlow Rock, and on the west, at 

 Stanner Rocks, the green-stone porphyry obtrudes itself. In this volcanic rock 

 appears the source of disturbance of the formations, not alone of this valley but 

 probably of a large extent of surrounding country, where violent action has 

 evidently occurred. The organic remains in the Limestone and Caradoc sand- 

 stone are extremely beautiful. 



The botanist must not think himself treated uncourteously if he is referred to 

 the " Devil's Flower-garden" ! a spot situated among the rocks at Stanner, 

 where, it is said, are some rare and beautiful plants ; but the path which leads 

 to this place is so difficult to find, and when found is so hazardous to traverse, 

 that few have felt inclined to visit it. This difficulty of access was the probable 

 origin of the name. 



The antiquarian will find an ancient encampment at Berva. This was 

 probably one of those numerous fortifications which were situated on Claud 

 Offa, or Offa's Dyke, which may be traced along the summits of the hills.* 



* " The celebrated earthen rampart which Offa raised as a line of partition and defence between 

 the kingdom of Mercia and .the dominions of the Welsh princes, t The general course of this 

 stupendous but useless work is tolerably ascertained, but its original commencement at neither end 

 has yet been discovered. Mx-Pennant has carefully explored what vestiges of it are visible inNorth 

 Wales. In Radnorshire it is first seen near Knighton, whence it takes nearly a southern direction, 

 and is easily traced through the parishes of Norton, Whitton, and Discocd, near Beggar's Bush. 

 Here it inclines to the south-cast, and enters Herefordshire at the village of Knill. Berva's 



f " Offa, when he saw his country go to wrack, 



From bick'ring with his folk, to keep the Britons back, 



Cast up that mighty mound of eighty miles in length, 



Athwart from sea to sea, which of the Mercian strength 



A witness though it stand, and Offa's name does bear, 



Our courage was the cause why first he put it there . 



As that most dreadful day at Gavelford can tell, 



Where under either's sword so many thousands fell, 



With intermixed blood, that neither knew their own •, 



Nor which went victor thence, until this day is known."— Drayton*. 



