17^ carl's wark. 



to have had natural defence save on the western side, where 



we find the before-mentioned rampart and wall. The above 



section is given in Mr. S. O. Addy's book, wherein he says, 



referring to the masonry : — 



" The average length of each stone is about 3!^ ft., its depth, nr 

 thickness, i ft., and its width, 3 ft., that being the width of the wall, 

 which consists of one course of stones only. These stones also, like the 

 stones in the southern wall, are fitted together without mortar, and 

 without smaller stones to fill up the interstices." 



Probably this wall had, originally, a parapet or breastwork 

 of stones carried above its present level, affording protection 

 to the besieged while they resisted the approaching enemy. 



Where nature had not provided continuous protection the 



builders piled stones to render the fort impregnable on all 



sides, devoting special care to the entrance way, which still 



retains enough original work to render it a remarkable example 



of early defensive methods. Sir Gardner Wilkinson says* : — 



" It is 7 ft. 2 ins. in breadth, and as the road ascending from the 

 valley Iselow passed laetween the two curvilinear faces of the wall, which 

 formed the entrance passage, an enemy advancing to force the gate 

 was exposed to the missiles of the besieged on both sides ; while the 

 portion of it to the west, projecting like a round tower, raked the face 

 of the wall to right and left, and formed an advanced work over the 

 ascent. ... In the approach by the ascending road, it may be 

 observed that the assailants were brought up with their right or unshielded 

 arm exposed to the missiles of the l)esieged, long ere they reached the 

 gateway." 



There is no sign of water supply on the fortress, but there 

 is some semblance to a small, ancient way at the eastern end 

 which may have led to the water, at no great distance on 

 that side, or the occupiers may have depended on stone cisterns 

 to hold a sufficient supply for the occasional use of a camp 

 of refuge, such as this may have been, an idea to which the 

 presence of an old stone trough at the west end lends some 

 colour.! 



There are strange cup, line and other markings on some 

 stones on the summit, and a notable basin is so decorated 

 that the hand of man seems evident, but modern studies have 



* Reliqitary, i, i860. 



t On the subject of temporary water supply, see article on Mam Tor in 

 this Journal, xxiv., p. 29. 



