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presented a truly warlike show when seen from far, as no trees on the top spoiled 

 its outline ; but still the Romans would never have originated such a position in 

 permanence at first. Their military tactics and policy were not of a defensive 

 character during their conquests ; this was only incidental, their warfare was an 

 aggressive one, and perching on tip-top of high hills was not much in their line of 

 rapid movements and attack unless passes or borders were to be defended. No, 

 the Caynham camp is of true Briton character, and was constructed by those 

 Celto-Britons whose policy and ignorance was of a defensive nature. This form 

 of encampment (the round one) was the custom of all the Hindoo-Germanic races 

 all over Europe, such as the Teutons, Celts, Gauls, Scythians, Pelasgians. No 

 doubt that after the fall of the Britons, the Romans (according to custom) may 

 have occupied Caynham for a time as they did all along the valley of the Wye, 

 the Dee, the Severn, the great Woden dyke, the Cotteswold hills, and elsewhere. 

 When they succeeded they fortified afresh the Briton defences. The Saxons 

 came afterwards and made the best use of all these positions, and no doubt 

 Caj'nham was one of their strongholds. The last part of the word seems to 

 warrant the truth of this statement. " Ham " is a corruption of the Saxon word 

 "Heim," which means a dwelling, and from which comes our "home," or the 

 private family residence dear to all English hearts. I may add that the earthen 

 defences of Caynham are rather difficult to explain as to their erection. Where 

 did the people take the earth from ? that is the question. Was it brought up 

 from below, or was it taken from the inside along the round top. I should incline 

 towards that opinion. There might have been a second outlet from the great 

 camp into the adjoining square one equally on the west as it is seen now and 

 might have proved useful. The north side of the camp appears to have had no 

 parapet or breastwork, as the ground there is most precipitous, steep, and deep, 

 but this may have been removed, though the Romans would not have left the 

 work unprotected by art even with this natural advantage. Then, too, a curious 

 feature is that the very top of the hill is allowed to remain projecting as Nature 

 made it. No, these conquerors of the world would have levelled the bump if they 

 had constructed the camp according to all sound rules of castrametation. 



(This paper was written by a distinguished French officer. General Baron de 

 Mallet, and was sent to Meymott, of Ludlow, who kindly sent it for the club. 

 The Baron has also added the following postcript, which slightly modifies hia 

 views) : — 



"P.S. — August 12th, 1883 : — Really my antiquarian opinion about that charming 

 spot close to your town is merely a personal appreciation and has nothing 

 official in it. I have seen in England and on the continent several curious 

 remnants of the Celtic Period of various families, tribes, and nations, and 

 could not accept the Ludlow one as purely Roman. No doubt this wonder- 

 ful nation of conquerors occupied, enlarged, or better fortified the place, 

 but I do not believe that they moved the first spade of earth. That is the 

 question." 



