79 



acre and a quarter to the camp area. Outside the true camp to the west is also a 

 deep escarpment, about 130 yards from the camp entrance, which may have been 

 very useful in the defences. Two fields on the east side are still called "the 

 Castle fields," and immediately below is another in which a deep and wide 

 intrenchment occupies the principal part. Tradition says that this was the De- 

 pository for horses and military stores during the siege of Ludlow castle by Oliver 

 Cromwell in 1646. The camp has no water supply, and therefore in fine weather 

 a siege of three days would be the utmost limits of time it could be held 

 by any body of men, when besieged. At the present time the embankments are 

 covered with trees and underwood, which greatly impede the beautiful views to 

 be seen on every side. Judicious opening's made through them would be of greatest 

 advantage. To the west the Black Mountains are visible ; nearly due south the 

 Malvern Hills are to be seen ; and indeed on all sides where the opening in the 

 trees admits of it, the views near and distant are rich and varied. Quite apart 

 from the historic interest attached to the camp, it forms a pleasure ground worth 

 visiting for itself. 



The paper was listened to with much interest, and the President, in proposing 

 a vote of thanks to Mr. Charles Fortey, which was received with great applause, 

 said " he had not believed that so much history and interest could be attached to 

 any camp before. The number of men engaged were afterwards critically com- 

 mented on, as exhibitiug an example of the exaggeration which is so very common 

 in the accounts of ancient battles — an extra decimal at least must have dropped 

 from the recorder's pen, and Joce's 7,000 men may be reduced to 700, and 

 Jorwerth's 20,000 were probably far from reaching 2,000, for if such numbers of 

 fighting men could be found then — tliough it is true that all men were obliged to 

 fight in those days — the commissariat department must have broken down in the 

 wild districts they had to traverse and occupy. 



The President then directed attention to the ancient church of St. Mary, 

 at Caynham, which they were abo'it to visit. The original church is supposed 

 to have been erected so early as the close of the 11th century — to be replaced 

 at the end of the 12th or beginning of the 13th century. The handsome 

 Norman doorway, and two small Norman windows were preserved and built 

 in their old places, but an early English character was given to the new 

 building, and the peculiar chancel arch, its principal feature, was introduced. 

 This triple arch, with massive square pillars and rude caps and labels, almost 

 isolates the chancel from the body of the church, and is of a character but rarely 

 met with. The church is now in course of restoration, or rather it may be said of 

 rebuilding altogether. The Vicar will now kindly take us to see it, and some of 

 you may like to know that a receiving box will be at hand for the "smallest 

 contributions. " 



Amidst laughter and applause the descent was made through pleasant meads 

 to the church. The chancel, vestry, and organ chamber had been rebuilt in 

 excellent 14th century style, the nave walls are begun, and the square old tower, 

 which it; is hoped may be restored, instead of rebuilt, has nothing but its walls 



