295 



Its fortifications were made rather as a protection against a sudden attack, than 

 for prolonged defence. In times of comparative peace Britons might live here 

 during the summer months, supplying themselves with water from the springs 

 below, and driving in their cattle by night ; or the Romans might equally use it as 

 a summer camp and a signal station. 



Many excellent springs of water issue from the northern slopes of Aconbury 

 Hill, such as the spring of St. Ann, and the Lady Well, and others unnamed which 

 unite to form the "Wall Brook," which flows past the Priory, and formerly 

 supplied the fish ponds formerly surrounding the Church Nunnery and buildings 

 on three sides. The name of this brook is believed to designate the Roman 

 occupation of the camp, for " wall " is believed to be derived from "Vallum." 

 There are many instances of its use in Herefordshire, as "Sutton Walls," " Wall 

 Hills," &c., (fcc. The camp itself, and particularly the outer camp, is very wet 

 and boggy, so that water must be close at hand. 



Aconbury Camp first appears in real history as a beacon station. Amongst 

 the Scudaniore MSS. is one document, endorsed, " Things belonging to Aconbury 

 Beacon in Kj'dley's hands, 1625 " ; and within, "Things belonging to the beacon 

 appointed by Sir James Scudamor, Knight, to the custody of me, Richard Kidley. 



ffirst, one Iron Potte 

 Itm, Piche and Rosen 

 Itm, Tallowe and Towe. 



It appears from sundry accounts in the Scudamore MSS. that the "beacon 

 money " was collected by assessment, and brought into the muster-master's 

 account, with the repairing of bridges and billeting of soldiers. (Webb's Memo- 

 rials of the Civil War in Herefordshire, p. 34.) 



There is no record of this beacon having been fired, as was the case with the 

 Caermarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Beacons, in September, 1643, when the 

 rebels threatened to besiege Tenby, and those in Anglesey, when the Island rose 

 for the King in 1648. 



In the civil wars Aconbury Camp was occupied for short periods on two occa- 

 sions at least. In the autumn of 1642, when Lord Stamford held Hereford on 

 behalf of the Parliament, Lord Herbert, who was raising forces for the King, 

 pushed his way from Raglan Castle into Herefordshire, foraging in all directions, 

 as far as Aconbury Camp, from whence he looked down upon his enemies. He 

 quickly retired, however, probably as soon as his presence was detected from 

 Hereford. 



A second time the camp was held for military purposes by Leslie, the Earl of 

 Leven, who had brought down his Scotch troops to besiege Hereford, in August, 

 1645, and soon took possession of Dinedor Camp and Aconbury, and strengthened 

 their entrenchments. The Earl began the siege of Hereford with great energy, and 

 kept his men fully occupied with the spade, as the entrenchments of the "Scottish 

 row ditch, " 800 yards long, on the south side of the city, still bear witness. He was a 

 strict disciplinarian, and forbade all foraging on pain of death ; but he could get no 

 pay for his men, and he was compelled to separate his troops the better to maintain 



