22 



the adjoining eminence of Camp Hill, including within their 

 area a considerable space known as "the bloody acre." A 

 question arose as to the date of these fortifications — a question, 

 the solution of which would be greatly facihtated by the use of 

 the pickaxe, but it would be a work requiring time and care to 

 ensure any satisfactory results. That the site was occupied by 

 the Romans is certain; but whether in this, as in many other 

 instances, they adapted to their purposes a fortress which had 

 been garrisoned in times preceding theh* occupancy, cannot now 

 be ascertained. The date of the coins found on the adjoining 

 slopes of Yineyard Hill points to the later period of the Roman 

 occupation. 



A triple Hne of rampart and fosse defends the fort on its 

 northern face; the precipitous slope of the hill, with the addition 

 doubtless of paHsades, having been deemed a sufficient protection 

 on the southern exposure. There are evident symptoms of the 

 fosse having been deepened at a subsequent period; but whether 

 this be diie to the weathering of the stone, or to military 

 occupation of the site at a later period, is open to discussion. 



The church, with its beautiftd tower, and the celebrated 

 chestnut tree adjoining, were objects of great interest to the 

 visitors. The monuments of the Throgmortons in the chancel, 

 quartering the arms of the Whittingtons, together with the 

 portrait of Edward TV., in stained glass, occupied the attention 

 of the party, and were regarded with much interest by the 

 antiquaries. 



From hence the party proceeded, under the guidance of Mr. 

 Etheridge to investigate the physical structure and history of 

 the district, especially that area north of the Court known as 

 Michaelwood Chase, where remarkable and decisive evidence is 

 exhibited, shewing the manner in which the eruptive amygdal- 

 oidal " traps " have thrust themselves through the rocks of the 

 Upper Llandovery series, which here occupy an extensive tract, 

 and constitute a prominent feature in the district, extending 

 from the old Tortworth Court on the south, to Stone and Malford 

 Common on the north. Abundant proof was obtained of the 

 intrusive character of the porphyritic Grreenstones, and of their 



