40 PAPERS, ETC. 
the principal entrance to the place. The rampart 
consists of a deep ditch of irregular breadth, with 
an external and internal vallum, and is still perfect 
in the greater part of its extent; though the outer 
vallum has been destroyed in some parts, and the 
whole rampart from the western gate to the wicket 
leading to therectory, is nearly obliterated. Thearea 
contained within the ramparts is about thirteen acres, 
and has so long been under cultivation, that all 
traces of its original contents have disappeared, with 
the exception of hollows leading from the four gates 
towards the centre of the area; which is more parti- 
cularly remarkable at the eastern entrance, where 
it is sufficient to act as a drain for the surface water - 
of the enclosure ; the accompanying plan, for which 
I am indebted to the kindness of an ingenious friend, 
will render the description which I have given more 
intelligible than I can hope to make it in words. 
Many and various have been the conjectures of 
neighbouring antiquaries, as to the original con- 
structors of this curious earth-work, and the purpose 
for which it was erected ; as usual in such cases, the 
general voice has given it in favour either of the 
Romans or the Danes. Popular tradition says that 
it was once the haunt of a fierce and gigantic ser- 
pent, which having been generated from the corrup- 
tion of many dead bodies which lay there, spread 
terror and death through the neighbourhood, some 
of whose ravages are said to be portrayed in the 
carving of the beautiful rood screen of the parish 
