ANCIENT EARTH-WORK AT NORTON. 43 
Britons were entrenched at Dousborough, and 
probably holding the line of Quantock in force; in 
order to march westward, it was evidently neces- 
sary to dislodgethem; and that a battle did 
take place on the top of Quantock is probable 
from the following facts. On the top of Bagborough 
hill are several cairns or heaps of stones, commonly 
called the Rowboroughs, which most likely mark 
the place where the slain were buried. A few 
years ago, a Roman coin was found near these 
cairns, and in draining an ancient alder bed, near 
Cothelston house, a bronze torque, and celt or battle 
axe were discovered, probably the ornament and 
weapon of some wounded Briton, who had retired 
to its shelter to die; Roman coins have also been 
found at no great distance from the spot. Having 
checked the Britons and driven them back to their 
entrenchment at Dousborough, it would clearly 
have been a most hazardous proceeding of the 
Roman General to have continued his western 
expedition, while a strong body of the enemy 
remained unsubdued in his rear at Norton; and in 
order to render the base of his operations secure, it 
was obviously necessary to attack that stronghold. 
Now, in order to go from the top of Cothelston by 
the shortest way to Norton, it would be necessary to 
pass through Conquest, indeed it is probable that a 
British way led through it, for the northern entrance 
and excavated approach to the ramparts on Norton 
hill are nearly in that direction. 
39 
