112 PAPERS, ETC. 
east sides are protected by earth-works. There is a spring 
of water within the rampart, and the surface of the hill 
enclosed by the camp occupies a space of thirty acres : 
various divisions and hut circles may be traced throughout 
this space. From this camp communication could be made 
by signal with the camps on Leigh Down, called Bury 
Walls, and Stokesleigh Camp, which are also supposed to 
be Belgic fortresses on the line of Wansdyke; but of these 
very interesting remnants of our ancient history, notice 
cannot now be taken: they would require more time than 
can now be devoted to discuss their history and associa- 
tions. The name Maes Knoll naturally attracts our atten- 
tion, and on looking into the etymology I find that Maes, 
in Celtie British, and in Breton or Armorican, signifies 
prelium—battle ; and thus Maes Knoll would be “ Battle- 
Hill.” This, I think, is a better derivation than that 
given by Mr. Phelps, who derives it from Maes—detached, 
and Knoll—a hill, which certainly does not express its 
position, for it is connected with the Dundry ridge, and 
does not stand isolated, as Stantonbury. 
We have other names in England compounded with 
Maes—as Maesbrook, Maesbury. At the former place was 
fought a battle between Oswald, king of Northumberland, 
and Penda, king of Merecia, in which Oswald was slain.- 
If from Maes Knoll we trace the course of Wansdyke 
to its western limit, we find that it descended the hill on 
which the camp is situated, crossed High Ridge Common, 
and after meeting the high road from Bristol to Bridg- 
water, forms by its vallum and ditch a deep narrow lane, 
according to Collinson’s account, leading to Yanley-street, 
in the parish of Long Ashton. From Yanley it traverses 
the meadow, to a lane anciently called Wondes-ditch- 
lane, as appears by a deed, dated at Ashton 3 Edward II., 
