Discovery of the Scite of Prior^s-Hill Redoubt. 157 



British and Roman Remains at A. rminster. By T. Davidson. 8vo. 1833. 



pp. 90. 



This is a small and unpretending volume, in which the British and 

 Roman remains abounding iu the immediate neighbourhood of Axminster, 

 are concisely described. 



Within twenty-five miles of Axminster there are thirty hill camps ; of 

 these, Musbury and Membury are among the most important, since they 

 form part of a chain of strong-holds, extending from the sea inland, nearly 

 along the border of the counties of Dorset and Devon. These camps have 

 been usually supposed to have been thrown up by the Damnonii, or people 

 of Devon, to guard their frontier ; but Mr. Davidson has observed that 

 the approaches to them, traces of habitation, etc. are all upon the eastern 

 side ; and hence he concludes, that they were thrown up against the 

 Damnonii, by the Morini. At Blackbury, towards Honiton, is a beacon, 

 placed outside an oval entrenchment ; the walls of the beacon are vitrified, 

 and some spear heads, apparently Roman, have been dug up here. 



Mr, Davidson gives some general directions, which deserve attention. 

 Thus, if we wish to discover tracks, remains of roads, camps, or other 

 inequalities in the soil, we should choose a clear winter's day, when the last 

 of the snow is on the ground. Mr. Hamilton's success with the inscription 

 on the column of Dioclesian, and the late discoveries which the continued dry 

 weather enabled Mr. Hatcher* to make within the precinct of Old Sarum, 

 are proofs of what may be gained by making use of such advantages. 



It is much to be desired, that those who have the means of acquiring 

 local information, would thus benefit the public with the fruits of their 

 researches. It is only from a number of facts thus obtained, that any just 

 general conclusions upon these subjects can be arrived at. 



* Gentleman's Magazine, p. 143, August, 1835. 



DISCOVERY OF THE SCITE OF PRIOR'S-HILL REDOUBT. 



Those who are conversant with the history of Bristol are aware, that 

 during the early part of the reign of Ciiarles I. considerable attention was 

 paid to the defences of that city, the importance of which in the event of 

 civil war had apparently been foreseen. 



The castle, town-walls, and gates, the old feudal defences of the city, 

 not having been deemed sufficient, additional lines were thrown up, better 

 suited to the warfare of tiie period, and to the species of attack by which 

 they were liable to be assailed. 



These defences, on the north-western or land side, were concentrated 

 upon five points, called in the language of fortification " redoubts," which 

 were connected together by covered ways or lines. 



