CHALBURY RINGS AND RIMBURY. I 8q 



feature on the north and east is a sort of platform close within 

 the scarp. The natural slope within the precinct is there very 

 sharp. If left unaltered the defenders would have been much 

 hampered by the insecure footing. They would also be greatly 

 exposed to arrows and sling stones from the enemy. So the 

 slope within the precinct was cut into, and a good, wide shelf 

 made, the stuff being here almost certainly tipped down the 

 lower, outside slope.* Across this ledge or terrace two slight 

 but plainly seen banks exist. They look as if they were made 

 for some use but what use ? 



Another noteworthy feature is a ledge some way down the 

 very steep eastern slope. It gradually rises towards the south, 

 and seems to have been the road of approach. 



Mr. Warne holds that stone was used to form a defence on the 

 top of the scarp of the enclosure. It seems almost certain that 

 this was the case. The absence now of anything in the way of 

 a breast-work makes it very likely indeed that there was one of 

 stone, probably a rough dry wall. Stone abounds at Chalbury. 

 Witness the quarry there, and the outcrops of rock in the 

 precinct. This dry wall, in after ages, when field fences were 

 thought of, would be irresistibly tempting as a quarry. For 

 these fences, the predecessors of the long lines of field-walling 

 close by, all the stones, almost, of the breast-work would 

 inevitably be cleared away. Nay, there is a spot which looks as 

 if the ground there had been a little dug away to an easier slope 

 for slides or sledges to go down with loads of stone. 



The lofty situation of Chalbury Rings revives the old puzzle 

 about water supply. A well at such a height, and in a rocky 

 hill is quite out of the question. Close to the south-western 

 foot of Chalbury is the " Boiling Rock," so called. Here there 

 is a strong spring. Indeed for long years it supplied Weymouth. 

 The water was carried through bored wooden pipes. Some 

 years ago one or two of them were lying about on Lodmoor, 



* It should be noted that Mr. Cunnington explains the mode of construction 

 differently. 



