DUN. 101 



less chestnut tree, scarce fathomable by three men. On the 

 north side of the river, opposite to this work, is Wincobank, a 

 high hill from which a large bank is carried almost four miles 

 without interruption, called in one place Danesbank." (Gough's 

 Camden, iii. p. 266.) 



The Roman road is supposed to have crossed the river here, 

 in its course northward from Chesterfield, to which place it has 

 been traced from Derby under the name of Ryknield Street. 



The Rother, a stream of some importance, entering from the 

 south, brings much water from Derbyshire, to join the Dun near 

 Rotherham. 



From Sheffield by Rotherham, Thryburgh and Mexborough, 

 the Dun holds its course through a varied country, usually in a 

 broad vale; but on approaching Conisbrough, it faces the terrace- 

 like range of magnesian limestone, and becomes shut in by the 

 cliffs of that rock. Conisbrough Castle now appears on its rocky 

 mound, itself a rock, begirt with ancient trees, perhaps a mo- 

 nument of the Norman Earl Warrenne, certainly not of Harold 

 or Hengist, or any Saxon prince, whatever may be the date of 

 the neighbouring tumulus, which is popularly regarded as the 

 tomb of vanquished or worn-out Hengist. A sculptured stone 

 of Saxon date, lying in Conisbrough churchyard, is figured in 

 Gough's Camden, vol. ii. pi. ] 4. [The Castle at Tickhill was 

 on a very similar plan, and raised on a mound, modified by art.] 

 Conisbrough was called Caer Conan by the later Britons. Near 

 it is Edlington (Edel, noble) ; on the opposite side of the river, 

 Sprotbrough, Barnbrough, and many other names indicating 

 proximity to some ancient camp or military strength. From 

 Sprotbrough a bank runs northward several miles toward York. 

 Probably these names have no reference to the Roman Danum 

 (Doncaster), but rather to a station on the old road (British or 

 Roman?) which leads by Street Lane near Barmbrough, and 

 Old Street, near Hooton Pagnell, and may be the continuation of 

 Ryknield Street. 



On regarding the course of the Dun, we perceive that along 



