ANCIENT EARTHWORKS 



short distance beyond these is a straight vallum and fosse, both extremi- 

 ties of which have been destroyed, thus frustrating the possibility of 

 tracing the direction of one of the most interesting examples of this class 

 of defence. 



HUMBERSTONE (xxxi, 8). In 'Swan's Orchard' is a rectangular site 

 containing a low mound cinctured by a small fosse, surrounded by a moat 

 28 ft. wide and i8ft. deep, with a rampart on each side except the north. 

 Two other banks and ditches branch from the north side and extend in the 

 form of a right angle. 



HUNGERTON (xxxii, 10). 'OLD INGARSBY MOAT.' There is no doubt 

 this manorial defence is an adaptation of a strong rectangular camp of an early 

 period ; a conclusion strengthened by its proximity to the stronghold at 

 Billesdon, and the discovery of spearheads and other implements, and Roman 

 coins. The house and chapel are within the vallum, and a moat of subse- 

 quent date to the vallum has been excavated within the ramparts. The 

 moat at section A-B is 32ft. wide, and the vallum i8ft. wide, with an 

 escarpment of 8ft.; from this the ground descended by a steep declivity to 

 the river, but it is now cut by the railway. Within the north-west angle of 

 the moat is a mound loft, in height from the interior, evidently thrown up 

 to enable a survey to be made of the country beyond the vallum. The 

 vallum has been demolished on the east and south-east, and the exigencies of 

 modern days have caused the moat to be levelled in the same places ; but an 

 extension of the latter remains beyond the original circumvallation at the 

 south-east. A short extramural scarp is on the east side. Another river, a 

 tributary of the Soar, flows on the south and east, thereby constituting a 

 strong natural position. 



KIRBY BELLARS (xix, 12). 

 Around the church, the greater part 

 being on the north side, the site of 

 an Augustinian priory is divided into 

 quadrangular areas by banks varying 

 from i ft. to 5 ft. in height. In the 

 midst is a plot of land on a higher 

 level than the surroundings, on three 

 sides of which are excavations which 

 probably served as fishponds, though 

 possibly they were parts of a moat ; 

 the general depth is 8 ft., but the 

 south-west corner is 20 ft. deep. 

 South of the church is another square 

 site around which was formerly a 

 bank, and a scarp of 25 ft. descended 

 to the River Wreak. 



KIRBY BELLARS (xix, 12). South 

 of the last-mentioned is Kirby Park 

 and the earthwork defences of the 

 old hall. These now consist of a 

 vallum and fosse 600 ft. long, at the 

 north end of which is a rectajngular 



MOAT AND ENTRENCHMENTS ON SITE OF PRIORY. 

 KIRBY BELLARS 



267 



