

ir&^j^l 





A HISTORY OF SUSSEX 



rampart. The object of Burghlow Castle was evidently to command 

 the valley of the Cuckmere/ 



Edburton. — This curious little work, situated on the top of the 

 South Downs, about two miles to the west of the Devil's Dyke, has 

 already been mentioned. It possesses a mount, and a well-defined 

 bailey to the north of it. It is quite small, and stands alone on the 

 Downs overlooking a large area of the Weald. 

 There are no traces of masonry, and, as far as one 

 can see, there is no supply of water near. Why 

 it should be placed here is a mystery, unless, indeed, 

 it was a signalling station visible perhaps from Pul- 

 borough and Knepp Castle. 



This camp lies practically on the level top of 

 the Downs 600 feet above the sea. To the north 

 ° — '^ — 'ji_y' jg ^ steep descent of 1 00 feet in 70 yards. Beyond 



Ldburton. , . • 1 1 1 • I -Jl ^ 



this pomt the land smks even more rapidly to 

 the level of 300 feet above the sea. On the verge of the fosse which 

 separates the mount from the small bailey there are two hillocks, which 

 may have been part of the scheme of defence, or perhaps they are 

 merely the result of making a modern cart-road through the stronghold. 



At a short distance to the east of Edburton camp there are indica- 

 tions of terraces, possibly once used for cultivation, on the hillside. 



Hastings. — In addition to the promontory camp at Hastings 

 already described, there are several interesting earthworks belonging to 

 the castle on the west hill. These consist mainly of a mount and two, 

 if not three, baileys attached. The mount is situated near the present 

 entrance to the castle ruins, and although partly outside the walls, clearly 

 belongs to the bailey in which the ruined walls of the castle stand. 

 This mount is of very great interest from the flict that it is possibly the 

 one depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry in 

 the process of being thrown up. The 

 part of the earthworks which may be 

 considered the inmost bailey is separated 

 from another bailey called Ladies' Par- 

 lour immediately to the north-east, and 

 Mr. I. Chalkley Gould has called the 

 writer's attention to traces of still an- 

 other bailey extending further to the 

 north and north-east. 



The bailey in which the castle 

 ruins are situated has evidently suffered 

 considerably from encroachments on the southern side. Whether those 

 encroachments have been effected by the waves and influences of the 

 weather seems doubtful. It seems more probable that a good deal of 

 the cliff has been artificially cut away to make a convenient space 



» The writer wishes to record his thanks to Mr. Duncan Montgomerie for notes as to Burghlow 

 Castle. 



476 



Hastings Castle. 



