A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE 



In addition there was a strong semi circular intrenchment or outer bailey 

 embracing the town on its north-east and eastern sides, where there was no 

 declivity and the defence was most assailable. This intrenchment, corre- 

 sponding to the Town Ditch at Castleton, though on a larger scale, started 

 in a north-easterly direction from the keep, and swept round a considerable 

 space of ground until it reached the most southerly point of the plateau or 

 terrace. Doubtless the rampart above this ditch would be well stockaded. 

 There are considerable remains of this trenching still extant, as is shown 

 on the plan, though several parts have disappeared through new building 

 and more careful cultivation during the last few years. It is divided into 



Bretby 



N. 



\ Bretby farm 



SCALE Or FEET 

 o too gpo 



300 



BRKTBY CASTLE. 



two chief sections by the diverging roads at Town End. The intrench- 

 ment can be plainly seen at the north-east angle of the town for a length 

 of 360 yards; then after a slight break it can be traced almost due 

 south for another 200 yards. Here buildings and roads break into it for 

 a space, when it stands out plainer than ever, going south for nearly 

 400 yards until within a short distance of the third Watch House. 

 Dr. Pegge made brief allusion to this earthwork in 1783, and Mr. Pil- 

 kington a few years later. 1 No examination of it has ever been made, 

 but the late vicar had a small collection of flint flakes, and two flint 

 spear-heads, as well as a few Anglo-Saxon beads, and several pieces of 



1 Pegge's Sketch of Bolsover and Peak Castles, 5. Pilkington's Derbyshire, ii. 360. 



378 



