ANCIENT EARTHWORKS 



The county of Stafford comprises an extent of some fifty-two miles in 

 length and thirty-four miles in extreme width, containing in the whole about 

 one thousand one hundred and seventy-one superficial miles. The surface 

 varies in altitude from 150 ft. to i,8ioft. above sea level. Rivers flow in its 

 many valleys, measuring altogether an enormous length through lands of the 

 richest character ; and its hills shape into the bossy forms which come of the 

 gravels and new red sandstone, varied by the bare crags of the limestone 

 rocks and the heathery moors and woods of its grit-stones. 



Before, however, entering upon any description of the ancient earth- 

 works of this county as they at present exist, reference to the writings of the 

 early historians who dealt with the subject in their day should be alluded to. 

 Camden, Gibson, Erdeswick, Harwood, Plot, Shaw, and others each recorded 

 these works ; some of which have now disappeared. Many of the views of 

 these early writers are by no means to be ignored, and their statements of 

 facts are worthy of consideration. 



One at least of the earthworks mentioned by Dr. Plot has now dis- 

 appeared. At Wrottesley he says : ' There remained (in his day) either 

 the foundation of some ancient British City or other fortification of great 

 extent the whole containing in circuit about three or four miles lying part in 

 Staffordshire and part in Shropshire.' So far as diligent and repeated search 

 can now disclose there is nothing of this vast inclosure at present to be seen, 

 nor has minute inquiry ended in information being obtained beyond the bare 

 tradition of its existence. Placing the positions of the earthworks upon 

 the map, it will be found that there is scarcely a parish within our borders 

 which does not contain one or more of these features of remote or later 

 date. 



In the classification of these various works we follow the scheme formu- 

 lated by the Congress of Archaeological Societies : 



CLASS A. Fortresses partly inaccessible, by reason of precipices, cliffs, or water, additionally 



defended by artificial works, usually known as promontory fortresses. 

 CLASS B. Fortresses on hill-tops with artificial defences, following the natural line of the hill; 



or, though usually en high ground, less dependent on natural slopes for protection. 

 CLASS C. Rectangular or other simple inclosures, including forts and towns of the 



Romano-British period. 



CLASS D. Forts consisting only of a mound with encircling ditch or fosse. 

 CLASS E. Fortified mounds, either artificial or partly natural, with traces of an attached 



court or bailey, or of two or more such courts. 

 CLASS F. Homestead moats, such as abound in some lowland districts, consisting of simple 



inclosures formed into artificial islands by water moats. 

 CLASS G. Inclosures, mostly rectangular, partaking of the form of p, but protected by 



stronger defensive works, ramparted and fossed, and in some instances provided with 



outworks. 



CLASS H. Ancient village sites protected by walls, ramparts or fosses. 

 CLASS X. Defensive works which fall under none of these headings. 



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