^^ E 





A HISTORY OF KENT 



eastern ravine but about 50 ft. from the edge, allowing room for the 

 road of approach to the whole of the stronghold. 



From this bank another bank or rampart with a ditch on the south side runs along 

 the edge of the natural chalk escarpment in a good defensive position, commanding 

 the slopes and following the sinuosities of the ground, rounding Sugar-loaf Hill and 

 extending perhaps originally as far as the chalk cliffs on the sea coast, a distance of about 

 two miles. 



Although the relics found during the excavations (with the excep- 

 tions already mentioned) pertain to about the Norman period or later, 

 some on the natural surface on which the ramparts were reared, it is 

 not possible to fix the precise date of this fortress. It may have been 



made in the time of 

 Soo' '"•''. Edward the Confessor, 



"(^'>.,_ or may date from later 



days, even to the time of 

 Stephen, one of whose 

 coins was found. 



When we read that 

 ; the original base of a 

 fosse was found over 8 ft. 

 below its present level, 

 we can form some idea of 

 the extent of denudation 

 of the ramparts and con- 

 sequent filling up of the 

 ditches which have taken 

 place during long cen- 

 turies of exposure to 

 wind and weather, and 

 perhaps picture the great 

 strength of this fortress 

 when constructed, bear- 

 ing in mind that, in ad- 

 dition to deep fosses and 

 huge ramparts, palisades 

 of sturdy timber aided its 

 defence against the foe. 



Leybourne Castle. 

 — The castle is situated 

 on land about 80 ft. above 

 sea-level. The position 

 has no natural defence 

 except on the east-south- 

 east, where the hill has 

 been scarped. The en- 

 trenchments are not in a perfect state of preservation, and probably belong 

 to a work earlier than the present ruinous masonry. They appear to 



418 





+ 

 Church 





""MUVVV-^" 



SCALE OF FEET. 

 O 100 Zoo 30O 



Leybourne Castle. 



