BunJde Edge Forts. By Francis Lynn. 371 



and the formation of these outer enclosures, were carried out 

 after the formation of the large enclosure-wall and fosse 

 running along three sides of the Fort, at a distance of about 

 400 feet on the north, and about 500 feet on the east and 

 west. I do not think that this great enclosure was part 

 of the original work, but was formed at a period in the 

 history of the Fort, or Oppidum, when the danger to the 

 inhabitants had ceased to threaten from the south, and was 

 rather expected from the north. The idea that this outer 

 trench was formed late in the history of the township first 

 rose to my mind by seeing the manner in which it cut 

 across the other works, previously remarked upon as existing 

 on the open moor, and which the Ordnance Map makers 

 set down as " Site of Camp." 



Besides the trench thus designated on the maps, there is 

 another similar work on the moor, running out from the 

 western angle of the work we are considering. This is not 

 on the Orduance Maps, but is well marked on the ground. 

 See Section A. B. on drawings. It runs out over the moor, 

 and can be traced over the ridge, down to and through the 

 natural wood known as the Oakwood. From there it crosses 

 the valley, and rises to the higher ground on Blackerston 

 farm. I have no doubt that this work, and the other which 

 runs in a south-westerly direction, through which section 

 0. D. is taken, are works of the same class as the Catrail, 

 which has created so much interest among Antiquarians. 

 Both lines are obviously very ancient. The point which took 

 my attention as showing the more recent formation of the 

 great enclosing work was this. On the outer side of the 

 fosse or trench is a slight mound. See Sections E. F. and 

 G. H. I noticed that the bottom of the trench was at a 

 lower level than that of the older work, and that the 

 counterscarp mound had been formed across its bottom, as 

 if to fill it up and show that it was now disused. A 

 time had evidently come when communication from that side 

 was no longer desirable, the district to the north-west 

 having been occupied by a hostile people. 



That this is a correct estimate of what the real nature of 

 these old works is, I have no doubt whatever ; that running 

 north-westwards can be traced as far as I have stated at 

 least. I leave it to some local antiquary to take it up and 



