ANCIENT EARTHWORKS 



and Dalwood were not transferred from Dorset to Devon until 1842 — and 

 here we find a series of immense strongholds in their respective territories 

 on either side of that river. The Severn sea was an effective bulwark 

 against the Silures of the opposite Welsh coast, and certain observation 

 stations were all that was required until the incursions of the northmen 

 necessitated greater strongholds. 



The southern coast has an extensive seaboard, and ample opportunities 

 were presented to piratical raiders by the numerous river mouths. Here 

 we find that ancient fortifications were formerly constructed on the eastern 

 side of most of the outlets and on many headlands, although comparatively 

 few are left. 



The fortresses of the interior largely followed the ancient British track- 

 ways, but isolated examples occur as the result of intertribal contests, or as 

 remains of the refuge camps constructed in times of general invasion. 



PROMONTORY FORTRESSES 

 [Class A] 



Branscombe (O.S. xcv, i and Ixxxiii, 13). — To the west of Beer, on Littlecombe Hill — also 

 called Berry ClifF — on ground locally known as Langham Field, is a rectangular camp. 



The features of the locality have been so altered by the refuse from lime-burning that it is hard 

 to distinguish nature's contours from the ancient entrenchments. 



To the west of the mounds formed by the lime-burners the edge of the cliff bounds one side of 

 the camp, while the other three sides are protected by ramparts and ditches, enclosing an area 952 ft. 





..I'll I, I'lil, ' \ 1^ 

 ,M1I .liMwi 1 1' 



Earthwork on Littlecombe Hill, Branscombe. 



in length, and 380 ft. at its widest part. The defences are strongest and most perfect at the west 

 end where a double vallum rises 1 9 ft. from the fosse. The entrance A, on this side, is protected 

 from a land assault by an agger extending over 350 ft. westwards. 



In the long northern rampart are two gaps, and a track leads from the north-west angle ; but 

 these have every appearance of modern origin, and were probably made when the bank BC, which 

 runs the length of the camp within the north vallum, was thrown up about twenty years since, to 

 enclose a piece of land for attempted cultivation. 



At C was the principal entrance, and from this point an extension of the rampart follows an 

 easterly course near the edge of the cliff" ; while north of the gateway, where the ground rapidly 

 slopes down to a stream, are fragments of outworks to defend the approach. Two rectangular ram- 

 parts are on the ridge of a declivity, and another small entrenchment over 200 ft. in length, with an 

 agger 5 ft. 6 in. high, and an internal ditch i ft. 3 in. deep, is supported at either end by natural 



ravines. 



At each extremity of this stronghold is a tumulus on the edge of the cliff. 



575 



