JERBOURG AND ITS FORTIFICATIONS. 263 



A line of defence, distinct in structure from the ancient 

 Celtic ones, lying a little to the south of them ; it reaches 

 from near the verge of the cliff on the west across the 

 isthmus where the monument now stands, and stretches east- 

 ward, overlooking Divette. 



The position is characteristic of Norman strongholds ; 

 almost inaccessible on the east and west, it runs along the 

 highest ridge. 



Approaching Jerbourg along the road, one immediately 

 notices how much higher the ground here is than along 

 any other line ; it commands the position from which alone 

 an attack could be made. The mound on the west is from 

 8 to 20 feet above the land in front of it ; it is faced with 

 rough masonry of large stones, smooth surfaces outward. 

 It could never have served as the foundation for any heavy 

 building. On the east the rampart is much higher, but is 

 not faced with stones. This is the castle. The southernmost 

 of the three trenches is immediately in front of this position. 

 On the east it is not parallel to the other two, but keeps 

 close under the earthern rampart until it reaches a bold 

 quartz rock, rising 40 feet above it, then it turns abruptly 

 northward, and runs down to the cliff just south of Pied 

 du Mur. I am quite willing to put down this third trench 

 as the one made in the 14th century to give extra strength 

 to the fortifications ; it appears intimately connected with 

 the more modern work. 



Nothing can be discovered to suggest the existence of 

 any great castle here. 



In recent times, Jerbourg receives some notice. When Sir 

 John Doyle was appointed Lieutenant-Governor in 1803, 

 he immediately proceeded to strengthen the defences of 

 the island ; he erected batteries on every point and in every 

 bay. These are still to be seen. There is a large circular 

 one immediately below Jerbourg barracks. In 1805 the 

 garrison of the island was increased to 4,000 infantry and 

 one company of artillery, and it became necessary to erect 

 wooden buildings for their accommodation ; one set of these 

 barracks was at Jerbourg. The present permanent barracks 

 replaced these in 1813. 



At about this time, in improving the road leading into 

 this district, the trenches and the stone-faced embankment 

 on the highest level were destroyed. 



In the map mentioned before, drawn in the reign of 

 Henry VIII., a tower is marked at Jerbourg, which may be 

 the Square Tower of the ancient documents. Curiously, 



