By the Rev. William Allan. 



127 



in an ancient legal work on elections. I have since then paid a 

 visit to Cricklade, with a view to discover how far it was still in 

 existence. This proved an easy task. The mound in its entire 

 course is still distinctly visible, and forms a square rather more 

 than a third of a mile each way. The S. W. corner is in the meadow 

 adjoining the parsonage and St. Sampson's churchyard ; the N.W. 

 corner at the north end of Long Close; the N.E. corner in the 

 meadow adjoining the farm-yard of Abingdon Court ; and the 

 S.E. corner in Paul's Croft. In some parts it is very distinct ; in 

 others less so, having been levelled for gardens or for the roads. 

 St. Mary's Rectory house and garden stand upon the bank, and 

 are considerably higher than the lane outside. The bank is less 

 distinct in Paul's Croft than in any of the other meadows. I 

 think there can be no doubt that it is of Roman origin. The 

 nature of the mound, its shape, its size, and whole character, pre- 

 sent the appearance of such an encampment ; and it would be 

 interesting if some who have closely studied Roman fortification 

 would visit Cricklade, and report upon the age of the bank. As 

 far as I am aware, it has not been examined or alluded to by any 

 antiquarian or archaeologist. After an examination of General 

 Roy's standard work upon the Military Antiquities of the Romans 

 in Britain, I cannot help coming to the conclusion that the ancient 

 local tradition will be found supported by scientific investigation. 

 Its situation, close to the Irmine Street, Roman Road, of course 

 adds to the probability of this opinion. Dr. Stukeley in his 

 Itinerarium Curiosum, observes that Cricklade is probably a Roman 

 town. The number of Roman coins which have been found in 

 and around Cricklade, and which are frequently discovered now, 

 leads irresistibly to the same conclusion. In 1865, as many as 75 

 Roman coins of a very early period, were found about half-a-mile 

 from Cricklade, with many other Roman and Roman-British 

 curiosities. 1 It may not, perhaps, be generally known that about 

 1670, a tessellated pavement was discovered near the same spot, 

 which is described as having consisted of chequer work two or 



1 See a paper on " Roman Remains found at Latton, Wilts," by Professor 

 Buckman, Wiltshire Magazine, vol. ix., p. 232. 



