408 
almost impenetrable shade. A remnant of these forests still 
exists in the woodlands of Wharncliffe, in whose high groves 
it is probable the Druids practised the barbarous rites of their 
creed. Here in this thick Hercynian forest, which covered 
the slopes and valleys of Hallamshire, roamed the wolf — 
which was a denizen of Yorkshire even so late as the days of 
Edward II. ; the fierce wood boar, wjiich afterwards afforded 
so much sport to the lords of Sheffield Castle; the wild cat, 
then a formidable beast; the wild ox, of which the type may 
yet be seen at Chillingham Castle, and other wild animals, 
now extinct in England. 
We do not possess many British remains in this locality. 
Most likely the traces of castramentation existing on Winco- 
bank are vestiges of British work. The camp has been of 
circular form. A mighty earthwork still shows, its bold 
front, and stretches from Wincobank for miles to the north, 
under the names of Roman Rig, Danes Bank, and Scotch 
Balk. It was probably raised to defend the frontier # of the 
Don against the incursions of an enemy. Several vestiges of 
British occupation are mentioned by Mr. Hunter as existing 
in remote parts of Hallamshire: for instance, a Carnedde, or 
British tumulus, called the Apron-full-of -Stones, near Broom- 
head; a trench, called Bardike, in the same locality, is also 
noticed by him as a British remain; likewise, a circular 
encampment which lately existed at Castle Dyke, in Ecclesall. 
Roman Period. 
We now come to the Roman period. When the Romans 
had subdued Britain they divided it into several provinces, 
for the purpose of better local government. There is strong 
proof that the boundary between two of these provinces — 
Maxima Caesariensis and Flavia Caosariensis — was, in these 
parts, the Don. The Brigantian kingdom was included in 
the first of these provinces, and the Coritani in the latter. 
