136
ANCIENT ENTRENCHMENTS AT
the members had a cold collation in a marquee erected in the field
close by, by the kindness of my friend, the late Mrs. Hunsdon, of
Manor House, Little Ilford. It was also visited by the Essex Field
Club on April 18th, 1885, on their return drive from Barking and
Eastbury House (vide Jour, of Proc, vol. iv., p. cxlviii.).
These earth-works have been familiar to me since the year 1860,
and I may mention that I prepared a MS. account of this camp with
a measured plan in the year 1868. The notes I took at that time in
my perambulation have been of the greatest use in preparing the
present paper.
The mound and rampart at the north-west corner are much in
the same condition as then, being protected by a covering of grass,
and are by far the best portion remaining. The height of the mound
on the river side is about 28 feet. The continuation of the rampart
has been cut away at some time, doubtless to allow access to the
river. For the drawing of these as they now appear, taken from the
north side, our best thanks are due to Mr. H. A. Cole, who made
the sketch on July 25th, 1893.
For the last century or more this mound has been known as
"Lavender Mount," from the name of one who occupied the holding
ante 1809, when it was taken over by Mr. Hunsdon, who was born
at Bennett's Castle.
Beyond the mound and ramparts on the north side, by the wall
of the farm garden, traces may be seen up to the footpath stile,
whereon is the Ordnance Benchmark, 28-9 ; close inside is the pond,
which lies about 14 feet below.
The form of the rampart may also be seen farther along (east-
ward) gradually rising to the rounded corner, where the highest part
is about 12 feet higher than the outer ground, with a slope of 4 feet
on the inner. The continuation southward, down to the first hedge,
cut only by the Chase leading to the Homestead, is traceable, but
only some 18 or 20 inches above the level. Be)ond the hedge,
towards Loxford Cottage, it can just be discerned, but gradually
levels down. This portion was much higher and more conspicuous
until the last fifteen or twenty years, being preserved by the grass
which covered it, but it is since under the plough, and becomes more
indistinct each year. In a short time, in all probability, all traces
will have entirely disappeared. The levelling has also been helped
by the removal of soil to fill up the irregular ground marked on the
plan, from which gravel had been taken.