Journal of Proceedings. lxxxv
of ground, with well defined rampart and ditch, occupying a strong and
commanding position on the summit of a chalk hill, commonly known as
"Ring Hill," about half a mile from the mansion. It appears never to
hare been examined or scientifically described. Lord Braybrooke thus
writes of it:—"The whole crown of this hill is enclosed by a circular
entrenchment, surrounding a considerable wood, between which an d the
fosse is a wide carriage drive.' In Stukeley's 'Itinerarium Curiosum,'
is a picture of a hunting tower of red brick, which he says stood in
1722 in the camp, which was also noticed by Gale (' Reliquiae Guleanae,
p. 117), who states that the place was called by the common people
"Starberry Hill,"* and quotes Strype's ' Life of Sir Thomas Smith,' for
the fact that Roman money has been found there. Hollingshed confirms
[' Chronicles,' vol. i.] this, and adds that, "Not long since a silver cup
of verie ancient making was found neare to Saffron Walden in an open
field among the Sterberie Hills, eared up by a plough, of such massive
greatness as it weighed more than twenty ounces." It is much to be
desired that this " camp" should be accurately surveyed and described,
and some investigations made by " pick and shovel" to settle if possible
its period—conjectures are useless in such a case.
Ou the yew bushes about the path ou the hill were found many galls
formed by the gall-gnat, Cecidomyia taxi.
A charming drive of some three miles was then taken by way of
Saffron Walden towards Debden, to " Peverell's Wood " on " The Roos "
Farm, attention being called on the way to the "Battle " or " Repell "
Ditches. These earth-works are almost certainly of the pre-Roman
period, and in the opinion of the late Mr. Roach Smith, are early British.
Lord Braybrooke (' Audley End,' p. 148) thus mentions them :—
" On the west and south sides of the town is an extensive range of
stupendous earth-works, known by the name of Battle or Peddle Ditches
(these ditches have also been called Bell, Repel, Besle and Paigle, by
different writers), which may be justly said to merit the attention of the
antiquary. They commence in the Abbey Lane, close to the boundary
wall of Mr. W. G. Gibson's grounds, and, running for a considerable dis-
tance in a straight line to the westward, suddenly take a southern
direction, and terminate near the entrance of the town from the London
Road. The length of the southern bank is 702 feet; that of the western
480 ; and they are about twenty feet high and fifty broad at the base,
and from six to eight feet at the top. The west bank formerly extended
to a wet ditch at the end of the Almshouse meadow, where ridges might
be seen some years ago, but the ground is now levelled. Of the other
bank also, some vestiges are to be observed much further to the south-
ward, and it was perhaps originally carried round that side of the town.
It has commonly been supposed that these ramparts were thrown up as
earthworks to the Castle, but they unquestionably have no connection
with it, and from their character are obviously of much higher antiquity,
probably of the same age as the Devil's Ditch, and those other great
* Lord Braybrooke remarks upon this that the fields on the south side of the King
Hill are still called " Strawberry Closes," and that the word "Starberry" signifies
a place where an army has lain.