are remains of another old way passing by Clanver End to
Arkesden, in the direction of, and })arallel to, the last-named
route, and as it comes from Strethall by Littlebury Green,
another approach to Chesterford from the south is thus opened.
In a yet more westerly direction, near He^^lon, jMelbourn,
and Triple w, the open country is traversed by so many cart
tracks tliat it is almost impossible to distinguish the ancient
from the modern, though it is certain that the Icknield Street
from Ro^'ston did run below Heydon Hill. Here, therefore,
must terminate my summary notice of the Roman roads in
Cambridgeshire and Essex.
With the earthworks then we proceed.
All residents in Cambri<lgeshire are doubtless acquainted
with the numerous ditches which traverse their county to such
a vast extent, and even the casual frequenter of Newmarket
Races must be familiar with the " Devil's Ditch," since in his
journey from London it is a vei-y striking object ; nor could
he fail to observe another of like nature as it crosses the
highway. This would be known to him as the Plight j\rile
Ditch, but it takes dilfercnt names in its pi'ogress, for, while
on the left of the turnpike road from Fen Ditton to Fulbourn,
where it joins the Caudle Ditch, it is called Fle.am Dyke ; we
fnid it on the right-hand side assuming the appellation of
Halsham Ditch in its eastward course, from the neighbouring
village so named. J*'ive miles to the south, on the pro|)erty
of j^Ir. Parker Hamond, at Pampisford, there is a third ditch,
one termination of which is marked on the Ordnance Maj) as
" P>rent Ditch" End, close to Pampisfrnd li.ill. It runs
apparently in a parallel line with the one la^t mentioned,
crossing, also, the Ncwinarkot Koad between the " Two Mile
Hill " cutting and Abiii-toii i'aik.
There is still another fosse iu'longing to this vicinity,
tliough rather further removed than the three ali'cady
i-iiiiitiii-;ilc(l, which coiiiiiK'ncrs iinnicili.-iti'l v below the high
ANCIENT CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 211
ground of Hoydon and Chisliall Downs on Lord Braybrooke's
property, and may bo traced for a considerable distance,
running lower than Ilcydon Grange, across the liarkway and
Cambridge lload, till it loses itself on Melbourne Common.
The frequent interruptions in their course, to which, for
agricultural convenience, these great earthworks have been
subjected, increases the difficulty of ascertaining them
exactly, and indeed there is little doubt that in many places
they have thereby been wholly obhterated. Without entering
at large into a discussion on the " vexata qua)stio," as to their
probable origin and purposes, whether they are to be viewed
as the works of early Britons, Romans, or Anglo-Saxons, and
were intended for defences, or as limits to kingdoms and
territory, I shall take the opportunity of noticing some
ancient remains discovered under my superintendence upon
and around them, which may possibly throw some light on
the subject, and proceed to the next branch of my survey,
the Tumuli, with which the surface of the open country
between Newmarket and Royston is studded in the vicinity
of these dykes.
I have examined thirty of these barrows, all in the
neighbourhood, some close to, and others actually upon the
earthwork. ]\Iutlow Hill, the last opened, of which an
account was given in this Journal in 1852,^ affords a ftiir
criterion of the general contents of all. The same rude sun-
burnt vases occur, except in one near Triplow, where a good
Roman urn was found ; the same interments also by crema-
tion, one case again only excepted near Chrishall Grange,
with innumerable third brass coins of the lowest empire, or
their rude imitations.
Bowshaped bronze Roman fibulae were taken from several
tombs, and in many there occurred small nests of the chipped
flints commonly mis-called arrow-heads, but of which the
Abbe Cochet has given a very simple and satisfactory
explanation in his " Normandie Souterraine," where he
details their discovery in graves along with the iron briquets
for striking a hght. This accounts fully for their being
found amongst the necessaries provided for the dead, as well
as for their universal occurrence with funeral remains,
whether of early or late antiquity, in my experience.
•* Aivli. Joiini., vol. ix. p. -26.
212 ANCIENT CAMBRIDGESHIEE.
In directing attention to tlic Tuiunlus on Fleam Dyke,
I must not confound the circular foundations of clialk
discovered at its base with the other contents, for though
the Roman remains, coins of both higher and lower em})ii'e,
with one of the British Cunobeline, all taken from the debris
of a building, may not be without importance as referring to
the origin of the fosse, to discuss them ^Yould furnish
materials for a separate dissertation. A similar remark
ap})lies to many of the antiquities and sites I have occasion
to n(jtice ; I have therefore determined merely to enumerate
all those specially deserving of notice m succession, com-
mencini;- with the point in Cambridgeshire most distant from
Audley End as my centre, namely, Dullingham, whence
I have a small Roman vessel. Hare Park has produced a
fine leaf-shaped spear head of white silex, ploughe'd up there.
Cambi'idge presents abundance of Roman remains of all
kinds ; a gold coin of Cunobeline, discovered near the
College walks, is in the possession of Mr. Litchfield.
Bottisham claims notice on account of the Romano-British
Tunuili in the vicinity ; Great and Little Wilbraham are
reniaikable for the discoveries of Roman coins of both
empires and remains, and more especially for the extensive
Saxon cemetery described in the " Saxon Obsequies." "*
Fulbourn has produced two leaf-shaped swords of yellow
bronze, with Roman coins ; and the late Richard Manning,
a pensioner residing near the spot, described to me, to use
his own words, "a square brick grave in which were some
glass and pottery vessels, which he saw broken into here,
several years since, by workmen wlio destroyed them."
I WouM fain take advantage of this occasion to enquire
whether any record is extant, or an}-^ vestige exists of such a
(bscovcry. I^Iutlow Hill and Fleam Dyke have already been
noticed. Li the open counti'v between IJalsham and
\Vorste<l Lodge I opened several Romano-Jiritish Tunmli, as
well as the remains of two or three on the Fulbourn A'alloy
Farm. A gold finger-ring, set with an intaglio on sardonyx,
dug up i)i the garden of (jlogmagog Hills, was shown me by
* h WHS from tliirt niniirlw'iMi' (•<ni('t<ry Liiifmi Ilfiitli, oni' of tlic iiiost cxtcnsivo
invi'Hlit;iil<-il Ity .Mr. Ni'villf, ill 1 ii.'i 1 , tliiit HcricM i.f ri'lii|iirH of ilicir prriod in
till- firMt ;;n'Ut collection of Aii>,'lo-S-ix<iii lOnnlaiiil. A .ulnln f.iiiiiil ut l.ililc Wil-
r<-iiiiiiiiM wiiM ol)tiiiiM-i|, now ]>ri-Mcrvcil in liriilinin in I II.'iO, ;tiiil |>rrsi ntcii l>y ilic Into
liiH .MiiHi-nin lit Audliy KikI.hikI lorniiii;;, Mr. !>< < K lo ilic ItriliHJi MiiMinni, Iimh liccn
Willi liirt more nrcnt colluctioiiM from !i;;iiri '1 in (lii'< .Imnn.il, mM. viii. p. 1 /-J.
ANCIENT CAMBRTDGESPIIRE. 213
the late Lord Godolpliiii, and Douglas, in his " Ncnia," details
the excavation of barrows there.^ Notice was given mo some
three or four years ago, that a Roman hypocaust had been
ploughed into at Stapclford, and might be explored, but
I was unable to attend to it at the time, and am not aware
of its having been disturbed. Many horse-shoes and skeletons
are stated to have been found in the low grounds about
Babraham, but I have never seen any, and cannot therefore
give their description. In the gravel pit at Bourne Bridge,
Romano-British pottery has been turned up ; at Hildersham
I have seen Roman pottery ; at Pampisford there have been
found Roman coins, of which Mr. Parker Hamond can doubt-
less render a correct account. Whittlesford and Duxford are
Roman, as their names import. From liinxton I have a
coin of Ofia. Ickleton boasts the remains of a Roman villa,
which partook largely in the numismatic ^aeld of its neigh-
bour Chcsterford, in Essex. But I must not cross the
Rubicon of the Borough Ditch into that county without
taking a complete farewell of Cambridgeshire, and to effect
this, will retrace my steps in an easterly direction to Borley
Wood and Horseheath, where are found many Roman coins
of the higher and lower empires. Nor can I pass over
without mention the discovery of a hoard of denarii at the
latter place, nearly thirty years ago ; they are still in the
possession of Mr. Batson, of Horseheath Lodge.
Linton, though producing Roman coins, is better known to
the numismatic authorities at the British Museum, as ha vino-
furnished a very rare Saxon sceatta.^ There is Roman
pottery in the heavy lands at Linton ; and on Linton He^th
I had the good fortune last year to fall in with a second
Anglo-Saxon cemetery, the details of which have been given
in this Journal.^ That this place should be prolific in
remains is not surprising, considering its close proximity to
Bartlow, which latter village being situated in both counties,
enables me to pass over the border to the celebrated Tumuli
there. As is natural in such a vicinit}^ coins of the whole
series are to be found, but my own experience has produced
them in the greatest numbers of the very lowest empire,
* Anollu-r very envious Roman riiiR, Carlisle in 177(5. It closely resembled
of silver, stiiti'd to have been found on the those figured, Arch. Journ., vol. viii. p. ?~t.
Gogmagog Hills, w.as exhibited to the '' Vide Hawkins' Silver English Coins.
Society of Antitiuaries by the Bishop of " See page !).'>, in this volume.
211- ANCIENT CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Thcodosius, Ilonorius, and Arcadiiis in particular, A denarius
of tlie first of these emperors was sent me from Castle Camps,
and from Sluidy Camps I liave seen a bronze ladle. All this
locality teems with vestiges of the Latins, and it is only
surprising that the smaller building should have been at
Bartlow, while the extensive ruins and infinite variety of
remains scattered all over Sunken Church Field, Iladstock,
point out that place as the residence of the chief of the
settlement. Coins from Domitian downwards arc liere
abundant, particularly those of Carausius and Allcctus, with
denarii of Sevcrus Alexander, Gallicnus, and Postumus. In
Ashdon, a village nearly' joining IJartlow, Roman pottery and
early coins have been met with. Chestcrford is so well
known, that I need only remark respecting it, that a perfect
series of coins might have been formed thence, if all those
removed by antiquaries at different periods were now
available. The numerous other remains and houses round
it, prove it to have been a place of impoi'tance. Littlebury
occasionally produces a Roman coin, while from the Ring
Camp at Audley End, though we have the evidence of our
eyes as to its nature, and Stukeley mentions that a gold coin
of Claudius and a silver patera were found there, I have
never seen any traces of Roman occupation, except a coin of
Titus, and one of Carausius from the adjacent field. In the
fiower-garden at Audley End fragments of Roman i)ottery
have been turned up, and also a coin of Vespasian, amid the
debris of mediiuval buildings. The interesting Museum at
Safl'ron Walden dis])lays numy coins and Roman fictilia,
brought to light near that town. From specimens in the
valuable collection there, I am enabled to add Lindsell to my
list of places which have furnished mementos of the Roman
conquerors ; and in the more innnediate parishes of Debdcn,
Wimbish, and Widdington, pottery and coins have been
discovered. iJebden, IStanstead, and Dunniow, may also
boast of having each produced a gold (((in ol Ctniobcline.
Retracing my steps by Quendon Street, Rickling, and
Arkesden, all Roman sites to (lie west of tlie linus(> i-ecently
excavated at Wc^nden,"" Elmdon, and Ciii-isliall, w illi i iieir store
of bronze spears and palstaves, must not be omitted.
liangloy and Hcyilon give fni'llicr pi-ooflhal the county of
"^ Sec I'HJ^t: 77 ill this vdluiiii'.
ANCIENT CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
215
Essex was tenanted to its borders by the Latins, and the
open country between the last-named place and Royston,
Melbourn, and Triplow, is filled with the Tumuli of their
contemporaries or successors.''
Having reminded you of the proximity of the Branditch
to tliese tombs, I must crave indulgence for this imperfect
sketch of ancient Cambridgesliire and Essex, as I know
them, and conclude in the words of Horace, only substituting
Triplow for "Brundusium," —
"— longsc finis cliartaeque viaequeest."
R. C. NEVILLE.
NOTE ON THE MEMOIR ON THE ANGLO SAXON CEMETERY AT
LINTON HEATH, BY THE HON. R. C. NEVILLE.
(See par/e 1 04, in this Volume.)
Odr attention has been called by Mr. J. Barnard Davis to the error of
the press, which inadvertently occurred in describing the interment at
Linton Heath, No. 37. The skeleton was stated to be that of a male,
whereas it should have been a female of about forty years of age. A
considerable number of beads of amber and glass lay near the neck. It
does not appear, it should be observed, that the occurrence of such
ornaments in tombs of the period necessarily proves that the person interred
was a female, since it is believed that necklaces were occasionally worn by
men. We cannot too highly esteem the value of the information so readily
afforded on all occasions b}'^ Professor Owen, Mr. Davis, and Professor
Quekett, in the elucidation of archaeological enquiries.
9 A detailed account of tumuli exca-
vated at Triplow Heath and Melbourn
has been given by Mr. Neville in his
"Sepulehra Exposita," in lfi48. In that
interesting volume, as also in his " An-
tiqua Explorata," many particulars may
be found rogMrding various discoveries
prosecuted undo- Mr. Neville's directions,
and to which he has briefly adverted in
tlie onumeratidu nbuvc t>ivcn. It is to be
regretted that these volumes, comprising
the results of his earlier researches, were
printed for private distribution only ;
Mr. Neville had the kindness to present
copies to the Library of the Institute,
where they may be consulted by those of
our readers who are interested in the
vestiges of the earlier inhabitants of
Cambridgeshire and Essex.
VOL. TT.
SURVEY OF THE MAIDEN WAY.
WUlrE LXSK
klLM'Ul KM<U
lilt LTNt <l>M»ll'>
^^)^ cniiEN K^uu'l
[ tlllM o' THE
MUUHT.
rAiiimi iir i.tNrncnriT.
iv-nioM THi: i(ivi.;u kiukhkck to tiik wiiitic lynk kivkij.
.Sinld, soo ynriU U> na Inch.
THE MAIDEN WAY,
1!V TlIK KEV. JOHN MAUOHAN, U.A., Rector of IJcwcastlc, Cuiubuilana.
Section III. — Survey of the Maiden Way tlirouyh the Farish of
Bewcastle*
On crossing: the river Kirkbcck at the Dollerlino tlie
Maiden Way quits the parish of Lancrcost and the feudal
region of the Barony of Gilsland, and breaks ground in the
parish of Bewcastle, continuing forwards in the same straight
line, which characterises its Roman origin. It then passes
through the Borderrigg Meadow, about the middle of the
field, where the track is very distinct, being visible from the
summit of the Side Ground and the Tower Brow, when the
grass is short. The stones show themselves in abundance
to the great annoyance of the mowers, who generally
remove some of them in each succeeding year. Thus in
course of time the track will probably disappear here as in
other places. This track is constantly pointed out as the
Maiden Way, and known as such by the people in the
district.
Before the ascent over the Greyfell Common tlie ^Maiden
Way passes (at 530 yds.) the solitar}^ ruins of the Braes Tower,
another of the camp-forts, or ancient strongholds. This
encampment measured about 70 yards from north to south,
60 yards from east to west, and covers nearly an acre of ground.
It has been protected by a ditch (or perhaps a covered way)
on the west, south, and part of the east side, and there has
been a stone rampart on the outside of the ditch on the
south side. A kiln for drying corn has been on the north-
cast side about GO yards distant. This fortress appears to
have been a place of considerable importance. Several of
the stones used in the erection of the adjoining farm-houses
at the Borderrigg and Lowgrange have an ajijiearance of
Roman origin, and have probably been brought from this
fortress. The stones and mouldings of an old door at
* Cijiitinuod from page 135.
•2 IS THE MAIDEN WAY,
Lowgraiige atlbrd undoubted proofs that they had been
Avorked for some previous purpose.
From some point near the Braes Tower, an okl road
branches off to the north-Avest, which has strong appear-
ances of liaving been a Roman road or branch of the ]\Iaiden
Way. It passes out at the north-west coi'ner of the ])order-
rigg pasture ; over the Parkhead Knowes near an okl thorn
tree ; near Ilobbie Noble's well ; on the east side of the
I'arknook farm-buildings ; over the Bothrigg Hill, where
the public road now follows part of the line, and where it
shows the ancient pavement about 15 feet wide ; past the
Row, the Brock Knowes, and Foggethill gate, up to Lyne-
steads where it turns to the north-east, and soon afterwards
falls into the ancient Wheel Causeway from the Crew, which
will be described hereafter. At Lynesteads are the founda-
tions of a small tower, apparently Roman, which has been
9 yards square. By a little excavation at the north-cast
corner, I ascertained that the wall was hi situ, about 3 feet
high, and 4j feet thick. I also found two thin stones of
a diamond shape, hard, heavy, and apparently of an iron
nature, resembling those used in ancient ornamental paving.
On the east side of this turret has been a rectangular
building, about 9 yards long, and 4 yards broad ; and on
the south side there has been a kiln for drying corn. The
view from this place is extensive and very picturesque. At
a place called Crosshill near Lynesteads is a iVagment of a
cross. On the one side there have been some letters ; only
O G N and part of an ]\I (?) are now legible ; on the other
side are the iigures 1123. A stone axe was lound at the
Crosshill a few 3'ears ago, uliicli was taken away by
Mr. Weir, Surgeon, of Cannobie.
Tlie Maiden Way leaves the Ih'aes ruin at tlie west end,
and piocceds directly np a sla(;k ' to the north-cast, con-
tinuing the line Ironi the High-house Knowe through the
Bu.sh buildings. After ])assing the Jh'a(\s Tower the trace is
not so distinct. W'lim I cxainiiHMl it, I bad (lie advantage
of an unusually diy sjiring which Jiad siript the gi'ound of
almost every blade of grass. 1 found, however, throughout
the whole oi" my track a constant supply of stones of a
peculiar aspect, pcciiini;' thronLi;h the surface, sometimes
' 111 till) NorlliiTii tliiilurl lliiM Uriii ili Mi^niit<H iiii i>|i(.iiiii^ In twciii two IiIIIh, ii
vullc-y, or Hiuull hliull<jw (loll. Itrockelt.
FROM THE ROMAN WALL NORTHWARD INTO SCOTLAND. 219
detached and only appearing at intervals, and at other
places lying in quantities together. These stones were
covered with the same grey coating which I had before
noticed on the stones between Birdoswald and Bewcastle,
and appeared worn as if by attrition from passage over
them. Following what I conceived to be the right track,
I came also to the remains of singular structures, which
would have been considered Roman if they had been found
contiguous to the Roman Wall. These circumstances, aided
by local tradition, that the Maiden Way passed over certain
places on this line, render it probable that my researches
have been in the right place. There is an old tradition in
Bewcastle, that the J\Iaiden Way was never completed
through this district ; that it was made only through the
wet and soft and not over the dry spots of ground. I found,
however, a continuous line of stone, through both w^et and
dry places, of such a character as to lead me to think that
this tradition is not correct.
About half way across the Borderrigg allotment of the
Greyfell Common it crosses the " Ancient Ditch,'' and about
a dozen 3'ards further it passes a small circular mound or
groundwork about 3 yards in diameter. This may have
been a watch-tower, or possibly a place of solitary sepulture.
It is in a straight line with the east chimney of the Bush
and the High-house.
(740 yards.) At 1270 yards it crosses the newly-made
Awarded road, w4icre it is seen in the ditch of the fence, and
then enters the Stocostead allotment.
About a mile westward from this point is an old thick-
walled farm-house, called the Peelohill, probal)ly a contrac-
tion from Peel on the hill, the word " peel" meaning a Border
tower.^ At the foot of the Peelohill wood is another of those
venerable remains, whose interest and value impress us as
the only vestiges probably of a race, a faith, and a state of
social conditions, extinct ages ago. This memorial of the
dead is a large, green, oval-shaped earthen mound, and called
the " Cairn o' the Mount," and is of a different character
from any which I have met with before. It is about 80
yards long, and about 8 yards broad, on the top of the ridge,
- Oi- it mav be a jileonHSin for I'euUaw, on the hill, in which case tlie word hill
the word " law" ineaiiing a hill, Sax. pltaw, would be superfluous,
und the word I'ecUaw lueaiiiui; the Tower
•:20 THE MAIDEN WAY,
an<l runs almost t<> a point at each end, being considerably
broadest near the eastern end. Its slopes vary from 12 to
27 yards, and it is sun-dunded by a terrace H yards broad,
and about <> feet high, ^vhich is fringed with bruslnvood. It
resembles the ship-mounds which are numerous in Sweden,
and arc so called from their being meant, as it has been
conjectured, to imitate the form of inverted ships, and
supposed to have been reared over the remains of those
bold Vikings, whose deeds of depredation and daring spread
the name of the Northmen far and wide.^ It is situated in a
secluded corner, and nearly surrounded with w^oods.
(100 yards.) At 1370 yards the line crosses an old peat
road, which, as on the !Sidc Fell, is thickly covered with
stones at the point of crossing, but on no other part of it.
(100 yards.) At 1470 yards a longitudinal section of the
Way is seen, about 10 yards long, on the summit called the
Brow^nhill. A transverse section about 20 yards further
forward shows the Way to have been 10 yards broad. At
this point the Way appears to turn towards the Crew, taking
a direction almost due north, and striking along the edge of
the back -bone of England, where the varied scenery of hill
and dale, rocky precipices, and foaming rivulets, alternately
adorn the prospect. The stones have been dug out to a
considerable extent at this point, and carted away for making
the neighbouring fences on the recent division of the Common.
This sort of spoliation has rendered the trace of the Way
much more difficult and unsatisfactory. The Mile Castle
(if there was one) would be about this place, but it is not
now traceable.
Pursuing its course straight forwards about 300 yards,
the ^Maiden Way reaches the remains of a small l^cacon
Tower, about 5 yards in diameter, on the Greyhill, which is
the summit of this part of the Grey fell. This IJeacon
commands a view of the sunnnit of the Side Fell, of the
Cairn on the Tower lirow, and of the IJeacons through
Knaresdale to the soudi. and ri very extensive prospect to
the north. From the IWown Kiiowe on the south-west side
of the High-house to this Deacon is (Uk; conliniKMl straight
line about 4000 yards in length.
It seems to be gcMicrally undtM'stood by (he people here,
' 'I'IkT'- ih II |iliici' ill i)iirhi-tiiliiri.' oiill' il .s|ii|itimii, ii-. it has limi Mii.l, (rdiii a larj^o
liarrow ilitrr, in form of a hlii|i.
FROM THE ROMAN AVALL NORTHWARD INTO SCOTLAND. 221
that the Maiden Way passed over the Greyfcll, but the
proper track appears to have been lost. One person pointed
out to me the " Ancient Ditch," whicli I have found so
closely accompanying the road, as the Maiden Way. That
there were different Roman roads through the district is not
at all improbable. Gibbon says, " the primary oljject of
these roads was to facilitate the march of the legions, nor
was any country considered as completely subdued till it had
been rendered, in all its parts, pervious to the arms and
authority of the Emperor."
From the Brownhill the Maiden Way turns and aims
nearly due north ; it passes out of the north corner of the
Stocostead allotment, and enters into the Stocostead pasture.