Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/156

126 therefore, would occupy about six acres of ground. The outer wall of the Station appears to have been of considerable thickness, but it is now in ruins, and covered with turf. In some places it is nearly level with the ground, but it still shows distinctly the site of the wall. It appears to have been protected by an outer rampart and a fosse on the East, South-east, and South-west sides. The South side would be defended by the steep bank of the river Kirkbeck. On the North side of the station there are some traces of ramparts at a small distance from it, which appear to have been a procestrium or advanced post of defence. The South-east side has declined a little from its original elevation, the river having made encroachments here at different times, and washed away the bottom of the bank, which is a sort of quicksand. There is a spring of excellent water on this side. On the Western side the pistrina has been placed at the distance of sixty yards. Within the Southern side, and nearly upon the Southern wall, the New Rectory House and garden are placed, and on the North side of these are the church and churchyard. Within the Northern side, and on the Northern station wall, a large, rude, and irregularly built border castle (about eighty-seven feet square) has been erected, partly, at least, constructed of stones of the station, and it has been surrounded by a deep and wide ditch. There is no date known of the erection of this castle, but the cement shows it to have been of ancient construction. The entrance has been on the West side, and has been considered by some to have been added at a later period. Within the Northern side are also the Manor House, farm-buildings, and garden. The remainder of the Station is an excellent pasture. It shows several traces of foundations of buildings, proving it to have been a place of considerable importance. Almost every grave that is made cuts through foundation walls. There are also several traces of pavements. On the top of the hill, to the North-west, are some groundworks, which are said to have been a hall occupied by one of the younger branches of the family settled at Bewcastle,—hence the place is called the Hallhills. They appear to have been connected with the Station by a road, which has been raised above the adjoining ground. From a stratum of ashes which is often found in the graves, about three feet below the surface, we may infer that the place had been destroyed