Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/393

 FORTRESS OF ULEYBURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 329 defence desirable. This approach is therefore found to be defended by a lofty mound raised upon the rampart, and three ditches with their corresponding banks placed in its front. The trenches and banks extended quite across the narrow lidge, which is only about 50 ^^ards in width, and the sides of which descend very precipitously. The measurements of this enclosure are nearly as follows : The south-eastern side about 700 paces ; the north- eastern side 320 paces ; the north-western side 800 paces ; the south-western side 300 paces. Mr. Baker estimates the contents at about 32 acres. The same antiquary has given a tolerably full account of this fortress in the Arclueologia, vol. xix., p. 167, pi. xi. As is the case in most instances, it is very difficult to arrive at any definite opinion concerning the people by whom this place was first fortified. There seems, however, to be little reason for doubting that it was occupied by the ancient inhabitants of Britain anterior to the Homan invasion, and that the latter people afterwards held it. It forms one of a chain of strong posts placed upon the edge of the range of oolitic hills bounding the valley of the Severn and the Avon ; a position of much consequence to the possessors of the central part of England. Mr. T. J. L. Baker has illustrated many of these forts in the paper already quoted. Sir H. Dryden has paid much attention to the same chain of fortresses. It does not appear that he has published any account of his researches, although he gave a short account of them at a meeting of the Cambridoe Antiquarian Society in the year 1841, illustrated by a lithographic map of the country in which they are situated. CHARLES C. BABINGTON.