Page:VCH Leicestershire 1.djvu/320

 A HISTORY OF LEICESTERSHIRE Sanvey Castle is oblong in plan, with an open area around three sides, almost a courtyard, so broad and level is the space between the escarpment and the foot of the neighbouring hills. On the fourth, 01 western side the most vulnerable a wide fosse is at the base of an escarp- ment of 68 ft. with a counterscarp of 28 ft., a strong rampart also defends this side and its angles. At the section C D the rampart is less pro- nounced, but the escarpment is 74 ft. ; and the former is lost on the north and south sides. The entrance is on the north-east ; ascending between two strong aggers, it continues as a passage through the whole width of the camp to the southern edge, where a mound defends a path to the flat court and leads to a water supply. On the west of this passage is the entry into the larger interior area, commanded by a mound above a sunken space, which appears to have been a fictitious entrance, or cut de sac, within which to entice an invading enemy. On the east of the passage a smaller area is well defended by a rampart and scarp, the latter varying from 48 ft. to 70 ft. Within this area despite the ages which have passed and the rank growth of vegetation is an arrange- ment of banks, nearly 4 ft. in height, which point to the provision of primitive dwellings. A gap in the encircling hills, through which flows a brook, is guarded by two aggers, between which an oblique path provides egress. On the outer side of this barrier a cutting supplies a steep path by which the precipitous hill beyond is ascended. WOODHOUSE. ' BEACON HILL ' (xxiv, 3) is a rocky height towering above its neighbours and commanding an extensive view of the country. Its name betokens the use that it served in mediaeval and more modern times, and from its formation and position there can be little doubt that it was utilized for the same purpose in prehistoric ages. A double line of entrenchments surrounded its crest, and although now badly mutilated, enough is extant to indicate the outer line with certainty. The lower cincture, of an irregular elliptical form, consists of a double vallum and fosse ; the inner vallum rises but little more than a foot and descends into a fosse 24ft. wide by a scarp of 10 ft. ; the counterscarp is of the same height, the fosse being 4 ft. deep, perpendicular measurement. The value of the second vallum is greatly enhanced by the natural decline of the precipitous hill-side. This is at the most perfect part towards the east, at other points the defences are almost obliterated, and the western side of the hill is not nearly so invulnerable ; but it is here strengthened by a quarried steep for a length of about 500 ft. The other vallum, of no great strength, apparently surrounded the stony summit at a higher level ; but very little of it can be traced. Celts, spear-heads, and a battle-axe, which have been found here, testify to its early use. 250