Page:VCH Staffordshire 1.djvu/375

 ANCIENT EARTHWORKS The county of Stafford comprises an extent of some fifty-two miles in length and thirty-four miles in extreme width, containing in the whole about one thousand one hundred and seventy-one superficial miles. The surface varies in altitude from 150 ft. to i,8ioft. above sea level. Rivers flow in its many valleys, measuring altogether an enormous length through lands of the richest character ; and its hills shape into the bossy forms which come of the gravels and new red sandstone, varied by the bare crags of the limestone rocks and the heathery moors and woods of its grit-stones. Before, however, entering upon any description of the ancient earth- works of this county as they at present exist, reference to the writings of the early historians who dealt with the subject in their day should be alluded to. Camden, Gibson, Erdeswick, Harwood, Plot, Shaw, and others each recorded these works ; some of which have now disappeared. Many of the views of these early writers are by no means to be ignored, and their statements of facts are worthy of consideration. One at least of the earthworks mentioned by Dr. Plot has now dis- appeared. At Wrottesley he says : ' There remained (in his day) either the foundation of some ancient British City or other fortification of great extent the whole containing in circuit about three or four miles lying part in Staffordshire and part in Shropshire.' So far as diligent and repeated search can now disclose there is nothing of this vast inclosure at present to be seen, nor has minute inquiry ended in information being obtained beyond the bare tradition of its existence. Placing the positions of the earthworks upon the map, it will be found that there is scarcely a parish within our borders which does not contain one or more of these features of remote or later date. In the classification of these various works we follow the scheme formu- lated by the Congress of Archaeological Societies : CLASS A. Fortresses partly inaccessible, by reason of precipices, cliffs, or water, additionally defended by artificial works, usually known as promontory fortresses. CLASS B. Fortresses on hill-tops with artificial defences, following the natural line of the hill; or, though usually en high ground, less dependent on natural slopes for protection. CLASS C. Rectangular or other simple inclosures, including forts and towns of the Romano-British period. CLASS D. Forts consisting only of a mound with encircling ditch or fosse. CLASS E. Fortified mounds, either artificial or partly natural, with traces of an attached court or bailey, or of two or more such courts. CLASS F. Homestead moats, such as abound in some lowland districts, consisting of simple inclosures formed into artificial islands by water moats. CLASS G. Inclosures, mostly rectangular, partaking of the form of p, but protected by stronger defensive works, ramparted and fossed, and in some instances provided with outworks. CLASS H. Ancient village sites protected by walls, ramparts or fosses. CLASS X. Defensive works which fall under none of these headings. 331