Page:VCH Staffordshire 1.djvu/390

 A HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE less indicated throughout its full extent, and is quadrilateral in form with rounded angles, being 206 yds. in length and 160 yds. in width, containing an area of 6| acres. A stream runs within a short distance. A main road crosses it in a north-easterly and south-westerly direction. Its surrounding vallum has been disturbed and weathered away to some extent, and the general construction differs from its fellows in that the vallum is raised above the inclosed area, and its situation is at a low level, the nearest altitude being given at 200 ft. It is situated about seven miles to the south-west of Wolverhampton. There is no known Roman road to this camp. LONGDON. It is just possible to say that at Longdon there are indica- tions of a Roman camp. They occur immediately to the south-east of the church, and consist at present of several short lengths of slopes from the plateau of the camp, which is on a high ground but without discernible boundaries, though faint traces of them may be seen. Like the other cases of this class the camp surfaces occupy the highest level dimensions cannot be given, nor the area; the nearest level is stated at 351 ft. Longdon is halfway between Lichfield and Rugeley ; there is a stream of water near to the site. OGLEY HAY : KNAVES CASTLE. The remains of this work are situated on Watling Street at the level of 500 ft., but they are very slight and near to the line of a roadway leading from the Watling Street. ROCESTER. BARROW HILL has but scanty remains consisting for the most part only of the north-west and south-east angles of the camp, but the sides are to some extent traceable along the boundaries. It is to be noticed here that contrary to the case in the hill forts the area of the camp itself has the highest ground, and the slopes run from its edges. This points to a material difference in the methods of construction and indeed of purpose. Though this camp is on an elevated site on the side of a hill its area is conspicuously open and not protected by the sur- rounding vallum as in the hill forts, indicating that the display of the camp was designed, rather than a sheltered obscurity, which suggests a marked difference of purpose. The situation is immediately above Barrow Hill on Dove Cliff, and about three-quarters of a mile north of Rocester and about eighteen miles from Chesterton. Its dimensions may be given as 147 yds. north and south and 167 yds. east and west, and its form rect- angular with rounded angles and containing an area of 6| acres ; the nearest stated altitude being 459 ft., and it commands very exten- sive prospects. Immediately to the north of the camp is a tumulus or barrow which no doubt gives name to the locality whilst the camp is unnamed. The Ordnance map bears record that in 1872 Roman coins and pottery were found in the barrow, and in 1894 some fragments of Roman pottery and glass were disclosed on slight digging being made at the camp by members of the North Staffordshire Field Club by permission of Captain Dawson, the writer hereof being present. The River Churnet falls into the Dove near to Rocester. SHARESHILL. A small work in this parish, from its form and situation, has something of the appearance of a Roman origin. It is a square with 346