eat te eee pgeaunraweveg oe ates ; : pines: 2 3 . atc sdtapineginysscssteseee reser iereameaeeareeee sae tarsi Sees ener a The Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Magazine PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SOCIETY FORMED IN THAT County A.D. 1853 Nos. 209—210 EDITED BY E. E. SABBEN-CLARE No. 211 EDITORIAL BOARD: F. K. ANNABLE, THE REVEREND E. H. STEELE, R. E. SANDELL (SECRETARY) VOL. LVIII Nos. 209—211. SEPTEMBER, 1961—SEPTEMBER, 1963 DEVIZES: CHARLES H. WOODWARD Ltp., MARKET PLACE SEPTEMBER, 1963 CONTENTS OF VOL. LVIIl No. CCIX SEPTEMBER, 1961 Vol. 58 PAGE Sir Richard Colt Hoare: By R. E. Sandell 1— 6 The Origin and Early Development of the Saxon Borough with Special Reference to Cric k- lade: By Henry Loyn 7—15 An Anglo Saxon Pilaster, St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade: By J. and H. M. Taylor 16—17 The Evelyn Family in Wiltshire: By Colin Fenton 18—24 Playbills in the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries: By Arnold Hare 25—28 Earle of Crudwell: By T. R. Thomson 29 Excavation and Fieldwork in Wiltshire, 1960 30—38 The Avebury Sarsens: Some Surface Markings: By P. A. Hill 39 Bury Wood Camp, Report on Excavations, 1959: By D. Grant King 40—47 Notes.—Skeletons at Aldbourne. Iron Hoe. The Place Names of Wiltshire, E.P.N.S. The White Way. Hannah, Wife of William 7th Lord Forrester of Corstorphine. Deserted Medieval Villages in Wiltshire. The International Congress of Genealogy and Heraldry. Dr. H. M. Taylor 48—50 Obituaries 51—53 Reviews 53—58 Report of the Curator for 1960 58-462 Annual General Meeting 1960 62—64 Accessions to the Library 1960 65—66 Records Branch, 1959—61 66 Accessions to the Record Office, 1960 67—68 Natural History Section: Hon. Secretary’s Interim Report (A.G.M., May 1961) 69 Field Meeting and Lectures, 1960: Report by the Hon. Meetings’ Secretary, Beatrice Gillam 69—70 The Weather of 1960: By R. A. U. Jennings vai Wiltshire Bird Notes for 1960: Recorders: Ruth G. Barnes, Geoffrey L. Boyle and R. L. Vernon 72—81 Wiltshire Plants Notes (21) (Fourth Supplement to The Flora of Wiltshire) : compiled by Donald Grose 82—85 An Abnormal Foxglove at Longleat: By Donald Grose 86 Entomological Report for 1960: By B. W. Weddell 87—88 Annual Statement of Accounts, 1960 89—91 No. CCX DECEMBER, 1962 Vol. 58 PAGE From Salisbury Plain to South Siberia: By Stuart Piggott 93—97 The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, Wilts (Interim Report): By H. C. Bowen and P. J. Fowler 98—115 Neolithic and Beaker Sites at Downton, Wiltshire: By Philip A. Rahtz, with a Report on the Pottery by A. M. ApSimon 116—142 A Romano-British Pottery in Savernake Forest. Kilns 1-2: by F. K. Annable 142—155 The Pre-Conquest Churches of Wessex: By H. M. Taylor 156—170 The Salisbury Canal—A Georgian Misadventure: By Hugh Braun 171—180 Salisbury Diocesan Record Office: By Pamela Stewart 181—184 Bury Wood Camp, Report on Excavations, 1960: By D. Grant King 185—208 Annual General Meeting 1961 209 Annual General Meeting 1962 210 W.A.S. Records Branch Report for 1961 2h Report of the Meetings Secretary 196] 211 Report of the Hon. Editor 212 CONTENTS TO VOL. LVIII Report of the Curator for 1961 Notes.—Two Prehistoric Axes. The Avebury Sarsens. Ground and Polished Stone Axe from Euridge. Two Bronze Brooches from North Wiltshire. Romano-British Burials at Devizes. Romano-British Burial, Colerne. Quidhampton Manor. Wiltshire Families of Unknown Origin. English Place Name Society, Volume XVI, (Wiltshire) Obituaries Reviews Accessions to the Library 1961 Accessions to the County Record Office 1961 Excavation and Fieldwork in Wiltshire 1961 Natural History Section: Hon. Secretary’s Report (A.G.M., June 1961) Field Meetings and Lectures, 1961 : Report by the Hon. Meetings Secretary, Beatrice Gillam The Weather of 1961: By R. A. U. Jennings Wiltshire Bird Notes for 1961: Recorders: Ruth G. Barnes, Geoffrey L. Boyle and R. L. Vernon Autumn Migration Enquiry, 1957—1960: By Geoffrey L. Webber Entomological Report for 1961: By B. W. Weddell Wiltshire Plant Notes (22) (Fifth Supplement to the Flora of Wiltshire) compiled by: Donald Grose Some notes on the Fungi: By T. F. G. W. Dunston and Captain A. E. A. Dunston The Treatment of Roadside Verges in Wiltshire: By Donald Grose List of Members CCXI SEPTEMBER 1963 A Roman Villa at Downton: By P. A. Rahtz The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, Wilts (Second Interim Report) by P. J. Fowler, with a contribution by T. J. Scantlebury Impropriator and benefice in the Later Middle Ages: By I. Keil A Group of Barrows near Shalbourne, Wilts: By David E. Johnston The Stonehenge Cursus: By Patricia M. Christie Anne, Lady Beauchamp’s Inventory at Edington, Wiltshire, 1665 A Group of Iron Objects from Barbury Castle, Wilts: By M. McGregor and D. D. A. Simpson A Study of the Wiltshire Water Meadows: By George Atwood Beaker Finds from South Wiltshire: By John Musty The Excavation of the Barrows on Lamb Down, Codford St Mary: By Faith de Mallet Vatcher The Saxon Land Charters of Wiltshire: By T. R. Thomson and R. E. Sandell W.A.S. Records Branch Report for 1962 Report of the Curator for 1962 Notes.—A Late Roman Coin Hoard from Nettleton. Excavations near the Bishop’s Stables, Cathedral Close, Salisbury. The Castle Eaton Sanctus Bell. Naish’s Map of Salisbury. A Seventeenth Century Trade Token. The Spas and Mineral Springs of Wiltshire. Obituaries Reviews Accessions to the Library 1962 Accessions to the County Record Office 1962 Excavation and Fieldwork in Wiltshire 1962 Natural History Section :— Report by the Hon. Meetings Secretaries il 213—216 ys yey 28-399 230—232 233—239 237238 238—239 240 —248 249 249250 251 252—262 263266 267—268 269272 273 274291 292302 Vol. 58 PAGE 303—341 342350 351—361 362—369 370—382 383—393 394402 403—413 414416 417441 442446 447 447—451 452455 456—457 458464 465466 466 467—472 473—475 (VE CONTENTS TO VOL. LVIIL The Weather of 1962: By R. A. U. Jennings 476 Wiltshire Bird Notes for 1962 477—492 Mute Swan Cenus 1961 493—495 Wiltshire Plant Notes (23): By Donald Grose 496—498 Entomological Report for 1962 : By B. W. Weddell 499—SOl Index 503—508 ILLUSTRATIONS No. CCIX An Anglo Saxon Pilaster, St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade: Plan, opp. 16. The Evelyn Family in Wilt- shire: Plates I, I, III, and [V between 18—19; Pedigree, opp. 24. Earle of Crudwell: Pedigree, opp. 29. The Avebury Sarsens: Some Surface Markings: Plates I and II, opp. 39. Bury Wood Camp, Report on Excavations, 1959: Fig. 1, opp. 40; Fig. 2, 43. Notes: Plate I, Iron Hoe, opp. 48. No. CCX From Salisbury Plain to South Siberia: Fig. 1, 94; Plate I, opp. 94. The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, Wilts; Plate I, a and b, opp. 102; Plate II, a and b, opp. 104. Appendix I], Wrough- ton Mead: Figs. 1 and 2, between 114—115. Neolithic and Beaker Sites at Downton: Fig. 1, 116; Plate I, opp. 116; Fig. 2, 117; Fig. 3, opp. 119; Fig. 4, 119; Fig. 5, 120; Fig. 6, 122; Fig. 7, 123; Fig. 8, 124; Fig.9,125; Fig. 10,126; Fig. 11,130; Fig. 12, 131; Fig. 13, 132; Fig. 14, 133; Fig., 15 134; Fig. 16, 135; Fig. 17, 136. A Romano-British Pottery in Savernake Forest: Fig. 1, 142; Fig. 2, 143; Fig. 3, 144; Plate I, opp. 144; Fig. 4, 145; Plate If, Phases 1, 2, 3, 4 between 148—149; Fig. 5,151. The Pre-Conquest Churches of Wessex: Fig. 1, 157; Fig, 2, 161; Fig. 3, 163; Fig. 4, 166. The Salisbury Canal—A Georgian Misadventure: Map, 172. Bury Wood Camp, Report on Excavations, 1960: Fig. 1 Plan, between 184—185; Plate I, opp. 187; Fig. 2 opp. 188; Fig. 3, 194; Fig. 4, 195; Fig.5 between 196—197; Fig. 6, 198. Notes: Fig. 1 and 2, 218; Fig. 1 Stone Axe, 220; Fig. 1 and 2 Brooches, 221; Fig. 1 Grave, 223; Fig. 1 Brooch and knives, 227. Autumn Migration Enquiry, 1957- 1960: Map 1 and 2, 264. The Treatment of Roadside Verges in Wiltshire: Map 1,275; Plate Land II. opp. 280; Plate III and IV, opp. 282; Plate V, opp. 284; Map 2, 286; Fig. 1, 287; Plate 6, opp.289, No. CCXI A Roman Villa at Downton: Fig. 1, 304; Fig. 2, 306; Fig. 3, 308; Fig. 4, 309; Fig. 5, 310; Plate I, II, III, Between 310 and 311; Fig. 6, 311; Fig. 7, 312; Fig. 8, 313; Fig. 9, 314; Fig. 10, 315; Fig. ‘11,_317; Fig. 12, 318; Fig. 13, 320; Fig. 14, 322; Fig. 15, 324; Fig. 16, 327; Fig. 17, 330; Fig..18, 332. The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, Wilts: Plate I, Opp. 342; Fig. 1, 343; Fig. 2, 346. A Group of Barrows Near Shalbourne, Wilts: Fig. 1, 363; Fig. 2, 365; Fig. 3, 366; Plate I, Opp. 366; Fig. 4, 367; Figs. 5 and 6, 368; Stonehenge Cursus: Fig. 1, 371; Fig. 2, 373; Plate I and II, Opp. 374; Plate III, between 374 and 375; Fig. 3, 375; Fig. 4, 376; Fig. 5, 379. A Group of Iron Objects from Barbury Castle, Wilts: Fig. 1, 395; Fig. 2, 397. A Study of the Wiltshire Water Meadows: Plate I and II, between 406 and 407. Beaker finds from South Wiltshire: Fig. 1,415. The Excavation of the Barrows on Lamb Down, Codford St. Mary: Fig. 1, 418; Fig. 2, 419; Fig. 3, 421; Plate I and II, Opp. 422; Fig. 4, 423; Fig. 5, 424; Fig. 6, 426; Fig. 7, 428; Fig. 8, 430. Fig. 9, 438; THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY MAGAZINE Number CCIX September 196! Volume 58 THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY The Society was founded in 1853. Its activities include the promotion of archaeological work within the County and of the study of all branches of Natural History; the issue of a Magazine and other publica- tions; excursions to places of archaeological and historical interest; collaboration with a Records Branch; and the maintenance of a Museum and Library. The subscription rates for membership of the Society are at present as follows:—Annual Subscrip- tion {£1 12s. 6d. Life membership £20. Enquiries about membership should be made to the Hon. Secretary, c/o The Museum, Devizes. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY Patron : The Lady Colum Crichton-Stuart Trustees : E. C. Barnes, Esq. Sir Patrick Devlin Sir Michael Peto, Bt. Bonar Sykes, Esq. Vice-President : R. B. Pugh, Esq. Committee : E. G. H. Kempson, Esq., M.A. President A. M. Hankin, Esq., C.M.G., M.A. Honorary Secretary R. E. Sandell, Esq., M.A., F.L.S. Honorary Librarian F. W. C. Merritt, Esq. Honorary Treasurer E. E. Sabben-Clare, Esq., M.A. Honorary Editor R. W. H. Willoughby, Esq. Honorary Meetings Secretary Maurice G. Rathbone, Esq., A.L.A. ex-officio, as County Archivist Brig. K. M. F. Hedges, C.B.E., D.S.0., M.A. Lady Katherine McNeile H. C. Bowen, Esq., M.A., F.S.A. Oswald Brakspear, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. A. J. Clark, Esq. f Miss Beatrice Gillam R. A. U. Jennings, Esq., M.A., F.S.A. Miss J. de L. Mann, M.A. The Rev. E. H. Steele, M.A. Hon. Sec. Archaeology sub-committee Dr. T. R. F. Thomson, M.A., M.D., F.S.A. H. de S. Shortt, Esq., M.A., F.S.A. C. Floyd, Esq. Group-Capt. G. M. Knocker J. W. G. Musty, Esq. representing the Wilts C.C. Curator : F. K. Annable, Esq., B.A. Honorary Architect : D. A. S. Webster, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. ne RR vey Cec an CANO UDUOUENDERAUEAUADEEDOCUCOS CAD OUDEUUT UEC CULO UCPC EVE ET ETE Authorities in Schweppshire presume that the old Schweppes bottle, as illustrated, found recently under a fallen trilithon at Stonehenge was left there by one of the Beaker Folk. Controversy rages as to whether he drank his Schweppes from his Beaker, or straight from the bottle. As this trilithon fell in c. 1870 A.D. the story is rather spoilt—but one thing is certain, Schweppervescence lasts the whole drink through. hy YU 000ENCAGRDULUDUUUNUODUUHUANADAULEANUUUTODEEDAR ELUTE EON RAEe il aU ESTABLISHED OVER 100 YEARS F. RENDELL & SONS LTD. — DEVIZES —- WILTS Building and Civil Engineering Contractors PLUMBERS - DECORATORS - ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS TELEPHONE: DEVIZES 157 (4 lines) We are your Main Distributors for VAUXHALL BEDFORD JAGUAR Retail dealer for ROVER at Marlborough We can supply any make of New Car or Commercial Vehicle. Used Cars are a very specialised part of our business 1899 — over 60 years service to Motoring — 1961 SKURRAY’S THE SQUARE, SWINDON Tel. 2266 also at GEORGE LANE, MARLBOROUGH Tel. 806 ili The Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Magazine No. CCIX 1961 Vol. 58 CONTENTS PAGE DIRSRIGHARD-COLT HOARE: By R. BE. Sandell oc. dccecsaes cd scedead vacna cet esvesanceucia 1— 6 THE ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE SAXON BOROUGH WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TOMCKICH MADE Ey ELCHEY OY co sone w ely diab e's se Hee 4a a8 oly oe ORS ME Mee ae eae ede 7—15 AN ANGLO-SAXON PILASTER, ST. SAMPSON’S CHURCH, CRICKLADE: By J. and H. M. Taylor.... 16—17 THE EVELYN FAMILY IN WILTSHIRE: By Colin Fenton............ 0.0.0 ce cece cece veces 18—24 PLAYBILLS IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURIES: By Arnold Hare........ 25—28 PAP EEORG RUD WELL: By cl alike PRONSOM s.c6 eddeu. cin aeeeouces anv i wtdleeee avaweagen 29 EXCAVATION AND FIELDWORK IN WILTSHIRE, 1960.......... 0.00 cc cece cece cece cece ences 30—38 THE AVEBURY SARSENS: SOME SURFACE MARKINGS: By P. A. Hill...........0......000 000008 39 Bury Woop Camp, REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS, 1959: By D. Grant King.................... 40—47 Notes.—Skeletons at Aldbourne. [ron Hoe. The Place Names of Wiltshire, E.P.N.S. The White Way. Hannah, Wife of William 7th Lord Forrester of Corstorphine. Deserted Medieval Villages in Wiltshire. The International Congress of Genealogy and Heraldry. Dome eb AV OU: nendewhn eens gates cs cose awh ew LR eRGS Cee VEEN ows PwE A Sad ESE 48—50 ( OVBY TIGNES Pere et rea eee 51—53 LSTEAVITERGVASL 2 Geena ee te de are ER Mae AA ce ee 53—58 IREPORT OF (HE, CURATOR FOR 196005 350s vas ea ee bic sa cas ceased be debe eS¥ eeu eeew sews 58—62 ANNU APAGENERAL MEETING 1960) oc ccais soba ceases caseeenewncdedevdebavbapianeewes 62—64 PNGCESSIONS 10 THE LIBRARY 19602.5...c4 sec cen bieketeneee es Reive ee ene Gaeavewes cows eyes 65—66 RECORMSISUANCH Nl OSS-Oloanicae leu sakes Cua eeeu es eek as FOU Ee lbeenbe ko Uaweaeebee's 66 INGCESSIONS TO THE RECORD OFFICE, 1960......0.000c0c0ccccseseccucessecvetesescecsvess 67— 68 NATURAL HIstTory SECTION: HON. SECRETARY’S INTERIM REPORT (A.G.M., MAY 1961)......... 0.0 cece eee e eee ee eens 69 FIELD MEETING AND LECTURES, 1960: Report by the Hon. Meetings’ Secretary, Beatrice Rec ComineMMete darter ee cenrietas etre cane Siege 4 2 ee Rtaae bw be Mask ae GS bore aly Soe haere aad 69—70 Doe WEATHER OF 1960: By R.A. U. Jennings .......000.. scence ses es vow ec eeeenasanses 71 WILTSHIRE BIRD NOTES FOR 1960: Recorders: Ruth G. Barnes, Geoffrey L. Boyle and IRGMIPMRV ETI O Meretenrretemie pcre re renner carte scene ors onea Sayan eltene Gur are aie id w Mla Agron wants ¢ Sara 72—81 WILTSHIRE PLANT NoTEs (21) (Fourth Supplement to The Flora of Wiltshire) compiled by Brine CCCIOS Ce aueenanetre tures wag chee Cate eo ona RENE NL MOS a Aree bik Cae Ale wig yonlein See we Ra 82—85 AN ABNORMAL FOXGLOVE AT LONGLEAT: By Donald Grose............00000 eee eeee ee 86 ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1960: By B. W. Weddell ...........0. 00.0 cee eee ee eee 87—88 EXSNINDAL SRATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, [960.055.2000 oSebie oc 0d 6So¥ ser arncdoekne coeueees 89—91 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE An Anglo-Saxon Pilaster, St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade: Plato, «soe hares tesco 5 Uae a rene ee a Res eee ot Rea aaiariarea anaes oka eas ican aera aE Opp. 16 The Evelyn Family in Wiltshire: Blatessieoh Han GiV x. ost chee ies cert ee eee ee ete etait Between 18—19 PEAISFCE oo atin cs SOs oe Gee a hart se Ae Sah OA Ais Aenea Screen aiuia cee Opp. 24 Earle of Crudwell: REGINTOE: Wena ictus = aban Se oroume Oh atk + cPap nF aqera en a aie he as wen ee aierareeeeny i ce Opp. .29 The Avebury Sarsens: Some Surface Markings: igtes Lan Us cat? x sexthe, ecient angst acta aeatnt alata cyl mel ano a tee eae age ee cane os ete oe eee Opp: 39 Bury Wood Camp, Report on Excavations, 1959 US Ss Ae OSS se oat ees Senn ain Bue re eee aie grate eee ala as a nant expose as oo Opp. 40 MUG ee eet aics se ectc eR eee og Bia OO ene Dusies aa eae ie eadten ARPS eeuataN re gre Sreniater gee aye Layee esa SIE eet eee 43 eleatedk, IPOMEIOR sare sce 2uayoee w fo Bie diWayele a deta rniben loa aptdee So 4 alee ereel ae Buete eat eee Opp. 48 THE WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS No. CCIX 1961 Vol. 58 SIR RICHARD COLT HOARE By R. E. SANDELL A full length biography of Sir Richard Colt Hoare is long overdue. His work as an archaeologist and topographer is well known, but his other accomplishments have not received due recognition. Amongst these are his influence on the development of water colour painting, both as an artist himself and as a patron. Perhaps this short account of his life and work, first given as an address at the meeting of the Wiltshire Archaeological Society at Stourhead in October 1960, may induce someone to undertake the task. Sir Richard Colt Hoare, F.R.S., F.S.A., was born on 9 December 1758. His father was Richard Hoare, a member of the famous banking family, who was created a baronet in 1786 and died the next year. His mother was Anne, daughter of Henry Hoare the younger, who laid out the gardens at Stourhead. Thus in Colt Hoare the two branches of the family were united. In 1783 Colt Hoare married Hester Lyttleton, of Hagley Hall in Worcestershire, daughter of Lord Westcote, an Irish peer who later became Lord Lyttleton in the peerage of Great Britain. They were married for only two years ; she died in 1785, leaving two sons, one of whom only survived her by a few weeks. Colt Hoare seems to have been overwhelmed by the loss of his wife and left immediately for the continent, where he travelled for six years, with only one brief visit to England. In 1791 the difficulties of foreign travel became so great that he was forced to return home. He turned his attention to England and Wales and by 1801 had become interested in the antiquities of his own neighbourhood; it was then that the fruitful co-operation with William Cunnington started, which was to end only with the latter’s death in 1810. The last twenty- eight years of what must have been a somewhat lonely existence were spent by Colt Hoare in publishing the results of his excavations with Cunnington in the two magnificent volumes of Ancient Wilts., and in writing and encouraging others to write the six volumes of Modern Wilts., some of which did not appear before his death in 1838. Such are the bald facts of his life. We know little of Colt Hoare’s youth, except that he was educated at private schools and early in life joined the family bank, in which he did not stay long. His grandfather Henry Hoare, on retiring in old age to his house at Clapham, handed over to him the family estates in Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset; these were centred on Stourhead and estimated to bring in £6000 a year. Quite naturally in view of this, Henry Hoare left his interests in the bank to other members of the family, and Colt Hoare was free to devote himself to other activities. After his marriage he and his wife lived in a house in the Adelphi and his eldest son, Henry, was born in 1784. On 26 July 1785 his wife gave birth to another son, Richard, and she herself died on 22 August. In September his grandfather died and on the 28th of the same month his infant son also. This combination of events was too much for Colt Hoare, who on 19 September 1785 left for the continent, not even waiting to seeif his child wouldlive. Onecan hardly blame him for seeking distraction after such heavy blows of fate, but it seems a little heartless to have left his other son to be brought up by nurses and tutors, and the conduct may explain the coolness be- tween them in later life. It is remarkable that his son is hardly ever mentioned in his journals. I feel that the melancholy caused by these sad events must have followed Colt Hoare throughout his life; it is instructive to compare the portrait of Colt Hoare as a young man, which hangs in the saloon at Stour- head, with the magnificent portrait of him with his son on the right side of the entrance hall. In the VOL, LVIII- CCIX A 2 former one sees a pleasant-faced and apparently happy young man; in the latter, which cannot have been painted more than twelve years later, there is a decided melancholy. Both these pictures are by the same artist, Samuel Woodforde, R.A., who was helped both by Colt Hoare and by his grandfather. When one comes to look at the copy of the memorial to Colt Hoare by Chantrey, in the library at Stourhead, one finds a face of the utmost despondency, though this may in part be due to the gout, rheumatism and other illnesses which affected him all his life. Colt Hoare’s journeys abroad occupied the years 1785-1791, with a year at home from July 1787 to June 1788. On reading his journal one is struck by three things; his growing artistic appreciation, his mania for copying classical inscriptions, and the social life with which he filled the evenings. His interest in painting starts on the first page of the journal with the negative remark ‘ no good paintings in the church at Calais.” He travelled with Captain Merrick, a friend of the family, who died two months later of a fever caught in the Pontine Marshes. They went via Lille to Paris, where they did not stay long, and then to Italy through Lyons. He somewhat naively remarks that the Mont Cenis Pass was barren, with no trees on the top. In Turin he inspected the picture attributed to St. Luke, and on 19 October 1785 he was in Milan, where he says of the cathedral ‘ It is in the gothic style . . . but did not strike me as so elegant and light as many I saw in Flanders, France and England.’ In Bologna he did six churches in one morning; in Florence he dined with the British Ambassador; in Rome with Lord Spencer and in Naples he had an orgy of theatre going—on 14 November to the Teatro Nuovo, on the 15th to the Teatro Fiorentino, on the 16th to the Opera. This sets the pattern for the tour; churches, paintings, and inscriptions all day, with social engagements and theatre going in the evening. On 3 December he was himself drawing at Agnano. After being presented to the King of Naples, he attended a chasse royale which he compares unfavourably with an English fox-hunt. The spring was spent in Rome, often in the company of water-colour painters. The diary records frequent visits to Hackert, Du Cros, Labruzzi and others of the Swiss school and their followers. Colt Hoare’s ideas on the development of water-colour painting are set down in his description of the paint- ings at Stourhead in Modern Wilts. He points out that the advance in technique at this time had been so marked that this form of art as a means of reproducing scenes of natural beauty had begun to rival painting in oils. He traces its development from Sandby to Turner and there can be no doubt that he was deeply influenced by these artists. There is a great similarity between some of the works of Du Cros and those of Colt Hoare himself and in 1786 he started to collect paintings by Du Cros. He travelled in Campania with Hackert and his journey with Carlo Labruzzi was of consider- able importance. On 17 May 1786 he left Rome to travel through Tuscany to Genoa and made comments on a long list of paintings. After visits to Switzerland and Spain, the winter of 1786-7 was spent in Florence and Rome and the diary degenerates into a record of social engagements. In July 1787 he came home; possibly his father was in failing health as he died in October of that year. Colt Hoare spent the first week of his return to this country with his parents at Tunbridge Wells and then came back to Stourhead, where he spent most of the rest of the summer. Until his next journey abroad he spent most of the time in the country, shooting, dining with the local gentry, visiting relations and attending justices’ meetings at Hindon. In 1788 he left for Holland and went on via Berlin and Vienna to Trieste. This time he visited many of the islands off Italy, drawing and painting scenes in Pola, Elba, Capri, Ischia, Sicily and Malta. In October 1789 he went south from Rome, meaning to follow the Via Appia to Brindisi. He took with him Carlo Labruzzi as ‘ friend and companion ’ to draw scenes of interest. At that time before the in- vention of photography, it was a common thing for wealthy travellers to take an artist on their travels with them, whether or not they could draw themselves. Seven years before, Colt Hoare’s neighbour 3 Beckford of Fonthill had travelled for two years with J. R. Couzens on a similar route through Ger- many and Italy. ‘ Warwick ’ Smith got his nickname through travelling with the Earl of Warwick, and in this country John Britton took with him Samuel Prout. Both Colt Hoare and John Britton were competent artists, but this did not seem to make any difference. The journey with Labruzzi met with various misfortunes. Floods forced them to leave the intended route between the River Liri and Capua, and Labruzzi’s illness forced the eventual abandonment of the project. In the next year Colt Hoare returned alone to Rome along the Via Latina, making similar drawings to Labruzzi’s himself. This association between the two was recalled to mind in 1960, when Labruzzi’s original water-colours came up for exhibition and sale in London. On this journey there seems to have been more serious work and less distraction. Many monasteries were visited, especially those containing pictures; they included Monte Cassino, to which he seems to have introduced the potato. He returned home from Florence, arriving in England in August 1791. The result of these tours was the arrival at Stourhead of a very valuable collection of drawings, including at least 900 of Colt Hoare’s own and 200 by Labruzzi. There was also a large library of books relating to the topography of Italy, which he later catalogued and in 1825 presented to the British Museum. There is little doubt that Colt Hoare meant to undertake many further continental tours and had in mind Aosta, the Pyrenees and Portugal, but the French Revolution, or, as he calls it, the ‘ Demon of Revolution ’ forbad it. It was fortunate for this Society that he was at the time confined to the British Isles, for he turned his attention to antiquities nearer home. ‘ Neither the mind nor the eye shall remain inactive’ he says, following this with an apt quotation from Pliny :—‘Ea sub oculis posita neglegimus.’ The vast array of barrows and earthworks stretching over the Wiltshire downs was sub oculis as far as Colt Hoare was concerned, but serious work on these did not begin for another ten years. During the last decade of the century he started to visit Wales and during the next twenty years made no less than fourteen excursions, some of them lasting for several months. His diary for the years 1797-1814, which is preserved at the Wiltshire County Record Office, reveals a programme that varies little from year to year. Between January and April he spent at least two or three months in London; from April to September he would travel in Wales; the rest of the year would be spent at Stourhead, with perhaps a further visit to London in November or December. The tour in Wales in 1798 was made in order to collect drawings for Archdeacon. Coxe’s Historical Tour in Monmouthshire, which was published in 1801 and illustrated with views by Sir Richard Colt Hoare. The routine was varied by an excursion to the Isle of Wight and a tour in the north of England. In 1806, doubtless feeling the need for a change after serving as High Sheriff in 1805, he followed his usual tour to Wales by an expedition to Ireland, lasting from June to September. The journal of the tour in Ireland was published in 1806, and finishes with fifty-eight pages of general remarks. These show that he made a close scrutiny of the Irish as well as of their antiquities, for he has notes of their climate, habits, agriculture and many other points of interest. He seems to have caught a bad cold in Ireland, for he writes later to William Cunnington that he has been ‘ confined to the house with a violent cold and troublesome cough, still I fear owing to my original cold caught in Ireland; the Hibern- ian Bogs do not agree with me as well as the British Downs, no colds caught upon them but health and good spirits are constant companions.’ William Cunnington could well appreciate this remark, as his doctor had told him to ride on the downs for his health. Other entries in the diary give us glimpses of life at Stourhead and the problems which arose. In 1799 the harvest was not concluded until 30 November. In 1802 he and one other killed twenty wood- cock in Brueham Lodge Wood. In 1809 the Prince Hereditary of Orange breakfasted at Stourhead. 1A Colt Hoare’s health deteriorated considerably and in January 1801 he notes his first attack of gout; in 1803 he was held up at Gloucester for fifty days by illness and in 1812 and 1813 he suffered with gout and rheumatism for the greater part of the autumn. In 1801 the famous archaeological partnership between Sir Richard Colt Hoare of Stourhead and William Cunnington of Heytesbury began. The correspondence between them is preserved in the Society’s library at Devizes; a full account of their relationship has yet to be published, though the late Lt.-Col. R. H. Cunnington made a fine contribution in his as yet unpublished manuscript. William Cunnington provided the knowledge and enthusiasm, while Colt Hoare, with equal enthusiasm, was able to provide the financial means, without which their long succession of excavations could not have been achieved. Cunnington was a wool merchant from Northamptonshire who settled in Heytesbury about 1775. He was of indifferent health and suffered from headaches, being told by his doctors to ‘ ride out or die ’. He admits that in early life he was not interested in antiquities, his main interest being in geology, but in following his doctor’s advice on the downs round Heytesbury he came to notice and be interested in the tumuli which lie scattered over the area. Before Colt Hoare came on the scene he had found an inter- ested helper in Archdeacon Coxe, and it was doubtless he who brought the two men together. Coxe was Rector of Bemerton near Salisbury from 1788, of Stourton from 1800 to 1811, and lastly of Fovant. As early as 1800 he was employing the firm of Crocker & Sons of Frome to survey various earthworks for him. Their bills are preserved in the Society’s library; Bratton Camp, for instance, cost £3 3s. while Vespasian’s Camp and Yarnbury came a little cheaper at £2 12s. 6d. The Roman road from Sarum to Winchester took Crocker and his son six days and cost £15 15s. as well as £9 10s. for expenses. By 1801 Colt Hoare was also employing them and the standard rate seems to have settled at £3 3s.; Bilbury, Groveley, Whitesheet, Stockton and Sidbury were all surveyed at this fee. In 1803 Colt Hoare took over from Coxe the project of writing an Ancient History of Wiltshire and in future paid the expenses, which had hitherto been on Coxe’s account. As the survey developed the Revd. Thomas Leman was drawn in; he was the acknowledged authority on Roman roads and was said to have visited every Roman road and station in Britain, a somewhat tall claim. He made his knowledge freely available to county historians and frequently assisted Crocker in his surveys. In 1805 they together made a preliminary survey, lasting two days, of the Romanroad from Bath to Cirencester. The final plan of this road cost Colt Hoare £37 10s. Two of the Crocker sons were also employed and one of them, Philip, in addition to making very fine drawings of the objects excavated by Colt Hoare and Cunnington, went on to become Colt Hoare’s secretary, living in one of those attractive houses in the village of Stourton. Behind all this activity it was Cunnington who was bringing the joint undertaking nearer to com- pletion. Every summer he dug and surveyed, often in Colt Hoare’s absence. There are many letters from Colt Hoare, asking for Crocker to make drawings of the latest finds to be sent on to him. Some- times other local gentry became interested, and occasionally we find that Lambert, the famous botanist from Boyton, or the Revd. E. Duke, who had an interest in the area near Lake, were present at the opening of a barrow. Later Colt Hoare, who normally put up at the inn at Deptford, would dine at Heytesbury with Cunnington and his family. One senses the feeling of strain, which must have beset Mrs. Cunning- ton and her three daughters, at entertaining so distinguished a guest. Elizabeth Cunnington, William’s second daughter and her father’s secretary, remarks in a letter to her future husband :— ‘ Sir Richard with Mr. Lambert and Crocker dined here at 2.0 o’clock, they rode out from 4 to 8 then returned and had some tea. Sir R. never eats any supper . . . Sir R. gave us very little trouble eat heartily, and was in very good spirits and seemed to enjoy himself uncommonly.’ 5 In 1808 Colt Hoare took advantage of Cunnington’s presence in London, at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries, to get him to sit to Samuel Woodforde for his portrait. A letter from Colt Hoare’s brother Peter Hoare, who had seen the portrait in London, says:— ‘ you ought not to have put on your best wig as the common one would have been more pictures- que.’ We are apt today to think of William Cunnington as he appears with his best wig in this portrait, which now hangs in the lecture hall of the Museum at Devizes, or as he appears in the engraving taken from it by James Basire; but possibly a truer impression is to be gained from the portrait of Cunnington without any wig at all, which hangs high up on the left side of the front hall at Stourhead. Cunnington died on the last day of December 1810, just as the first volume of the Ancient History of Wiltshire was ready for the publisher. Colt Hoare paid the bills, which amounted to a very considerable sum. Four years later the question arose as to the disposal of the objects which he had dug up during his many excavations. A rather chilly correspondence between the Cunnington daughters and Colt Hoare is to be found in the Wiltshire County Record Office, in which they politely point out that their father had neglected his business in order to help Colt Hoare, a fact which is born out by some of Cunnington’s own letters. They valued the collection at £600 and offered it to the British Museum, who declined to buy. Colt Hoare eventually bought the letters and from his family they later came to the Society’s Museum at Devizes. The remaining years of Colt Hoare’s life were spent in bringing out the second volume of the Ancient History of Wiltshire and the six volumes of his Modern History of Wiltshire. Modern Wilts. consists of six volumes dealing with the histories of all the hundreds in south Wiltshire, as far north as Westbury. The histories of the different hundreds were published separately and later combined into volumes. This leads to some confusion in their dating; thus Volume IV (Dunworth and Chalke, 1829-33) precedes Volume III (Westbury, Warminster, South Damerham and Cawden, 1830-35). The earlier parts are almost entirely the work of Colt Hoare, with assistance from the Revd. Offer, especially in the hundred of Branch and Dole. Offer was retained by Sir Richard Colt Hoare and Sir Thomas Phillipps jointly in 1822 to help in their researches, each paying £100 yearly. As increasing age and infirmity set in, Colt Hoare made greater use of helpers; thus the account of Dunworth Hundred was largely the work of Lord Arundell, while Charles Bowles of Shaftesbury contributed to that of Chalke. Richard Harris and Wansey also contributed. Special mention must be made of George Matcham of New House, who not only helped with the Downton Hundred but later finished the Frustfield Hundred after Colt Hoare’s death in 1838. Volume V dragged on from 1837 to 1844 and was eventually paid for by Henry Merrik Hoare. Volume VI had a very chequered history, being started in 1814, taken over by someone else in 1817, relinquished in 1834, taken up again in 1836 and finally published in 1843, overtaking Volume V on the way. An interesting account of the gatherings at Stourhead convened by Colt Hoare to discuss and work on these projects is given in the account of the meeting of the Archaeological Institute at Salisbury in 1849. Helpers were invited for a week, and were free to use the incomparable topographical library which Colt Hoare had collected. During the week they followed their various researches, Colt Hoare only appearing at noon for half an hour and again at five p.m. for dinner. The evening was passed at whist, which Colt Hoare, being deaf, enjoyed as a relaxation. Another glimpse of these gatherings is to be found in the diary of the Revd. John Skinner, of Camerton in Somerset. He was there in 1824 with Lord Arundell, Mr. Merrick, Mr. Bowles and Mr. Offley, and was apparently a frequent visitor. One could wish that Colt Hoare had started to compile Modern Wilts. earlier in life so that he could have covered the whole county, or that the arrangement whereby Sir Thomas Phillipps was tocomplete the history of 6 the northern part of the county could have been implemented. Modern Wilts., withall its inaccuracies, is still extremely useful and a basis for investigating the history of any parish in south Wilts. Sir Richard Colt Hoare died in May 1838; with the subsequent history of his collections we are not here concerned, but both the Society’s library and museum contain important and valuable items which once were part of them. I cannot do better than finish with a quotation from a poem written by the Revd. W. L. Bowles in 1828 :— * To thee this tribute of respect and love Beloved, benevolent and generous Hoare, Grateful I pay.’ 7 THE ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE SAXON BOROUGH WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CRICKLADE* By HENRY LoYN It is necessary to start this article with a word for those whose concern is more with Cricklade itself than with the origin of the Saxon borough. There are interesting materials for the study of pre-Norman Cricklade, as the publications of the Cricklade Historical Society demonstrate. There are charters, particularly a charter of Ethelred in favour of the abbey at Abingdon, which have a vital bearing on Cricklade history. There are coins, the possibilities of which are not yet exhausted; even within the last twelvemonth exciting die-links have been established, which corroborate the view that some Cricklade moneyers struck also at Oxford.! There are admirable topographical details, not least the continued existence of much of the Saxon fortifications themselves. There is archaeological evidence, and also some architectural evidence from St. Mary’s and St. Sampson’s. But the only hope of understanding the importance of Cricklade is to look hard at its general historical setting. This is disappointing in some ways, until it is remembered that the history of no late Anglo-Saxon town, not even London itself, can live alone. We must therefore look first at Cricklade in its proper context, in its national setting, in its regional setting, and in its topographical setting. Then, and only then, is it possible to approach the question which offers hope of fuller understanding of Anglo-Saxon society, that is the question of what makes burhs such as Cricklade important in the tenth and eleventh centuries. THE NATIONAL SETTING There is a phrase from Anglo-Saxon poetry that has bedevilled the study of the origin of urban institutions in England. In the Exeter Book there is a short poem, generally called the Ruin, possibly referring to Bath.? Itis a lament: ‘ Wondrous is the masonry—the fates destroyed it. The fortified places (burgstede) burst open; the enta geweorc crumbles.’ Enta geweorc, the work of giants, an expressive and evocative phrase, is used in Beowulf of secret dragon-protected mounds, and is used also in the poem, the Wanderer, of deserted towns: ‘ op paet burgwara breahtma lease eald enta geweorc idlu stodon.’ (the old work of giants stood empty, deprived of the clamour of its citizens). The choice of the word breahtm showed awareness of the reputation of burh-dwellers as a noisy crew, but the over-all impression given by the phrase old work of giants is that towns were of mysterious origin and purpose and matters for superstitious dread. Yet in the earliest narrative prose sources there is no evidence of such superstitious dread. Bede was perfectly familiar with Roman towns. He tells how, at the very moment of Ecgfrith’s disastrous defeat in 685, the reeve of Carlisle was conducting Cuthbert around the antiquities, the walls and the fountain, not unlike a modern mayor showing off his town. There was no poetic flight of imagination concerning the work of giants on the reeve’s part. He knew that the Romans were responsible for the stone walls and fountain. 3 Some impression, to be sure, is given of uselessness; the conducted tour of Carlisle— the ruins of Bath. It is possible, however, that too much has been read into this type of evidence, and certainly con- clusions from it have been carried too far into the Anglo-Saxon period. A contrast is made, or implied, between the Romans with their towns, their luxury, their baths and their decadence, and the Germanic * Based on an address given by the author to the Cricklade Historical Society on 16 December, 1960,—Ed. 8 peoples with their villages, their open fields, their heavy lands, their heavy ploughs, their heavy crops— as if there were virtue in weight. There is some truth in the contrast, of course. The greatest single achievement of Anglo-Saxon England was the colonisation of England, the opening-up of heavy lands to intensive and permanent agriculture, a carrying-forward of the agrarian life of the community to a point beyond the inheritance of Roman Britain. And no one denies a disastrous falling away of Roman urban life and institutions, even in later Roman Britain. Continuity in habitation sites is not the same as the survival of Roman towns. The towns of Anglo-Saxon England were essentially differ- ent from those of Roman Britain. Yet acceptance of agrarian achievement and of agrarian predomin- ance in the Anglo-Saxon economy should not blind the student to the exciting stages in the development of Anglo-Saxon urban life, in which little towns like Cricklade had their full part to play. The following propositions may help to clarify the urban development: 1. There was no significant continuity of urban institutions from Roman Britain. The Roman towns in Britain depended upon Roman commerce, administration, law, organisation and the Roman army. The main reason of being of the towns disappeared with the empire. Bishops did not survive to carry on the shade of Rome—in contrast to the situation in Gaul. 2. There was some continuity in habitation site, certain and established in Canterbury, prob- able in York and one or two other centres, possible, indeed likely, in London and in other Roman cities which have transmitted their Romano-British names to the modern world in good forms. If London had been completely destroyed, why is it there today, asks Mr. Lethbridge ? ‘ It isa horrid port to make.’4+ A partial rejoinder to his question might be that London is the meeting place of lines of communication, that it is indeed—from the point of view of Cricklade—yet another cross- ing of the Thames. 3. A positive revival took place during the Age of Conversion of the English, from 597 a.p. to 735 A.D., from the coming of St. Augustine to the death of Bede. This revival was on Meroving- ian lines. The towns were small, and somewhat exotic, but were genuine trading and ecclesiastical centres. They were concentrated for the most part on the south-east with its ready access to Frankish lands. 4. From the Age of Bede to the Age of Alfred there was elaboration of urban institutions in the towns already in existence in the south-east, in London, Rochester and particularly in Canter- bury where, in the ninth century, charters show that customary law regulated the eavesdrip be- tween houses, that a guild (admittedly of dubiously-named cnihtas) existed, that a distinction was made between citizens living within the walls and those without, and that the market-place was a prominent feature of the little urban community.’ The archaeologist can point to one positive extension of urban life to the west, at Hamwic, now part of modern Southampton. To the north, York developed into an urban centre of repute in the course of the eighth century. Thestabilisation of the coinage, especially under Offa, suggests intensification of trading activity. 5. During the reigns of Alfred and his son Edward, A.D. 871-924, there is evidence of a positive burghal policy which makes this half-century, in urban affairs as in the wider political field, the true hinge of the Anglo-Saxon period. 6. There is unequivocal evidence for the growth of true towns in England during the tenth and eleventh centuries. It is difficult to say at what stage precisely Cricklade enters into this picture. Roman finds have been made on the site. Commonsense and topography speak in favour of continuous occupation. But it is not until the reigns of Alfred and Edward, a truly heroic age, that there is evidence of the importance of Cricklade. Behind this age lies the success of Anglo-Saxon colonisation, the establishment of a stable agrarian base to society, the permanent making of England. 9 One of the greatest achievements of Alfred, of his remarkable son, Edward, and of his equally remark- able daughter 4Ethelfled consisted in the successful foundation and elaboration of burhs. The word burh was a common Anglo-Saxon term, connected with the verb beorgan, to protect, and carrying with it some sense of fortification. It continued to be used, in late Anglo-Saxon and early Norman times, particularly in the home counties, in the sense of fortified manor-house, though it shades off into a tech- nical meaning in the early tenth century, along the path that leads to the modern borough.® There are two principal sources of information about the burhs at this early period, the Burghal Hidage and the Mercian Register. The latter, which was incorporated into the archetypes of several of the surviving manuscripts of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, recorded the extension of Alfred’s burghal policy from Greater Wessex into Mercia. It has little direct importance to the immediate theme, though there are some implications to which we shall return later. But the Burghal Hidage itself is of immense import- ance. A document of the reign of Edward the Elder, it laid down in orderly fashion a system of defence for Greater Wessex by which the fortified position, the burh, was keyed into the agrarian structure. The main section of the document is simple and laconic. It surveys thirty burhs, starting from an unknown Eorpeburnan to the east of Hastings along the south coast through Chichester, Southampton and Winchester to Exeter, Halwell, Lidford and Pilton to Watchet and so across the northern frontier of Greater Wessex through Langport, Bath, Malmesbury and Cricklade to Oxford, Wallingford, Bucking- ham, and finally to the burh at Southwark. The burhs were assessed in terms of hides; to Eorpeburnan belong three hundred and twenty-four hides, to Hastings belong five hundred hides . . . to Bath, one thousand, to Malmesbury one thousand two hundred, to Cricklade one thousand five hundred, to Oxford one thousand five hundred.” The assessment was then interpreted in terms of military defence of the fortifications. Sixteen hides were required for the maintenance and defence of an acre’s breadth (i.e. twenty-two yards), so that, if one man came from each hide, every pole was to be manned by four men. Proud of his sums, the writer of the document carried his calculation forward: eighty hides for twenty poles, a hundred and sixty hides for a furlong, and so on—he could not let it go—fourteen hundred and forty hides for nine furlongs . . . nineteen hundred and twenty hides for twelve furlongs. He finally, and in triumph, isolated the general principle: “If the circuit is greater, the additional amount can easily be deduced from this account, for a hundred and sixty men are always required for one furlong, then every pole is manned by four men.’ These calculations were not idle. Where they can be tested, there is a pleasing coincidence in several instances between the early tenth century figures and the line of existing or presumed fortification. Dr. Thomson has pointed out for Cricklade itself, that if, as seems likely, the burh was square, the length of wall was exactly the two thousand and sixty-three yards that would be expected from an assessment of one thousand five hundred hides.’ The Burghal Hidage is a memorial to a policy that was realistic. This royal policy was, in its immediate concern, primarily military. The surrounding estates had to find provision for the maintenance of the wall and men for garrison duty. The burhs were the critical points in defence against swift-moving invaders, whose very mobility rendered difficult traditional defence by the fyrd. But the royal policy was also more than military. It fostered the creation of per- manent institutions and marked a critical point in the differentiation of town and country. The tenth and eleventh centuries were a period of growth in urban institutions. By 1066 London was a great town of international importance, York and Winchester were both large towns with populations not far short, if at all, of the ten thousand mark, and there was a respectable number of substantial towns like Lincoln, Norwich, Thetford, Chester, Exeter, Oxford and Colchester. There were also many small towns, of which Cricklade was not the least, occupying a burghal position and characterised functionally by four main institutions which, though not to be found in all, were to be expected in most: a market, a mint, special tenure, and special jurisdiction. These burhs were an important element in royal adminis- tration. VOL. LVIII-CCIx B 10 There, for the moment, we turn from the national picture, very different from the old view of Saxon clodhopper, bound to the plough. THE REGIONAL SETTING If there was serious urban development in the tenth and eleventh centuries, how did the region fit into such development? A reference back to the Burghal Hidage helps to suggest an answer to this question. Bath was assessed at a thousand hides, Malmesbury at twelve hundred, Cricklade at fifteen hundred, Oxford at fifteen hundred. These were defensive points for Greater Wessex. Their value is seen in the best known of early references to Cricklade, when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle relates of the year 903 (probably referring to events late in 902), that the army in East Anglia broke the peace and ravaged over the land of the Mercians until they came to Cricklade, and that there they went over the Thames and took all they could seize both in and round about Bradon, before returning home.® As Dr. Thomson says, Cricklade was either not occupied or successfully defended, 1° and in these days immediately be- fore the Burghal Hidage the second possibility seems the more likely. But the burhs were more than strategic military centres. They were also either actual centres of internal trade, or potential centres of internal trade. In connection with this point the Mercian Register is important, and provides a nice piece of negative evidence. AEthelred of Mercia and his wife, AAthelflaed, were great burh-builders, but there is a marked contrast between the burhs of the Mercian Register and those of the Burghal Hidage. Two-thirds of the Wessex burhs (and nearly all if one takes into account those that were over-shadowed, and whose economic life was absorbed, by nearby settlements, like Burpham and Arundel, or Porchester and Portsmouth) survived as towns into the Middle Ages. Of the twenty-one burhs of the Mercian Register, as Professor Tait pointed out, only eight developed into municipal boroughs later in the Middle Ages: Chester, Bridgenorth, Tamworth, Stafford, Hertford, Warwick, Buckingham and Maldon.!! Many of the others, some of whose sites are unknown to this day, dwindled into obscurity. The explanation of this contrast is simple. The burhs that did not thrive economically did not maintain a burghal status. This was partly a matter of regular communications, as essential for trade as for war. Settlements that achieved a permanent purpose possessed many mouths to feed, demanded a steady flow of supplies and provoked the need for regular markets. If they were keyed into a solid agrarian base they survived, and if not, they did not survive. The Burghal Hidage with its military slant was not the be-all and the end-all. A capacity for growth was essential; and one of the best signs of such growth was the presence of a mint. Here mention must be made of an outstanding regional peculiarity. There is a heavy concentration of Anglo-Saxon boroughs and mints in parts of the west country, notably in Wiltshire and Somersetshire. Elsewhere, as in Devon and Dorset, a neat quadri- lateral of boroughs is disclosed. To the north of the Thames, in Mercia, English and Danish, the presence of one conspicuous shire-town dominates the urban pattern. Various explanations can be given for this regional peculiarity. The little boroughs of Wiltshire and Somerset tended to be favoured royal residences. The king was often in these parts. Good food and good hunting were powerful attractions. There was a need for mints and special status. The presence of a ready supply of silver in the Mendips has been held as a reason for the multiplicity of mints, though numismatists write down the importance of this possible source of silver supply. Perhaps most import- ant of all for the west country is the growth in complexity of royal administration, above all the need of the burh as the centre at which royal dues could be collected and protected. It is well-known from the work of Round that high farms were paid by great royal estates or groups of royal estates in late Anglo-Saxon England. In Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset boroughs were found— to use Round’s splendid term—interned in groups of royal demesne, paying perhaps about £80 a year 11 in 1066, and between £100 and £110 in 1086.12 These estates were freed from the imposition of geld, but made heavy payment to the king in this way in composition for food-rents and rights of hospit- ality. Somerton was grouped with the borough of Langport in this way, and Cheddar with Axbridge. In more complicated fashion Frome and Bruton were associated together, and possibly Bedminster with the two little boroughs of Milborne Port and IIchester. In Wiltshire itself, Amesbury, Bedwin, Calne, Chippenham, Tilshead and Warminster were the centres of such groups. This peculiarity may not be taken as an explanation of burghal status throughout the country, nor were all such centres boroughs even in the west, but it explains the agrarian aspect of so many burhs of the west and south- west. Maitland made much of manor-houses as places where geld would be paid. Small boroughs performed a similar function for farm in the royal west, as centres for the receipt of royal revenue. Indeed, increasing awareness of the complexity of royal administration is one of the principal factors altering the historian’s attitude to the tenth and eleventh centuries. Money was collected, farm and geld; money was protected. There was need of centres where royal reeves could live and where mints and prisons could be set up. Even Calne, whose burghal status has been questioned (it struck no coins) entertained a Witan twice, was the centre of a farm-paying group, and had a prison.'!3 Royal admin- istration was well developed in the west. The weight of royal farm, geld and ecclesiastical impost was enough to account for some of the differences between the free Danelaw and the more manorialised west. The view that many borough courts had their origin in urbanised hundred courts is strengthened by the Wiltshire evidence. The burhs were often, like Cricklade, the head of their hundreds. In their multiplicity, in Wiltshire and in Somerset, is to be found, among other things, a sympton of the com- plexity of royal administration and of the advanced nature of that administration in its regional setting. THE TOPOGRAPHICAL SETTING The key text in any discussion of the special significance of Cricklade is that here is the point at which the Roman road from Silchester of the Atrebates to Cirencester and the Severn crossing passed over the upper Thames. To deepen interpretation of the text , a good eye for country coupled with a knowledge of Anglo-Saxon charter boundaries is needed, and good progress towards such a deepening is being made by the work of the Cricklade Historical Society. There are some general observations which can be made. Ina land of prospering arable and at a centre suitable for a market—the closed-in manor is a figment of historical imagination—Cricklade was well placed for solid economic development. Political accident helped to foster this development. The history of early Anglo-Saxon settlement tells of West Saxons north of the Thames. Mercian supremacy in the eighth century stabilised the political boundary at the Thames. Cricklade was an important point on the main lines of communications, well placed to thrive in the economic and in the military fields. It was also a frontier town between Wessex and Mercia. There is also a tenurial reason for the importance of Cricklade. Wiltshire was conspicuous in 1086 for the extent of royal demesne. 1+ Edward the Confessor had held six large manors to which William I added extensive lands, mostly belonging to Earl Harold and his family, estates of immense wealth assessed at no less than four hundred and thirty and a half hides. The six purely royal estates each constituted one of the ‘ farm groups’ referred to above. Cricklade did not fitinto such a group, but there are other signs of its specialised development. An Abingdon charter of 1008 added to a restored estate unum praediolum in the civitas of Cricklade, which was further described as a haga, a burghal term. !° Most important of all, Domesday Book gives evidence of much tenurial heterogeneity. The abbey of Westminster, thanks to the generosity of Edward the Confessor and King William I, was in a favoured position. It had the third penny of the borough, valued at five pounds, and owned many burgesses. But there were also contributory burgesses, entered under the names of the manors on which they dwelt 2B 12 but with burgess rights at Cricklade.!* Thirty-three of these burgesses were mentioned, drawn from mine manors; there was also a house and a garden appurtenant to holdings at Clyffe and at Ardescote. The manors stretched over a swathe of country south from the Thames to the Kennet, spreading over a rough right-angled triangle, with the hypotenuse a line from Cricklade to Ramsbury and the base a line from Ramsbury to the upper Kennet. Aldbourne, Badbury, Calcut, Clyffe Pypard, Chisledon, Liddington, Lydiard, Purton, Ramsbury; a regular manorial litany contributed to the well-being of the northern frontier town of the shire. Cricklade was head of its hundred. Royal interest in its ecclesias- tical position was strong. Alfred’s daughter had held the church at Ashton. St. Sampson’s itself, the mother church of the area, had been held by the Confessor, and either he or his successor granted it with its appurtenances to Robert FitzWimarc, possibly with a reversion to Westminster in mind. Robert himself gave land at Cricklade to St. Peter’s, Westminster.!7 Cricklade was a real borough and no mistake, a most important centre for a considerable district, very different from the normal manorial group, far different from a mere * walled microcosm of the rural world without.’ 18 An approach can now be made to a question that is vital to an understanding of late Anglo-Saxon society. What made the boroughs, especially the little boroughs like Cricklade, so important, in the tenth and eleventh centuries? Four reasons stand out, corresponding in fact to the evidence for their peculiarities, to explain how they differed from the countryside surrounding them; a military reason, an administrative reason, a legal reason and an economic reason. The military raison d’étre of a burh is not easy to neglect. The garrison theory of the origins of the English boroughs was associated with the name of the great F. W. Maitland, somewhat distorted and exaggerated by another famous name, that of Adolphus Ballard, and rejected decisively as a complete explanation by Miss Mary Bateson and by James Tait.1° In a general sense there was some truth to it. Strong and successful military leadership was necessary to establish the burhs; the duty of service at the burhs was a charge rarely if ever removed from the shoulders of estate-owners, certainly from the eighth century onwards; the earliest evidence for recognisable burhs such as the Burghal Hidage and the great Worcester charter can be interpreted in support of the garrison theory. The burhs were fortified and maintained; the burhs were garrisoned. Undoubtedly fortifications had to be created, and it is likely that the ealdorman, the greatest royal officer in the shire, played a leading part in the actual construction and organisation. Sir Frank Stenton sees the probable origin of the earl’s third penny in this task of initial fortification, and points to the possibility that later features of burgess tenure, equal tenures and money rent, may owe much to deliberate settlement by the king and his officers.2° But military reasons are not enough to account for—if the horrid modern word may be used—the viability of the borough. Many of the boroughs of 1066 cannot be associated directly with fortifications. In Wiltshire only Cricklade, Wilton and Malmesbury are known to have been fortified.21 The contributory burgesses of Domesday cannot be taken as members of a military garrison. Theirs was an economic, not a military, contribution. A house in a borough was an economic asset, not a military obligation. Military needs had much to do with the origins of the late Anglo-Saxon borough; they continued to have importance for many boroughs as key points on the lines of communications and as places where the ealdorman and other royal officers could meet the fyrd; burgesses, particularly near hostile borders, continued to wear a surprisingly martial aspect, even as late as the time of Domesday Book. But excessive and con- tinued emphasis on military aspects distorts the true picture. The importance of a borough as a centre of royal administration—quite apart from a purely military function—is a different matter, and must receive some attention. The royal nature of the Anglo-Saxon borough is a commonplace to all familiar with the law-codes of the late Anglo-Saxon Kings. The borough was presumably the home of royal reeves and an important collecting place for royal gelds and dues. Royal administration was no mere idle abstraction. Many people were involved. There were 13 great comings and goings. Yet this point again must not be laboured to excess. Councils could be held at royal manors as well as in boroughs. Important law-codes were issued at Grately and King’s Enham, as well as at London and Bath.?? But much important routine business of the day was clearly associ- ated with the boroughs. It is not easy to separate off the administrative aspects of such activity from the legal. Texts for tenth and eleventh century legal studies are sometimes confused, but two themes stand out. Borough-right came to be distinguished clearly from land-right, and attempts were made to establish a distinction based on size between various types of borough. The evolution of a special borough-right may be implied in one of the classic texts of late Anglo- Saxon history, Edgar’s law-code issued at Andover. It is there stated that the hundred court was to be attended as previously established, that the borough-court was to be held thrice a year, and that the shire-court be held twice a year.23 There are difficulties in interpretation. Three meetings a year would be hopelessly inadequate to deal with the type of business faced by later borough-courts. It may be that the three meetings were specially afforced extraordinary meetings, possibly for the supervision of royal rights. More clear-cut for the immediate purpose— and more significant because expressed so casually—is an early eleventh century private document known as Episcopus, possibly from the prolific pen of Wulfstan. This states that a bishop is to supervise all manner of secular trans- action, to see to each legal right, of burh and of land (ge burhriht ge landriht), and also to see to weights and measures in burhs, a matter of some moment.?4 There can be no doubt about it. The special legal position of the borough was a reality in the eleventh century. Attempts made to distinguish boroughs according to size are exceptionally interesting, in part be- cause they were not altogether successful. There were two main objectives, to both of which reference is made below in another context: firstly, to make a reasonable reduction in the number of moneyers, and secondly to ensure the provision of good witness to trading transactions. Onthe number of moneyers, Athelstan’s code at Grately laid down that there were to be seven moneyers in Canterbury, four of the king, two of the bishop and one of the abbot; in Rochester, two of the king and one of the bishop; in London, eight; in Winchester, six; in Lewes, two; in Hastings, one; in Chichester, one; in Southampton, two; in Wareham, two; in Dorchester, one; in Exeter, two; in Shaftesbury, two; in the other boroughs, one.?5 The law-code known as‘ Ethelred 1V’ simplified the picture and, in the course of elaborate penal legislation against forgery and false coining, distinguished between the summi portus which were to have three moneyers apiece, and all other ports which were to have one.?¢ In fact the summi portus claimed more than three moneyers, as the numismatist can prove. The Hereford Domes- day tells of seven moneyers at work, in what was not one of the greatest boroughs of the realm.27 Yet, dead letter as the regulation may have been in relation to its immediate purpose, the distinction between great and ordinary boroughs is a good illustration of the legal thought of the day. The concern of the law-codes with the provision of good witness is even more revealing. Edgar’s fourth code, issued at Wihtbordestan in 962 or 963 and meant to apply to the Danelaw, declared that witness was to be appointed for each borough and each hundred, thirty-six for each borough (the bigger boroughs were taken as normal in this code), twelve for each small borough or hundred, unless more were required. Anyone buying or selling, in borough or in wapentake (in civitate, rure aut hundrede according to Quadripartitus) was to do so in the presence of these witnesses.?8 The distinction between the number of witnesses in the types of borough suggests a range in volume of business. The equival- ence of small borough and hundred (or wapentake) is especially significant in relation to the Danelaw, where urban activity tended to be dominated by the big boroughs central to the shire, such as Notting- ham, Derby, Leicester and Lincoln. This important statement of Edgar’s touches the area where the legal function of the borough overlaps “14 the economic. The need for proper witness to trading transactions was a matter of great concern to'a monarchy anxious to preserve good order. Peace could not be assured if property could not be secured. The tenth century kings were patient promulgators of dooms, many of which dealt with theft and its consequences, with cattle-raiding and stealing in an agrarian context. Their best hope lay in the creation and encouragement of institutions that would prevent such theft. Peace-giving guilds, frith- guilds, and voluntary associations were regularised and systematised in the course of the tenth century. Corporate riding-groups to meet this protective need helped towards the evolution of the hundred itself as a permanent institution. The borough was equally important. It provided a centre at which men could assemble. Yet in spite of its military, administrative, and legal flavour, as a place where king’s officers could meet and the posse could gather—and, indeed, where justice could be done—too much weight should not be placed on these aspects of borough life. The extraordinary should not be stressed at the expense of the ordinary. The borough is more than its legal shell. It is also a place where good witness could be found. Edgar’s code was of vital importance in that respect. As society grew more complicated, good title to goods was imperative. The process of vouching to warranty was at hand to ensure such title. In early Kentish laws of the seventh century provision was made for good witnesses to be obtained at the king’s hall in London.2° In Wessex it was even possible for a dead man to be vouched to warranty in exceptional circumstances.3° The tenth and eleventh century kings furthered this process by their skilful use of burhs as centres of population where witness could be found. It is all of a piece with the public nature of the world of this age—a world of oath, ordeal and witness. It is a charge sometimes brought against these kings that there is a spirit of antiquarianism in their legal enactments. But, wherever their laws can be tested, the spirit of immediacy is present. A notable instance occurs in connection with the coinage. The numismatist confirms the practical results of Edgar’s strong reinforcement of Athelstan’s pronouncement that one coinage should run throughout the kingdom.;! And their attempts, conscientiously made, to confine trading to the boroughs are exceptionally interesting because the attempts failed, presumably through the very weight of business. In his Grately decrees, Athelstan stated that all buying was to be done within a borough.32 This was unrealistic, and he was forced in his own legislation to temporise on two important matters. The ordinance laid down by the reeves and bishop of London stated that they would maintain the peace that had been laid down at Grately, Exeter, Faversham and Thundersfield, except for those regulations that had been repealed, namely that which forbade Sunday marketing and that which denied the legality of purchase with full and true witness outside a town. Edgar accepted the modifications, and Canute, in an important decree, admitted the legality of purchase of goods worth more than fourpence with the witness of four true men, be it within a burh or upp on lande.33 The key to royal action lies in the stress on good witness, within or without a borough. But the borough is the type, the norm, for such trans- action and such witness. To conclude, the borough seems exceptionally important in late Anglo-Saxon society as an economic institution. Marketing was not confined to boroughs. From Domesday Book an impressive list of markets can be drawn up, some confessedly new, that never achieved borough status. It is reasonable to suppose, nevertheless, that important transactions would take place under the protection, or within the walls, of the burhs. Just outside Shaftesbury, a hoard of silver pennies was buried in the early eleventh century by a trader, presumably from the Danelaw, who for one reason or another did not live to reclaim his cash in hand. 34 Yet in some respects the distinctions made between military, administrative, legal and economic aspects of the boroughs are only shorthand. The evolution of burh to borough in the tenth and eleventh centuries gives clear evidence of growing complexity in society. Out of the complexity comes increased need for definition, and clearer definition is precisely what the records try to give. In the agrarian 15 sphere, close definition of rights and services enables the historian to talk of the growth of the manor in the south and west. Both manor and borough are in one sense a product of increasing legal clarity, and are fostered by the need for peace, the need for law, and the need for clearer definitions. In another more important sense, manor and borough are a symptom of greater cohesion in society. Men work more closely together, in agriculture and in trade. The pasteboard generalisation of peasant Saxon can be most misleading. Trade in agrarian products alone reached beyond the unspecialised stage. In this respect, the boroughs where witness could most readily be obtained, and perhaps particularly the smaller boroughs such as Cricklade, were a vital element in the growing institutional coherence of pre-Norman England. University College, Cardiff HENRY Loyn 1 Noted by C. S. S. Lyon, and reported to the present writer by R. H. M. Dolley of the British Museum. 2 Exeter Book, ed. G. P. Krapp and E. van Kirk Dobbie (New York, 1936); Ruin, 1.2, p.227; Wanderer, 1.87, p.136. 3 P. Hunter Blair, Anglo-Saxon England, 280; Two Lives of St. Cuthbert, ed. B. Colgrave (Cambridge, 1940), Bede’s Life, Cap. 27 and the Anon. Life, IV, Cap. 8. 4T. C. Lethbridge, The Anglo-Saxon Settlement in Eastern England, Dark Age Britain, ed. D. B. Harden, p.122. 5 J. Tait, The Medieval English Borough, 9, 11-12; F. M. Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England, 519-520; Cart. Sax., ed. Birch, 248, 449, and especially 515 and 519. 6 A. H. Smith, English Place-Name Elements, Part I, burh, 58-62; see also Gunnersbury in the Middlesex vol- ume of the English Place-Name Society (Cambridge, 1942), 91. 7 The authoritative edition of the Burghal Hidage, with critical notes, is given by Miss A. J. Robertson, Anglo-Saxon Charters (second edition, Cambridge, 1956), 246-49, and 494-96. The oldest MS. allots 1400 hides to Cricklade, but the others agree at 1500. 8 Materials for a History of Cricklade, ed. T. R. Thomson (revised edition, Oxford, 1958-60) Cap. III, 66-67. A. J. Robertson, op. cit., 495-96, notes on Porchester, Winchester, Wareham, Bath and Wallingford. ie; English Historical Documents, ed. D. Whitelock, i, 191. 10 Materials for a History of Cricklade, Cap. II, 68. 11 J, Tait, The Medieval English Borough, 24; and 18-19 on the burhs of the Burghal Hidage. 12 J. H. Round, Feudal England (London, 1895, 114; V.C.H. Wilts., 11, 61 (citing R. L. Poole, The Exchequer in the Twelfth Century, 29.). 13 In A.D. 978 (when the upper floor of the building in which the meeting was being held collapsed with dis- astrous results to the occupants), and in 997. Reference to the prison appears in the second book of the Narratio Metrica de Sancto Swithuno of Wulfstan Cantor, Frithe- godi Monachi Breviloquium |. 299, ff. A. Campbell, (Zurich, 1950), A slave was arrested and brought to the judgement seat of a reeve at the royal vill of Calne. I am grateful to Professor Whitelock for drawing my attention to the passage. 14 An authoritative account of the royal lands in Wiltshire at the time of Domesday Book is given by R. R. Darlington, V.C.H., Wilts. ii, pp. 60 sqq. 15 Cod. Dipl, 1305 ed. Kemble; Materials for a History of Cricklade, ed. Thomson, Cap. II, 58. 16 Listed in V.C.H. Wilts. ii, 21, and Thomson, op. cit. Cap. III, 71. 17 Thomson, op. cit. Cap. I,1-2 18 J. Tait, op. cit. 68, rejected this view, which had been put forward by Professor C. Stephenson. 19 J, Tait showed the way his ideas were shaping as early as 1897 in a review of F. W. Maitland’s Domesday Book and Beyond in E.H.R. 1897, pp. 768-77, particularly on p. 774 where he stated * burhs were thickest where trade was most active, not where Danish ravages were most to be feared’. See also Miss Bateson’s review in E.H.R. 1905 of A. Ballard, Domesday Boroughs. 20 F, M. Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England, 527, 522. 21 V.C.H. Wilts. ii, 19, where R. R. Darlington notes Salisbury should probably be added to this group. 22 JI Athelstan and V Ethelred: VI Athelstan and VII Ethelred. F. Liebermann, The National Assembly in the Anglo-Saxon Period, 45-47, lists over a hundred places where the Witan met, ranging from London, which was by far the most frequented, to places still unidentified. 23 [IJ Edgar, 5, 5.1 and 5.2 24 Episcopus, 6. Die Gesetze der Angelsachsen, ed. Liebermann, i, 477. 25 JI Athelstan, 14.2. 26 TV Ethelred, 9; expressly ut monetarii pauciores sint quam antea fuerint. 27 Dom, Bk., Vol. 1, 179a. 28 IV Edgar, 3.1-6. Succeeding clauses show Edgar’s concern with trade in livestock. 29 Hlothhere and Eadric, 16 and 16.1. 30 Ine 53. 31 JI Athelstan, 14; If] Edgar, 8—no man is to refuse (the coinage). On the reform of Edgar there is an import- ant article by R. H. M. Dolley and D. M. Metcalf in the Festschrift to Sir Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon Coins (Methuen 1961). 32 I] Athelstan, 13.1 There is some confusion in this code, possibly caused by the interpolation of a set of regulations concerning coinage and trade into an existing document. Clause 12 laid down that no goods over the value of twenty pence were to be bought outside a town. Edward the Elder (I Edward, 1 and 2), had stated that no one was to buy outside a town on pain of a fine for dis- obedience to the king. 33 VI Athelstan, 10; IV Edgar (particularly c. 10); II Cnut, 24. 34 R. H. M. Dolley, The Shaftesbury Hoard of Pence of Athelred I], Numismatic Chronicle, 1956. 16 AN ANGLO-SAXON PILASTER, ST. SAMPSON’S CHURCH, CRICKLADE By J. and H. M. TAYLor When we first visited St. Sampson’s, Cricklade, on Sunday, 29 May 1960, we were asked to comment on three groups of stones that are now to be seen high up in the south aisle, on what was formerly the exterior south wall of an aisleless nave. Until recently only the western group was recorded, and that in Phillipps’ M.I. of North Wilts. In Materials for a History of Cricklade (O.U.P. 1958, p. 3) the eastern group is described as possibly the framents of a very early cross, or the remains of Saxon arcading. although St. Sampson’s has generally been regarded as having no surviving fabric earlier than 1280. From the first, we had no doubt that this eastern group was an Anglo-Saxon pilaster-strip, similar to those on Langford church, Oxfordshire; but as the wall was heavily plastered, it was impossible to say whether the strip was in situ or was simply a group of early stones re-used in a later fabric. On 4 Feb- ruary 1961, we were able to strip the neighbouring wall of its plaster covering and so to determine be- yond reasonable doubt that the pilaster is in situ. Three members of your committee were then present, Dr. T. R. Thomson, Mr. R. E. Sandell, and Mr. Oswald Brakspear. The particularly interesting and somewhat puzzling feature of this pilaster-strip is that it has a triple- stepped base at a height of about 16ft. above the floor. By analogy with the tower at Langford we expected to find a broad string-course running horizontally along the wall as a support for this base, but the stripping of the plaster showed no trace of any such string-course, nor did the base itself continue sideways. It is, nevertheless, possible that there was formerly some such string-course, and that it was destroyed by the insertion of the great arches of the present south arcade. It is also possible that the original Anglo-Saxon church had lateral aisles or side-chapels, and that for this reason the pilaster- strips began at this high level, above the lateral roofs. The single surviving pilaster-strip is of two large stones, which together extend 6ft. up the face of the wall. When this was lightly covered with white plaster, of which some vestiges still remain, the pilaster showed as a single vertical strip of masonry, of a uniform width of I1in., standing forward 2 in. from the face of the wall. The upper stone, as shown in our figure, is of this width of 1 lin. throughout its height, but the lower stone is in part of a width of 13in., and the excessive 2in. on the western side has been cut back so as to be flush with the face of the wall. Moreover, at its base, this stone has the considerable extra width, which carries the triple-stepped decorative base, similar to those at Bibury and Coln Rogers, in Gloucestershire, and at Langford in Oxfordshire. The walling on either side of this pilaster is of rough rubble, widely jointed, and in some places now in bad repair. We were able to ease one small stone of the walling aside and so disclose a cavity, beside which the vertical side of the pilaster could be seen to continue at least 1lin. deep into the wall, thereby giving strong support to the theory that such pilaster-strips have real structural significance and were not mere decorative features. The lower part of the upper stone of the pilaster has been subsequently defaced by the cutting away of a broad rectangular rebate, which we interpret as the seating for an 1 1in. wall-plate of a lean-to roof lower and earlier than that of the present aisle. Considerable support is given to this interpretation by the existence of a similar rebate at the same height in a carved stone some feet farther west. This seating of an earlier roof in these stones also serves to confirm that they are not modern insertions in their pre- sent positions. The primary evidence that the pilaster-strip is in situ may, however, be summarized thus: first, the rough rubble wall is regularly laid in its vicinity, and is partly covered with early plaster; and, secondly, the pilaster is of two separate stones, neatly laid one above the other, in a way which would be natural for a strip in its original setting, but would be most unlikely if the stones had been used by a later builder as common rubble for the body of the wall. ULI eG dc — (Tt | HRS ATPAC TP J J | p —— 17 The uppermost 4in. of the pilaster-strip is chamfered back as though to meet an eaves-course at the top of the original wall, and it therefore seems likely that the walls were originally about 22ft. in height. Some distance to the west of the pilaster-strip is the carved stone to which reference has already been made as having also been partially defaced by a rebate for the seating of a wall-plate. It shows the figures of Hercules (Abraham) and the departed (Isaac) with a burning ram’s head on an altar between, and is said to have been a late Roman altar, afterwards put to Christian uses, and later used as a sundial. It is clear that a semicircle of 6 in. radius has been cut on the ‘ altar’, with a hole 3in. deep at the centre for the gnomon of a sundial. Two further holes, only lin. deep, have been drilled at the ends of the horizontal diameter for some purpose which we cannot interpret. It is clear that the stone was first adapted for use as a sundial and then later cut away below to serve as a seating for the roof-plate, for the seating cuts away the lower part of the dial. Still further west are the pair of beasts’ heads that were noted by Phillipps. These are set lower than the surviving carved part of the sundial, in the alignment of the rebate for the wall-plate. The survival of these carvings in high relief therefore, shows that the earlier roof of the aisle did not extend as far west as these heads. We therefore looked carefully, but without success, for evidence of a western quoin in the section of walling between these heads and the sun-dial. From the absence of any evidence of a quoin we deduce that the original nave continued westward beyond the heads, even though the later aisle did not. The animal’s heads are carved in high relief (c. 24in.) on large blocks of stone, which extend deep into the wall. Each head is carved on a separate block, and both blocks extend outward, in the wall-face, above the animals’ heads and behind their backs. The creatures have long claws, gaping jaws with long teeth, and shaggy manes. In general inspiration, the composition is like that of the two biting beasts at near-by Somerford Keynes! but there are considerable differences of detail, and we hesitate to say with certainty that the creatures are pre-Conquest, even though they seem to be in situ. They are about 2ft. 6in. from side to side, about Ift. 3in. tall, and are placed about 20ft. above the floor. The south wall in which all these stones are placed is about 4ft. 4in. thick. But, in spite of this abnormal thickness, it seems to be fixed with reasonable certainty as of pre-Conquest date by virtue of the stepped pilaster-strip, since this is not a Norman feature but one which is of common occurrence on pre-Conquest buildings. It is possible that the Anglo-Saxon church was of some considerable size and was cruciform in plan, for there are vestiges of early fabric in the north-east angle of the tower. 1W.A.M. xxvii 27, 65. VOL. LVIII-CCIX c 18 THE EVELYN FAMILY IN WILTSHIRE By COLIN FENTON Some time in the second half of the 16th century, George Evelyn (1526—1603) was granted a monopoly for making gunpowder. It had formerly been imported from-Flanders: it was now to bea source of great wealth to the Evelyns. The exact date of the first grant is not known: John Evelyn, who died in 1568, had some interest in the business, but his only son George developed this and seems to have been the first to obtain a grant of monopoly for himself exclusively. George died in 1603, leav- ing lands in Surrey at Kingston, Long Ditton, Godstone and Wootton to be distributed among his four surviving sons: the family continued to hold a patent for gunpowder-making, although not always exclusively, until the Civil Wars in 1642. By his will, George Evelyn made his second son John (1554-1627) his chief beneficiary. It was John who was left his father’s patent; although there were powder mills on his brothers’ properties at God- stone and at Wootton which may have been managed by them, it seems likely that it was John, the inheritor of the chief mills at Kingston, who managed all the family’s powder-making interests as a whole. It was John who had been visited by Queen Elizabeth at Kingston during the life of his father in 1590; and it was he, alone of his brothers, who invested in new property. He built Lee Place at Godstone, replacing a mediaeval house, and later, in the first years of the 17th century, he bought from the ancient Harcourt family the manor of West Dean in Wiltshire. This was a new field for the Evelyns: as far as their history can be traced, back to about 1500, they had been living in Surrey. In 1634/5 John’s son George (1581-1636) bought the manor of Everley, some 15 miles from Dean in the same county, and so consolidated this branch of the family in Wiltshire.! It is not certain how long the Evelyns kept Everley, but the Parish Register records the birth of four of George’s grandchildren between 1636 and 1641; these were the children of Sir John Evelyn (1601-1685), George’s heir. Sir John still owned the Park in 1669: 2 it was perhaps sold on his death. The manor house at Everley was burnt down in the early nineteenth century and was replaced by a new building, while the old church was entirely rebuilt in Georgian Gothic in 1813: no memorials to the Evelyn family remain there now. At West Dean, where John Evelyn died and was buried in 1627, and where his descendants lived until 1725, nearly the same fate befell both house and church; the house has entirely vanished as well as much of the old church, but some traces do still exist of its former Evelyn landlords. Two plates of the West Dean mansion house are given by Colt Hoare, 3 who writes that it was situated in ‘a grove of venerable elms near the Church, and from its size and architecture formed a very interesting object in this secluded neighbourhood. A bold terrace before the west front, supported on stone-work, highly ornamented, overhung the gardens, on the site of which considerable vestiges of plantations and bowling greens attest their former extent and decoration.’ The plates—one of the east and one of the west front—confirm that the house * partook of the char- acter of the age of Elizabeth and of the alterations of subsequent periods.’ On the east side the plate shows gables and dormer windows, which probably date from Elizabeth’s reign when the Harcourts still had the house. The other windows on this front of the house may also have been late Elizabethan or a little later; they had stone transoms and were divided horizontally at about three-quarters of their height. It is just possible, judging from their style, that these windows were put in by John Evelyn when he purchased the property. The west front was entirely different. Except for two dormer windows at each corner of the roof, and for the semi-circular pediment which appear to have been left from the late Elizabethan or Jacobean period, the whole of this front had evidently been remodelled. The windows, which are divided equally, and appear to have had wooden sash frames, suggest a date about 1720-1750. Plate IL Monument of Sir John Evelyn (1601-1685), West Dean rsa Plate I Monument of John Evelyn (1554-1627), West Dean ‘LOyAND 9y1 JO Asayinos Aq _psonpo.da. uvIg ISOM ‘(699[-PE9[) JUOdIIIg Woqoy jo JUsUNUOW st pure ‘Ainqgsipes ‘winosny oyp Ul juasaid ye st Sunured oy fp “uoNoNA}suOsaI puLr IIT Weld UONT[OWAp d.10Jaq YO.INYD Furmoys “wWIy"D “A AQ OSST 9 Suu, “YOINYD UPI] IS2AA AL 3d br | Pe kee te a ee 19 In the absence of any record, diary or account book it is only possible to surmise, from the architec- tural styles, who was responsible for the various details of the house, a dangerous exercise at any time and especially so with a house in faraway Wiltshire. The Revd. G. S. Master wrote in Collections for a History of West Dean (W.A.M., xxii, 21) that John Evelyn (1554-1627) probably erected the mansion house and resided in it for the latter portion of his life. I doubt whether John Evelyn built the house, al- though we know from his years at Godstone he had an interest in building. + From what one can tell from the prints published by Colt Hoare, and from what Colt Hoare wrote, it seems likely that the house was in existence before Evelyn came to Dean: but we are handicapped by not knowing exactly when it was that John Evelyn arrived. Colt Hoare vaguely says that John came in.the first years of the seventeenth century; if this is true, all that we may attribute to him is the Jacobean semi-circular pediment on the west front. The east front was probably built earlier. During the seventeenth century, or possibly during the early part of the eighteenth, the house was undoubtedly altered and the new sash windows and the terraces, formal gardens, and canal may weil have been introduced at the same time. These innova- tions show the Dutch influence and may have been made either by Evelyn Pierrepont (1665 ?-5 Mar. 1726) who, as fifth Earl of Kingston, inherited the West Dean property on the death of his mother in 1699; or by his successor, Sir Arthur Cole, who purchased the property in 1725/6. Evelyn Pierrepont is the more probable of the two asthe innovator. As one of the leaders of fashion- able London at the time he was likely to have been one of the earliest to follow the Dutch manner. As the father of the remarkable Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, née Pierrepont, he should be remembered, but his career is sufficiently extraordinary apart from this to deserve a word about it in parenthesis. He was probably born in 1665, the third son of Robert Pierrepont; it was evidently intended from his birth that he should succeed to the property of Sir John Evelyn, his grandfather, at West Dean, and he was baptised Evelyn. His father died when he was about four years old and no doubt provision had been made for his two elder brothers out of Pierrepont estates. Sir John Evelyn died in 1685 and left West Dean to his grandson, subject to a life interest in favour of his favourite daughter Elizabeth, Evelyn Pierrepont’s mother. Evelyn’s great-uncle was Henry Pierrepont, first Marquis of Dorchester and second Earl of Kingston (1606-1680). By a series of family deaths Evelyn himself unexpectedly came to hold both these titles himself. He became a notable figure in London society. As a member of the Kit Kat Club, to which he introduced his daughter Lady Mary as a young girl, he was painted by Kneller; the portrait is in the National Portrait Gallery. He died as first Duke of Kingston and was succeeded by his grandson, who was also named Evelyn (1711-1773). This Evelyn was last of the family: Walpole > described him as a ‘very weak man, of the greatest beauty, and finest person in England.’ Lady Mary said of her nephew in the year of his succession as second Duke of Kingston that hitherto he had ‘had so ill an education, ’tis hard to make any judgement upon him; he has his spirit, but I fear will never have his father’s sense. As young noblemen go, ’tis possible he may make a good figure amongst them.’ When the second Duke died in 1773, the title and family became extinct. But to return to West Dean and its manor house: it was Lady Mary’s father who periodically lived there after the death of his mother in 1699. Lady Mary herself had often stayed with her grandmother— they must have been a remarkable pair together—but about thirteen years were to elapse after her grandmother’s death before Lady Mary revisited the house. In May 1710 she wrote from West Dean complaining of the boorishness of the neighbours. ‘ This part of the world is so different from Nottinghamshire that I can hardly persuade myself that it is in the same Kingdom . . . (The gentry spend) their mornings among hounds, and the nights with us beastly companions, with what liquor they can get in this country, which is not very famous for good drink.’ ike 20 Lady Mary last visited West Dean in August 1712, when she was banished there by her father, then Marquis of Dorchester, immediately before her runaway marriage with Wortley Montague. As we have said, it was upon the death of Lady Mary’s father, the first Duke of Kingston, in March 1725/6, that the property was sold to Sir Arthur Cole. He was created Lord Ranelagh and died at West Dean, aged ninety, in 1754. The Moore family inherited the property, but the house was only in- frequently occupied. In the 1790's it was put at the disposal of a society of nuns, who had fled from Flanders during the Revolution; three of the nuns were buried in the churchyard in 1797. Not long after an unfortunate event for them took place. A canal began to be built between Southampton and Salisbury (1798-1805): the presence, and probably also the behaviour, of the workmen upset the nuns to such an extent that they fled again. I can find none of the nuns’ graves today. At least one was visible in about 1850: the wife of the Rector at the time, Mrs. G. S. Master, left notes on the parish, in her own writing, for preservation in the Rectory. She mentions that as a girl the tombstone of one of the Roman Catholics has been pointed out to her as the tombstone of a disciple of the Devil. Perhaps this stone was later removed to avoid offend- ing the 19th century puritan conscience. The house, which was apparently never re-occupied, was bought in 1819 by Charles Baring Wall. It was very dilapidated, and, in 1823, he had it pulled down. A few stones which are now to be seen in brick cottages in the village probably came from the original manor house; otherwise nothing is left of it, except a cellar-vault which supported its eastern doorway (almost certainly the front doorway). This was recently revealed while foundations for a new bungalow were being laid. The gardens were terraced and bounded by ornamental water in the Dutch manner. The layout can still be seen, especially in a dry summer, such as that of 1955. During the following winter the local stream, the Dun, overflowed its banks into the former garden canal, a trough about 12 feet wide, and originally about four feet deep. It is lined with stones originally made water-tight by being grouted, but this paving is now obscured by a light covering of turf. Close to where the manor stood, to the south, the original stables were converted into a farm house, which is still occupied. Its grazing cattle have done much to level out the old terraced gardens. It is to a mortuary chapel that we must look for the clearest reminder that the Evelyns once lived here. This chapel was once the chancel of the first parish church, which stood close to, and to the north of, the manor house, balancing the stables to the south. It was largely pulled down in 1868, but was recon- structed as we have it today to house a remarkable collection of monuments. Altogether there are six wall-monuments, and an 18thcentury floor-slab. Two of the wall-tablets and the floor-slab are plain and have no connection with the Evelyn family, but Evelyns are commemorated in the remaining important memorials. The first (Plate I) is that of John Evelyn (1554-1627), the first Evelyn to live at Dean. His monument, of conventional early 17th century design, is about 9ft. wide and 26ft. high. Beneath a double semi- circular arcade, John kneels opposite his wife, Elizabeth, (1559-1625, née Stevens) at a prayer stool. Below are smaller effigies of their three sons and eight daughters. On the inside of the arcading is a renaissance flower decoration and upon each side a Corinthian column supports the pediment; a shield, bearing the family arms, surmounts the whole. All the figures are in contemporary dresses: John and his eldest son are wearing gowns, the two younger sons have knee breeches and capes, Elizabeth has a long flowing dress, tight sleeves, stiff cuffs and ruffs; her hair is plaited in a band upon her forehead, and it is covered with a veil edged with lace. Her daughters are in similar dress. It is not known when the monument was erected. It may have been commissioned, after John’s 21 death, by his son George, but John may himself have ordered it after his wife’s death in 1625. Consider- ation of the effigies, however, leads to interesting speculation about funereal sculpture of the period. Both parents look about fifty years old, while the sons, with beards and moustaches, look about forty and all the daughters about thirty. John and Elizabeth were seventy-three and sixty-six respectively when they died, but itis not unnatural that they should be shown as middle-aged rather than old. Itis curious, however, that James, the youngest son (who died aged thirty-one, in 1627, soon after his father) has been made to look as old as his brothers (who were forty-six and thirty-six in 1627). Of the eight daughters Elizabeth, the youngest, had died when she was about fifteen in 1623; Susan, the seventh, and Sarah, the fifth (who had been buried in 1605 in Kingston) had died as infants. Nevertheless, these three are shown as fully grown women, indistinguishable from the point of view of age from their five sisters, who did survive into riper years. The portrayal of relative age did not seem to matter. John Evelyn’s eldest son, George, died at the age of fifty-five on 19 January 1636. He was buried at Dean but there is no memorial to him; he left debts ‘ as high at the least £7,000’ and the income from the Dean property was only £2,000 per annum. Perhaps it was thought that a monument would be too extravagant. George’s son, John, inherited the property: John Evelyn was knighted by Charles I but he went over to the Roundheads in 1641/42; proclaimed a traitor by the King, and even imprisoned for a time by his own side in 1643, he nevertheless survived the Civil Wars. He was a member of the Long Parliament until excluded in 1648 by Pride’s Purge and was returned to the Commons at the Restoration. He did not, however, sit in the House again and, from 1660 until his death in 1685, he lived quietly at West Dean. He is commemorated (Plate II) by a wall monument, approximately 16ft. high and 4ft. broad, in the middle of which stands a life-size bust in a recess, covered by folding iron doors. The bust is of grey marble and depicts Sir John with hair falling to his collar, wearing a coat which is close-buttoned in front, and with bands at the neck. Below this alcove a triangular piece of white marble bears the follow- ing inscription :— P.M. Of Sir John Evelyn, of West Dean, in ye county of Wilts. Here lyes (what Reader Thou shall seek in vaine In other tombs) a long liv’d hapy man; Whose minde and body kept soe just apace Thro’ all ye various turnings of his Race, That neither fail’d; till ye soul went away. His sence remain’d, and Death out-run decay. To him ye Great, To him the Meane repair’d, The One’s Adviser, and the Other’s Guard: Peace by him dwelt, ’twas his delightful toyl To make New Friends, and Foes to reconcile. And what he taught he did himselfe commende, Kinde to his Foes, and faithful to his Friends: In Publick, and in Private acts of Love, Such as he now, a Saint, exerts above His life was spent: And when late Death Sent welcom summons for his breath, Zeal bore him upward,—and his Active minde Broke out in Prayer, and left this dust behind. 26th day of June, in ye year 1685, and of his age—84— This being erected by his beloved daughter ye Honourable: Mrs. Elizabeth Pierrpont. Sir John’s only son, George, had died in 1641, aged five; he left two daughters, but it was to his youngest Elizabeth, who erected his memorial, that he left ‘all his property. His eldest daughter, Sarah, had deeply offended him by her third marriage to Lord Castleton in 1675. His Will, dated 22 13 May 1676, not long after the marriage, reads:—‘ I give to my daughter Sarah Vicountess Seo five shillings for her Legacy.’ Elizabeth had married the Hon. Robert Pierrpont in December 1658, and, according to the compla- cent lines in her husband’s epitaph, she was in this completely following her parent’s wishes. She had been widowed in 1669, but she lived at Dean after her husband’s death until her own in 1699. No monument exists to her memory, but although Robert Pierrpont was not buried at Dean, a memorial was erected to him there (Plate III) and this is the most remarkable and unusual of the collection. It stands about 27ft. high and is 9ft. wide; two Ionic columns support a plain triangular pediment and between these columns two doors open upon a semi-circular recess; the sides of this recess are black marble and its ceiling is a scallop shell in grey marble. There is revealed the life-size figure of a kneeling man, also in grey marble. The hands are clasped in prayer and, looking up, he is reading some verses from the Vulgate (Luke i, 19) which are cut into the wall: some time ago gilded metallic rays of glory issued from the spot where these verses are carved, but they have now disappeared. Behind the kneeling figure, an angel, also in grey marble, descends from the ceiling, succouring the supplicant with out- stretched arms. The epitaph begins upon a cartouche which surmounts the monument, continues upon the inside of the left-hand door, then upon the inside of the right-hand door, and ends upon another cartouche at the bottom. Its wording given below is even more remarkable than the architecture. (Upon the upper cartouche of the monument) To You yt Reade, and You yt Hear (For Here’s Enough for EYE & EARE) We Vaults have VOICES, & d © « vs J All, or. . « ORTH Or, if not All ye LaTER ENDS of All In Me “(then know) — Some Soul — This TREASURE ly: (Upon the inside of the left-hand door) of Robert Pierrpont. /Eldest Son of ye Hobdle William Esqre/ & Heire to the whole Familie/. The BODIE Which yet, as One of Her worst Enemies The Soule yt dwelt int did as twere Despise. At THIRTY FIVE, when grown full Ripe for Action Then She forsooke It — if not Unkindly — Saye Untimely — too Readily — too Soone! So some SUNS are Over-cast at NOONE Yet Twas Deriv’d from Highe & Noble STOCK Crown’d wth an EARLDOME on Eyther Side; There Of SHREWSBURY of KINGSTON here; stood HEIRE Apparent Unto This; had in its veins, Beside Ye BLOOD of Both, Their Seminal, Their Bullion — VERTUES too, readie Coynable Into Exploits as Greate as Eyther ANCESTOR’S, Had but Occasion Call’d; wch was (& was The Only Thing yf was) Here Wanting — Healthie ; & Sound It Passed thro: ITALIE & FRANCE, & SPAINE; Un-Mutilated, Un-Disease’d. Without ye Marks of SIN or CHANCE Returned Match’d wth a LADYE — (Of Whom Though All Good might, Nothing must Here be said; St! — VAULTS speake not ye Living but ye DEAD, Yet This, — To Parte with HER alone: i Over-Heard, was Th’ Expiring Grone. Both Great EXAMPLES, Never to Refuse In Matches, — What Wise PARENTS Chuse). Blest with FIVE Hopeful CHILDREN, Eache enough T° Enrich ye Future Age, & To Invite A BODY’S longer Staye in This; if ought Might doe’t. — But — Thus It was. — Too big for It The SOULE was grown; & SOULES Once fitt To Mount at Heaven’s Call, Soone let ye Mantle of ye BODIE Fall. So Was, & So Did, THIS :— (Upon the right-hand door) A SOULE That had Great PARTS, & Many Very Singular, Of a NATURE in All most Sweete & Obliging; Of a very Generous & Cleare TEMPER; Perfectly Loyal to’s Prince; in all Sub — & Supra-Drences7 ever Pre-Judging for AUTHORITIE Of Greate Reverence ;& Pietie to’s PARENTS; Of a most Intire Affection to’s WIFE; Of great Indulgence Unto his CHILDREN; Of Unmov’able Constancy to his FRIEND. LEARNED, much beyond ye Gentleman of This Age, in Languages & Arts: chiefly Mathematical. Spake Little, but to Purpose: Could not Chide; Suffered in Its Displeasure more than Did: Observ’d thorough Men; yea NATIONS; quickly spi’d The TALENT upper most in Eache; Got That Religion It had plac’d in highest Top o’ the SPIRIT; & having Many Seene, The Best; reserving yet Inferior Observances for Any Person Thing or Rite yr shewd like Sacred; prizing so All about DEVOTION as Not to slight Its Shadow. A most Candid Intepeter of All Mens Actions, hardly Speaking I] of Any, though III deserving. Infirmities It had; (Who Not?) of Malice None; Of Frailtie some wch Still It Selfe did Own, wthout Disguise, without Defense, but never wthout Revenge upon It Selfe, in Penances — of great Retirmts — Prayer-Study & Spare Dyet &c; Where Nothing could prevateaithto-Speake an UNTRUTH nor any Advantage engage in an Unhandsome ACTION. Would Doe no Wrong; None if forseen SUFFER, being guarded wth a PRUDENCE often to Prevent It ever wth a Courage, yt dard to be Honest ag¢ all Terrors Above Feares, Greifes, or any Cowing Passion, Fac’d DEATH familiarly, & Unconcerned Discours’d of It; Shew’d such Patience & Passive Valoe i’ th’ Cutting off his LEgg, as was to Admiration. A SOULE (in fine,) Of QUALITIES, as well as MAKE, DIVINE Wceh soaring Thus, up to These skirts of GLORY, Was quickly caught up Higher; & left Here The Yet-Unperfect FLESH, to be Matur’d For GLORY too, ’gainst a (Hop’d) Joint Glorious 24 RESURRECTION (Upon the base of the monument) For this Then, (quitting other Tenderness,) Darte a Prayer, — Dropa Teare You yt Reade, & you yt Heare. And never thinke that Long Life Here is All; SHRUBS Stand, Contemnd, when CEDARS, For Use, fall. DECEASED Aprill ye XXVI In Ye Yeare of Our Lord MDCLXIX His Age XXXV — Nec Vilius IPSUM Lugeri Voluit CONJUX investissima — E.P. Judging by the style, one may conclude that the epitaph upon Sir John Evelyn’s tomb was written by the same person who composed Robert Pierrpont’s epitaph sixteen yearsearlier. It was Mrs. Elizabeth Pierrpont who was responsible for the erection of both memorials and it is tempting to suppose that she herself was also the author of their epitaphs. * Unfortunately we know little of her. We learn from her husband’s epitaph that she did not make the same mistake as her elder sister Sarah in refusing a match chosen by her parents. Her cousin, John Evelyn the Diarist (1620-1706), was eighteen years her senior; in his diary he records that as a child she had a prodigious memory and, when she died he noted that she was ‘amost excellent and prudent Lady ’ (Kalendarium 1-15 January, 1699). Her grand-daughter Lady Mary Wortley Montague, who stayed with her at Dean, left no sketch of her; in the absence of any of Elizabeth Pierrpont’s own letters, there can be no final proof that she herself composed the epitaphs. However, it is possible to go a little further than this. The epitaphs could have been written for Eliza- beth Pierrepont by a close friend but the epitaph to Robert Pierrpont speaks with such an unmistakably intimate accent that this would be surprising. Its wording is rococo and artificial, but it reveals a know- ledge of Robert Pierrepont which, in spite of its stilted phrases, has some simplicity and directness. . To parte with HER alone I over-heard, was Th’ Expiring Grone . does sound like the voice of the widow herself. Elizabeth Pierrepont was buried at Dean, but there is no memorial to her in existence. Within twenty- five years, the estate was to have passed to a third generation, the infant second Duke of Kingston. When his trustees sold the estate in 1726 all connection between Wiltshire and the Evelyn family was finally severed. ’ 1 Helen Evelyn, History of the Evelyn Family (1915) 2 Colt Hoare, Mod. Wilts., ii, part 2,p. 11. 3 Mod. Wilts., v, part 1, p. 240 4 V.C.AL., ii, 31 2. 5 Journal of the Reign of King George III (1859), i, 259. 6 Robert Pierrepont was eldest son of Hon. William to’s’ Prince / in all sub et supra. But the present read- ing—whatever it may mean—is legible, and I doubt whether it has been altered since Colt Hoare’s day. 8 Moy Thomas in a introduction to Lady Mary Wortley Montague’s Letters (1861) says that the monu- ment at West Dean to Sir John Evelyn (1601-85) was ‘ set Pierrepont, second son of Robert, first earl (1607 ?-1678) of Kingston, died 1643. Robert Pierrepont’s paternal grandmother, was Gertrude daughter and co-heir of Henry Talbot, third son of sixth Earl of Shrewsbury. 7 Colt Hoare prints this epitaph in Mod. Wilts. v, 28, but with one or two errors. Here he has ‘ Perfectly loyal up by his daughter with a long inscription in praise and verse probably from the lady’s own pen.’ Although he is confusing the monument to Sir John, which has no verse, with that to Robert Pierrepont this supports what I should like to believe; but Thomas tantalisingly omits to give any reason for his opinion. NOTE: This pedigree of the Evelyns mentioned in Mr. Fenton’s article has been supplied by a -mber at my request—Editor. John Evelyn = of Kingston Ruchard =Eleanor of Wootton d. of John d. 1640 Standsfield, Co. Salop. d. 1635 = I ——= A ce John = Mary the Diarist 1620-1706 Sir John Prettyman = of Dryfield =a = Sir Ricd, Brown=Eliz. D.N.B. | d. 1608 () | Q) Rose = George Evelyn = Joan, widow of — Rogers d. of Thos. Williams | of Long Ditton | m. 1578 Godstone and Wootton d. 1613, bur. Wootton | only son | 1526—1603 | 2 | | | John=Eliz. Stevens Thomas= Robert = 2nd son d. 1625 of Long Ditton of Godstone 1554—1627 aet. 66 eldest son d. West Dean (Plate I) | ql = Eliz. Rivers SirJohn = Mr. Gladstone’s wife children in 1581-1636 d. of Sir John R. of Godstone had a descent Virigina bought 1591—1663/4 from him Everley and Ashton Keynes (another) Sir John | Sir John of West Dean = Eliz. d. of Robt. Cockes, London and Ashton Keynes m. West Dean 23.1V.1622 1601—1685 (Plate IT) | Elizabeth = Robert Pierrepont m. 1658 | (Plate II) d. 1699 ae ge ih ae Refs. :—Evelyn’s Diary, Helen Evelyn, History of the Evelyn Family (Nash) 1915, Brayley, Topographical History of Surrey, V, 1850. Pl Pierrepont, 5th Earl and Jater 1st Duke of Kingston father of Lady Mary Wortley Montague Susan=Edward Hungerford of Cadenham 24 (t Pic of gr He bu 23 PLAYBILLS IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURIES By ARNOLD HARE The modern theatre programme is a comparatively new device. Its main function of giving the audience details about the performance it is to see was carried out in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries by a playbill of handbill size, which was used also for advance advertising. With this dual purpose, the playbill contained, especially in the Regency and early Victorian periods, much more in- formation than its twentieth century counterpart, which is often no more than a handful of names in lettering subtly proportioned to an actor or actress’ standing with the public or the management. Georgian or Regency playbills, then, are important sources for the theatrical historian and, properly interpreted, can provide information also to the general social historian. For things that happen in the theatre reflect not only views on social changes, of taste and manners and interests, but also throw light on political and international affairs. The actors are indeed the ° abstracts and brief chronicles of the time’. It is the purpose of this article to illustrate a few of the ways in which this may be so, using deliberately a very limited field—a handful of playbills of the Salisbury company of players during this period, which have survived the chances of time. This will, perhaps, also help to emphasise the interest and value of preserving such relics, when they come to light. Sometimes one falls out of the yellowing pages of an old book after serving as a long-forgotten book-marker; another, as at the Haunch of Venison Inn in Salisbury, may be revealed by stripping layers of wallpaper from an old wall. There are excellent collections of pro- vincial and metropolitan bills in the British Museum Library and in the Gabrielle Enthoven Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum; and most provincial libraries and museums have preserved what has come to hand of local material. But much remains uncollected and unknown and any bringing together of additional material will delight the collective heart of the Society for Theatre Research. To begin with, a word or two should be said about the pattern of a Georgian or Regency performance, which differs in a number of ways from mid-twentieth century practice. An evening’s entertainment consisted of three main ingredients. A comedy or tragedy, starting usually at 6.30 or 7p.m., began the evening. The play was followed by ‘ entertainments ’. These might be individual * turns ’, as they would have been known in the late Victorian music-hall, comic or straight songs, dancing or interludes (we should perhaps call the latter revue sketches today), instrumental solos, recitations, and even juggling or tight-rope walking. These turns served to give members of the company, as in the modern seaside con- cert party, an opportunity to display their individual talents. They also bridged the gap between the play and the third element of the programme, the farce, giving the actors concerned in both a break for changing costumes, and the stage-hands an opportunity to reset any scenes needed. ! At about this point in the programme, half-price was taken from members of the audience arriving for the lighter part of the evening only. In earlier days the audience had to guess when half-price would be on; later the companies sometimes announced a specific time, as: ‘ Half-price at a quarter before nine.’2 Over a period of nearly a century admission prices remained remarkably steady ; Boxes 3s., Pit 2s., Gallery 1s., was the standard, with exceptions on special occasions. A season in one town would last for anything up to sixty days.3 During the last weeks would come the ‘Benefit’ performances, in which individual members of the company, or small groups, would pay all the expenses of the evening, and retain all the profit for themselves. This was a way of arranging individual reward for personal popularity, though touting for support at one’s benefit could be a humiliating ex- perience for the players. It was a great advantage to obtain a ‘ bespeak’ for a performance; in such a case a local member of society would sponsor the performance, choose the play, attend it, perhaps giving an advance subscription, and encourage his or her friends to join in the social occasion VOL. LVIII-CCIx D 26 on ‘my night’. This could sometimes ensure better support for the players than the quality of their performance, though they would also usually exert themselves to put on something special for a bespeak. Such performances were usually announced as ‘ By desire of XYZ’4 and the number of bespeaks in a season is a useful guide to the amount of support the players are gaining from local society. In Salisbury in the sixties and seventies of the eighteenth century this was considerable,5 but by the nineteenth century it dwindles to the occasional support of a loyal friend or an evening for the local Yeomanry or Volunteer Infantry.® It is apparent that the theatre was slipping down the social scale. Performances took place generally every other day. Since the programme, being true repertory, changed completely each time, the day out in between performances was valuable for extra rehearsal. Of a number of playbills preserved in the Salisbury Museum, the one set out below. for a performance on 18 October 1799, can be taken as typical.* It is printed not on paper, but onsilk. Paper was normal, but for special occasions, such as this, bills on silk were sometimes produced; perhaps in this case for Mr.and Mrs. Walter, the sponsors of the performance. LAST NIGHT BUT THREE By DESIRE of Mr. & Mrs Walter For the Benefit of Miss Stratton & Mr Peover. Friday Evening 18th Oct 1799. Miss Centlivre’s ADMIRED COMEDY of The Busybody (c) Cast:— | Marplot—Mr Harrison. Sir George Airy—Mr Smith. Patch—Mrs Butler Sir Jealous Traffic—Mr Swindal. Isabinda—Miss Jefferson. Charles—Mr Millard. Scentwell—Mrs Curtis. Whisper—Mr Naylor. Miranda—AMiss Stratton. Butler—Mr Oliver. Footman—Mr Curtis. Sir Francis Gripe—Mr Gardiner. Between the play and farce (by desire)—God Save the King in full Chorus A Favourite Song, called The Old Commodore by Naylor. After which Miss Stratton will deliver an address, called Volunteering the Rage, written by herself for the occasion (spoken in the character of a volunteer) A Comic Song The Tight Little Admiral Nelson by Mrs Harrison. A much admired song by Mrs Naylor. A humorous farce called: —-HIGH LIFE BELOW STAIRS Lavel—Mr Peover Lady Bab’s Maid—Miss Stratton Freeman—Mr Swindal ——Charlottes——- ——Jefferson Sir Harry’s Servant—Mr Smith Chloe—Mrs Naylor Lord Duke’s servant—Mr Harrison Cook—Mrrs Curtis Tom—Mr Naylor Kitty—Mrs Butler Coachman—Mr Curtis Kingstan—Master Curtis Philip—Mr Gardiner The Mock Minuet by Sir Harry & Lady Bab. ‘* Fickets to be had and Places for the Boxes to be taken of Miss Stratton, at Mrs Brokks’s Old Town; and of Mr Peover, at Mrs Wests, Fruiterer; at the principal Inns, and different Libraries.” RUTTER, LYMINGTON. In an article some years ago on the Salisbury Theatre,’ the late Frank Stevens writes of this perfor- mance as though it took place in that town. ‘Theatre, Salisbury ’ was the common heading of Salisbury bills at the time; there is no heading on this 1799 bill, and it may have been removed. But the name of the printer at the foot of the bill, namely ‘ Rutter, Lymington,’ provides a clue that the performance did not take place in Salisbury. In the conditions of transport of 1799, it would be an impossible undertak- ing to have bills for individual Salisbury performances printed in Lymington, and indeed the players always made use of a local printer. A reference to the Salisbury Journal’ makes it plain that the Salis- bury company were at the time on circuit in Lymington, where they opened in the first week of Septem- ber 1799 and remained until the last week of October, when they moved to Poole, and that this was one of the series of end-of-season benefit performances. Miss Stratton ® was a leading lady of the company, * The transcript preserves the substance but not the typography of the original. 27 and had been with them at least two years; Mr. Peover '!° was a minor actor and sometime box-keeper, or, as we should say now, box-office manager. The evening described in the bill offers a typical pattern. Mrs. Centlivre’s play The Busybody is an early eighteenth century comedy of intrigue, first performed in 1709; and the farce High Life below Stairs is the popular play by James Towneley and the great David Garrick himself, written in 1759, in which the servants try to ape the life and customs of their masters with great comic effect. Hence the reference to the ‘ Mock Minuet by Sir Harry and Lady Bab’: both are servants with ideas above their station. Both play and farce were of the kind likely to appeal most to a middle and upper-class audience. Whereas, by 1799, romance, melodrama and extravaganza!! had begun to appear and to appeal to a more popular audience, and were increasingly to do so, here the appeal is to Society, and that, as well as even the reference to the ‘ different Libraries,’ provides an obvious inference about many of the inhabit- ants of Lymington and district at this time. It is the ‘ entertainments ’ in the Lymington bill that mostly directly reflect current events. The appeal both to patriotism and naval sentiment is not surprising in a port like Lymington, for at Buckler’s Hard, nearby, naval vessels were still being built and launched to play their part in the French wars; it was also little more than a year since the Battle of the Nile had been fought, and the Nelson legend had now spread beyond the Royal Navy itseif. Another bill in the Salisbury Museum, dated 13 March 1801, shows us Mrs. Butler, at her benefit performance, delivering ‘in the character of a Midshipman’ an eulogy on Nelson’s victory. Miss Stratton’s address was neither the first—nor would it be the last— occasion on which the theatre had been used for recruiting purposes. And other playbills, reprinted in shortened form in the newspapers of the time, show us the players putting on performances for * the Benefit of Admiral Duncan’s men, ’ or buying flannel waistcoats for the troops. !2 Until about the end of the eighteenth century playbills are, like this Lymington example, primarily informatory; but, with the turn of the century, as the quality of the audience declines and the melodrama and extravaganza replace the comedy of manners, bills become more and more hortatory; the hands are those of the programme-builder, but the voice is that of the publicity man. This greatly increases the size of nineteenth century bills, and they begin to contain what often amounts to a synopsis of both plot and scenic attractions. The excerpt below from a Salisbury bill of 1843, towards the end of the story of the Salisbury Theatre, shows what a different social world we are now in, and makes it almost un- necessary for us to look up the text of Planché’s extravaganza which is being announced. The performance is a benefit one for Mrs. Maddocks, the wife of the theatre manager, and it begins with Colman’s comedy The Jealous Wife (1761), followed by a dance, a song, a *‘ Tableaux Vivans ’ (sic) illustrating ‘The Attack on a Chateau by Brigands’. But without doubt it is J. R. Planché’s The Vampire, or The Bride of the Isles (1820), that is meant to be the attraction of the evening. Here is the relevant section of the bill:— THE VAMPIRE or, The Bride of the Isles CHARACTERS IN THE INTRODUCTORY VISION Unda (Spirit of the Flood) — Miss STEPHENS Ariel (Spirit of the Air) — Miss M. OLIVER The Vampire — Mr. MADDOCKS Lady Margaret — Mrs. MADDOCKS IN THE DRAMA Ruthven (Earl of Marsden, the Vampire), Mr MADDOCKS. Ronald (Baron of the Isles) Mr BEATTIE Robert (an English Attendant on the Baron) — Mr ROBSON M’Swill (the Baron’s Henchman) Mr FORMAN. Andrew (Steward to Ruthven) Mr WOODFORD Father Francis a Mr JONES Lady Margaret (Daughter of Ronald) Mrs MADDOCKS. Effie (Daughter of Andrew) Miss WINTER Bridget (Lord Ronald’s Housekeeper) — Mrs BEATTIE 1D 28 * The scene of the principal events in this Drama is laid on the Island of Staffa, on the Coast of Scotland. The introductory vision being in the celebrated Cavern of that name. The Lady Margaret, having stayed abroad on a hunting expediation, overcome by fatigue, sleeps in the Cavern — INCANTATION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE FLOOD “ Vampires must wed some fair and virtuous maiden, Whom they do after kill; and from her veins Drain eagerly the purple strain of life; Which horrid draught alone hath power to save them From swift extermination.’ APPEARANCE OF THE VAMPIRE, and protecting power of the Spirits over the Sleeping Maiden. THE CASTLE OF LORD RONALD — Preparation for the approaching Marriage of Margaret with the Earl of Marsden, who is recognised by Ronald as a friend he supposed dead — Attempt of Ruthven to possess himself of Effie, and in the endeavour is mortally wounded by Robert — Death of Ruthven, and Ronald’s Oath — His visit to Fingal’s Cave — Fulfilment of his promise — Desperate encounter with Robert, whom he plunges into the waves. Re-appearance of Ruthven to claim his Bride, and dismay of Ronald. LAST SCENE — GOTHIC CHAPEL OF RONALD’S CASTLE The Vampire having prevailed upon the Lady Margaret to be his Bride in opposition to the entreaties of her Father, she is about to unite herself to him, when Ronald interposes, and prevails upon her to delay the ceremony till the moon has set — Attempt of Ruthven to assassinate Ronald — Is prevented by Robert — The moon sinks beneath the waves, AND TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF THE VAMPIRE. And all this for half-price. This stewpot of melodrama, spectacle, and celtic-romantic tushery is the mid-nineteenth century equivalent of the wide-screen horror-epic of today: perhaps the theatre was reacting to bare benches, as the cinema has reacted to the same empty seats. It would be unfair ro assume from it that all in the nineteenth century theatre is junk. In Salisbury Macready played Macbeth and Hamlet, Vandenhoff played Richard III and the work of the Victorian poet-dramatists Talfourd and Sheridan Knowles and had his stay extended.14 But then Macready had a great London reputation, and Vandenhoff was the local boy who had made good. For the most part, respectable people no longer attended the theatre, and though from time to time one catches glimpses of Sheridan or Goldsmith in nineteenth century playbills, ! 5 it is more often the like of the Grand Nautical Drama Red Rover, or the Mutiny of the Caroline,1° or The Gambler’s Fate, or Thirty Years of a Game- ster’s Life.17 And when the attraction in a programme is not the play but ‘ Master Hughes the Cam- brian Infant Harpist, 64 years of age’ 18 or‘ H. Smith’s Celebrated Dog Bruin’ 1° or most of all, perhaps, when a playbill contains the announcement— N.B. A SPECIAL CONSTABLE CONSTANT- LY IN ATTENDANCE ’,2° it needs no crystal-gazing to foretell that the end of this phase in the theatre’s history is not far off. 1 They were also in part a relic of the early days of the Georgian theatre when, playing being illegal, musical items could provide the convenient fiction that the per- formance was a concert, and thereby within the law. 2 British Museum, Playbills, Various. Vol. 280, 18 March 1847. 3 This was the legal limit laid down in the Act of 1788, which legalised the activities of the provincial companies. 28 George III c. 30. 4B.M. Playbills. Vol. 280, 12 March 1834. Or Lymingt on bill, 18 October 1799, referred to in text. 5 A. Hare, The Georgian Theatre in Wessex (1958), 15. 6 B.M. Playbills. 24 February 1837. ‘By desire and under the Patronage of Mrs Wadham Wyndham.’ The Wyndham family had supported the players for many years. See also 24 April 1833; 10 April 1835; 25 March 1831; 27 Feb. 1832. 7 Salisbury Times, 7 and 14 Nov. 1941. 8 Salisbury Journal, 3 Sep. 1799; 15 and 27 Oct. 1799. 9 Salisbury Journal, 6 March 1797. 10 Mr. Stevens in the same article refers to Peover as the manager. This was not so. The manager of the Salis- bury company from 1790 to his death in 1809 was James Shatford. Hare, op. cit. Cap. VII. This also makes clear the pattern of the touring circuit. 11 Salisbury bill for Blue Beard, 23 January 1799, re- printed in Hare, op. cit. 157. 12 Salisbury Journal, 18 Nov. 1793; 30 Oct. 1797. 13 B.M. Playbills, 13 Feb. 1843. 14 B.M. Playbills, 16-19 March, 1835; 11-22 March 1833; 12 Jan. 1842. 15 B.M. Playbills, The Rivals, 16 Jan. 1832; She Stoops to Conquer, 11 Jan. 1830. 16 B. M. Playbills, 3 Jan. 1831. 17 B.M. Playbills, 14 Jan. 1831 18 B.M. Playbills, 9 April 1834. 19 B.M.Playbills, 31 Dec. 1841; 31 Jan. 1842. 20 B.M.Playbills, 6 Feb. 1843. " : EARLE OF CRUDWELL WILLIAM EARLE = ELIZABETH alias ISOBEL of Estcott in Crudwell: mentioned in F/F Eliz. 1 and 9/10; assessed to the Subsidy 1576: Will P.C.C. 22 Windsor 27 Jan./ 9 Apr. 1586 : mentions land in Chedglow and Chelworth of Crudwell, in Newton, and a house in Malmesbury Will P.C.C. 90 Drake 22 Oct./23 Dec. 1596. To be buried in the church of Crudwell. MH Robert, ovis nig. | Thomas =Bridget of Estcott d. 15.1V.1626 | John=Mary of “‘ Ball’s House ’’, Crudwell | Yeoman: Will, Arch. Wilts possibly the second wife | William — of Escott, yeoman: Will Arch. Wilts | 1631/32: house in Gills =Alice of Crudwell: lands in Newnton: Will, Arch. Wilts Nicholas = Margaret house in Malmesbury bur. Crudwell 1595: Will P.C.C. “* Scott ” survived husband d. of William Dick: Ann, Mrs. Green Alice, Mrs. John Brown Joan, Mrs. William Peere Agnes, Mrs. William Coleman ara b. 1672 Mrs. Robert Wilmot m. John Day, Bristol Merchant d of Braydon Brook: bur. Seu is 1608/13 ois rm « ” aces aah. wi Mit ae as Malmesbury: dated 16.1V.1614 “Meade” | bur. Crudwell | = se Mrs. eam Partridge aah = The mel Thomas = Mary cannes Samuel Margaret = Waals scala ale Mrs. a Slade Thomas ite = hes ails gent. of Estcourt. d. 1599; Magd. Coll., Oxon.; survived exor of William Beale — exor of d.c 1624; : R an invalid Yeoman, of Crudwell: Constable 1607 apprenticed to Ric. Barnes, bur. Crudwell 1637 (M.I.): Will P.C.C. Vicar of Kemble and husband: father’s will Vicar of Mary father’s WillP.C. Mrs. Alice Lavington of the Hundred of Malmesbury public notary; Bristol merchant: Will 148 “ Lee ” 1621/38 39 “* Kidd” Oaksey. Will 1644/45, probably Hankerton — will 36 “* Byrde” mentioned in Brother Giles’ will, M.P. Malmesbury 1648; bought 127“ Rivers ” second wife (others) and in son Thomas’ apprentice | land from Sir Nevil Poole and entry | built Estcourt House, 1648-1660, ) | which he left to his nephew | Thomas: ob., s.p. aet 85: M.I. | St. Werburghs: Will P.C.C. 16 | “Hale” 14 Jan./6 Feb. 1666/7 i | | Littl : ; The Rey. Thomas =Ann John=Susan William Margaret (of weak intellect) SirThomas = Elizabeth Eleanor Magd. Coll., Oxon.: mentioned in alive 1620 younger son: Mary, Mrs. Ezra Gale of Crudwell and Bristol: d. of Jos. Jackson M.P. mentioned in father’s will: | father-in-law’s will: died before alive 1644 Elizabeth, Mrs. Thos. Bisse Merchant Venturer: Mayor for Bristol: d. 7. VI. 1709 Rector of Shorncote 1639- | d. 1693. aet 74: MI. 1645 ? Joyce, Mrs. Henry Stevens of and M.P. for Bristol: aet 74: bur. St. Werburgh’s 1663: d. 1664 aet. 52 (sic) «| Crudwell Susan, Mrs. Hen. Blandford K. 1681: d. 1696 aet 67: bur. M.I. Crudwell St. Werburgh’s: inherited Estcourt from his uncle | 1 I ee fs I Sl i Lh, = Elizabeth Giles Joseph =Elia. Camm Thomas William = Henrietta Robert Elizabeth = Giles of Estcourt = Margaret d. 1706 aet 60 bap. St. Leonards, 1768—1730 1660—1702 1662—1740 d. of Smart Goodenough 1669—1736 d. and coh. of 1678—1758 bur. Hankerton 1689.1 1728 Bristol 1657 Merchant Merchant Queen’s Coll., of Sherston Merchant Venturer: Sir William M.I. Hankerton Mrs. Hen. Creswick d. at Vittoria, Spain Venturer: Venturer Oxon., and m., Pitminster 1696 Mayor of Bristol Rawlinson Politician and Mary b. 1674 8 Noy. 1677 M.P. Bristol M.I. Crudwell Middle | aet 19 wit seeD.N.B. | Katherine b. 1667 1710—1727 Temple | ; | M.P. Chippenham | m. Sir Thos. Camm (Goodenough William) | 171S—22: and | Rachael b. 1676 |Malmesbury 1722--47) Elizabeth said to have. unm. = = 5 = ace Sie he = eA a Se | married Dr. Rich Morton (1) | = an H and Henry Pool of Oaksey (2) Elizabeth = The Rev. Thomas Grace William Rawlinson = Susannah Eleanor Giles d. of Thos. Rooke of only child: Balliol bur. Malmesbury. M.P.Cricklade 1747 and 1754 d. and h, of William White d. unm. 1761 buried Whitchurch, gent. Coll., Oxon.: 10.1V.1754 and afterwards Malmesbury: of Little Somerford: bur. Hendon in infancy m. 12.X1I.1706 Vicar of Malmes- d. 10 Aug. 1774 aet 71 | m. Malmesbury 30.VII.1730 bury: d. 1749 aet. bur. Hendon: Will P.C.C. | 69: Will Arch Wilts 299 “‘ Bargrave” proved 2.XI.1749 = sath = Ann Maria abe: alte = Margaret Eleanor satelin Gillon | | _1728—1774 only child of Edmund 1723—1728 b.c 1732 d. of Dr. Ralph survived her buried Hendon 1733 bur. Hendon 1741 Ann The Rev. Walter = Sarah fared M.P. Cricklade 1774 Estcourt of Burton Hill Eton and Peterhouse Bouchier of father of Calne 1725—1772 dof b. 1715 m. Malmesbury 1766: inherited Benningborough Benningborough m. 1748 Oriel Coll., —Cornwallis see Joliffe d. 1776 aet 33: from his father-in-law: | all: Oxon. Vicar m. 12,VIII.1751 cuttings p. 41 buried Harpenden sold Estcourt and Clotley | m. 1761 of Hendon Dev. Mus. to Jos. Pitt in 1807: d. 8.X%.1827 aet 87 Library d. 1811 | , ——_—— — Thomas Augustus Edwards William Thomas ob. s.p. a pre-nuptial son by her husband Major 2nd West Yorks Militia: d. 1806 in his 43rd year 29 EARLE OF CRUDWELL. In revising the parliamentary chapter of Materials for a History of Cricklade Mr. W. B. Crouch enlisted my help to discover the relationship of William Rawlinson Earle who sat in 1747 and 1754, and William Earle who sat in 1774. They turned out to be fourth cousins once removed. Having made such a large enquiry for so limited a result, I considered it worthwhile to set out for our members the main framework of the pedigree, as it is certain that there are many families living who have a descent therefrom. Dozens of extracts of wills and other records are lodged in Cricklade Museum. The family shows a common enough pattern,—the rise of yeomen of the close of the sixteenth cen- tury to the established small gentry of the eighteenth. The first chief branch of the family rose by Law and Trade, the second by the Church. Giles Earle was, in 1607, apprenticed to a notary public. He became a wealthy Bristol merchant, and sat for Malmesbury in 1648. From Sir Nevil Poole he bought land near Braydon Brook in East- cot (which his uncle had held copyhold), and between 1648 and 1660 built Eastcourt House. He died childless in 1666 and left his fortune and house to his nephew Thomas. This Thomas was a Bristol Merchant Venturer, as were four of his sons and two of his sons-in-law; one of these was Mayor of Bristol, and one M.P. for Bristol. Thomas married the daughter of Joseph Jackson, M.P. for Bristol, and was knighted in 1681. Sir Thomas’ sixth son Giles married the daughter and co-heiress of Sir William Rawlinson, serjeant- at-law, and sat first for Chippenham and then for Malmesbury. He was a politician, a wit, and a boon companion of Walpole. Some account of him will be found in the D.N.B. He died at East- court House, aged 80, in 1758, and his son was the William Rawlinson Earle, the subject of my search. Joseph Pitt, M.P., was living at Eastcourt in 1830, Walter Powell, M.P. in 1875, and Judge Joseph Randolph, Chairman of Wilts Quarter Sessions, in 1911. The second branch of the family can be dealt with more shortly. The first Giles’s cousin, Thomas, was sent to Magdalen College, Oxford, and became Vicar of Kemble and Oaksey. His son, also of Magdalen, was Rector of Shorncote 1639—1663. This (second) Thomas had a son Thomas, who was a mercer. He was a churchwarden of Crudwell and died there in 1715. Thomas, the mercer, had an only child Thomas. He was a Balliol man, became a rather notorious Vicar of Malmesbury, and died in 1749, having had a son who became Vicar of Hendon, and, by a second wife, a son William, M.P., for Cricklade, the second subject of this enquiry. T. R. THOMSON 30 EXCAVATION AND FIELDWORK IN WILTSHIRE, 1960 The West Kennett Avenue During November, 1960 Dr. Isobel Smith and Mr. W. E. V. Young, on behalf of the Ministry of Works, undertook the location and excavation of stonehole 79B of the West Kennett Avenue. The stonehole was located close to the cottage known as ‘ Ellamatto ’, now demolished by road- widening operations. At the bottom of the hole, a level platform of large stones had been carefully laid to support the base of the standing stone. This platform was surrounded by a curb of massive sarsens fitted close together, and standing a little higher, leaving space in the centre for a pillar-like type ‘ A’ stone with a broad, flat base 4ft. in diameter. Stonehole 79B was situated at the foot of a steep natural slope in the ground. This slope has been converted into a ramp by the addition of a thick layer of flints and small sarsen stones, down which the stone had been slid to its prepared platform. The evidence of pottery, clay pipe stems, burnt straw and sarsen indicates that the stone had fallen of its own accord away from the slope towards low-lying ground on the south-west some time prior to the 12th century A.D., and that it remained in a prone position until finally broken up on the spot by the heating and cooling method adopted in the 17th century A.D. (W.A.M. vol. 57, 1959, p. 230). Normanton Down During July and August 1960, emergency excavations on behalf of the Ministry of Works were carried out on three barrows situated a little to the west of the main Normanton barrow group on Normanton Down, in the parish of South Wilsford. The director was Miss E. V. Field. Grinsell’s Barrow No. 1 (SU/11114163) This was a bowl barrow 50ft. in diameter, the present height of the mound being Ift. 3in. There is no record of the original excavation carried out by William Cunnington in 1805, except a comment that the central grave contained a skeleton, a drinking cup and stag antlers. (Hoare, Ancient Wilts., 1, 206). The 1960 excavations proved, however, that the central grave had contained at least two inhumations and a cremation. Fragments of a bell beaker were also recovered with the burnt and inhumed bones in the original grave fill. Total excavation brought to light 11 burials, all of which were situated in the north side of the barrow. Burials 5-10 were infant inhumations, and contained beakers; Burial 4 was also an inhumed infant, but contained a small vessel of urn type. Grave 11 contained the crouched skeleton of a young adult lying on its right side; behind the skull was a fragment of slate, which may be a copy of an early Irish flat bronze axe. Beaker sherds were also found in the grave filling. Grinsell’s Barrow No. 33a (SU/10864148) Before excavation, the site had been designated as a‘ pond’ barrow, 42ft. in diameter, and surrounded by a bank Ift. high and approximately 12ft. wide. When excavated, however, it proved to be a shaft, with a surface diameter of 20ft. descending to a diameter of 6ft. At 20ft. below surface, the shaft sides continued vertically downwards to an excav- ated depth of 70ft. and beyond. At this point excavation ceased, and further investigation is needed before the site can be satisfactorily explained. An old pit containing many animal bones had been dug in the upper levels of the shaft. At a depth of 9ft., an almost complete Iron Age B pot was found. There were few other finds in the shaft filling until at a depth of 65ft., the remains of an urn of Deverel-Rimbury type were found scattered through a vertical height of 5ft. 31 Grinsell’s Barrow No. 33 (SU/10814136) This was a bowl-type barrow, 80ft. in diameter. Bulldozing and ploughing has so reduced the height of the ground that it was impossible to determine its original construction. The central grave contained cremated remains, previously disturbed by Cunnington during his excavations of 1805. There were no accompanying grave goods. Amesbury: Barrow, Goddard’s No. 51 : SU/A11454275; Neolithic Rescue excavations on behalf of the Ministry of Works were carried out at this site by Mr. P. Ashbee. The barrow, one of the Cursus group, was, until recently ploughed, approximately 60ft. in diameter, and 4ft. high. It was previously opened by Cunnington in the first years of the 19th century; he recorded the discovery of three superimposed skeletons, two of which were accompanied by beakers. Only one of these was preserved, and is now in Devizes Museum. The bones of the lowest skeleton were rein- terred after Cunnington had noted the finding of * a large piece of skull about 3 inches broad that had been sawed off.’ Total excavation revealed that the barrow mound had a loam core capped by chalk, and was sur- rounded by a causewayed ditch, separated by a berm from the central mound. Many such apparent bowl barrows, as this, are now shown by excavation to have had a berm. Within the mound was an undisturbed contracted skeleton covered by a tapering board, and with a wooden knife-like implement before the face. A long-necked beaker, a handled awl, a flint scraper and antler points were also found in the burial. An undisturbed contracted skeleton and a bell-beaker were discovered lying in the silt of the ditch. There were also fragments of bluestone in the ditch silts, and in the body of the mound; these were doubtless incorporated in the barrow when it was raised. Cunnington’s excavations had only partially destroyed the original infill of the central grave: so it was possible to recover the dimensions of a timber coffin or mortuary house that had been set in it, indicated by the impression of boards and corner posts still visible in the hard-packed chalk. The re-interred bones were also recovered, including the ‘ sawed-off’ piece of skull which proved to be a trepanned roundel of unusual size. In the throw-back of the 19th century barrow opening were two barbed and tanged arrowheads, possibly from one of the burials, and crumbs of beaker pottery. Shrewton: Goddard’s Barrows Nos. 5a, b, d: SU/085448 Rescue excavations on behalf of the Ministry of Works were commenced by Mr. C. Green and were completed by Mr. P. Ozanne on three barrows near Shrewton. Post-holes were found under each barrow. The ditch surrounding Barrow 5a was of two periods of construction. Originally it consisted of a series of irregular quarry pits, subsequently cut through by a polygonal ditch which was V-shaped in section. This barrow contained a number of secondary crema- tions associated with Late Bronze Age pottery. Cow Down, Longbridge Deverell: Iron Age A third season of excavations on behalf of the Ministry of Works was carried out at the Cow Down, Longbridge Deverell (ST/887145) by Mrs. Sonia Chadwick Hawkes, assisted by Professor C. F. C. Hawkes, Miss J. Nicholson and others. Enclosure B Work was concentrated mainly on this site, a large circular enclosure over seven acres in extent, to which later had been added the D-shaped earthwork of site A (W.A.M. vol. 57, 1958, p. 10). Sections across the ditches produced pottery of Primary A type. Within the enclosure an area of some 10,000 ft. was stripped, and inside it were found post-hole plans of three substantial houses, circular and porched like that found previously on site A. The first was 35ft. in diameter, and had in 32 its post-holes the earliest pottery on the site; large shouldered jars with bold incised and white-filled ornament, and furrowed bowls, always with low rims, usually haematite-coated. The second house, 45 ft. in diameter, which also produced bowls with flaring rims, succeeded this, and partly encroached upon its plan. The third house, 30ft. in diameter, lay a short distance away, set within an angular enclosure bounded by a fence trench. After an interval represented by a scarcity of later A material, this part of the site was given over to storage-pit digging by inhabitants, whose houses must have lain outside the area examined. Their pottery was of ‘ B’ type, mostly plain, ovoid jars, or ‘ saucepans’, but including rare pedestal bases. Of some 40 pits excavated this year, one contained a quantity of carbonised grain, with traces, apparently, of its sack, and a well-preserved iron sickle blade on top of it; two others, amid their filling, disclosed each the whole skeleton of a woman, one young, one older, in postures pointing to burial alive. Enclosure C Little work was done on this site, a circular enclosure eight acres in extent, with surrounding ditch. Sections across the ditch produced primary A type pottery. Excavations at the site have now ceased. The importance and extent of the occupation attested by them, and by Dr. J. K. St. Joseph’s air photographs (1956) of the entire complex of three sites and associ- ated field-systems make this hill-top a place of capital interest for the Iron Age of south Wiltshire, and indeed, of all south Britain. Bury Wood Camp: ST/817740: Iron Age Hill-fort Mr. D. Grant-King again directed excavations at Bury Wood Camp. The second season’s work was devoted chiefly to an investigation of the narrow part of the north-east entrance. The discoveries were mainly structural. About 90ft. of continuous drystone revetment walling in very fair condition was disclosed on the outer face of the north inturned rampart, and over 60ft. of poor, ruinous wall belonging to the south inturned rampart. The floor of the original passage-way appeared at depths of 3-4ft. below ground surface. Four large post-holes, one with elaborate construction, indicated the position of a massive wooden gate and a probable barbican superstructure. Masses of charcoal lying on the floor suggested a major conflagration. It is not thought that the burning was accidental, but there is no evidence, so far, as to the identity of the assailants. A small D-shaped enclosure within the camp, described by Colt Hoare as a ‘* small earthenwork ’, was also examined, and found to be of contemporary date. An unprecedented number of broken quernstones of saddle and rotary type were recovered from the site. The excavations will continue in 1961. Bilbury Rings and Area: SU/010363 An investigation of the hill-fort area is now being carried out by the Archaeology Sub-committee of the parent Society and the Salisbury Museum Excavation Sub-committee, in collaboration with the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, and by kind permission of the landowners concerned, Messrs. Barrett Bros. of Bilbury Farm and Major R. H. Heywood-Lonsdale of Bapton Manor. Mr. H. C. Bowen of the Royal Commission, has summarised the results as follows :— In 1960 the Revd. E. H. Steele extended his cuttings of the previous year across the southern defences of the hill fort. As a result it was established that :— i. A flat shelf or berm had been cut into the natural clay-with-flints on the outer side of the inner ditch, which was 15ft. across from lip to lip, and 8ft. 9in. below the present surface. A rough trench, Sft. 6in. wide and Ift. 6in. deep, was discovered on the inner side of the ditch, 3ft. from it and running 33 parallel to it. This is, perhaps, the result of the robbing or total destruction of a revetment wall; if so, it accounts for an otherwise puzzling accumulation of heavy flints low down in the ditch-filling. ii. Behind this trench, the old ground surface and all recognisable remains of a bank had been destroyed, mostly by agricultural operations within this century. The surface indications of a rise fo 4 or 5 inches about 20ft. across show, however, even without the testimony of Colt Hoare, the former existence of a considerable inner bank here. iii. The outer bank was represented by no more than a sliver of clay-with-flints 3 in. high and about 7ft. wide on the old ground surface. This had survived, as a 3in. deep band, from near the edge of the cut berm outside the inner ditch right up to within 4 ft. of the outer ditch. This outer ditch, again V- shaped, was only 12ft. across and 5ft. deep. Since the total space between the ditches was 35ft. and the vestiges of the bank were found at a point equidistant between the two, it is conceivable that Hoare’s description of the outer bank as ‘ very broad and flat ’, may have been applicable even to its original form. The evidence for dating is as follows. A fragment of a pedestal base together with sherds of bead- rimmed pottery were recovered from the lower silting of the inner ditch. Romano-British sherds were found in the slowly accumulating filling above this. No finds were made in the outer ditch but coarse, vesicular, Iron Age A sherds were found on the old ground surface between the inner and outer ditches and, as in the previous year, on the natural clay-with-flints under the site of the inner bank, where they had perhaps been buried by relatively recent ploughing. No ware of this sort has been found in the ditches. The sherds confirm the likelihood of an Iron Age A settlement hereabouts, already pointed to by the former chance find of a La Téne I brooch, but so far the evidence suggests that this phase is earlier than the ditched defences. The metal objects, mostly brooches and horse-trappings, recovered from the site in the past have now been kindly examined by Mrs. Elizabeth Fowler and Mr. Graham Webster. Some of them strongly suggest a connection with the Roman Army. One brooch, related to the Aucissa type of the Ist century A.D., had been found in a pre-war excavation by Mr. R. S. Newall, deep in the ditch filling of the enclosure complex which Colt Hoare first plotted in the interior of the hill-fort. Mr. Newall has kindly made available his full records of this excavation to the present investigators. Fieldwork by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments staff has included a large-scale survey of the hill-fort, of Church End ring (500 yds. to the south) and of the Hanging Langford complex south of this. In the course of this work the ‘ ditch ’ illustrated by Colt Hoare, running south-east from the hill-fort, was rediscovered in the present pasture field as a ‘ parch-mark ’. Itruns absolutely straight, apparently from the inner ditch of the hill-fort, cutting through the outer defences in the direction of Church End Ring, but cannot be proved to have been connected with it. At thirty feet from the outer ditch of the hill-fort, it intersected another straight ‘ parch-mark’. Mr. John Stratton duga section, 90ft. south of this, which showed a depression 3ft. deep and 15ft. across; most of the lower half was packed with flints. Of the Celtic fields in the area, field-work has shown that those on Wylye Down are complex and include different types. There are clear signs of contemporary development, as well as intrusions from the open fields of the manor of Wylye. Though much damaged, those to the south only are regular in arrangement, small plots being de- fined by cross divisions between parallel lynchets. A close-set double-scarp line runs west into this area from the Dinton Beeches—Bilbury road and is matched by another, 300 yards to the north, as well as by a double lynchet track, 700 yards still further to the north, running west from the area of Bilbury itself. These arrangements, for which no parallel is known, suggest that the whole area was in some phase encompassed within one orderly system. VOL. LVIII-CCIX EB 34 It was already virtually certain from field-work that the double lynchet track was a secondary feature of the Celtic field layout, and this was confirmed by excavations which showed a negative lynchet on the uphill side of its trend. These excavations, and the others below, were conducted by members of the Salisbury Museum Excavation Sub-committee with Mr. J. W. G. Musty and Mr. H. C. Bowen, and members of the Bishop Wordsworth School Archaeological Society. It was next hoped to compare finds from this area of fields, now shown to be of at least two phases, with the more regular and possibly later fields to the south. No less than 53 small finds, mostly pot- sherds, came from one trench, 30ft. long and 4ft. wide, across a well preserved lynchet 100 yards south of the double lynchet track. Most were Romano-British, but some were of Iron Age fabric. A cut through the most southerly double-scarp line (a feature now clearer on air-photographs than on the ground but surviving, downhill of the modern plough-line, as a slight shelf 10ft. wide above a 4ft. high lynchet) produced very few sherds. Although these included Iron Age and Romano-British fabric, it is impossible to say whether they could belong entirely to the earliest Roman period or not. Structurally, the large number of finds in the first lynchet excavation enabled it to be seen that the plough-soil had been largely scattered over the face of the scarp, and not piled above the negative element. This section is being illustrated in the forthcoming booklet on Ancient Fields, which is being produced by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. W.A.N.H.S. Archaeology Sub-committee Excavations. Column Ride, Savernake Forest: (SU/225649): Romano-British Potteries Further excavations, directed by the Revd. E. H. Steele, were again conducted at the Romano- British potteries in Savernake Forest. This, the fourth season, was devoted to an examination of sites indicated by magnetometer survey during 1959, and the further excavation of pit 2. As a result of bad weather, only part of the area was covered; the remainder, together with some outstanding problems from kiln 3, remains for investigation in 1961. Pit 2. This pit, perhaps used as a clay source by the potters, produced quantities of sherds, including a small rough inkwell, or cosmetic jar, and some interesting green-glazed ware. Kiln4 This proved to be a horizontal-draught elongated kiln, the oven being occupied, except for narrow flues along the sides, by a massive flat-topped plinth. Many sherds were recovered from the south- eastern stokehole. Kiln 4a After Kiln 4 had gone out of use, its north-western stokehole was used as the excavation for a new kiln of single furnace up-draught type, similar in pattern to kilns 2 and 3(W.A.M. vol. 57, 1959, p. 235; 1960, p. 396). The disused stokehole had been lined with chalky concrete, to form an oven, with a solid central plinth. The stokehole for the new kiln was formed by further excavation in a northerly direction, beyond the limits of kiln 4. The concrete material, being more durable than the natural clay, had survived well, and an arch was preserved over the flue passage between furnace and oven. Quantities of waster sherds were recovered from the oven and stokehole, including a few heat-blackened Samian sherds. Kiln 5 This was of horizontal-draught type with directly opposed stokeholes; the oven floor in this kiln was perfectly flat, with no central plinth as found in kiln 4. The flue passages between the stokeholes and oven had been provided with chokes in the form of clay bridges, about 6in. above the floor of each flue. 35 The kiln had been abandoned while fully loaded. The pottery ranged in size from large storage jars to small table-ware, all distorted by incorrect firing. The larger pots had collapsed, presumably under the weight of the kiln roof falling as a result of an accident, or by slow decay, and thereby the small vessels had been protected from harm. A much corroded coin was found in the kiln oven. Black Field, Mildenhall: Cunetio: Romano-British walled Township A fourth season of excavations directed by Messrs. F. K. Annable and A. J. Clark was carried out in 1960 at the site of Cunetio, 14 miles south-east of Marlborough (SU/216695). The investigations were concentrated on the excavation of the conjectured west entrance to the town (W.A.M. vol. 57, 1960, p. 397) situated in the small upper paddock flanking Cock-a-Troop Lane, approximately 300ft. south of the north-west corner of the town. The excavations finally revealed a rectangular area of stone flooring, some 20 ft. by 10ft., composed of massive squared limestone blocks. The largest measured about 3ft. square, and lft. thick. Along the northern edge of this pavement, were three massive rectangular blocks, each approximately Ift. 6in. by 1ft. broad and deep, mortared together and resting partly on the pavement area on a bedding of pink mortar. The outer face of each block was tooled, and clearly intended to be visible. No further blocks remained, but they had obviously existed along the length of the pavement, as the squared end of the original foundation trench was recovered at the eastern end of the pavement. Along the southern edge, although all the blocks had been robbed away, the foundation trench was again traced to its termination. There seems little doubt that these extant blocks were the vestiges of the lowermost footings of side- walls, rising from the pavement floor to form a single-arched gateway into the town. To the north and south, the line of the west wall of the town was traced, abutting on to the entrance at each side. Eight shallow sockets were found, arranged in two groups of four across the extreme west end of the pavement, and cut into the blocks after they had been laid down. If, as seems likely, iron or wooden bars were set into these sockets, the entrance would have been reduced to the size of a mere wicket gate, through which only pedestrian traffic could have gained entry. The meagre road surface coming up to the west entrance, and the obvious lack of wear on the paving blocks seem to confirm this suggestion. A small coin hoard dated to c. 360 A.D. was discovered | ft. above the pavement at its western end. Rescue and Research Work in the Salisbury Area Additional work undertaken by the Salisbury Museum Excavation Sub-committee during the year was directed by J.W.G. Musty, assisted by Mr. D. J. Algar and Mr. J. E. D. Stratton. The results of their investigations are summarised below :— Tinker Pit, Salisbury: SU/116314: Iron Age Burials A number of Iron Age storage pits were exposed in a chalk face during quarrying operations in 1958 by the Brambling Lime Co., at Tinker Pit (W.A.M. vol. 57, 1959, p. 236). An examination of the site was made in 1960. Members of the Southern Command Royal Signals Archaeological Club surveyed the visible features of the site. These inciuded storage pits and a V-shaped ditch, which doubtless enclosed the area. Two contracted inhumations were uncovered. They lay in a figure of eight depression, possibly the base of a pit which had been cut away by chalk quarrying. The skeletons faced east, with skulls to the north, the upper part of each skeleton being covered with large flints. There were no associated finds. Armsley: SU/168162: Iron Age and Roman A second short season was occupied in investigating the site of a floor, found during the previous year. A circle of post-holes was located, one of which contained an almost complete urn, perhaps of Late 1E 36 Bronze or Early Iron Age date. The post-holes had been cut through by a large ditch, probably of Durotrigic date, and this was also examined. The ditch had been re-cut a number of times, and contained much pottery, burnt clay and ashes. Over one of these re-cuts in the post-holes area a pebble floor had been laid, and post-holes associated with it contained iron slag packing. A great deal of slag and baked clay was found nearby, which suggests the presence of an iron smelting furnace, close to the hut. On the floor of the hut, and also with the iron smelting debris, were sherds of Roman lead-glazed ware. Mr. E. M. Jope has suggested that the pottery was possibly made in Somerset and traded at the same time as lead. Winterbourne Gunner; SU/182352: Pagan Saxon Cemetery The digging of a pipe-line lead to the discovery of a small pagan Saxon cemetery consisting of ten graves, three of which were exposed and damaged by the trench. Grave 1. A male inhumation with spearhead, shield-boss, iron knife, decorated bronze tweezers and a purse mount. Graves 2 and 3. An aged inhumation, and that of a youth about 16, both without grave goods. Grave 4. A male inhumation of 20-25 years, with spearhead and shield-boss, the latter with a large flat top of a type rare in Wiltshire cemeteries. Grave 5. A male inhumation with iron knife and bronze tweezers. Grave 6. An inhumation, accompanied by a throwing axe, decorated bronze tweezers, and a bronze strap-end, decorated with zoomorphic ornament. Grave 7. A juvenile inhumation, which had probably disturbed a Beaker burial, as the remains of a cord-zoned beaker were found in the grave. Grave-goods included a square-headed brooch, amber beads and a perforated spoon. Grave 8. A female inhumation, with applied saucer brooches, amber and glass beads, an iron knife and an iron chatelaine ring, with latch lifter. Grave 9. Also female, wearing applied saucer brooches. All four brooches are of the ‘ Kempton Cross ’ type, previously unknown in Wiltshire. Burial 10. A small grave, probably that of an infant, whose skeleton had completely disappeared. The grave contained a string of beads and a fragment of lead. Laverstock SU/160298: A Mediaeval Pottery Kiln A further pottery kiln was excavated at this site, after being exposed by pipe-laying operations, thus bringing the total of kilns excavated at Laverstock to seven. The new kiln was of the normal Laverstock double stoke pit type. An unusual feature was a second floor, which had been laid in the oven and separated from the old floor by a layer of wasters 3in. thick. Pottery recovered from the kiln included jugs with curvilinear scoring. Salisbury City Defences and Drains: Demolition of Old Gate Place, which adjoins the site of one of the principal gateways through the City Rampart, no longer extant in this area, provided a possible opportunity of obtaining information about the Rampart. Maps showed that one of the city’s mediaeval drainage canals crossed the site. No trace of the city rampart or its ditch were found, but the drainage canal was seen in section. Along each edge of this drain was a series of wooden stakes, presumably serving as a revetment. From the silting was obtained 15th-16th century pottery and the base of a glass beaker (c. 1600). Before the demolition of the 19th century tenements surrounding the Place, a coxcomb ridge tile was rescued from one of the roofs. This was of early date (14th-15th century), similar to ridge tiles from the Laverstock kilns, and an archaic survival in a ridge of otherwise comparatively recent tiles. Similar tiles can be seen on several rooftops in Salisbury. 37 Old Sarum: East Suburb Ploughing brought human bones to the surface in a field where previously a lime-burning industry had been identified. (W.A.M. vol. 57, 1959, p. 179). Excavation revealed mass graves, not earlier than the 12th century; stray cooking potsherds were found in the graves beneath the skeletons. Eighteen skeletons were uncovered, mostly in one grave. These must have been victims of some epidemic and had been buried in some haste, as the graves were only 6in. beneath the turf. Fyfield Down, near Marlborough (SU/139707): Mediaeval A second season of excavations under the direction of Mr. P. Fowler (Royal Commission) was carried out on Fyfield Down, in conjunction with the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, the Conservancy Board, and the Department of Extra-Mural Studies, Bristol University. The investigation of the 12th-13th century long-house was continued. At the northern end of the house, three small recesses, presumably for sleeping and storage, were found in the walls, and a fire-pit was discovered in the floor. These indicate, as was previously suggested, that this end of the house was the domestic area. A line of stones in the floor, which ran across the long axis of the house, divided the interior almost exactly in half, and presumably denotes the limit of the domestic area. A large straight-sided pit was discovered at the southern end of the house, running under the eastern wall. It contained much pottery, loosely packed stones, and wood fragments, which were preserved in the damp humus filling at the bottom. The pit stratigraphically pre-dates the house, although one of the rim sherds from near the bottom fitted exactly a sherd found on the floor at the northern end of the house, to form a profile so far unique on the site. Some 4,000 sherds so far recovered show interesting similarities with the coarse wares of the west country, the south coast, and to a lesser extent, the Oxford region. With a view to more extensive researches in 1961, a trial cutting was made across the ditch of the triangular enclosure 70 yards north-east of the longhouse. The ditch was only about Ift. deep, but it contained sherds identical with those from the house, and is therefore, together with the foundations of the house it encloses, presumably of 12th-13th century date. FIELDWORK Chute Down An investigation of the extensive Celtic field systems on Chute Down (SU/284428) was carried out by Mr. P. Fowler and a group of students during a field archaeology course arranged by the Extra-Mural Department, Bristol University. Chute Down spans a promontory of high ground, rising to 666ft. above O.D., in the hilly forested area of eastern Wiltshire. north-east of Ludgershall. Stepped up either slope of the Down, and running across its rounded top, are the well-defined lynchets of a Celtic field-system, traversed by two associated holloways. One of these runs along the top of the Down, and has not been previously noted; the other runs along the western side for about 1,000 yards before winding down into the combe. (V.C.H., 1, pt. I, pp. 85, 254). The field system covers an area of about 140 acres, twice the acreage previously assigned to it (ibid., pp. 275, 61), It was of particular interest, since one of the holloways was observed to cut across a pre- existing field, and later ploughing had formed a new lynchet. The fieid system is thus demonstrated to be of two phases. The measured plans, profiles &c., on which this note is based are at the Salisbury office of the Royal Commission, and it is hoped to continue fieldwork in the area with local assistance. 38 An Experimental Earthwork on Fyfield Down (SU/143707) It is being increasingly realised by archaeologists that our knowledge concerning the natural pro- cesses leading to the burial of archaeological remains is very slight, and in particular of the time involved in the weathering of prehistoric earthworks and the filling of their ditches, in given conditions of soil, climate, and vegetation. During last summer, therefore, a new experiment in archaeology was initiated. An earthwork was constructed, consisting of a straight ditch and bank, which would be a simplified model of the type of structure encountered in hill-forts, barrows and henge monuments. Its purpose is to enable archaeologists to record from the beginning the sequence of changes that result in the denudation and silting of a structure. The site chosen was in the Fyfield Down Nature Reserve, on a high and exposed part of the chalk downland. The plan provided for a ditch 90ft. long, 10ft. wide at the top, with its sides battered to give a width of 8ft. at the bottom. The material from the ditch, including surface turves, was heaped up to form a bank triangular in section and 84ft. wide at the base. Permanent steel tubes, set in concrete and situated at intervals along the spine of the bank, will provide the basis for measurements of soil movement. During the work of construction a section of the ditch and bank was dug with primitive tools, i.e., antler picks, shoulder blade shovels, and wicker carrying baskets, in order to acquire data on the efficiency of primitive tools. A further study has been added to the project, namely, an investigation of the fate of buried objects in the soil. A contrasting variety of objects were deposited in measured positions within the mound; these included wood, bone (including human remains), samples of wool, cotton, linen, and a number of leather samples tanned in various ways. All these sets of objects are so placed that they can be re- covered in the planned trenches which are to be cut at future intervals of time. These sample sections will be cut through both bank and ditch, and then filled back at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 years from the date of completion. It is planned to construct a further two earthworks, one on acid heath, and one on loam in a high rainfall region, to provide comparative data from these contrasting environments. The project was planned by the Research Committee (Section H) of the British Association, and the construction of the earthwork was carried out under the direction of Mr. P. A. Jewell, Royal Veterinary College, University of London. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Sincere thanks are due to the following for their contributions to this summary of excavations :— W. E. V. Young (West Kennett); Miss E. V. Field (Normanton Down); P. Ashbee (Amesbury); Miss M. Best (Shrewton); Mrs. Sonia Chadwick Hawkes (Cow Down, Longbridge Deverell); D. Grant-King (Bury Wood Camp): H. C. Bowen (Bilbury Rings and Area); Revd. E. H. Steele (Savernake Forest); J. W. G. Musty (Research and Rescue Work in the Salisbury Area); P. Fowler (Fyfield Down and Chute Down); P. A. Jewell (Experimental Earthwork on Fyfield Down). . =H iM io LS _ = Dt ‘ z A . it 2 i : ; - { ” De t “ af ' ‘ =i 7 ia ‘ F : : ‘ Py i f . : : : ! - 7 ; 7 ' * : 7 ' ra - . 7 7 ' i os, : a a a : ad : i \ j at ‘ i ae mi : ' : : 7 “4 ; ; : u ‘ ; 7 t ‘ 2 — J : ; - - : 7 ' 1 or a) pt te 7 i ‘ ie — : - ; i aes « Hed 1° 7 ’ F : 1 : ar , \ 7 i n ‘ 2 - : a FS A s es v : _ ’ ‘ =~ 9 : i ~ ‘ ' - J i hes oy 9 ty 7 = ' 7 7 - - ‘ : 7 Ie ¥ : . . : : 7 : ; a 7 ' F : : ‘ ; : : ; . ' ~ ; \ = } y : ; : 7 7 7 14 “IOJOUILIP UL SOYOU! TZ] SI ULOD 9YL :9]BIS ‘punojisyoeg YS oy} Ul Q] 9UOIS ‘paeMuMOp apis To] AP] PoALop SVM JZ BUOIS YSIYM WOAJ dUOJS ay} AT[PUISIIO pue ospom oie uiod dy} YSnoIYy} sul] eB JO WYSII suorssaidap [eJUOZIIOY snojswNU ay, jURIpenb ysoM-YyINOS ‘I[dII9 9UOJS 19}NO *]Z I] eld 3U0}S JO APIs ysea ‘ “‘syaeu yds AYMNEsdAV dSUdZO[ S}I O}UI ‘syreu aspom “‘yueipenb 1soM -ynos a[o4Id SUOFS “SUOT SOYOUT C¢*p SI [loued aL saqeos “adeys Pou Se ZI UdYM 10 eeiuent SPA JUOIS 94} UDYM JOYIIO OpeU aie pioued oyi Suoje ouly ve JO ya] suOIssaidap podeys- 19jNO ‘Q] 9UOIG JO OPIS qsvo I ld Ad: 35e P SUL yinos *‘AUNGdAV a0 THE AVEBURY SARSENS: SOME SURFACE MARKINGS In the summer of 1958 I paid three visits to Avebury to see if markings could be discovered on the sarsen stones. Unfortunately, each visit took place in driving rain and the surfaces of many stones were wet and difficult to photograph. Markings were found on several stones. Some of these are geological. They are due, for instance, to _ sedimentary banding and to the rubbing in the jaws of a fault that produces the surfaces called slicken- sides. Such markings may later be useful in correlating the stones with their outcrop areas. Other mark- _ ings have been caused by weather, wedges used to split the stones, defacements through scratches and _ fire and other agencies and by the rubbing of cattle. Then, too, there are freak marks such as imaginary axes, shields, and scrolls, which show up momentarily as the stones dry out. Very few marks could, _ even tentatively, be considered as carvings. _ Three types of markings are of particular interest. Weather marks, made at Avebury mainly by _ blown or dripping rain, may normally be used to determine the attitude in which a stone has been stand- ing or lying. Allowance must be made for the hardness of the stone, the severity of weathering, and the _ protection available from trees, wind breaks, and hollows Wedge and split marks may similarly be used _ to indicate the original attitude of the stones, since wedges generally are inserted vertically into the _ working, or top, surface. Defacements are useful, especially where they overlap, in that different _ ‘generations ’ of defacements may be determined and, where these generations overlap with weather | marks, the relative ages of different weather marks may be distinguished. By weather marks I mean _ such specific features as rain grooves, drip marks and joints made by frost: I distinguish them from | weathering which affects the whole stone. Lastly, the amount of weathering that the defacements _ show, together with the weathering that the weather marks themselves show, enable approximate | deductions to be made about the relative age of a// the markings present. Full use, unfortunately, cannot be made of these markings at Avebury. In the late 1930’s all the | fallen and partly buried stones then at Avebury were re-erected. Today, it appears impossible to | determine from any publications, individual, or institution what were the exact positions and attitudes _ of the stones before re-erection, whether the re-erected stones match their original sockets, and which _ defacements were then on the stones. The approximate dating of the wedge and split marks is thus—to take one example—more difficult _ than it should be. Were these marks made by the original builders of Avebury or by those who sub- _ sequently broke up the stones? The marks shown in Figs. | and 2 would seem to have been made by the original builders: Stone 16 has been split diagonally into a diamond, Stone 21 longitudinally into a _ pillar. The official guide book to Avebury by D. Emerson Chapman, issued by H.M.S.O. in 1947, _ mentioned the possibility that these stones are symbolic of male and female. Anyone interested in breaking up the stones for ‘a little dirty profit ’ in Stukeley’s phrase, would surely have split them into more convenient shapes. _ The wedge marks appear to have been made by the forcible intrusion of hard metal wedges, the alter- | native being a laborious filing of wedge holes with sand, water and wooden splints. We are thus left with two interesting questions. What was the hard metal? And, were the stones that bear the scars of _ metal trimming put up later? University of Tasmania P. A. HILL { | 40 BURY WOOD CAMP, REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS, 1959 By D. GRANT KING INTRO DUCTION The decision to start an exploratory excavation at Bury Wood Camp was made during the winter months of 1958-1959. A group of people in Colerne, who were studying the antiquities of Wiltshire, wished to discover the age and purpose of the great earthworks in their neighbourhood. Neither was known and so a small party of volunteers from the district, under the direction of the writer, decided to excavate. ! John Aubrey, the seventeenth century antiquary, had been the first to describe the place (1670); he maintained, with outstanding perspicacity, that its construction was not Roman, but British. Sir Richard Colt Hoare (1819) provided a plan which, though realistic, suffered from a number of in- accuracies and omissions. Finally, in 1936, Dr. A. Shaw Mellor? summarised all the earlier descriptions and gave an admirable account, together with a small plan, of the surface features of the Camp as it appeared at that date. No recorded excavations had ever taken place at the site. THE SITE Bury Wood Camp, a promontory fort with an area of 32 acres, rests on a spur of the Great Oolite at an elevation of about 425 ft. above O.D. and is situated between the villages of North Wraxall and Colerne (O.S. Nat. Grid. ST 817740). The Foss Way passes within half a mile to the west. The Iron Age Jurassic Way, according to Prof. W. F. Grimes, may be traced in the vicinity of Cold Ashton about five miles away. On the east and north sides, the Camp is protected by steep natural scarps and, just beyond, by two deep valleys, in which flow the Doncombe and Sewell} brooks. Fuller’s Earth Rock is recorded in these two valleys. The approach from the south-west is by a level plateau, characteristic of many Cotswold hill-tops and is so flat that it was chosen as a landing ground by the R.A.F. The interior of the Camp has been ploughed or laid down to grass since the early 19th century, and a seed grass crop was growing during 1959. The ramparts and sides of the hill are covered with mixed deciduous woodland. It is unnecessary, at this stage, to add much to Dr. Shaw Mellor’s description of the ramparts and ditches. One may remark, however, that Colt Hoare’s only entrance,4 through the bivallate defences on the south-west side, is probably no more than a break of a later period; in its present form the opening is a decided weakness in fortification. There is, moreover, a distinct bulge in the surface of the track through the Inner Rampart, and this suggests a continuous line of wall at this point. The projection in the middle of the vulnerable south-west front may have been designed as a bastion to command this approach. Also, one should note the curious extension of the Outer Rampart at the south-east corner, projecting over the rim of the hill like a cross-dyke. Two undoubted entrances, both with in-bent ramparts and ingenious terrace-way approaches, are placed at the north-west and north-east corners of the triangular Camp. The North-East Entrance communicates directly with the Doncombe Brook and its tributary, 352 yards away, or with what may be a high level spring on the side of the hill; the North- West Entrance communicates with the plateau and the field systems probably located there. A single rampart, possibly an early feature, rests on the east side of the Camp; and this probably has an internal quarry-ditch.5 The whole north front has an impressive internal quarry-ditch, but there is no sign of an inner rampart. Several external features, such as the cross-dyke near Mount Scylla Farm, six furlongs to the east of the Camp, may be connected with the economy of the resident community. The complexity and size® of the hill-fort suggests that it was built very late in the Early Iron Age. BURY WOOD CAMP N.E. ENTRANCE 30 40 50 60 Day | D rou ml | i LNNNUUUU mS ILL [| | | | SOUTH RAMPART T ei iil a Pea ae 7. | TTT ~ | SCCUPATIOIN SIA SECTIONS 1959 SEEETe BADGER SETT (o) TOR — > a | PLAN OF THE AREA > | . Sa ro LON Mt) a aus 0 PBI PSO 88 eee TOPSOIL Mi < = mp (ees T=) I el ea PALE ee sees ty LIMESTONE Qe wee SRK S: RUBBLE RED BROWN 4 BURIED SOIL \ \ DARK OCCUPATION DEPOSIT iN iBz =| gen ene V/, SMOOTH DARK eB, Zs ~~ — rey, 4“? LZ ia Zz 7 a = = a a a WY: Ss nt ne vem me WARE Pua 9) ni Uy, Mite ae cLay “adh " ‘ry i a ee ‘ry ih Eb f ea aft ee m. ; eh 0 10 20 30 40 50 ae PATCH ee . See es oe ee | 0 l 2 3 4 ee | ee MGS FEET 1 METRE =a fn al e 1B m ine g ll fg su mM mA all a ti a Ne ats ae : Bet a el tans = AW Uy uy Py WEST FACE ere He eae Se, / iN : : ie Ss ial S =oy = Js Ibe f= a (red ares is Rng =o ect iy Uy o i a: <= SSeS. Seas Days eel Sita eri i il eS age cn iy j i esi eaiee . See ee al it —F- > = “i = pa : mes Ieee to — = VS , EEE D Ew PPh states cl 2% 68s eS iy SR? i Mo: =a Y i AQ it sit BPS ECS ne eee A OF a aul ny eg eres rE. poo Sow’ sZ0 S Sa yyy. ht Les — === 3 Me See see Bet ee Mai Ga =) ee S/, yy f ne Ss Poi a= == 228 Bes es BEST Se Ky nm wo Bess oe iI SN BEB a= ass = 7s ae a 69 70 80 BEDROCK 85 aT 90 94 ee er ee | | | 4] Later political divisions indicate that the fort may have been under the suzerainty of the Dobunni’ or of the Belgae, whose concentration in Wiltshire is colourfully conveyed by Ptolemy’s Geographia of the 2nd century A.D.*. The area is certainly marginal to the three® culture provinces, A, B and C; while the northward-facing character of the Camp suggests a spearhead of Belgic aggression, at a most stra- tegic point on the fringe of the Pewsham Forest. The command over the route to the west, via Crawford’s ‘Chippenham Gap,, would have been important to the Belgae, who are thought to have been responsible for massacres at Glastonbury and Worlebury Camp. !° THE EXCAVATIONS The ramparts and ditches are covered in most parts by tree and bush roots. After some debate, the North-East Entrance was chosen as the most suitable area for the initial inquiry. Here five cuttings, all 5ft. wide, were laid out in continuous alignment across the outer part of the passage-way and through the North In-bent Rampart. A further cutting was laid out through the South In-bent Rampart but this, on account of obstructions, had to be diverted 1.5 ft. to the west on another parallel. The ground consisted of large and small limestone rubble, weathered and disturbed from a variety of causes: it was difficult to distinguish the layers of deposit, both natural and artificial, and to correlate these with the artefacts discovered in them. Plans and sections were made of all features liable to be significant. The principal section (fig. 1), which passes through all the cuttings, was surveyed with par- ticular care and detail, because of the complexity and confusion in the subsoil. Owing to the shadows from the thick vegetation, photographs could in no case supersede drawing. Positions of the parts of the site described below will be given in terms of feet recorded on the Datum Line of the complete section (e.g. South In-bent Rampart, 0-30 D.L.). THE NORTH IN-BENT RAMPART (70-98 D.L.) This structure has a maximum height of 4.9 ft. and an approximate width of 22.4 ft., including the inner ramp. It rests upon a bedrock which was disturbed in at least three places. The major disturbance (75 D.L.) is associated with a fragment of red deer antler and a small flint wedged in the rock. Above is a layer of red brown buried soil, beginning about 75 D.L. and thinning out to a mere streak at the north end of the cutting. No buried humus layer is to be seen. Thickening of the red brown layer may be noted at several points, especially at 79 D.L. and 88 D.L., where it is heaped up and super- imposed upon other layers. A tongue of fine grey-white material at 73-78 D.L., with abundant secondary carbonate, is sealed by large flaggy stones above and to the south. The core of the rampart consists chiefly of small rubbly material, pale ochre in colour; but there are distinct tips of larger stones between 72-80 D.L., all from the south; and another almost horizontal layer between 82-88 D.L. Large stones with black humus predominate at the top. At the southern extremity (71 D.L.) a small pile of stones, at least seven in number and with a ver- tical outer face, was disclosed. The overall measurement at the front was only 1.5 ft., but further back it reached a maximum height of 2.5 ft.; the horizontal dimension varied between 2.5 ft and 3 ft. The courses, although not always so clearly defined, were laid on a horizontal base, at least two slabs in thick- ness, extending the full width of the cutting. This rested on a parallel to the major alignment of the rampart. On the inner ramp, a regular layer of large flags (82 to 91 D.L.) was encountered about one foot below surface. Many sherds of pottery, a small bronze disc, and animal bones, both burnt and unburnt, were resting just above this layer. Some were found underneath. A few sherds, flints, and animal bones, were also discovered in the core and in the revetment. A fragment of red-stained burnt oolitic rock appeared in the core over three feet below surface; other pieces of burnt stone and one piece of red haematite were found at 10 in. depth or less on the inner ramp. VOL, LVIII-CCIX F 42 AREA SOUTH OF NORTH RAMPART (59-70 D.L.) Here the bedrock, contrasting with that under the rampart, is loose and broken to a great depth: mollusca appeared in a crack 4.9 ft. below the surface. The regular bedding planes, however, rise appreciably above those under the rampart. Above is a mass of displaced flags, many a foot or more in length. There could be no doubt that the stones represented a general collapse from the outer margin of the rampart. A small space at 70 D.L., filled with compact pale brown ‘ peas ’, extends and widens towards the east face: this appears to be old weathered material and may have been in situ at the time of the rampart building. At the other end of the area, 59 to 63 D.L., the natural rock begins to cave in towards the south. Some dozen sherds, often rather small and abraded, were found with a few animal bones and teeth. CENTRAL AREA (46-59 D.L.)!2 Here a large cavity, partly filled with re-cemented hillwash, was slowly and laboriously revealed. The presence of an ancient badger sett, penetrating to a depth of three feet, indicated a softer deposit; and, as this approximates to the centre of the passage-way, a diligent search was made for the sockets of gate- posts. None were found. Only three sherds of pottery were recovered from this area. OCCUPATION AREA (30-46 D.L.) Excavation was continued down to a very irregular bedrock, rent by fissures and other disturbances, which were manifestly connected with those of the Central Area. The upper layers of jointed rock were seen clearly on the west face (fig. 1), though an abrupt transition to a buried soil appeared immediately above them. In the east face, not illustrated here, there was a remarkable absence of large flags, either bedded or loose, above the solid rock. The natural unjointed ledge (31 to 33 D.L.) needs adequate explanation. Between 30—44 D.L. is a clearly defined occupation layer, very dark, and with considerable quantities of charcoal, animal bone, much of it calcined, one piece with cut marks, lumps of baked clay and 260 sherds of pottery. This layer, which has a maximum thickness of 1.5 ft., extends right across the cutting at the south end and reappears on the east face for a distance of six feet. A concentration of charcoal was observed about 36 D.L. Above, the layer was sealed by a fairly clean gradation of rubble, with large flags 30 to 34 D.L. It must be presumed that most of this material emanated from the collapsed South In-bent Rampart. THE SOUTH IN-BENT RAMPART (0-30 D.L.) Owing to greater weathering, and perhaps poorer construction, this rampart compares badly with its neighbour. The paving on the inner ramp is partly missing, while the large stones on the north face, which mostly tilt inwards, are otherwise lacking in arrangement. Only six sherds of pottery and a few animal bones, all near the surface, were found. HOLE 2FT. SQUARE (18 ft. north of 98 D.L.) The object of making this hole was to discover the level of bedrock, so that a comparison could be made with the level of bedrock under the North Rampart, where a protected land surface might be expected to exist. Digging revealed thick dark humus, followed by much burnt material, including burnt limestone, animal bone and 38 sherds of pottery. The hole was dug to a uniform depth of 2.5 ft. and then filled up again, as it was impossible to explore further this season. Bedrock, which had been anticipated a few inches below the surface, was not found. | | | | | FIG. 2. Pottery and metal objects from Bury Wood Camp (3). Upper group, A, from Occupation Site. 43 ¥ - IRON FINGER RING : ( : : : : a a Le yay i! ' BRONZE DISC AND 5% “DIAM. M4 cS B from South Rampart. Lower group, A3 and A4, from North Rampart. os 44 FOREIGN ROCKS ?3 The occurrence of stones of extraneous origin, both in our cuttings and on the surface, added to the general complexity of our problems. These will be described in a second article, after another season’s work. COLT HOARE’S ‘ SMALL EARTHEN-WORK ’ This structure, in the middle of the North Front, demands a brief comment. It was thought to have been ploughed out of existence, but the air-photographs, taken in September, 1959, clearly re-established its position and shape. Earlier writers regarded it as a rectangular enclosure, surrounded by a low bank and ditch; and it might, on the analogy of a similar shape near Morgan’s Hill, have been taken for a late mediaeval sheep-fold. The photographs, however, disclosed a‘ ring’ with a flattened north sector, with diameters approximately 200 ft. by 150 ft.; and this ring was traced on the ground. Fragments of quern and other objects were found on the surface, and two amorphous sherds of hand-made pottery were picked up. The ‘ ring ’ may be contemporary with the hill-fort, but proof must await excavation. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 1. BEDROCK. The bedrock under both ramparts is too disturbed to draw inferences concerning protected old land surfaces. 2. PRE-CAMP OCCUPATION. The red deer antler and flint (76 D.L.) must be of pre-Camp date. These and other flints, which are clearly intrusive, may all belong to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. The presence of many flints of foreign origin in the neighbourhood points to early occupation of the hill-top. Unfortunately, the negative results from pollen analysis of adjacent buried soils, prevent us from deducing whether the landscape consisted of woodland vegetation, open pastures, or arable farming. Dr. Cornwall has pointed out that the buried soils must have been impoverished in humus before the ram- part was built, and has suggested that this might be the result of an earlier agriculture, which failed to restore the organic content. The absence might be due equally to forest on the margin of the hill-top. The 1946 R.A.F. air-photograph conveys the impression of pre-Camp fields and enclosures, both inside and to the south-west of the Camp. 3. IRON AGE CAMP. This may be represented by several phases, perhaps commencing with very late Iron Age A, but soon showing predominant AB characteristics. There is reason to suppose that the Occupation Site (30-46 D.L.) was associated with the initial phase, partly because of pottery types found there, but also because of probable connections with quarrying and rampart building. Rock had been removed from this area, not merely by natural subsidence, but by human agency. The notable absence of large flags from the east face must be explained in this way; the presence of animal bones at depths down to 6ft. is also consistent with this interpretation. Some of the diggers may be pictured as squatting down here, with their camp fire and pots, while work was in progress. The fire is indicated by the patch of concentrated charcoal, most of which resembles birch, while a little is clearly oak. Lumps of baked clay (certainly not the product of pottery-making), broken rubbers or whetstones, and an iron finger-ring!4 were also found in or above this layer. The stratigraphy in this cutting is conclusive: the southern end is sealed perfectly by collapses from the South Rampart. 4. CONSTRUCTION. The North and South Ramparts must have been similar in construction, being made of scooped up old surface soil, 15 with a core of small loose rubble, and a series of tips of larger stone, mostly thrown in from the direction of the passage-way. In finding the small pile of stones at 71 D.L., we had exposed the vestiges of a drystone Revetment Wall, which was intended originally to hold up the rampart on the outer face.1° A gentle ramp extends towards the interior of the Camp: this would give easy access to the defenders, enabling them to run up the slope to the rampart top, which 45 is presumed to have been flat. The general construction compares closely with Leckhampton, Chastle- ton and most known Cotswold hill-forts. The ramp of the better preserved North Rampart has a stone paving of large slabs, about one foot below the present surface. Nearly all the pottery (over 390 sherds) and the animal bones found were resting on top of this paving: only a few specimens had infiltrated to a greater depth. This pile of occupational debris, mixed with rubble, therefore belongs to either a last phase of rampart building or to a subsequent period of neglect. It provides a clear ferminus ante quem for dating the North East Entrance. 5. DOMESTIC SITES. It is believed that the debris, referred to in the last paragraph, was derived origin- ally trom kitchen middens or rubbish dumps of an occupation area some few yards further north in the small paddock in the north-east corner of the Camp. The Hole, 2ft. square, the contents of which were described above, also suggests this. Great quantities of animal bone, burnt and unburnt, dismembered or splintered, were discovered on both sites. High up on the inner ramp were found the articulated cervical vertebrae of a sheep or goat; this is one more indication of domestic origin. Many quernstone frag- ments were also found. Further excavation may well furnish evidence for yet another Iron Age village established within the confines of a hill-fort. 6. DAMAGE TO RAMPARTS. No date can be given for the collapse of the two ramparts. A conservative estimate for their original height is 64 ft. but the figure is very provisional. The upper and outer parts have chiefly suffered, tumbling into the passage-way and covering up the old floor surface. The revetment obviously gave way under the strain or weight. Only a small amount of material seems to have drifted down the inner ramps, and this might be equated with some of the rubble found mixed with sherds and bones. There is no evidence, so far, for any military assault or deliberate destruction. 7. THE PASSAGE-WAY. This is funnel-shaped, being approximately 60ft. long by 20 ft. wide at the narrow end and 40ft. wide at the wide end. The floor is covered with small and large flat stones; these _ were So well distributed as to suggest a pavement, but the disturbances had destroyed all certain evid- ence for it in our cuttings. | 8. ANIMAL BONES. Dr. I. W. Cornwall, of the Institute of Archaeology, London, has kindly under- _ taken the detailed examination of the excavated bones. His report will be published later. All we need _ do here is to comment on the prevalence of the usual domesticated animals; the bones of sheep (or _ goat) are most numerous, followed by those of ox, pig, and horse. Their presence provides firm in- _ dication of a semi-permanent resident community within Bury Wood Camp. 9, CHARCOALS. We are indebted to Miss A. C. Western for examining these; her final report will be prepared later. So far we have a record of mixed deciduous trees, similar to those growing in the locality to-day. 10. THE POTTERY. (Fig. 2). It is proposed to reserve a more comprehensive analysis until later, when it may be possible to correlate the ceramic finds with others located in (a) the narrow part __ of the North-East Entrance and (b) purely domestic sites within the Camp. Over 600 sherds, mostly small, have been found; 391 on the inner ramp of the North Rampart and 260 in the Occupation Area. The rest can be regarded as strays, perhaps distantly connected with one | or other of these two sites. As a whole, they represent a remarkably homogeneous culture, perhaps to be described tentatively as transitional AB, native La Téne I to mid-La Tene II. The sherds mostly represent plain, hand-made pots of devolved situla type, with everted rims of the 1 simple rolled-over variety, hollow neck, slightly rounded shoulder, steep sides, and flat base. A number _ probably belong to straight-sided saucepan or bucket types. Pounded limestone grit or fossil shei! is found in most sherds, perhaps indicating local manufacture. There are a certain number of rims with _ flattened tops, perhaps reflecting earlier traditions. One or two sherds have pronounced rim curva- 46 ture, but the superficial likeness to La Téne II-R.B. types is misleading.17 One partly reconstructed pot from the inner ramp had a flat base of about 5-7 ins. diameter, with the side rising at an angle of 65°-70°. Dark charred material, as with other specimens, adhered to the inside, perhaps the product of pot boilers and stew. No pedestal bases were found, but a few slightly protruding bases were seen on the inner ramp. The only unusual sherds were the following. (a) Asherd from the Occupation Site, with two furrows, reminiscent of furrowed haematite, but too abraded to attribute. (b) A rim with a small inverted flange and incised line placed longitudinally on upper sur- face. (c) Five sherds of Smooth Dark Ware, with burnished glossy surface. | 8 (d) A few marginal incipient bead-rims. We are greatly indebted to Professor and Mrs. C. F. C. Hawkes for examining some of the pottery and for valuable discussions. APPENDIX I BURY WOOD CAMP GEOLOGY By D. FINDLAY Bury Wood Camp occupies the end of a spur capped by Great Oolite rock, which is about 80ft. thick hereabout, and dips gently to the east. The underlying formation, the Fullers Earth (Clay and Rock), outcrops onthe slopes of the valleys on the north and east side of the camp. Owing to processes to be described below, it is not possible to locate the exact boundary between the Great Oolite and Fullers Earth, but abundant Fullers Earth Rock debris in slips is recorded by the Geological Survey at Stony Bridge, about 300 yards from the Camp. Hence, the source of the Fullers Earth Rock fragments found in the rampart need not be very distant. The features exposed in the excavation have all the appearances and the context of superficial structures, described and explained in a paper by S. E. Hollingworth, J. H. Taylor and G. A. Kellaway in 1944 (Large-scale Superficial Structures in the Northampton Ironstone Field, Q.F.G.S. C.I.) on which these notes are based. The paper is concerned with a number of structures found together where competent and porous strata overlie in- competent and impervious beds in a dissected landscape, Condens which are satisfied in many parts of the Cots- wolds. The two structures with which we are concerned here are Cambers and Gulls. Cambers result from a lowering of near surface strata by washing-out of soft beds below, producing a valley- ward inclination in the hard beds and eventually leading to the draping of the valley sides by these strata. Gulls are widened, steeply-inclined fissures or joints in the strata, wholly or partly filled with material from above or the sides of the fissure. Gulls usually trend parallel to the surface contours and are normally associated with cambering. The overall convex form of the Camp site suggests an arching or saddle-like structure in the oolitic rocks, a feature common on hill tops and spurs in cambered areas, and implied in the term. The fissure encountered in the excavations below the passage-way (Fig. 1, 33-46 p.L.) trends North 20° West (True) and intersects (at 46 D.L.) a vertical face in bed- rock which trends North 85° West (True). Whether this last face is one side of an enlarged gull or an original joint- plane in the limestone cannot be deduced, but in this situation, near the ‘ nose’ of the spur, a complex system of intersecting gulls might be expected. The infilling with limestone rubble in the vicinity of this intersection is certainly in keeping with the description of gulls, which are said to enlarge by solution and by downward and outward movement of the blocks of rock. It is clearly not possible to demonstrate cambering and gulls with conviction in such a small exposure but the evidence points to this interpretation. The two main features noted in the filling of the cavity (48-52 D.L.) are its rubbly nature and patchy cementation. The wide range of size and abundance of small semi-roun- ded fragments would be consistent with material produced by solifluxion, i.e., flowing of frost-shattered rock down gentle slopes in times of thaw. Many angular and flaggy pieces have probably come from the fissure sides. The patchy cementation by secondary carbonate is not unex- pected in such a heterogeneous nature, but the ‘ bridge’ of compact rubble (45-52 D.L.) seems to be less fortuitous. Such a zone of secondary cementation, paralleling the present surface, is a common feature in limestone soils, although the mechanism for deposition is not always clear. In this case, a possible explanation is that the rubbly fill contains a good deal of fine material, with a high water-holding capacity compared with the surround- ingrock. In dry periods, the lime-saturated water would move upwards by capillarity or merely dry-out from above, thus precipitating lime in a crust, as is seen in the bridge. APPENDIX II LONDON UNIVERSITY, INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY BURY WOOD CAMP SOIL INVESTIGATION — SUMMARY OF RESULTS nnn EE | | | | | | | | | | | | si 3 ; os Mechanical Analysis | E Organic Matter Acid- | Other Remarks 3 Day | | | | | 8 | $8) ——__—__— Insoluble |_ Metals % Pa i Methods sesnncturuata: _ Sand | Heavy | Charcoal pH | S$ £5 2 Totalcom-| Alkali- | Residue | and Radicles cat 3 33 O——-_—— _ Grains Minerals | | 9 | ax} 3s bustion soluble % & 2 = Stones Sand Silt | Clay | | = | 34 S mgs./gm. Catt=CaCOs a | Oo She Bh wl % O |ME | &@ | | | | —— ee LE +} 10YR | 5YR | | | | | | 7.3. | 4 5.8 | 23. | 57.5 | Surface 9/2 5/30 | | | | | | aay Fea Sara | ear aS racer aramrabe [pace cma |——_ —— 1 ._D 5/2 6/3 | | | | 7.8 | | 2.6 i. | 28 | 70 .c1 | 472 | 63 | ee ++] 75] , | 38 1.6 | 278 | 69.5 | fae ee ween! eee omer! a a a a sf — | | iememeions | ean | oC a | B. 7/4 6/3 | | Wa | 2.4 | | 02 | 20...| 75 MPF. | 3/3 | 5/3 | | ao) e | 2a | | 48 | | 22.2 | 55.5 | Surface 1B | 6/4 | 5/4 | | (716 > 2 14 07 | (30.4 76 Sere De Ae a Oe | | | 1.5 YR | | | | an | 1B, |< 8/2 7/4 | | | To ) 10 0.1 38.4 96 | 5YR | | iG. | = 7/3.. -| 6/4 | | 7.7 | 1.0 0.1 21 1-675 13.5 4/1 5/4 | | | | | 7.4 | 7.5 | 6.1 | 15.7 | 39.2 Summit of bank (being eroded) 3.D| 7/9 6/3 | | | 73 2.2 | 0.2 43° 1.825 ———— es ee | ee | nn | 3.C 7/2 6/2 | 7.7 | 1.5 0.4 28.3 | 70.75 3B | 6/5 5/5 | | | | sere | | 2a | } 03 | 29.3 | 73.2 | Buried soil i The soil samples listed above were arranged in three vertical sequences:—A.E. to A.B. at 37 D.L., ALF. to A.IG. at 50 D.L., A3.E to A3.B at 83 D.L. These three | positions, noted on the Datum Line (Fig. 1), correspond with the Occupation Area, the Central Area, and the centre of the North In-bent Rampart. 46 ture, but pot from 65°-70°. pot boile: inner rair The on We are and for v Bury W« Great Oolli and dips g the Fullers of the vall Owing to p to locate t and Fullei debris in at Stony B the source the rampar The feat appearance described 2 J. H. Tay] Superficial O.F.G.S. paper is c together w competent conditions wolds. The two are Cambe Camber: by washin; ward inclit to the drap Gulls ar the strata, ' or the side: the surface cambering The ove! arching or 1 The writer wishes to express his gratitude to the Workers’ Educational Association for having sponsored the course and for encouragement at all stages; to the Ministry of Works for permission to excavate on a scheduled monument; to Mr. T. E. Cobbald, of North- wood Farm, Colerne, for permissiin to dig on his land and for his cordial good wishes and personal interest; to the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (Salisbury) for a projected new survey of the Camp; to the R.A.F., Colerne, for air-photographs; and to Mr. R. Jefferies, of the Department of Botany, Bristol University, for pollen analysis. 2 W.A.M., xlvii, 504-512. 3 Sewell; possibly meaning ‘seven springs’. Cf. P.N. Wilts (E.P.N.S.), 94. 4 Ancient Wilts, ii, 103. 5 This may be paralleled with Wolstonbury, Sussex, an Iron Age A camp. 6 Compare Battlesbury 24 acres, Scratchbury 37 a., Bratton 25 a., Oldbury 25 a., Casterley 62 a., Hanging Langford, possibly 18 a., Winkelbury 124 a. All these have been classified by Prof. C. F. C. Hawkes and others as Iron Age C. 7 Note the presence of Dobunni coins found by Mr. H. Morrison,. W.A.M. lvii, 76. 8 Richmond, I., ‘ Roman Britain ’, 23. 9* Western Province, 20.’ Prof. Hawkes’ new geo- graphical terminology, Antiquity, xxxiii, 170-174. 10 V.C.H., Somerset, 203, Ralegh Radford, C. A., Proc. Prehist. Soc., Xx, 9 11 The disc, 15.5 mm. diameter, 1 mm. thick, has a small hole, 2.5 mm. diameter, punched through the approx. centre. It might have been riveted to a man’s 47 leather belt, as illustrated on the Gundestrup bowl. Antiquity, Xxxili, No. 131, pl. xviii (g). 12 See Appendix I. 13 Our sincere thanks are extended to Dr. F. S. Wallis, F.G.S., late Director of the City Museum, Bristol, for the identification of these and other rocks mentioned in the text. 14 The ring, of 13 turns, has an approx. internal diam. of 19 mm., and probably belonged to a man. The cor- roded metal of roughly circular section may have been about 4 mm. thick. No visible decoration. Found two or three inches above the black layer; this suggests a post-occupation date. 15 The hollow shapes recorded in both N. and S. Ramparts may be analogous to the shallow ‘ setting- out-ditch ’, presumed to have been ploughed round the circumference of the unfinished Ladle Hill Camp, Hants. Antiquity, v, 477-8. 16 A structure common to camps in stony country and observed in areas where stone is not readily available. The nearest record is for Little Solsbury (5 miles away from Bury Camp) where the walling is better preserved. pe ha aes zis Soc., University of Bristol, 1956-57, pt. 6A. 17 Cf. Swallowcliffe, W.A.M., xlili, Pl. IV, 4 & 6; St. Catharine’s Hill, Winchester, Proc. Hants. Field Club, xi, 115, 18 The sherds of Smooth Dark Ware are insignificant in comparison with those of coarse AB wares, but their La Téne II character is decisive in providing an end culture phase to the sequence. Cf. Little Woodbury, Proc. Prehist. Soc., xiv, 1-23, for study of similar types. 48 NOTES SKELETONS AT ALDBOURNE. — In August 1960, during extensions to the Thames Valley and Wiltshire Poultry Producers’ premises on the Stockclose road, workmen trenching the site cut through a series of human skeletons in shallow graves Ift. 6in.—2ft. down. By the time the finds could be inspected, in the first instance by Mr. T. H. Chandler, the bones had mostly been scattered; some were still lying in the sides of the trenches, but it was not possible to dig further. in. The men estimated that there had been about six skeletons, buried roughly in a line head to foot. No relics were noticed in association. Such bones and skull fragments as could be collected were examined by Dr. J. B. Stewart of Aldbourne, who found that they were all male and so well preserved that he doubted whether they could be earlier than 17th century. It may be that they date from the Civil War, when there were skirmishes in the neighbourhood. The site overlooks the village at about the 500ft. contour line (NGR 263753). O. MEyRICK IRON Hoe. With reference to the iron hoe found at Laverstock and pictured and described on pp. 407-8 of Volume 57, 1960, I enclose a photo- graph of a somewhat similar hoe in my possession. This belonged to my grandfather, Edward Pyle of Holt, Wilts, born 1839. The hoe weighs 2lb. 940z. and the illustrations are one-third actual size. It is made in one piece but, unlike the Laverstock hoe, is very strong throughout. Whatever the original purpose of the Holt hoe it has certainly been used, at least during the past 60 years, asa hoe. Its strength, weight and sharp- ness make it a particularly good tool for work on hard soil. It has also been used as a mattock for breaking up rough ground and for grubbing up roots and, from its strength, would appear to be more suitable for such work than the Laver- stock tool. The construction of the socket in the two hoes appears to be identical. I do not know when the Holt hoe was made: I have assumed that it dates from the early 19th century and that it is a fairly common type although I have not seen another. The hoe bears no significant marks and is still in use. J. H. P. PAFFORD THE PLACE NAMES OF WILTSHIRE, E.P.N.S. The notes beiow follow the last series in W.A.M. vol. 57, p. 241 :— 30. Chisledon, p. 282 (W.A.M. vol. 57, 79): Hodson; if this is indeed Hordestan of B.C.S. 576, might it not be the ‘ receipt of a8. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 47. custom’ of the old Thornhill hundred ? Miss Cam, The Hundred and the Hundred Rolls, 1930, plate IV, f.p. 126, shows such a stone in modern use. The photograph shows * Wroth silver’, once wardsilver, being cast into a large hollowed stone at Martinmas at dawn on Knightlow Hill, Warwickshire. Members should look out for a likely stone in the farmyards of the neighbourhood! Somerford Keynes; Somerford Hask, 6’, omitted. Somerford Keynes; Pike Corner, 6’, omitted. This is the junction of the par- ishes of Ashton Keynes, Somerford and Minety, and the crossing of Swill Brook by the old Minety to Cirencester way by Spratt’s Gate Lane. See Malm. Reg. IT, 234. Minety; Nath Farm, 6”, omitted. Minety; Swill Brook, 6”, is La Suelle, C.P. 25 (1), 251, file 18 (40 Hen. IID). Minety; Shades Farm, 6”, omitted. Schetesbrigg of above reference refers to the bridge where the ditch crosses the road, now by a culvert. It is on the parish boundary. From scead, ‘ division’ or ‘bound ’. Ashton Keynes; Gumstoot Bridge, 6’, omitted. It seems to be within a few yards of Gumestok mentioned in the above ref- erence. The villagers refer to it as * Gumstool ’. Ashton Keynes; Harnham omitted. This is the triangular field to the SW. of Rixon Farm, immediately south of Harnham Lane, also omitted. From hurne-hamm, ‘the hamm on the corner ’. One course of the Thames forms the SW. boundary. Ashton Keynes; Startlets omitted. This is the land south of Ashton House and immediately SW. of Jenkins Corner. Ashton Keynes; Oaklake Bridge, 6’, omitted. From ac-lacu, ‘the oak-lined sluggish brook ’. Ashton Keynes; Broadhurst omitted. This is the land, now sub-divided, between Cross Brook on the N. and E., Caklake Bridge on the NW., Gypsy Cross Lane on the SE. and the main road on the W. "80b “A “LS OA WR MM *YOOISIOART 1B punoy soy siedWOD = ‘azis [enIOR pllYy]-dUO, ‘JOH NOU! 48. Cricklade, p. 460; Powell’s Croft was a very temporary and fairly recent corrup- tion. Paul’s Croft is and was the name. The chapel of St. Paul stood therein. 49. Cricklade p. 460; The Spittle Field and Spittals Lane, ‘doubtless from some hospital’ was the land of St. John’s Hospital and Priory. 50. Nettleton: Cadenham (Cadnam) omit- ted. Caddenhame, Harl. MS. 3961 (c. 1518); Cadnam, Sale Catalogue, Ched worth Estate, 1807; Cadnam T.A. c1840. no. 378. For a discussion see £.P.N.S. Wilts, p. 97. 51. Nettleton; Lugbury, add:—Luckeborghe, Luggebargh’ is, from the context, almost certainly the same, —RHar/. MS. 3961 f.22b; but Brokenborghe is mentioned in the same, f.25. E. A. SHORE 52. Purton p. 40; Pry Farm, Pry Lane, Purton Pry, and fields so named. There is no known connection with a Priory. All are on extensive, flat, well-watered, never flooded land. The derivation is prob- ably from pre M.E., meadow ( pratum L.). 53. Ramsbury; Hens Wood, p. 290; copice called Hensedd c. 1570. Surely this is the the same as the ‘lost’ Henset of Little Bedwyn, p. 335? See the Anglo-Saxon bounds of Bedwyn and Burbage, W.A.M. xli, 293. T. R. THOMSON THE WHITE WAyY may have proceeded south from Cirencester into Wiltshire approximately along this line:—South Cerney (besides the castle of Miles of Gloucester), Wickwater (the county _ boundary), Hailstone Bridge and Hill (ancient right of way), site of Windmill on Common Hill, Cricklade, (highest point, and good view), northern part of Blind Lane, Whitehall Farm, Purton Stoke N—S ‘ Ancient linear earthwork ’, the present monolith Key Bridge, past the ‘Pagan Sanctuary’ (W.A.M., Vol. 55, p. 363), Paven Hill, past Ringsbury Iron Age ‘ camp ’, Wootton Bassett, White Marsh, White Way (Broad Town) up the Lower Chalk scarp by the Town Hill entrant, Winterbourne Bassett (B.C.S. 866 ‘Whiteway’) to Avebury. We Sd Be VOL, LVIII-CCIX 49 HANNAH, WIFE OF WILLIAM 7TH LORD FoRRES- TER OF CORSTORPHINE (W.A.M. vol. 57, p. 409) was baptized at Kington St. Michael 1740, the daughter of Ayliffe White of that place. There she was married in 1760. She was buried at Calne in 1825, having left no issue. The Librarian would be pleased to add to our information about the family of White of Kington St. Michael and of Kington Langley. T. R. T. DESERTED MEDIEVAL VILLAGES IN WILTSHIRE. In W.A.M., lvi (1960), 386, M. Weaver Smith discussed the reasons for the desertion of Snap, which he shows to have occurred recently, and also referred in general terms to village sites deserted in medieval times. He derived his in- formation for the latter sites from the Appendix to Prof. M. W. Beresford’s book, The Lost Villages of England, and he was possibly not aware that the information given there has been considerably extended since the publication of this book in 1954. The total number of possible sites quoted (twenty-three) has now been in- creased to over one hundred. The evidence for this revised list has been collected by J. G. Hurst (Secretary, Deserted Medieval Village Research Group), Harry Ross and the writer, and is now being prepared for publication. Much of the evidence so far is from documen- tary sources: many sites have to be checked on the ground for surviving earthworks. The main documentary sources have been the 1334 quotas and the 1377 Poll Tax returns published by Prof. Beresford in V.C.H. Wilts., iv. These give 14th century population figures for all the Wiltshire villages and most of the village names can still be identified on the map. Many have ceased to exist as villages and often the village name has passed on to a farm. Thus, the present-day village of Whiteparish, near Salisbury, formerly consisted of Abbotstone (the name is perpetuated by Abbotstone House), Alderstone (Alderstone Farm), Welpley (now a farm—Whelpley Chapel is used as a chicken house) and Cowesfield. This is an example of the transformation of a group of adjacent village sites into a single village, a feature which has been noticed with Wiltshire sites but hitherto not elsewhere in England. Detailed examination in the field of Wiltshire sites may reveal, in many cases, the absence of well-preserved earthworks such as are to be seen G 50 at, for example, Wharram Percy in Yorkshire. Nevertheless, there are some good examples of deserted village earthworks in Wiltshire, as at Bupton, and some of the sites in the new revised list were originally identified in the field. Thus the recent identification of Gomeldon, near Winterbourne Gunner, as a deserted medieval village, despite its fairly large modern population is due to the presence of well preserved house platforms and sunken roads on the slopes of Gomeldon Hill: the modern Gomeldon is a re- settlement on the top of the hill. The slopes of Gomeldon Hill are known in Winterbourne as the ‘ humpty-dumpty ’ field, but the reasons for the unevenness had never been understood locally. Twelfth century pottery can be picked out from the mole-hills, and similar pottery may have been found by P. Farrer, when he desig- nated the site as Roman. At the time of his com- pilation of a list of Roman sites (W.A.M. xlv, 209) the knowledge of medieval pottery was not widespread, and such pottery may well have been mistaken for Roman. It is premature to consider, except in a general way, the reasons for the decay of over one hun- dred villages in Wiltshire. Much more docu- mentary work will be needed, and, as already stated, the majority of the sites have yet to be examined in the field. Two of the principal causes of desertion in other counties, which led to the ejection of whole villages, were the creation by wealthy individuals of parks and of large sheep ranches. The first of these causes may have operated to a limited extent in Wiltshire, e.g. at Longford Castle (Longford) and at Wilton House (Washerne), but it has yet to be seen if the second was of any local importance, especially as, in the 13th century, there was large scale sheep-farming by tenants in the county. For example, in 1225, in the Manor of Bowerchalke, out of 40 tenants, 33 owned sheep to the total of 851 head (V.C.H.Wilts. iv, 28) and, in Martin, 2,585 sheep were held by 77 out of 85 tenants. It seems hardly likely that this active tenant farming could have been upset in succeeding centuries by an imposed system of large-scale ranching, although amalgamation of holdings may have resulted through economic necessity. It is more likely that village decay may have been the result of many local causes. In addition, the Black Death, even if it is no longer considered as the principal cause of depopulation, may have destroyed the tenantry of some villages, although these villages may have been resettled sub- sequently. At Durrington, there were 41 tenants in 1334, by 1349 18 holdings were vacant. At Tidworth, in the same year, all the tenants were dead. Of local causes, animal diseases may have resulted in severe economic distress in some villages, especially in view of the large scale ten- ant sheep-farming; this may have led to the vaca- tion of holdings and their subsequent amalgama- tion. In 1357, and again in 1395, a disease, possibly anthrax, killed 50 per cent. of all the lambs born in Bishopstone (V.C.H. Wilts. iv, 24). Again, in the early part of the 15th century, another disease, the sheep-pox, swept the Bishop- stone sheep, and the death rate was heavy among the young stock and ewes. The disappearance from south Wiltshire scene of the woollen industry must also have had its repercussions in the villages lying along the river valleys from Salisbury. For example, the Poll Tax records show that on one four mile stretch of the Wylye there were nine fullers and six weavers at work (V.C.H. Wilts. iv, p. 122). As publication of the new list will show, it is significant that there are a number of deserted village sites in the Chalke, Avon and Wylye valleys. The study of deserted medieval villages in Wiltshire must lead to a greater knowledge of the economic history of the country. Also, and possibly of greater importance, excavation of these villages may reveal, in the lower levels of house sites, the Saxon house plans which in Wiltshire, and in southern England generally, are sadly lacking. It is a gloomy thought that almost all the archaeological material for Saxon Wilt- shire comes from graves. JOHN Musty THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY will next be held in Edinburgh in 1962, immediately following the Festival. It is probable that the Society will be invited to send a representative. Members wishing to initiate armorial or genealogical inquiry, or to place information before the Congress, or any of its committees, are asked to get in touch with our Secretary. EDITOR Dr. H. M. TayLor, joint author of the article in this issue on an Anglo-Saxon pilaster at St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade has been appointed Principal of the University College of North Staffordshire (Keele). We wish him every success and sufficient leisure to allow him to contribute further articles to the Magazine. 51 OBITUARIES BRIGADIER R. H. WILLAN, D.S.O., M.C., of Bridges, Teffont, died on May 4th, 1960, aged 77. Commisssioned in the Oxford and Bucks L.I., he served in the 1914-18 War with the K.R.R.C. Later he played a large part in the development of the Royal Corps of Signals and became its Colonel-Commandant. Retiring in 1939, he went to live at Teffont, but rejoined, and was Inspector of Signals 1939-42. He had been A.D.C. to three successive sovereigns from King George V. In civil life he was particularly interested in the up- keep of churches and was prominently con- nected with the restoration of the two at Teffont. A member of the Diocesan Board of Finance, he was also latterly on the Committee of Patronage. He was a churchwarden and treasurer of the Parochial Church Council since 1943. He leaves ason. Obit.: Salisbury Times, May 13th, 1960. EDWARD HILTON YOUNG, LORD KENNET OF THE DENE, D.S.O., D.S.c., died at Lockeridge on July 11th, 1960, aged 81. Third son of Sir George Young, educated at Eton and Trinity Coll., Cambridge, he was called to the Bar in 1904. As Lieutenant (R.N.V.R.) he was appointed to H.M.S. Jron Duke in Aug., 1914; serving in the Vindictive at Zeebrugge he lost his right arm and was awarded the D.S.C. and Croix de Guerre. In command of an armoured train in the Arch- angel campaign he won the D.S.O. He was Liberal M.P. for Norwich, 1915-29, and sat as Conservative for Sevenoaks, 1929-35. Financial Secretary to the Treasury, 1921-2, he later be- came Minister of Health, being created a Baron on his retirement in 1935. He was chairman of many Royal Commissions and boards; he was also British Representative at the Hague Con- ference on International Finance in 1922 and to the League of Nations Assembly 1926-8 and again in 1932. Until 1959 he was chairman of the Capital Issues Committee. He had been president of the Poetry Society and besides publishing a book of verse wrote By Land and Sea, describing his war experiences, and System of National Finance, a standard work for many years. He had lived at Lockeridge from avout 1907 and had a deep affection for the local country. He married in 1922 the widow of Capt. R. F. Scott, R.N., the Antarctic explorer, and leaves a son. Obit.: Times, July 12th; Marlborough Times, July 15th, 1960. ERNEST FREDERIC CROSBIE TRENCH, C.B.E., T.D., died at Furze Coppice, Marlborough on Sept. 15th, 1960, aged 91. Born in Co. Kerry, he was educated at Monkton Combe, Lausanne, and Trinity College, Dublin. He became an out- standing railway engineer, serving with different lines in turn and being responsible for many successful projects. He was appointed chief engineer to the L. & N.W.R. in 1909 and, on the formation of the L.M.S., occupied the same position with that line till retirement in 1927, continuing as the company’s consulting engineer. In the same year he became president of the Institute of Civil Engineers. He also served on a committee of experts on the strengthening of the fabric of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Before coming to Furze Coppice he lived at Stokke Manor, Bedwyn, and had long been actively associated with Savernake Hospital, being chairman of the Hospital Committee for many years, before it was taken over by the State. He was also keenly interested in the Scout movement. He leaves three sons and a daughter. Obit. : Mar/borough Times, Sept. 23rd, 1960. HENRY LAMB, R.A., M.C., died on Oct. 8th, 1960, aged 77. Son of Sir Horace Lamb, F.R.S., born at Adelaide, Australia, he was brought up and educated at Manchester, where his father was Professor of Mathematics. Starting to study medicine, he gave this up for art and worked for several years in France, returning to London in 1911. On the outbreak of war in 1914, he again took up medicine and served as battalion M.O. in Macedonia, Palestine and France, winning the M.C. After the war he resumed painting, and many of his portraits and other pictures are now in the national art collections. In 1939 he was appointed an official war artist for the Army ; he was elected A.R.A. in 1940 and R.A. in 1949; a trustee of the National Portrait Gallery in 1942, and of the Tate Gallery, 1944-51. As an artist, his earlier work showed the influence of Augustus John and Stanley Spencer, but he developed on his own lines. He first came into prominence in 1914 with his portrait of Lytton Strachey. A man of wide intellectual interests with a discriminating taste in literature and music, he was an entertaining companion and host to many friends at his home at Coombe Bissett. He was twice married and leaves a son and two daughters. Obit.: Times, Oct. 10th, 1960 52 JAMES BRABAZON GRIMSTON, F.S.A., FIFTH EARL OF VERULAM AND FOURTEENTH LORD FORRESTER OF CORSTORPHINE died on the 13th October, 1960, aged 50. His chief interests in Wiltshire were in the Cricklade Historical Society, of which he was a life member, and in the adaptation of Wardour Castle for the reception of Cranborne Chase School for girls, of which he was a Governor. Members who visited the house last year will remember the Saturday afternoon’s scene of feverish activity. A bachelor of wide general knowledge, and a man of high intelligence and fine character. Obit.: The Times, Oct. 15th, 1960. SIR GEOFFREY STORRS FRY, BT., K.C.B., C.V.O., of Oare House, died in a London clinic on Oct, 13th, 1960, aged 72. Educated at Harrow and King’s College, Cambridge, he served in the Home Office and Treasury, 1915-19. He became private secretary to Bonar Law and subsequently to Stanley Baldwin, 1923-39; he was created a baronet and made C.Y.O. in 1929. He came to Oare in 1921, and there developed the garden and grounds of over 20 acres, with an especial interest in flowering shrubs and trees, to form a notable collection, which he delighted to throw open to the public. In the village he was highly esteemed for his countless acts of generosity. Till recently he had served on Pewsey R.D.C. In 1915 he married the Hon. Alethea Gardner, who sur- vives him with one daughter. Obit.: Times, Oct. 14th; Marlborough Times, Oct. 21st, 1960. COLONEL ALBERT CANNING, C.M.G., Our senior member, died at Restrop House, Purton on Nov. 20th, 1960, aged 99. Educated at Clifton, he served with the 19th Hussars in the Egyptian expedition of 1882, in the Sudan 1884-5, then with the S. Wales Borders and Leinster Regt., retiring in 1911. In the 1914-18 war, he com- manded the 3rd Leinsters and later 1/7 Bn. Manchester Regt., serving at the Dardanelles and in Egypt and gaining the C.M.G. in 1916. He was in the Home Guard, 1940-2. He leaves a widow. Obit.: Times, Nov. 22nd; Wilts. Gazette, Nov. 24th, 1960. COLONEL CHRISTOPHER WYNDHAM HUGHES, M.C., died at Savernake Hospital on Jan. 12th, 1961, aged 79. Joining the Royal Wilts Yeo- manry in 1914, he went to France with the 7th Wilts, later transferring to the 5th Bn., serving at Salonica and becoming Brigade Major of the 77th and 16st Brigades. He joined the staff of Marlborough College in 1920 and was for many years art master and also in command of the OTC. Pre-eminently a landscape artist, he had pictures hung at the Royal Academy and held several exhibitions in London. An authority on local history, he published a book on Marl- borough in 1953, compiled largely from public records, and was actively associated with the Council for the Preservation of Rural England. In his younger days a keen tennis and hockey player, he had been president or vice-president of almost every sports club in the town. Elected to the Town Council 1928, he was four times Mayor of Marlborough and was made a Freeman of the Borough in 1958. Extremely conscientious in his attendances, he was forceful and fearless in de- bate. For years he represented the borough on the Southern Boroughs’ Association, of which he was recently appointed vice-chairman. He sat for many years on the Marlborough Bench and was chairman for six years, till his enforced retirement at 75. He commanded the local Home Guard battalion and later was in charge of the C.D. Control Room. He was _ prominently associated with the local British Legion branch and was chairman of the Conservative Associ- ation. He married Miss Wynne Willson, sister of a former Master of Marlborough College, later Bishop of Bath and Wells, and leaves a daughter. Obit.: Marlborough Times, Jan. 13th and 20th, 1961. LIEUT.-COLONEL WILLIAM CORY HEWARD BELL, D.S.0., of Cleeve House, Seend, died on Feb. 6th, 1961, aged 85. Son of W. Heward Bell, High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant for Wilts, he was educated at Westminster and R.M.A., Wool- wich; commissioned in the R.A. in 1895, he [was on active service in the Boer War, retiring from the Army in 1911. Rejoining in Aug. 1914, he served through the war on the Western Front, being awarded the D.s.o. and Croix de Guerre. Standing as Conservative, he was elected M.P. for East Wilts in 1918 and 1922, but lost his seat to the Liberals in 1923. He did not stand again, but was appointed hon. treasurer to the Divis- ional Conservative Association in 1930, vice- chairman, 1940, chairman, 1943, and president, 1948-58. From Seend he moved to the Old Rectory, Pewsey, 1929-42, but returned to Cleeve House in 1946. For 30 years a magistrate, he also represented Pewsey on the County Council, 1931-46, and was High Sheriff of Wilts in 1932. He married Miss V. M. Bowly and leaves a son and daughter. Obit.: Wilts Gazette, Feb. 9th, 1961. H. W. TIMPERLEY, writer and naturalist, was born at Madeley in Shropshire in 1890, and died at Milton Abbas in Dorset on 15th February 1961. He first became acquainted with the Wiltshire Downs as a young man, when he was in training in the Territorial Army on Salisbury Plain. After that, Wiltshire, particularly the Wiltshire Downs, became very dear to him, and he spent as much time as possible there. He knew the downland sheep-walks before they were ploughed during and between the two world wars. His first book, _ English Scenes and Birds, published by Jonathan _ Cape in 1929, records some of his exploration of _ the Wiltshire Chalk Country. A writer in the tradition of Richard Jefferies _ and W. H. Hudson, though never prolific, he con- tributed articles about Wiltshire to a number of journals. His next book on Wiltshire was Ridgeway Country, published in 1935. It was 25 concerned with the Wiltshire and Berkshire Ridgeway and the countryside around it, and conveys an elusive yet real feeling of continuity between past and present. In 1949, Timperley was at last able to make his home in Wiltshire, at Bishopstone on the Wilts-Berks border, a village under the Ridge- way he knew so well. While there he wrote the Vale of Pewsey, which has become the standard work on that district. He never sentimentalised about the country- side. Though he loved the work of the old craftsmen, he was not out of touch with the modern farm worker and the new techniques. He was one of the first members of the Natural History Section of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, and wrote the intro- duction to J. D. Grose’s Flora of Wiltshire; he also did much unobtrusive but useful work on the recording and preservation of the country- side. He was a gifted interpreter with a deep trait of quietness and humility, which brought him respect and affection from those who under- stood his gentle retiring nature. REVIEWS The Anglo-Saxons. By D. M. Wilson. 8 x 6in. 231 pp., 37 figs., 79 plates and | map. Thames and Hudson, 1960. 30s. This book, Volume 16 in the successful Ancient Peoples and Places series edited by Glyn Daniel, is the first attempt by an archaeologist to write the archaeology of the period in England be- tween the final departure of the Roman legions __and the arrival of the Norman army. Mr. Wilson is frankly and specifically concerned with the material culture of that period; consequently there is little here about individulals and society, laws and literature, government and religion, except where represented by surviving objects. Instead, we are given a cool archaeological appraisal of a period which too often has either been briefly dismissed or become the play-thing of pseudo-academic fantasy. Mr. Wilson begins with an introduction to the _ study of the Anglo-Saxons, which explains his | views of what is, after all, an ‘ historical ’ period. There is an archaeology of the Anglo-Saxons, _ Just as much as there is of the people who lived | 5,000 years ago on Windmill Hill or only 50 | years ago in the now deserted village of Snap. | This fact has been obscured by the existence of Anglo-Saxon documents, in the period’s inter- pretation by historians and its neglect, until recently, by archaeologists,—always excepting, of course, the late E. T. Leeds. Both disciplines serve the same Clio, however, and now that a modern book has been devoted to the archaeology of the period, Anglo-Saxon histories must embrace a wider field of knowledge than hitherto. This is not to say that Mr. Wilson’s book replaces, or indeed even rivals, the two standard Anglo-Saxon histories: rather is it complement- ary to Stenton’s Anglo-Saxon England and Hunter Blair’s /ntroduction, bringing together, for historian and lay reader alike, the facts un- earthed, sometimes literally, by an allied line of research. After a brief historical sketch of the Anglo- Saxon period, chapter I discusses grave goods, the characteristic archaeological evidence of the pagan Saxon period. Little is said about the continental origins of the immigrants, the author’s main concern being with their archaeological record after landing in England. Christian antiquities, the life of the people, weapons and warfare, and art, are the main subjects covered, and are followed by a short bibliography, the 54 plates with their explanatory notes, and an index. The black and white photographs are a happy feature of this series, but here they vary in clarity and unfortunately can give little impression of the freshness and beauty of some of the coloured originals. However, they provide a useful small corpus of Anglo-Saxon antiquities of all types; they are charmingly complemented by Mrs. Wilson’s line drawings illustrating, for example, details from the Bayeux tapestry, the complexity of interlace decoration, and the tools in the hoard from Hurbruck in Durham. Minor faults in the book are few. It is worth noting, however, that a deserted medieval village ona Domesday settlement site need not necessarily provide evidence of Anglo-Saxon occupation (p. 24); and having made the point that the church of St. Peter and St. Pauli, Canterbury, was built almost entirely of re-used Roman brick (p. 56), it is only fair to mention that the ‘ neatly- dressed squarish stones’ (p. 57) of Escomb Church, Co. Durham, were also re-used, prob- ably having been taken from the nearby Roman fort of Binchester. In the discussion of the scanty evidence for Anglo-Saxon ploughing practice (p. 75), there is no mention of the evidence in the laws of Ine, a 7th century king of Wessex; and in discussing the towns, Mr. Wilson inserts (pp. 80 and 83) an unnecessary and inaccurate slight on the publication of the excavations at Wareham, carried out during 1952-4 by the Royal Com- mission on Historical Monuments (England), and now fully published in the Journa/l of Medieval Archaeology (III, 1959, pp. 120-138). Some readers might find that a major fault in the book is that people, i.e. the Anglo-Saxons, tend to be obscured by the author’s concentration on objects, possibly because at times he sees his material as most significant for what it is, not for what it tells us, forgetting perhaps that the objects, ‘seemingly without relationship to people who actually lived more than a thousand years ago ’ (p. 74), were what those people spent some of their life in producing. There is little Wiltshire material here, simply because comparatively little exists. Nevertheless, there is a great deal to be learnt from this book by those concerned with Wiltshire archaeology. The fact that we know so little of Anglo-Saxon Wiltshire means that there is much to be found out, for there can be little doubt that the county can contribute significantly to our knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon period. At the moment, we have some cemeteries, some earthworks, a few fine pieces of metal work, a little architecture and sculpture, a collection of intriguing place-names and the Alfredian burghs. But we do not know, for example, what happened to the downland population of the 4th century during the 5th and 6th centuries; nor do we know anything about a Wessex Anglo-Saxon settlement and its mater- ial equipment. Both these particular problems, and many allied ones, can be tackled, and should come high in any consideration of the course of Wessex archaeology during the next decade. Our present ignorance arises mainly because no one has yet approached the period and _ its regional problems seriously and consistently as a piece of research. What needs to be done is obvious: investigation of late Romano-British sites and deserted medieval village sites, to edge forward into the 5th century on the one and back before Domesday on the other. To do this, archaeologist and historian must combine, as they have already at Cricklade, in a programme with the accent on fieldwork, coupled with selective, small-scale excavation, to establish the site of an Anglo-Saxon settlement. Even then, our picture of a local Domesday settlement must remain a blank unless the means are forthcoming to carry out the necessary slow, careful, and ex- tensive excavation. Wiltshire should not aim to rival the rich treasures of Anglo-Saxon art in other counties, for it can contribute primarily to the settlement archaeology of the period. ‘No Anglo-Saxon village has ever been completely excavated ’ says Mr. Wilson sadly (p. 72). Given time, resources and the drive to carry out the work, Wiltshire could well fill this gap; and per- haps the results might be to hand for a future edition of this notable book. Salisbury P. J. Fowler The Registers of Roger Martival, Bishop of Salisbury, volume I (1959). Edited for the Can- terbury and York Society by Kathleen Edwards, M.A., Ph.D. In 1934 the Canterbury and York Society placed Wiltshire, to say nothing of Berkshire and Dorset, in its debt by the publication of the oldest extant registers of the bishopric of Salisbury, those of Simon of Ghent (1297-1315). Since then the Society has undertaken the still heavier task of editing the registers of Bishop Ghent’s suc- cessor, Roger Mortival or Martival (1315-1330), the most detailed of the entire Salisbury series. These closely-written records on vellum, four in number, are now bound in two stout volumes, — and it is estimated that, notwithstanding the space-saving devices of presenting as many of the Latin entries as possible in the form of English abstracts, four or five parts will be needed to embrace their contents. The first part, covering Presentations and Institutions to - Benefices, has been issued. Whilst an event of international import, the suppression of the Templars and the transference of their property to the Hospitallers, gave rise to one protracted law-suit recorded in these pages, the volume will appeal first and foremost to the historian of any parish then in the diocese that experienced a change of incumbent during the fifteen years of Martival’s episcopate. He may discover that the pathway to his parsonage had not been smooth. Before presentation to a living resulted in admission and institution, and inquiry as to vacancy, right of patronage and merits of _presentee was made by the appropriate arch- entirely in the presentee’s favour. deacon. His official’s certificate was not always Thus the _advowson sometimes proved to be in dispute and an appeal to the courts became necessary in order to establish which claimant was the true patron. On occasion the presentee was found to be too unlettered to be entrusted immediately with the cure of souls and was ordered to attend for examination half-yearly until he had mastered that defect; some presentees to rectories, it _ was revealed, had only received the first clerical tonsure and, so far from being in holy orders, had yet to be ordained acolytes; one or two were _ unacceptable by reason of illegitimate birth. At times, moreover, Martival had to face the pro- blem of the status of the prebendal churches in the great nunnery of Shaftesbury; but since the cases which came before him concerned churches _in Dorset, they are not of present interest. The _ editorial work is, and could hardly be other than, excellent. Dr. Kathleen Edwards is an authority on Salisbury Cathedral and its Close, and her English Secular Cathedrals in the Middle Ages largely centres round Salisbury, which, perhaps because it was the first of our secular cathedral chapters to receive a written constitution, pro- vided a pattern for other similar foundations | t | to copy. The usefulness of her volume will be enhanced by the very recent appearance of its index, prepared by herself; though, in the | case of Wiltshire, there would have been no great difficulty in tapping its resources by means of Sir Thomas Phillipps’s /nstitutiones Clericorum in comitatu Wiltoniae. The final part of the work must be awaited for enlightenment on a minor 55 matter: the reasons which impel Dr. Edwards, who hitherto has called the bishop ‘ Mortival ’, to insist that he should be known as ‘ Martival ’. Salisbury A. J. Collins The Origin of English Place-Names. By P. H. Reaney. Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1960, 32s. English Place-Names. By Kenneth Cameron. Batsford, 1961, 30s. All work on English place-names inevitably relies on the lengthening run of volumes pub- lished by the English Place-Name Society. An equally important source is E. Ekwall’s The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place- Names. Both books under review are by authors who have edited volumes for the Place-Name Society. Kenneth Cameron edited the volume on Derbyshire; P. Reaney edited those on Essex and Cambridgeshire, as well as being the author of by far the most scholarly book on British Surnanies. Both authors adopt a similar plan in their books. First, they outline the general methods of study available; they then goon to enlarge on names derived from Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Scan- dinavian and French sources. Each too has a section on field-names. The index shows that Mr. Reaney refers to about 3,500 different names, and Mr. Cameron to about 5,700. Mr. Cameron has special chapters on place-names with Christian, pagan, mythological, social and legal associations; he also treats separately names referring to roads and rivers, hills, valleys and woods; he gives too a glossary of common elements in English place-names. Mr. Reaney has special sections on place-names deriving from personal names; he makes a study, too, of the dialects of different regions. It is perhaps fair to say that Kenneth Cam- eron’s book is a trifle more popular and Mr. Reaney’s more linguistic, but it is a pleasure to read each of them and there is remarkably little overlapping. The Batsford book is enlivened with some well-chosen illustrations, including the Gough map, a Sheldon tapestry map and some pipe-roll entries showing the emergence of spelling changes. The only complaint the reviewer (and the authors) can have about these books, so im- peccable in their scholarship, is that they should both have come out within a matter of months of each other. Both should have a ready sale. Marlborough E. G. H. Kempson 56 English Genealogy. By A. R. Wagner. (Garter- designate). O.U.P. 1960. The Burkes throve on the desire for pedigrees of those families who rose in the nineteenth century from obscurity to the middle class. Sir H. F. Burke died in 1935, and was followed by his former secretary, and very apt pupil, A. T. Butler, whose genealogical practice was enor- mous. Butler died in 1946 and the author (now Garter-designate) is the herald who, one may say, succeeded him. The later Burkes had a sure foundation for this work in the records of the Registrar General. Back a generation or two, clients expected a con- nection to an established family. There must be few indeed of our readers who do not know of some of the absurd concatenations which found their way into print. Indeed some remain there! The book contains a mass of accurate infor- mation, but I find it difficult to find continuity. The author says ‘The readers I have had in mind first of all are those bitten with a genealo- gical curiosity which they do not know how to satisfy; who like to know the way round a sub- ject which interests them, but whose notions of the general background and possibilities are here so vague that they wish to orient themselves generally before they seeks advice or infor- mation on specific questions .”. This sounds like a textbook, and, considered as a textbook, the work fails because it has too many omissions and too many irrelevancies. Later, the author says ‘[ have had another class of possible readers in mind, namely those students of English history who feel the need for a clearer picture than their training has given them of the genealogical background.’ There are now few competent genealogists teaching English History, and most teachers, as well as most students, would benefit by a perusal of this book. If it succeeds in mellowing some, it will not have been written in vain. Motives are more often evident in pedi- grees than in price, acreage, and taxation graphs. The author’s notes on the origin and connection of some well-known families should certainly be mastered by all teachers of English history. The results of the genealogical researches on obscure families, showing what money, persis- tence, luck, and assumption may achieve, are not particularly edifying. To correct by patient re- research the statements of the older books about the motives for the murder of the Princes in the Tower is laudable; to prove that a man’s seventh great-grandfather was second cousin to Dr. Johnson is proof of industry but perhaps of time wasted. It should never be forgotten by the public that, speaking generally, the genealogical work of the heralds is done for money, and, the better clients are pleased, the bigger their prac- tice. Cricklade T. R. Thomson Beginning in Archaeology. By Kathleen M. Kenyon. Revised edition. 228 pp. 11 plates, 14 diagrams. Phoenix House 1961. 16/-. Approach to Archaeology. By Stuart Piggott. 134 pp. 25 illustrations. A & C. Black. 1959. 15/-. Kathleen Kenyon’s book Beginning in Arch- aeology was first published in 1952 and has already established itself as a useful guide for those who want to become professional archae- ologists or part-time amateurs. It now appears in an enlarged revised edition with short sections on archaeology in America. These contain in- formation on university training in the U.S.A. and Canada, on American Schools of Archae- ology in the United States and outside, on scholarships, and on posts for archaeologists. The amount of knowledge an archaeological student in the United States is apparently ex- pected to acquire seems formidable :— ‘ Egyptian, Hittite, Assyrian, etc. are more often graduate subjects, but in some schools these, too, can be started earlier. Ancient History in general, are ls ey tage) cue tey cola is essential, as are History of Art and of Civilization. General Anthropology and Ethnology are both helpful background sub- ects. : Among the sciences, Geology is most important Aas passa tiene The Geography of special regions is useful. A first course of Human Anatomy is im- portant. Physics and Chemistry form a necessary background for one interested primarily in the preservation of antiquities, Botany and Zoology for those interested in palaeontology and palaeo- botany, all important aids to the archaeologist . . Very useful and important tools can be acquired in first courses in Freehand Drawing, Draughting or Architectural Drawing, Surveying and Plain Table Mapping, Ceramics. A knowledge of Photo- graphy is essential. ..... Even a course in Journalism provides a useful tool for the archae- ologist, the results of excavation are sterile until they are published.’ After all that the American archaeologist may expect a salary starting at some 4,000 dollars a year and rising to 10,000 dollars a year or higher. The salaries will be much the same whether the archaeologist obtains a post with the Federal Government, a State Government, a University or a Museum. Miss Kenyon’s book also gives full details of courses in archaeology at British Universities and of posts open to graduates. Here there is a difference from United States practice. Civil Service posts in the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, the Royal Commisssions and the Ordnance Survey offer standard salaries starting at £635 a year and going up to about £1,865. There is not the same uniformity in salaries offered by Universities, and Museum posts in this country differ even more widely. The book, besides giving this sort of infor- mation, contains much technical instruction for the beginner in excavating, recording, and deal- ing with finds. It should be particularly helpful not only to the professional student but to the volunteer who, * prepared to assist in everything from plodding through apparently uninteresting levels to washing and marking finds,’ wants to know a little more just what the director of a dig is up to. Professor Piggott’s Approach to Archaeology also contains detailed information about archae- ological techniques. But this book, already well known and duly mentioned in Miss Kenyon’s Bibliography, has a different aim. Professor Piggott is not writing an instruction manual but a guide to the scope and limitations of archae- ological evidence. On the one hand * for peoples who existed wholly before any written history or who constituted non-literate societies side-by- side with the ancient civilizations, archaeology alone can inform us of their very existence.’ On the other * the nature of archae- ological evidence is such that it imposes strict limitations on the deductions and influences which we can hope to make from it. We can find out much about ancient technology, a great deal about all that is involved in the subsistence patterns and economic structure of the com- munities we study, but far less about their social or political constitution, and very little about their religious and spiritual lives.’ When the archaeologist studies a community that is not literate and has not been written about by other people who are literate, then he has to invent a name for it. And the names he invents are inconsistent and sometimes un- satisfactory. The historian, says Professor Piggott, is luckier. He * may count himself lucky that he can use valid names for his cultural groupings, and that the Norman Conquest of England does not have to be expressed as the invasion of the Motte Folk (and doubtless of Round-Arched Church People), and Edward the Confessor does not have to be concealed under the title of a Late Scratched-Ware chieftain.’ But, Professor Piggott goes on, archaeological VOL. LVIII-CCIX a7 techniques may be as much use in history as in pre-history. In a chapter called * Archaeology and History’ he deals with some of the ways in which the archaeologist and historian may work together; he takes as some of his examples the study of Saxon buildings and the wine trade between Gascony and England. The amount, he concludes, we can find out about the past both of so-called prehistoric peoples and literate societies depends on the co-operation of archae- ologist, historian, linguist and scientist. * Using a wider range of techniques than is possible within a single discipline, the co-operation of historians with the allied humanistic studies such as linguistics and archaeology, as well as those of the natural sciences such as botany and zoology, can bring to bear on the study of the past of mankind a powerful team, representing more than one approach to the common prob- lem, and envisaging it within the framework of more than one conceptual model. Within such a diversity, there is at least a possibility of a unity emerging.” Salisbury E. E. Sabben-Clare Cottage By The Springs. By John Baker. 109 pp. Frontispiece by H. B. Brabazon, illustrations by Kenneth Lindley. Phoenix House 1960. 10s. 6d. “You like the sight of water or you don’t.’ That is how John Baker, a member of this Soc- iety and the founder of Phoenix House, starts this book. He is clearly one of the water likers himself and this is a book for those who share his enthusiasm. In it he describes how, after living on the chalk hills, he bought Pond Cot- tage in Wilborough, a property more or less surrounded by water. ‘I believe,’ said the Agent, *‘ you can get access to it by wading.’ In spite of this, there was not a supply of safe drinking water at Pond Cottage, except for the villagers who in the course of years had accustomed themselves to using Mr. Baker’s pond itself as their reservoir. This was their chief source of supply from 888 A.D. to 1957. Sometimes, however, the pond level would go down alarmingly. Then ‘a man from Devizes’ would explain on behalf of British Waterways that he had a right to take water from Mr. Baker’s pond and keep the level of Devizes Lock up to the required 2ft. Zins. * But what about the mud and weed left behind?’ enquired Mr. Baker. The man from Devizes explained that he, of course, had a right to take the pond’s water; upkeep of its bed and banks remained the H 58 responsibility of the owner. I expect it was after this that Mr. Baker turned with relief to the peace and solitude of the canal country around, which he describes with love. The book is attractively illustrated by Kenneth Lindley, who designed the new cover for our Magazine. Salisbury E. E. Sabben-Clare British Archaeology, A Book List. Council for British Archaeology, 43 pp. 1960. 5s. 6d. Introducing Local History, published for the Standing Conference for Local History by The National Council of Social Service. 40 pp. 1960. 2s. 6d. British Archaeology is designed to replace the Council’s Book List for Teachers, which was pub- lished in 1949 and is now out of print. The new list is intended to have a wide appeal and be of use to amateur archaeologists, students and teachers of History, Geography and Local Studies. It also includes a special section on books about the pre-historic past written for school children. It is arranged in four parts. In Part I the books are given in period groups starting with pre- history and ending with the Industrial Revolu- tion. Part II contains additional books listed region by region. Part III lists books for children under period and sub-headings, and Part IV similar books listed regionally. This is a most useful guide and the only thing wrong with it is its price, which at 5s. 6d. is on the high side. Introducing Local History costs only 2s. 6d. but is a much less useful publication. Its aim is to stimulate the study of local history and sug- gests for this purpose County Committees should be formed after ‘ an exploratory meeting, called by some such body as the Rural Commun- ity Council, the County Archaeological Society or a group of independent enthusiasts.’ But there is no indication whatsoever that Societies like our own are already doing much of the work which the authors of the pamphlet have in mind. There is, for example, a list of County Local History Committees etc. which makes no mention of our Society or indeed of parallel flourishing Societies next door to us in Dorset and in Somerset. Further, while there are suggestions about the compilation of County Bibliographies there is no mention of Goddard’s work in this County or the services which are provided by our Librarian. Lastly, there is no mention of our Museums in this County or indeed elsewhere and the part they play in increasing knowledge of Local History. Perhaps some of these omissions will be remedied in the two pages which are wisely left blank for amendments. Salisbury E. E. Sabben-Clare REPORT OF THE CURATOR FOR 1960 One must lament, too, the destruction of the ancient earth-works, especially of the barrows, which is going on all over the downs, most rapidly where the land is broken up by the plough. One wonders if the ever-in- creasing curiosity of our day with regard to the history of the human race in the land continues to grow, what our descendants of the next half of the century, to go no farther, will say of us and our incredible carelessness in the matter! So wrote W. H. Hudson in 1910. Yet the destruction of ancient earthworks and barrows by the bull-dozer and the plough continues at a pace undreamt of by Hudson fifty years ago. In 1960 there was further serious damage to field monuments within the county. On Cow Down, Longbridge Deverell, Celtic field-systems, which were among the finest surviving examples in Wessex, were damaged by ploughing. Near Manton, a quarter-mile stretch of the Wansdyke ditch has been filled up with debris, and, as far as is known, is still uncleared. On Salisbury Plain, ploughing regularly takes place over the Cursus group of barrows, and the Winterbourne Stoke Crossroads group, perhaps the finest barrow cemetery in western Europe, was damaged despite assurances by the owners that ploughing would not be undertaken nearby. Recently the writer visited at random a num- ber of scheduled barrow sites in the north of the county. Of fourteen barrows inspected, seven had been recently ploughed, or were under plough. In some cases it was well-nigh imposs- ible to locate the monument, so rapidly under modern agricultural methods had attrition taken place. The condition of these earthworks clearly demonstrates the inadequacy of the Ancient Monuments Act, and the disastrous result of normal agricultural operations being carried out on scheduled sites. Once a barrow is scored by the plough, its destruction is only a matter of time. It is impossible for a farmer, anxious though he may be to preserve antiquities existing on his land, to stand over a ploughman, who is per- haps completely ignorant of their significance, simply to ensure that a site is not destroyed. It is equally impossible for this Society, the recog- nised guardian of ancient monuments within the county, to maintain an unceasing vigil over the eight hundred or more scheduled earthworks within its boundaries. Time is running short. Is it not possible through the combined efforts of the national bodies, the Ministry of Works, and the local societies to propound a scheme, which will also recommend itself to the goodwill of the farming community, and ensure the preservation of our ancient monuments for all time? The difficulties of the problem are very great, but unless we face them, then, within a brief space, the chances of there being any ancient monuments left that are worthy of scheduling will be slim indeed. MUSEUM FABRIC Two major tasks undertaken in 1960 were the redecoration and renovation of the rear premises of the Museum, and the redecoration of two further Library rooms. This work was carried out in the early spring by Messrs. F. Rendell & Sons, Devizes, at a cost of over £400, and com- pletes the substantial programme of repairs and alterations to the Museum fabric begun by the Society’s Committee in 1955. More redecoration was also undertaken by the Museum staff, and completed just before the official opening of the new Bronze Age room. This included the Entrance Hall and staircase up to the first floor, two small rooms leading off from the main staircase, and the Centenary Ex- hibition room. The Entrance Hall floor and the main staircase have been treated with plastic seal. Thus, in just over twelve months, the greater part of the Museum premises has been redecorated, and the interior now presents an attractive face to the visiting public. THE STOURHEAD ROOM The Stourhead Room was opened on 2\st May by Professor Stuart Piggott, Abercromby Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, Edin- burgh University. The opening ceremony was held in the Town Hall, Devizes; a luncheon, to which Society members were invited, was fol- lowed by an address by Professor Piggott. Some eighty members, as well as distinguished guests from outside the Society, attended the opening, and afterwards visited the Museum to inspect the 59 new room. Professor Piggott’s address was admirably fitted to the occasion, and conveyed to those present his own enthusiasm for this Society and its famous Museum. The text was given in W.A.M., vol. 57, pp. 428-9. We hope that our Bronze Age collections, after being so long in limbo, may be of real value and interest both to the casual visitor, and to students of prehistory who specially visit Devizes for the purpose of seeing these finds. THE COLLECTIONS A small exhibition of Bronze Age material was arranged in the Museum ‘ shop-window ’, mainly to draw the attention of passers-by to the new Bronze Age room. A selection of the finds from the West Kennett long barrow, now housed in the Museum, has been displayed in a newly constructed case in the Centenary room. A further exhibit, one that has entailed a con- siderable amount of work, is a 1” map of the county, mounted on plywood, on which have been plotted all prehistoric monuments in the county scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Act. This map is now on display in the Entrance Hall. It should serve to bring to notice the rich- ness of this county in ancient monuments, and to emphasise the increasing danger of their des- truction through industrial exploitation and agriculture. Within the Bronze Age room, the reference collections not on show have been systematically arranged. All our fine grave groups have been boxed, labelled, listed, and arranged on sliding trays, so as to be quickly available when re- quired for examination. The larger urns and skeletal material have, as far as possible, been arranged chronologically, and listed within the storage cupboards. One other major achievement, and for this high praise must go to Mr. Paul Pickering for his labours, was the completion of the catalogue of our geological collections. Further work will be needed on a number of fossil specimens that need specialist identification, but the main task of en- suring that the history of each individual speci- men will not be lost is now finished. It is work of this sort, unspectacular though it may be, which, when completed, gives particular satis- faction to any Museum Curator. The public is perhaps unaware of the labours entailed in cataloguing and recording museum collections that are continually being augmented. Yet re- cording and conservation are fundamental to museum work, and should receive a high priority. 1H 60 MUSEUM DARKROOM Towards the end of 1960, the Curators started to convert a tiny room, leading off from the pottery laboratory, into a darkroom for photo- graphy. When this is in operation, we hope to carry out all our photographic processing within the museum, including the production of minia- ture slides to be loaned to schools and colleges. NEW NEOLITHIC ROOM The acquisition of the important finds from the West Kennett long barrow excavations has made it necessary to move our Neolithic display from its present room, which is now too small. In October, work began on the construction of display cases for an up-to-date Neolithic room in what was previously the Picture Gallery. PUBLICATIONS We are producing a comprehensive card in- ventory of nine of our most important Bronze Age grave groups. These are intended for in- clusion in Jnventaria Archaeologica, an illus- trated Card Inventory of important associated finds. The /nventaria is an international project supported by the Council for British Archaeology which we hope, will publish our own material for circulation throughout the archaeological world. STAFF INCREASE AND VOLUNTARY HELP It is pleasing to be able to report an increase in the permanent staff of the Museum. This has been made possible by a generous increase in the annual grant made to the Museum by the Wiltshire County Council. Mr. Derek Simpson, from Edinburgh University, was appointed Assistant Curator in July, and took up his duties at the end of September. Despite this, we shall still welcome those who come forward to help in the running of the Museum, and our grateful thanks are again ex- tended to all our regular volunteers. The work of Mr. Paul Pickering in completing the cata- loguing of our geological exhibits, mentioned above, has been invaluable. Mr. John Mead continues the drawing of all our pottery types from the Savernake Forest pottery kilns, and Mrs. Harrison has drawn a number of speci- mens from the Roman collections for catalogue purposes. Two student volunteers have worked with us this year for short periods in order to gain exper- ience of museum routine. Mr. Michael Owen, a prehistory student at Cardiff University, was particularly helpful in assisting with the arrange- ment of the Bronze Age reserve collections, and Mr. John Lyddiard worked on pottery restor- ation before beginning a course at the Institute of Archaeology, London University. We are, as usual, deeply indebted to Mr. N. U. Grudgings, who continues to spend much of his leisure time in producing photographs and slides for the Society’s reference collections. He was again this year with us during the Cunetio excav- ations, and undertook much of the photographic work. The assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Cole in pre- paring for the opening of the Bronze Age room has been of the greatest value. A word of thanks is also due to those who kindly provide flowers for the Museum. LOANS AND PUBLICITY Ten groups of museum specimens were lent during the year for teaching purposes. A small selection of finds and photographs, illustrating this year’s excavation of the west entrance of Cunetio, was also exhibited at the third ‘ Open Day’ held at Salisbury on Ist October, and organised by Group XII (Wessex) of the Council for British Archaeology. The Curator attended and gave a brief report of the investigations. The City of Birmingham Museum has again availed itself of the generosity of your Com- mittee. A remarkable exhibition of * Jewellery through the Ages ’ was held at the City Museum, Birmingham from 17th February to 16th March, and permission was given for the unique finds of gold ornaments from the Stourhead Collection, together with others, to be lent for this exhibition. These included the original gold objects, which at present are on permanent loan to the British Museum. It was a singular experience to visit the Exhibition and see these famous objects, all from Wiltshire barrows, displayed together for the first time for many years. A quantity of cooking equipment was lent by the Museum to the British Association for the Advancement of Science. This was used by volunteer diggers during the construction of the experimental earthwork on Fyfield Down, described in the article ‘ Excavation and Field- work in Wiltshire, 1960’ appearing in this issue. At the West Kennett long barrow, a large notice is now displayed informing visitors that the finds from the site are deposited in the Mus- eum. We hope that, before long, a notice will be set up at Stonehenge, informing visitors that the majority of the grave finds from the barrow cemeteries surrounding Stonehenge are also housed in Devizes Museum. We are grateful to the Ministry of Works for this added pub- licity, which we hope will considerably increase attendance at the Museum. Gradually we are increasing our collections of miniature slides, illustrating various aspects of the archaeology and natural history of the county. At present we have approximately 300 slides, most of them in colour; as the collection grows, it should be possible to issue selected series on loan to schools and individuals. LECTURES A course of four University Extension lectures, on some of the archaeological problems which have recently been under investigation in the county, was arranged jointly by Bristol Univer- sity and the Society, and took place at the begin- ning of 1960 in the Museum Lecture Hall. The course, which was open to the general public, proved extremely popular. The lecturers were: Mr. Graham Webster, Birmingham University; Dr. Philip Corder, Assistant Secretary, Society of Antiquaries: Mr. J. G. Hurst, Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, and Mr. Collin Bowen, Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. A further series on similar lines is now being planned to take place early in 1961. During the winter, the Curator delivered a course of twelve lectures on Prehistoric Wilt- shire to a Workers’ Education Association group at Warminster, and further talks on aspects of archaeology and on the Society were given to groups and Societies within the county. The Curator also took part in a course on ‘Exploring Wiltshire ’, held during the summer at Urchfont Manor. By arrangement with the Society’s Committee, a course of twelve lectures on * The Appreciation of Art’, organised by the Devizes branch of the W. E. A., was held in the Museum Lecture hall during the winter. VISITORS Attendance by the general public showed an increase over the corresponding period last year. Fourteen parties of schoolchildren visited the Museum and were guided round by the Curator. Museum Visitors :— | 1959: Jan.—March 384 April—June 33) July—Sept .. 949 Oct.—Dec. 235 Total 2103 61 1960: Jan.—March 375 April—June 648 July—Sept... 12227 Oct.—Dec. 396 Total 2641 A party of students from Exeter University, with Lady (Aileen) Fox, again spent a week-end in the county, visiting prehistoric sites, and in- cluded the Museum in their itinerary. Among other groups who visited the Museum were students from the Institute of Archaeology, London; extra-mural groups from London University; the Bedfordshire Archaeological Society; and our close neighbours the Cotswold Field Club. At the invitation of your Committee, the South-Western Group of Museums held their Annual General Meeting in the Museum; the Museum staff much enjoyed the opportunity afforded of showing neighbouring Curators some of the reorganisation carried out since their last visit. During the day, a brief dis- cussion on Museum display, introduced by the Curator, was held in the Lecture Hall. On 31st October, the Records Branch of the Society held their Annual General Meeting in the Museum Lecture Hall. The Wiltshire Branch of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England also held their Annual General Meeting here on 20th October. FIELDWORK A fourth series of excavations under the pat- ronage of the Society was carried out on the west entrance of the Romano-British township of Cunetio (Mildenhall). Details will be reported in the W.A.M. but the Curator and his colleague, Mr. Anthony Clark, gratefully acknowledge generous donations towards expenses from the Society Committee (£25), Mr. Norris Thompson, Surrey Archaeological Society (£10), and from an anonymous donor who made a further very liberal gift of £30. Our thanks are also extended to Mrs. Winifred Hannay of Werg Mill House, whose enthusiasm and liberal assistance is such a tremendous asset to us in carrying through these excavations each year. We are grateful also to the Crown Commissioners for the use of a nearby empty cottage as our headquarters. ACCESSIONS Once again your Committee extends its thanks to all those who have made gifts or loans during 62 the past year. The most notable accessions were the finds from the West Kennett long barrow, excavated during 1955-6 by Professors Stuart Piggott and R. J. C. Atkinson. The acquisition of this fine assemblage of Neolithic pottery, tools, ornaments and bone implements, now makes our Neolithic collection one of the most significant in the country. The Ministry of Works has made. a most welcome decision in allowing all these finds to be deposited in Devizes Museum. Prehistoric Group of Early Iron Age sherds, flint and stone implements. Found on Roughridge Hill, Bishops Cannings. Mr. A. Collins. 6/60. Large assemblage of Neolithic pottery of Beaker and Peterborough types, bone and flint implements, beads of shale and bone. From excavations at the West Kennett long barrow carried out from 1955-6. Ministry of Works. 8/60 Large collared urn, and a miniature cup. From excavations on Barrows 4 and 5 of the Milton Hill group of barrows. Ministry of Works. 9/60. Miniature collared urn, urn sherd with pointillé decoration, large collared urn, and inhumation. From excavations on sites IH, XVII, and XXII at Snail Down barrow group, Everleigh. Ministry of Works. 10/60. Group of Palaeolithic implements, mainly small hand-axes and flint flakes. Found at Knowle, Savernake, at the beginning of the century. 11/60. Group of worked flints, found at Milk Hill. 12/60. Finely worked leaf-shaped arrowhead. Exact provenance unknown; probably in the area of Milk Hill or Golden Ball Hill. 13/60. 4 flint flakes. Found on Golden Ball Hill. 14/60 2 flint scrapers, 1 flint hammerstone. Found at Aldbourne. 15/60. 1 flint scraper. Found at Shepherd’s Shore, Bishops Cannings. 16/60. The above (Nos. 11-16/10) were originally in the collections of the late A. D. Passmore of Wan- borough, and were purchased at a sale held at Sotheby’s on 16 June 1959. Polished stone Axe of greenstone (Petrological Report No. 1124). Found in the garden of ‘ The ii >, Compton Bassett, Calne. Mr. S. Henley. Globular Urn of Deverell-Rimbury type with shoulder-lugs. Received from Bristol City Mus- eum in exchange for a vessel originally found in Somerset. Locality unknown. 20/60. Roman Sherds of Romano-British pottery. Found in Pans Lane during the erection of a telegraph pole. Mr. J. Winslow. 3/60. Sherds of Romano-British pottery, quern frag- ments and fragments of engraved pewter. Found on Avebury Down. Mr. A. Collins and Mr. E. Brooks. 5/60. Romano-British glass flask and inhumation. From a stone coffin discovered on the site of the New Junior School, Southbroom, Devizes. Messrs. F. Rendell & Sons. 18/60. Romano-British inhumation from a lead coffin discovered on the site of the New Junior School, Southbroom, Devizes. Messrs. F. Rendell & Sons. 19/60. Medieval Groups of sherds, mainly of dishes and cooking bowls. Found just below surface in the garden and immediate vicinity of The Grange, Shalbourne. Mr. P.G.E. Panton. 17/60. Recent Medal of white metal of Diocese of Salisbury. Given for unbroken attendance during the school year. 19thcentury. Anonymous donor. 1/60. Small toy musket of brass. Perhaps 17th cen- tury. Mr. J. Bowyer. 2/60. Small brass button bearing bust perhaps of George I. Miss Gillian Wareham. 4/60. Rock chalk mould for making buttons. Found in the garden of ‘ The Freeth,’ Compton Bassett, Calne. Mr.S. Henley. 23/60. Coins AE of Licinius I. Obv. Laur. & bearded bust of Emperor. IMP. LICINIVS. P. F. AVG. Rev. Genius stg. left. GENIO. POP. ROM. Mint- Mark PLN (London). Found ina garden opposite Scruse’s Farm, near Fox & Hounds, Devizes. 7/60. AR Antoninianus of Maximianus I. Obv. Radiate bust of Emperor. IMP. MAXIMIANVS. AVG Rev. ? Hercules r. VIRTVS. AVGG. Found whilst digging on an allotment in Pines Road, Devizes. Mr. Derek Bird. 21/60. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1960: The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held on Oct. 22 1960 at Stourhead House. About a hundred members attended. In the morning members heard a paper by Mr. R. E. Sandell on Colt Hoare; this paper, in a slightly revised form, is reproduced as the first article in the present issue. These were followed by reports from officers. Those of the Librarian, Meetings Secretary, and Editor are reprodued below. The Natural History Section officers’ reports are at the beginning of that Section. The Curator’s report is incorporated in his account of activities for 1960 above. In the afternoon we heard a talk by Mr. J. A. Kenworthy-Browne on the history of the house and afterwards we were able to have a look round the house itself and its mag- nificent gardens. Perhaps most attractive of all the rooms was Colt Hoare’s vast, magnificent study. The Society is grateful for the co-oper- ation of the National Trust in making the visit possible. A number of members went to tea at the Oak Rooms in Zeals before the end ofa very pleasant day. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT This Report, in accordance with the policy laid down by the Committee, is being kept to a bare minimum; the list of accessions to the Lib- rary is therefore not included as it is published in the magazine. I must, however, mention the packet of papers given to us by the representa- tives of the late Lt.-Col. Chettle, who will have been known to many members, and who not many years ago led an excursion to this part of the county. These notes contain information on more than 230 Wiltshire houses. Members will also remember Lt.-Col. R. H. Cunnington, who died last year and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Society in all branches of its activities. He left us an interest- ing water-colour of the house in Heytesbury, occupied by William Cunnington the antiquary, and showing in the foreground his three daughters. This picture was painted by Philip Crocker and is mentioned in his correspondence with William Cunnington. Miss Cunnington brought the picture personally from London and also gave us a copy of her father’s paper on R. V. Leach, the builder of part of the modern Devizes Castle. While on the subject of the Cunnington family, I am glad to be able to report that, after representations made by the Hon. Librarian on behalf of the Society, the grave of William Cunnington in Heytesbury churchyard has been tidied up and the bushes which were concealing it have been cut back. Next December occurs the 150th anniversary of the death of William _Cunnington, and it would be a pleasant gesture _if the Society could honour this in some way. I am very happy to be able to tell members that their library was used considerably more often last year than in the year before. The numbers rose from 442 to 598 and, though I do not anticipate that the numbers will be as high this year, there is no doubt that your library is be- coming better known and that it is making an increasing contribution to historical research. _ We have for some years been collecting aerial photographs of Wiltshire and this year have - added to the collection 349 obtained from the Royal Air Force. These are now easily available ‘in the library and a map has been prepared show- _ing the area covered by each photograph. | As foretold in my last report, the index to the ‘Herbarium has now been completed by Miss 63 Stevenson and a scheme has been prepared by her and Miss Gillam, by which it is hoped that members of the Natural History Section will be able to fill the gaps. A steady sale continues for the Flora of Wilts. by Mr. J. D. Grose, but sales of Wiltshire Birds are rather disappointing. I inherited from my predecessors in this offic an impressive collection of papers, which had been left to the Society by various workers in the field of Wiltshire History. I am glad and indeed relieved to be able to say that one of these col- lections was sorted during 1959. This was the bequest of Canon Manley, an influential member of this Society and for many years the most able editor of Wiltshire Notes and Queries. These papers have been sifted and arranged in topo- graphical files under parishes, and genealogically under families. A large file of cuttings, some of them from the time of Canon Goddard, has at last also been incorporated in our collections, and one can now reasonably say that the cuttings are under control. The Society’s Librarian has assisted in check- ing the accuracy of the guide books produced by the Devizes Borough and Rural District Coun- cils. In collaboration withthe Society’s Curator, who is the Ministry of Works correspondent for Anci- ent Monuments, the Librarian has sorted out the papers relating to scheduled monuments, and has helped the Curator in the preparation of a map showing their position. I would like in finishing to thank those who have helped in the work of the Library, especially Mr. Paul Pickering, who has done invaluable work in helping to index the cuttings. This is a boring job, which he has undertaken with exemplary patience and good humour. R. E. SANDELL MEETINGS SECRETARY’S REPORT Three excursions were arranged during the summer of 1960. They were to Chippenham on 18 June, to Wells on 13 July, and to Wardour Castles and the Pitt-Rivers Museum, Farnham, on 13 August. The Chippenham Meeting was attended by 70 members and guests. Visits were made to Har- denhuish Church and to St. Andrew’s Church, Chippenham, and our thanks are due to the Rev. Mervyn Canby and Canon Snow for making them so interesting. Dr. Platts of Chippenham graphically described the history of the Yelde Hall. The main feature of the meeting was the visit to The Ivy at the kind invitation of our 64 members Captain and Mrs. Rooke, who with their family took the greatest trouble to display for our delight the treasures of their home. We are most grateful. An exhibition of photographs, pictures and maps of Chippenham was held in the Town Hali and introduced by our member Mr. Harry Ross. The exhibition remained open all day. Our thanks are due to all those who lent exhibits. On 13 July, 101 members and guests visited Wells. We were fortunate in having throughout the day such an excellent guide as Dr. R. D. Reid of Wells. The meeting visited the gardens of the Bishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, the College of Vicars Choral and Precincts, St. Cuthbert’s Church and the Old Almshouses. One hundred and six members and guests visited Old and New Wardour Castles and the Pitt-Rivers Museum on 13 August. Mr. A. D. Saunders of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monu- ments and Historic Buildings was our guide at Old Wardour. Our member, Mr. Hugh Shortt, described some of the features of New Wardour. The visit to All Saints, Wardour, was marked by an address on *‘ Wardour and the Catholic Faith’ by Mrs. MacDonald of Salisbury. We are grateful to the Revd. S. Paine and the Society of Jesus for allowing us to see their precious vestments. These were described by Mr. Hugh Shortt. Tea was taken in the garden of the Pitt-Rivers Museum. An appreciation of Gen- eral Pitt-Rivers was given by our member Dr. Isobel Smith, and afterwards a visit was made to the museum. R. W. H. WILLOUGHBY EDITOR’S REPORT I am very sorry not to be here myself this morning. I had hoped that I could come, but I have not been able, after all, to get away from my morning’s work. Even if your President may be cross with me for this, I hope your late President will excuse me in his present capacity of Chairman of the Education Committee. I hope to be here this afternoon and to answer any question anyone wants to put about the Bulletin or Magazine. First, the Bulletin. There were some very encouraging letters about it and I think it was certainly a success. We intend to have another Bulletin this Spring? and will those of you who have suggestions for it please let me know as 1 The 1961 Annual General Meeting was held in Salis- bury on 6 May 1961. There will be an account of it in the next issue. The Hon. Secretary, Natural History Section, has amalgamated her 1960 report with her interim report for 1961. soon as you can. But please remember it must be short and it must be cheap to produce. Now, the Magazine. John Prest, who has assisted in the editorship for a number of years has, alas, said that he can continue no longer. He is very busy as a don at Balliol and feels he cannot give the necessary time. We shall miss him for his services to the Magazine. His new book on The Industrial Revolution in Coventry is just coming out and I hope it will have every success. Fortunately Mr. Meyrick, in spite of heavier commitments himself, is willing to continue as before and particularly to pay attention to the Natural History section of the Magazine. I am very lucky still to have his assistance. I must express my gratitude to Dr. Thomson who, although he does not want any official post as it were, has been and is continuing to help me with the preparation of the Magazine. I also am grateful for assistance from friends in Salis- bury and look forward to more! The Magazine this year will have some 150 pages and an Index and will be out shortly. I have tried once more to make it a mixture rang- ing from the Palaeolithic to the 20th Century, but purely archaeological articles must, of course, as always, play a prominent part. But here I must repeat a word of caution I put in the Magazine. I know archaeologists have their technical terms and must sometimes use them to make their meaning precise, but I do hope that they will never forget the need for putting over what they have to say in a plain fashion to the ordinary reader. Let them remember Craw- ford’s motto for accepting articles for Antiquity. Everything, he said, is acceptable, provided it is written in such a way as to be readily appre- hended by any reasonably well-educated person. Let us not bury the Magazine in what Dr. Thomson calls * technical stodge °. As I said, I hope to be here this afternoon and cross swords with any archaeologists or any other writers, who think I am being unfair about this. And I hope to bring with me six of our schoolboys, members of our school Archaeo- logical Society. Perhaps their presence will stimulate thought on the ways that younger people might be encouraged to join the Society and add to its liveliness and vigour. ° E. E. SABBEN-CLARE 2 We did. 3 The Society at the 1961 Annual General Meeting accepted a proposal by Mr. R. W. H. Willoughby for admitting junior members. ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY 1960 BOOKS BOUGHT Dorset Barrows. L. V. Grinsell. Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Soc- iety. 1959. Stonehenge and Avebury. R. J.C. Atkinson. H.M.S.O. 1959. The Midland and South Western Railway. T. B. Sands. Oakwood Press. 1959. The Beauties of Wiltshire. J. Britton. An interleaved copy in two volumes which appears to have belonged to John Britton, as it is bound similarly to others of his books in this library. These volumes con- tain, in addition, notes written in a differ- ent hand, a very large number of maps, plans, prints and drawings, and other insertions, including some rare pedigrees printed by Sir Thomas Phillipps. Round About the Little Steeple. Ida Gandy. George Allen & Unwin. 1960. A fascin- ating and unusual history of Bishops Cannings. Nenia Britannica. James Douglas. John Nicholas. 1793. This is thought to be the work from which Sir Richard Colt Hoare got his idea for Ancient Wilts. Hill Forts of Northern France. Wheeler and Richardson. Society of Antiquaries. 1957. _ BOOKS PRESENTED _ Town and Country in Roman Britain. A. L.F. Rivet. Hutch- inson. 1958. MB Fifi and Irish Salmonidae. F. Day. 1887. _ William Ewart, M.P. W. A. Munford. Grafton & Co. 1960. Soils for the Arch- aeologist. I. W. Cornwall. Phoe- nix House. 1958. |The Registers of Roger = Martival. Index to Volume I. Canterbury and York Society. O.U.P. 1960. Later Prehistoric Antiquities of the British Isles. Brit- ish Museum. 1953. VOL. LVIII-CCLX DONOR Publishers R. Henry Author Publishers. Publishers P. Truckle Marlborough and the Upper Kennet Country. A. R. Stedman. 1960. English Genealogy. A.R. Wagner. O.U.P. 1960. Notes and Essays re- lating to the Coun- ties of Hants and Author Publishers Rev. J.O. Dobson PAMPHLETS BOUGHT Wilts. Henry Moody. 1851. Account of Public Meeting to estab- lish a branch of the British and For- eign Bible Society in Devizes. 1912. PAMPHLETS PRESENTED Indenture of Appren- ticeship to George Simpson, Printer. 1885. Notes on R. V. Leach. Lt.-Col. R. H. Cunnington. Evidence relating to the Corn Laws. 1814. Contains the evi- dence given by John Bennett. Clothiers and Wea- vers in Wiltshire in the 18th Cen- tury. Offprint. List of Documents relating to the Goddard Family. Marlborough College Natural History Society Report No. 99 Geographical Survey of Bromham. A collection of pamphlets, sale catalogues, off- prints, etc. Guide to Chilmark Church. 1960. DONOR W. J. Pike Miss E. Cunnington H. de N. Lucas Miss J. de L. Mann Swindon Corporatioa E. G. H. Kempson P. E. Pickering Miss Wheeler W/O. A. G. Harfield 65 66 Benedictine Missions in Wilts in 17th and \8th Centuries. Offprint. J. A. Williams. A collection of press cuttings, guides, photographs and pamphlets belong- ing to the late Mr. C. Bray. Complete set of maps of Nettleton with Mrs. D. M. Brackenbury Field names. Mr. E. A. Shore Ashton Keynes. Copy of Fine of 40 Henry III. Reprint of article on Mistress Jane Lane with addition- al notes. C. Pen- ruddocke. Author J.S. Judd Dr. T. R. Thomson Rumsey and Rumsey The Saxon Bounds of Badbury, with map and schedule. Dr. T. R. Thomson. PRINTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ETC. BOUGHT. Erlestoke.Seven drawings, c. 1848. PRINTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ETC. PRESENTED Highworth. Photo- graph of the open- ing of the main water supply. Imber. Twenty photographs of the village before its destruction. Steeple Ashton. En- graving of Cross and Round House. J. M. Buckeridge Miss Seth-Smith R. S. Child RECORDS BRANCH, 1959-61 During 1959-60 the Branch issued two volumes of records. These were vol. XIV, Accounts and Surveys of the Wiltshire Lands of Adam de Stratton, edited by M. W. Farr, and XV, Trades- men in Early Stuart Wiltshire, a Miscellany, edited by Dr. N. J. Williams, the General Editor. These volumes are in respect of subscrip- tions for 1958 and 1959 respectively. Both the volume for 1960, C.A.F. Meeting’s Crown Pleas of the Wiltshire Eyre, 1249, and that for 1961, Miss C. V. E. Dale’s Wiltshire Apprentices and their Masters, 1711-1761, are well advanced; the Crown Pleas should be the next to appear. The membership of the Branch now stands at 212 of which 137 are persons and 75 are insti- tutions. New members are badly needed. It is hoped that members of the Society who are not already members of the Branch will seriously consider joining. M. G. Rathbone, Hon. Sec. WREN HALL, SALISBURY An agreement has been concluded between the County Council, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury and the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Finance, whereby the Dio- cesan Record Office established at Wren Hall in The Close, Salisbury, and containing the records of the diocese and archdeaconries, has become a sub-office of the Record Office at County Hall in Trowbridge, and on Monday, October 10, 1960, a senior member of the County Council’s Record Office staff began working there full-time. Much has already been done on a voluntary basis to make the records more accessible, in particular by Dr. A. E. J. Hollaender of the Guildhall Library and by Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Collins, whose services are greatly appreciated. The work will now be continued under the dir- ection of the Wiltshire County Archivist as Diocesan Archivist, and the facilities at County Hall in Trowbridge for the repair of documents and for their reproduction by photographic means will become available also to the record office at Wren Hall. An account of this new departure cannot be complete without reference to the financial side. The Pilgrim Trust has made a generous grant to the Diocese of £3,000 and the Diocese, in turn, will be paying the County Council £1,000 a year for the first three years while the new agreement is in operation. This will do much to meet the cost of the preliminary work to be accomplished during the first three years, the Council finding the balance and meet- ing the cost of whatever subsequent service may be found to be necessary. The Dean and Chap- ter are making the Wren Hall available rent free as a Diocesan Record Office and sub-office of the County Record Office, and the Diocesan Board of Finance have accepted responsibility for various ancillary services. 67 ACCESSIONS TO THE RECORD OFFICE, 1960 Parish. Aidbourne, registers, 1637-1827, church wardens’ accounts, 1683-1923, etc; Alton Barnes, registers, 1592-1844; Alton Priors, registers, 1664-1838; Amesbury, council mins., 1952-6; Bradford-on-Avon Holy Trinity, service registers, etc., 1911-53; Britford, registers, 1572-1812, church-war- dens’, surveyors’ and overseers’ records, 18th-19th cent.; Bromham, registers, 1560- 1701, deeds, 1614-1819, churchwardens’ and overseers’ records, 18th-19th cent.;Brough- ton Gifford, registers, 1665-1942; Butter- mere, marr. registers, 1786-1804; Chirton, registers, 1579-1921, churchwardens’ and overseers’ records, 1726-1815, etc.; Comp- ton Chamberlayne, registers, 1538-1811, churchwardens’ accounts, 1796-1836; Devizes St. Mary, churchwardens’ records, 1557-1870, surveyors’, 1735-80, and over- seers’, 1617-1891; Durrington, council mins. 1894-1955, etc.; Figheldean, council accounts, 1932-58; Fisherton de la Mere, registers, 1561-1895, P.C.C. accounts, 1930- 8; Garsdon, registers, 1682-1837, etc.; Ham, registers, 1720-1924; Great Hinton, council mins. 1894-1949, etc.; Horningsham, regis- ters, 1561-1926, churchwardens’ and over- seers’ records, 18th-19th cent., etc.; Lea and Cleverton, registers, 1751-1838, church- wardens’ and surveyors’ records, 19th cent. overseers’ accounts, 1738-1886; Marden, registers, 1685-1841, etc.; Netherhampton registers, 1755-1835; Patney, registers, 1592- 1840, churchwardens’ (later P.C.C.) accounts, 1780-1951, etc.; Ramsbury, regis- ters, 1678-1951, benefice accounts, 1754-85, churchwardens’ accounts, 1834-1903; Rowde, registers, 1606-1908, etc., council records, 1895-1954; Seend, council mins., etc., from 1894 Stanton St. Bernard, regis- ters, 1568-1836; Steeple Langford, registers, 1674-1856, churchwardens’ and overseers’ records, 19th cent., etc.; Stourton, registers, 1570-1812, churchwardens’ accounts, 1734- 1896, etc.; Tilshead, council records, 1934- 58; Wilton, registers, 1626-1856, church- wardens’ accounts, 1811-1911; Wylye, regis- ters, 1581-1894, churchwardens’ and other accounts, 1815-1956, etc. Turnpike Trustees. Mins. of the Seend-Box turnpike trustees, 1753-91. Nursing Association. Mins., reports and accounts of the Potterne, Worton and Marston Nursing Association, 1913-53. Estate, Manorial, Family and Personal. British Records Association (Nicholl, Manisty & Co.). Archives of the Lewis family, com- prising approximately 200 deeds relating to property in Biddestone, Broughton Gifford, Calne, Calstone Wellington, Chippenham, Corsham, Edington, Hardenhuish, Hullav- ington, Langley Burrell, Malmesbury, Melksham, Pewsey, Quemerford, Sherston, Steeple Ashton and Tinhead, and (the medieval section) to property in Glamorgan and Monmouth, with a few deeds relating to property in Dorset, Hants, London, Oxford, Surrey and Sussex, dating from the early 13th cent. to 1732, with some estate, probate and personal material, including a late 17th century customary of the manor of Corsham. Col. G. D. Broughton. Seventy-eight deeds and documents relating to property in Couiston and Edington and to the Rectory of Tilshead, 1595-1897; volume of maps of the estates in Wiltshire of George Watson Taylor, Esq., 1832. Sir Charles Chitham, C.I.E. Terrier of land at Easterton, 1782. Edward Hall, Book- seller. Diary, 1772-1804, of Jonathan Adams, Baptist minister, Scots Lane, Salisbury. Lt.-Col. F. N. Jeans. Seventy-six deeds, relating mainly to property in the manor of Fisherton de la Mere, 1608-1834, with copies of court rolls, 1741-1789, and some sub- sidiary papers. The National Trust, Stourhead. The Stour- head (Hoare family) archives. Approxim- ately 2,200 deeds relating mainly to pro- perty in the area Castle Cary—Kilmington —East Knoyle—Gillingham c. 1545-c. 1879, the majority of the late 17th or early 18th cent. but including a few medieval, from 1275; with a quantity of 18th and 19thcent. estate records, including incomplete series of rentals and accounts with surveys and valuations ; manorial records dating from the late 17th to the early 19th cent. and letters and accounts concerning the ornamentation of the house and gardens dating from c. 1736, together with personal papers of Richard Colt Hoare, comprising, mainly, travel journals and accounts. W. C. Rich, Esq. Manor of Lydiard Milli- cent: court rolls, 1430-1567 and account rolls, 1430-1457. Viscount Sidmouth Estate records of High- 11 68 way Manor, c. 1868-1897, with some other records of the property of Captain L. C. H. Tonge, R.N., including an inventory of the contents of Silchester Rectory, Hants, 1895, and the executors’ account, 1895, 97. J. E. R. Wyndham, Esq. An accumulation of twenty-four deeds relating to Stratford- sub-Castle, Old Sarum, 1696-1774, one deed relating to property at Abbotts Ann, Hants, 1737, and three indentures of return. Members of Parliament for Old Sarum, 1750/51-67, all involving Thomas Pitt, 1737-93, nephew of the first Earl of Chat- ham, who succeeded his father, 1761, as owner of the controlling interest in the parliamentary representation of Old Sarum. Messrs. Young, Jackson, Beard and King (for Nelson Trustees). Approximately 200 deeds, 1677-1924, relating to Trafalgar and Brickworth estates, mainly in Downton, Standlynch and Whiteparish, with some subsidiary material. Deeds. For many places in Wiltshire, in par- ticular Salisbury, 1527-86, Worton, 1646- 1805, Berwick Bassett, Winterbourne Bas- sett and Avebury, 1557-1860, Hilperton, Melksham and Hullavington, 1325-87, and Bradford-on-Avon and area, 1656-94. Business. Ushers Wiltshire Brewery Ltd.: T. Usher’s barley book, 1834-1840, being a record of barley purchased, with an advert- isement, 1851, of Thomas Evans, wine and spirit merchant, Trowbridge. Solicitors’ miscellaneous deposits. Messrs. Jack- son and Awdry, Devizes. Approximately 200 deeds, 1661-1878, with some estate material, including bound copies of the inclosure awards in Conock and Rushall, relating to the Devizes area. Messrs. Keary, Stokes and White, Chippen- ham. A collection of approximately 300 deeds relating mainly to the Chippenham area, 1442-1909, with manorial, 1658-1939, estate, 1707-1946, and personal, c. 1646- 1926, records, including election records of Chippenham and the N.W. division and Cricklade, 1774-1924, legal, c. 1714-1894, executorship, 1664-1917, and wills, 1670- 1854. Miscellaneous. Wiltshire Archaeological Soc- iety. Approximately 150 deeds and some other documents, mainly medieval but dating from the thirteenth to the end of the nineteenth century relating to Alderton, ‘ Boggele’’, Bradford-on-Avon, _ Bristol, Brixton Deverill, Calne, Calston, Chel- worth, Chippenham, Cirencester, Cockle- bury, Codford St. Mary, Coleshill, Coombe Bissett, Corston, Cricklade, Crockerton, Devizes, Duntisborne Abbots, Duntisborne Leer, Durrington, Great Amesbury, Great Coxwell, Great Sutton, Harnham, Hatch- bury, Hilcott, Horningsham, Hullavington, Lacock, Lavington Dauntsey, Little Chev- erell, Little Coxwell, Little Sutton, Littleton Parnell, Longbridge Deverill, London, Lydiard Millicent, Lydiard Tregoze, Mil- bourne, Newnham, Newton Tony, North Newntno, Odstock, Patney, Pucklechurch, Purton, Purton Stoke, Quidhampton, * Rodeschawe ’, Salisbury, Saltrop, Seagry, Shawe, Sheldon,Shrivenham, Stanley Abbey, Stanton St. Quintin, Steeple Ashton, Stert, Surrendell, Sutton Veny, Swanborough, Upton Lovell, Warminster, West Ashton, Westwood, Whychurch, Widhill, Wootton Bassett and Wroughton. Mrs. Duncan Montgomerie. Letter, William Noye to Henry Sherfield of Salisbury, about “the vicars in the church of Sarum’, 26 Dec. 1611. Miss D. Morris. Certified list, names and amounts, assessment for land tax and per- sonal duty, Wootton Bassett, 1702-1703. 69 NATURAL HISTORY SECTION HON. SECRETARY’S INTERIM REPORT (A.G.M., MAY 1961)! Since the Section A.G.M. in July 1960, the membership of the Section has risen from 242 to 270, of which 120 are full members of the Society, and 150 are Section members—a satisfactory overall increase of 28—and a net gain of 15% on Section members, all of whom are potential full members! Fifteen of the 26 meetings arranged for the first half of the season 1961 have been carried out. The last at 4.15 a.m. B.S.T. this morning, to hear the Dawn Chorus and to eat an alfresco breakfast. Thirty-five more copies of Wiltshire Birds were sold last year to date, a total of 319 copies. Wiltshire Macro-Lepidoptera List continues in preparation. The typescript is in the hands of the printers and the date of publication therefore unpredictable. A Survey of Roadside Verges on behalf of Council for Nature was undertaken by Mr. J. D. Grose, for the summer of 1960. His meticulous Report was received with great interest and earned, with those who took part in it, the thanks and congratulations of the Chairman of the Conservation Committee who said that the business-like way in which the Report was prepared would give a most valuable lead to other Societies. C. SeccomBe HETT, Hon. Secretary FIELD MEETINGS AND LECTURES, 1960 Report by the Hon. Meetings’ Secretary, BEATRICE GILLAM During 1960, members of the Natural History Section took part in thirty-two outdoor meetings. These included five jointly with the Salisbury and District Field Club, three with Marlborough College N.HLS. and one each with the Bristol Naturalists’ Society, the Bath N.H.S. and the Swindon Geological Society. Dawn and dusk watches were kept in connection with the inquiries into autumn bird migra- tion and the behaviour of badgers respectively. Indoors ,we held a conversazione, three lectures and the A.G.M. Members were also invited to attend all winter lectures arranged by the Bath N.H.S. In June, the Wildflower Society held a week-end in Marlborough and invited Wiltshire botanists to take part in _ their field excursions, which were lead by two of our members, Mr. J. D. Grose and Mr. J. S. R. Pank- hurst. For the first time, the programme of meetings was circulated in two parts, each covering a period of six months. Attendance during the first half of the year was most encouraging, with an average of _ twenty per meeting. The majority of these were of ornithological interest. During the latter half, the average attendance dropped to twelve. This period included several meetings for those wishing to study more specialised subjects—moths, pond-life, forestry, fungi, mosses and liverworts. In spite of the unusual number of wet days from July to December, only two of the meetings took place in continuous _ heavy rain. Open waters and their surrounding habitats provide good hunting grounds for bird-watchers. In the spring, the lakes at Longleat, Shearwater and Bowood were visited, where many species of both residents and summer visitors were seen and some heard in full song. In late summer, at Coate and Wilton _ Waters, birds were noted passing through to their winter quarters: Waders and Wagtails feeding at the water’s edge; large numbers of Hirundines feeding on flying insects; song birds, now silent, feeding in close cover, and a small flock of Turtle Doves resting on a hayrick. In order to extend our bird knowledge, two visits were made to habitats outside the county: to Chew Valley Lake in January, where Bewick’s Swans, eight species of duck, a Water-Pipit and a wintering _ Common Sandpiper were among the birds identified, and to Poole Harbour in February, when a tally of _ thirty-three species included Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, Slavonian and Black-necked _ Grebes, Scoters, Sheld-Duck and several species of Waders and Gulls. A very full dawn chorus greeted us on 7th May in Rood Ashton Park, but the lake was strangely - quiet—no Coot or Moorhens on it and no Swallows or Martins feeding above it. A camp-fire breakfast _ was afterwards quickly prepared by our leader, Miss C. Richards, and was greatly enjoyed. 1 Given to the Annual General Meeting in Salisbury, May 6, 1961. 70 Two attempts were made to watch Starlings at their winter roosts, but, on each occasion, they moved their quarters shortly before the meeting and the new roosts were not located. On 20th April, at the Museum, Mr. and Mrs. Grose gave a valuable demonstration of the stages involved in the preservation of plants and the arrangement of herbarium sheets. A list of plants still required for the Herbarium in the Museum was distributed, and several members undertook to be responsible for certain chosen species. The first botanical meeting of the year was held in Colerne Park on 24th April. Only the early plants were in flower, including Helleborus viridis, Paris quadrifolia and Orchis mascula, but several others were within a week or-so of flowering. Downland flora was studied at Clearbury on 15th May and Morgan’s Hill on 18th June on warm sunny days; many fine species of Orchis were identified. During an all-day visit by coach in mid-June to Portland Bill and Chesil Beach, an investigation of the pebble ridge at the East end of the Fleet was made, and typical colonising plant species were found. After bird-watching and lunch at the Bill, followed by a walk along the West Cliff, the West end of the Chesil Beach at Bexington was visited, and several other unusual colonising plants were found including Crambe maritima (Sea kale). In March, Mr. J. H. Savory, a trustee of the Steep Holm Trust, came to the Museum to give an illustrated talk about the island in preparation for a visit to it, which was made by twenty-one members and friends under his leadership on 21st May. After the sea crossing from Weston-super-Mare, we circled the island before landing and were thus able to see its geological structure. The Steep Holm Peony was in flower above the landing beach. The island was so thickly covered by dense growths of Smyrnium olusatrum (Alexanders) and nesting Herring Gulls, that great care had to be taken not to tread on Herring Gull eggs or chicks hidden amongst it. Ten members of the party stayed overnight in the Old Barracks, and one returned later in the summer with two friends to stay for several days and make a survey of the insects. Mr. R. S. Barron led a carefully prepared geology meeting in September. From Malmesbury, we followed the course of the River Avon through Seagry, Chippenham, Lacock, Melksham and Staverton to Bradford-on-Avon and Avoncliff. On the return journey the By Brook, a tributary of the Avon, was followed up-stream to Castle Combe. At convenient places, halts were made to examine the strata through which the rivers flow. The fourteenth Annual General Meeting of the Section was held at the Society’s Museum in Devizes on 2nd July, and was followed by tea and a walk, led by Mrs. Ida Gandy, on Roundway Down. The year’s activities ended with two meetings at the Museum. Mr. F. R. Sterne gave a delightful talk entitled “ Nature my Workshop’. With the use of his own colour slides, tape recordings and drawings we were reminded of some of the delights of each season, with digressions from this theme to demon- strate the detailed structure of such varied objects as rocks, feathers and a butterfly’s probosis. The conversazione on 26th November attracted twenty-nine members, and contributions covered a wide range of natural history activities. Amongst several exhibits, prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Grose, was a series of photographs and diagrams to show the effect of spraying on roadside flora. Mr. D. G. Browne’s hedgehog and two axelotils aroused much interest. After tea, three sets of coloured slides were shown: birds and butterflies by members of Marlborough College N.H.S., a wide range of plants, including several Wiltshire rarities, by Mr. N. U. Grudgings, and finally some very beautiful photo- graphs taken by Mr. David Barnes during his visit to Iceland. To all our leaders and speakers, and to all those who have kindly granted permission for us to enter. their land, we are most grateful. — 71 THE WEATHER OF 1960 By R. A. U. JENNINGS The mutability of English weather provides us with much conversation and discounts optimism. Very few people expected that 1959 would be repeated, and those few were disappointed. Holiday months are those that we remember and the holiday times, were wet; and with a sunshine deficiency. Over most _ of the County some rain fell on nearly two thirds of the days of the year and there were a hundred sun- _ less days. Yet the year was not without agreeable features and some mild excitements. The snowfalls of January _ blocked many roads and provided the newspapers with copy. There were at least two June thunder- storms, whose speed and violence were memorable; on Whitsunday afternoon in Marlborough it only tained for six minutes, but nearly half an inch fell in that short period. A few days later there was a night storm of remarkable brilliancy. The exceptional rainfall of the autumn brought wide spread and long-lasting floods. The spring months were above the average for pleasantness and there was a lovely spell of hot weather in mid-June. The first frost came early, but the closing months of the year were mild. _ In the summary below ‘‘T” means temperature; ‘‘R” means rainfall; ‘‘S’’ means sunshine; “* +? means excess; “‘ — ’? means deficiency; “‘ O ’’ means nearly normal. qt R. S. i Jan. Oo ++ — Mild at first; deep snow in the middle | Feb. O O ++ Exceptionally sunny | March + — — Normal | April + _ O Good on the whole May ae — O The year’s best month June + ++ +--+ Sunny, witha short hot spell | July — + O Cool, wet and otherwise featureless August — + — Dull and malevolent | Sept. _ + O A little better | Oct. = a —— Nearly the “ wettest ever ”’ | Nov. + ++ O Floody | Dec. O + O Mild and wet i 1960 O -- O Wet G. Aitchison Dr. J. S. Ash David Barnes Egbert Barnes Mrs. Barnes .. G.L. Boyle .. C. J. Bridgman John Buxton .. a's Dr. Bruce Campbell P. J. Chadwick F Howard J. Clase Major W. M. Congreve R. M. Curber E John Cuss. C. A. Cutforth A. A. Dunthorn F. P. Errington D. D. Fieldhouse Mrs. Forbes . ys Miss K. G. Forbes .. George Forster Miss M. C. Foster D. W. Free David Fry... as Mrs. Gandy .. de Miss Beatrice Gillam G. W. Hemmings Major R. K. Henderson Anthony Horner Miss A. Hutchison .. Brian Jones E. L. Jones Julian Lawson Mrs. Lawson 72 WILTSHIRE BIRD NOTES FOR 1960 Recorders: RUTH G. BARNES, GEOFFREY L. BOYLE AND R. L. VERNON Contributors : G.A. C.G. Lock .. nee C.G.L. J.S.A. Miss Mary Luckham 7 es M.K.L. D.G.B. Marlborough College N.H. Society M.C. E.C.B. Mrs. Morgan : re a V.M. R.G.B. J.C. C. Oliver J.C.C.O. G.L.B. Bernard Osmond B.O. C.J.B. Mrs. Osmond E.O. E.J.M.B. E. G. Parsons E.G.P. B.C. C. M. R. Pitman C.M.R.P. P.J.C. Brigadier J. R. I. Platt J.R.LP. H.J.C. Countess of Radnor LR. W.M.C. Miss E. Ramsay E.R. R.M.C. Mrs. Ridley C.R. (2) J.C. Cyril Rice ‘ C.R. C.A.C. Miss Helen Rice H.R. A.D. J.C. Rolls J.C.R. F.P.E. Peter Roberts P.R. D.D.F. Brigadier Searight E.E.G.LS. V.E.F. Mrs. Seccombe Hett.. C.S.H. K.G.F. A. Smith A.S. G.H.F. R. J. Spencer R.J.S M.C.F. B. M. Stratton B.M.S. D.W.F. Aidan Sudbury AS. (2) D.E.F. Noel Sudbury N.D.S. L.G. Noel Tilley N.T. B.G. J. L. A. Tyler J.L.A.T. G.W.H. J. D. R. Vernon J.D.R.V. R.K.H. R. L. Vernon R.L.V. A.J.H. G. L. Webber G.L.W. A.H. G. Weyman .. G.W. B.W.J. Ralph Whitlock R.W. E.L.J. Miss D. Williams .. D.W. J.R.L. Revd. H. R. Williamson H.R.W. V.C.L M. A. Wright M.A.W. Abbreviations used in the text :— Gravel pits G.P. Sewage farm S.F. One of the most interesting notes of 1960 is the first published record of the Marsh Harrier since 1878. There are three records of Phalarope, which are scarce visitors, and the low water level at Coate Water produced an interesting list of waders. . A welcome feature this year are the records received from observers who also trap birds for ringing. The volume of notes sent in continues to grow and consequently only the most interesting can be printed. It is hoped that contributors will understand that this is inevitable. | | RECORDS 5. GREAT CRESTED GREBE. Absent from Coate in breeding season owing to reduced water level (J.C.). Two pairs bred successfully on Braydon Pond (R.G.B.). On Corsham Lake a pair were nesting Feb. 7th and had 5 eggs, Feb. 14th, a very early date. Unfortunately the nest was robbed, probably by gulls. There were 6 nests here altogether (J.C.R., G.W.H.). A nest with eggs on Westbury Pond, Apr. 10th (A.S.). Other pairs seen in spring were, 1 on Tockenham Reservoir, | on Ashton Keynes G.P. (R.G.B.); 4 on Bowood (B.G.); | on Fonthill and 2 on Shearwater (R.J.S.). 28. CORMORANT. One at Longford, Mar. 14th (M.K.L.); one by the Avon at Charlton All Saints, May 13th (P.R.); 2 flew over Salisbury, Aug. 3rd (D.E.F., A.J.H.); and one on Coate Water, Oct. 6th (P:R.). 30. HERON. Breeding reported from the following heronries: Leigh, one nest (R.G.B.); Bowood, 23 nests (G.L.B.); Great Bradford Wood, 25 nests (R.J.S.); The Warren, Savernake, 7 nests (N.T., M.C.); Boyton, 2 definite, 2 others possible (J.R.I.P.); Hurdcott, one (M.K.L.); Trafalgar, 4 nests (P.R.). 38. BITTERN. One seen on several occasions during the first fortnight of April but no booming heard by Mr. T. Williams, Water Keeper at Longford Castle (I.R.). One seen near Marlborough, Oct. 18th— 19th by The Master of Marlborough (M.C.). 45. MALLARD. Maximum numbers: Coate, January c. 500, Nov. 20th c. 600 (G.L.W.); Corsham Lake, Oct. 2nd c. 134 (J.C.R., G.W.H.); Shearwater, Jan. 16th c. 100(R.J.S.). 46. TEAL. Maximum numbers: Coate, c. 300 in mid-February; c. 275, Nov. 20th (G.L.W.); Clarendon Lake, 40, Feb. 6th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 47. GARGANEY. A pair at Coate, Aug. 27th, the drake still in partial eclipse. They stayed about half an hour, then flew off due west (G.L.W.). 49.GADWALL. Three at Charlton All Saints, Jan. 31st (C.G.L.). One was reported at Clarendon Lake in September by Major Christie Miller (R.W.). Single birds also seen at Longford, Oct. 16th (M.K.L.), and Wilton Water, Dec. 18th (B.G.). 50. WIDGEON. Maximum numbers: Coate, 16, Dec. 31st (G.L.W.); Braydon Pond, 59, Feb. 14th (R.G.B.); Clarendon Lake, 40, Feb. 6th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 52. PINTAIL. A drake on Braydon Pond, Feb. 14th (R.G.B.). Four at Charlton All Saints, Dec. 4th (C.G.L.); and a female at Coate, Dec. 31st (E.L.J.). 53. SHOVELER. A pair on Braydon Pond, Feb. 16th and 2 pairs, Apr. 6th (R.G.B.). A pair at Corsham Lake, Apr. 24th (J.C.R.). Five other records of single birds. 56. TUFTED DUCK. Nine broods of ducklings at Clarendon Lake, July 7th (D.E.F., A.J.H.); c. 40 ducklings at Longleat, July 24th (B.G.); on the Kennet a pair had 2 young at Axford, Aug. 20th (M.C.F.), and another had 10 young at Ramsbury in June (V.C.L., J.R.L.). Maximum numbers: Fonthill, c. 70, Feb. 18th (B.M.S.); Braydon Pond, 28, Mar. 12th (R.G.B.); Shearwater, 20, Jan. 16th (R.J.S.); Corsham Lake, 23, Jan. 24th (J.C.R.). 57. POCHARD. Maximum numbers: Coate, 51, Dec. 31st (G.L.W.); Corsham Lake, 25, Dec. 26th (J.C.R.); Fonthill, c. 40, Mar. 4th (B.M.S.). 60 GOLDENEYE. Animmature drake shot at Longford Castle water meadows, Jan. 9th (I.R.) 70. GOOSANDER. A ‘ red-head ’ preening on the bank of the Avon at Longford, Jan. 20th (I.R.). Two ‘red-heads ’ at Coate, Dec. 12th, one appreciably larger than the other and greyer on back; it also showed more white in wing. Probably a first-winter male (G.L.W.). 73. SHELD-DUCK. A juvenile at Coate, Aug. 8th—2I1st (M.C.F., G.L.W., J.L.A.T.). GREY Goose. A flock of c. 30 heard and seen in flight near Maiden Bradley, Feb. 11th. Calling was indistinguishable from the voice of White Fronts (J.C.C.O.). A local newspaper reported that a flock of c. 500 flew east over Devizes at rooftop level, Mar. 31st. 76. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. An immature bird at Coate, Jan. 28th, seen on water, at edge and in flight. Uniform unbarred underparts, no facial white, pinkish bill, orange legs (E.L.J.). VOL. LVIII-CCIX y 74 78. PINK-FOOTED GEESE. One at Coate, Jan. 24th, feeding on grass in company with Teal. Full des- cription given,including pink legs and feet, bill black at base and tail, with wide pink band. Bird very suspicious but watched at ranges down to 80 yards with telescope and binoculars, (G.L.W., G.W., M.C.F.). 82. CANADA GOOSE. Two at Coate, Apr. 5th (A.S.(2)). Three on Braydon Pond, Apr. 15th (C.R.). 86. BEWICK’S SWAN. A first winter bird was seen at Charlton Ail Saints, and later at Britford, in February and March. From the yellow on the bill, the bird was of theEastern form, as the yellow looked more like the shape illustrated for the Whooper. However, the bird was considerably smaller than nearby Mute Swans, and had the rounder head that is the mark of the Bewick. Close inspection satis- fied observer that the bird was a Bewick and not a Whooper, for which it might easily have been taken (G.H.F.). At Braydon Pond one adult and four immature birds were seen, Mar. 27th and a single adult, Dec. 16th (R.G.B., D.G.B.). 91. BUZZARD. Many flight records from 10 observers. In the Bratton area a bird was seen on a nest, May 8th, 15th and 22nd, after which date no Buzzards were seen anywhere near. There was no sign of nest robbery, but night exercises in late May could have caused desertion (E.E.G.L.S.). Numbers at Maiden Bradley much as last year, and young birds seen in flight (J.C.C.O.). One found dead near Great Bedwyn was thought to have been feeding on pigeons, which had died from corn dressing poison- ing (N.T.). 99. MARSH HARRIER. A male was watched for nearly an hour, sometimes at close range, at Braydon Pond on Mar. 27th. It was hunting the reed beds, over which it flew to and fro a few feet up, occasion- ally dropping to the ground. The head was slightly paler than the mantle, which was deep chestnut brown, the tail grey. The underparts light chestnut, primaries black and secondaries grey. Size as Buzzard. Parties of duck flew up as it crossed the water and it was mobbed by crows until it finally dropped into the reeds, from which it did not emerge in the next half hour. Both observers were familiar with the species. (R.G.B., D.G.B.). This appears to be the first published record for the county since 1878. 100. HEN HARRIER. A female or immature bird seen 4 miles north of Salisbury, from Devizes road, Jan. 30th (G.H.F.). 102. MONTAGU’S HARRIER. A male seen flying at Whitsbury, July 22nd (G.H.F.). An adult pair over W.D. ranges near Everleigh, Aug. Ist (P.J.C., M.A.W.). A male at Clearbury Ring, Aug. 15th (C.G.L.). 104. HopBy. First seen Apr. 30th, two, (D.E.F., A.J.H.). May Ist, one (E.E.G.L.S.). A single bird over the downs, May 28th (B.G.) and on May 29th G.H.F. and E.E.G.L.S. each recorded a pair. Four seen, of which 2 were chasing a Swift, Aug. 20th (A.S.(2)).. An adult bird was seen with 2 young, Aug. 25th. The old bird, with a Swift in its talons, turned on its back and one young bird stooped and took it from the old bird, but failed to hold it and the Swift was able to get away (E.G.P.). A pair watched feeding 3 newly fledged young, Sept. 11th. One adult and one young bird still at breeding site, Sept. 25th (G.L.W., G.W.). These records are all from different areas, which are not named for reasons of security. 105. PEREGRINE. An old male seen flying into the county from the New Forest near Redlynch, Feb. 27th (E.L.J.); one mobbed by Lapwings at Old Sarum, May 21st (A.J.H.); a dark bird over Boscombe Down, Aug. 19th (G.H.F.); one stooping at Golden Plover on Roundway Down, Nov. 30th (M.C.). A female was seen near Salisbury Cathedral spire, Dec. 13th and 20th (M.K.L.). One flying S.W. over Bratton, Dec. 31st (E.E.G.L.S.). 107. MERLIN. One near Collingbourne Ducis, Jan. 16th (A.S.(2)). A small hawk with pointed wings seen flying low near Idmiston, Feb. 20th, was thought to be of this species (G.H.F.). Seen several times in late November and early December near Pitton (R.W.). 110. KESTREL. Eight birds in the air together over Tan Hill, Aug. 21st. Two or three were juveniles (G.L.B.). Nest and eggs at Savernake, May 21st (M.C.). At least one pair bred in the Porton area, and in the autumn and winter numbers there seemed to be well up to normal (G.H.F.). 115. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. Noted near Wilton Water (M.C.), Roundway Down and Easton Down (B.G.), Mildenhall (R.K.H.) and Porton (G.H.F.). 75 117. QUAIL. Heard calling in growing corn at Pitton in late May (R.W.). Heard on King’s Play Down, May 30th (B.G.), West Dean Hill, June 26th (G.H.F.). Both seen and heard at Sound Bottom - and Hackpen, June 29th (M.C.) and heard again at Hackpen, July 8th (R.M.C.). Three calling in one downland area (J.C.); two heard in a barley field near Biddestone, July 8th (E.C.B., D.G.B.). One heard at Aldbourne, Aug. Ist (M.C.F.), one at Bodenham, Sept. 9th (C.G.L.), and one flushed while harvesting near Stratford Tony, Sept. 27th (V.E. Duffet per A.J.H.). 120. WATERRAIL. Seen at Sherrington in January (E.V.F., K.G.F.); at Corsham Lake in January and February (G.W.H., C.J.R.), and at Idmiston from January to March (G.H.F.). One on the Plain by the Chitterne brook near Imber, where there is only water in a wet winter, Jan. 21st (J.R.I.P.). Seen at Clarendon Lake in February (D.E.F., A.J.H.), and at Axford (M.C.) and Coate in March (M.C.F.). No records from March 20th until Nov. 19th, both at Coate (G.L.W.). 125. CORNCRAKE. One seen near Stratford Tony, Sept. 25th (V. E. Duffet per A.J.H.). 133. LAPWING. A flock of c. 2,000 near Barbury, Jan. 10th (G.L.W.); and c. 600 near Hullavington, Oct. 6th (J.D.R.V.); c.450 roosting at Cole Park, Dec. 30th (E.M.J.B.). A clutch of 5 eggs near Bluns- don, Apr. 27th (J.C.). 134. RINGED PLOVER. Between midnight and 0200 hours, Mar. 3lst, large flocks heard flying over Melksham; waves of birds appeared to pass at about 10 minute intervals. The calls mostly 2 syllable but occasional ‘ pit-a-lee-o ” and ‘ rolling ’ calls heard (R.J.S.). At Coate single birds were seen, Mar. 27th (R.M.C.), Apr. 27th and Aug. 18th, and 2, Sept. 26(G.L.W.). 135. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. One at Coate, Apr. 20th. Thin white line above the black band on fore- head, also absence of wing bar and light coloured legs noted. Call note * pew ’, (N.D.S., A.S.(2)). 140. GOLDEN PLOVER. Largest flocks seen: at Barbury 56, Jan. 10th (G.L.W.); at Old Sarum, c. 200, Sept. 20th and c. 400, Dec. 17th (D.E.F., A.J.H.); at Colerne airfield, c. 73, Sept. 22nd (C.J.B.); at Allington, c. 150, Oct. 27th (M.C.); near Ramsbury, c. 200, Nov. 13th (V.C.L., J.R.L.), near Bishops Cannings, c. 100, Nov. 25th (B.G.) and several hundreds near Winterbourne Ford in November (R.W.). On Mar. 27th, at Old Sarum, the flock included many of the Northern race (G.H.F.). 145. snipe. Maximum numbers at Coate, c. 150, Nov. 19th (G.L.W.). Two birds shot at Longford, Jan. 13th, of which one was ringed near Cranborn, 9.9.59 and the other near Colchester, 25.10.49. The latter is the oldest Snipe reported under the Ringing Scheme (I.R.). | 147. JacK SNIPE. Noted at Coate, Mar. 27th, and from Sept. 22nd to the end of the year; c. 20 seen, Nov. 19th (G.L.W.). Seen at Maiden Bradley in February and November (J.C.C.O.). 148. woopcock. From one to three seen roding near Clarendon Lake, March to July (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Young reported near Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). 150. cUuRLEW. First heard Feb. 28th, Keevil (R.L.V.). Seen in the following breeding area in spring: a pair near Coate and another near Rodbourne S.F. (G.L.W.); two pairs north of Wootton Bassett and one pair near Tockenham (R.G.B., D.G.B.); a pair near Aldbourne (1.G.); three pairs near Patney and one pair in the Sandridge Vale (R.J.S.); seen during the breeding season near the Dorset border (B.M.S.). A pair spent the spring and summer at Brinkworth, but no evidence of breeding. Another pair reared 2 young near Grittenham (P.R.). A clean-lined egg shell, in two large parts, found near Urchfont, May 8th (H.R.). Atleast 20 flying SSW. over Compton Bassett, Aug. 23rd (B.W.J.). 151. WHIMBREL. Three flew over the canal at Hilperton Marsh, calling, July 30th (G.L.B.). 156. GREENSANDPIPER. Recorded in every month except May and November. 157. WOOD SANDPIPER. One at Coate, June 2nd. The ‘ chiff-chiff ’ call note heard, and, as it passed overhead, the feet seen projecting beyond the tail (G.L.W., G.W.). 159. COMMON SANDPIPER. Many records between Apr. 8th and Aug. 21st. 161. REDSHANK. First noted Feb. 28th, Lacock G.P. (G.W.H.). One pair seen in spring at Ashton Keynes G.P. (R.G.B.), Idmiston (G.H.F.), and Clarendon (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Two pairs near Aldbourne (1.G.) and four pairs by the Chitterne Brook (C.R.(2))._ By the Kennet there were 2 or 3 pairs at Rams- bury, one pair at Whittonditch and 2 pairs at Chilton Foliat (M.C.F.). iJ 76 162. SPOTTED REDSHANK. A bird at Coate from Aug. 18th to 21st. Seen by 7 observers and full des- cription given. Call note ‘ choo-it ’ heard (G.L.W., R.J.S., D.G.B. et a/.). Whilst watching migrating passerines at Ham Hill, Sept. 25th, a bird in full winter plumage dropped in to feed at a dew pond at 20 yards distance (G.L.W., G.W.). 165. GREENSHANK. At Coate one was seen July 3lst (G.L.W.), two, Aug. 21st (B.G., R.J.S.) and one Sept. 19th (G.L.W.). One flew over a garden at Idmiston in evening, calling, Aug. 8th (G.H.F.). A single bird at Lacock G.P., Sept. 18th and Oct. 2nd (G.W.H., J.C.R.). 169. KNOT. Two birds in first winter plumage at Coate, Sept. 7th—9th, and a single first winter bird, Sept. 12th (G.L.W., G.W., R.H.W.). 171. LITTLE STINT. One bird which allowed approach to within a few feet at Coate, Sept. 19th, 23rd, 24th (G.L.W., G.W.). 178. DUNLIN. At Coate a bird in full summer plumage was seen May Ist, two birds, Sept. 19th and four, Sept. 20th—22nd (G.L.W.). 179. CURLEW SANDPIPER. One at Coate with Dunlin, Sept. 19th—23rd, allowed close approach. It was in partial summer plumage, with some chestnut red on belly and lower breast. White rump noted in flight and call heard (G.L.W., H.R.W., G.W.). 181. SANDERLING. Four birds probably of this species by the Bybrook at Ford, Apr. 24th, were flushed about 15 times and each time they did not fly far, but kept low over the water. Watched for 14 hours through binoculars and approached within 20 ft. Colour brown, white underparts except for brown neck and breast. In flight, white wing bars, white outer tail feathers and brown rump noted (C.J.B.). 184. RUFF. One Ruff and a possible Reeve at Coate, Sept. 19th. The latter was much shyer than the Ruff and could not be positively identified (G.L.W.). 187/188. RED-NECKED or GREY PHALAROPE. A phalarope stayed at Coate from Oct. 4th—9th. As there were considerable differences of opinion among observers as to which species it belong to the case must remain * non-proven ’ (G.L.W., P.R., M.C., R.M.C., D.G.B., et al). A bird reported to J.C.C.O., as having spent two days on Rodmead Farm Pool, Maiden Bradley, in late September was undoubtedly a phalarope, but further details not available. One seen swimming on Fonthill Lake on Nov. 11th appeared to be of the Grey species (B.M.S.). 189. STONE CURLEW. Localities not given for reasons of security. First seen Mar. 27th (M.C.). A bird watched on downland nest did not leave in 3 hours, Apr. 26th (G.L.B.). A nest seen where eggs hatched, May 5th (G.H.F.). A nest found with 2 eggs, June 17th. On July 10th there was one chick in the nest and one dead 5 yards away, the weather was very wet and stormy. Five birds seen here July 22nd (V.C.L., J.R.L.). Two birds put off newly ploughed downland, May 27th, and in another area 2 birds were seen in a field of young kale. These behaved as though nesting, but were not seen again (B.G.). Several nests seen by R.W. Last seen Sept. 14th (E.L.J.); Sept. 20th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 198. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. Single birds at Clarendon Lake, Feb. 6th (D.E.F., A.J.H.), near Marlborough, June 19th (M.C.) and by flood water at Pitton in late December (R.W.). Two at Britford, July 22nd (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 199. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Winter records as follows: two at Chiseldon and one at Broome, S.F., Jan. 10th, 5 at Oaksey, Feb. 7th (G.L.W.). Three at Seagry, Jan. 25th (R.G.B.), 21 near Seend, Jan. 31st (G.L.B.). and one at Corsham Lake, Feb. 14th (G.W.H.). Comparable numbers at Keevil airfield, as in previous years. They began to decrease the last week in February (R.L.V.). Single birds at Wilsford. Nov. 15th (B.G.), Longford, Dec. 11th (M.K.L.) and Ford, Dec. 17th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Three of the Scandinavian race at Clarendon, Apr. 14th and one Apr. 23rd (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 200. HERRINGGULL. One at Barbury, Jan. 10th and 5, Feb. 21st. Seven at Coate, Mar. 26th (G.L.W.). A flock of 200, with a smaller number of Common Gulls, near Wilsford, Nov. 15th (B.G.). 212. BLACK TERN. One in winter plumage at Coate, Aug. 27th—29th (M.C.F., G.L.W.). One in autumn plumage at Braydon Pond, August. 30th, which at times was mobbed by Swallows (R.G.B., D.G.B.). 77 217/218. COMMON or ARCTIC TERN. One definite Arctic Tern at Coate, Apr. 15th—17th (G.L.W.). Single birds at Corsham Lake, June Sth and 26th (J.C.R.) and at Coate, July 17th; a juvenile at Coate, Aug. 22nd (G.L.W.). 235. TURTLE DOVE. First seen Apr. 22nd, Keevil (R.L.V.); May 2nd, Great Bedwyn (B.G.); May 3rd, Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.). Last seen September. 11th, Buttermere (G.W.); Sept. 14th, Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.) and West Harnham (E.L.J.); Sept. 19th, Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 237. cuckoo. First heard Apr. 7th, West Woods (C.A.C.); Apr. 10th, Britford (F.P.E., G.H.F.); Apr. 11th, Amesbury (J.S.A.). Last seen Aug. 28th, Rodbourne S.F. (G.L.W.) and Hackpen Hill (D.G.B.); Oct. 14th, one being mobbed by birds at Keevil, a late date (R.L.V.). All autumn records were of juvenile birds. 241. BARN OWL. Single birds seen hunting by daylight in January near Ford, Winsley, Colerne (C.J.B.) and Wingfield (A.S.); in February near Great Bradford Wood (R.J.S.): in March near Berwick _ Bassett (B.W.J.) and Long Dean; also in December near Codford (K.G.F., E.V.F.). 249. SHORT-EARED OWL. One hunting at 17.00 hours near Highpost, Sept. 22nd (D.E.F.). One flushed from grass on Imber Down in December (J.R.1.P.). On Dec. 20th, 6 were seen together on the Downs north of Salisbury, near the Devizes road, and a further 5 near the Shrewton-Chitterne road (E.G.P.). 252. NIGHTJAR. First seen May 14th at Clarendon, where 3 pairs nested (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Two uests - found at Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). Heard late at night between Minety and Charlton (E.J.M.B.). Apparently absent from Great Bedwyn this year (M.C.). | 255. swirT. First seen Apr. 24th, Milk Hill (B.G.) and Coate (G.L.W.); Apr. 25th, Ford (C.S.H.), Corsham (J.C.R.), Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.), and Melksham (C.A.C.). On July 18th there were c 1,500 at Coate and on July 21st 800 to 1,000; maximum numbers on both evenings occurred about 40 minutes before dark (G.L.W.). Last seen Aug. 28th, Cole Park (E.J.M.B.); Aug. 30th, two over Braydon Pond (R.G.B., D.G.B.); Sept. Ist, four and Sept. 4th, one at Coate (G.L.W.). 258. KINGFISHER. More than 15 at Britford over about one mile of watermeadows, where I1 birds _ were ringed during a day’s trapping (D.E.F., A.J.H.). A pair seen near Stitchcombe Mill (M.C.F.) and _ a pair throughout the year on the Bybrook (C.J.B.). | 263. GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. One, on a string bag containing fat, in garden at Ramsbury, Feb. 20th (V.C.L., J.R.L.); one constantly visited a coconvt near house at Upton Lovelin May (J.R.I.P.). A pair visited a bird table at Seagry throughout the year, eating hazel nuts, fat and bread; also drank from a bird-bath. On July 27th the female brought a young bird to the table (R.G.B., D.G.B.). This habit of visiting tables seems to be becoming increasingly common. 264. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Notes on this species will be included in the results of an enquiry in a future report. 271. WOODLARK. One singing near Maiden Bradley, Feb. 25th (J.C.C.O.) and one at Perham Down, _ Apr. 17th (E.L.J.). Seen after Apr. 30th in breeding season on Porton ranges (G.H.F.). A nest with 3 _ young on Somerford Common, July 25th and a single bird in Webbs Wood, Nov. 9th (P.R.). 274. SWALLOW. First seen Mar. 28th, Braydon Pond (E.J.M.B.); Mar. 30th, Stoford (W.M.C.); _ Apr. Ist, Coate (G.L.W.). A male, trapped in a pill-box at Old Sarum, was found to have been ringed _ there last year but this year had a different unringed mate (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Last seen Oct. 27th, Coate ™. C.); Oct. 28th, Hilperton Marsh (G.L.B.); Oct. 29th, Porton (A.D.). | 276. HOUSE MARTIN. First seen Apr. 2nd, Longleat (A.S.); Apr. 8th, Semington (G.L.B.); Apr. 9th, _ Stapleford (R.L.V.) and Coate (B.G.). About 1 ,000 on telephone wires at Milton Lilbourne, with a few Swallows, Sept. 25th (B.G.). Last seen Oct. 16th, Chilton Foliat (G.L.W.); Oct. 18th, Devizes (B.G.); - Oct. 27th, Coate (M.C.). | 277. SAND MARTIN. First seen Mar. 27th, Britford (P.R.); Apr. Ist, Coate (G.L.W.). At least 6 pairs _ feeding young in nests at Nash Hill sand pits, July 20th (B.G.). Last seen Sept. 11th, on passage at Ham | Hill and Sept. 21st, one at Coate (G.L.W.). | 281. HOODED CROW. Two at BroomeS.F., Jan. 9th(G.L.W.). 78 282. ROOK. One, killed in a crow trap at Overton in early March, had been ringed as nestling at East Hendred, Berks (J.S.A.). 288. GREAT TIT. Regularly removed most of cap and 4 in. of milk from milk bottle at Devizes in February and March. Removal of tops re-started Aug. 8th (B.G.). 293. WILLOW TIT. One seen near Bybrook at Ford in February and December (C.J.B.); two near Clarendon Lake, Apr. 9th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Two pairs and many signs of new and old workings on dead stumps at Vernditch Chase, May Ist (J.S.A.). Seen with young in Savernake, May 21st (M.C.). A pair identified, June 11th, nesting in a very smail bolt hole in an iron gate post near Upton Lovel. Only one young survived, possibly owing to restricted nest site (J.R.I-P.). One ringed at Coate, Aug. 7th, where birds were present throughout year; and at Ham Hill there were 2, Sept. 25th and 9, Oct. 2nd (G.L.W.). 294. LONG-TAILED TIT. Some large parties indicated a good breeding season. Eighteen at Ham Hill, Sept. 16th (G.L.W.); 20 near Corsham Lake from August (J.C.R.). Abundant near Pitton in late sum- mer and autumn (R.W.). In December flocks of 16 at Coate (G.L.W.) and c. 10 at Slaughterford (C.J.B.). Two were seen on a bird table in Salisbury, Feb. 14th (M.K.L.). 298. TREECREEPER. Fresh droppings and newly excavated roosting holes in Wellingtonias at Bowood, Jan. 17th, and roosting holes found in two Wellingtonias at Erlestoke, Dec. 18th (B.G.). 299. wREN. On four dates from Nov. 13th to Dec. 31st a very pale leucistic bird was seen in scrub cover at Coate. It was very conspicuous, but its plumage blended well with dying reeds (G.L.W.). 300. pbippER. A pair built near Maiden Bradley, but did not lay owing to disturbance (J.C.C.O.). A nest found with 4 eggs just chipping, May 15th, near Bybrook (G.L.W., G.W.); and a single bird in this area in autumn (C.J.B.). 302. FIELDFARE. Last seen in spring Apr. 16th, Odstock (F.P.E.); Apr. 24th, Allington Down (R.J.S.); May 5th, Allington (G.H.F.). First seen in autumn Oct. 16th, Pewsham (J.L.A.T.) and at Ham where flocks totalled c. 500 (G.L.W.); Oct. 18th, Compton Bassett (B.W.J.). One ringed as nestling 10.6.55, Domkesdden, Hamar, Norway (60° 48’N—11° 5’E) was found dead, 1.3.56 at Larkhill, c. 1,300 km. SSW. 304. REDWING. Last seen in spring Apr. 3rd, Patney (R.J.S.); Apr. 6th, Shaw (C.A.C.); Apr. 10th, Barbury (G.L.W.). First seen in autumn Sept. 25th, 2 at Ham Hill (G.L.W., G.W.); Oct. 11th, heard passing over Melksham (R.J.S.), and over Swindon Oct. 12th, 13th and 14th (G.L.W.). 308. BLACKBIRD. An adult male ringed at Cole Park, 30,6,59 killed by a cat at Saundersfoot, Pem- brokeshire, 7.2.60, c. 110 miles W. (E.J.M.B.). 311. WHEATEAR. First seen Mar. 27th, Fyfield Down (M.C.); Apr. Ist, Lockeridge (C.A.C.); Apr. 3rd, Porton (G.W.F.). At Colerne airfields, birds on passage were present from Apr. 29th—May 9th, when the highest numbers seen were 42 on May 3rd, 22 on May 4th and 20 on May 5th, mostly male birds. Some appeared again from Aug. 9th to Oct. 10th (C.J.B.). Last seen elsewhere Oct. 2nd, Lid- dington (M.C.F.) and Ham Hill (G.L.W.); Oct. 5th, Compton Bassett (B.W.J.); Nov. 18th, Boscombe Down (G.H.F.). 317. STONECHAT. Singie birds seen near Chiseldon, Feb. 28th (B.C.), Walcot in March (G.L.W.) and Ramsbury, Apr. 22nd (M.C.F.). A pair, with presumed juvenile, above Bratton, June 26th (C.R.). Present during breeding season at Tidworth and seen in both winter seasons on Porton range, where breeding was suspected but not proved (G.H.F.). A pair below Milk Hill, Sept. 22nd (B.G.) and also at Walcot in October (G.L.W.). Two birds near Monkton Deverill in November/December (J.C.C.O.), and 2 pairs at Walcot and a bird at Coate in December (G.L.W.). About 10 records near Colling- bourne Ducis (A.S.(2)). 318. WHINCHAT. First seen Apr. 24th, Savernake (V.C.L., J.R.L.); Apr. 30th, Fyfield Down (M.C.); May 4th, Bishopsdown (P.R.). A male in last year’s nesting area at Imber, May 5th (G.L.B.). Seen throughout summer on Totterdown (M.C.). A family on Porton range, June 26th, had probably bred there. Several families seen in the Tidworth area (G.H.F.). A family seen at Russley, Aug. Ist, (M.C.F.) and another at Boscombe Down Aug. 8th (D.D.F.). Last seen Sept. 22nd, Milk Hill and Oct. 3rd, Heddington (B.G.). 79 320. REDSTART. First seen Apr. 8th, Old Sarum (D.E.F., A.J.H.); and Lockeridge (C.A.C.); Apr. — 10th, Everleigh (A.S.(2)). At least 2 pairs bred at Coate (G.L.W.). A pair nested in a box at Maiden _ Bradley (J.C.C.O.), and in a woodpile in Savernake (M.C.F.). A pair seen on Porton range, July 31st (G.H.F.). Last seen Aug. 28th, Collingbourne (A.S.(2)); Sept. 8th, Brinkworth (P.R.); Sept. 19th and _ 24th, Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 321. BLACK REDSTART. A female on the Ridgeway at Hackpen, Oct. 27th (M.C.). A male at Long- ford, Nov. 2nd (I.R.) and another observed at very close range at Highpost, Nov. 11th (D.W.). One at Colerne airfield, Dec. 22nd (G.A. per G.J.B.). 322. NIGHTINGALE. First heard Apr. 3rd, Savernake (D.W.F.); Apr. 20th, Sandridge Vale (R.J.S.); _ Apr. 21st, Biss Wood (R.L.V.). Many nests near Blunsdon and Water Eaton and heard singing near Cricklade, where not previously noted (J.C.). Last seen June 30th, Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.). 327. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. First noted April 15th, Coate (G.L.W.); Apr. 19th, Great Bradford Wood (R.J.S.); Apr. 23rd, Studley (J.L.A.T.). Also noted at Spirthill (C.S.H.); Ramsbury (V.C.L., J.R.L.); Vernditch Chase (J.S.A.) and Maiden Bradley in May (J.C.C.O.). Between 8 and 10 pairs at _ Coate (G.L.W.), and at least 5 pairs near Clarendon Lake (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Last seen Aug. 13th, — Coate (G.L.W.). 333. REED WARBLER. First heard Apr. 4th, Coate; c. 18 pairs there this year, and several birds trapped that had been ringed at Coate in 1959. One bird ringed there 1.8.60 was recovered on 12.10.60 at _ Fuencarral (Madrid) Spain (G.L.W.). 337. SEDGE WARBLER. First noted, one trapped near Clarendon Lake, Apr. 7th (D.E.F., A.J.H.); Apr. 10th, Coate (G.L.W.); Apr. 17th, Britford (F.P.E.). Last seen Sept. 3rd, Axford (M.C.F.); Sept. . 4th, Coate (G.L.W.). 343. BLACKCAP. First noted Apr. 6th, one trapped on Bishopsdown (P.R.); Apr. 7th, East Knoyle (B.M.S.); Apr. 10th, Britford (G.H.F.), Coate (M.C.F., G.L.W.) and Seagry (C.J.B.). Last noted Sept. _ 24th, one trapped at Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); Oct. 2nd, Ham Hill (G.L.W.). _ 346. GARDEN WARBLER. First noted Apr. 17th, Coate (M.C.F.) and Downton (V.M.); Apr. 26th, Ramsbury (V.C.L.). Last noted, Sept. 8th, one ringed at Coate (G.L.W.). 347. WHITETHROAT. First seen Apr. 16th, Idmiston (G.H.F.); Apr. 17th, Rodbourne S.F., Apr. 18th, _ Coate (G.L.W.). Last seen Sept. 29th, one ringed at Winterbourne (D.E.F., A.J.H.); October 2nd, Ham Hill, moving south-westerly along escarpment (G.L.W.); Oct. 4th, one ringed at Brinkworth (P.R.). _ An adult female ringed at Cole Park 25.7.59, killed by cat at Corsham 18.8.59 (E.J.M.B.). 348. LESSER WHITETHROAT. First noted Apr. 29th, High Post (G.H.F.); May Ist, Vernditch Chase (J.S.A.); May 4th, Bishopsdown (P.R.). Last seen in early September, Pitton (R.W.); Sept. 11, Ham Hill (G.L.W.). 354. WILLOW WARBLER. A Warbler seen at Britford, Mar. 27th was suspected to be a Willow (P.R.). First heard Mar. 31st, Box (C.S.H.); Apr. 4th, Keevil (R.L.V.); Apr. 6th, Idmiston (G.H.F.). Last seen Sept. 17th one ringed at Coate (G.L.W.); Oct. 9th, Pewsham (J.L.A.T.). A Warbler at Codford, Feb. 2nd, was clearly seen to have pale legs (E.V.F., K.G.F.). As the leg colour is not always a reliable character, it could have been an over-wintering Chiff-Chaff. 356 CHIFFCHAFF. First heard Mar. 12th, Pitton (R.W.); Mar. 13th, Coate (G.L.W.) and Braydon | (R.G.B.); Mar. 16th, Clarendon (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Last noted Oct. 2nd, Devizes (B.G.); Oct. 4th, Idmiston (G.H.F.). Five seen and one trapped at Ford, Dec. 17th, were possibly over-wintering birds (D.E.F., A.J.H.). | 357. WOOD WARBLER. First noted Apr. 27th, Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.); May 4th, Savernake (M.C.) , Also noted on Fonthill Terraces, May 11th and 22nd (B.M.S., C.S.H.); Stitchcombe Hill, July 17th (M.C.F.). A pair during breeding season in beech hanger above East Knoyle (B.M.S.). 364. GOLDCREST. About 30in pine trees at Ham Hill, Sept. 26th, probably migrants (G.L.W.). | 366. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. First seen May 2nd, Keevil (R.L.V.); May 5th, Semington (G.L.B.); May 14th, Swindon (G.L.W.). Last seen Sept. 24th, Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); Sept. 25th, Coate (M.C.F.). One ringed as full grown at Portland Bill, Dorset, 17.5.59, 50° 31'N. 2° 27’W. recovered dead or dying, 16.8.59 near Amesbury, Wilts, 50 miles NE. (British Birds, Vol. 53, p. 497). 80 368. PIED FLYCATCHER. On Apr. 10th one was perched on a wire fence beside the road at Burney Hill, near Ramsbury (M.C.F.). A cock was seen on Bedwyn Common Apr. 15th (N.T.). 373. MEADOW PIPIT. Several pairs nesting on Rockley Down, May 7th (G.L.W.). 376. TREE PIPIT. First noted Apr. 7th, Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.); Apr. 15th, Collingbourne Woods (A.S.(2)); Apr. 17th, Coate (G.L.W.). One flushed and call heard with Meadow Pipit’s on Overton Down, Aug. 27th (E.L.J.). Four on passage at Ham Hill, Sept. 11th (G.L.W.). 380. WHITE WAGTAIL. Three at Bodenham, Mar. 25th(C.G.L.) Of 11 a/ba wagtails trapped at a roost at Clarendon Lake Sept. 24th, 3 were considered to be White Wagtails. One trapped at Britford, Sept. 27th, and 3 at Clarendon, Nov. 5 (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 381. GREY WAGTAIL. A pair near Cricklade had an incubation period for their first brood of only 11 days (J.C.). The Handbook mentions 13-14 days. Other nesting records in Malmesbury (G.W.H.), Baldham Mill, Keevil and Seend Head Mill (R.L.V.) and pair with young by Bybrook (C.J.B.).. Many other records out of the breeding season. 382. YELLOW WAGTAIL. First noted Apr. 2nd, Winterbourne Ford (R.W.); Apr. 7th, Compton Bassett (B.W.J.); Apr. 10th, Coate (G.L.W.). A pair nesting at Coate, June Sth, of which the male was normal, but the female an unusual type probably of the Blue-headed race; eye-stripe white, chin and throat dirty white, belly and flanks buff, upper parts much as usual. This pair were feeding a second brood, July 17th (G.L.W.). _c. 40 were roosting at Coate, Aug. 7th (G.L.W.). Last seen Sept. 8th, Colerne (C.J.B.); Sept. 21st, Coate (G.L.W.); Sept. 22nd, Highpost (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 388. RED-BACKED SHRIKE. A nest containing 4 eggs, May 18th, in a four-acre copse and a pair, May 20th, in what was almost certainly a nesting territory in a heavily overgrown rubbish dump in the Salisbury Plain area (H. H. Williams per Dr. Peakall). A male seen in a 1959 site, May 8th, and again on May 29th, when there was no sign of a female (G.L.B.). A pair with at least 2 young in the Swindon area, July 3rd (G.L.W.). Cne ringed as nestling 14.6.59 near Lyndhurst, Hants, 50° 53’N. 1° 35’W. Recovered dead or dying at Aldbourne, 29.7.59, 45 miles N. (British Birds, Vol. 53, p. 499). 389. STARLING. There was a roost at Chiseldon Wood from September until the end of November, when the birds moved elsewhere (M.C.). 391. HAWFINCH. One seen in early part of the year around hawthorns at Fonthill (B.M.S.). One found injured at Stokke Common, May 10th, which died later (N.T.). A hen orjuvenile seen to drink from a greenhouse tank at Codford, July 29th (K.G.F.). One seen at Porton in a flock of Chaffinches, Dec. 13th (G.H.F.). 394. SISKIN. Two at Coate, Jan. 28th (E.L.J.). A party of 9 seen at close range feeding on newly ploughed land by roadside hedge near Giddeahall, Apr. 8th (C.J.B.). At Maiden Bradley a flock of c. 15 were feeding in conifers, Oct. 15th (B.G.) and 30—40, Nov. 14th (J.C.C.O.). At Alderbury on Nov. 6th there was a flock of 50-100 (C.M.R.P.) and at Stourhead 30 were present from December 22nd to the end of the month (J.C.C.O.). 397. REDPOLL. One with Goldfinch in garden at Maiden Bradley, Jan. 24th—Feb. 11th (J.C.C.O.). Single birds at Rodbourne S.F., Feb. 21st (G.L.W.) and East Knoyle, Mar. 22nd (B.M.S.). Seven in alders at Clarendon Lake, Apr. 2nd (D.E.F., A.J.H.), 2 at Harnham, Apr. 6th (H.C.) and seven near Colerne in alders, Apr. 24th (C.J.B.). In summer, a single male on a hedge near Wylye, June 14th (D.W.). In autumn, one or two were seen at East Knoyle in early October and a flock of 6—8 feeding on birches, Nov. 7th (B.M.S.). On Dec. 10th and 27th birds were seen near Ogbourne St. George (D.W.F.), 9 were feeding with Goldfinches in Bowood, Dec. 18th (J.L.A.T.) and 3 or 4 in a garden hedge near birch and alder trees at Farley, Dec. 22nd (£.O.). i 401. BULLFINCH. On Jan. 10th three were seen feeding well out on stubble, in company with Skylarks and Chaffinches near Chisledon, altitude c. 700 ft. (G.L.W.). A female was sitting on 4 eggs in a nut bush at Teffont Magna, Aug. 21st, a late date. Subsequently the eggs hatched successfully (B.M.S.). 404. crossBILL. At Maiden Bradley some birds were seen on most days throughout the year. A small party, July 18th, and peak numbers of 40—45 on October 22nd. At Stourhead 20 were seen, Nov. 8th, and 15th on Nov. 22nd. A good crop of Japanese larch seed formed the main diet (J.C.C.O.). Three were watched for a time in a garden at Farley. Dec. 23rd (B.O.). 81 407. CHAFFINCH. A male ringed 12.10.56 at Sokndal, Rogaland, Norway 58° 20’20N. 6°17’E. recovered dead or dying, 18.1.59 at Charlton, Wilts, 51° 00’N. 2° 08’W. (British Birds, Vol. 53, p. 512). 408. BRAMBLING. Very small numbers recorded early in the year. Last seen in spring, Mar. 22nd, Druid’s Lodge, where there were many including a flock of c. 40 on newly sown corn (J.S.A.); Mar. 27th, a large flock with Chaffinches at Baydon (M.C.F.); Mar. 30th, Collingbourne Ducis (A.S.(2)). 410. CORN BUNTING. One singing on Tan Hill above 800 ft. Apr. 3rd (B.G.). Six singing in Barbury Castle area at heights from 700 to 800 ft. (G.L.W.). Breeds round Boscombe Down in some numbers (G.H.F.). Four or five singing at Lopcombe Corner, Apr. 16th (E.L.J.) an area not recorded in the Corn Bunting Enquiry, 1955. 415. CIRL BUNTING. Seen throughout the year at Idmiston (G.H.F.). One singing near North Char- ford, May 9th, and a female near Baydon, Sept. 18th (E.L.J.). 423. SNOW BUNTING. Arising from the note in last year’s Report that Snow Buntings have only been recorded in Wiltshire in three winters in this century, R.W. writes that on Jan. 28th and Feb. 4th, 1933 he saw one or two birds near Pitton in localities about a mile apart. 425. TREE SPARROW. c. 33 near Collingbourne Ducis, Jan. 17th (A.S(2)). Small numbers seen in January at Seend (G.L.B.); Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.); Ramsbury (M.C.F.); and Burderop (E.L.J.); in March at Britford (P.R.); in April below Avebury Down (G.L.B.). A pair bred in a nest box at Studley (J.L.A.T.) and also in one at Seagry (R.G.B.). At least 2 pairs bred in an orchard at Keevil (R.L.V.). Seen with young in June near Heddington and a pair at Hackpen Hill in July (B.G.). In September 2 were seen at Wanborough, c. 10 at Baydon (E.L.J.) and c. 20 on ploughed stubble near West Kington (C.R.). At Coate, 11 were seen in July and during November and part of December a - flock of c. 80 frequented waste ground there (G.L.W.). Checklist numbers of those species which, though not mentioned in these notes, were recorded in 1960:—9, 84, 93, 116, 118, 126, 127, 201, 208, 232, 234, 246, 247, 262, 272, 283, 286, 289, 290, 292, 296, 301, 303, 325, 371, 392, 393, 395, 409, 421, 424. __ Corrections to the Report for 1959:— | GREY GEESE were recorded by G.H.F. on 6/11 and not 6/4. ~ WHEATEAR recorded by G.H.F. on 21/3 and not 21/2. VOL, LVIII-CCIX K | 82 WILTSHIRE PLANT NOTES (21) (Fourth Supplement to The Flora of Wiltshire) compiled by DONALD Grose, Downs Edge, Liddington Addition to Bibliography (258) The Porton Flora, Dennis Read, 1943-4. (MS.) Now in the possession of R. A. Titt, Middle Winterslow. - Additions to Recorders Browne G. D. Holt 1960 Christie Miss D. Wilton 1960 Grinstead K. Salisbury 1960 Gummer C.S. Salisbury 1960 G Hill M. O. Marlborough 1960 209 Houghton Brown Miss M.C. Fisherton Delamere 1960 Howitt RVC. Lk. Newark-on-Trent 1960 Jardine N. Walton-on-Thames 1960 Luard Mrs. Calstone Wellington 1960 Maydon Miss A. Wylye 1960 Payne E. F, Street, Som. 1960 Read D. Porton 1943 258 Smith B. Mrs. Swindon 1960 G Venning Brig. F. E. W. Southampton 1958 Wilkinson, Mrs. Exmouth 1960 Undated records are for 1960. Adonis annua L. Pheasant’s Eye. 2. Near Smallgrain Plantation, Sandell; Christie! Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix. 8. Pond on Knook Down. R. arvensis L. Corn Crowfoot. 1. Dilton Vale, Bennett. Urchfont, Mrs. Wilkinson. Helleborus foetidus L. Stinking Hellebore. 5. Near Lopcombe Corner, 1944, Read (258). Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb. Winter Aconite. 2. Calstone Wellington, Luard. 3. Wood near Hanning- ton Church, abundant. Aconitum anglicum Stapf. Monkshood. 2. Roadside near Rowde, EF. V. & P. Cleverly. Papaver somniferum L. Opium Poppy. 8. Roadside near Kingston Deverill, Stratton. P. orientale L. 3. Roadside, Hayes Knoll. P.rhoeas L. Common Poppy. Var. hoffmanianum O. Kuntze. 8. Corton and Corton Downs, Carey. 9, Roadside near Chilmark, Stratton. P. dubium x rhoeas. 8. Corton Hill, Carey. P. argemone L. Rough Long-headed Poppy. 1. Thirteen Hundred Down. P. hybridum L. Rough Round-headed Poppy. 1. Thirteen Hundred Down, Payne. 5. Thorny Down. 8. Breakheart Hill. Corton, Carey. Arabis hirsuta (L.) Scop. Hairy Rock Cress. 1. Thirteen Hundred Down. Sisymbrium orientale L. 2. Chippenham, Pankhurst. Erysimum cheiranthoides L. Treacle Mustard. 7. Mill Road, Salisbury, Gummer (G). Erucastrum gallicum (Willd.) O. E. Schulz. 7. Frequent. 8. Knook Down. Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC. 4. Roadside, Walker’s Hill, 1959, 7. G. Collett. 7. Castle Road, Salis- bury, Gummer (G). D. muralis DC. Sand Rocket. 5. Roadside, Boscombe Down West. 7. Track, Dunch Hill, F. M. Day! Coronopus squamatus (Forsk.) Aschers. Swine’s Cress. 8. Corton, Carey. Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. Hoary Cress. 2. Rowde Common, P. Cleverly. Thlaspi arvense L. Penny Cress. 8. Corton, Carey. Viola odorata L. Sweet Violet. 9. Near Fonthill Lake, Stratton. ae aia officinalis L. Soapwort. 2. Roadside near Spittleborough Farm. 3. Common Head, /. M. rose! 83 Melandrium noctiflorum (L.) Fries. Night-flowering Catchfly. 4. Near Manton House. 5. East Grim- stead, Timperley. 7. Enford Farm. 8. Corton Down, Carey. Cerastium pumilum Curt. 2. Railway sidings, Beanacre Halt, Collett (L)! det. J. E. Lousley. The first certain record for many years. Minuartia tenuifolia (L.) Hiern. Fine-leaved Sandwort. 5. Railway track near Arundel Farm. Spergularia rubra (L.) J. & C. Presl. Sand Spurrey. 4. Granham Hill, R. A. C. Hughes (209). 10. Whit- sbury Wood (Hants), Gillam! Hypericum androsaemum L. Tutsan. 4. Near Stokke Manor, Partridge. H. calycinum L. Rose of Sharon. 5. Thorny Down, 1943, Read (258). 9. Near Fonthill Abbey, Fitter. H. montanum L. Mountain St. John’s Wort. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants), (G). A new county record. #1. pulchrum L. Upright St. John’s Wort. 7. Chirton Gorse. Malva neglecta Walir. Dwarf Mallow. 8. Corton, Carey. Geranium columbinum L. Long-stalked Crane’s-bill. 7. Ablington Down, F. M. Day! Oxalis corniculata L. 1. Garden weed, Longleat, Howitt. O. latifolia Kunth. 1. Garden weed, Longleat, Howitt. Impatiens glandulifera Royle. 2. Holt, G. D. Browne. Rowde, E. V. Cleverly! 5. No Man’s Land, Hutchison. Genista tinctoria L. Dyer’s Greenweed. 8. Wylye Down, F. M. Day! Ononis spinosa L. Spinous Rest Harrow. 7. Milston Down. Medicago sativa L. Lucerne. 5. Naturalized near Roche Court. M. arabica (L.) All. Spotted Medick. 2. Bromham, B. E. Pankhurst. Melilotus altissima Thuill. Common Melilot. 8. Norton Down. Corton Down, Carey. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants). M. officinalis (L.) Lam. Field Melilot. 5. Roadside, Boscombe Down West. Trifolium medium Huds. Zigzag Clover. 7. Chirton Gorse. 8. Wylye Down. Vicia angustifolia L. Narrow-leaved Vetch. Var. segetalis Koch. 8. Wylye, Stratton. Lathyrus sylvestris L. Wild Everlasting Pea. 4. Tawsmead Copse. L. monianus Bernh. Tuberous Bitter Vetch. 9. Under bracken, East Knoyle, Stratton. Geum rivale x urbanum. 4. Tawsmead Copse. Rosa rubiginosa L. Sweet Briar. 2. Cherhill, M. O. Hill; R. A. C. Hughes (209). 5. Thorny Down. Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. Crab Apple. 9. Chicklade Bottom and Teffont Down, Stratton. Crataegus oxyacanthoides Thuill. Midland Hawthorn. 3. Oaksey, 1958, R. J. Pankhurst. Roadside north of Crudwell. Sedum dasyphyllum L. Thick-leaved Stonecrop. 1. Dilton Vale, Bennett. 2. Charlton. Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop. Rose-bay. Fasciated form. 4. Savernake Forest, R. A. C. Hughes. Epilobium roseum Schreb. Pale Willow-herb. 8. Garden weed, Wylye. E. adenocaulon Hausskn. 3. Liddington. 7. Dunch Hill. 16. Whitsbury Wood (Hants). Oenothera biennis L. Common Evening Primrose. 3. Waste ground, Hayes Knoll. Eryngium campestre L. Field Holly. Replanted in its old station at Colerne where it had become extinct, Frowde. Bupleurum lancifolium Hornem. 2. Gravel-pit, Lacock, Collett! Sambucus nigra L. Elder. Var. laciniata L. 5. Wood, Pepperbox Hill, 1958, Venning ;Hutchison (G)! Galium mollugo x verum. 8. Corton, Carey (G). Valerianella locusta (L.) Betcke. Corn Salad. Var. lasiocarpa (Reichb.) 2. Lacock Halt, Collett! Dipsacus pilosus L. Small Teasel. 2. Rowde Mill, E. V. Cleverly! Erigeron canadensis L. Canadian Fleabane. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants). Inula helenium L. Elecampane. 2. Field, Christian Malford, Collett. I. conyza DC. Ploughman’s Spikenard. 7. Milston Down. Dunch Hill. Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh. Fleabane. Discoid form. 2. Bromham, P. Cleverly, Galinsoga ciliata (Rafn). Blake. 3. Liddington, J. M. Grose! 4. High Street, Marlborough, F. M. Day; Grigson; Scott (G)! Achillea ptarmica L. Sneezewort. 6. Ham, Partridge. Anthemis tinctoria L. Yellow Chamomile. 1. Potterne Hill, E. M. Wright (A). A. cotula L. Stinking Chamomile. 8. Corton, Carey. 10. Clearing, Whitsbury Wood (Hants). 1K 84 Matricaria chamomilla L. Wild Chamomile. 3. Hayes Knoll. 8. Corton, Carey. Tanacetum vulgare L. Tansy. 6. Burbage. Artemisia absinthium L. 6. Edge of Oakhill Wood, Partridge. Petasites fragrans (Vill.) C. Pres]. Winter Heliotrope. 2. Brinkworth. 9. Frequent. Senecio sylvaticus L. Heath Groundsel. 8. Corton Down, Carey. S. squalidus L. Oxford Ragwort. 2. Lacock Halt, Collett! S. erucifolius L. Hoary Ragwort. 8. Downs between Well Bottom and Great Ridge Wood, Carey. S. aquaticus x jacobaea. 8 Wylye Down. 10. Clearing, Whitsbury Wood (L); det. J. E. Lousley. S. integrifolius (L.) Clairv. Field Fleawort. 10. Clearbury Rings, Pankhurst. Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Spear Thistle. Fasciated form. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants), Grinstead! C. tuberosum (L.) All. Tuberous Thistle. 8. Wylye Down, in great profusion, Houghton-Brown and Maydon; Stratton (G)! C. acaule x tuberosum .7. Chirton Down. 8. Wylye Down, Stratton! Cichorium intybus L. Chicory. 9. Near Teffont, Stratton. Crepis biennis L. Rough Hawk’s-beard. 2. Frequent. 3. Flaxlands. Hieracium perpropinquum (Zahn) Pugsl. 8. Great Ridge Wood, Carey (C); det. C. West. 9. Park Copse, East Knoyle, Stratton (G). Mycelis muralis (L.) Reichb. Wall Lettuce. 7. Frequent. Campanula persicifolia L. Peach-leaved Bellflower. 10. Naturalized in hedge near Clearbury, B.E. Pankhurst (L); det. J. E. Lousley. Anagallis arvensis ssp. foemina (Mill.) Schinz & Thell. Blue Pimpernel. 2. Garden path, Chippenham, Collett. Syringa vulgaris L. Lilac. 9. Fonthill Terrace, Stratton. Buddleja davidi Franch. 8. Hedge near Wylye, Stratton. Symphytum officinale x peregrinum. 2. Roadside ,Morgan’s Hill (G). S.peregrinum Ledeb. Prickly Comfrey. 3. Near Stone Hill (G). Trachystemon orientale D. Don. 9. South-east end of Fonthill Lake, Fitter. Echium vulgare L. Viper’s Bugloss. 1. Frequent. Calystegia sylvestris (Willd.) Roem. & Schult. 8. Wylye. Nicandra physaloides Gaertn. 2. Roadside, Bromham Common, P. Cleverly (G)! Datura stramonium L. Thorn-apple. 3. Upper Wanborough. Form with purple flowers. 2. Rowde E. V. Cleverly. 4. Lottage. Verbascum phlemoides L. 2. Roadside near Stone Hill (L); det. J. E. Lousley. Veronica polita Fries. Grey Field Speedwell. 5. Frequent. V. filiformis Sm. 2. Doncombe Meadow, Collett. 4. Marlborough, F. M. Day. 6. Ham, Partridge. 9. East Knoyle, Stratton. V. officinalis L. Common Speedwell. 7. Frequent. Euphrasia nemorosa (Pers.) H. Mart. Common Eyebright. Var. calcarea Pugs]. 8. Well Bottom and Stockton Down, Carey (G); det. E. F. Warburg. E. anglicax nemorosa. 4. Savernake Forest, Frowde; det. C. E. Hubbard. Odontites verna (Bell.) Dum. ssp. serotina (Dum.) E. F. Warburg. Red Bartsia. 8. Corton Down, Carey (G). Near Great Ridge Wood, Carey. Rhinanthus calcareus Wilmott. 7. Ablington Down, F.M.Day! Rushall Down. Orobanche minor Sm. Lesser Broomrape. Var. compositarum Pugs]. 7. Ablington Down, F. M. Day! Dunch Hill. 8. Norton Down. Mentha x niliaca Jacq. Var. alopecuroides (Hull) Briq. 2. Bromham, P. Cleverly. M.x verticillata L. Whorled Mint. Var. paludosa (Sole) Druce. 7. Pool at source of Nine Mile Water, F. M. Day(G)! M.x smithiana R. A. Graham. Red Mint. 4. Garden, Marlborough, F. M. Day (G). Calamintha ascendens Jord. Common Calamint. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants). Melittis melissophyllum L. Bastard Balm. 10. Lane on Whitsbury Down (Hants), 1959, Payne. Plantago major L. Greater Plantain. Form with leafy inflorescence. 8. Stockton, 1959, Yeatman- Biggs; Newall(G)! Scleranthus annuus L. Knawel. 8. Cornfield, West Hill, Wylye. Amaranthus retroflexus L. 1. Dilton Vale, Bennett (G). 85 Chenopodium rubrum L. Red Goosefoot. 8. Knook Down. C. glaucum L. 7. Salisbury, 1933, Welch (K); det. J. P. M. Brenan. Polygonum convolvulus L. Black Bindweed. Var. subalatum Lej. & Court. 4. Waste ground, Marl- borough, F. M. Day. P.nodosum Pers. Spotted Persicaria. 3. Hayes Knoll. Var. inundatum C. E. Britton. 2. Broughton Gifford Common, B. E. Pankhurst (G). P. baldschuanicum Regel. 3. Canal bank below Okus, B. Smith (G). Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. Buckwheat. 7. Roadside, Boscombe Down West (G). Daphne laureola L. Spurge Laurel. 5. Pitton, Whitlock. 9. Fonthill Abbey Wood, Fitter. Euphorbia lathyrus L. Caper Spurge. 2. Lane near Bradford Leigh, Floyd. 4. Wall, Avebury, /. M. Grose! 5. Boscombe Down East, 1943, Read (258). Buxus sempervirens L. Box. 9. Regenerating abundantly, Fonthill, Fitter. ~ Carpinus betulus L. Hornbeam. 5. Dean Hill, Sandell. Quercus cerris L. Turkey Oak. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants), 7. !/. Grose! — Salix aurita L. Round-eared Sallow. 2. Malmesbury Common, B. E£. Pankurst. _ Neottia nidus-avis (L.) L. C. Rich. Bird’s-nest Orchid. 5. Frequent. Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall. Lady’s Tresses. 8. Park Bottom, Carey. Cephalanthera damasonium (Mill.) Druce. Large White Helleborine. 5. Frequent. 7. Frequent. Epipactis sessilifolia Peterm. Violet Helleborine. 2. Maple Wood, abundant, E. V. Cleverly (A)! E.helleborine (L.) Crantz. Broad-leaved Helleborine. Var. chlorantha Vermeulen. 9. East Knoyle, Stratton. | Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) L. C. Rich. Pyramidal Orchid. 2. Frequent. Orchis morio L. Green-winged Orchis. 5. Frequent. _ Ophrys apifera Huds. Bee Orchid. A form with narrow lip and spreading central teeth thus approach- ing var. trollii. 5. Pepperbox Hill, Grinstead! Gymnadenia conopsea L. R. Br. Fragrant Orchis. 1. Thirteen Hundred Down. _ G.conopsea x Orchis fuchsii. 8. Sherrington Bottom, Stratton (G). _ Platanthera bifolia (L.) L. C. Rich. 5. Porton Down, 1943, Read (258). Galanthus nivalis L. Snowdrop. 1. Corsley, Wycherley. 2. Calstone Wellington, Luard. 9. Fonthill Abbey Wood, Fitter. | Ornithogalum umbellatum L. Star of Bethlehem. 5. Thorny Down, Read (258). _ Acorus calamus L. Sweet Flag. 1. Longleat Lake, Howitt. | Lemna polyrrhiza L. Greater Duckweed. 7. Canal at Pewsey Wharf, F. M. Day. _ Potamogeton friesii Rupr. 2. Canal, Rowde, R. J. Pankhurst. _ (C.pairaei F. Schultz. The plant from Ford (257) recorded as C.pairaei is C.polyphylla; det. N. Y. Sand- with.) | C.polyphylla Kar. & Kir. 2. Ford, 1959, Munro-Smith (257). C.distans L. 2. Near Dundas Aqueduct, Jardine!; det. N. Y. Sandwith. _ Mibora minima (L.) Desv. 2. Garden weed, Chippenham, B. E. Pankhurst. _ Agrostis setacea Curt. 10. Whitbury Wood (Hants). Aira caryophyllea L. 7. Chirton Gorse. Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv. Tufted Hair Grass. Var. parviflora (Thuill.) Coss & Germ. 2. Maple Wood. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants). D. flexuosa (L.) Trin. Wavy Hair Grass. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants). Holcus mollis L. Creeping Soft Grass. 10. Whitsbury Wood (Hants). | Avena fatua L. Wild Oat. 4. Ogbourne St. Andrew, F. M. Day. Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) J. & C. Presl. Forma biaristatum (Peterm.) Bertram. 4. Marlborough and near Manton House, F. M. Day. Forma subhirsutum Aschers. 2. Roadside near Coped Hall (G). Sieglingia decumbens (L.) Bernh. Heath Grass. 8. Wylye Down. Glyceria declinata Bréb. 2. Lower Stonehill (G). 4. Preshute, F. M. Day; det. C. E. Hubbard. G.plicata Fries. 2. Near Dundas Aqueduct, Jardine. F.arundinacea Schreb. Tall Fescue. 2. Lyneham. 7. Woodborough. Brigmerston Down. Bromus lepidus Holmb. 7. Track, Dunch Hill, F. M. Day (G)! Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) France. Douglas Fir. 9. Abundantly regenerating, Fonthili Abbey Wood, Fitter. Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. Western Hemlock. 9. Regenerating, Fonthill Abbey Wood, Fitter. Ophioglossum vulgatum L. Adder’s Tongue. 3. Bromham, E. V. & P. Cleverly. 86 AN ABNORMAL FOXGLOVE AT LONGLEAT By DONALD GROSE In our common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) a variation is known, in which a large bell-shaped up- right terminal flower is produced. This is a genetic variation and is apparently due to the union and common growth of several flowers, which combine and form a greatly enlarged single one. The structure of the flower is usually not complex, except for having more numerous stamens. It breeds true on self- fertilization. A colony of such foxgloves was observed at Longleat in July 1960 by Mr. Andrew Whiting and in this colony he found one very remarkable plant which merits detailed description. All fully developed flowers were pink, purple-spotted The lower part of the plant was normal, except that the bracts were aristate with awns 3-4mm. long. Towards the summit the bracts become crowded and, amongst them, were found four small whitish florets consisting of a lower lip only. One of these was purple-spotted. The terminal flower was monstrous, with a widely-spreading flat corolla 10cm. in diameter. This corolla was divided into two sections, (a) a deeply bilobed one representing the upper lip of a normal flower and (b) an obscurely trilobed section with an undulate margin representing a lower lip. On the flat surface was developed a whorl of ten secondary florets, each with a single stamen and an obliquely truncate corolla. A whorl of ten large stamens alternated with the ten secondary florets, making a total of twenty organs in place of the four stamens of a normal flower. In the centre of the main flower was a large bottle-shaped structure, corresponding with a capsule, from the narrow neck ot which protruded about thirty vegetative * bracts ’. The pressed specimen was exhibited at the autumn conversazione ot the Natural History Section and is now in the writer’s herbarium. ; < QO 87 ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1960 By B. W. WEDDELL The consensus of informed opinion is that 1960 was an even worse season than 1959 for the study of Lepidoptera. It began well, and there was some really lovely weather in early June, but after that the deluge! From July Sth till the end of October there were 94 days of measurable rain. Some of the migrant species arrived ahead of their normal time and, given favourable conditions, would have done well. The Red Admiral was the only one of them that made a bit of a show in the Autumn, and of course the Silver Y, which swarmed. But we were denied the pleasure of seeing our Buddleias, and later Michaelmas daisies, decorated by galaxies of Peacocks, Painted Ladies, Commas and the like in the September sun. Even the sun was mostly invisible after mid-June. Moths were similarly hard to find by any method. Even the usually certain mercury vapour light did not attract anything like so many insects or species as in former years. The whole family seems to be suffering under a partial eclipse, and may well take years to recover. The cause is probably mainly weather, undoubtedly aided and abetted by hormone spraying of roadside verges and general tidying _ up of marginal land, plus cultivation of woodland and downland. What of the future? Generally speaking any recovery is bound to be slow. Locally things may well - get worse in view of the threat of Trowbridge sprawling outwards over our lovely countryside to accommodate eventually some 350,000 people. Is this really the march of progress ? So let us go ahead and miss none of our present opportunities of observation, realising that a few years hence we may come to look back with yearning on 1960 and think of it as a bumper year. CONTRIBUTORS Marlborough College N.H.S. ~~ G.W.C Mr. G. W. Collett, Chippenham. | D.R. Mr. David Rees, Bradford-on-Avon. | C.F. Mr. Charles Floyd, Holt. —E.R.B. Mr. E. R. Brown, Trowbridge. BW. Mr. B. W. Weddell, Trowbridge. RA. Capt. R. A. Jackson, C.B.E., R.N. (Retd.), F.R.E.S., Codford. —C.M.R.P. Mr. C. M. R. Pitman, Salisbury. | S.F.C. Salisbury Field Club. PHENOLOGICAL REPORT Average date 1960 emergence Difference Large White 27.4 ee —l1 Marbled White 26.6 28.6 —2 Meadow Brown 14.6 4.6 +10 Cinnabar 19.5 20.5 —1 Garden Carpet 25.4 8.5 —13 | Brimstone Moth ie) 6.5 +1 — Clouded Yellow Colias croceus R.A.J. 29.7 S.F.C. 10.9. Scarcer this year. Comma Polygonia C.album C.M.R.P. 6.3. S.F.C. 3.7. Painted Lady Vanessa cardui S.F.C. 20.3. Very early immigrant. _ Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta S.F.C. 21.3. Very early immigrant. R.A.J. Big Autumn emergence. _ White Admiral Limenitis camilla M.C. 28.6. _ Purple Emperor Apatura iris C.M.R.P. 26.6. _ Silver-Studded Blue Plebejus aegon S.F.C. 3.6. - Chalkhill Blue Lysandra coridon R.A.J. Plentiful but unvarying unusually. ' Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus C.M.R.P. 25.4, 24.7. Plentiful. Pine Hawk HAyloicus pinastri M.C. 24.6. - Hummingbird Hawk Macroglossum stellatarium S.F.C. 20.6. E.R.B. 10.10. _ Lobster Stauropus fagi M.C. 5.6. | Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis MX. 7.5. | Large Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula M.C. 17.5. 88 Figure of Eighty Yellow-horned White Satin Fox Lappet ; Pebble Hook-tip Green Silver-lines Muslin Scarce Footman Sycamore Dagger Dark Dagger Heart and Club Broom Brocade Broad-barred White Gothic Confused Brindle Small Clouded Brindle Brighton Wainscot Southern Wainscot Common Quaker Bordered Orange Beautiful Hooktip Plain Clay Currant Spinach Drab Carpet Sandy Carpet Currant Pug Barred Red Early Umber Scorched Wing Golden Swift Map-winged Swift Tethia ocularis Achlya flavicornis Leucoma salicis Macrothylacea rubi Gastropacha quercifolia Drepana falcataria Bena prasinana Cycnia mendica Eilema complana Apatele aceris Apatele tridens Agrotis clavis Ceramica pisi Hadena serena Apamea furva Apamea unanimis Oria musculosa Leucania straminea Orthosia stabilis Pyrrhia umbra Laspeyra flexula Amathes depuncta Lygris mellinata Minoa murinata Perizoma flavofasciata Eupithecia assimilata Ellopia fasciaria Theria rupicapraria Plagodis dolabraria Hepialus hecta Hepialus fusconebuolsa M.C. 19.6 B.W. 22.6. .M.R.P. 6.3. R.A.J. 25.6. New to County. Evidently an immigrant. Normal emergence July and August. R.A.J. 11.5. A male to light. Very rare occurrence with this species. M.C. 15.7. S=py BV PO Soe aaaaa 2000 rs) LoS) Ae NON 6. messss CESSES F.C. ewelelob-te SSEZOZZESE SEEUE anaszaaaan 89 S bv 6€6¢F IT SI 69€ 0 0 0¢ 9 6 82 0 0 TS I Ol vi 00 ¢ 0 0 OOET 8 8 0 LIS EOL es 8 8 392 Il 8 ST € §\ 6LL 0 v 09 0 SI 9I C S 8726 DS F WOU] I9A0 ainjipusdxg Jo ssaoxq : pun, suipjing—AoesaT SulusdO WOOY wy dZU0Ig _ ‘WV’ UF S}IOAPY SUIO}I B.IJUOD pue AIpuNns i “+ Ajyatoog AIOISTH RINIEN, is [ounogd AWUNOD SIA soulzese pue syoog jo aes coi i soo AIVIQVy] suoNeuoc] pur suOIssIUpYy WNnosnj, "** PaI9AODII XBL, SULOOUT 0/W diyssaqurayyy aT "O/V dAINSOY surIpling > yso19qUy] ued SBUIARS SIM PUL JOSIOUIOS SpuaplAIq SUOISSIUpY—diysioquisy] IT re ; suOoleUuoGg SIdquIs|Ay eee eee eee suondisosqng say AWOON] S bv 6£6EF OFNOEADADHAOTOONCOGOCCEewueoo © 'P = = AAMNSTOMASCONBHNNSMS i=) = UOsUYoL 2 UIYUTg—SaIeYS “J21d 00 —? 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It is issued free to members of the Society; the price to non-members is 25s. The Hon. Editor is Mr. E. E. Sabben-Clare, and the Hon. Assistant Editors Mr. O. Meyrick and Dr. T. R. F. Thomson. Contributions, editorial correspondence, and books for review should be sent to the Editor at Bishop Wordsworth’s School, 11, The Close, Salisbury. Back numbers of Magazines can be obtained from the Hon. Librarian with the other publications listed below. Publications to be Obtained from the Librarian, The Museum, Devizes A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE GREAT STONE MONUMENTS OF WILTSHIRE: STONEHENGE AND AvEBuRY, by W.J. Harrison. No. LXXXIX (1901) of W.A.M. 5s. 6d. A CALENDAR OF THE FEET OF FINES FOR WILTSHIRE, 1195 TO 1272, by E. A. Fry. 6s. WILTSHIRE INQUISITIONES Post MorTEM : HENry III, Eowarp I AND Epwarp II. 133s. Ditto. Epwarp III. 133s. THE CHURCH BELLS OF WILTSHIRE, THEIR INSCRIPTIONS AND History, by H. B. Walters. 16s. RECORDS OF THE COUNTY OF WILTS, EXTRACTS FROM THE QUARTER SESSIONS, GREAT ROLLS OF THE 17TH CENTURY, by B. H. Cunnington. 12s. 6d. Devizes BoROUGH ANNALS, EXTRACTS FROM THE CORPORATION Recorps, by B. H. Cunnington. Vol. II, 1792 to 1835. 15s. (Vol. I is out of print.) THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND Natural History Society, 1853—1953. A Centenary History. 3s. 6d. Brapon Forest, by T. R. Thomson. tos. 6d. THE Fiora oF Wirtsuie, by Donald Grose. pp. iv, 824. 1957. 42s. Witsuire Birps, by L. G. Peirson, 4s. Back NUMBERS OF THE MAGAZINE. Prices on application to the Librarian. The Society’s Museum and Library, Long Street, Devizes The Curator is Mr. F. K. Annable; the Hon. Librarian Mr. R. E. Sandell All members of the Society are asked to give an annual subscription towards the upkeep of the Museum and Library collections. The Museum contains many objects of great local interest; and the Library a rich collection of books, articles and notes about the history of Wiltshire. Subscriptions should be sent to Mr. F, W. C. Merritt, Tawsmead, Eastleigh Road, Devizes. Old printed material and photographs of Wiltshire buildings or other objects of interest will be wel- comed by the Librarian at the Museum. The repository for records, e.g., old deeds, maps, plans, etc., is the Wiltshire Record Office, County Hall, Trowbridge. The Records Branch Founded in 1937 for the publication of original documents relating to the history of the county. The subscription is £2 yearly. New members are urgently needed. Hon. Secretary, Mr. M. G. Rathbone. Craigleith, Snarlton Lane, Melksham Forest, Wilts. The Branch has issued the following. Prices on application. I ABSTRACTS OF FEET OF FINES RELATING TO WILTSHIRE FOR THE REIGNS OF EDWARD I AND Epwarp II. Edited by R. B. Pugh, 1939. Ul ACCOUNTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY GARRISON OF GREAT CHALFIELD AND MALMESBURY, 1645— 1646. Edited by J. H. P. Pafford. Out of print. Ill CALENDAR OF ANTROBUS DEEDS BEFORE 1625. Edited by R. B. Pugh. 1947. IV WILTSHIRE COUNTY RECORDS. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS IN SESSIONS 1563 and 1574 to 1592. Edited by H.C. Johnson. 1949. V LisT OF WILTSHIRE BOROUGH RECORDS EARLIER IN DATE THAN 1836. Edited by Maurice G. Rathbone. With an introduction by R. B. Pugh. 1951. VI THe TROWBRIDGE WOOLLEN INDUSTRY AS ILLUSTRATED BY THE STOCK BOOKS OF JOHN AND THOMAS CLARK, 1804—1824. Edited by R. P. Beckinsale. 1951. VII = GuILD STEWARDS’ BOOK OF THE BOROUGH OF CALNE, 1561—1688. Edited by A. W. Mabbs. 1953. VUl ANDREWS’ AND Dury’s MAP OF WILTSHIRE, 1773. A reduced facsimile. With an introduction by Elizabeth Crittall. 1952. Ix SURVEYS OF THE MANORS OF PHILIP, FIRST EARL OF PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY, 1631—2. Edited by Eric Kerridge. 1953. x Two SIXTEENTH CENTURY TAXATION Lists, 1545 AND 1576. Edited by G. D. Ramsay. 1954. XI WILTSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS AND ASSIZES, 1736. Edited by J. P. M. Fowle. 1955. XII =COLLecrAngA. Edited by N. J. Williams, with a foreword by T. F. T. Plucknett. XIII PRroGRESS NOTES OF WARDEN WOODWARD FOR THE WILTSHIRE ESTATES OF NEW COLLEGE, OxForb, 1659—1675. Edited by R. L. Rickard. 1957. XIV ACCOUNTS AND SURVEYS OF THE WILTSHIRE LANDS OF ADAM DE STRATTON. Edited by M. F. Farr. 1959. XV TRADESMEN IN EARLY STUART WILTSHIRE. A Miscellany. Edited by N. J. Williams. 1960. Natural History Section The object of this Section is to promote the study of all branches of Natural History in the County by encouraging field observations, maintaining records, arranging field and other meetings and by putting observers in touch with each other. Members and others who wish for particulars of the Section and its activities should write to the Honorary Treasurer of the Section :— Mr. G. W. Collett, 174, Sheldon Road, Chippenhann. Membership of the Section does not entail any further subscription from those who are already members of the Society. Observations should be sent to the recorders : Brews: Mrs. Egbert Barnes, Hungerdown, Seagry, Chippenham, Wilts. Flowers : Mr. J. D. Grose, Downs Edge, Liddington, near Swindon. Leprpoprera : Mr. B. W. Weddell, 11, The Halve, Trowbridge. MaAmMats, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS : Miss B. Gillam, Merifield, St. ee Road, Devizes. Back numbers of the Report of the Section can be obtained from Mrs. Egbert Barnes. Prices on appli-_ 4 cation. The following puplications are obtainable from the Librarian of the Museum, Devizes :— Tue Frora or Wirtsuirg, by Donald Grose, pp. iv, 824. 1957. 425. WILTSHIRE Burps. Annotated list, by L. G. Peirson. 4s. Printed by C. H. Woodward, Ltd., Exchange Buildings, Devizes, Wilts. THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY MAGAZINE Number CCX December 1962 Volume 58 THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY The Society was founded in 1853. Its activities include the promotion of archaeological work within the County and of the Study of all branches of Natural History; the issue of a Magazine and other pub- lications; excursions to places of archaeological and historical interest; collaboration with a Records Branch; and the maintenance of a Museum and Library. The subscription rates for membership of the Society are at present as follows:—Annual Subscrip- tion £1 12s. 6d. Life membership £25. Enquiries about membership should be made to the Hon. Secretary, c/o The Museum, Devizes. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY Patron : The Lady Colum Crichton-Stuart President : E. G. H. Kempson, Esq., M.A. Trustees : E. C. Barnes, Esq. The Lord Devlin Sir Michael Peto, Bt. Bonar Sykes, Esq. Vice-President : R. B. Pugh, Esq. M.A., F.S.A. Committee : The President The Rev. E. H. Steele, M.A. Honorary Secretary & Treasurer R. E. Sandell, Esq., M.A. F.L.S. Honorary Librarian J. B. Roberts, Esq., Honorary Meetings Secretary Maurice G. Rathbone, Esq., A.L.A. ex-officio as County Archivist The Most Hon. the Marquess of Ailesbury D.L. Group Captain F. A. Willan, C.B.E., D.F.C. H. C. Bowen, Esq., M.A., F.S.A. Col. J. H. Houghton-Brown, D.S.0., T.D. A. J. Clark, Esq., F.S.A. C. Floyd, Esq., 0.B.E., B.A. Miss Beatrice Gillam J.S. Judd, Esq., T.D. Group-Captain G. M. Knocker Miss J. de L. Mann, M.A. J. W. G. Musty, Esq., F.S.A. H. de S. Shortt, Esq., M.A., F.S.A. R. W. H. Willoughby, Esq., representing the Wilts C.C. Curator : F. K. Annable Esq., B.A., F.S.A. Assistant Curator: Miss G. P. Lamacraft, B.A. Assistant Secretary Mrs. J. M. Luce Honorary Architect : D. A. S. Webster, Esq., A.R.1.B.A. Mr. E. E. Sabben-Clare was a member of the Committee, as Honorary Editor, during 1962. He has been succeeded by an Editorial Board consisting of Mr. F. K. Annable, the Rev. E. H. Steele and Mr. R. E. Sandell, (Secretary). The Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Magazine asnaiaemensnienccctiliasitenisessis Ls . ae ed “2 No. CCX 1962 é ‘\ a ae fw r 4% CONTENTS Sy hal PAGE FROM SALISBURY PLAIN TO SOUTH SIBERIA: By STUART PIGGOTT THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF FYFIELD AND OVERTON Downs, WILTs (Interim Report): By H. C. BBO WEN) at di PJ, FOWLER: scccsccecdecctecsssshesessssb ces ssseesduc2scbsaseccselasassisovebunsdbbuececaseneentnss Le eR RAR Ten 98—115 NEOLITHIC AND BEAKER SITES AT DOWNTON, NEAR SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE: By PHILIP A. RAHTZ, with a Report on the Pottery by A. M. APSIMON ooo iocccccccssessssssssetesssnnsnntunstnnntenesne 116—142 A ROMANO-BRITISH POTTERY IN SAVERNAKE FOREST. KILNS 1-2: By F. K. ANNABLE................. 143—155 THE PRE-CONQUEST CHURCHES OF WESSEX: By H. M. TAYLOR oioociccscccsscsssssssesssseenstsevevinnsesvnsseneee 156—170 THE SALISBURY CANAL—A GEORGIAN MISADVENTURE: By HUGH BRAUN oii coccccsssccssscssseerneer 171—180 SALISBURY DIOCESAN RECORD OFFICE: By PAMELA STEWART 0o0..0....::ccsssssssssssssvsssevesssnsesnnsenenssssvsstieeteee 181—184 Bury Woop Camp, REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS, 1960: By D. GRANT KING ooocccccsccsseesssees 185—208 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 196] oooooocccccccccscccssseesseee BeceeCset a ces fe Mscerat toca tect ac coerce Haeegletasatehigae ont 209 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1962. ooooiooiccccccseccssssssesseeeeneene ee ee Statice Mey eee iad 210 W.A.S. RECORDS BRANCH REPORT FOR 196] ooioioccccccccsecssssssennnsesnssnnnenentnnnninennsnnssnanneanentaunetvasennenene 211 REPORT OF THE MEETINGS SECRETARY 1961) oooioiocsccssecsssesssnesssessensevsnnnnnnensnsinnseunnttnnenuanennnneunestnnannneeeeese 211 BREPORT OF THE ELON, EDITOR ncssccssssssossssscsssnsssseclbcsssssscncocsnsnlaceuessecsnnssscessssaecsensenseseseensecenssstuaceataesousneetapneensaessonveesesionss 212 INEPORTUOF THE CURATOR FOR F967 oooscccccsccecsssssnssccsecsutesestrosnssesssssstantsenecsenisnsatecacceslesasescceasoccunineshebiessSncesrstbessns 213—216 Notes.—Two Prehistoric Axes. The Avebury Sarsens. Ground and Polished Stone Axe from Euridge. Two Bronze Brooches from North Wiltshire. Romano-British Burials at Devizes. Romano-British Burial, Colerne. Quidhampton Manor. Wiltshire Families MOA Mes A MCON TDC OTE Nc case cheap Me a ace atc pcesgscnvscancsdecceps an cl aceaiawad races adets tiv vatatoeapivslcnabbaoien 217—228 ENGLISH PLACE NAME SOCIETY, VOLUME XVI, (WILTSHIRE) ooo.cccccccssssccsscosssvsssssssnsennssssnssnnnstnsstsnesnneeee 228—229 OD ATS a cust ahcknssp secu SjecdbeceaehioandasSsineaisipecasivon Sc ae Oe ee ee ae 230—232 LRUSRVTUSES ote ar se per tere nae eS er en Renee 233—236 HMPA CCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY 196] sessccjscsssssssescsrsssessiesssessssssssessoseteoeesneosenesseesnsteassssssnessnesonesnyshfvessmursionsesesstins 237—239 ~ EXCAVATION AND FIELDWORK IN WILTSHIRE, 1961 .ccscsscscssssssssuntuntsntsssstsstineintntintntietseiesinsinsianeease 240—248 _ NATURAL History SECTION: HON. SECRETARY’S REPORT (A.G.M.,, JUNE 1961) ooocecccccccssssssssssssenssnsesnnsnetunssnennetnnsunsinestuneeneteeseee 249 FIELD MEETINGS AND LECTURES, 1961: Report by the Hon. Meetings Secretary, Beatrice Ro cL ee he A Are ii ce ates i DR cena ta tne Gace, SEM cites chceuler a mactonstedetaciadenn eatin 249—250 THE WEATHER OF 1961: By R. A. U. Jemmings on. ccessssssssssssssssssessseseesnstsesnsesssssessssnstenesseessnenensseeie 251 il PAGE WILTSHIRE BIRD NOTES FOR 1961: Recorders: Ruth G. Barnes, Geoffrey L. Boyle and Re VGRiOR fice hte Sie he sitet Rr en Oe eee See ee ar 252—262 AUTUMN MIGRATION ENQuIRY, 1957—1960: By Geoffrey L. Webber oiiiiccccccccccssssssssssssseennseen 263—266 ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1961: By B. W. Weddell oninccccccccccccssscssssssssnssesnssssasesiesssinenssvesesvessseeten 267—268 WILTSHIRE PLANT Notes (22) (Fifth Supplement to The Flora of Wiltshire) compiled by SGT GOLOSE fe oratice irene ried tt ont Reet ca et cated nea att he CO ear 269—272 SoME NOTES ON THE FUNGI: By T. F. G. W. Dunston and Captain A. E. A. Dunston 273 THE TREATMENT OF ROADSIDE VERGES IN WILTSHIRE: By Donald Grose ....c.ccccssccsscsssesssnsesseee 274—291 MEISE OR IVEEMIBERS > — secccscercevcstanspesacateaptaucetb a: tososctaegeiev eet veeste eas ea ssbu RA OOo stegadvhcral neler SE 292—302 ILLUSTRATIONS From Salisbury Plain to South Siberia: BNO eb tec earnest ocr te uc uc ase od eI ee nn eS teste yea ie ec espe a asl eet ccc ee 94 NAG, sees Reseed ceed i lg rs etc choue Tonge ade al une nA erred eer Opp. 94 The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, Wilts: |P)G1 Toi Ga 12) 1 lo a een ene eer eA Re ne NMR arte Deo tant eesti) eee ee teen teen em ret eS Opp. 102 Plate II, a and b.............. caegcot es eth te as olen actobg tae tatters am een aia sPiaciaendatborn Sug beveet sis SES oe ee Opp. 104 Appendix II, Wroughton Mead : | a (Sie) 116 > Ane en Pe SO ene ee cA er ere ne Te CE ee OP Between 114—115 Neolithic and Beaker Sites at Downton: 12 (9 ee en NE LE Re Eee eT Nene ea eevee cr A ERR OO NT 116 PE ADE SD 32 Behe Bere arcades seta t etal s ah sli bran lenin hoe petit Geter duidece te ath raid ome tetanic neta ns ta ne ae ee ee Opp. 116 Pet et asaactistas es its ab bccn rer ce Hesse ciclees oath cae ah Snare icc hed NE Sotelo Reel a 117 BAIR) edi edbantneete chee ton rant ere Sebaessenie tab tes awit ac tee Se ay tet ae enca tee tape cea a tee eee Opp. 119 PN ie fc Urethra abnad abba nshad veo Mac et ace aR ret tsage eos Rea REAR sta etaalh daniel wel ee eee 119 Me ae ae ta ln thc alte sate ok auc coeele eet atarcl ee tea de et aceoe Rate tan eee ee 120 | (ah, SIE ANed ae EE SO ene OR nt Ee i MEN MeN ae Coe ae MRT Leet SOT 122 MS Ys ee ied ASSN terrae Rees ERE ae iat ease ne eta etc cioeg ceca eche dee oe 123 il £aae nee MNT eT ates CPU OF re UR EDN Soh nee fT Meet Een nn SUE ee MELD TTY ROR ttre BN fo 124 | pT 2! A OR Ce ae Te CE Re OPE PONDER Se RNA eve SRE Meron cs SO CIR Teo Tee 125 | £7) (5 aco OOS RC Pe Pon YD MSDS CIR tors MU re CANON aM LPAI. NE TIME IWAN See Se 126 | (8 If (pee ae cae SP See eaten EDN UNS ate SRA ex UNG TOOT RR AU REINER Aes ADEE on . 130 | Fb aS as ee ne OR RU OY NIECE ONS tS yae PE PAOL Lhe edt nr 1 Many Soo tine 131 Bg 3) 2 nin, oes age iat tatu baadion eae nn eons Ce eee 132 PAGE LETS LLG! cee 1 A SOO Or en Ee oe 133 LENE TS sauces Sc Ne ony OE Ene eee ae 134 TRE, LG) reece eee enna ee een nn 135 ss Ate PM cesar Neca ce snopes ances cack aloliceav bends esiasinieueeblbnob one 136 | A Romano-British Pottery in Savernake Forest: oe domaine besser Bon sna tnmninenhneamchencnntindvinownenne 142 eT ree ecu Because se svt lessened eceisncendiSeiDin ese doar stated e tees 143 | [SI] a ee ee 144 FO EE a Nae ter eran rcp cect RS eben lasses nee osiianigectny a ittnsenetisittdiiomeansatnitc ct Opp. 144 | TRIG. bc NRC aaa ee 145 Plate TD, Phrases 1,2, 35.4. © ceccccccccsccsscsssseccitseceessvsssecustsansencocsenseetsceestsseneensicisssiuseshiuecesnen Seep ee er: Between 148—149 cinta capita abetinns cama 151 | | The Pre-Conquest Churches of Wessex : LPS. TL canon epee ne RS oa 157 LIS 2) anon aaa ne oe SN Oo en oe gene ee 161 aN eR tei ease cra cess deoennseted cane tndetiubabiemnenctjonaiehopcee 163 [Ny di. ene ee eee 166 The Salisbury Canal—A Georgian Misadventure ALE) sume cine re Se He oo a a ee eee V72 | | Bury Wood Camp, Report on Excavations, 1960 | Py), 1B? keira tc' "LG 2s aaa Arete ON en PRO oO DPF re ON Sen RE ea Between 184—185 BRP ec nninsmnmnatsnngnntrtstnerransomunatannnnsnn cnt Diane aeten Opp. 187 LPI. 2) INIT 0), SE ee ER Tee ee ee Opp. 188 iar NR cet bt cyaet sic teat ead sek als Sevs cathe as eamR aed ecco call cg ATMA Sp ak eins cots 194 | PTE. Abe ag ny eters EE nce 195 | LETIRS , (5) in ET OPS ssn yo Oe Er oO Between 196—197 ioe Ee Ee Pew TR eco ae ns PTT 198 1V ies cgi 2: ace it 2 ae, Secured erie eaavk ona ecthianlaanteaestnen toe eee eee eee Pe BSCOHG: ARE. 22 sinks etal ta eutaraal nytt ease teenhee eaee main a em a ane eee Bigs sand 2 BrOOCMeS 2 .cip sccaeteaseh och odie conaltshen Ghvioaiens ata out Aaa et atee caterer ee |) 0-7) aL © 1 7) dp eR RNa Dee Eevee EL SOOO RR Pc DS OUI PR Poa FER ct cn Pig. Brooch and Knives. sacha veda Sea ested nhl a annette aan eae A Ae RINE De acess acetate dstvigtae cde Sa oes eect Ostet nt arta ste ae IIE ies crete cacacchiloaese ete iara nate Thad bia sacn dante igrattinnaas ban elamenatial ad ati see titre ll ao IP St ec Ba te cel oc eke tee I A NEE sss etal daca Gest abe ro dla ca afot hadi Sabce A RauaTST SET ht BRR ows FA cet css SP cal Sa adalat eas cave scott 264 2715 280 282 284 286 287 289 THE WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS No. CCX 1962 Vol. 58 FROM SALISBURY PLAIN TO SOUTH SIBERIA By STUART PIGGOTT One hundred and sixty years ago, Mr. William Cunnington, working in collaboration with Sir Richard Colt Hoare, excavated a remarkable barrow on the downs in Upton Lovell parish, no. 4 of their enumeration.! It was ‘a low circular barrow, very neatly formed, and bearing marks of high antiquity ’, and today measures about 30ft. in diameter and Ift. in height. At a depth of three feet, in a chalk-cut grave, the excavators found the primary inhumation burial, described as ‘ one skeleton lying on its back with the head towards the north.’ Above this was a second inhumation, ‘in a sitting posture’ : _ in the linguistic convention of the time this would be a crouched burial, and we may therefore confidently assume that by contrast the primary was at full length on its back. With this burial was a remarkable assemblage of objects. The excavators began by clearing the feet, _ perhaps in response to what seems to have been a nineteenth century barrow-digging maxim, later to be enshrined in verse— * . . each point is well surveyed To find which way the skeleton is laid, For men of science always work by rule, Proceeding upwards from the foot to the skull.’ 2 _ At all events, at or by the feet of the extended primary burial were *‘ more than three dozen ’ perforated bone points; 3 flint axes; stone rubbers or polishers, fragments of a broken battle-axe, and a grooved _ shaft-smoother. ‘ Proceeding upwards’, on the legs were perforated boars’ tusks and several cup- _ shaped objects formed by split nodules of natural marcasite from the chalk, and finally, ‘ near the _ breast ’ was a shaft-hole dolerite battle-axe and another two dozen perforated bone points. This grave-group is now represented in the Stourhead Collection of the Society’s Museum by 41 per- _ forated bone points, 5 further bone or boar’s tusk points or pendants, 9 stone rubbers, 4 marcasite ‘cups’, one complete and one broken shaft-hole battle-axe, one grooved shaft-smoother and 4 (not 3) flint axes. A selection of these objects is illustrated in Plate I. The record is remarkably precise for 1801, and we can see that we are confronted with a most extra- _ ordinary burial: indeed it may be said straight away that it is without precise parallel in Britain. In the _ first place it is unusual in being an extended burial of (as we shall see) the Early Bronze Age, and not one in the crouched position; in the second, the collection of over 60 perforated bone points is unique. When we look tor comparable burials and assemblages outside Britain, we find, however, that the Upton _ Lovell primary burial appears to belong to a well defined but widely scattered series of similar interments, _ stretching across Eurasia from the Baltic Sea to Lake Baikal. Fortunately the Upton Lovell burial is not difficult to date, nor to set in its place in the sequence of British prehistory. The stone battle-axe found on the chest of the skeleton is of a type characteristic of the Wessex Culture of the Bronze Age, and relatively early in it, though not in its primary phase. It is _of Ashbee’s ‘ Hove’ type, or Type III, found for instance at Hove in Sussex, Chippenham in Cam- _ bridgeshire, and Snowshill in Gloucestershire, 3 in Wessex Culture graves which come early in the second | phase of the culture, in the two latter instances with crouched inhumations and in the first in a dug-out | wooden coffin that could have contained an extended burial. The shaft-smoother is again a Wessex Culture type, + and the marcasite ‘ cups’ have a good parallel in one from Simondston, Glamorgan- | VOL. LVIII. CCX L | | 94 shire, found with two Food Vessels and a flint plano-convex knife.5 An absolute date of c. 1500 B.C. for the Upton Lovell burial would be appropriate. Of the exceptional features of the burial, the extended position is the first that we must consider. So far as Britain is concerned, the Neolithic rite, known from unchambered and chambered long barrows, and from other collective chambered tombs, appears to have been to deposit the body in a crouched position in the first place, though subsequent removal of bones from a mortuary house to their final resting-place, or the displacement of skeletons to make room for subsequent burials in the tomb cham- bers themselves, result in a minority of such burials retaining their original disposition. In the middle of our Neolithic period, the immigration of makers of Beakers from the Rhineland area and the Low Countries around 2,000 B.C. introduced the idea of single-grave burial as opposed to the Neolithic collective tomb tradition, and in such burials the body lay crouched on its side, a rite normally con- tinued in Britain until the wholesale adoption of cremation about the fifteenth century B.C. Nevertheless, exceptional extended burials occur in the first phase of the British Bronze Age, of which the earlier Wessex Culture forms a part. At least six such, scattered from Wiltshire to Wales and from Derbyshire to Yorkshire, were accompanied by flat riveted bronze daggers: Corston Beacon in Pem- brokeshire is the type site.6 The Bush Barrow, Normanton, burial, perhaps the earliest known in the whole Wessex Culture, was almost certainly extended, though Cunnington’s account is unfortunately not wholly unambiguous; 7 at Towthorpe in Yorkshire a comparable though slightly later extended burial was found, with a bronze dagger and a stone mace-head.* The evidence of long massive cists, or of dug-out wooden coffins, is suggestive but not conclusive, for these may on occasion contain crouched burials or even cremations.® At all events, when compared with the number of crouched inhumation burials from Beaker times onwards in Britain, the extended burials form only a tiny minority. The possible reasons behind this differentiation in rite have been discussed on more than one occasion. It has been pointed out, for instance, that in the Central European Bronze Age culture contemporary with that of Wessex (the Unétice Culture), certain princely burials under huge barrows are extended, whereas in the normal cemeteries they are crouched, and that the difference of rite may here indicate a difference in social status, but (with the exception of Bush Barrow and perhaps Towthorpe) this can hardly apply to Britain. Extended burials again are typical of a group of Neolithic cultures in the =a, aaa, 2 = = = = PIS sy + C—) ) om Fig. 1. Main sites mentioned: 1, Upton Lovell; 2, Ostorf; 3, Tangermiinde; 4, Vasterbjers/Visby; 5, Olen = =32 Island, Kola Peninsula; 6, Olen Island, Lake Onega; 7,8, South Siberian ceméteries. “SOZIAAG “LUNASNA] [BVIIBOPOavyosry I.1YsI IAA “UOIDATJOD pedyANoIg “[elIng [[aAo7J uoidA wo. dnoip-aarin ‘T 2eld 95 North European Plain and South Scandinavia (the Funnel Beaker group), but these can scarcely be _ related: in the Scandinavian and German Bronze Age cultures of the latter phase of the Early Bronze Age (Tumulus Bronze in Germany), and in the main later than our Wessex Culture, extended burial is again prevalent. But cultural contacts between these cultures and those of contemporary Britain are _ not apparent in the archaeological record. When we turn to look at other features of the Upton Lovell burial we are led to another possibility altogether. The sixty or more bone points have, in their quantity, no British parallels. In isolation they are not unique, and a Middle Bronze Age cremation-burial from Snailwell, Cambridgeshire, !° was accompanied by a graduated set of ten such points, perforated and completely comparable with our Wiltshire examples; at Aldro, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, six similar but unperforated points were found by the head of a crouched burial.!1 The graduated lengths suggest that the last two examples at least formed elements of a collar or necklace, comparable with the 18 perforated teeth of wolf and dog from the Newton Barrow in Wiltshire. ! 2 Now necklaces or garment-fringes of perforated teeth, appropriate to the hunter rather than to the farmer, have an ancestry going back to the Upper Palaeolithic, but more to our purpose is their occur- rence in a series of graves with extended burials in Northern Europe, belonging to communities basically Mesolithic in their economy, which was mainly based on seal hunting and fishing. Cemeteries are known from the island of Gotland in the Baltic, ! 3 on the River Elbe in East Germany, '+ and on islands _ in Lake Onega'5 and by the Kola Peninsula in the north-west of the U.S.S.R.,16 and are themselves _ representative of a larger group of inter-related cultures extending as far eastwards as Lake Baikal17 in South Siberia. In all we find economies of hunting and fishing type surviving side-by-side with agri- cultural communities, from which on occasion elements of material culture such as pottery making have _ been adopted, and in all the practice of extended burial. In these graves the dead had apparently been buried fully dressed presumptively in skin or fur cloth- _ ing, for a recurrent feature at, for instance, the Vasterbjers cemetery in Gotland, or the Olen Island graves in Lake Onega, is long rows of teeth (usually of seals or beavers, and sometimes perforated) across the feet and thighs, and at the neck, of the extended skeleton; these must have been sewn as fringes on to the lower edges of cloaks or parka-type garments, or strung as necklaces. The parallel with _ the disposition of the Upton Lovell ‘ points ’ is striking, and suggests that we have a similar arrangement of garment-fringes here, with the points taking the place of teeth. In the Tangermitinde cemetery on the Elbe near Stendhal a set of seven longitudinally perforated antler tines were at the foot of one burial, and rows of perforated animal teeth across the pelvis in other burials look like a garment-fringe again; _ another set was found in the same position in one of the graves on the Toteninsel of Ostorf, lower down _ the river near Schwerin. Stone and flint axes accompanied several burials, and perforated boars’ tusk ornaments are common through all such sub-Mesolithic cultures as those represented by the burials under discussion. Further east, in cemeteries of extended burials on the Angara River running into Lake Baikal in | south-east Siberia, beads and pendants of animal teeth and boars’ tusks appear, though not as the characteristic * fringes ’ of the Gotland-Lake Onega-Elbe graves; otherwise the burials are clearly the expression of the same cultural tradition, and in all there is a tendency to group the grave-offerings at the feet and head of the corpse. Boars’ tusk ornaments have been seen as a characteristic of many cul- | tures with Mesolithic affiliations, including the British Secondary Neolithic group. It is suggested then that in the Upton Lovell burial we may recognise elements surviving from ultim- _ ately Mesolithic origins, and representative of a wide-spread series of allied communities, stretching from the Baltic Sea to Lake Baikal, who preserved something of the old hunting and fishing economy _ side-by-side with agricultural (and indeed bronze-using) societies in the second millennium B.C. We i © 96 may note in passing other elements in otherwise more normal Wessex Early Bronze Age burials that may have a similar affiliation. We have already seen that the necklace of perforated teeth in the Newton Barrow may be significant, and to this may be added the deer antlers in more than one Wiltshire grave, as for instance in Hoare’s Barrow 164 on Normanton Down (Amesbury 15), a Wessex Culture grave under a bell-barrow with antlers at the head and feet of the skeleton, or in his Barrow 17 on Snail Down, !* a Wessex Culture cremation surrounded with a ‘ wreath’ of antlers. These may perhaps be compared with the antler-surrounded Mesolithic burials at Téviec in Brittany !° or, at greater remove, with the placing of the horns of wild Siberian Mountain Goats round the Neanderthal burial at Teshik- tak in Uzbekistan.2° The possibility of antlers being used on occasion as parts of ceremonial head- dresses cannot be excluded, in the manner of the artificially prepared antler-bearing skull frontlets of Mesolithic date from Star Carr in Yorkshire, and Hohen Viecheln and Berlin-Biesdorf in East Ger- many, 2! with modern counterparts in Siberia among the shamans of the Tungus and on the Yenissei River.?2 In an Early Bronze Age inhumation grave on Rockbourne Down, Hants, three carefully cut portions of Red Deer antlers, retaining a branching tine as well as a section of beam, lay at the head of the burial, and could well have belonged to such a head-dress. 23 To return to the Upton Lovell burial, it is presumably that of a man, whose status in contemporary society allowed him a finely made battle-axe of dolerite as a weapon of prestige, which by its type fur- ther implies his affiliation with the Wessex Culture of the British Bronze Age, whatever the archaic heritage of his sartorial decoration, and his out-of-date stone and flint axe-blades, may have signified. The comparable barbarity of tooth-necklaces is to be found, probably as a cultural borrowing, in more than one contemporary context, as at South Newton and as in the ‘ necklace burials’ in Thuringia, where crouched burials of the local Corded Ware culture of the early second millennium B.C. have long strings of perforated animals’ teeth, and shell disc-beads, placed at the knees. 2 4 The Upton Lovell battle-axe as a weapon of prestige may perhaps be compared, very tentatively, with what appear to be insignia of some form of rank or office in some of the sub-Mesolithic graves just described. In two graves of the Kola Peninsula Olen Island cemetery carved bone T-shaped objects were found, with a shank for attachment to a shaft, while in one grave at Ostorf and another at Tanger- miinde were small bone or antler objects with central perforation and double pick-like ends, again capable of hafting as T-shaped maces or wands of office. None of these can be utilitarian, but all look like ceremonial or ritual emblems of authority or prestige. The Russian archaeologists have boldly compared the Olen Island objects with the T-headed drumsticks used by Lapp and Siberian shamans for beating their magic drums up to modern times, and the staff-heads on the Elbe may be versions of the same thing. One would rightly hesitate before producing an early Bronze Age shar an on Salisbury Plain, but the shamanistic element in prehistoric and early historic tradition in both Europe and Asia cannot be ignored, and the recently studied horse-sacrifices known from Scandinavia to the Altai Mountains are a case in point.25 What sanctioned the bearing of a Wessex Culture battle-axe or the Bush Barrow mace we shall never know, but we can be sure that the authority it denoted was as much spiritual as temporal, for priests and kings, magicians and princes, were not in the ancient world so sharply separated as they are in our latter-day scientific minds. The sceptre of Agamemnon was a magic wand made by Hep- haistos for Zeus and handed down with its supernatural authority—‘ the sceptre and judgements, that he may rule among you ’2—among those who, incidentally, wore helmets armoured with split boars’ tusks; in Celtic Gaul, Diviciacus was not only ruler of the Aedui but a Druid priest; 27 and nearer home in Wessex (Jn natione gewisseorum) early medieval legend found the equation of Merlin the magician with Aurelius Ambrosius the prince no hard thing to accept.28 We scarcely need the Coronation ser- vice to remind us that kingship and the gods have never been far removed one from another. 1 Upton Lovell 2a (bowl barrow) of Gazetteer in V.C.H. Wilts. I, i (1957); Anc. Wilts. I (1812), 75. I made some comments on the affinities of the primary burial in this barrow in Neo. Cultures Brit. Isles (1954), 360 ff. 2 Anon. (the Rev. Stephen Isaacson), Barrow- Digging by a Barrow- Knight (1845), 45 3 P. Ashbee, Bronze Age Round Barrow in Britain (1960), 107 ff. 4R. S. Newall, W.A.M. XLV (1931), Thomas, ibid. LV (1954), 320. 5 C. Fox, Arch. LXXXVII (1938), 132; Life and Death 456; N. in the Bronze Age (1959), 82. 6 Corston Beacon, C. Fox and W. F. Grimes, Arch. Camb. 1928, 137; C. Fox, Life and Death . Barrow Figheldean 16, Wilts: Net Low, Derbyshire, T. Bateman, Vestiges . . (1848), 68; Kenslow, Derbyshire, | ibid., 28; ‘Cawthorn, N. R. Yorks, Fy Bateman, Ten Years’ | Diggings . . . (1861), 206; Darowen, Montgomery- _ shire, Arch. Camb. 1926, 350. 7 Wilsford 5 (bowl barrow); Anc. Wilts. 203 and Cunnington MSS in Society’s Library. 8 J. R. Mortimer, Forty Years . . . (1905), 3. 9 Cf. V. G. Childe, Scotland Before the Scots (1946), 19 g 10 T. C. Lethbridge, Proc. Camb. Antig. Soc. XLII (1950), 48 11 J,R. Mortimer, Forty Years .. . , 76. 12 N. Thomas, /oc. cit., 316. 13 Vasterbjers, M. Stenberger, Grabfeld von Vaster- bjers . . . (1943);Visby, ibid. in Acta Arch. X (1939), 60. et a G. D. Clark, Prehist. Europe . . . (1952), 80, g. 38. Pflege in Mecklenburg, 97 14 Ostorf (Schwirin), R. Beltz, Archiv. fiir Anthrop. NF XU (1908); Tangermiinde (Stendahl), J. Preuss, Wissensch, Zeitsch. Martin Luther Univ. Halle-Wittenberg III, 2, (1954), 415. 15 V.I. Ravdonikas, Soc. Arkh. VI (1940), 46; N. N. Gurina, Oleneostrovskaya Mogilynik (Materialy XLVI, 1956); M. Gimbutas, Prehist. E. Europe I (1956), 183. 16 N.N. Gurina, Materialy XXXIX, 1953, 378. 17 A. P. Okladnikov, Ancient Population of Siberia (1959); Acta Arctica XIII (1960), 35 (Copenhagen Cir- cumpoiar Conference); H. N. Michael, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. XLVI, Pt. 2 (1958); N. A. Chernychef, Materialy XXXIX (1953). 18 Collingbourne Kingston 19 (bowl barrow). 19M. K. & St. J. Péquart, Téviec . . . (Mém. Inst. a Aum. XVIII, 1937); P. R. Giot, Brittany (1960), 20H. J. Movius, Amer. School Prehist. Res. XVII (1953), 25. 21 Star Carr, J. G. D. Clark, Excay. at Star Carr (1954), 168; Hohen Viecheln, W. Schuldt, Bodendenkmal- 1955, 7; Berlin-Biesdorf, B. Gramsch, Ausgrab. und Funde UI (1958), 167. 22 Clark, Joc. cit.; R. Karutz, Volker Nord- und Mittelasiens (1925); 97, fig. 3. 23S. Piggott, Proc. Hants. F.C. & Arch. Soc. XVI (1946), 156. 24 B. Kalke, Al/t-Thuringen I (1953-54), 153. 25 Q. Klindt-Jensen, Folk, I (1959), 51; Antiquity XXXVI (1962). 26 Jliad II, 82-112. 27 Caesar, B. G. I, 3; Cicero, De Divin. I, xli, 90; T. D. Kendrick, The Druids (1927), 80. 28 Cf.S. Piggott, Antiquity XV (1941), 317. Bulletin S. Piggott, 98 THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF FYFIELD AND OVERTON DOWNS, WILTS (interim Report) By H. C. Bowen and P. J. FOWLER A systematic study of the archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, some 24 miles west- north-west of Marlborough and 14 miles east of Avebury, was begun in 1959. This block of grassland contains earthworks of so many types preserved over such a relatively wide area as to make it virt- ually unique in Wessex. It is clear from surviving remains elsewhere, however, that there must once have been many such areas, encouraging us to think that an intensive study here should help con- siderably in the solution of archaeological problems over much of Wessex, and possibly beyond, where the earthwork evidence may have been largely destroyed. The project has been made possible by the kindness and co-operation of the owners and tenants of the land, including the Nature Conservancy whose Reserve covers a large part of the area being studied. It has achieved its present scale—and seems likely to grow wider still—because of the enthusiastic practical help of a number of bodies and individuals listed at the end of this article. Our object is to establish, as far as possible, the forms and sequence of human activity in the region. This involves a search for the areas of primary occupation, a consideration of settlement types and pattern and their development, of fields and pasture, boundaries, ritual and burial structures, of con- tinuity and communications, and of the relationship of all to each other, to natural features and to con- ditions in different phases. This formidable scheme has led us to reconnoitre the whole quickly and to select areas for intensive ground survey. This always seems to be productive, not least in showing where excavation is necessary before we can make any further advance in our knowledge. Ultimately we hope to have large-scale plans and detailed descriptions incorporating every feature in the area which seems to be worth this treatment. Since, as will be seen, there has been much medieval and later activity, documentary research is an essential complement of the archaeological. It is therefore particularly fortunate that the President of our Society has already done so much that is relevant here (see Appendix II). We wish to do no more in this report than to indicate the general nature of the remains in some 4 square miles north of the villages of Overton and Fyfield, to specify and list the categories of earthworks on the Downs themselves, and to give examples of the results, difficulties and possibilities accruing from work so far. Fyfield and Overton Downs lie in the south-western corner of the block of downland generally known as the Marlborough Downs. Here the Upper Chalk is penetrated by two main re-entrant valleys, Pytteldene and Clatford Bottom, the latter bifurcating south-east of Wroughton Copse into two narrow re-entrants, thrusting north-west from the valley of the Kennet about S00ft. above O.D. Overton Down continues north as a high ridge past Monkton Down, but the area so far studied by us in any detail is east of the Ridgeway and dominated and bounded on the north by Totterdown ridge (over 800ft. above O.D.). The chalk is overlaid on Fyfield Down in particular by a large spread of clay-with -flints. A thick sarsen cover is now concentrated in the valley bottom but there are exceptions, notably on Totterdown. The area has long attracted attention and in 1960 was selected as the site for an experimental earth- work (on Overton Down at 12947067). It is given its share of notes by Hoare and Smith, who remark chiefly on the long barrows and sarsens, though it is probable that Hoare dug into the Wroughton Copse medieval site (see below p.109). The three things which have particularly caught the atten- tion of later archaeologists are:—the widespread sarsen remains and their likely connection with Ave- bury and Stonehenge '; the earthworks which caused the Ordnance Survey to impress * Ancient Village ’ 99 on Fyfield Down (fig. 1) and Major Allen to take his often-published photographs 2; and the remains photographed by Crawford on Overton Down.;3 More recently, in the course of taking aerial photo- graphs for the Nature Conservancy, Dr. St. Joseph discovered the enclosures south of Wroughton Copse (B.5). We suggested these might be the subject ofa training excavation one of us (P. J. F.) had been asked to conduct for the Extra-Mural Department of Bristol University in 1959. The result of this ex- -cavation in that and the subsequent two seasons forms a large part of this report (Appendix I), but it is proper first to review the richness of the remains over the whole area. Human activity in the area is attested by finds of pottery covering every nameable stage from Neo- lithic to the 17th century A.D. except for the Christian Saxon. Earthwork and stone structures are already known for each stage except the late Bronze Age and sub-Roman and Saxon phases. But we are ignorant of more attributions than we know and this note has to contain fewer answers than pro- blems. To specify some of these latter is, however, to suggest how they should be answered. The _ following is a list of ground remains by categories, each introduced by a general note. In order the _ categories are:—long and round barrows and other mounds, earthwork and sarsen enclosures, settlements, _ fields, ditches, roads and tracks, ponds and wells, and arrangements of sarsens. CATEGORIES Categories are listed prefixed by capital letters A-H. The category number appears on fig. 1 beside _ selected monuments only, but the textual description and map references should result in easy identi- fication. Where the monument has been noted in V.C.H. Wilts Ff, i (1957), its number there follows our number in brackets. In general, the monuments within each category are listed here from west to east, _ starting in West Overton, then Fyfield, and finally Preshute. If a site is not shown on the Ordnance _ Survey’s 6” maps XXVHIN.E. and S.E., its description is concluded * Not on O.S. ° All map references _ are on O.S. 1” sheet 157, and are all within the National Grid square SU. A. BARROWS. Both long and round barrows occur in the area. The former, (A.J and A.2) are | both chambered and have recently been examined by Professors S. Piggott and R. J. C. Atkinson, whose account is forthcoming. A doubtful long barrow has also been recorded east of Lockeridge | (V.C.H., West Overton 24). Only one round barrow (A.6) is still a striking field monument. We | have not yet examined any certain barrow in direct contact with other remains, although the above bell-barrow is probably at the edge of, or inside, a ‘Celtic’ field. A probable sarsen-packed barrow on Overton Down (A.5), now largely destroyed, presents a special problem, however, since we cannot yet be sure whether the area immediately around it was part of settlement (B.3), or why, if Crawford was right in suggesting that this local crest of the down had not been ploughed, ‘ it was respected in this way. Other mounds amongst the fields are not necessarily barrows and one, (A.14), immediately east of the Wroughton Copse medieval settlement (B.5), was shown to be a spoil heap. All we know for certain about the newly discovered ‘ pillow-mound ’ (A.20)>5 is that it has the sharp rectangular form with continuous ditch that we think essential characteristics of at least one class of these earthworks. It is most unlikely that it was a rabbit warren. | (i) Long Barrows. Preshute 1. (1) Chambered long barrow on Manton Down, largely destroyed before rescue excav- ation by Professor R. J. C. Atkinson in 1955. Publication forthcoming. 15137140. 2. (3a) The Devil’s Den. Chambered long barrow, of which only the partly reconstructed chamber now remains. The siting, on the floor of a dry combe, is unusual. Trial trenching by Professors S. Piggott and R. J.C. Atkinson in 1960. Publication forthcoming. 15206965. 100 (ii) Round Barrows. West Overton. 3. (9) Probable small bell or disc barrow. Mound 36ft. in diameter and 2ft. high, surrounded by berm 30ft. wide and a small ditch. Mound disturbed. B.A. sherds found. 12607104. 4. (9a) Possible barrow. 12777133. Not on O.S. 5. Probable barrow on the spine of Overton Down adjacent to settlement (B.3). Centre dug out and overgrown, but sarsens in remains of disturbed mound probably part of original structure. 13057052. Not on O.S. 6-13. (14-21) Eight probable bowl barrows in a scattered group west and east of North Farm, All ploughed out, and discovered by Dr. St. Joseph (oblique air photographs AW 30 and 32). Between 13006852 and 13906863. None on O.S. Fyfield. 14. (1) Bell barrow on the false crest of a spur above the combe at the south end of Fyfield Down. Mound 64ft. in diameter and 5ft. high, with a hole in the centre, surrounded by a berm 9ft. wide and a ditch 6ft. wide and 6in. deep. Well preserved under grass, possibly within a ‘ Celtic’ field (as suggested by St. Joseph’s oblique air photograph AAU 76, pub- lished in Bowen, Ancient Fields (1961), Pl. V.). 14287065. 15. (2) Probable bowl barrow, c.30 yds. west of (14). Diameter c.36ft., height 1ft. Now under grass; it appears to have been ploughed, but when is not yet known. 14257064. Not on O:S. 16. (la) Possible bowl barrow. 136717. Not on O.S. Preshute. 17. (2) Doubtfully a bowl barrow, the area being much disturbed. The mound is oval, 33ft. by 21ft. and Ift. high, with a disturbance in the centre. There is no sign of a ditch. 15027066. 18. (3) Bowl barrow on a spur flanking the entrance to Clatford Bottom on the west. Now ploughed over and spread. 15416901. (ii) Other Mounds. 19. ‘ Pillow mound’ on the north-east slope of Overton Down immediately above a short steep drop into a sarsen-filled combe. The long axis is 45ft. NW-SE, and the mound is c.18ft. wide, rising c.6in. in the centre. It is surrounded by a ditch 3ft. wide and 6in. deep, the whole being rectangular in plan. The slope of c.8° above it has been sharpened by ploughing, the mound being on a natural shelf itself tilting 3° north-east and 2° south-east (Pl. Ia). 13417072. Not on O.S. Fyfield. 20. Oval mound, 27ft. long west-east, 14ft. across, probably consisting mainly of sarsens, at the southern foot of Totterdown. It is within a smail oblong field laid off from the straight bank running north-west/south-east across Totterdown (PI. Ib). 13387132. Not on O.S. 21. Mound, immediately east of Building II in the Wroughton Copse medieval settlement. Diameter 21ft., height 1ft. Excavated 1961 and found to consist of chalk overlying clay-with- flints, sealing a buried surface containing medieval sherds. Almost certainly material dug out in preparation of site for Building IH (see below p.111, and Pl. 1a). 13847077. Not on O.S. B. SETTLEMENTS. The earliest known settlement in the area, and that a crop-mark of “Little Woodbury” type, is almost certainly Iron Age. Earlier ones may yet be found, perhaps in the area of Fyfield Down 101 where very long cultivation is attested by the massive lynchets on a 3° slope. Otherwise, the possibi- lities of Bronze Age settlement may be made clearer when the nature of some of the alleged ditches is tested. One area (not listed) immediately north of the Delling is free of, though completely surrounded by, ‘ Celtic’ fields; it is covered by sarsens and approached by a track (F. 4). It seems to be either a settlement or a small area of permanent pasture. Two settlements, interestingly close and superficially of different type, on Overton Down (2 and 3) are known from pottery to have existed in the Romano-British period. An earlier origin is possible, but the polygonal pattern of lynchets south-west of (3) (see Pl. Ia, and Crawford, Pl. XIX) suggests the possibility of a former large enclosure, perhaps of Little Woodbury type. This may be balanced by the rectangular, probably Romano-British, enclosures adjacent to (1) (visible on St. Joseph’s oblique air photograph AW 28). In view of recent discussion of settlement patterns in Antiquity (XXXV (1961), 221-32 and XXXVI (1962), 51-5), it is probably worth stressing three points:-firstly, that here two Romano- British settlements are certainly integrated with ‘Celtic’ fields on high downland; secondly, that the form taken by these sizeable settlements strongly suggests clusters or rows of structures; and thirdly, an obvious point but important, that not one of the four Iron Age or Romano-British settlements on fig. 1 has previously appeared on any map. The geographical location of the area suggests that sub-Roman settlement may have existed in it. There is little reason to suppose these Downs were suddenly deserted about 410 A.D. by the Romano-British or as suddenly taken over by Saxons in the 5th or 6th centuries. But a possible hint of Saxon activity is given by a pot, of pagan Saxon type, found last century near Temple Farm, 4 mile north-north-west of Totterdown Wood.* Earthwork remains of these centuries may yet be recognised. Medieval settlement, later than the Norman Conquest, has been proved south of Wroughton Copse (5) and see below p.109) and at The Beeches (6), } mile north-east of it. There is no proof of continuity between these and the post-medieval period. West Overton. 1. (E.229). Settlement 500 yds. north-west and west of North Farm is now a crop- mark site, probably a Little Woodbury type of Iron Age enclosure surrounded by a bank and ditch, with an entrance and ‘ antennae’ on the north-west. It lies near the highest point of a south and south-west facing slope 600ft. above O.D. Its area is probably 3-4 acres, the interior of the enclosure containing many pits (St. Joseph oblique air photograph AW 28). Immediately west and south of the enclosures are at least six other, rectangular, crop-marks (on AW 28) which might well be part of the Romano-British settlement reported 300 yds. to the south (V.C.H., 121) near the Cunetio-Aquae Sulis Roman road (F.1). 12856875 and 12856855. Not on O:S. 2. Settlement, probably Romano-British, extending from the top of the scarp on the north side of the combe at Down Barn up the slope to the north-east. An unknown extent of the settlement has been ploughed on the east, but a strip c.40 yds. wide and c.450 yds. long of upstanding earthworks remains in pasture within the Nature Reserve boundary. Numerous probable hut sites are visible. Romano-British sherds have been collected from the ploughed area. 13156963—13306990. Not on O:S. 3. Settlement (Pl. Ia) with adjacent rectangular enclosure and possible polygonal enclosure, just to the east of and below the domed top of Overton Down above the 700ft. contour. The settlement, covering 2-3 acres, is preserved in pasture, probable hut sites and part of an en- closing bank being visible. The site is associated with ‘ Celtic’ fields on the south-west and VOL. LVIII-CCX e 102 perhaps expanded over the nearest of them at one phase in its history. A possibly contem- porary track (F.5), later hollowed, bounds it on the north-east and separates it from a con- temporary earthwork enclosure. Its interior of 4 acre (50 yds. by 30 yds.) drops at 3° to the east; the surrounding bank is 14ft. wide and Ift. high with an outer ditch 10ft. wide and 6in. deep. An original entrance has not yet been proved. The striking fact about the enclosure is the complete lack of internal features, though potsherds of Romano-British ware have been picked up here as well as in the settlement area to the west. The bank and interior have been cut by slightly hollowed tracks, two of which have largely caused the ‘ mound ’ at the north- western corner (Crawford, 125). 13157048 and 13207052. Not on O.S. Fyfield. 4. Probable Settlement, 500 yds. north-north-east of Wroughton Copse and integrated with ‘ Celtic ’ fields and contemporary tracks (F.4). The area of the settlement, only about an acre at most, is mainly discernible as a break in the regular pattern of ‘ Celtic’ fields at the junction of two tracks. Some sarsens, possibly from field clearance, have been dumped in a large hollow, presumably after the settlement had been abandoned. Two or three hut sites at most are represented by slight platforms. Part cf the site was probably ploughed in medieval times. A few sherds of pottery of Iron Age fabric have been found. 14057140. Not on O:S. 5. Medieval settlement with associated enclosures immediately south of (and probably also within) Wroughton Copse. Excavated 1959-61 (see Appendix I, and Pls. Ia and IIb; W.A.M. LVII (1960), 398-9 and LVIII (1961), 37; and Medieval Archaeology IV (1960), 157, and V (1961), forthcoming). 139707. Not on O.S. Preshute. 6. Medieval settlement at The Beeches, Manton Down, ¢ mile north-east of Wroughton Copse. The Beeches is partly surrounded by a wall of large sarsens, and within the wood are slight earthworks. Medieval pottery was found when widely spaced furrows were ploughed through the wood for tree planting in 1960. Excavation in 1949 by O. Meyrick at the north-west corner of the copse produced a quantity of 12th-13th century pottery from a probable midden, but no structure (W.A.M. LIII (1950), 331). Some of the pottery is identical with some from Wroughton Copse, and there can be little doubt that both sites represent contemporary downland settlement in the 12th-13th centuries. 14657175. Not on O.S. Off the Downs, in the Kennet valley to the south, the parent villages of both our main parishes will repay detailed attention in due course, particularly with reference to the pattern of medieval settlement and fields (see p. 113) within the parish framework. It must suffice here, since our present concern is with the Downs, to note that substantial earthwork remains of the former extent of West Overton exist in the pasture field immediately south of the Church (c.11 acres, around 133680); that this shrinkage took place before about 1800 and that further shrinkage has occurred since then; and that possibly cognate remains of Fyfield village exist in the pasture field between the parish boundary and the River Kennet c.400 yds. south of the church around 149683 (both indicated by SVR—shrunken village remains—on fig. 1). C. EARTHWORK AND SARSEN ENCLOSURES. There is a variety of enclosures on these Downs, both associated and unassociated with settle- ments. All those discovered so far are listed here, with cross-reference where necessary. There are ten examples in our area, ranging in date from the Early Iron Age to the 19th cent- a. Ph. J. K. St. Joseph Copyright reserved Wroughton Copse from the north east. Ph. J. K. St. Joseph Copyright reserved b. Totterdown from the south east. 103 ury and in function from settlement to copse bank. In size, they vary from 12 acres to c.% acre, and in appearance from compact rectangular earthworks to straggling irregularly-shaped features. None of the earthwork remains is at all massive, a fact reflected by the previous recording of only two of them; but the slightness of their appearance itself reflects their function within an agricultural way of life which continued largely unchanged for the two millenia they span, and stresses that they were not defensive in any military sense. West Overton. 1. (E.229) Little Woodbury type of settlement enclosure (see Settlement, B.1), 12856875. Not on OS. 2. Trapezcidal enclosure 300 yds. north of Down Barn, embracing the narrow floor of the northern end of the small combe called Pytteldene. The length of the banked and ditched sides are respectively 30 yds. (north-west), 53 yds. (south-west), 13 yds. (south-east) with a wide entrance opening on to a round pond, and 53 yds. (north-east). Sites of possible buildings occur both inside and outside the enclosure which may be a small settlement (cf. Wroughton Copse settlement, B.5). Its general appearance and situation suggest that it is later than Roman. 13046978. Not on O.S. 3. Rectangular enclosure on Overton Down, almost certainly contemporary with adjacent Romano-British settlement (B.3). A possibly earlier polygonal enclosure is suggested by the ‘ Celtic ’ field pattern c.200 yds. to the south, but is not listed separately or shown on fig.1 since its existence is not yet proven (PI. Ia). 13207052 and possibly 13177037. Not on O.S. 4. Rectangular enclosure (P\. Ia), near the floor of the combe c.500 yds. north-east of (3) above and 400 yds. south of Delling. Surrounded by a bank and narrow ditch, its sides are c.65 yds. long, with a probable original entrance in the centre of the north side. The interior is divided unequally by a scarp running north-west/south-east across it. Above the scarp in the north-west corner of the enclosure is the probable site of a rectangular building, from which bits of brick have been collected, while immediately below the scarp, also on the west side of the enclosure, is a marked hollow. This was partly excavated by Marlborough College Archaeological Society in 1954 under A. Witheridge (to whom we are indebted for information), when 17th century sherds were found. Abutting on to the south-western side of the enclosure are another bank and ditch, which turn sharply south-east after c.30 yds and which are probably the remains of another enclosure. The site can provisionally be considered as an isolated 17th century farm. 13477086. Not on O.S. 5. Large irregular enclosure (Pl. Ib) running out of the north-western side of the copse c.500 yds. north-west of (4) above. It lies at the foot of the long gentle slope from Totter- down to the sarsen-strewn combe floor, and is defined by a very small, though sharp, bank and ditch. It protrudes at least 200 yds. north-west from the copse and is c.130 yds. across at its widest point. Its extent in the copse has not yet been ascertained. It is later than the ‘Celtic’ fields it cuts through, and is probably of relatively recent date. Major Allen first noted the site on oblique air photograph 914 (Ashmolean Museum).7 131713. Not on O.S. Fyfield 6. Oval enclosure consisting of a bank and ditch planted with beech trees around the copse immediately north-east of Delling. A good example of a copse enclosure. Probably 19th century. 13587127. 7. Medieval enclosures (PI. Ia), south and south-east of Wroughton Copse, are four in num- ber (see Settlements, B.5, and Appendix 1). 139707. Not on O.S. 8. Long, narrow rectangular ‘ platform enclosure ’ (P1. Ia), probably 17th century, within the 1M 104 medieval triangular enclosure immediately south-east of Wroughton Copse. Excavated 1961 (see Appendix I, p.109). 13897082. Not on O:S. 9. Rectangular enclosure, 300 yds. south-south-east of Wroughton Copse. Situated in the bottom of the slight combe running north up the slope of Fyfield Down. Its western and southern sides are sarsen-faced on the inside and its interior has not been cleared of the sarsens here packing the combe floor. A hedge-bank and ditch runs into its south-western corner, and it is connected to the 17th century platform enclosure (8) by a slightly hollowed track which loops round to the north (F.7) and (PI. Ia). Its sheltered position, general form and associations suggest that it is a post-medieval sheep-fold. 141707. Not on O.S. Preshute 10. Enclosure around The Beeches on Manton Down. Even if the large sarsen wall partly bounding the copse is unconnected with the medieval site here (B.6), it is still a good ex- ample of dry-stone structure. 147717. D. FIELDS (Pls. Ia and b and IIa). There are two main types of fields in the area, covering a total of about 420 acres: (i) ‘Celtic’ ; (ii) strip fields, mostly broad ridge and furrow (broad rig) but associated with some poorly developed strip lynchets. The strip fields undoubtedly belong to open field systems and are distri- buted in three main blocks. They lie on top of 200 acres or more of ‘ Celtic’ fields, crossing banks and lynchets and only fitting in to the pre-existing framework because the size of some of the early lynchets gives no choice. The general ‘ Celtic’ field pattern survives in these areas, but the detailed arrangements have been lost or changed. The ‘ Ancient Village ’ mapped by the O.S. on Fyfield Down consists largely of such remains and the fact that it incorporates a settlement is pure chance. The fields on Overton Down are similar. This was apparent from air photographs and ground observations long before we knew of the medieval settlement (B.5). Conversely, it would be rash to suppose that this or the other downland settlement of the period (B.6), was mainly responsible for the open fields, especially since there is substantial excavated evidence that sheep farming predominated over the ploughing indicated by finds of ox-shoes. The pattern of the parish boundaries (especially above the 600ft. contour, fig. 1) and some almost ploughed-out vestiges lock with documentary information to show that the main field systems of Overton and Fyfield climbed high on to the downland and were separated only by a very narrow margin from our open fields. The dating- bracket for the broad rig is not yet certain but we think it likely to be medieval and, probably, here 13th century (cf Appendix II). Such downland open fields are particularly widespread in Wiltshire. Even where this secondary field system has caused partial obliteration, the ‘ Celtic ’ fields themselves still repay study by field work and excavation. Lynchets are massively developed on Fyfield Down and the south-western parts of Overton Down where ‘ staggered ’ field angles are common. By con- trast they are slight and notably regular in layout, with cross banks springing from base lines, in the area north-west of Delling (PI. Ib). The abundance of surface stone produced an opportunity to study the nature of field bounds. In some cases a broad tumble or upright stones suggests the former existence of effective walls, but there are also low rough stone banks and the excavation noted below exposed a laid kerb or retaining wall. The particular lynchet involved in this last example seems likely to have grown to 6ft. or so high before the Roman phase but the marking-out bank and field pattern for the immediate area seem to originate inan Iron Age‘ A’ phase. There is little doubt that most, if not all, of the ‘ Celtic ’ fields would have been cultivated in Roman times and perhaps, without substantial change of form, even later. Plate II Ph. P. J. Fowler. a. Fyfield Down, 1961: ‘Celtic’ field lynchets and excavated sections. The Early Iron Age field ‘wall’, partly removed, is in situ in the central cutting and continued as far as the 6ft. pole at the field corner. A similar ‘wall’ occurred in the middle distance cutting. Note the ‘Celtic’ field ‘staggered angle’ etc. right centre. SH : Pier Ph. P. J. Fowler. b. Wroughton Copse medieval settlement: Buildings II and III, during excavation, from the south. The curved eastern wall of Building IL is on the filling of an earlier chalk-cut trench; the 6ft. upright poles mark the staggered entrances. 105 Both the ‘ Celtic’ and strip fields have to be considered in relationship to the complicated linear features partly marked as ‘ ditches ’ by O.S. (F.4 below). Amongst many problems that spring to mind the detailed dating for ‘ Celtic ’ fields and strip fields is in general the most important. Specifically, we shall try to establish an attribution of farm areas to the settlements concerned and to see how the open fields were bounded. Further excavated sections through lynchets and broad rig and at particular points of relationship should help to disentangle phases and throw more light on such things as marking-out, duration of cultivation, and field shape. Lynchet Section on Fyfield Down. In 1961 a section was cut across the lynchets on either side of a 44 yds. wide (wall to wall, see below) ‘Celtic’ field untouched by medieval ploughing (at 14087119, arrowed on fig. 1, Pl. Ifa). On the west side, where the lynchet was 8ft. high, a cutting 51 ft. long and 6ft. wide was made and taken down to bed-rock (chalk) except for 12ft. at the eastern end. The main feature found was a small dry-stone wall, lft. to 1ft. 6in. thick and Ift. high, roughly built of broken sarsens and large flints on top of 4in. of buried soil. The wall was found less that Ift. below the present turf almost exactly halfway up (or down) the lynchet face. There can be little doubt that the wall material, which included part of a sarsen saddle-quern, came largely from clearance of the area to be cultivated, the broken stones suggesting that large sarsens were cracked in situ, possibly by fire and water, and then utilised in the field wall. Its size—and it had hardly tumbled at all when found—suggests its main function was to mark out the field. Unless complemented by a hedge or fence, it would not have kept animals out— or in. As much as 3ft. 6in. of chalk had been ploughed away below the wall to form a marked ‘ negative ’ lynchet and up to 4ft. 6in. of plough soil had accumulated behind it. This soil was finely commin- uted, and lay in several layers, the chalkier at the bottom. Whether or not this accumulation represents regular cultivation remains to be seen. Similar features, including a stone marking-out bank, were found in a less accentuated form in the cutting across the eastern side of the * Celtic ’ field. Ninety sherds were found in the cuttings, all but fifteen of them from the western one. They range from ‘Windmill Hill’ ware through Bronze and Iron Age fabrics to late Roman pottery, and were gen- erally stratified in chronological order in the lynchet. But this fact is probably misleading in its im- plications, since three Early Iron Age ‘A’ sherds were found in the buried soil at the base of the section. Nevertheless, the number of pre-Iron Age sherds indicates earlier settlement or manuring—or both —adjacent to our cutting. Unfortunately, the soil samples kindly taken by Dr. G. W. Dimbleby contained no pollen. (i) ‘ Celtic’ fields (V.C.H., F.96). 1. On the south-west facing slope of Overton Down, c.140 acres remain in pasture, the southern part overlaid and altered by strip ploughing. There is probable evidence, as yet unclarified, of a direct earthwork relationship between the fields and the Romano-British settlement (B.3) and possibly also (B.2). Track (F.6) runs through the fields. Not on O.S. 2. On the south and south-west facing slopes of Totterdown and Fyfield Down (‘ Ancient Village ’ on O.S. 6”, 1925), extending on to the northern end of Clatford Down, c.280 acres remain almost entirely in pasture; they show at least two phases of development and have been much altered by later strip ploughing which has, however, avoided at least one small area unsuitable for such development (see above). Field boundaries include lynchets, at least two of which contain walls of broken sarsens (see above), banks, and lines of unbroken sarsens, presumably cleared from the field, either jammed close together in regu- lar rows or left in haphazard fashion. The fields entirely surround an unploughed area 106 north of Delling (see p.101), and are crossed by track (F.4), which bounds the fields on the north-west, and its subsidiaries. One settlement (B.4) associated with the fields has been identified; more are to be expected. No finds are known from Totterdown, but Iron Age and Romano-British material is recorded from Fyfield Down (V.C.H., p. 72). Some of the lynchets on Fyfield Down only are shown by Ordnance Survey; but three lines of sarsens at the foot of Totterdown also shown are sides of * Celtic ’ fields. (ii) Strip fields, probably medieval. West Overton 3. On the southern part of Overton Down are c.80 acres entirely overlying ‘ Celtic ’ fields. The strips lie in bundles, sometimes at right angles to one another, contained within the framework of some large, originally ‘ Celtic ’ field, lynchets running across the slope. The broad rig, where measureable, is 9 yds. wide. 1370. Not onO-.S. 4. On the west side of Pytteldene, 400 yds. south-east of Pickledean Barn. Three strip lynchets which have been ploughed out tothe south. These are probably part of the village ‘in- field ’ rather than a separate block of arable. 141689. Not on OS. Fyfield 5. North, north-east and east of Wroughton Copse are c.70 acres of broad rig entirely over- lying ‘ Celtic’ fields. The rig respects the Wroughton Copse 12th-13th century settlement, and is probably contemporary with it, though not necessarily ploughed by its residents alone. Description otherwise as for (3) above (PI. Ia, and refs. in footnote 2 above; Bowen, Ancient Fields (1961), Pl. V). Around 142712. Not on O.S. Preshute 6. Remains of broad rig overlying ‘ Celtic’ fields on Clatford Down between the Fyfield- Preshute parish boundary and the medieval site in The Beeches. The extent on air photo- graphs taken in 1946 is c.20 acres only. No rig crosses the parish boundary. Around 145715. Not on OS. 7. Immediately north of Totterdown Wood, an area of c.50 acres, part of which is now arable, contains evidence of strip ploughing, and well-developed strip lynchets occur on the steep, north-facing escarpment. 1472. Not on O.S. 8. Strip lynchets and lynchetted rig running parallel with and at right angles to the parish boundary with Fyfield on Clatford Down. Modern arable to south-east has probably destroyed other remains. 149704. Not on O.S. E. DITCHES Three separate linear earthworks are marked by the O.S. as ‘ Ditch’, respectively running from 12457127 to 12987147 and from 12707122 to 12917089 on Overton Down, and from 14087145 to 14347128 on Fyfield Down. These are discussed below under TRACKS since, whatever their origin, they were used as such for some time at least. No other ditches, apart from those around enclosures (above p. 102), have so far been recorded. F. ROADS and TRACKS There are remains of two through roads—the Roman road from Cunetio to Aquae Sulis, which skirts south of settlement (B.1), and the Marlborough-Bath road wrongly called ‘ Herepath’ on O.S. This latter cuts across the north of Fyfield and Overton Downs and has fanned into many deep-cut hollow-ways as it climbs west on to Overton Down (PI. Ia). 107 It is difficult to know whether certain features are tracks or ditches. Fieldwork has shown that the long continuous earthworks, running between ancient fields and in at least three cases connecting settle- ments, vary greatly in form and size, reflecting their complex history. The O.S. ‘ Ditch’, at the north end of Overten Down, for example, becomes an irregular hollow-way without side banks which con- tinues to the east to link up with another length of ‘ ditch ’ on O.S., while a branch from it becomes a lynchetted terrace, sarsen-edged and 7-22 yds. wide, before it funnels into the unploughed area north of Delling (see above p.101) andPl. Ib). Now that continual farming use of the whole area is known, an understanding of the pattern and development of the ‘ tracks’ is fundamental to interpretation of the field remains. The hollowed nature of track (4) on the north west side of Totterdown, and the fact that it bounds the ‘ Celtic’ fields here, suggest its origin may be in something more akin to Bronze Age ranch boundaries than in a system of inter-communication. A developed track system in the Romano-British period, however, seems highly likely. No doubt much of it was re-used during the later cultivation of the downland. (i) Through-Roads 1. Roman road Cunetio-Aquae Sulis runs along the Kennet valley. Its exact line is unknown in the stretch covered by the bottom of Fig. 1, but it passed close to the present North Farm and settlement (B.1). c.125684-155685. Not on O.S. 2. ‘ Herepath’, wrongly so-called, is a downland track leaving the east entrance of Ave- bury and making for Marlborough. It is post- ‘Celtic’ fields in date, though its origin is as yet unknown, and it probably went out of use for through traffic relatively recently. * 3. The ‘ Ridgeway’, another downland track, running roughly north-south along the spine of Overton Down after climbing from The Sanctuary on Overton Hill to the south. Although its general line as a pre-historic line of communication is not here questioned, its present line cuts across ‘ Celtic’ field lynchets at c.118688 and cannot therefore mark a through- way during at least the phase of ploughing responsible for the lynchets (not on fig. 1). 12457064-12687155. (ii) Tracks 4. Track, running from a probable settlement 600 yds. west of its entry on to fig. 1 across Overton Down, Totterdown, Fyfield Down and probably part of Clatford Down for at least 14 miles. Contemporary with ‘ Celtic ’ fields, which it bounds on the north-west, and ploughed in part by broad rig. It bifurcates at settlement (B.4), and three short tracks branch from it on Totterdown. Two lengths of the track on Overton and Fyfield Downs are shown on O.S. as ‘ Ditch’, and the former is so listed in V.C.H. as E.38. 12457129- 14467124. Partly on O.S. 5. Track, also marked as ‘ Ditch’ on O.S., running down the spine of Overton Down from a possible junction with (F.4) above towards settlement (B.3). It may possibly bound the ‘ Celtic ’ fields to the south-west, but its nature and date require careful examination since other later tracks run roughly along the same line and cut enclosure (C.3). 12707122- 12917089. 6. Track, probably leading from settlement (B.3) and possibly a continuation of (F.5) above, runs south-west through ‘ Celtic’ fields to the small combe north of Down Barn. It has probably been ploughed over and re-used at different times. 13347029-12936992. Not on OS. 7. Track, (not shown on fig.1 but visible on Pl. Ia) looping round to the north between the 17th century ‘ platform enclosure’ (C.8) and enclosure (C.9) on Fyfield Down. It cuts 108 through the bank and ditch of both the medieval triangular enclosure (see p.109) and a prominent former hedge line (shown on O.S.), and across ‘Celtic’ field lynchets. 13917086—14097073. Not on O.S. G. PONDS and WELLS One of the perennial problems of downland archaeology is to discover the source of water used by former inhabitants for themselves and for animals. On the downland (i.e. north of grid line 69) covered by fig. 1 there are at least seventeen ponds and four wells. Some ponds, e.g. 4, 7, 9, might be contemporary with ‘Celtic’ fields. Doubtless most were used for cattle and sheep, but two (5 and 6) are probably to be associated with the medieval settlement (B.5) The only distinction made here is be- tween round ponds, which could be of any date, and large square or rectangular ponds of a type built in the 19th century. There is now a small reservoir at the north end of Clatford Down from which water is piped to cattle troughs over much of the downland area on fig. 1. To avoid over-lettering fig. 1, the following, shown as black circles or open squares, are not labelled on the map, but it is hoped that the list makes its own point about downland water supply :- (i) Round Ponds. West Overton Immediately south-east of enclosure (C.2). 13056977. 130 yds. north-west of enclosure (C.2). 12936988. Not on O.S. 4 mile north-west of (2). 12517056. 970 yds. north-east of (3) at foot of Totterdown in bottom of combe. Probably a pond surrounded by a bank. 12997130. Fyfield hee a At south-east corner of Wroughton Copse. 13847084. In Wroughton Copse. 13827100. Not on OS. West of Wroughton Copse near edge of ‘ Celtic ’ fields. 13627086. Not on OS. Immediately east of (7) (PL. Ia). 13637086. Not on O.S. By track (E.2) south of Delling (PI. Ia). 13607114. Not on O:S. 10. Immediately north-east of Delling. 13557125. Not on O.S. 11-13. Three ponds immediately south of the now derelict house of Old Totterdown. One, the largest, still contains water and is shown on O.S. 138718. WN Corns (ii) Square Ponds. West Overton 14. Immediately north-west of round pond (2). 12916990. 15. Overlying part of settlement (B.3) on Overton Down. 13187044. Fyfield 16. South-east of Wroughton Copse in a small combe south of enclosure (9). 14117065. 17. On the Fyfield-Preshute parish boundary in a small gully. 14897021. (iii) Wells Of the four downland wells so far noted, three are at buildings probably of the 19th century or later, i.e. Pickledean Barn, Fyfield Hill and New Totterdown, and are shown on 109 O.S. The fourth (indicated by W on fig. 1), now filled in, is situated in the bottom of the combe south-east of the Wroughton Copse settlement (B.5).° H. ARRANGEMENTS of SARSENS Although Fyfield and Overton Downs are part of the Chalk uplands which form so important a portion of the so-called ‘ Lowland Zone ’, the readily available supply of stone from the once wide- spread sarsen cover has been much used and produced archaeological features uncharacteristic of chalk country as a whole. The sarsens used in the chambers of both long barrows (A.1 and 2), surround in various ways some ‘ Celtic’ fields, and as building material on the Wroughton Copse medieval site, are mentioned elsewhere (pp.99, 105, and 110). A few further examples of their use are given here. West Overton 1. 400 yds. north north-east of Down Barn is an irregular circle of 15 stones, with one in the approximate centre. A disturbed 2ft. high mound appears to be wedged against the eastern side of the ‘ circle’. Is almost certainly not a ‘ natural disposition of stones ’ (V.C.H., p. 120) though whether it is a prehistoric monument is unknown. It is avoided by the broad rig to south and east. 13186986. Not on O.S. 2. c.60 yds. north-east of (1) is a line of small sarsens c.80 yds. long. Probably recent, as one stone lies in a furrow between broad rig. 13256990. 3. Ina narrow gully leading west from the combe bottom immediately east of the ‘ pillow mound’ (A.20) is a short sarsen alignment apparently unconnected with ‘ Celtic’ fields. 13447069. Not on O:S. Fyfield 4. On the bank marking the Fyfield-Preshute parish boundary, immediately north of its junction with track (F.4) is a finely dressed sarsen monolith, 8ft. 3in. high with squared sides c.1ft. across. Known locally as ‘ Long Tom ’. 14397128. Other standing sarsens in the area have apparently been used at least recently for stretch- ing chains across race-horse gallops, and elsewhere there are several examples of both short lines of sarsens and single large sarsens beside tracks. They have apparently been so placed to act as guide stones over these relatively featureless downs. APPENDIX I INTERIM REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS AT WROUGHTON COPSE, FYFIELD DOWN P. J. Fowler The site (B.5, C.7 and C.8) consists of three small earthwork enclosures within the northern corner of a 12 acre enclosure which runs south down the slope from Wroughton Copse to the combe bottom (fig. 1, Pl. la). Atno point are the earthworks more than 3ft. 6in. high, and for the most part they are considerably less. The westernmost of the small enclosures, called (A), is only 40 yds. by 27 yds., with a small ditch outside the bank on the north. An entrance is on the north-east. This enclosure’s eastern side is also the western bank of the larger enclosure immediately to the east. This second enclosure, (B), covering about § acre internally, has four banked sides, the line of which has been dictated by the pre-existing boundaries of a ‘ Celtic’ field, the fifth and northern side apparently being open (see below p.110). Seventy yds. north-east of this enclosure, and backing on to another bank built on top of a ‘ Celtic’ field lynchet, is a small triangular-shaped enclosure defined by a slight bank and ditch, the main entrance being on the east at the apex of the triangle. This is VOL. LVIII-CCX a 110 probably a medieval enclosure, though the 200 ft. long platform it contains is of 17th century date (see below p.112). The whole site is within Wroughton Mead, which is still used for sheep and cattle grazing. Three seasons’ excavations have conclusively dated the main occupation to the 12th and 13th centuries A.D. and provided the ground plans of four different buildings as well as a large number of small finds. Of the buildings so far examined, three (House I, Buildings II and III) are grouped close together on the north side of Enclosure B, House I being separated from the contiguous Buildings II and III by only a ‘yard’ through which ran the entrance to the enclosure. At least three further buildings await excavation. All of the buildings are immediately below the modern surface, the wall stones in some cases being visible, and clearly the site has hardly been disturbed since the day it was abandoned (but see below p.112). All the buildings had low walls, at most of two courses, made of broken sarsen stones, with their straight sides exposed where possible on the inside of the building. It seems clear that the main purpose of these walls was to provide a firm bedding for the roof which, when in place and thatched, probably merged almost imperceptibly with the surrounding ground surface. Stones were piled on top of the junction of wall and roof (except in the case of Building II, see below p.111), and rubbish subsequently accumulated along and on top of this junction. House I (fig. 2), set longways on into the slight south-falling slope, was, in its latest form, 58 ft. long by 14 ft. wide internally, defined by walls only 2 ft. thick and 1 ft. high on the north and west. But these were covered by a loose agglomeration of sarsen stones, stretching several feet either side of the ‘ wall’ proper; and on the east and south there was no walling at all, only a ragged spread of such sarsens on the east, loosely piled outside a single course sarsen kerb marking the edge of the house floor. The southern wall lacked even the kerb, though it lay between two large sarsens on east and west, and it is suggested that this ‘wall’ was only temporary in the sense that it was pericdically removed for ‘mucking out’ the house interior. For there can be little doubt that this building was a ‘long-house’ i.e. a building in which man and beast shared the same roof (and warmth) though segregated to either end and separated by some form of central partition but, in this case, with only one broad entrance on the east side. As is usual, the animals were stabled in the down- hill, and in this case southern, end, and though no evidence of stalling was found in the clay-with -flints floor, a pit, probably a sump, had been dug against the eastern wall. Assuming this interpret- ation to be correct, then 8-10 cows and/or oxen could have been accommodated at any one time. In the east wall immediately south of this division was an entrance 8 ft. wide, giving access to both ends of the house. In the northern end, which was cut down a few inches into the clay-with-flints to make a reasonably level floor, was a ‘ fire-pit ’ cut further into the clay-with-flints near the western wall. Both this wall and that on the east remained in such a way as to suggest that originally they contained recesses—cupboards, or perhaps sleeping places—immediately beneath the roof as it sloped down to near-ground level. The roof itself can be reconstructed with some accuracy since the footings, on which four uprights supporting a ridge-pole had stood, lay undamaged on the floor. They consisted simply of small lumps of chalk packed together, showing as grey, slightly raised patches, 1-2 ft. across, on the reddish-brown floor (section on fig. 2). The house described above was probably the second phase of a building which had been originally much shorter (28 ft.), although of similar width. The slightly skewed ground plan of the long-house, the fact that the southern three post-footings did not line up with the northernmost, the existence of blocked opposed entrances in the northern half of the west and east walls, and of a pit containing earlier pottery beneath and structurally unconnected with the southern half of the eastern wall, all suggested that the cattle end of the long-house had been attached to an original building whose southern wall stood on what subsequently became the division between the two ends of the long- 111 house. The opposed entrances of this first structure suggest that it too may have been a long-house. Building II (Pl. IIb), 25 ft. east of, and almost parallel to, the long-house, was also probably of two phases, though certainty awaits further excavation. The building was 38 ft. long and 17 ft. wide at the centre as opposed to 15 ft. at either end, the eastern wall being curved. The walls, though only one or two courses high and 3ft. thick, were relatively well-built. Entrances in both the western and eastern walls were not exactly opposed, and were only 4ft. wide. Like House I, it was built longways on into the slope, the northern end being cut right through the clay-with-flints and down into the chalk. A small mound (A.14), immediately east of the buildings, consisting of chalk piled over clay- with-flints, probably represents at least some of the material dug out in preparing the site. The fact that nearly two-thirds of the floor was chalk and not clay-with-flints enabled two rows of post-holes, roughly 5 ft. apart and 5 ft. from the walls, to be located with reasonable certainty, though excavation was complicated by ‘ solution pipes ’ made in the chalk surface before the site was used, and by the probability that the stone structure replaced a wooden one. However, it seems reasonably certain that Building II was an aisled structure. Its function is unknown. No hearth existed, so it is difficult to interpret as a house, but as large a quantity of small finds as from House I were found, again par- ticularly round the walls. The narrow entrances hardly allow it to have been a barn—a cart could not have backed into it—and the adjacent long-house, if contemporary, would hardly suggest it to have been a byre. Further excavation is planned. Building III (PI. IIb) immediately to the north—its southern wall just touches the northern wall of Building II[—is equally unspecific, though in this case this is due to the fact that it had been substan- tially robbed, probably for other building within the settlement. Only two corners—fortunately opposite ones—remained in anything like completeness, although the wall-lines were detected by the ‘ dished ’ effect at the outside edges of the floor, a characteristic feature noted on all the buildings. The building was a trapezoid in plan, being 26ft. and 24ft. long on west and east respectively, and 12ft. wide internally, the walls where measureable being 2 ft. thick and one or two courses high. By a process of elimination, it is suggested that the entrance was through the southern half of the western wall, although no structural evidence for it remained. Similarly no evidence of the method of roofing was found. Six feet west of the south-western corner of Building III was an oval pit 5 ft. by 4 ft. across and lft. 6 in. deep, below the top of the clay-with-flints. It affords one of the few instances of vertical stratification on the site—some of the stones from the outside of the wall at the north-western corner of Building II had tumbled into it—and is also of particular interest because it was partly sur- rounded by what were probably fairly large stake-holes, suggesting some sort of wooden structure, and the rather rich filling contained a complete prick spur. If, as is suggested, this is the remains of a peasant equivalent of the aristocratic garde-robe, the presence of the complete spur in the pit gives rise to not a little speculation. House IV, the only one of the buildings so far examined to be demonstrably integrated with the larger enclosure (B), has not yet been completely excavated; and being a structure of several phases, partly overlying but not necessarily otherwise associated with a large pit, only a few salient points will be mentioned here. At one stage, probably the first in its history, the structure was a long-house in the sense described above (p.110). Its length is not certain because the northern end was subse- quently altered and has not yet been excavated, but it was between 38ft. and 46ft. Its width was a constant 14 ft. The western wall is simply a line of stones revetting the inside face of the western bank of enclosure (B); the southern wall appears to overlie the enclosure bank but the extant stones may not be the end of the original building; and the eastern wall, of similar nature to the eastern wall of House I (see above p.110), had been partly robbed. In this case, however, the robbing can be partly IN 112 explained : thestones were placed in and over a previously open drain which ran down the centre of the southern half of the house. This drain in its original state is, of course, an important part of the evidence for the suggestion that the building was originally a long-house. The suggestion is supported by a hearth in the northern half of the building. The only entrance, 7 ft. 6 in. wide and approached by a cobbled track of as yet unknown length, was in the northern half of the eastern wall. Since the western wall of the house was the enclosure bank, however, opposed entrances would hardly have been practicable. The archaeological evidence so far shows the site to have been occupied for about two centuries, from within the first half of the 12th century to about 1300 A.D. This bracket is, of course, subject to revision at either end, and the development and or decay of the settlement in terms of the histories of the individual buildings remains to be worked out structurally, and by analysis of the small finds in the nearly complete absence of both vertical and horizontal stratification. But it is certain that all of the buildings were in use during some, if not all, of the time within the general bracket indicated above. The large and growing collection of small finds is also providing the basis for a reconstruction of the culture and economy of the settlement; thousands of potsherds, metal tools and ornaments, and boxfuls of animal bones (mainly sheep but including ox), taken in conjunction with the evidence from fieldwork, are all pointing towards certain conclusions. And while the settlement certainly existed before its first documentary mention in 1248 A.D., the continuance of the name until at least 1318 does not so far differ significantly from the excavated evidence. Neither source has yet shown why the settlement was abandoned. A few post-medieval objects were found in excavating House I at the Wroughton Copse site in 1959-60, to which were added a few more and a quantity of broken bottle-glass in excavating Build- ings II and III. Excavation in 1961 of the 200 ft. long, 6in. high* platform enclosure’ (C.8) with- in the medieval triangular enclosure 70 yds. north-east of Buildings I-III has shown that it too is almost certainly of 17th century date. Onit wasa17thcentury spur, and from the foot of the sarsen stones fac- ing its eastern side came buff-coloured, internally glazed, wheel-made pottery and the greater part of a costrel. The platform probably served some sort of farming purpose, but its precise function remains uncertain. The recognition of this archaeological evidence of a phase inthe history of this downland roughly halfway between medieval and modern usage increases the interest, if also the complexity, of our survey, and will eventually bring it nearer the completeness at which we are aiming. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to express our gratitude to the following institutions and individuals for their co- operation and assistance :— Messrs. G. Todd, H. Johnson and F. Swanton; English Farms Ltd.; Nature Conservancy, partic- ularly J. H. Hemsley, Regional Officer for the South West, and I. Jones, Warden of the Reserve; Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England); Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Ministry of Works; Bristol University, Dept. of Extra-Mural Studies; Marc Fitch Fund; Society of Antiquaries; Royal Archaeological Institute; Wiltshire Archaeological Society and particularly K. Annable, the Curator at Devizes Museum; Dr. J. K. S. St. Joseph and the Committee for Aerial Photography, University of Cambridge; Wiltshire County Council; Marlborough College; Dr. M. J. Aitken; N. Grudgings; British Association for the Advancement of Science Committee on Archaeo- logical Field Experiments; Dr. G. W. Dimbleby; Cranborne Chase School; Wessex Chalklands Research Committee; The Plessey Co. Ltd., Swindon; and Mrs. Elizabeth Fowler, Miss J. Close- Brooks, and G. C. Knowles, chief assistants on the 1961 excavations, and all those who laboured on the excavations 1959-61. 113 APPENDIX II WROUGHTON MEAD: a Note on the Documentary Evidence By E. G. H. Kempson The parish of Overton, or West Overton as it is now styled, was originally divided into five tithings. From east to west these were Fyfield, Lockeridge, East Overton and West Overton, all of which stretch north and south, with Shaw off to the south-west. From before the Norman conquest there had been a number of Wiltshire manors in the hands of the bishop of Winchester; those within reasonable distance of our area were East Overton including Fyfield, Alton Priors and Patney, Little Hinton and a part of Wroughton to the north, and Enford to the south. All of these were early made over for the use of the Prior of St. Swithun’s in Winchester. They were under the jurisdiction of one bailiff, though each had its own reeve. Fyfield ecclesiastically was a chapel under Overton, which had its church in East Overton tithing. Lockeridge, although between East Overton and Fyfield, had always been under different ownership; it was given to the Knights Templars in the 12th century, but like all the property of the Templars in England it was sequestrated and given in 1312 to the Knights Hospitallers. West Overton from Saxon times had been held by the abbess of Wilton. Shaw on the other hand was closely con- nected with the manor of Alton Barnes. We are here only concerned with the holdings of the Prior of St. Swithun’s at Winchester. Wroughton Mead, the site of the recent excavations, was in the tithing and parish of Fyfield. According to the late Dr. Walter Maurice, Wroughton Copse was so called because in the time of his father it had always been shot over by Colonel Wroughton; but the name goes back much further than that. It appears as Rodden in the Enclosure Act of 1814, as Rowden in the 1773 map of Andrews and Dury, as Rodden in the Pembroke Survey of 1562, as Raddon in manuscripts at Winchester Cathedral for the period 1267 to 1318, and as Raddun in the oldest roll of accounts there for the year 1247-8. It presumably means red down, a name which could derive from the red colour of the soil. One of the notable Winchester documents that concerns us is a great fourteenth century Custumal of Priory lands; it includes in it the Rents, Services and Customs of East Overton, with Fyfield as part of it. Although of comparatively late date it incorporates much material from the previous century; a custumal was essentially a traditional document, the contents of which would change but slowly. It tells us that Richard of Raddon holds a half-virgate of land; and that by virtue of his being in charge of two teams of oxen, he holds this land without having to pay its normal rent of fifteen pence; in fact the land has been brought back into the demesne. Now account rolls show that Richard was in possession in 1248, but that by 1267 and indeed for fifty years after that there was someone else holding the land, for it is now styled as ‘late Richard of Raddon’s ’. It is always difficult to gauge the exact extent of a half- virgate, but Raddon certainly contained as much as eighteen acres, for in 1316 the holding included 17 acres of meadow and one of pasture. The amount of meadow varied from year to year; thus there were I1 acres in 1309, 6 in 1311 and 17 in 1316. Wheat was grown on the holding, for three bushels of wheat were paid as tithe in 1267; barley may not have been, for four bushels of barley were provided from store in 1312 to improve the feed of some old cattle that were then being kept at Raddon. In 1283 and again in 1312 meal was allowed to be ground at the Raddon sheepcote ‘ because it was so far away from the manor court ’; and Miles of Patney, the miller, lived at the court-house of Fyfield and paid its annual rent of four shillings to the Prior. The distance from Raddon to Fyfield is only a mile and a half, but doubtless much coming and going was saved in this way. Curiously enough Colt Hoare in a casual excavation at Rowden Mead in the early nineteenth century uncovered one half of a hand-quern; con- sequently this find may be something more than a mere coincidence. ! ° 114 In the account rolls there are references to the upkeep or building of many manorial buildings at Overton: a hall, a great grange, a western grange, a granary, a kitchen, a new chamber, a garde robe, an oxhouse, a piggery and astable. The work of oxherd, pigherd and dairymaid is mentioned; but none of these things is ever referred to as being at Raddon. Clearly the main business at Raddon was sheep. Within the manor of East Overton with Fyfield there were three sheepcotes or sheephouses (bercarie), and these should be clearly distinguished from the temporary sheepfolds(falde). One of these sheepcotes was south of the Kennet at Attele, now repre- sented by Audley’s Cottage (cote); the other two, Hackpen and Raddon, were to the north. In passing it should be noticed that Hackpen on the maps is usually marked much farther north than the northern- most part of East Overton; but in the 13th century, as in Saxon times, this was certainly not so. 11 These sheepcotes were thatched and fresh thatching was needed for them year by year, but more than the usual amount was needed in 1309 because of a great storm. A present-day sheepcote is a rectangular area, bounded by hurdles; pens, separated from each other by further wattling, lie immediately inside the walls and are covered by wattle roofs, that slope outwards and are made firm by horizontal poles and supported by vertical posts. The outer wattling may have been laid on low sarsen walls, as are the wooden walls of so many local farm buildings nowadays. The documents refer to walls (muri) at Fyfield and Overton, but only to partitions (parietes) at Raddon. The sheepcotes appear to have had three entrances (hostia) and one door (porta). They were regularly lined with wattle and straw. The whole croft at Raddon was surrounded by hurdles in 1248, but in 1311 it was ditched round and fenced in, for which purpose 1,500 cuttings (p/anti) were bought at a penny a hundred. A carpenter was paid a salary for his work at Raddon in 1318, though we must remember that carpentarius meant a man not only in charge of the building of timber structures, as he would also have to make and repair wooden ploughs and other agricultural instruments. Many of the hurdles used for folding the sheep were made on the spot at three a penny, but more often they were bought at a penny each. There was a shepherd at each sheepcote, with an annual wage of four shillings, but he presumably got a number of extras; indeed in in 1307 he received a gift of a bushel of peas. Mangers for the sheep were freshly made or repaired as required. Ointment was used for the prevention or cure of the murrain from which so many sheep died. This ointment was made of pigs’ fat, fortified with equal parts of quicksilver, verdigris and copperas (perhaps these last two were copper acetate and copper sulphate); and as much as £9 was spent on this ointment in 1311, though much smaller sums are mentioned in other years. Why these poisonous sub- stances were not a danger to the sheep we do not know, but they clearly must have been considered efficacious. Feed for the sheep was not always available on the spot, certainly not in bad winters; and in 1309 nearly £10 was spent in getting hay for them from Patney. Hens were kept too, though accord- ing to the returns for 1248 and 1283 the target of chickens and eggs, that the Prior demanded, had not been reached and the reeve was responsible for any deficit. Richard of Raddon, as we saw, was in charge of two of the Prior’s ox teams. He had to bring them to and from their work, to see that they did their work properly and he had to prevent them from doing damage to the crops, both as they stood in the fields and until they were safely stored in the great gran- ary. He was responsible for seeing that the reaping was satisfactorily carried out; and at Christmas he had to give every seventeenth hen to the Prior as * cherset ’ and at Easter he had to provide two hundred eggs. As perquisites however he received one sheep’s fleece at shearing time, and one lamb when the lambs were separated from their mothers. He also got one cheese and an acre of corn of his own choice, once the lord’s needs had been satisfied. So far as is known there is no manuscript evidence that covers the next 250 years, and not very much can be deduced from the great 1562 Survey of the Lands of William First Earl of Pembroke (edited by C. R. Straton and published for the Roxburghe Club in 1909). By that time the land was let to a 2 >; dew Aoaing sueupiO 243 UoCdn posed ,, 7 (de 2. “22 AI2ZUCHEIS “WH JO I2T[0-13U0D 24} JO uo1oues oy} 4M ( “(AO Leh ae Snes Gos) sinter ow Sued Sururofpe pure sumMoqd uoI2A@ puLe PrPeysT jo ABolooeyore oy} o}eTsNIIr O}F WeISeIG, “{ SInStz owen a fh errrgn on nap ecen np ence gesenncestegseanasa ofane y anenins saree beesns}maRwagsaceccns canna vende heeasnag. OPRTOUOIN N Dy Nel setts \ INH pray oe ou 0% oe ae 115 farmer, medieval services had been considerably reduced and there were more money payments taking their place. Roddons Close (25 ac.) was now used for sheep; next to it was Roddon Coppice. Down- land included Rodden Cowdown (60 ac.) and Hackpen Down (80 ac.), with Roddon Summerdown as well. The Cowdown could be used by the beasts both of the farmer and of his tenants during the sum- mer months, but in winter it was reserved for the farmer only, the tenants’ cattle being moved off to Hackpen (Survey, pp. 258, 261-3). We can thus see that the gradual transition from demesne farming was proceeding; but it is difficult to be certain exactly when particular pieces of land ceased to be ploughed. NOTE ON FIG. 1. Of necessity figure 1 is complex, since on it are shown the position, the nature and, where possible, the extent of 80 mon- uments described or mentioned in the text. A much larger plan is necessary to do the area justice and this is hoped for in a final report. Meanwhile, parts of O.S. 6 in. maps XXVIII N.E. and S.E. are used as a base, and perhaps the overcrowded appearance of our figure 1 itself stresses the archaeological value of the area, and of fieldwork in assessing it. KEY Clearly it was impossible to label all the sites on the plan, so only those of particular interest and/or those most helpful in finding other sites both in reading the text and in walking the ground are labelled. The number beside a monument is that under which it is described in the appropriate category in the text. Category letters are not used since the symbol indicates the type of monument: barrows and mounds areshown as asterisks; settlements 3 , blocked in areas; enclosures A; Pe , outlines; fields ry a ,», diagonal lines, the ‘ Celtic ’ fields being broken lines and * broad rig ’ being continuous lines; tracks, etc. us a 5, continuous double lines; round ponds Rs = » small black discs; square ponds A oA », unnumbered open squares; arrangement of sarsens ,, 35 ,, black dots. The light stipple almost completely surrounding Overton and Fyfield Downs shows the downland margins of modern arable. Abbreviations used are :— -_D — Overton Down. F.D. — Fyfield Down. S.V.R. — shrunken village remains. P. — Pytteldene. D.B. — Down Barn. D. — Delling. T.D. — Totterdown. W.C. — Wroughton Copse. C.B. — Clatford Bottom. C.D. — Clatford Down. B. — The Beeches. M.D. _ Manton Down. W. — well. 1 e.g. Atkinson, Stonehenge 1956, 22. 2e.g. in Hawkes, Prehistoric Britain 1958, pl. 8; Hoskins, The Making of the English Landscape 1955, pl. 4; Grinsell, The Archaeology of Wessex 1958, pl. VIa. 3 Crawford and Keiller, Wessex from the Air 1928, 124-5 and pl. XIX (henceforth cited as Crawford). 4 Crawford, 124. 5 Crawford, 18-24. 6 Devizes Museum Catalogue Part II 1934, 254, fig. 38. _ The proportions of the bank and ditch of C.5 are similar to these of another enclosure, not recognised as such until seen on an enlarged print of Pl. Ib, surround- ing Delling. This is not listed, but is probably the re- mains of the fenced or hedged rectangular enclosure around Delling on the Enclosure Map (1815). 8 The O.S. followed Grundy in identifying this as the ‘ Herepath ’, but this was corrected by Brentnall in Report Marl. Coll. Nat. Hist. Soc. (1938). Technically at least the road ceased to be a main one in 1814 when, at the Enclosure, it was stated that ‘ the ancient track called Old London Way (is) to be used at all times as a Public Bridleway and as a private carriage road only for the use of the inhabitants of Overton, Lockeridge, Fyfield and Clatford respectively.’ 9 Since writing this section a further 3 round ponds, and a well at Delling, have been noted. Delling, Pickle- dean Barn, and Old and New Totterdown are shown on the Enclosure Map (1815). 10 R.C. Hoare, Ancient Wilts II (1821), 45. 11 Brentnall, Report Marl. Coll. Nat. Hist. Soc. (1938), 123. 116 NEOLITHIC AND BEAKER SITES AT DOWNTON, NEAR SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE By Puivie A. RAHTZ, with a Report on the Pottery by A. M. APSIMON SUMMARY. This report describes features and pottery of Neolithic B and B Beaker cultures, found at Castle Meadow, Downton; excavations were made here, in 1956-7, for the Ancient Monu- ments Inspectorate of the Ministry of Works, in advance of housing development.1 A Mesolithic shelter, with stake-holes and a hearth, and many thousands of flints, was excavated in the same field in 1957 by the University of Cambridge. 2 Nearby is a Roman villa estate, excavated in 1955-7; a report on this, and on some Saxon and Medieval finds, will be published in the next issue. The Neolithic occupation is represented by numerous sherds, flints, and a stone axe; there was also a shallow pit, but no definite living-site. The Beaker finds were in a large hollow, associated with post-holes, a hearth, and shallow pits. These may represent a permanent living site, or temporary or seasonal occupation. DOWNTON AREA cea MN, . mh Ah Mi, “Me "stn “Ny “ht ms ws int ani = PT > u yw CASTLE eee CALE of from 250S.LXXVIUI. Fig 1. “Crown Copyright reserved ”” Crown Copyright reserved. Plate I. Downton; Beaker hearth from the East (p. 126) 117 AVERAGE LEVEL of FLOOD PLAIN 1147 \l20 Westy _ N25 Bie. 2 2 Rae ae DOWNTON ae SLOPE fo FLOOD _ PLAIN \iss 1955-7 err ae Z 2 7 a: a SITE PLAN \a5 a — _ ee fxn Pa - ose a x Pad Se - Maite , SAXON 4 % GRAVEL 140 "Segoe? PIT i rd . is 7 / N Castle Meadow , ee Pia aage1 : 1.7) MESOLITHIC the a Pa ! AREA 145 ON / / 4 ee Z c = oie \ ria s . o ot Ne >» PH 30 es a 1BEAKER -=:Ditch 28 oe. AS 2 oN is LOS 7 EEE ee een 150 4 ———— : P IN 1140 : Ortch 17 Ditch re se Ditech 15 dX NSS M9 OOF é “Ditch 14 and ae FLINT WALL SEEN LANE LA\N Ditech 13 ROAD ALN : 1534 ; ae ; Soy 1953 : S SEEN 1953 /° Ss Moot Close 7 sherds found 1953 MOOT S FARM Corn a ae D rene VOL. LVIII-CCX 118 Castle Meadow and its environs appear to have been attractive to settlers, perhaps because of the proximity of the river for water, travelling and fowl; the open aspect down river and across to the chalk hills to the west: the woodland of the clays and gravels to the south for game and fuel; and the sandy soil of the sheltered terrace hollows. These conditions brought three distinct groups of pre- historic settlers of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Beaker culture. Later development at Downton moved away from the terrace to the lower ground of the river flood-plain, and only in recent years has expansion brought the terrace back into human occupation, as the site for the Moot Lane estate. THE SITE. (Figs. 1,2). The Neolithic and Beaker features were found in Castle Meadow (O.S. Nat. Grid. ST. 180211), on a terrace on the east side of the River Avon, around 145 feet above O.D., and some 30 feet above the present flood plain level. The terrace south-west of this area is interrupted by a dry valley, which divides it from the chalk to the north-east and joins the Avon Valley some 200 yards to the south-west. Castle Meadow is thus on a broad spur projecting south-west, with an open aspect looking down the wide flood-plain of the Avon. The strata of the terrace are of Late Glacial and later origin, and consist of gravel, clay, sand and silt, with patches of chalk and clay slurry or ‘flour’ and flints; these are derived from the chalk, which is exposed some 200 yards further up the slope to the east.4 The ‘ natural ’ layers are shown in figs. 6, 8. The lower of these are the same as the ‘ orange clay gravels’ in the Mesolithic area.5 The natural clays and gravels were described by Mr. Higgs as ‘ ruffled, uneven and often re-worked by lateral streams; hollows in them were filled with a uniform stoneless red silt which just failed to cap the gravel prominences; this was possibly wind- blown’ ;© above this and the gravel was a more disturbed stony silt,” in which were finds of Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Beaker date; above this were Roman and later levels. The stratification will be discussed in more detail when the Neolithic and Beaker areas are considered. THE 1956 TRIAL EXCAVATIONS The exploratory cuttings of 1956 in relation to Roman and later features and to the 1957 area excavation are shown in fig. 3. This plan shows the places where the ‘ uniform stoneless red silt ’ filled hollows in the underlying clays and gravels; and also the areas in which high gravel, chalk and clay slurry or ‘ flour’ were found. Some features of Neolithic and Beaker date shown on this plan lie outside the areas totally excavated. The only important one of these is Pit 37, containing the group | of large Neolithic B sherds shown as fig. 11, nos. 17 and 18. Details of this pit are shown in plan and | section in fig. 4. The pit was originally dug into the natural layers 7 and 8 to a depth of about 2 feet, or 4 feet from turf. Layer 6 is the primary silt, and was barren. There were sherds of two vessels and several flints (including fig. 15, no. 1) in layers 4 and 5, evenly distributed, though on the line of section in fig. 4 all were in layer 4. The sherds were mostly on the south side of the pit, and two of the | larger sherds were in layer 5 carefully placed one inside the other, with inner surfaces uppermost. No division was seen where the pit cut through layer 4, and this layer is interpreted as the Neolithic | buried soil around the pit; layer 3 is probably a post-Neolithic soil accumulation. Details of other features have been deposited with the finds; the only other find is possibly a quern rubber (No. 41 in trench VV-NN, fig. 3 left). ’ - : ’ t i j A . ; : a . 4 F ; oo 7 7 = . = 1 J * 0 “ ’ \ Qe | O NVid . AIVYHNAD sasjaue 79f og o> oc oz 9]DIS 9S6é! qoues c Jord syaacsb yoy *. 92L HOLIO SES jo 2p, Po1e JIYAUTOIKT 1208) vowor 10 pono ec cer art Tria, ces Nees oer Q SD @ ESS oe siterip ley . f i Gen > EE ccc O= > HLAV3H : 4 £661 NOLNMOG ar iia em g eec® @ 1° : : i ce WIC Ze roe + : ; oes H ' *) : ve soho,» os : Sco AN a ia) : joroe: eee = uoisu2}x24ySAM YON , save}: "ol ee 2G) Jo 26P2" yey." 7 s yo 2603". i a 4 108 * ‘ 7 ‘ ess’ Tes o J | 121 Relative position of finds. The sherds of Neolithic B and B Beaker date were found mostly in their respective areas as shown in this table: Neolithic Area Beaker Area Total Beaker sherds 37 183 220 Neolithic sherds 263* 26 289 300 209 509 *including many sherds of a few vessels. In the Beaker area, Beaker sherds were found in all levels, with the Neolithic ones among them, but in the Neolithic area, Beaker sherds were mostly stratified above the Neolithic sherds. A few Mesolithic flints were found below Neolithic finds on the high gravel in Grid 1. While the sherds are mutually exclusive in area to the extent that might be expected in areas so close to one another, no such dating can be given to flints; though doubtless similar in their proportions as between Neolithic and Beaker cultures, they are not typologically distinctive enough to be separated in the same way as the sherds, and the overlap of sherds is sufficient to cast doubt on any dating of them individually, in the absence of sealed levels: for these reasons they have been summarily treated. THE NEOLITHIC AREA (fig. 5 for plan, fig. 6, S40-44 for sections) Post-hole 27 (Grid 8) was found in a trial trench, and its position is shown in S 40. On scraping down the whole area, however, no definite post-holes were found. Many slightly darker patches were seen at various depths, but none could be satisfactorily interpreted as a post-hole, they were too shallow, of irregular shape and size, and not associated horizontally. They probably were due to disturbances by roots and animals, and they have not been shown on the plan. The only remaining features are the pits and depressions; though they were ‘ stratified ’ and deep and contained many finds, some or all were probably natural features, such as solution holes. There were 289 Neolithic B sherds of various cultures, described in Appendix I (figs. 11,12) of which 263 were in the Neolithic area. These are of a relatively small number of vessels (in contrast to the Beaker sherds); there were also associated flints, and a Group VII axe in mint condition (fig. 15, no. 8). The stratification is shown in the sections. Most of the grids were in a large hollow in the natural clay and gravel, filled with silt. The middle part of layer 4 contained most of the finds with some char- coal flecking and dark patches, such as the ‘post-hole’ 27 in S40. Layer 4 also dipped into pits and depressions 25, 138, 139, and 140. There was some yellower barren silt between layers 4 and 3a in the deepest part; 3a is the Roman level; layer 3 contained medieval finds, and layer 2 finds of recent date; 1 is recent turf and topsoil formed since ploughing ceased, probably earlier in this century. It remains to consider the pits and depressions. Pit 25 (S 42) was over 7 feet deep from the present surface, but no artefacts were found below layer 25a, and it seems probable that this is a solution hole. At its base in the east corner was found a funnel of chalky silt surrounded by a ring of dark brown soil: this was apparently the latest phase of the solution. The depression left by this hole was filled with dark soil (25a) and in this were many finds; two sherds of Ebbsfleet ware (including part of No. 7, Appendix) were in the lower part of 25A, and many sherds of Ebbsfleet and associated wares were in the upper part as shown on the section S 42. There were also 18 struck flints, including a broken barbed and tanged arrowhead, (fig. 15, no. 2) stratified below most of the sherds as shown in § 42. 132 was a cut- away of the hard gravel, 4’ 3” from turf, with two pot-boilers slightly below the levels of the edges; it was filled with soil similar to layer 4, and is probably natural. 133 is shown in S 44, a depression filled 122 ‘9 314 eoare = ITUWTOO enol 2 SUOTIDIE ~ LO6I UOJUALO a Y d LAAT JO ATVIOS Jaroib Aacay FHF J2A0J8 UMosg Moja joDAWOD ge = . = = sy ay 5 . . RON o{DADOxKoUNn jeneu6 pue he/2 964040 2 SS SEEM (PajenD xa? 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This is shown in S 43; it appeared to cut through layer 4, and merged into 3A; it contained three Peterborough sherds, below the level of the base of layer 4, and several more above (including no. 10 Appendix I), and was charcoal-flecked. 139 was another irregular solution hole about 9 feet deep, more obviously natural than 25. The filling of this was soft yellow sandy soil with a darker core which was irregularly charcoal-flecked; the outer part of this yielded two Mesolithic blades and a core rejuvenating flake re-used as a scraper; in the dark core were three Neolithic sherds and a dozen struck flints, including a leaf-shaped arrowhead (fig. 15 no. 3). 140 is shown in S 41; it contained no charcoal or finds. There is no evidence of settled occupation nor of definite structural features in the Neolithic area; but the pottery, flints, axe and charcoal-flecking of layer 4 show that there was some settlement, casual or permanent, either in the hollow or nearby. The cultures represented are all of Neolithic B, with a scatter of B Beaker sherds. The pottery includes Ebbsfleet and Mortlake types, found in separate contexts; they are not stratified in relation to each other, but all are stratified below B Beaker. DOWNTON : Sherd distribution in Neolithic Area Fig 7. THE BEAKER AREA (figs. 5,9 plans, fig. 8 sections $31-34, pl. ID) 37 Beaker sherds were found in the Neolithic area, 183 in the Beaker area, and a few elsewhere; they are described in Appendix I. Mr. ApSimon reports that they are all of B Beaker culture and represent 124 8 SI pare qayeogq ysnosya suonseg - 4861 WOJUMOTT LAD A gO AIO S OF La OL S2 pos hahojo umosq a{0/0204> PUD sar01D ZI 6s0 9! 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[oes eS = ee ne rere etl t CO MTTIVVESUTIT GES peslDanoxeun 1312 4) “LSIM-HLYON 0 De era rtirtrriestariettr ici Miniliintinuasi 4SV3-HLNOS les 125 many different vessels; many are abraded, in contrast to the Neolithic sherds, but this is partly because the latter are harder. The distribution of sherds in relation to the Beaker features, as shown in fig. 10, is not very informative; many occur in levels above that at which the features were defined, redistributed by root and animal action and by the digging of later ditches. Nor can we be sure that the decrease in density towards the edges of the Beaker area is significant: it may be due largely to the fact that it is only in the deeper parts that the sherds have escaped disintegration. Stratification. The Beaker area is mostly another large hollow in the gravel; there was no direct con- tinuity with that of the Neolithic area, though there may be a shallower ‘ bridge ’ between the two. The ‘natural’ stratification is more complex than in the Neolithic area, twelve different layers being re- corded below those containing artefacts. No attempt was made to interpret them; 6 looked likea former soil cover, with a characteristic dark leathery brown consistency. The deepest part of the hollow is shown in S 31; south-west of this layer 9 rose sharply (fig. 9), but the deep area may continue to the west through Grid 33; to the north-east layer 9 rises more gradually, the soil profile becoming compressed as shown in S 34. Layer 5 represents the ‘ uniform stoneless silt ’ referred to in Higgs 1959, though it is paler and less clayey than in the Neolithic area. Layer 4 corresponds to the Neolithic layer 4, and is the lowest layer to contain artefacts. There is an additional layer, however, on the south-west side of the Downton 1957 Beaker features eaKe Wee veto? Lower oe thick ‘°* “gravel a 2 ,/ayer 4a @ Postholes . fe} . . voy" ceoeeTererepa pl 7 Ze, gravel 4 ay OVE TINT TINT "2 arnt f; ce ee es pot, ss = Hollow aS A : boilers Ek" oS HEARTH = depression yr ®@ (ie) v AD “Ualaly ida charcoal SW of ST ? Ditch =D “ eau ip \ 4 Jeet metres VOL. LVIII-CCX E 126 Beaker area. This is layer 4A, mostly gravel, which was thick in a broad tongue spreading out from the lower part of the steep slope of layer 9, as shown in fig. 9, and in section in the centre of S 31. 4A thinned out further to the north-east, as in S 32, where it lay directly on layer 8A in places, and died out altogether around Hearth 321, as shown in S 33. It may have been a natural spread of gravel, and sealed no finds; but it served as the Beaker living surface, and post-holes 310 and 311 were partly filled with it; they showed up only faintly when the surface of 4A was cleaned, and were only clearly defined when it was removed; 4A spread too into the filling of depression 308. The level of the post-holes and other features further to the north-east rose with the level of layers 8A and 9; there is a difference of about 12” between the level at which post-holes at each end of the area were defined. The living surface in the hollow thus sloped down from north-east to south-west; the area would in fact drain on to the gravel layer 4A, and ditch 308 might have assisted this drainage. The features shown in fig. 9 were found when layer 4 was scraped down; they are assigned to the Beaker period because of the preponderance of Beaker sherds in this layer; some might be earlier or later, but they are discussed here as a homogeneous group. DOWNTON : Sherd distribution Beaker Area Fig. 10 Features. Of the 23 features shown in fig. 9, eight contained Beaker sherds, !! fifteen were charcoal- flecked, some heavily, and all were darker than the surrounding soil. Most were first seen in vague form towards the base of layer 4, but were only clearly defined when layer 4 had been cleared away, showing in the surface of layers 5 or 8A. The principal feature is the Hearth (321), shown in section in S 33 (see 127 also Pl. Il). It consisted of a shallow scoop in layer 8A lined with gravel, with several burnt flints (perhaps pot-boilers—pb on plan) !2 at the south-west end, and a patch of dense charcoal c.8” x 8” at the north-east end, with a spread of charcoal around it. A few Beaker sherds were in the charcoal-flecked filling, and also in the gravel; a depression sealed by the gravel on the south-east side may be a post- hole earlier than the gravel and the charcoal. There was no evidence of burningof the surrounding soil. There were also several flints in and around this feature including two cores and several utilised flakes. There were two post-holes south-east of the hearth (309 and 320), but only 320 was charcoal-flecked (Pl. Il). Immediately to the south-west is 308, a depression or ditch perhaps draining the hearth area, and merging with the gravel layer 4A at its west end; it was up to 3” deep into layers 4A and 5, and was filled with charcoal-flecked dark buff sandy soil and gravel; in its base were two Neolithic sherds, five Beaker, two burnt flints, and 26 flints, including a Mesolithic blade, one scraper, seven utilised flakes, and 17 struck flakes; north-east of the hearth is another similar depression (350) up to 2” deep, full of charcoal-flecked soil slightly darker than the surround, and containing four Beaker sherds. South-east of these features were two larger depressions or pits of different character; 325 is shown in S 33. The filling of 325 was only slightly darker than the surround, and was not charcoal-flecked; but there were some Beaker sherds and flints in the top 3’of its filling, and others at a higher level as shown in S 33. 327 was similar, with sherds and flints only in its top few inches. 314, further to the west, was 5” deep in layers 4A and 5; its filling was dark red-brown gravel, charcoal-flecked, but contained no finds. The rest of the features were post-holes, they ranged in size from 4” « 4” to 30” « 19”, and in depth from 24”— 10” 13, which may be a few inches less than the depth dug from the Beaker living surfaces. Fillings varied: most were homogeneous, few complex (such as 332, see S 34). Details have been deposited with the finds. CONCLUSION The plan of features does not suggest any obvious house-structure. The occupation was not intensive or prolonged, and the features may represent nothing more than a temporary shelter for seasonal use, or they may be no more than a series of tent sites pitched in roughly the same area on several different occasions. There was evidence of cooking or water-heating in the form of burnt flint ‘ pot-boilers ’, and sherds of many and various pots; the soil conditions did not permit the preservation of bone, so the evidence is negative on this point. Flint working took place to a considerable extent in this area, but flints are so widespread in the field as to preclude any direct evidence on their use or distribution in the Beaker area. It is becoming increasingly evident that the absence of definable living sites of the second millennium B.C. and earlier is due largely to the erosion of the living surfaces of those periods by natural and other agencies, except where preserved under barrows or other earthworks. Living sites must have been quite frequent, but survive now only as the often recorded spreads of sherds and flints, with an occasional pit deep enough to have escaped erosion. Downton, however, is an example of a converse type of site. The soil there is accumulating in large hollows in the clays and gravels of a river-terrace, and it is to this circumstance that we owe the preservation of the prehistoric features at Downton. The Beaker features have left slight traces by comparison with such long established and well-defined structures as the Middle Bronze Age houses at Trevisker,!4 Cornwall or the contemporary house- enclosure of Shearplace Hill, Dorset.15 The Neolithic settlers or visitors to Downton have left little to show except pottery and stone; their living site may remain undiscovered. iP 128 APPENDIX I THE PREHISTORIC POTTERY By A. M. ApSIMON Neolithic pottery (figs. 11, 12). The Neolithic pottery from Downton is all of types appropriate to the Peterborough culture (Piggott 1954, 302-306).!° The first three groups are from the Neolithic area, and the last from the Neolithic pit 37 to the south-west of the Beaker area. The first group is that from Grid. I, left of fig. 7. The pottery from this group includes that figured as Fig. 12, Nos. 1-9. This very fragmentary pottery in- cludes plain ware, Nos. 1-4, 6, as well as sherds of the Ebbsfleet variety of Peterborough ware, repre- sented by everted rim sherds with impressed decoration on the rim, principally cord chevrons, and by body sherds with finger nail impressions. The total number of sherds involved is only just over 70 and only a very few pots are represented. The second group is that from the adjoining grid 2, middle of fig. 7 and is represented by Fig. 12, Nos. 10-13. The number of pots concerned is again very small; a hemispherical bowl, No. 10, a shouldered Ebbsfleet-ware bowl, No. 11 and just possibly a second example of the same type, Nos. 12 and 13. The third group consists of the two sherds from Grid 8, one of which was in the Roman level. Of these No. 14 possibly belongs to the Mortlake variety of Peterborough ware and No. 15 probably does so, being like the pottery from Pit 37. The fourth group consists of the two bowls from Pit 37 which are discussed below. Among the stray finds, the plain rim, No. 16, might be referred to the first group and a scrap of cord decorated pot also from the Beaker area, Fig. 13, No. 17, and a fragment of a small radius flat base, Fig. 11, No. 19, in the same fabric as the pottery from Pit 37, might be referred to the last group. These groups are really too small to permit of any sub-division on typological grounds and with a single exception there is no stratigraphic evidence to show whether one group is earlier or later than another. This exception concerns the fragmentary base sherd, No. 19, which was found in Grid 7 ina layer which also produced a sherd of Beaker pottery, above the level in which the sherds of the Peter- borough ware bowl, No. 10, and some of the sherds of No. 11 were found. Peterborough pots with flat bases similar to the present fragment (Leeds 1922, fig. 4) have been classified by Dr. I. F. Smith as a third variety of Peterborough pottery—Fengate ware—which she believes to be a relatively evolved form on the line leading on to Overhanging Rim urns of the full Bronze Age (Smith 1959, 160). This base is in the same fabric as Nos. 17 and 18 although it was found some 45 yards distant. The retention of pits on the neck of No. 17 suggests that it may be regarded as representative of a transition stage from Mort- lake to Fengate ware. This seems plausible in view of the rim profile of this pot which is only moder- ately developed when viewed in relation on the one hand to classical Mortlake ware bowls and on the other to Fengate ware (such as that from Windmill Hill—Smith 1959) and to the Overhanging Rim Urns derived therefrom. In the present state of knowledge it would probably be premature to say more than that the external connections of the Downton Peterborough pottery seem to be with north Wiltshire rather than with Dorset or Hampshire, and that it furnishes some supporting evidence in favour of the theory of linear evolution of English Neolithic pottery from Western Neolithic to Peterborough, first expounded by Dr. Smith (Childe and Smith 1955). The stratigraphy of the site makes it clear that the Ebbsfleet ware is at least locally earlier than B Beaker pottery. The cord decorated scrap from the Beaker area, (Fig. 13, No. 17), if as seems possible, Mortlake rather than Ebbsfleet ware, is also stratigraphically pre-Beaker. The Fengate base fragment is probably later than the Ebbsfleet ware and possibly not of markedly different date from the Beaker. 129 The examination of this pottery supports the suggestion made by the excavator that the Neolithic occupation was probably of an intermittent or seasonal, temporary nature and quite possibly extending over a considerable period of time, so that although the whole might be the work of a single community, the individual groups need not be contemporary. Theselection ofasite on ariver-gravel terrace and the absence of structures other than possible pits seems also quite characteristic of the Peterborough group. Beaker pottery (Figs. 13, 14). The B Beaker pottery from Downton appears to be the product of a single, probably fairly brief, period of occupation by a homogeneous group. Perhaps its greatest interest lies in its providing us with a sample of the whole range of pottery, coarse wares as well as fine, in use by such a group. This is by contrast with the pottery from graves, which is generally of the finer wares only, so that hundreds of graves may be studied and yet still give a misleading picture. Here the fine wares, both comb and cord decorated, are of perfectly normal Wessex B I types and can be matched among the many vessels from burials. It is important to recognise that the cord-decorated wares are an integral part of the group. The coarse wares although perhaps less familiar are equally characteristic. Perhaps the most easily recognisable is the finger nail decorated ware, the surface treatment of which contrasts with the rusti- cation which is a common feature of the coarse ware of the A Beaker group. The ridged or cordoned ware is less exclusively B Beaker in its connections but the fabric of the present examples belongs to the B and not to the A Beaker group. The slight cordon below the rim of No. 37 is again a very familiar feature on B Beaker pottery. The cross-hatched and obliquely hatched zones of Nos. 6 to 13 are part of the normal Zone Beaker repertoire. The chevron of No. 1 might be compared to the two chevron zones on the B 1 Beaker from Burrington, Somerset, (Read 1925, Pl. X, 1). The cord decoration of No. 15 can be matched exactly among the Corded Ware beakers from the Low Countries figured by Glasbergen and Van der Waals (1955). 1J would like to thank the following:—Mr. A. M. 8 See also the sections of Roman features in Castle ApSimon, who has reported on the pottery; Miss V. Russell and Mr. L. Butler, who were my assistants in 1957; Mr. Eric Higgs; Mr. Peter Ewence, who has drawn the finds; and Mr. L. Biek of the Ancient Monuments Laboratory. The finds have been deposited in the South Wiltshire Museum at Salisbury by the owners, the Salis- bury and Wilton R.D.C. 2 See E. Higgs, ‘ Excavations at a Mesolithic site at Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire’. P.P.S. 1959, 209- 232; hereafter referred to as Higgs, 1959. 4 It is to be seen at the base of the Moot ditch, some 20 feet below that part of the field. 5 Higgs 1959; layer 1, fig. 3, 211. 6 Ib., 214. 7 Higgs 1959, layer 4, fig. 3, 211. Meadow in the next issue of this Magazine. 9 This is a smooth surfaced irregular block c. 12 x 6in. of pink sarsen (identified by the late Dr. J. F. Stone); it lay at 17-22in. from turf, partly embedded in natural clayey gravel. 10 See analysis of these on p. 136. 11 308, 315, 321, 324, 325 (upper two inches only), 327, 332, and 350. 12 * Pot-boilers ? occurred frequently in all levels, in- cluding Roman; they averaged 2-3in. in diameter, and were bluish or white. 13 23-4in.: 310, 313, 323, 324, 329, 333, 334.; 5-7in.: 309, 311, 315, 320, 322, 328, 335; 8-10in.: 330, 331, 332. 14 Greenfield and ApSimon, forthcoming. 15 Rahtz, forthcoming in P.P.S. 16 For this and subsequent similar references see list, p. 138 below. 130 Downton Prehistoric Pottery Description of Sherds Neolithic pottery. (Figs. 11-12) (S40-S44 are sections in ig. 6). From the Neolithic area. RS—trim sherd. 2. (Not figured) Five sherds of hard, flint gritted ware, 1. RS, dark grey brown, possibly from an open bowl, the outer half fired brick red, the inner half dark perhaps the same pot as No. 6. From F25a, top, brown to black (0.4in. thick). From top of F25a, $42. INCHES Fig. 11 Downton Neolithic pottery 17-19 (p. 128) Downton Neolithic pottery femme eel INCHES Fig. 12 1-16 (pp. 128, 130, 136, 137); Scale 4 [31 132 rocertrgifin RATT aD at 1 INCHES Fig. 13 Downton beaker pottery. 1-14 comb-decorated, 15-17 cord decorated, 18-22 decorated (pp.128-129); 137; Scale 4 133 IRON AGE LIN Gry Fas Fig. 14 Downton beaker pottery, 22-33 Decorated, 34-38 Plain, (pp. 129, 137, 138); 39 iron age (p.138) Scale 4 VOL. LVII-CCx Q 134 tii i ne fe ! Wht oy i all | Fig. 15. Downton flints and stone axe from Neolithic Area (pp. 139-140) = SN (Wt Scale: 1-3 + 4-84 135 Fig. 16 Downton flints from Beaker Area (pp. 140-141). Scale: 9 is + 10-20 4 136 10. Fig. 17. Downton flints from outside neolithic and beaker areas (p. 141). Scale: 21-23 + 24-27 4 (Not figured). Sherds of a bowl, black, flint gritted, iin. thick, outside reddish brown, inside smoothed; probably from a simple round bottomed bowl. Grid 1, layer 4, S42 and F25a, top, S42. RS, perhaps from an Ebbsfleet ware bowl, dark brown laminated, with flint grit backing. 25a, upper part, S42. Similar RS, traces of impressed decoration on the rim. As No. 4. RS, Ebbsfleet ware bowl, black, flint gritted; out- side light brown, much flaked, perhaps sherds of No. 7 also belong to this pot. Grid 1, layer 4, $42. Sherds, coarse dark brown flint gritted, outside reddish brown, decorated with paired, horseshoe shaped impressions apparently made with a finger tip. These may have been arranged in rows or swags. F25a, lower part. RS, same pot. F25a, top, $42. RS, Ebbsfleet, grey-black soapy, shaley in texture with no apparent grits, impressed cord chevrons along the top of the rim. Grid 1, S.W. extension, on basal gravel. Peterborough bowl, coarse, flakey, dark brown, 11. 12: SSS: Ss 1p N Z: @ N ——— > as iS SAM flint gritted. Simple rim, decoration of slanting lines of whipped cord ‘ maggot’ impressions which ex- tend on to the rim. Grid 7, base of layer 4, S44; 1 rim fragment from F138, lower part, shown on $43. Rim and shoulder of bowl, Ebbsfleet ware, light brown flakey with numerous flint grits, some large and projecting from the surface, pale reddish brown surfaces. There is a single row of finger nail im- pressions on top of the simple everted rim and a horizontal cordon applied to the shoulder carries impressions made with a finger nail or other instru- ment. Onthe lower half of the concave neck are three rows of sub-circular stamped impressions and at least one row of these below the cordon. The pot has broken at the point of junction between two rings. Grid 2, 2in. above natural gravel, left of S44; other rim sherds from Grid 7, middle of layer 4, S44, and Grid 2, layer 4. Two RS, Ebbsfleet ware, simple everted rim with band of perhaps finger-nail impressions, light red- dish brown fabric with some flint grits, surfaces fairly smooth. Baulk 2/7, middle of layer 4, $44. 13. Two fitting sherds from the shoulder of an Ebbs- fleet ware bowl. The fabric is like No. 12, the stamped decoration like No. 11, perhaps not the same pot as No. 12. 14. Sherd of Peterborough ware, perhaps from the collar of a Mortlake bowl, dark brown, coarse flakey, flint grit, slanting rows of faint finger-nail impressions on the exterior. Grid 8, mid layer 4, S40 15. Sherd from collar of probable Mortlake ware bowl, reddish brown, flint grit. Nearly vertical incised lines on the outside, three rows of impressed herring bone pattern on the inside. The sherd has broken across a pit (see No. 17) which bears the print of a finger tip. Grid 8, Ditch 17 (Roman), S40. From other provenances. 16. RS, biack ware, flint grits, rim very slightly beaded. This is like Nos. 1, 2, 3, but is apparently from a different pot. Grid 44, base of layer 4, $33. 17. Reconstructed bowl, base deficient. Coarse dark brown, large, angular, burnt flint grit backing. Four rows of cord ‘maggot’ herringbone impressions on the outside of the collar, one on the neck and four rows on the shoulders. Beneath these three rows of isolated curved * maggot’ impressions curving in alternate directions and finally the surface is covered by finger-nail impressions arranged roughly in hor- izontal rows. There is a single row of ‘maggot’ im- pressions on the rim bevel and five rows of maggot herringbone inside the neck. A series of pits sunk into the outer surface runs round the hollow neck, at least one of these penetrates the inner surface of the pot. F37, pit, see Fig. 4. 18. Lower part of similar bowl with possible swags in similar fabric, as No. 17. 19. Basal fragment of ware similar to 17 and 18 with paired finger-nail impressions; outside is reddish brown in colour; 4in. or more in diameter. From the fabric this could belong to one of the preceding two pots through it was found 45 yds. away from them. From Grid 7, middle-base layer 4, $44. Beaker pottery (figs. 13, 14). There are altogether 42 sherds and scraps of beaker pottery with notched stamp or comb decoration. The appearance of these sherds is quite consistent with their all being from B Beakers. Their fabric is typically fine, with the normal reddish colour of B Beaker pottery. (Fig. 13, 1-14) BS—Body sherd RS—Rim sherd 1-RS; ras decoration. Grid 7, middle-base, layer 4, BS. raul 39/44, layer 4. De 3. BS, chevron decoration between horizontal lines, Grid 8, mid layer 4, S40. 4. RS, dark brown ware, slight thickening or cordon round rim. Baulk 38/43, layer 4. 5. BS, band of cross hatching or perhaps hatched bar chevron. Grid 43, mid layer 4, $32 6. BS, perhaps the same beaker as No. 5. Grid 38, mid layer 4, $32. 7. BS, obliquely hatched zone with horizontal marginal lines. As 6. 8. BS, probably from the waist of a beaker, perhaps the same as No. 7. Grid 43, base of layer 4, S32. 9. BS, probably from the neck of the same beaker as Nos. 7and 8. As Nos. 8, 11, 12. 10. RS. from the same beaker as Nos. 7, 8 and 9. As o. 7. 11. RS, black ware. As Nos. 8, 9, 12. [37 12. BS, zone of cross hatching. As Nos. 8, 9, 11. 13. BS, zone of cross hatching. Baulk 39/40, layer 4. 14. Base and lower wall fragment, decorated. Grid 39 base of layer 4, $33. Cord decorated Beaker pottery (Fig. 13, 15-17) The cord decorated sherds are in the same fabric as the comb decorated beaker. Besides the material illustrated there is another scrap from Grid 38, 3lin.-33in., base layer 4,532. Although from the beaker area, No. 17 is, to judge from its fabric and the character of its ‘cord’ im- pressions more probably Neolithic than Beaker. It will be seen that it comes from the layer beneath the Beaker occupation. 15. RS with an external bevel. Cord impressions include a quadruple row, but, as the impressions are all oriented similarly, this is perhaps a single line of cord wound round and not plaited cord. Grid 38k ditch 308. 16. BS, from the same beaker as No. 15. Grid 33, 18in,- 25in., layer 4, $32. 17. Scrap with cord impressed decoration. This is prob- ably Peterborough ware. Grid 38, 36in. downwards layer 4a, S31. Other decorated pottery (Figs. 13, 14, Nos. 18-33) 18. Six BS (Grid 38, top of layer 4, S31). One body sherd (Grid 43, 18in., mid layer 4, S32). From a coarse beaker decorated with horizontal rows of irregular finger-nail impressions, perhaps arranged in zones. The thicker sherds are probably from the lower half, the thin from nearer the rim. 19. Cordoned sherd. Baulk } 37/42, layer 4 | All these sherds are 20. Cordoned sherd. Grid | from the same vessel. 43, base of layer 3, S32 | The ware is dark brown 21. Cordoned sherd. Grid { with small flint grits, 37, top of layer 4,532 | the outside is brown to 22. Cordoned sherd. Grid | reddish brown. 37, top of layer 4,532 J There is no definite evidence to show that the cor- dons are applied, though in one instance (No. 19) a cordon occurs at a join between two ‘ rings’. Two sherds bear blurred impressions, perhaps of a finger- nail, on the upper side of cordons. Sherd 22 must be close to the base; its inclination suggests that the pot was more or less beaker shaped. 23. Cordoned sherd. The cordons are very low, and perhaps produced only by grooving the surface of the pot. Not the same beaker as 19-22. A similar sherd from Grid 37 layer 4, not figured. Grid 43, base of layer 4, $32. 24. BS, finger-nail decoration arranged in alternating rows. Coarse reddish brown beaker ware. Grid 38, mid-base layer 4, $32. 25. BS, deep impressions arranged in alternating herringbone rows. Not finger-nail. Also two more scraps not figured. Grid 43, base of layer 4, S32. 26. BS., Similar pattern but probably finger-nail im- pressions. Grid 38, mid layer M 4, $32. ‘| Sherds of coarse chocolate- 27. BS, Grids 37, | brown beaker ware with tri- 38 and (angular impressions arranged baulk 38/39; {in vertical and perhaps hori- mid layer 4, $32 | zontal lines perhaps made by bird bone orsimilar implement. Another sherd (not figured) from 38/43 layer 4 and other small plain sherds belong to this pot. 29. BS, coarse red/brown beaker ware, with large tri- angular impressions. A similar sherd from Grid 43, base of layer 4, S32. Grid 38, mid-base layer 4, $32. 138 30. BS, red-brown coarse beaker ware, decoration with horizontal rows of small triangular impressions. Grid 38, mid-base layer 4, $32. 31. BS, coarse reddish brown beaker ware, with finger- nail impressions irregularly arranged. The surface is pinched up. These scraps are the nearest approach to true rusticated ware. Another scrap from Grid 39, layer 4 top. Grid 39, base of layer 4, $33. ‘| Of coarse reddish beaker ware with some 32. BS, | fine flint grits, stabbed, impressed pattern, 33. BS, perhaps re-burnt. (Some flint, gravel grits in | coarse beaker ware.) Grid 43, base of layer 4, $32. REFERENCES “The Excavation of a Neolithic Barrow on Whiteleaf Hill, Bucks ’. P.P.S. 20, 212-230. Glasbergen, W., and ‘Beaker types and their distribution Van der Waals, in the Netherlands; intrusive types, J. D. 1957. mutual influences and local evolu- tions ’. Paleohistoria 4, 5-46. ‘Further Discoveries of the Neo- lithic and Bronze Ages at Peter- borough’. Antig. Journ. 2, 220- 23K. Childe, V. G., and Smith, I. F. 1955 Leeds, E. T., 1922. Plain Beaker ware (Fig. 14, Nos. 34-38) 34. pice phere of red beaker ware. Grid 38, mid layer 35. Base sherd. Grid 7, top of layer 4, S44. 36. Base sherd. Grid 43, base of layer 4, S32. 37. Cordoned or collared RS of coarse red/brown beaker ware. Grid 38, base of layer 4, $32. 38. Bese sherd of red beaker ware. Grid 38, mid layer 4, Iron Age (Fig. 14, No. 39) 39. RS, grey-brown slightly soapy pitted ware; the out- side is ‘ pared ’ in a way characteristic of local later Iron Age wares (top of layer 4 in Grid 33, $32). Piggott, S., 1954. Read, R. F., 1925. The Neolithic Cultures of the British Isles, Cambridge 1954. ‘Second Report on the Excavation of the Mendip Barrows’. Proc. Univ. Bristol Spel. Soc. Vol. 2 (1924). 132-146. “Excavations at Windmill Hill, Avebury, Wilts, 1957-8 ’. W.A.M., 57, 149-162. Smith, I., 1959. THE CHARCOAL Specimens were examined by Mr. D. G. Patterson of the Forest Products Research Laboratory. Those from the Beaker hearth were of lime (Tilia sp.), probably Prunus sp. and alder (Alnus sp.); from other levels of the Beaker area were specimens of oak (Quercus sp.), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and probably Acer sp. From pit 139 came a specimen of oak, and from other levels of the Neolithic area specimens of birch (Betula sp.), hornbeam, and probably common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica.). 139 APPENDIX II FLINTS AND STONE By P. A. RAHTZ Some 1200 flints were recorded from the 1957 excavations, and about 500 from the trial trenching of 1956. These do not include the Mesolithic flints (about 1600) which have been reported on by Mr. Higgs with those from his 1957 excavation; he examined all the flints found in both seasons. The dis- tribution of the flints is shown in the table that follows :— Utilised Struck — Utilised Cores Tools flakes flakes pebbles 1956 trial trenching 42 47 92 283 13 Neolithic grids 16 12 58 225 5) Neolithic ‘ features ’ 2 22 32 2 Beaker grids 35 57 178 484 14 Beaker features 2 l 28 17 1 Roman features 1957 3 1 23 36 p L733 98 120 401 1,077 a7 Because of the overlap of sherds between the Neolithic and Beaker areas, it is not possible to be certain of the cultural associations of any of these flints. In the Neolithic area, the dubious nature of the ‘features ’ precludes direct association of the flints with the sherds found in them; for instance the barbed and tanged arrowhead found in F25 is hardly likely to be Neolithic B,! and yet it is stratified below the sherds in this feature probably because it is a smaller and more mobile object (see S42, fig. 6). In the Beaker area there are similarly no sealed groups certainly derived from the Beaker occupation, though in view of the preponderance of Beaker sherds it is likely that most of the flints from the Beaker grids are contemporary with the sherds. The patination of the flints in the Mesolithic area has been described by Mr. Higgs, 2 who notes that the Mesolithic flints are patinated light blue, except about 10% of honey coloured flint which does not patinate so easily. Flints demonstrably of Neolithic/Beaker types, such as arrowheads, are not patin- ated. The Mesolithic artefacts were made mostly from black flint, with a small proportion of grey mottled and of honey coloured. In the Neolithic/Beaker assemblages, the proportions are roughly 2:2:1 of these three kinds ;3 some flints include parts of all three colours, merging one into the other and there is no reason to suppose that the flints were from mutually exclusive sources.4 Only a few flints show any signs of abrasion, probably by the plough. As statistical analysis is not likely to be informative, only selected flints are here described, and shown in figs. 15-17. 1 Inf. from Mr. ApSimon, though they are found associated with Late Neolithic cultures in Brittany (Giot, 1960, p. 73). 2 Higgs 1959, p. 212. 3 Though up to 70% of honey coloured flints were recorded in the upper levels of the Mesolithic area (Higgs 1959, p. 216); the honey-coloured flint from Downton is Fig. 15. 1-8 Neolithic contexts only occasionally a warm brown, and is more usually a grey-brown. 4 The source of flint is uncertain; the axe-fragments are unlike those from Easton Down (Stone, 193i, 1933, 1935), which are of black flint, patinating through blue to a dead-white. 1. Saw or Sickle; grey-brown slightly opaque with thick white cortex; high gloss on teeth. (Pit 37, fig. 4, layer 4, with Neolithic pots, fig. 11, nos. 17 and 18).1 140 1 cf. Piggott, Neolithic Cultures of the British Isles, . Large core; pale grey mottled opaque with dark grey translucent patches. . Barbed and tanged arrowhead, with broken tang; pale buff slightly opaque flint with patches of denser opacity; good pressure flaking on both sides (Pit F25, shown in fig. 6, $42, layer 25A; stratified below Neolithic sherds, 2 but possibly derived from higher level by soil movement). . Leaf arrowhead, with broken point; pale grey-buff slightly opaque; very good pressure flaking on both sides (Pit 139). . Heavy end-scraper, typical Neolithic scraper; mottled opaque grey-buff with thin white cortex and patches of calcite; steep flaking with some use of the edge (Grid 8, mid-base layer 4, S44). . End and single-side scraper; dark grey mottled, with milky opacities towards surviving frag- ment of cortex; some inverse retouch on back of side (Grid 7, mid-base layer 4, $32). (Grid 7, mid-base layer 4,°S32). . Oval-bodied axe fragment, possibly re-used as core; pale grey opaque flint, with fragment of cortex remaining; the surface has been ground down below the general level of the axe in an unsuccesful effort to eliminate both this patch of cortex and several depressed scars, and the axe can never have been a perfect specimen; there are flat facets on both sides. (Trench X-GG, see plan of Castle Meadow, fig. 3, on south-west side of Neolithic area, on edge of Roman ditch 17). . Stone axe, in mint condition, Group VIII;3 the cutting edge has a slight S-twist and the butt end and both sides have slightly depressed rough areas which have not been removed by polish- ing; there is a slight facet on one side edge near the butt; the axe shows no traces of use.4 (Grid 7, base of layer 4, shown on plan, fig. 5). 4 The occurrence of this axe in the Neolithic areas in p. 311; also found recently in primary contexts at Wind- mill Hill (inf. Miss Isobel Smith, per A. M. ApSimon.) 2 See footnote p. 121. 3 South-western group of museums and art galleries, Petrological Report. No. 1060. Macro: A bluish rock weathering light grey. Micro: A silicified rhyolitic rock. Group VIII. contrast to the axe fragments in the Beaker area, the Beaker group using stone axes for only secondary tasks or as a source of raw material. The axe is of the type with a broad thin butt. (cf. Bunch and Fell, 1950, p. 16). Axes of Group VIII have been found in later Neolithic con- texts (Bunch and Fell 1950, pp. 16-17). See also Morey, 1951, Ritchie, 1954, and Fell, 1955 for the place of origin of Group VIII axes). 9-20 Beaker area “e 10. 11. 12. 14. Leaf arrowhead, chipped point and butt; pale grey to pale grey-buff, with milky opacity towards surviving patch of cortex; poor pressure flaking both sides. (Grid 38, mid layer 4,S32). Round scraper; honey coloured translucent, becoming grey-buff towards striking platform, cortex over half of one side; steep retouch over one-quarter of periphery, including part of cor- tex. (Grid 38, mid-base layer 4, $32). Scraper; dark grey, merging into light opaque grey, with large patch of cortex; steep retouch has, removed cortex on one end; typical of many rough scrapers in the Beaker area. (Grid 43, mid. layer 4, $32). Fabricator, triangular-sectioned; dark grey to grey mottled with some cortex; much worn on all edges and ends. (Grid 38, mid layer 4, $32). . Flake from cutting end of polished axe; pale grey opaque similar to no. 7; the flake has been detached by fracture close to the cutting edge, but there is no bulb or scar, which probably indicates that the flake was broken off accidentally and not struck; there are no signs of subsequent re-use. (Grid 33, top of layer 4, $32). Round scraper; dark grey translucent with opaque patch; the cortex is only missing where it has been detached by retouch on the cutting edge; there are several scrapers of this type; the retention of cortex may be deliberate to give a better grip. (Grid 38, base layer 4, $32). 15: 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 141 Scraper; grey-buff slightly translucent with all-over gloss such as might result from exposure to blowing sand, or abrasion in a sandy stream-bed; steep flaking on end and sides, with consider- able signs of use. (Grid 45, F326, Roman ditch). Double scraper; grey-buff translucent with pale grey opaque patches; steep retouch on one side and lower part of one side. (Grid 44, base of layer 3, $33). Large scraper of ‘ axe’ section, broken; streaky grey/yellow-buff opaque; cortex left on one side except where removed by shallow coarse retouch (Grid 37, mid layer 4, $31). Scraper; grey translucent with opaque patches; cortex left on one side except where removed by rough steep retouch. (Grid 42, layer 3). Large ovoid chopper; grey/buff with mottled cortex; it has been made from a frost-pitted nodule by rough flaking on both sides; the surface top left on drawing has been shattered by repeated blows on this edge. (Grid 39, base of layer 4, $33). Massive chopper, adze, or axe rough-cut; pale grey opaque flint, with some cortex left on one side. (Baulk 33/38, base of layer 4, $32). 21-27 Outside Neolithic and Beaker areas (see plan of Castle Meadow, fig 3) 2k. 22. 23: 24. 25: 26. 2. Fragment of polished axe, re-used as saw; dark grey translucent; ground surface has not en- tirely removed flaking depressions; the re-used edge cut to a fine saw with high gloss on the teeth. (LL-UU, south-west of Beaker area). Leaf arrowhead; pale grey/buff opaque; very good shallow pressure flaking on both sides. (North-east end of site near road junction). Tranchet arrowhead, cutting edge at base in drawing; pale grey opaque; hafting end blunted by steep retouch, cutting edge left as struck except for single flake removed on one side (JJ-TT, south-west of Beaker area). Fabricator; mottled grey-buff opaque with cortex left on one side; rough parallelogram in section, all edges much used, ends broken. (F46, Saxon gravel pit). Fabricator; dark grey translucent with cortex left on one side; made from rough flake with sub-triangular section which has been much used on both side edges. (Saxon gravel pit). Part of polished axe; pale grey opaque, more translucent towards cutting edge; grinding has left many flaking depressions; the cutting edge is severely damaged. (Roman road north-east of Neolithic area). Rough scraper; grey tabular flint with opaque patches and cortex left on both sides; made by broad shallow flaking on both sides; the edges have subsequently been destroyed, probably because of the unsuitable medium of tabular flint.! (NN-VV II, well to south-west of Beaker area). 1 Though implements of this material were found at Easton Down (Stone 1931, p. 354). REFERENCES P.P.S. XX (1954), pp. 238-9. Bunch and Fell 1950. Brian Bunch and Clare. I. Fell. Stone 1931. J. F. S. Stone. ‘*‘ Easton Down, “* A Stone-Axe Factory at Pike of Winterslow, S. Wilts, Flint Mine Stickle, Great Langdale, West- Excavation, 1930. morland ”’, P.P.S., XV (1949), pp. W. A. M. 45 (1931), pp 350-365. 1-20. Stone 1933. J. F. S. Stone, “‘ Excavations at Morey 1951. June E. Morey “ Petrographical Easton Down, Winterslow, 1931- Identification of Stone Axes” BIx: P.P.S. XVI (1950), pp. 191-3. W. A. M. 46 (1933), pp. 225-42. Ritchie 1954. P. R. Ritchie ‘“*‘ Great Langdale Stone 1935. J. F. S. Stone, “Excavations at and the Group VIII Rock ”’, P.P.S. Easton Down, Winterslow, 1933- XIX, 2, (1953), p. 230. 34.” W.A. M.47 (1935), pp.68-80. Fell 1955. Clare I. Fell ‘* Further Notes on Giot 1960. P. R. Giot ,** Brittany ”, London the Great Langdale Axe Factory ”’. 1960. VOL. LVIII-CCxX : 142 oF Bg oF \ | Centre of 4 Column Ride 383 ft,” , oe C =a \\ OG eg AY ~y\) 4 rs) te O Vien 3 g ys . ~ , L Se Sea 7 es iss oy oO 10 20 30 & Finds” 1921 6 4B 0 Oe a Be \ \ ny Fi ne 4 3m wethee Frans My 2D @ Old Clay Pits "Be ae ie 5 &8 a8 be Ws Bea pert ne writin CS Nalin aver oe 83°ES BSS - & a &&@ Bn, & aag°e" tn senna Fig. 1. The Site of the Kilns and (inset) plan of site showing trenches. This map is reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Map, with the sanction of the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office 143 A ROMANO-BRITISH POTTERY IN SAVERNAKE FOREST KILNS 1—2 (Archaeology Research Committee Report No. 1) By F. K. ANNABLE INTRODUCTION The possibility of the existence of a pottery industry of Romano-British date in Savernake Forest was first intimated by the Rev. A. J. Watson, when he recorded the occurrence of ‘ intensely black earth containing very numerous sherds of pottery over an area of nearly 3 acres’ approximately 100 yards south of Bitham Pond, near Column Ride, in Savernake Forest. ! Watson’s suggestion that kilns might exist there was never followed up. In 1957, however, a reconn- aissance was made over the area by the writer in company with Mr. O. Meyrick. After the discovery of quantities of surface pottery, and a single fragment of kiln debris it was decided to carry out small-scale excavations over a number of weekends in an attempt to locate one or more kilns in the vicinity. It was felt that this site might offer a good opportunity for investigating the construction and working of Romano-British kilns in Wiltshire, about which nothing was previously known. _ The recovery of a complete pottery series from one, or more, kilns, would also provide an excellent starting point for a study of the pottery types of the county. Singularly little is known of ceramic fashions in Wiltshire throughout the Romano-British period. During the short period of excavation the writer was fortunate in discovering a single kiln (kiln 1). A second kiln (kiln 2) was subsequently excavated during weekend digging carried out in 1958 by the Archaeology Research Committee of the Society, directed by its chairman, the Rev. E. H. Steele, and the writer. The latter excavation was the first of a number of projects initiated by the Committee in an attempt to stimulate archaeological research within the county. SITE A: KILN 1 DETAILED PLAN W. Stokehole a SF ee RA re Se hy i LY \\ a t ‘y a) eet aN er Furnace Wall yy First Furnace Wall Later Clay Cheeks’ ne QS wy” Sloping inner surface of Wall E. Stokehole detige bee i SCALE OF FEET Fig. 2 144 THE SITE The site chosen for investigation is in Savernake Forest, roughly 300 yds. south-east of Bitham Pond (SU/22326499), in the parish of Savernake. During the summer, the area is densely overgrown with nettles and tall plants, but in the immediate vicinity of the kilns there are few large trees. The Roman road from Old Sarum to Mildenhall (Cunetio) passes the site half a mile to the west: from Winchester to Mildenhall a further Roman road runs approximately one mile to the north-east. The walled township of Roman Cunetio, overlooked on the south-west by the univallate Iron Age hillfort on Forest Hill, lies two miles due north of the kilns. To the south-east, within the parish of Great Bedwyn, are two recorded villa sites; these are located in Brail Wood, and further westwards, close to Tottenham House.? The claims of the latter to villa status are dubious, as, apart from the chance discovery of a single tesselated pavement 100 yards south of the house, no serious investigations have ever been carried out in the area. Aine exert SITE A: KILN 2 DETAILED PLAN Perforated Clay Block 1 o 1 “ Stokehole SCALE OF FEET Fig. 3 CLAY AND FUEL There could have been little difficulty in obtaining clay supplies, since, along the Kennet valley as far west as Marlborough, including Savernake Forest, Tertiary clays overlie the chalk subsoil. A single pit discovered just to the south of kiln 1 had obviously been dug as a clay source; further old clay-pits, south-east of the kilns, if not worked in Roman times, nevertheless testify to the availability of clay in the immediate vicinity. 3 Within the area of the Forest, fuel in the form of brushwood would have been abundant, and the clayey nature of the subsoil would certainly have facilitated the collection of surface water required in the manufacture of pottery. Pl. | Kiln | from W. a * Laine sae Sige anne om = a. 7 . 145 THE EXCAVATIONS SITE A KILN 1 (Fig. 2) This kiln on excavation proved to be of horizontal-draught type. ¢ The Oven The oven was a shallow oval-shaped hollow formed by digging out the natural clayey soil to the required shape, which, after an initial firing, would have been ready to put into operation. The clay floor was flat, rising only slightly at each end where it joined the furnaces. At the centre was a roughly circular patch of dirty, chalky material about 1 ft. 9 in. in diameter, which overlay the hard grey-baked clay of the floor. A similar, smaller patch also occurred at the centre of the eastern half of the floor. A section (BB’) cut across the centre of the oven revealed an earlier flooring of sandy clay, also capped by a thin band of chalky material. The condition of the earlier flooring, which was only red-baked, would suggest that it was not in use for long before replacement by the subsequent floor above. Much of the oven wall had been broken down in antiquity, but the remaining portion sloped out- wards on each side to a maximum height of 1 ft. 2 in. above the floor. At the west end of the oven a single small ‘ cheek’ of clay had subsequently been added to each side of the original wall (Section (CC’), perhaps to canalise the furnace heat towards the oven centre. ———— LZ wakes Clay Walls, etc seh a nate! Fig. 4 Kiln Sections The oven filling consisted of a single stratum of black soil heavily loaded with pottery fragments, and a considerable number of fragments of flat, circular plates of hard, grey-baked clay bearing grass im- pressions on each face. These were approximately 10 in. in diameter, and 4} to | in. thick. Within the oven area, but above the level of the floor, a complete cooking pot was found set vertically though inverted; two further pots were jammed up against it, but resting on their sides. In the final stages of clearing the oven area, a single inverted cooking pot was discovered resting directly on the oven floor, close to the mouth of the west furnace. 146 The Furnaces (Section AA’) At each end, the oven walls were constricted to lead into the furnace tunnels. The west furnace comprised two periods of building. In period 1, the furnace was only | ft. 6 in. long, and had a maximum width of 2 ft. 9 in. at the stokehole end. The clay walls, baked a hard grey, sloped outwards from the floor to an average height of 1 ft. 3 in. It was again apparent that at this period a preliminary firing of the natural clayey sand shaped to the required form had sufficed to achieve the required hardness. In period 2, however, doubtless following very rapidly on period 1, the furnace had been lengthened, and at the same time considerably reduced in width by the addition of a further clay lining on to the existing face at each side, perhaps with the intention of increasing the draught. On the south face the method of construction was as in period 1. On the north face, the later wall consisted of a rather hetero- geneous build-up of red-baked and soft yellow clay, with black soil and chalk lumps intermixed. There were traces of baked clay on the furnace floor at the oven end, suggesting that it may originally have been clay-lined. Any further clay lining had doubtless been removed in antiquity by constant raking, a necessary operation which may explain the noticeably lower levels of the two furnace floors, as compared with the floor of the oven. The east furnace showed no sign of any alteration or repair, and was similar to period | of the oppos- ite furnace. At the oven entrance it was | ft. wide, increasing to 2 ft. at floor level at the stokehole. The height of the walls above floor level was 1 ft. 9 in. In this furnace, the hard grey-baked clay wall lining was well preserved; particularly noticeable was the way in which the hard grey gave way to a red-baked softer clay face at the stokehole, where the heat had not been so concentrated. Much of the filling of this furnace, along with sherds, consisted of a reddish baked clay tumble, which could have been the debris of a clay roof originally covering the length of the furnace. Stokeholes Both stokeholes were simply shallow, roughly circular, unlined pits dug into the natural subsoil, their maximum diameters being approximately 4 ft. 6 in. At the base of the eastern stokehole a small semi- circular scoop had been carefully shaped out, perhaps to concentrate the heat of the fire more directly towards the furnace mouth. The filling of each consisted of dark, sooty soil and numerous sherds, but, in addition, fragments of baked clay plates were recovered from the west stokehole. KILN 2 (Fig. 3) This kiln excavated during 1958 was located approximately 50 ft. north-east of kiln 1. It proved to be of normal up-draught type. 5 The Oven The top of the oven lay approximately 10 in. below ground surface. It was circular in plan and 6 ft. in diameter. As in kiln 1, it had been constructed by carefully digging out a basin-shaped hollow in the subsoil, which, after an initial firing, would have become baked sufficiently hard to be put into use. Over parts of the wall there were small patches of hard-fired grey clay which must represent local attempts at making good the walls after damage through repeated firings. Generally however, the condition of the wall was good, and its hard grey-baked face was easily defined down to its base. A noteworthy feature within the oven consisted of an enormous block of heavily-fired clay built centrally and down the main axis of the kiln (Section EE’). It was U-shaped in plan, the two arms extending to join the oven wall at the back. The block was perforated through its face; the arched aperture extended down to the oven floor, which, from the back of the oven, plunged steeply downwards through the aperture into the furnace. This would undoubtedly have resulted in a terrific draught being created once the fire had been Jit at the furnace mouth. 147 It was during the sectioning of the kiln that the block was found to have been built up in four separate stages. With the aid of a sharp trowel it was in fact, possible to remove each individual ‘ phase ’ from its immediate predecessor (Sections DD’, EE’). Phase 1 had consisted of a perforated, wishbone-shaped block of hard-fired clay placed centrally within the oven, each of its upright arms being about 6 in. thick. (PI.3). In phase 2, an additional * skin’ of clay between 3 in. and 6 in. thick had been laid on top, forming a roughly knee-shaped block (P1.3). To the top, and on one side of this, a further, thinner, * skin ’ had been applied to constitute the third phase of the block. Finally, phase 4 consisted of the addition of the two clay ‘ arms’ reaching back, and attached to, the oven wall. That they were distinct and separate additions to the original plan for the block was clear, as, when each ‘ skin’ was removed, the hard-baked smooth surface of each earlier phase was encountered beneath. In clearing the heavily blackened filling from the oven interior, approximately a dozen more or less complete, but broken vessels were recovered; the majority were clustered around the upper half of the central block, and towards the back of the kiln, either inverted or lying on their sides. Whether they represent a loaded or partly loaded kiln is uncertain; more probably they were cracked and distorted vessels thrown back when the kiln was filled in and abandoned. Furnace At the eastern end of the oven, on each side of the central block, the floor took a sudden steeper plunge to join the sloping walls of the furnace tunnel leading directly into the stokehole. The furnace was approximately 5 ft. long, widening out considerably at the stokehole end. Here it was difficult to trace the line of its face, as much of the hard, grey-baked lining had been destroyed. There were no indications of any addition or repair to the original structure: because of flooding in the final stages of clearing out the kiln, it was also impossible to determine whether the furnace floor had ever been clay- lined. Stokehole This, again, was a roughly circular pit, 9ft.in diameter, dug around the furnace mouth. There were indications here, also, that an attempt had been made to concentrate the heat of the fire towards the furnace by scooping out an additional semi-circular hollow at the base of the stokehole. As well as numerous waster sherds, a bronze coin of Domitian (see p. 155) was recovered from the stokehole filling 1ft. 6 in. below ground surface. PIT A (Fig. 2) Immediately south of kiln 1, and approximately 1 ft. from the edge of the east stokehole, a shallow pit was discovered. This pit was not completely cleared, but a section cut across it indicated that it was probably oval in plan, with a maximum depth of 1 ft. 4 in. below the Roman level. The primary filling consisted of a grey clayey silt extending from the kiln side of the pit across to its centre. Init were a few sherds and fragments of sheep bones and teeth. This layer was capped by a homogeneous fill of black soil rising to the top of the pit. The pit was almost certainly dug as a clay source by the potters of kiln 1, who, in continuously enter- ing it from the kiln side, would gradually have brought about the noticeable silting on this side. The homogeneous black layer above it suggests that, once the site was abandoned, the filling of the pit was carried out in a single operation. Part of the base of a Samian bowl of Form Drag. 18/31 bearing a broken cipher stamp was recovered from the upper layer of the pit. (See p. 155). 148 DISCUSSION The discovery of a horizontal-draught kiln in Savernake Forest makes a further interesting addition to our knowledge concerning the distribution of Romano-British kiln types in southern Britain. Previously the type, which is uncommon, appeared to be confined to the Farnham (Surrey) district. ¢ Now that it has been reported in the Marlborough area, the horizontal-draught kiln can no longer be assumed to be so restricted in its distribution, and intermediate sites no doubt exist elsewhere. The only other known pottery kilns of Roman date in Wiltshire, discovered on Broomsgrove Farm, near Milton, Pewsey, are inadequately recorded and the report is without either plans or illustration of the two kilns found.’ B. H. Cunnington, who investigated the site, described the second kiln (?oven) as being ‘ more like an egg set lengthways ’, a description which is not unlike the oven plan of kiln 1 (fig. 2) and which suggests that the horizontal type may have been in use at Broomsgrove. The few extant Broomsgrove vessels are close parallels in type and fabric to the Savernake products, and must be of corresponding date. 8 What is perhaps particularly interesting however, is that the Overwey (Farnham) kilns were of 4th century date,’ whereas the production period of the Savernake pottery can hardly be later than the initial years of the 2nd century A.D. (see p.154). We thus havea striking confirmation of the horizontal- draught kiln being employed for pottery manufacture through a considerable period of time. Whether the type was confined solely to southern Britain is a problem which must await further evidence. Unfortunately, the absence of any certain structures within kila 1 prevents any further addition to our knowledge concerning the methods used in stacking and operating kilns of this type. The general similarity of the plan of kiln 1 to the Overwey group, namely, the directly opposed furnaces and stokeholes leading into an oven chamber with carefully levelled floor, 1° is, nevertheless, striking; this similarity strengthens the suggestion by Clark that these kilns were simultaneously fired at each end so as to produce an evenly fired product, the necessary draught being produced by means of a vent in the top of the temporary dome of the oven. 1! How was the pottery stacked inside the oven for firing? A single vessel found lying inverted directly on the oven floor implies that some of the load was actually placed upside down on to the level floor. In the centre of the oven floor were the two chalky patches immediately overlying the hard-baked surface of the floor (fig. 2). Although only an inch or so in thickness, they may, nevertheless, represent the remnants of a raised platform on which further vessels were stacked in order to facilitate the free circulation of heat beneath and around the load. The sug- gestion is strengthened by the discovery of an enormous central block of similar material occupying most of the floor area of kiln 4, and constructed seemingly for such a purpose.!2 A similar method of stacking also seems to have been adopted at Boars Hill, Oxford. 13 The only other finds of significance within the oven and stokeholes were the fragmentary circular plates of hard-baked clay with grass or straw impressions on both faces. Roughly shaped clay plates, often curved in outline, commonly occur on kiln sites, where they are generally described as being employed to reinforce kiln walls, or as additional roofing to the temporary dome.!4 Within kiln 1, all the fragments found suggest that originally these plates were circular, gener- ally about 10 in. in diameter, and 4-1 in. thick, many of them being quite flat on both faces. Though the plates were roughly made, the potters had gone to some trouble to ensure a general uniformity in their size and shape. Such care seems unnecessary, had the intention been merely to use them as additional covering for a temporary roof. It is conceivable that they were used within the kiln as vessel supports, with the same intention of assisting free circulation of heat throughout the kiln load. This practice can again be paralleled at Overwey, where from Kiln 2 came neatly squared baked clay slabs, 15 in. thick, used, it was suggested, for the same purpose. !5 "§ WOLy YOOL [v.UID Jo Z aseud Z Uy “MA WO YOO [BUD Jo | aseyd Z Uy ‘TI ‘Id ‘S WOLT (p aseyd) YOolg pedeys--A [euag puv UdAQ Z UY ‘NE WOAJ YOoT_ [Rua jo ¢ asveyd TZ UI 149 It would appear then, that, in kiln 1, the load was stacked on a low pedestal centrally placed on the oven floor, or directly on the floor, circular supports being additionally employed in the kiln to facilitate stacking, and the circulation of hot gases throughout the load. KILN 2 The only structure within this kiln consisted of the massive, perforated, U-shaped block occupying the greater part of the basin-shaped interior. No trace of flooring of any kind was found within the kiln that might have been supported by the block; the shape of the block itself would also have made it impossible to construct a level floor on its upper surface. With such an obstruction, it would have been impossible to utilise this portion of the kiln as the actual furnace, since it would obviously obstruct the placing of fuel. It is suggested that this area was the oven chamber, and that the furnace area consisted of the tunnel-shaped passage leading directly into the kiln, normally considered as the flue (Fig. 3). The excessive width of this tunnel also indicated that there would have been ample space for a considerable fire at the entrance to the kiln. It may be that, in this kiln, the aperture through the oven block served as the flue, to assist in the creation of a terrific draught once the fire had been started. By far the most interesting feature of the U-shaped block was that it produced clear evidence of experiment on kiln construction carried out by the potters during the working life of the kiln. The four separate phases of construction were indicated by the addition of fresh * skins’ of clay, and finally by the addition of the two arms extending to the back wall of the oven. That each addition was carried out after an interval of at least one or two firings was obvious from the smooth, hard-baked clay face be- neath each fresh ‘ skin’. Each fresh application of clay over the original wish-bone shaped block was surely intended to improve the distribution of heat throughout the oven, and thus reduce to a minimum the occurrence of cracked or distorted vessels due to uneven firing. How the vessels were stacked inside the oven is a matter for conjecture. Only one or two fragments of clay plates were recovered from this kiln, in contrast to the large quantity from kiln 1, and of kiln furniture of any other sort there was no trace. Ina steep-sided, bowl-shaped oven of this kind, it would have been well-nigh impossible to stack a pottery load neatly or efficiently. It must be assumed, there- fore, that the vessels were somewhat haphazardly loaded above and around the centrally placed block before being covered over and fired. THE KILN COVERING No evidence was found of any material which might have conceivably been used as a temporary covering over the kiln. Sand may have been largely used as a final covering over an initial dome, per- haps of turves, for the former is readily available close to the kilns. Its use was also attested at Overwey by the masses of sand filling the stokehole pits. ' 6 DESTRUCTION OF THE SITE As with many other kiln sites, the evidence for a peaceful and rapid dismantling of the kilns was clear. The single stratum of dark, sooty filling in the stokeholes clearly shows that filling in must have taken place almost immediately, before normal weather silting could commence. The condition of the oven wall and the central block of kiln 2 with the uniform dark filling of its interior confirms that this kiln was rapidly filled in when abandoned. Had the kiln been left exposed, then, over a compar- atively short period of time, weathering would have brought about the rapid disintegration of both wall and block. VOL. LVIII-CCX s 150 1 W.A.M., xli, Dec. 1921, 425. 2 L. V. Grinsell, V.C.H., Wilts, vol. 1, pt. 1, 73. 3 See annotated O.S. 6” map of the late O.G.S. Craw- ford in Devizes Museum, Sheet 36 NE (Wilts) where the site of an old brickworks is marked c.4 mile south-east of the kilns. 4P. Corder. The Structure of Romano-British Pottery Kilns, Archaeological Journal, cxiv, 23, fig. 13. 5 P. Corder, Joc. cit., 13 ff. 6 P. Corder, Joc. cit., 23. A kiln recently discovered at Boar’s Hill, Oxford, (unpublished) appears to be a horizontal-draught kiln. A further possible example has been reported from Dorset (Proc. Dorset Nat. Hist. and Arch, Socy. \xxiii (1951), 91-2) but was not fully investi- ie the excavators being unable to trace any stoke- oles. 7 B.H.Cunnington. W.A.M., xxvii, 294-301. 8 Devizes Museum Cat. II, (1934), 163, fig. 29. 9A. J. Clark. The Fourth Century Romano-British Pottery Kilns at Overwey. Surrey Arch. Collns. li, 29-56. 10 A. J. Clark, ib. figs. 3-4. 11 A. J. Clark, 43. 12 Excavations and Fieldwork in Wiltshire, 1960. W.A.M., Wwiii, 34. 13 P, Corder, Joc. cit., 23. 14 P. Corder, 14. 15 A. J. Clark, loc. cit., 43. 16 A. J. Clark, 43. THE POTTERY The pottery described below consists entirely of material recovered directly from the stokehole, furnace, and oven areas of the kilns. It was obvious from an examination of the products that no distinction could be made between the fabric, or the vessel types manufactured in each kiln. There can be little doubt that both of them con- stitute a single working phase. The pottery is almost invariably hard-fired and unsmoothed, and a light to medium grey in colour. Many of the vessels contain a light scatter of minute grey or brown grits embedded in the clay; in one or two cases only, the grits consist of minute fragments of pounded flint. A number of sherds are buff or orange in colour, but except in the case of the ring-necked jugs where the cream colour was almost certainly intentional, it is likely that they are accidents of firing. Fig. 5. Pottery Sections. Scale 1:8. 152 Plates Pie-Dishes Flagons Lids Storage Jars Bowls 1. as 3, 4. 5. 6. c 8. Boscombe Down West Casterley Camp Cirencester Early Iron Age ‘C’ in Wessex Jewry Wall Oare TYPE 1 PLATES Bead-Rim Bowls Miscellaneous THE POTTERY TYPES (Fig.5) LIST OF REFERENCES AND Excavation of Iron Age Villages on Boscombe Down West. Miss K. M. Richardson. W.A.M., liv, Dec., 1951. Excavations at Casterley Camp. M. E. and B. H. Cunnington. W.A.M., xxxviii, June, 1913. Cirencester, Dyer Court Excav- ations. Graham Webster. Trans. Bristol & Glos. Arch. Society, Ixxviii, 1959. J. Brailsford. Proc. Preh. Socy., 1958, N.S. Vol. xxiv, 101-2. Excavations at Jewry Wall site, Leicester. Miss K. M. Kenyon. Soc. of Antiquaries of London, Report No. xv, 1948. Notes on a late Celtic Rubbish Heap near Oare. M. E. Cun- Richborough Silchester Swarling Verulamium TOTALS (Based on rim Nos.) 11 21 10 30 ABBREVIATIONS nington. W.A.M., xxxvi, June, 1909. Excavation of the Roman Fort at Richborough. J. P. Bushe- Fox. Soc. of Antiquaries of London. Reports Nos. VI, VII, X. 1926, 1928, 1932. The Pottery found at Silchester. T. May, 1916. Excavation of the late Celtic Urnfield at Swarling, Kent. J. P. Bushe-Fox. Soc. of Anti- quaries of London, Report No. V, 1925. A Belgic and Two Roman Cities. R. E. M. and T. V. Wheeler. Soc. of Antiquaries of London, Report No. XI, 1936. Typologically these range from close copies of the Verulamium type Belgic plates with foot-ring to the more normal straight-sided Roman examples, the former deriving ultimately from Arretine prototypes. Although Belgic in style, the fabric of the Savernake products is clearly Roman. (cf. Verulamium, fig. 22, p. 173; Silchester, pl.lxxiv, pp. 176-7; Cirencester, fig. 14, 15, p. 72. A similar range of styles is seen in the plates from Boscombe Down West (fig. 12). 1. Hard fabric, smoothed on ioner face. Four faintly incised concentric grooves at centre of base. Light-grey core and surface. Kiln 1. 2. Hard fabric, light grey core and surface. Kiln 2. 153 3. Black smoothed fabric, with traces perhaps of buff slip. Faintly scribed chevron pattern on exterior. The fabric is different from the normal Savernake ware and may not have been man- ufactured on the site. Anexact parallel in shape and fabric occurs amongst the pottery from Qare, p. 125 ff. Kiln 1. 4. Hard unsmoothed fabric. Grey core, orange surface. Kiln 1. TYPE 2. PIE DISHES 5. Hard unsmoothed fabric. Faint trellis pattern externally. Kiln 1. 6. Hard fabric, with traces of buff ?slip immediately below rim. Buff surface, light grey core. Kiln 1. 7. Hard gritty fabric, reddish brown core and surface. Kiln 1. 8. Pie-dish with very small flange immediately below rim. Thickly embedded with white and reddish grits. Crude decoration incised after firing. Orange core and surface. Kiln 1. TYPE 3. FLAGONS 9. Hard unsmoothed fabric, cream core and surface. (cf. Richborough II, pl. xxxii, 187, A.D. 45-75). This example seems to be related to the Jewry Wall Type A, with sharply cut rim and grooves rather than rings beneath. (Jewry Wail, fig. 28, 1). Kiln 1. 10. As (9), but more pronounced rings below the rim. For a somewhat similar parallel see Rich- borough, III, pl. xxx, 139, probably Flavian. The kiln example has a longer neck. Kiln 1. 11. A waster. Rough fabric containing a scatter of small grey grits. Buff-grey core and surface. Kiln 2. A type derived from Belgic prototypes. See Verulamium, fig. 34, 60, p. 194 for native examples, and ibid., fig. 35, 62, 63 for developed Roman types dated early 2nd century A.D. 12. Rim of flagon in hard fabric, grey core and surface. Kiln 1. TYPE 4. BEAD-RIM BOWLS The Savernake bead-rims also continue the native stylistic tradition, though the technique is indisput- ably Roman. Jars and bowls of bead-rim type occur plentifully at sites in Wiltshire, e.g., Casterley, Oare, Yarnbury, Boscombe Down, and must range in date from the late Iron Age to the late Ist cent. A.D. Brailsford, (Early Iron Age ‘C’ in Wessex) lists the bead-rim bowl amongst the pottery types of the Durotrigian culture, whereas the remainder of the Savernake products are Romanised versions of Iron Age wares of the south-east Belgic region. 13. Jar in hard fabric, light grey core and surface. Ht. 15in. KiJn 2. 14. Hard rough fabric, light grey core and surface. Kiln 1. 15. Awaster. Hard fabric, medium grey core and surface. Kiln 1. 16. Rough fabric, heavily embedded with small grey flint grits. Light grey core and surface. Kiln 2. 17. Hard rough fabric, light grey core and surface. Kiln 1. LYPE 5: . LIDS 18. Hard fabric, light grey core and surface. Kiln 1. 19. ; and of the panelling he says that it ‘ looks like an attempt to enrich with pilaster-strips a casually selected piece of walling.’ He adds that ‘ there seems no sense or fitness in the arrangements, which must be regarded as in the nature of a freak.’ 1° This seems to us to do the chancel much less than justice. Its walls have been much disturbed, for the insertion of two Early English windows near the transept and of the large three-light Decorated window nearer the east. There is, therefore, every reason to believe that the strip-work originally formed a com- plete system of panelling over the whole surface of the chancel above the string-course, which still runs along the full length of the south wall. Moreover, the former existence of similar panelling on the north wall is proved by the survival of some fragments of it externally near the east end and other fragments within the later north vestry. The panelling, too, is far from being random in character, even in the fragmentary state in which it 163 OI SL TE RRP ETO SPUN IES LEMONY SUF GU BUNUN A SUUIEL AMO MOUS sdUl] PofjOp YG} PUL MZIS Ul OLIQey MOYS Soul] [[NJ oY “LYOd ANYOPTIN LY ONIGVOUV AHL JO NOILONULSNOOAU—E “SI 1 2 teed Le a 9 Oo : SONIGINOW JO Sliviaa sf q YyOMsaLXS Lae G-D LIV NV'Ild GaLONYLSNODSY Jeey OL d- v YOIMMSALNI NOILD3S ¢C ¢ 615 ak _ L£dOd JNYOSTIW 164 has survived. It consists of two stages; the upper is less tall than the lower, and is also more closely spaced, on much the same system as at Bradford-on-Avon. The lower line of pilasters rests on a string-course of elaborately moulded section, somewhat similar to the capitals of the north doorway of the undoubted Anglo-Saxon church at Corhampton in Hamp- shire. The upper string-courses are plainer, but the capitals of the upper pilasters are rhomboid in elevation and are carved in high relief within a raised outline. The whole system of panelling occupies about half the total height of the chancel, and it seems to us originally to have been qualified to be ranked with Bradford-on-Avon as one of the outstanding decorative architectural achievements of the late tenth or early eleventh century. The original nave must have been considerably modified by the Normans, who inserted a fine south doorway and built a turret-stair in the angle of the tower. But parts of the Anglo-Saxon west front survived until 1867, in spite of the insertion of a large fifteenth century window and doorway. This old west front was most unfortunately swept away in 1867 but a photograph of it was taken and was pub- lished in 1893 by the architect, Mr. A. Reynolds, who said ‘I much regretted taking down the west front, but to lengthen the nave by 28 ft. was compelled to do so. I feel sure of its Saxon origin, as is evidently shown in the photograph.’ Reynolds’ picture shows a rubble wall with vestiges of tri- angular-headed arcading on either side of the inserted Perpendicular window.!1 It may also be seen that the lower part of the south-west quoin is of dressed stone, of megalithic character and with a suggestion of long-and-short technique. The lower part of the west wall is also divided into com- partments by broad pilasters such as may be seen at Bibury (Glos.) and Hambledon (Hants.), so that there is no difficulty in agreeing with Mr. Reynolds in his opinion about the Saxon origin of the nave. Internally, the crossing is at first sight typically Norman, with walls about 5 ft. in thickness, and with jambs and arches of triple-recessed orders. All four piers have survived in their original state, but the east and west arches have been replaced in the fourteenth or fifteenth century, and they are now of pointed form. The original north and south arches are now of slightly elliptical form. having been somewhat distorted by the extra weight of the medieval tower, and it is no doubt this distortion which led to the rebuilding of the eastern and western arches. The capitals on all four piers are of a remarkable conical form, quite unlike anything that is known in Norman buildings and somewhat reminiscent of the decoration on the belfry windows of Langford (Oxfordshire), a church which is undoubtedly of late-Saxon date. The carving on these capitals is reminiscent of the pre-Conquest stones at Sompting, and a further remarkable feature is that, while the capitals of the western opening towards the nave are carved in stone, most of the others are partly of stone and partly of plaster, while the capitals of the opening to the south transept are wholly of plaster. It is impossible to be certain of the date of these piers and arches, but we think they are pre-Norman, not only for the reasons already advanced but also for the following independent reason. The second storey of the tower is straightforwardly Norman, with ashlar fabric and Norman arcading. The exter- nal stair-turret is also Norman and of ashlar, but the lower part of the tower, which is visible above the roof of the church, is of the same rubble construction as the chancel and transepts. This seems to us clear evidence that the Normans simply added an upper storey of ashlar to the pre-existing low cross- ing of rubble, and that they provided the ashlar stair-turret in place of whatever access had formerly been available, perhaps internal wooden stairs in one of the transepts as at Norton in County Durham. Next I would like to refer in some detail to the remains of windows which may be seen in the interior walls of the chancel. That on the north has been partially cut away by the medieval north arcade; and it is, at first sight, of straightforward Norman type; but its position at the top of a tall wall would be unusual in a Norman chancel. On the south wall only a single jamb has remained from the correspond- ing window, and neither its capital nor its base is of Norman character. The capital has been sadly 165 damaged, but its simple ornament is of a type which to us is strongly indicative of pre-Conquest work- manship. Moreover, careful measurement internally and externally has convinced us that this feature was in- deed the jamb of a window of the same size and shape as its companion on the north, and that its outer face formed an integral part of the pre-Norman exterior panelling. It is impossible to be certain about the construction of the exterior head of the window, but we think it is most likely that it was of mono- lithic pseudo-arched form, an arrangement which would have fitted satisfactorily into the pattern which is fixed by the surviving stonework. It should be noted that our reconstruction of the form of the exterior panelling provides a reasonable interpretation of a feature which is otherwise difficult to understand: namely, the quarter-round character of the surviving shaft just to the east of the tall Early English lancet, and the carved foliage on its capital. In our reconstruction, this shaft and its capital form the eastern jamb of the window, and it is clear that their companions on the west have been swept away by the insertion of the lancet. It should also be noted not only that the foliage on the interior and exterior capitals of this window is in keeping with that of the capitals of the crossing, but also that the reconstruction provides a series of uniformly spaced pilasters in the upper panel and a series at a wider but again uniform spacing in the lower panel, thus completely refuting Baldwin Brown’s charge that the arrangement has no sense or fitness.* The similarity of the panelling to the well-known work at Bradford-on-Avon may have its roots in a direct association between the two buildings, for the nuns of Shaftesbury are recorded in Domesday Book as having had property at Milborne Port, while a charter of 1001 (Kemble Codex Diplomaticus. No. 706) records that Ethelred gave them Bradford-on-Avon. Bibury (Gloucestershire) At first sight the large and interesting church at Bilbury would not be suspected of containing pre- Conquest fabric, but in fact it has many features of great interest. A large circular double-splayed window has survived in the south wall of the aisleless pre-Conquest church between an Early English lancet and the west wall of the medieval south aisle. On the north side of the church an aisle was pro- vided along its whole extent in a series of separate modifications, all of which were completed before the Early English period; and in the present north aisle a series of broad Anglo-Saxon pilaster-strips may be seen surviving in the north face of the wall above the Norman and Transitional arches, and thereby proving that these arches were cut through a pre-Norman wall. These broad pilasters are of special interest in connexion with recent discoveries in St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade; they have exact counterparts in Hambledon, Hampshire, where similar pilasters survive above Norman and Transitional arcades; and they should be compared with the systems of pilasters which remain intact on the nave and chancel at Coln Rogers and Daglingworth, both in Gloucestershire, or at Corhampton in Hamp- shire. The chancel at Bibury itself still has similar pilasters in situ, springing from the plinth with stepped bases like those at Coln Rogers. The east wall of the nave at Bibury is also of particular interest. The jambs of the pre-Conquest chancel-arch have survived, together with the western faces of the capitals, but the arch itself and the soffit faces of the capitals have, unfortunately, been cut away in the fourteenth century to make way for the present tall and pointed chancel-arch. The ornament of the capitals deserves special mention, *In February 1962, after the block had been prepared for Fig. 3., Dr. G. Zarnecki pointed out to me that the sur- viving capital of the interior face of this window is situated higher in the wall than is shown in my diagram. This makes it likely that the exterior head of the window rose up into the area of the upper tier of arcading. I am greatly indebted to Dr. Zarnecki for this correction. VOL. LVIII-CCX U Hee BITTON I SECTION B-B SECTION ° 10 £6. 20 booth bk RECONSTRUCTION OF EAST END OF NAVE Fig. 4—A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE GREAT ROOD AT BITTON. = The full lines show the stones which have survived. The dotted lines are our reconstruction, based on the surviving Rood at Langford. The small-scale inset shows how the Rood would have stood above the chancel-arch, and the broken line — — — — shows the present line of the roof of the nave. 167 and so also does the plain square string-course which crosses the wall, about 20 ft. above the floor. A roughness in the walling above the centre of this string-course suggests to us the former existence of a Rood or Crucifixion, and supporting evidence is provided by the mutilated figure on the left, no doubt formerly one of the mourners beside the Cross. Bitton (Gloucestershire) (Fig. 4) The Church of St. Mary at Bitton stands close to the Roman via Julia, about mid-way between Bath and Bristol. Judged by any standard it is of unusual interest, but we think that its claims to recognition as an important pre-Conquest church have been seriously under-rated. Its nave is no less than 95 ft. long with walls 2 ft. 6 in. thick and even now 20 ft high; although, as we shall show, they must have originally been considerably higher. The original chancel seems to have been completely destroyed, but the chancel-arch survived until it was replaced in 1843 by the present arch of pseudo-Norman form. Fragments of the strip-work hood-mould have survived, and the complete capital is still to be seen on the south, within the chancel. But the most remarkable feature at Bitton is the remains of a Rood, high above the present chancel-arch, resting on a plain square string-course like that at Bibury, but no less than 27 ft. above the floor. Only the feet of the Rood have survived in situ, above a piece of sculpture which is difficult to interpret but looks like a sea-serpent. Another fragment of the Rood was, however, discovered blocking a hagioscope or squint between the chancel and a former south chapel. This is an outstretched arm; it is undoubtedly of Anglo-Saxon workmanship, because the hand crosses a moulding like those surrounding the doorway at Sherborne. Moreover the great Anglo-Saxon Rood at Langford (Oxon.) has exactly the same feature of a vertical moulding behind the hands and has the same long sleeve on the arms. There seems to us no doubt that the Rood at Bitton was about life-size and that the head of Christ therefore stood about 35 ft. above the floor. At present the wall above the chancel-arch is in deep shadow, close under the dark roof of the nave, so that the remains of the Rood are quite difficult to see; but we believe that the original arrangement at Bitton must have been like that at Brea- more (Hants.) with a tower or lantern above the central space. The side walls of the nave must have been at least as high as the string-course beneath the Rood, and, with windows in the side walls of the lantern, there would have been good illumination for the Rood, just as is to be seen today on the east wall of the nave at Bibury, where we believe that a similar Rood was formerly to be seen. To conclude the description of Bitton I should report the survival in the north wall of the nave, near the east, of a large round-headed arch whose jambs and head are formed of massive stones all of which pass through the full thickness of the wall. This arch and a destroyed companion on the south clearly gave access from the nave to side-chapels, for the Rev. H. T. Ellacombe found the foundations of the walls of the southern chapel in the vicarage garden and he reported that all trace of similar remains on the north had been destroyed by the great number of burials close to the walls of the church. | 2 We thus secure a picture of a cruciform church of considerable size at Bitton, with architectural sculpture of some degree of accomplishment. Cricklade (Wiltshire) (Fig. 2, B, C) St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade, has generally been regarded until recently as possessing no fabric earlier than 1280, although the existence of a church on the site before the Conquest is attested by several interesting pieces of Anglo-Saxon cross-shafts and grave-slabs. In February 1961, with the co- operation of the church authorities, we were able to strip some plaster off the main south wall of the nave, within the south aisle, and so to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that a pair of stones which we had noticed on an earlier visit (stones to which our attention had been directed by Dr. T. R. Thomson) are part of a pre-Norman pilaster-strip in situ like those of Bibury.!3 This single surviving pilaster-strip IU 168 at Cricklade is made up of two stones which together extend no less than 6 ft. up the face of the wall. A remarkable feature of this strip is that it has a triple-stepped base at a height of about 16 ft. above the floor. Stepped bases of this type are found elsewhere in similar elevated positions, for example on the upper stages of the tower at Langford, but they are then associated with horizontal string-courses on which they rest. Nothing of the sort exists at Cricklade, but it is possible that it could have existed and was removed when the great arches of the present south arcade were cut through the wall. For many years there has been controversy about the purpose of Anglo-Saxon pilaster-strips. One school of thought, on no less authority than Professor Baldwin Brown, claims that they are ornamental in origin and are derived from Germany. Another school of thought, to which we have always adhered, regards the pilasters as fundamentally structural, to divide the wall into self-contained compartments and to give direct upward support to the upper compartments if there should be any failure in the sub- stance of the intervening rubble wall. We have long wanted to know whether pilaster-strips ran deep into the body of the wall, for only if this was so would they be able properly to fulfil a structural purpose. We were therefore delighted to find that a part of the wall beside the pilaster was in bad repair and that a cavity beside the pilaster showed that the stone continued at least 11 in. deep into the body of the wall, thus giving strong support for the theory that the pilasters have real structural significance. A little to the west of the pilaster is a stone which seems to have begun life as a Roman altar and then later to have been adapted for use as a sundial in this south wall of the church. Both this altar-sundial and the pilaster have later been defaced by the cutting of a large square rebate across their faces to pro- vide a seating for the roof-plate of the first roof of the south aisle, which was of narrower and lower character than the modern aisle. Still further to the west are a pair of beasts’ heads, carved in fairly high relief on two separate stones. In general composition they resemble the creatures at Somerford Keynes, but there are considerable differences of detail. They seem to be in situ; and, if so, they would be established as of late Saxon date, perhaps early eleventh-century. The wall in which all these features are placed is no less than 4 ft. 4 in. thick but it is nevertheless fixed as pre-Conquest with considerable certainty by the survival of the pilaster in it. Other Churches in Wessex It should be noted that my account has been confined to a selection of churches about which I had items of interest to draw to your attention. There are many other pre-Conquest churches in Wessex, several of which have features of no less interest than those that I have chosen for this brief account. In the counties comprising and adjoining the ninth-century kingdom of Wessex there are at least 67 churches which have surviving recognisable pre-Conquest features. The distribution by counties is: Devonshire 1 Oxfordshire 7 Dorset 4 Somerset 3 Gloucestershire 15 Warwickshire 2 Hampshire 16 Wiltshire 12 Herefordshire 7 = Pre-Conquest Sculpture in Wessex In the course of the foregoing account Anglo-Saxon sculpture in Wessex has been mentioned incident- ally, but one or two further instances deserve special mention, either because of their particular excel- lence or because they bear witness to the former existence of churches that have themselves vanished. 169 Romsey. The great Rood now in the cloister at Romsey should perhaps be included in both classes. Some writers claim it as Norman, but a telling argument for its Anglo-Saxon date was put forward by Sir Alfred Clapham (Antiquity, 25 (1951) 191-195). One aspect of his argument is the use of the hand of God over the head of the Cross. This appears in the Breamore and Headbourne Worthy Roods, both of which are unquestionably Anglo-Saxon and in situ; it also appears in several groups of Anglo-Saxon coins and ivories; and there is no known instance of its use in Norman times. Moreover, Norman masonry was almost always of stones of a size which could be handled conveniently by one man, whereas, the Romsey Rood is carved on stones of the truly megalithic character so much favoured by the Anglo-Saxons. Ramsbury. There is no surviving fabric of the pre-Conquest church at Ramsbury, although it was the seat of a bishopric for a time in the early years of the tenth century. But some early foundations were found to the south of the present church during a Victorian restoration (1891), and an important series of carved stones was found at that time, some built into the foundations of the south pier of the chancel- arch, and some lying buried near the early foundations. They have usually been attributed to the period of the bishopric at Ramsbury, but Sir Thomas Kendrick dated them on stylistic grounds to the great period of Wessex about the early years of Alfred’s reign in the second half of the ninth century. They comprise not only an important cross shaft but also two unusual grave-slabs of domed. cross-section with rounded ends. Codford. At Codford St. Peter, as at Ramsbury, there is no surviving fabric, but an interesting cross-shaft is built into the north wall of the chancel beside the altar rail. It shows a man in a curious tripping posture, with his head thrown back and his clothing represented in a characteristically ribbed fashion which is to be seen in many ninth-century Anglo-Saxon sculptures. The stepped capitals of the framework are also noteworthy as a direct association with Anglo-Saxon architecture. Wessex sundials. An important and unique type of Wessex sculpture is the sundial, which is cut on a square stone with a complete circular dial and with the superfluous corners ornamented by trefoil flowers at the ends of the diagonal time-lines. There are three of these, in the region of Winchester: at Winchester itself, at Warnford, and at Corhampton. Conclusion. In conclusion I should say that in the time that is available I have been able to do no more than skim the surface of Wessex architecture and sculpture of pre-Norman days. If I have been able to indicate that there is much of outstanding merit I shall indeed be happy. In any case I hope I have been able to show that the West Saxons built to endure, for none of the churches which I have described is less than nine hundred years old, and all have been subjected to very considerable strains by constant adaptation. Perhaps I may also say that year by year new evidence is coming to light to improve our knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon achievements. Even now excavations are in progress on the site of the new Minster at Winchester, and I have no doubt that other important discoveries will be made as years go by. 1F, M. Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England, 2nd ed. (London, 1947), 63 and 66. 2C. A. E. Radford, Antiquity, 25 (1951), 213; 27 (1953), 41; and 29 (1955), 33. 3 E. D.C. Jackson and E. G. M. Fletcher, ‘ The Saxon Church at Bradford-on-Avon’, Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 3rd ser., 16 (1953), 41-58. 4 William of Malmesbury, Gesta Pontificum, ed. N.E.S.A. Hamilton, Rolls Series, 52 (London, 1870), 363. 5 An important comparison of the Wareham in- scriptions with those on crosses in Wales was made by W. de G. Birch in 1885, as a result of which Birch and Romilly Allen were led to date the Wareham inscriptions in the ninth or tenth century; W. de G. Birch, ‘ Notes on the Carew Cross’ Journal of the British Archaeological Association 41 (1885) 405-411. 6 D. Whitelock English Historical Documents, 1, c.500 -1041, gen. ed. D. C. Douglas (London, 1955), 317. 7 F.M. Stenton, /oc. cit., 68 and 151. 170 8. A. W. Clapham, ‘ Three carved stones in the possession of the Society,’ Antiquaries Journal, 11 (1931), 133-5. 9 Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, Dorset, West (London, 1952), xlvii. 10 G. B. Brown, The Arts in Early England, 2, Anglo- Saxon Architecture, 2nd ed. (London, 1925), 428 and 470. 11 A. Reynolds, ‘ Milborne Port Church ’, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 14, (1893), 70-4. For a very valuable and well illustrated account of the church see also F. J. Allen and G. W. Saunders, ‘ The problematical early work at Milborne Port Church ’, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, 53 (1934), 25-31. 12 H. T. Ellacombe, The History of the parish of Bitton, (Exeter, 1881-3). 13 J, and H. M. Taylor, ‘An Anglo-Saxon pilaster, St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade ’, Wiltshire Archaeolog- ical and Natural History Magazine, 58 (1961), 16-17. 171 THE SALISBURY CANAL—A GEORGIAN MISADVENTURE By HuGH BRAUN On 21 August 1770, an advertisement in the Salisbury Journal had brought together in the Council Chamber a meeting of persons interested in the provision of a canal to Salisbury.! The people of Andover had engaged Whitworth, an assistant of the famous canal engineer, James Brindley, to survey a line of canal passing down the Test Valley to Redbridge on the Southampton estuary and it was thought that Salisbury should not be left without similar access to the sea. A committee of Salisbury gentlemen was formed and met that same afternoon at the Half Moon hotel in the Market Place, adjacent to the Guildhall.2 The decision was taken to obtain plans and estimates for a canal from Salisbury to pass down the Dun (or Dean) Valley to join the Andover Canal alternatively at Kimbridge mill or toan outfall of its own at Redbridge, or at Eling on the nearer side of the Test estuary. It was proposed that, when completed, the canal should be extended up the Wylye valley to ‘ Warminster or elsewhere ’. The principal protagonist for the project was Mr. George Yalden Fort, a landowner in the Alder- bury-Whiteparish district; the Treasurer-Secretary was Mr. Thomas Ogden, a solicitor. A letter from the latter to Mr. Brindley at his home at Turnhurst in Staffordshire elicited no reply. It was discovered from the newspapers that Brindley was at Norwich and Mr. Ogden accordingly wrote to ‘ ccrres- pondents ’ at Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford and Norwich asking for news of the hard- worked engineer. On 28 September 1770, however, Brindley wrote from his home to say that he was too busy to come but would send an assistant to do the job. This suggestion was accepted, but the committee insisted that Brindley should guarantee the efficiency of his representative and moreover that he should himself inspect and approve the ‘ tract’ of the canal when the survey had been com- pleted; to this Brindley agreed. As on October 5th the committee had been approached by a deputation from Christchurch asking that the flood-wrecked canal of 1675 from Salisbury down the Avon valley should be restored to use, Brindley was asked to have this route surveyed also. The news of the project spread and various contractors began to offer their services; a Mr. Stapley of Rye in Sussex proposed io cut the canal with Swiss, French and Italian labour. On 18 September 1771 the committee met to consider plans and estimates. The route to Kimbridge Mill was decided upon. This is the last meeting recorded in the minute book, as nothing could be done until the Andover Canal had been authorised. Unfortunately for the Salisbury project, the Andover canal failed in 1772 to obtain its Act of Parlia- ment. The same year, James Brindley, upon whom every canal promoter depended, died. With the Salisbury committee temporarily thwarted, a promoter from Tavistock, Christopher Gullet, appeared with a project for an independent canal to run from Salisbury direct to Eling on the right bank of the Test estuary. He obtained plans and estimates and a draft Act of Parliament which was presented at a public meeting in Salisbury on 1 October 1774.3 His tolls were to be a halfpenny a ton for each mile beyond Alderbury and twice this for the short trip between Alderbury and the city. His proposed Act, however, seems never to have got beyond the draft stage. Once again matters lapsed. In 1775 came war with the American colonies, and in 1778 with France and Spain bringing far more serious dangers which turned attention from canal projects for five more years. With peace restored in 1783 the canals came to the fore again. Great projects such as the Thames and Severn Canal were arousing nation-wide interest. The Andover Canal committee reopened negotiations with the Government and in 1789 at last achieved Parliamentary sanction. The next year Mr. George Yalden Fort acquired the stones of the cathedral campanile and built a new house, Alder- bury Park, overlooking the proposed route of the Salisbury Canal. 172 SALISBURY ‘ Che Salisbury Canal t --> Bey Heme oe bequn 1795 age MILFORD @. abandoned 1808 of ropofead herminal fae lam. 3. 78 yds. from Andover Gnal end of cummif ‘St. Maryer Grange’ (1835) : ee lock N&\S rite of lock N° 17 Mey Alaecbary Whatl owe) 0, ; S Ald % nikal 9 eg ey eee “ag rimetead and prepoved Shootend Whaef Re Green AXDE R BURY dds if ‘eu ¢ U ‘ + ‘4 XS funnel ‘ wees lake proposed’! GRIMS TRAD reservpit/ i | { + a ‘S, locke N° 14 lock N&U lock N?10 rf EAST GRIMSTEAD CTa fk: a ; . 9, 2 cont) T=" ea ive NERD pee es EAST DEAN West Grimstead wharf and lock The upper Dun Valle lock Ne4 (remains) Lockerley Milf . etten Longs Menge Shel Holbury Mil — te ' : “=— Am ‘ ; i zt Butts Green Lock da’ adueduects EAST DEAN Lackerley Cee b. embankment Green East Dean Lock Ses Buits Green Im 7. lock eee : bridge shown on i8it O.S. The lower Dun Valley | < Hogh Basan 1962 We) During the previous decade the project for this had expanded. The intention had always been to connect with the ocean wharves of Southampton, situated at Northam on the Itchen estuary. This would have meant transhipping at Redbridge, for the long narrow lines of canal barges rendered them liable to break in two or swamp in a tideway. The Salisbury promoters decided, therefore, to run a ‘ collateral branch’ of their canal from Redbridge along the shore of the Test estuary right into Nor- tham. This ambitious project involved the cutting of a tunnel, 565 yards long, right under the northern suburbs of Southampton in order to reach the ocean wharves. A map of this ‘ collateral branch ’ appeared in 1791 and early next year the complete scheme was resurveyed and remapped. The map of 1792 was printed and circulated.4 It shows the canal extended north of Salisbury up the Avon valley to meet the newly projected Kennet and Avon Canal at Pewsey Wharf. It was probably advance notice of this proposal which led Mr. Bartley of Bristol to advertise in the Salisbury Journai that a meeting was to be held on 12 December 1792 to discuss the project of a canal from Bristol to Salisbury via Devizes, an announcement leading to a mad rush of prospective shareholders, known as ‘ The Ride to Devizes ’, which nearly led to riot action being taken in that ancient borough. The 1792 map at last fixed the main lines of the route of the canal from Kimbridge to Salisbury. The surveyor was probably Joseph Hill of Romsey, resident engineer of the Andover Canal, from whom the Salisbury committee obtained estimates two years later. The branch was to leave the parent canal far enough above Kimbridge Mill not to interfere with its water, and to cross the River Test and its back- water, the Dunbridge River, by brick aqueducts. It was then tomount the valley of the little River Dun to asummit on Alderbury Common. The route taken followed the right bank of the Dun so as not to interfere with the water supply of its mills and, equally important, damage the water meadows of the Dean villages. Reaching its summit level at about the 200-foot contour, the canal would turn sharply in a south-westerly direction and sweep across the saddle and round the western slopes of Alderbury Hill above the Avon to the end of its summit at the foot of * Alderbury Shoot ’, where the turnpike from Salisbury began to climb up to the village. From this point onwards, however, the route had been the subject of much discussion, owing to the existence of the valuable water-meadows filling the Avon Valley. The map circulated to subscribers had shown the canal crossing the turnpike at Alderbury Shoot End and continuing along the hillside pastures, to descend and recross the road at Petersfinger on its way to a wharf by St. Martin’s Church. In the end, however, the canal was set out to keep below the turnpike all the way from the summit onwaids. It was originally intended that the canal should cross the Bourne or ‘ Laverstock Brook’ by an aqueduct. It was eventually decided, however, to dispense with this expensive feature and keep the terminal wharf on the side of the Bourne further from Salisbury. The two-and-a-half mile long summit of the canal was to be supplied with water by tapping the local streams. The published map show that two reservoirs were to be constructed, one on each side of the Alderbury saddle. The easternmost of these was formed by damming the head-waters of the Dun, the other by damming a smaller stream flowing from the side of Alderbury Hill past Rectory Farm; the second of these was never in fact constructed. By using the waters of these streams the canal promoters were relieved from the bugbear of their colleagues, mechanical pumping to fill the summit. But they were faced with the need for keeping the summit level low enough to collect the impounded water by gravity. The highest part of the Alderbury saddle is that lying immediately to the north-east of the turnpike road; at this point the summit level had to be taken through a very deep cutting. Where this cutting was intersected by the road it would VOL. LVIII-CIX Vv 174 have to be a hundred yards or more in width, so, in order to avoid having to construct a viaduct to carry the road, it was decided to drive a hundred-yard long tunnel beneath it. Following the custom of the period, Mr. George Yalden Fort decided to expand the canal, where it crossed his new park, into alake. At the northern end of this, a sharp spur had to be pierced by a tunnel; this feature, which was to be ‘ cut and covered ’ and its spoil concealed by planting shrubberies, is fully described in the Act of Parliament which was obtained in 1795. In preparing his estimate, Hill calculated on a rise of just over 100 ft. from the Andover Canal to the summit and a descent of 45 ft. to Salisbury. He proposed covering this ‘ lockage ’ by ‘ 16 or 17’ locks of just over 9 ft. each. This was, however, later modified by raising the number of locks to twenty. Hill’s plans and estimates, the latter elaborately set out after detailed measurements of excavation, puddling, brickwork and so forth, were submitted by him in August 1794.5 The canal was to have a waterway 27 ft. wide on the surface reducing to 15ft. on the bottom and a depth of 4 ft. 6 in. There was to be a tow-path 9 ft. wide; a gravel path only 2 ft. wide along it suggests that the towing was expected to be done by men. Locks were to take barges 60 ft. long and of 8 ft. beam (the remains of lock No. 4 show it to have been just 6 in. wider than this.) The Act obtained, in August 1795 Joseph Hill was officially appointed engineer to the canal. Edward Gee of Lockerley was engaged as general contractor. In October of the same year he contracted to cut the long tunnel at Northam. A Romsey mason, Thomas Jenkins, was engaged to line it with brickwork. 6 Thus the principal engineering feature of the ‘ collateral branch ’—and, indeed, of the whole project— was provided for at the start. On the main canal, the principal structures were the two aqueducts in the Test Valley. In October 1795, Gee contracted to excavate the canal from these to the road bridge at West Dean, above which was to be the seventh lock. In January 1796, John and Samuel Brawn, masons of Wolverhampton, were engaged to construct the two aqueducts, the pass lock into the Andover Canal, and the five locks to the bridge at West Dean. Thomas Green, carpenter of Birmingham, was to make the great gates of the locks. 7 Next month, Gee contracted to excavate the canal between East Grimstead and the summit. In June he began on the deep summit cutting and the reservoir at West Grimstead which was to provide its water supply. In November he was put on the missing link between West Dean and East Grimstead. In June, Jenkins of Romsey, assisted by a fellow-townsman, John Lawrence, carpenter, contracted to build the locks and bridges between East Grimstead and Alderbury. In December they added the locks and bridges between East Grimstead and West Dean. Thus, by the end of 1796, the whole of the canal works as far as Toadland in the middle of the Alder- bury summit—ten miles in all—had been put in hand. In December, John Rennie, engineer to the Kennet and Avon Canal, agreed to survey a line from Salisbury to join his canal at Pewsey. Early next year, however, Gee began to run into trouble at Northam, where water seepage was caus- ing falls of roof and sides. It was decided to reduce the distance to be tunnelled by cutting and covering the ends; this proved no help, however, and the idea was abandoned. The check had the result of delaying the letting of the contract for the tunnel in the deep cutting at Alderbury. In March, how- ever, the cut-and-cover tunnel under the Park was begun; in April, the Romsey team contracted to complete the canal from the summit to Salisbury. Ignoring the check at Northam, everything appeared to be going satisfactorily. Completion date for the deep cutting was fixed for New Year’s Day, 1798. The whole canal was to be open by the end of the year. When, in May 1798, the contract for the turnpike tunnel at Alderbury was let at last, it was the Mid- land team to whom the job was given; Gee and Jenkins were losing the confidence of the committee as 173 to their skill as tunnellers. Completion date for this linking feature was set at October, 1798. Thus it seems as if the committee still hoped for an opening date in that year. In point of fact, the Alderbury tunnel was never even begun. There could have been no secret con- cerning the financial position of the Canal Company. Capital was running out and the workman’s pay was actually in arrears; during the summer of 1798 the last call on the shareholders was made. Most of the money had been poured into the Northam tunnel, still making but small progress. In January, John Rennie—now England’s leading engineer and fortunately working close at hand on the Kennet and Avon Canal—was asked to inspect the tunnel and make a report. In this, which appeared during the summer, he berated the whole constructional team so severely that they were all—Hill, Gee, Jenkins, and even Lawrence the carpenter—summoned before the committee and practically charged by them with conspircy and malpractice.* This was probably unfair—in any event it is not difficult to sympathise with an eighteenth-century provincial contractor trying to bore a tunnel 565 yds. long— and the resulting fracas did little towards encouraging the progress of the canal as a whole. Then the elements turned against the committee. The summer of 1798 was so wet that brickmaking for locks and bridges had to be stopped. The last straw was when the humble little Dun rose in spate, carried away the bridge at West Dean, and swept down the valley, wreaking shocking damage on the canal works. This was a cruel blow, coming as it did at a time when finances were intolerably strained. At a meet- ing held on August 30th, it was merely announced that the opening date for the canal would be advanced until midsummer, 1799. But the true situation was that the flood damage had put a complete stop to the works. Moreover, what had been done was already beginning to deteriorate. The canal project had reached disaster point. At the end of the year 1798, the time when the canal should have been opened, John Rennie was appealed to. He agreed to take over complete responsibility for the completion of the canal. The first step was to find a new resident engineer. Hill was given six months notice, to expire in August 1799. At Rennie’s suggestion, his place was taken to be by George Jones, a retired army engineer. Nothing further could be done until the finances of the Company were restored, a task which took two years. In September 1800, Rennie met the committee to plan the canal’s future. The project was modified to the extent of carrying the canal across the summit as far as the site of the sixteenth lock at the foot of Alderbury Shoot. At this point, canal and turnpike were conveniently placed for the construction of a wharf, at which goods from Salisbury could be loaded after having been brought along more or less level ground from the city. This would save the expense of five locks and a large number of bridges, and it was hoped that by cutting out the climb over Alderbury Hill the canal would prove attractive to prospective users. This plan approved, work began on restoring the damage to the existing works caused by two years neglect; this task occupied a year. Four experienced miners from Newcastle had been obtained for work on the Northam tunnel. In October, 1801, with restoration work completed, Jones was signed on as resident engineer and the canal went forward once more. It was decided to open up the canal for use as far as West Dean where a wharf was constructed. This section was opened in April, 1802, tolls being fixed at twopence per ton per mile. The canal was at last earning money. The Salisbury Journal reported on a meeting of the shareholders held on 28 June, 1802. The meeting was informed of the opening to West Dean. Construction, it was understood, was proceeding ‘ as well as could be expected under the supervision of Mr. Jones ’ and added that this situation was * agreeable to Mr. Rennie’. It was anticipated that the summit would be reached in time for the next general meeting in six months time. This raised the spirits of the shareholders to such a pitch that they there and then voted to complete the canal to Salisbury. 176 The Salisbury Journal also reported on the next meeting, held on 8 December, 1802. It was a day of rejoicing. That day the hatches of the West Grimstead reservoir were opened, the feeder to the summit filled, the gates of the fifteenth lock opened, and water began to fill the four miles of canal down to West Dean. The summit had been reached. But there was still no road connection with Salisbury. The turnpike crossed the canal high up above its bed in the deep cutting, each out of reach of the other for the tran- shipment of goods. The proposed Shoot End wharf was out of reach until the turnpike tunnel was pierced, so a wharf was to be made at the tail of the fifteenth lock on Alderbury Common. And this was so far from the turnpike that a railway, 629 yds. long, would have to be laid sweeping round Spiders Island between wharf and road, necessitating double transhipment. Then the usual gloomy note was heard. One hundred and fifteen yds. of the Northam tunnel still remained to be pierced. It was hoped, however, to continue at a rate of 25 yds. per month. It was decided to be content for the time being with a temporary wharf at West Grimstead. Mr. Charles Ingram was to be wharfinger there. This was a poor substitute for a canal to Salisbury, for commercial vehicles would have to struggle over Alderbury Hill and cover a mile or so of country road to reach West Grimstead. But barges reached West Grimstead from the sea, and local memories are still of coal being landed at its wharf. It seems probable that West Grimstead remained the de facto head of the Salisbury Canal. In April 1803, the general meeting was told that it was ‘ open to Alderbury ’ but no mention is made of wharf or railway. That barges could never have crossed the summit to a goal at Shoot End wharf is clearly shown by the fact that the Enclosure Map of 1809 marks the site of the turnpike tunnel as that of the ‘intended bridge’. If the wharf or railway were ever constructed at Alderbury they have passed completely from local memory. In May 1803, war with France broke out again. Mr. Green offered his team of ‘ navigators ’ to the High Sheriff as a pioneer corps in the event of invasion. They could have been doing little enough to further the progress of the canal. The pages of the Salisbury Journal at this period were full of publicity announcements issued by the Kennet and Avon, the Wilts and Berks, and the Somerset Coal Canal. The Salisbury Canal Company, now meeting almost in secret at the Shoe Inn at Plaitford, could only complain that its general meetings had to be abandoned for lack of a quorum. In December 1803, its editor struck a harsh note by suggesting that Salisbury be connected to Pewsey Wharf by means of an ‘ iron railway ’—an unkind jibe at the now hopelessly discredited canal. But the canal kept going, with traffic of a sort passing between West Grimstead and Kimbridge. In March 1803, tolls had been lowered by a quarter to encourage users. General meetings still continued; in the summer of 1804 the committee solemly deplored that contact with Northam had not been achieved owing to an ‘ accidental interruption ’ in the tunnel there. There was no disguising the fact that west of the summit all pretence of completion had ceased. The whole project was in an ugly state of decay. Jones was savagely suing the Company for his wages and threatening to seize the canal in lieu! This militant gentleman was now back in his old element, constructing the military canal across Romney Marsh; he was advertising in the Salisbury Journal for his ‘ navigators ’ to join him there. Silence shrouds the last days of the canal. In 1807, Mr. George Yalden Fort, son of the founder of the canal scheme, was found dead of an apoplexy under a tree in his park.° _Alll traffic had ceased by 18 March 1808, when the committee held its last meeting. That same year, French prisoners of war cut a new road from the end of the canal works—where, in 1835, Augustus Welby Pugin was to build his ‘St. Maryes Grange’—to the village green. By thus cutting 177 out Alderbury Shoot, the traders of Salisbury achieved some compensation for their disastrous venture into water transport. Its unhappy history and premature demise notwithstanding, the Salisbury Canal had become a permanent feature of the Wiltshire scene. As it was under construction during the closing years of the eighteenth century, when the first Ordnance Survey was being made, the edition of this published in 1811 shows its course complete across the summit and most of the locks up to and including the four- teenth. The Enclosure map of 1809 shows the route of the canal across Alderbury parish but, despite its date, shows no sign of wharf or railway. For the first quarter of the century all maps of the region indicate its course, not taken from the earlier ‘ propaganda ’ map but as actually set out ; sometimes the complete route to Salisbury is optimistically shown. In the early 1820s a reprint of Patterson’s road book calls the traveller’s attention to the crossing of the Salisbury Canal at Alderbury. But the canal was slowly slipping back into the past. In 1834 it is reported that it was being filled in by landowners reclaiming their old property. The great gates were rotting away from the lock walls and these were being robbed of their bricks by local farmers and cottagers. The map attached to the Alderbury section of Colt Hoare’s ‘ Modern Wiltshire ’, published in 1837, shows the canal ending at Spelts Lane on the south-east side of Alderbury Park. Mr. George Yalden Fort had ploughed away unhappy memories, leaving only his lake and a haunted tunnel to mark the site. By its early demise, the Salisbury Canal was able to escape the hopeless struggles of its more successful contemporaries with their relentless enemies, the railroads of the forties. The railway from South- ampton to Salisbury, opened in 1847, disturbed but little the ghosts of its predecessor lining the valley of the Dun. Even then the old canal was not allowed to pass into complete obscurity; as late as 1859, the Post Office Directory was still describing Alderbury as being * on the canal to Southampton ’. Train-travellers leaving Southampton Central for London and entering the tunnel should remember that they are crossing the grave of the hopes of the Salisbury and Southampton Canal Company. But today there are probably few people living away from the route of the canal who have ever heard of it. Those last eleven furlongs which separate it for ever from Salisbury seem to have provided a perfect insulation against the consciousness of its citizens. Even the great gorge of the summit cutting seems to be known to very few today. But a century and a half of disuse has failed to obliterate its course, visible today for almost its entire length; even the vanished locks are clearly indicated by the mounds covering their ruins. A perambulation of the canal from Kimbridge up the Dun valley takes one through a pleasant countryside and much of its route can be reached by field-paths. The junction with the Andover Canal, itself long abandoned and forgotten, is difficult to find as the length between this canal and the Test has been completely levelled and is planted with roots. The actual junction is some hundred yards south of Mottisfont station; bricks from the pass-lock are still being turned up from time to time. The foundations of the three mid-stream piers of the aqueduct over the Test were only recently torn up by the River Board.!° The Salisbury Canal then becomes clearly visible, crossing the flood plain on a high embankment towards the backwater called the Dunbridge River; here the remains of piling indicate the site of the second aqueduct. After this, the canal passes alongside the right bank of the Dun—here quite a sizeable river—to lose itself amongst the sidings of Dunbridge station. The canal then runs between the river and the road to Lockerley. Half a mile west of Dunbridge a change of level at a bungalow indicates the site of the second lock. Approaching Butts Green, the canal and river sweep to the right and, crossing the line of the railway by the site of Butts Green Lock, pass just to the north of Lockerley church. Here the original course of the river has become the mill- 178 stream of Lockerley Mill; the river now flows along the bed of the canal. Further up the mill-stream is Holbury Mill looking across to the slopes below Lockerley Green; the canal passes along these to the fourth lock, the remains of which are surprisingly well preserved considering its century and a half of neglect. The rebate for the lower gate shows that the towpath was on the north side of the canal. River and canal keep company for three quarters of a mile to the site of East Dean Lock by the pres- ent level crossing. The canal from here to West Dean was constructed in the actual bed of the Dun, the waters of which could be diverted along the irrigation channel serving the water-meadows beside its left bank. This earlier canal came from a reservoir constructed just above West Dean, so that the impounded waters of the river could be led at will into the irrigation system, leaving the river bed dry. Just opposite the village of East Dean is a beautifully-engraved stone set up beside the irrigation canal; its inscription ‘ DR 1760’ indicates the originator of the system and the date of its construction.!1! Thus the Salisbury Canal, passing by the ends of the cottage gardens of East Dean, carries the waters of the Dun today. Approaching West Dean, the canal begins to leave the meadows of the lower Dun valley and enter more hilly country. Almost exactly five miles from leaving the Andover Canal and just short of the village is the site of the sixth lock. The canal then crosses the county boundary and enters the canal capital, West Dean— the * Honey Street ’ of the Salisbury Canal. Even today, West Dean still carries about it the air of an inland port. The site of the canal basin occupies the centre of the scene; the towpath, widened and gravelled in accordance with the com- mittee’s orders in that distant summer of 1802, is still clearly a wharf complete with timber warehouse and all-important inn. The canal works have of course been considerably mutilated but this quite fails to dispel the illusion that they are there all the time. The two-arch bridge, which John Rennie designed to replace that destroyed by the flood of 1798, has been itself replaced by the County Council. Above it, West Dean Lock has vanished beyond recall, but just above its site are the weed-grown remains of the earlier irrigation reservoir, the massive Georgian stonework of its hatches tumbled into ruin by some ancient flood. Above the reservoir, a sudden spur thrusting from the southern hillside obstructs the line of the canal, which has to pass through it in a very deep cutting. The site of this earthwork overlooked West Dean House; it was presumably the occupants of the mansion who had the spoil banks dressed with yew trees; their sinister forms lurk today within the dense covert which now buries the cutting. Emerging from this, the canal rises again through lock No. 8 into open country once more. The climb here is steeper and locks consequently closer. The mounds covering No. 9 may be seen just above the arch taking an accommodation road under the railway; where rail and canal cross a second time is the site of lock No. 10. The canal then approaches and crosses the existing road between West Dean and East Grimstead and enters a long trench, stuffed with vegetation and always looking slightly sinister as glimpses are obtained of it through the roadside hedgerows. Along this cutting, a change of level in the canal bed marks the site of the eleventh lock. The canal next passes beside East Grimstead church, in canal times a landmark of the ‘ navigators ’ and known as ‘ East Grimstead Chapel’. Just below the church is the only surviving canal bridge, built to Joseph Hill’s specification of 1 December 1796 by Thomas Jenkins of Romsey. Three classes of bridge are specified for the canal, one swivel and two arched; of the latter, accommodation bridges are to be 14 ft. wide and turnpike 18 ft. That at East Grimstead is of the latter class. Its pleasant three- centred arch spans 18 ft. across the canal, showing that the towpath almost certainly passed under it. Shortly after passing East Grimstead church the canal begins to take the waters of the Dun. The mounds marking the site of the twelfth lock are clearly visible from the road leading westwards out of East Grimstead towards Alderbury. Approaching West Grimstead, however, river and canal separate 179 once more as the canal begins the last stage of its climb towards the summit, and the locks get nearer together. The thirteenth lock is just short of the village, near the railway. Just above the road bridge are mounds marking the site of the lock and wharf of West Grimstead, probably the last point to which barges reached. Not far away, the dam of the reservoir has been breached since 1850 or so (it is shown water-filled on maps of the period) and the charming little Gothic Revival building once called Reservoir Cottage has been renamed, more euphoniously, ‘ Magnolia Cottage ’. As the canal enters the commonwood area of the Alderbury summit its surroundings become bush- bound and practically impenetrable. The ever-deepening trench passes under the railway and enters the great summit cutting; it is at this point where we may search in the jungle for traces of the fifteenth lock and its problematical wharf and railway. But when the canal turns south-eastwards to cross the saddle, it shakes itself clear of the tangle of vegetation and enters its finest feature—the great Alderbury cutting. As it turns, it collects a small feeder in a circular pound of Georgian brickwork. The whole cutting is still threaded by the canal, giving the lie to the persistent local legend that its bed is a quicksand which, by barring the progress of the canal, caused the failure of the whole project. Nothing may be permitted to dim the glory of the summit cutting of the Salisbury Canal, one of the most dramatic survivals from the days of the Georgian engineers. At the point of its greatest depth, about three hundred yards from the main road, its scale and profundity are impressive indeed. And yet probably few residents of Salisbury know of its existence. ! 2 Blocked by the site of the unpierced tunnel under the main road, the canal works continue towards Toadland, where the cutting emerges on the Avon side of the saddle. For a hundred yards or so the canal has been ploughed out, but it may soon be recovered swinging westwards in a tree-filled trench below Rectory Farm. Cutting a deep scour through this is the fierce little rivulet which was to have filled the western reservoir—the remains of the culvert may still be seen. At the end of the trench, an arable field has obliterated the canal; its line remains ploughed out thenceforth, across Spelts Lane, and next appears in the Alderbury Park lake. The dam of the lake is in fact the towpath of the canal. The changeover probably took place at West Grimstead Wharf; this was presumably, and the Alderbury Common wharf certainly, on the southern side of the canal. Leaving the lake, the canal dives into Mr. George Yalden Fort’s tunnel with its concealing shrubberies, all so carefully specified in the Act of Parliament of 1795. The shrubberies are still there, hiding now- adays the depressions marking where the vaulting of the tunnel has collapsed. Where the road still called ‘ The Tunnel ’ passes above the old cutting, this was filled in, about 1937, by the County Council as a safety measure. Beyond the retaining wall which masks the tunnel exit, the canal may be clearly seen sweeping along the contour and crossing the line of Silver Street, once the main street of Alderbury village. As covert succeeds pasture the canal continues its way along the hillside and emerges in a deep trench onto the site of the summit lock with its wharf at the apex of Shootend Copse. Here the Witherington road joins the old turnpike, the canal dropping beneath the former to pass along the side of the turnpike above the Britford ferry. The line of its route may still be clearly seen entering the tall beeches of Cupid’s Grove. After this, a modern bungalow stands athwart the canal, and then the gardens of ‘ St. Marye’s Grange’, looking out over the water meadows towards the goal so tantalisingly close and yet, years of endeavour and frustration notwithstanding, never attained. 180 1,The minute book is in the Society’s library at Devizes. 2 Mr. Hugh Shortt tells me that this once magnificent timber-framed building was burnt down in 1823. 3 Draft is amongst the Longford papers now in the County Records Office. 4 A number of copies of this map may be seen at the Southampton Public Library, where there is a large col- lection of documents relating to the canal. 5 Manuscript in the Southampton Public Library. 6 Hadfield, in The Canals of Southern England (1955) p. 87, says that he had been working on a similar project on the Leominster Canal. 7 All the contracts for the canal are at the South- ampton Public Library. They include detailed specifi- cations but no drawings. 8 The minute book is in the Southampton Public Library. ; o » Information kindly supplied by Mr. George Yalden ort. 10 Information kindly supplied by the river warden, Mr. Vane. 11 The current 24 inch Ordnance Survey seems to be confusing the irrigation canal with the ‘ navigation ’ as it marks the former as the ‘ Old Canal ’. 12 Among the Longford papers now at the County Records Office is a beautifully drawn survey of the great cutting and an interesting freehand sketch by the Lord Radnor of the day showing the route of the canal through his land. For general assistance with this and any other research into canal history one must always express one’s appre- ciation of the work of Mr. Charles Hadfield, whose notes on the Salisbury Canal may be found on pages 85-90 of ‘ The Canals of Southern England’. 181 SALISBURY DIOCESAN RECORD OFFICE By PAMELA STEWART A notice has already appeared in this Magazine (Volume 58 (1961) p. 66) about the establishment of the Diocesan Record Office at the Wren Hall in the Close as a sub-office of the Record Office at County Hall, Trowbridge. The scheme has now been in operation for over a year and it is therefore possible and might be useful to give some description of the office and its contents. The Wren Hall itself was formerly part of the Cathedral Choristers’ School, and includes the big school-room, where the records are stored on wooden shelves specially made for them, the head- master’s study, now an office and search-room, and the dormitory overhead, now empty but providing space for possible future expansion. There is also a basement below, where some of the bulkier modern records are kept (chiefly parish register transcripts of the latter part of the 19th century, which are not often used, and tithe maps). A safe with steel doors has been made from the fire-place in the old school- room. In 1947 the choristers moved out of their old school to the former Bishop’s Palace, and from about 1951 onwards the records were gradually transferred to their present home. They had until then been housed in three separate repositories, which are described in the Pilgrim Trust’s Survey of Ecclesiastical Archives: Diocese of Salisbury (1948). There was the Diocesan Registry itself, the muniment room over the Exeter Street Gate, and the former Dean’s Registry above the North Porch of the Cathedral. Roughly speaking, the second housed only the Bishop’s records; the third, all except the Bishop’s; and the first, all kinds, especially the more recent records and some of the oldest. The transfer of the records, and their arrangement in classes on the shelves, was carried out by the Registry staff, under the direction of the Hon. Archivist, Dr. A. E. J. Hollaender, and with much valuable help from volunteers. It was thanks to them too, that most of the ‘ black, sooty dust, together with plaster and grit ’, which, accord- ing to the Pilgrim Trust’s report, was such a ‘ striking feature ’ of the records kept in the Dean’s Regis- try, was removed before they came to the Wren Hall. The description of the records which follows must be regarded as interim only. It merely covers the main classes of the Bishop’s records, and those of the other administrations are even more sketchily dealt with. A great deal of time, for the first few years, must be spent on the more or less mechanical labour of re-boxing, re-bundling, labelling and generally making the records more accessible physically, with the result that so far only the main classes, even of the Bishop’s records, have been given more than a cursory examination. The records concerned are those of the Bishop of Salisbury, the Archdeacons of Sarum and Wilts, the Sub-Dean of Salisbury, the Dean of Salisbury, the prebendal peculiars and the other peculiars; also the records for Dorset which had accumulated at the registry at Blandford while this archdeaconry was in the diocese of Bristol. Until 1542 the diocese of Salisbury included, besides Wiltshire, Dorset and Berkshire. In 1542 Dorset was transferred to the newly-formed diocese of Bristol (except those parishes which were, and remained, Salisbury peculiars), but in 1836 it was transferred back to Salisbury, the archdeaconry of Berkshire at the same time going to the diocese of Oxford; and in 1837 the deaneries of Cricklade and Malmesbury, in the north of Wiltshire, were transferred to the see of Gloucester and Bristol. It should be remembered, therefore, that, during the appropriate periods, the records of the Bishop of Salisbury cover Dorset and Berkshire equally with Wiltshire. The Bishop’s Archives The most important series among the Bishop’s archives, the Bishop’s Registers, which date, in this diocese, from 1297, are not at the Wren Hall, but are kept in the strong room at the Registry. Also VOL. LVIII-CIX Ww 182 over there are a few other volumes of special value—collections of medieval charters and other docu- ments, Bishop Seth Ward’s Notitiae, etc. They are all, however, available to searchers, and some have been described in the Historical Manuscripts Commission’s Report on Manuscripts in Various Col- lections, vol. 1V. Also at the Registry are the current years of most of the series of archives kept in the Record Office. The Transcripts of Parish Registers form one of the largest, and, because of their great value to genealogists, best-known, classes. In 1598, in an attempt to promote the better keeping of parish registers, it was ordered that transcripts of the register entries should be sent into the Bishop’s Registry yearly. Most of the transcripts from the Salisbury registry begin in the early years of the seventeenth century and there are quite a number with odd years for the late sixteenth century. They continue, with many gaps unfortunately, until the late 19th century; after this they gradually cease to be sent in regularly and now practically speaking there are none. After 1837, of course, when civil registration of births, deaths and marriages began, the ecclesiastical registers are of less importance, at any rate for civil and genealogical purposes. The transcripts are arranged by parish up to the middle 1840’s, and after that all the parishes are together in yearly volumes. Marriage License Allegations, Bonds and Affidavits are also much used by genealogists. They are all undertakings, of one kind or another, that there is no impediment to the marriage, and were prelimin- ary to the grant of a licence. There are registers of allegations from 1615 to 1675, bonds from 1628 to 1823 and affidavits, which replace the bonds, from 1823 onwards. Of course, as records of marriages within the diocese they are very incomplete, since they exclude all those who were married by banns. The Terriers, of which there are several for most parishes, may be of great interest to local historians. They are surveys of the property of the benefice, and sometimes give very detailed descriptions of the glebe lands; they may also describe the parsonage house, tithes, etc. They are mostly for the 17th and 18th centuries, though there are a few for the late 16th and early 19th centuries. The Subscription Books begin in 1620; they contain the declarations required from all clergy on their appointment or admission, chiefly of assent to the 39 Articles, also to the Three Articles and the Act of Uniformity. The names of physicians, surgeons and schoolmasters are often found also, because they had to be licensed by the Bishop before they could practise and had to make similar declarations on receiving their licence. Presentation Deeds and Ordination Papers are two other series relating directly to the clergy. The first begins in 1625; the deeds are presentations to the bishop, by the patron of a living, of the person he wants to be admitted to it. The second begins in 1662; the papers may include testimonials relating to the ordinand’s career and character, and a copy of his baptismal certificate. Before making any structural alterations in a church, a faculty, or licence, from the Bishop is required. The Faculty Papers include petitions to make the alterations desired and often very detailed plans and diagrams. They begin in the 18th century but it is probably in the 19th century, when a great deal of very extensive re-building and restoration of churches was being done, that they are most valuable. For completely new churches, also a mainly 19th century phenomenon, the Consecration Papers give some information though they do not include either plans or deeds. They begin in 1749. Court Records form a large and important part of the Bishop’s archives. Until the 19th century, church courts dealt with a wide range of matters which are now the business either of the civil courts, or of none: the probate of wills and administration of deceased people’s estates 1 ; matrimonial disputes; defamation; brawling in churches and churchyards; non-payment of tithes and church rates; disputes over seats in church; non-attendance at church; the moral behaviour of parishioners—all these were within the jurisdiction of the church courts, as well as more obviously ecclesiastical matters, such as the conduct of the clergy and church officials, and questions of doctrine. The records of the Bishop’s 183 Consistory Court, which date from the middle of the 16th century, include the Act Books, which are really minutes of court, usually very abbreviated and difficult to interpret without a considerable know- ledge of the form and procedure of ecclesiastical courts, bundles of loose papers arising from the busi- ness of the court, and the Deposition Books. These latter are perhaps the most interesting of all, as they give the full evidence of witnesses and are in English. The Bishop maintained his control over the diocese by means of visitations, usually triennial, and a large class of Visitation records has resulted. The visitation court was held in a central place for each deanery, and at the court the churchwardens for each parish in the deanery had to present their answers to various articles, or questions, previously put to them, and also the clergy, churchwardens, surgeons, physicians and others were summoned to attend to show their credentials and transact business. The series of churchwardens’ presentments begins in 1662 and continues to the present day; they are par- ticularly full and interesting up to about 1700. There are also five or six visitation books containing the same sort of information for various years from 1550 to 1613; lists of the clergy and churchwardens summoned to attend from the end of the 17th century; and bundles of miscellaneous visitation papers, mostly 18th century. Long lists of visitations articles were also sometimes sent to the clergy to answer, and their answers returned with the questions. But these returns are only to be found for 1783 and for some later years beginning in 1864. Of course, besides the records mentioned above there are a number of other classes and miscellaneous records which there is no room to describe here—relating for example, to the licensing of non-conform- ist places of worship, mortgages for re-building parsonage houses, sequestration of the profits of benefices, the election of proctors for the clergy to convocation, and so on. The Archdeacons’ Archives Apart from the Dorset records mentioned below only the records of the Wiltshire archdeacons are at Salisbury. These are the records of the Archdeaconry of Sarum, which covers the larger, southern part of the county; and of Wilts, which covers the north; and of the sub-deanery of Sarum, which seems to have been an archdeaconry, and covered the three city parishes and Stratford-sub-Castle. Their records consist mainly of the same sort of court and visitation records as are found among the bishop’s archives, but mostly beginning rather later; also, in the case of Sarum and Wilts, of induction mandates. Their juris- diction was inhibited by the bishop for six months in the year of his triennial visitation. The records of the Sub-Dean are very few compared to those of the other two archdeacons, but they include the earl- iest record at the Wren Hall—a Court Book for 1476 to 1478. Archives of the Dean, the Prebends and Peculiars The characteristic of the jurisdiction of the Dean and the Peculiars was that they were never inhibited by the Bishop, but were themselves almost like bishoprics, though tiny in all cases but the Dean’s. The Dean’s jurisdiction was large, covering, besides 27 (later 26) parishes in Dorset, eight in Wiltshire and seven in Berkshire; his archives include almost all the classes to be found among the Bishop’s. Then there was the peculiar of the Dean and Chapter, of the Precentor, and of the Treasurer, and the Royal Peculiar of Gillingham. There were three other peculiars, that of the Dean and Canons of Windsor, the Lord Warden of Savernake Forest, and the Perpetual Vicar of Corsham, which were in an intermediate position; and the prebendal peculiars—those belonging to some of the Cathedral prebends—which stood to the Dean rather in the same relationship as the archdeacons to the Bishop. He visited them triennially and inhibited their jurisdictions for six months during the year of visitation. There are transcripts of registers for all the parishes covered by these jurisdiction, and various other records, WwW 184 chiefly court and visitation papers, for most of the jurisdictions, though, apart from the Dean’s, the accumulations are very small. Dorset records These records are those which accumulated at Blandford while Dorset was in the diocese of Bristol (and for a few years later), and they probably include what are really episcopal classes, as well as archi- diaconal. They were all transferred to Salisbury in 1928. They consist mainly of transcripts of parish registers from about 1731 only, when a fire at Blandford destroyed most of the existing records. There are also a number of terriers, some dating from the 17th century, and a few miscellaneous administra- tive and court papers, mostly of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. There are also the Dorset tithe apportionments and maps at the Wren Hall, but as these date from after 1836, when Dorset came in to this diocese, they do not really belong under this heading but under that of Bishop’s Archives. The corresponding series of Wiltshire tithe records is at the County Record Office at Trowbridge. Access to the records Most of the records are in order on the shelves and can be consulted by searchers, though there is a certain amount of unsorted material chiefly, it is thought, belonging to the archdeacons, and prebends. A finding list of the Bishop’s archives exists, made in the Registry at the end of the last century, and alsoa list of court and visitation books and some other documents of special interest, other than the Bishop’s, compiled by Mr. C. R. Everett in 1934. But still, apart from the re-bundling and re-boxing of the re- cords, and a good deal of sorting, the main task is the compiling of adequate lists and catalogues for the whole collection, and until this has been done, the records cannot be considered to be fully accessible to searchers and students. The Office is open daily from Monday to Friday, from 10.30 to 12.30 and 1.30 to 5. It is usually possible however, to open it from 9 by arrangement. It is not essential to give previous notice of a visit, but as it has to be run single-handed, and space is rather limited, it is helpful if this can be done. 1 The wills proved in the ecclesiastical courts were London and (in the case of this diocese) the registry in originally kept at Salisbury with the other records. But Winchester. Between 1954 and 1958 these wills were in 1857 the probate jurisdiction of all ecclesiastical courts again transferred, this time to the County Record Office was transferred to the civil courts and the wills were re- at Trowbridge. moved (o civil probate registries—Somerset House in a4 =i la _ Maas an ’ i a oe : ' ‘ 4 . e a any ‘ : ‘ : 1 1 ow i yal / . ‘ : i ’ ae u : , ' ut BURY WOOD CAMP iyi! ara | { | bem enn rrerrnTELEPTEDL!ET yam uy) we Win, » Ke — ING’ YL Qs SW YON, WWE GW \ NX WS Swrg WAS KRESS WN E69 COLERNE KP 500 tii, 3 li: \ » f \) \ wow G > ZINK Vif, Wey yy, YY amy Ui ee G és ASS ZN \) yy ws 1 7 i, FEET 100 Plan by R.C.H.M. (England). The PLAN. Illustration kindly provided in advance of publication by R.C.H.M. Fig. 1 Copyright Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 185 BURY WOOD CAMP, REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS, 1960 By D. GRANT KING INTRO DUCTION This important hill-fort is built on the Great Oolite in the neighbourhood of Colerne in the north- west of Wiltshire (O.S. Nat. Grid ST 817740). As anticipated, the initial exploration of 1959, described in W.A.M. lviii,40-47, showed that it be- longs to the prehistoric Iron Age. This was a time of profound disturbance and upheaval, a great formative period for western civilization. The aggressive and expansionist policies of Rome made themselves felt in Central and Western Europe by an intensification of fear and unrest, the develop- ment of military science, and the inculcation of tribal jealousies and ambitions among the ruling classes of barbarian society. The first major response in Britain, as recorded by archaeology, is in the form of elaborate defensive structures of the later Iron Age. Hitherto there had been a sur- prising record of peaceful villages and farmsteads with few remains of weapons.! The numerous hill- forts of southern England—and among them Bury Wood Camp must now be included—bear witness to these far-reaching developments. Some of the evidence we have to present will have an intimate bearing on this theme. A second season’s work at Bury Wood Camp was undertaken in 1960 by a small team of excavators, under the direction of the writer. 2 The immediate objectives were: i. To explore the narrow part of the North-East Entrance. ii. To establish, if possible, the period of the * small earthen-work ’ in the interior of the Camp. The summer of 1960 was one of the worst on record for work in the field. Often frustrated and delayed, the excavators were eventually rewarded by a number of discoveries, chiefly structural and architectural. THE NEW PLAN We are indebted to the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (Salisbury Office) for the new plan (fig. 1), the survey for which was carried out during the summer of 1960. The thick vegetation which covered the ramparts made this task exceptionally difficult, and we are therefore all the more grateful for the completed work as an essential basis for current and future excavations. A brief note on the topography of the Camp, by W. John Davies, who was responsible for the plan, appears in Appendix I. THE EXCAVATIONS These follow logically from those undertaken in 1959, when the outer part of the North-East Entrance was examined. The narrow part, first cleared of small trees and bushes, was prepared for systematic exploration. Two cuttings, placed athwart the passage-way, revealed masses of limestone rubble in a chaotic state, evidently the product of major collapses from the adjacent ramparts. Owing to re- cementation of the rubble at the lower levels, it became increasingly difficult to locate the original floor and the structural features suspected on both sides. Coal miners’ picks had to be employed for the hard labour. There was always considerable risk of damaging or removing masonry which, from above, was indistinguishable from the prevailing tumble of stone. Occasionally holes and crevices appeared, especially towards the sides of the passage, but these were all natural, being either parts of solution pits or cavities preserved by fortuitous falls of rock. The difficulties will hardly be appreciated by archaeolo- gists who are more familiar with the Cretaceous areas of Wiltshire. A second line of approach proved more successful. This was to work from an established position (peg 14) adjacent to the North In-bent Rampart, where the vestiges of a wall had been observed in 1959, 186 and to move gradually westward into the new area. Soon a small section of revetment wall, four or five courses high, appeared; and from then on it was comparatively easy to separate the collapsed rubble from the genuine vertical face. This was the introduction to a successful season’s work, the details of which are given below. It is considered unnecessary to describe individual cuttings in strict sequence, in the manner of our first report, as this would lead to dull repetitions and some confusion. Instead, the principal features will be described one by one. The plan of the entrance (fig. 2) gives the cutting outlines, which were liable to be complicated on account of obstructions or other causes. THE NORTH REVETMENT WALL (fig. 2) This consisted of continuous drystone walling, very similar to Cotswold field boundaries of to-day, and much of it in excellent condition. The total length exposed was about 90 ft., a fair part of it be- tween 3 and 33 ft. in height. The majority of small limestone flags are probably between 9 and 13 in. long by 2 to 24 in. thick; medium flags 14 to 19 in. long by 3 to 8 in. thick; large flags 1 ft. 6in. up to 3 ft. long by 3 up to 23 in. thick. The upper courses are split and weathered wherever they are near to the present-day surface. The outer faces of stones are generally sheer and flush with adjacent stones. Certain sections, particularly near the curve, have vertical walls; other sections have a slight batter, rarely more than 4 in. at the top leaning inwards from the vertical. A few sections, notably at the west end, lean outwards, though never more than 44 in.; obviously this is the result of internal pressure and strain. Owing to frost action at the top, it is difficult to estimate the number of courses, but the best preserved parts appear to vary between 8 and 13 courses. In considering the entire length of masonry, it is evident that the flags are graded roughly into groups of large, medium, and small. At least 43 stones are reddish. WESTERN TERMINAL TO NORTH WALL This continuation of the main wall has a linear dimension of about 30 feet arranged as a semi- circular arc, with an approximate diameter of 18 or 19 feet. This end of the in-turned rampart is re- duced to a height between 1 ft. 6 in. and 2 ft. (or 5 to 7 courses), and ends abruptly on the north side as a double or single course of stones. Beyond this terminus a test was made by a short cutting at right angles to the line, but no further masonry was discovered; it may therefore be presumed that a gentle inner ramp, constructed in the manner observed in 1959, continued from this point in the direction of the 1959 cutting. On the southern or inner side, the terminal revetment appears to commence in an unexpected projection of 24 ft., at an angle of 117° from the main wall. Although some of the stones are disordered and tilted, by reason of a subsidence to one side, the lower courses are fairly regular and suggest a small ‘ buttress’. Four of the stones in the western terminal are reddish. The natural old surface soil underneath the lowest course of stones is slightly disturbed in places. THE SOUTH REVETMENT WALL In marked contrast to its northern companion, this wall was in ruinous condition, possibly due to its northern aspect, and was extremely difficult to locate. However, about 67 feet of the outline was firmly established except where tree roots or other obstacles occurred. The eastern end was in the worst state: here little was to be seen except broken and slipped stones, sometimes on a foundation of hewn bedrock, and sometimes resting on a disturbed old surface soil. The only fair section was noted be- tween 21 and 26ft. from the eastern datum point, with 5 to 7 courses. The best preserved section was in *doyo A, App ‘Sdsoy sp dup Aq ([96] aunf) 010Yd Alp ‘sdenbs payuapiun ue pue , y1OM-UdY1Ia [[BLUS , 94} O} SUISUO[9q YOIIP a}eoIpUl (YeayAM\) sxe dOID = “Js¥d-YINOS Suryoo] dueD pooM Aing Jo MaIA onbIGO ‘T Ae . 187 the narrow part of the passage, about 17 feet in length with 6 to 8 courses, 41 ft. from the eastern datum point. Very few stones with a reddish tint were seen in the whole length. WESTERN TERMINAL TO SOUTH WALL Only 74 feet of walling have so far been observed to indicate the semi-circular end of the South Ram- part. This ends abruptly where a small cave-like space, 24 ft. from the surface, interrupts the outline. Further progress was impeded by the mass of loose rubble which submerges the western end. Large slabs had fallen outwards and rested, together with some pottery and animal bone, on dark brown soil underneath the loose rubble. FLOOR OF THE PASSAGE-WAY In 1959 this had been the most elusive feature, but now it is possible to describe it in some detail. Although no clearly defined line could be located anywhere, a series of observations prove conclusively that it rested very near, or just below, the level of the lowest course of wall stones on either side of the passage. Whether it ever possessed any paving is extremely doubtful. Most of the original floor must have been broken up and leached away many centuries ago, and the eventual surface, at the end of the hill-fort period, was traceable as a rough—and no doubt rutted—hollow between the two ramparts. The centre was as much as 34 in. below its margins, while the margins, on either side, clearly rose as little chamfers of old red-brown surface soil underneath the lowest course of wall stones. Several measurements, correlated with the South Revetment, gave 7? in. from floor to lowest course, though this figure is not intended to suggest any precise uniformity. The decisive evidence for the approximate position of the floor was provided by the lowest scatter of charcoal, animal bones, and occasional pottery, sealed incontestably by compact layers of re-cemented limestone. The gradient in 52 feet of the passageway is | in 12, but in the last 14 ft. at the western end it increases to about | in 8. THE INFILLING IN THE PASSAGE-WAY The floor varied between 24 and 4 feet below the present-day surface. Apart from cavities and solu- tion pits filled with accumulated hill wash or solifluxion material, it is presumed that a large part of the intervening space was occupied by collapsed rampart. Sectional drawings (not illustrated here) showed the typical tip lines of graded flagstones and rubble curving from the margin of the two ramparts: the adjacent parts steep and loose, with flags arranged like a pack of fallen cards, while the middle had a regular horizontal pattern fused into a reliable time-scale covering the last 2,000 years. “THE TRAVERSE OR BREAST-WORK ’ This is the provisional description given by Dr. A. Shaw Mellor in 1936 of the two small banks which appear to block the North-West and the North-East Entrances.3 When the so-called * buttress ’ was first seen, its in-turned alignment seemed to anticipate a genuine blocking device. However, a 12 ft. cutting directed through the northern end of the * breast-work ’ disposed of this engaging theory. The cutting revealed two humus lines, one at the surface and the second 2 ft. below the surface, both with a mesh of fairly recent tree and other roots. The lower layer contained Iron Age pottery, charcoal and bones, mostly 3.4 to 3.8 ft. below surface; the top layer consisted of a pile of very loose stones obviously raked in from the neighbouring field. A second cutting 8 ft. to the south reaffirmed the character of the bank. We must pronounce this a farmer’s stone dump, probably dating back to the 19th century, when the interior of the camp is believed to have been first cultivated in modern times. The only archaeological 188 artefacts in this layer were numerous plough-battered Iron Age quernstones, also believed to have been derived from the interior. POST-HOLES Four large post-holes were disclosed in the narrow part of the passage-way, two on the north side, approximately 5 ft. apart, and two corresponding holes on the south side, also about 5 ft. apart, though not placed, apparently, with precise symmetry at right angles to each other. All four holes were exter- nal to the adjacent stone walls of the two ramparts, but it is transparently clear that they were dug before the latter were built. Large segments of the post-holes project underneath the walls, and a strong case is arguable in favour of an early erection of the posts, accompanied by the ramming of packing stones and soil in the outer parts, before the construction of the superincumbent revetments. There are obvious weaknesses in this procedure and these appear in the extant work as seen to-day. Possibly the rapid and empirical planning of the entrance made it highly desirable to fix the position of the posts before any- thing else. The shapes of the two northern post-holes are better preserved than those of the two southern ones. No wood fibres or cores of the original posts were seen in any of the holes. In view of their importance, further details are given below. NORTH-EAST POST-HOLE This, the best of the four, is an oval-shaped cavity of which the part external to the wall measures about 3.5 ft. by 3.2 ft. by 3 ft. in depth. The hidden part under the rampart, as tested by excavation and by probing, extended the major axis by at least 1.7 ft. The bottom, which was covered by a creamy encrustration, is fairly flat; here the natural rock is bedded on a horizontal plane, and the diggers, who seem to have been fully conscious of the nature of the ground, had obviously dug down to this level. With the exception of the weathered and broken west side, the walls of the socket are nearly vertical, cut, we believe, by a fairly heavy tool comparable to our coal miner’s pick. The arc of the eastern wall is covered, at least in the fragile upper part, by seven facing stones, all vertical and yet so firm that only one of them slipped out of position during our excavation. Two of the stones project a few inches under the wall. Three facing stones are wedged in the south face; none appear on the east face. Two large slabs, jointly measuring 3.5 ft. by 0.8 ft., rest in a low position at right angles to the wall; they have the aspect of a foot wedge. Sixty-three medium-sized packing-stones, rarely more than 6 in. in length, were recovered from the lower levels of the hole; there may have been others at a higher level, but these could not be easily distinguished from fallen masonry and are therefore not included. Five of the stones are of a reddish colour. The filling, as indicated in the section under the wall, suggests the use of red-brown soil and small stones (old surface soil) thrown in from the west side most probably before the erection of the wall. FINDS: 9 animal bones, 12 splinters, only one burnt. A much worn and deeply scratched sheep (or goat) scapula may have been used as a scoop. 6 sherds of pottery, mostly very small, abraded, and covered with secondary carbonate deposit: all plain coarse ware. 95-+-specks of charcoal.* Most of the finds were in a scatter about one-third from the bottom. A few specks of charcoal were found under, though near the edge, of the two big slabs. NORTH-WEST POST-HOLE An oval-shaped cavity about 5.0 ft. by 4.5 ft. (estimated) by 3.8 ft. in depth, with flat bottom and nearly vertical sides, except where they cave into pockets of loose stone possibly connected with natural fissures. The hole penetrates an unknown distance under the wall and under the ‘ buttress’. The filling consisted of small rubble and brown soil, except at the bottom, where larger stones were encountered, BURY WGOD CAMP N.E. ENTRANCE ——_EXCAVATIONS 1960 D.L: oe 10 15 FEET NORTH RAMPART row DRYSTONE REVETMENT PROJECTION ee 5S ey ig # wa am ESSN ay SECTION EAST FACE showing vertical facing stones WWM wadgnNn anaegnd HLIM G37TI4 PLAN Sa! & ZeY¥ wr = LO Gnd STONE A\ tl Me Ent = = aS Be SS = = SS = =a = Y, KY — ee ore, 1 LUE (VBE 7 ZZ nose 7 Yay DGrantKing WALL 188 artefacts in this been derived fro: Four large po: approximately 5 not placed, appa nal to the adjacer the latter were bu arguable in favour soil in the outer weaknesses in thi empirical planni thing else. The southern ones. ft their importance, This, the best about 3.5 ft. by 3 by probing, exte1 encrustration, is { seem to have bee With the excepti cut, we believe, b is covered, at leas one of them slipp the wall. Three { slabs, jointly mea aspect of a foot w recovered from tk not be easily dist: of a reddish colou soil and small sto the wall. FINDS: 9 anima goat) scapula ma covered with seco finds were in a sc though near the e An oval-shape: nearly vertical sid fissures. The hole consisted of small 189 chiefly in the north half. Some of this must have been packing material, though slipped forward after the removal of the post. Surface soil, probably including some of a red colour, no doubt infiltrated from the south. FINDS: 9 animal bones, 5 splinters. 4 sherds, including one devolved everted rim. 425+ particles of charcoal,* some an inch long (one 2 in.) mostly concentrated in the south side of hole, though thinned out in the bottom part. SOUTH-WEST POST-HOLE An oval-shaped cavity about 2.8 ft. by 4.0 ft. by 3.0 ft. deep. The part under the Southern Revetment extends at least 1.7 ft. The precise dimensions of this post-hole, as also of its neighbour, the South-East Post-Hole, are most difficult to ascertain, partly because the rock on the eastern side and much of the ground further east has decomposed, while on the west and north sides the jointed rock has sometimes broken and fallen and re-cemented itself into a compact mass, thus covering and obscuring particles of charcoal and bone. Here and in the passage-way was clear proof that the process of re-cementation had taken place after the Iron Age disturbances and deposit of objects. Three or four red stones were adhering to the north-east side of the hole, while several loose red stones were found | ft. and more below the old surface. The filling consisted of grey and brown soil with small rubble tipped from the east and west, and bigger stones at the bottom. The firm bedrock of the floor appears only to the north; elsewhere the floor has vanished in natural fissures and cavities. There was some evidence of burning before the tumble of stones fell into the hole. 55-+- medium-sized packing blocks, rarely more than 6in. long, were recovered from the hole. FINDS: 5 animal bones, unburnt, (the deepest, with charcoal adhering, 2.2 ft. below old surface). 79+ specks of charcoal*. SOUTH-EAST POST-HOLE An oval-shaped hole approximately 3.9 ft. by 4.3 ft. by 2.95 ft. deep, with an extension of at least 1.9 ft. under the Revetment. Both the west and east sides merge almost imperceptibly into the trough of decomposed rock referred to above, while the north face (which for a long time eluded the excavators) penetrates deeply beneath a layer of hard re-cemented stones. These fused stones at this point make a solid roof, capable of bearing the weight of a man. From below as well as from above, many of them were seen to be of a red colour. A large but unascertained number of packing and other stones rested in the hole, at least 12 of them of a reddish tint. These were well distributed among the rest, though chiefly in the upper and middle parts of the hole. At the west end and near the botton of the post-hole lay seven large blocks with a number of smaller ones. Some of these rest at right angles to the wall and may therefore be structural. The filling consisted of grey soil at the surface, giving place to pale red- brown mixed with store. In the section beneath the Revetment typical tip lines descend from the east and west periphery, with the addition, however, of a large block 1.4 by 0.7 ft. resting askew at | ft. beneath the lowest course of the wall. Behind this stone a mass of heavy rubble was discovered. FINDS: 12 animal bones, burnt and unburnt. 90-+- particles of charcoal, some up to 4 in. long, fairly widespread, but with a distinct concentration at the west end. One small flint flake with white patina, unburnt, no doubt an intrusion. OCCUPATION SITE This was located in 1959 as a dark patch about 14 by 5 ft. at the eastern end of the passage-way. It was realized, however, that its full extent was unknown. Further investigation of the site was beyond the scope of the 1960 season’s work, but two observations may be noted here. The most eastern cutting on VOL, LVI CCX x 190 the south of the fairway exposed a small area of grey-brown soil, with pottery and burnt material, only a few feet from the 1959 cutting; but the grey-brown earth was seen again further west, and it is supposed that this may mark the limit of the Occupation Site. These additions now suggest an area about 26 ft by 23 ft. by 14ft. Charcoal, pottery, and bones were found down to depths of 2.8 ft. below surface, which, in places, is below the line of natural bedrock. In one part, 0 to 7 ft. from datum point, the rock appeared to have been hacked away deliberately toa straight line corresponding with the site of the South Revetment Wall. The squatters’ hollow therefore seems to have been associated with some building operations. Although the absence of bedded rock from the margin of this area caused considerable surprise when first noted, any major quarrying in this vicinity would be most improbable. Whether the squatters’ site ante-dated or post-dated the South Rampart is by no means clear. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 1. PLAN OF THE NORTH-EAST ENTRANCE. This is now much more clearly defined. The outer part, within the compass of our excavations, is a regular funnel-shape, with straight sides 274 ft. long on the north, 30 ft. long on the south, 39 ft. wide at the east end, and 26 ft. wide at the west. While the south line curves gently into the narrow portal, the North Rampart has a distinct bulge 20 ft. long making a bottle-neck of great tactical value; here the passage is only 12 ft. wide. Further west is the gateway 12 to 13 ft. long, with parallel sides about 134 ft. across, and with four enormous post-holes. The ends of the two inbent ramparts are semi-circular, 18 to 19 ft. in diameter. 2. THE REVETMENTS. The 1959 theory is now vindicated. The ramparts might have been of crude dump formation; instead, we have some of the finest Iron Age drystone walling seen in Wiltshire. The importance of the work warranted all the labour required to draw the whole North Wall and parts of the South Wall, stone by stone, with the aid of a grid frame (fig. 2 for specimen section). A further record was made by a series of photographs. Through the kind offices of Mr. T. E. Cobbald and the Wiltshire Archaeological Society, a load of sand was purchased and used as a lining for the preser- vation of the North Wall. This measure of protection had been recommended by the Ministry of Works. 3. ORIGIN OF THE STONE. All the walling masonry was quarried from the Great Oolite limestone, presumably from quarry ditches inside the Camp. The thicknesses of individual slabs (when compared with local explosures of bedded rock) suggest an origin at depths between 2 and 6 ft. below the present- day surface. 4. GRADING OF THE STONE. This, as already hinted, is the consequence of using the building material in the order in which it was quarried from the ground. The Iron Age A revetting at Maiden Castle shows great uniformity and no doubt implied some measure of sorting and selecting before building.4 As such skill and discrimination were already traditional, we may perhaps conclude that the Bury Wood builders were pressed for time and worked with some haste; although it might imply, again on the analogy of Maiden Castle, that Iron Age B people were more careless and had a preference for the largest stones. 5 Carelessness must be ruled out, while haste may be reaffirmed by the conditions which, pending further enquiry, may have caused the fortifications on the South-West Front at Bury Wood to remain unfinished. However, prolonged peace as well as sudden and catastrophic war could explain an unfinished earthwork. 5. THE VERTICAL WALL. The vertical masonry wall is of course inspired by Continental Hallstatt and ultimately by Roman or classical prototypes. In the south-west it is a characteristic of Iron Age B hill-forts. Whether the Bury Wood Camp wall was originally vertical or had a slight batter is perhaps a 19] moot point. Extant sections are found to embody both. As the vertical parts can hardly be challenged, while those with the batter cannot readily be explained as the product of rampart subsidence, we may accept the notion that both were employed. The top of the wall must have been finished with a neat coping of very large slabs; for these, on both sides of the passage, must have been the first to topple over and fall (as we found again and again) directly at the feet of the two walls. 6. HEIGHT OF RAMPART. In 1959 we gave 64 ft. as a conservative estimate for the original height of the rampart. Now we possess a little more information. A new profile of the North In-bent Rampart (A—B on plan) gives the existing height as about 5 ft. 8 ins. If we take the rampart debris in the passage- way on the same parallel, we estimate its volume at 38 cubic feet. This of course must be shared by the two ramparts, and when divided by two will increase the stature of the North Rampart to between 74 ft. and 8 ft.© This also is a cautious estimate, for we have no knowledge at present of rampart erosion to the north beyond the inner ramp; nor, for that matter, do we know how much of the passage-way debris was washed away downhill during the last 2,000 years. 7. THE POST-HOLES. These all share certain characteristics. They are cylindrical holes with flat bottoms, 3 or more feet in depth. They must have been cut out of the rock and partly refilled with soil and stones before the rampart walls were built. They are all overlapped by the walls, and it is clear in every case that the walls have suffered from subsidence at these weak points. The builders must have been aware of the weaknesses, for above the North-East Post-Hole one or two additional courses were inserted, with an upward curve, to compensate for the sinking at a lower level. The South-West Post- Hole has a dangerous bulge and break in the wall above, while the North-West Post-Hole is partly covered by the ‘ buttress ’ or projection of masonry, part of which has evidently slipped outwards. The two eastern holes possess a novel feature in the form of an apparent foot-wedge, a series of large slabs at a low level placed roughly at right angles to the wall.? They leave spaces between I|4to 2 ft. in width, both in the eastern half of the holes. But for their complementary character, one might be disposed to regard the arrangement as fortuitous. Here, with little doubt, is an instance of remodelling. The North-East Post-Hole must have been designed primarily for a large circular post, probably the trunk of a tree, for all the facing-stones conform to such a shape. The South-East Post-Hole certainly lacks the facing stones in situ, except for a few on the south side, but the large proportions of the hole prompt us to envisage a similar post. The foot-wedges, however, imply later and smaller posts, perhaps two to each set side by side. 8. THE POSTS. This change of plan presupposes timber replacements. The introduction of fresh timbers from time to time is a familiar detail in hill-fort history. Prof. E. J. Salisbury, F.R.S., quoted by Sir Mortimer Wheeler in his Maiden Castle, knew of oak posts which lasted 30 years.’ In her report on the Bury Wood Camp charcoals (see Appendix IIT), Miss A. C. Western has suggested that at least two of the gate-posts were of oak, and it is highly probable that all four were of this wood. Most of the oak growing in the vicinity to-day is stunted, but specimens with sufficient girth are to be found within two to three miles of the spot. Ash is the dominant tree in the Camp area, and this would have pro- vided stout timbers for the bridge or superstructure. There is no archaeological evidence for hurdle- work or a fence surrounding the crown of the ramparts, but this, as Miss Western suggests, is a possi- bility. 9. ‘THE BUTTRESS’ referred to above is really a triangular projection from the main North Wall, having at least a dozen stones in such regular order as to suggest a deliberate structure for supporting the North-West Post. It must be remembered that it rests partly over the filled-in Post-Hole and, as Dr. Shaw Mellor pointed out, might have moved bodily forward with the settling of the ground. Systematic dismemberment will have to be undertaken at some future date to determine its function, if any. 192 10. DESTRUCTION OF THE PORTAL BY FIRE. The charring of timber, and hence the preservation of charcoal, might be explained simply as an ancient device to resist rot. Only very gradually was it realized that the volume and wide distribution of charcoal, both in the post-holes and on the floor of the passage-way, could not be dismissed in this way. The chief concentration lay in the area between the four post-holes, but it had obviously drifted downhill as far as the solution pit, some 19 ft. to the east. Usually no trace could be found within the last few inches close to the base of each wall (one of the facts which suggested a slight mound of old surface soil), but in a few places, especially at the bottom of the North Wall, charcoal had blown into the lowest crevices. In the central parts of the passage-way it had been sealed-in by the layer of re-cemented limestone, and could not have sunk down at a later period of time. There was overwhelming evidence for a conflagration, and, as Prof. C. F. C. Hawkes affirmed in discussions with us, a planned and deliberate conflagration. Although a few instances of accidental burning of oak fences or gate-posts have been noted, the size and position of the Bury Wood Camp timbers would virtually rule out the possibility of accidental firing. If the Camp were inhabited at the time, human intervention would prevent such an event; if uninhabited, the presence of fire would be most unlikely, while decay would soon intervene in such circumstances. It is highly probable, more- over, that brushwood, the presence of which is suggested by Miss Western, was used for firing the gate. Conflagration was not only attested by the presence of charcoal. Numerous limestone slabs, particularly on the floor of the south side and also in the upper levels of the post-holes, had changed to a red colour, and it was presumed that this was the product of heat.® This assumption was proved to be correct by experi- ments carried out at the Department of Geology, Bristol University, and reported by Dr. J. W. Cowie. (See Appendix II). Independently Mr. Derek Findlay tried experiments on related rocks, with very similar results, noting incidentally a colour change to grey. Bluish grey stones had also been observed in the burnt area. The mingled charcoal and burnt stone are significant, particularly where they were found interleaved, with charcoal, stone, more charcoal, and more stone in successive layers. The stones, in some instances, must have been detached from the upper courses of the Revetment at the same time as the conflagration, and this circumstance, with other factors noted later, should imply that a bridge or some superstructure existed above the gateway, with timbers implanted within the top masonry. When these timbers burnt and fell some of the adjacent stones must have been dislodged: the damage was not at the lowest level. The heat generated seems to have mounted to 500-600° C. The evidence from the post-holes indicates that allfour posts must have broken or jumped from their sockets before they crashed to the ground. Very little burning was observed at the lower levels, while the packing blocks in all cases had slipped down into the spaces vacated by the posts. The North-West and the South-West Posts seem to have retained their upright positions longest, for in both of their posi-holes charcoal was preserved in bigger particles and greater quantity than in the other two. Pos- sibly a stump of burning wood remained in the North-West Hole. The fire must have varied in intensity, since unburnt animal bone was often found within a short distance of burnt bone. All four posts as well at the actual gate seem to have fallen inwards, though it must be remarked, with some surprise, that the North-East Post failed to kick down its facing stones. Some 43 stones in the North Revetment had changed to a red colour. It was observed that these were arranged in diagonal streaks, from west to east. This fact, in conjunction with the relative absence of burning on the face of the South Wall, suggests that a south-west wind was blowing at the time of the fire. 10 Close examination of the charcoal in situ showed that some of the larger fragments, slightly broken apart yet retaining their continuity, were embedded in a matrix of disturbed mud. Some of this was subjected to a coating of secondary carbonate, while, yet again, much was sealed by the fused lime- 193 stone cover. The puddled condition of this contemporary mud may indicate that the conflagration was followed by rain. 11. WHO WERE THE DESTROYERS? So far there is no evidence from which to deduce an assault or battle at Bury Wood Camp: no war cemetery, no injured skeletons, no weapons or missiles, except a few probable slingstones. An infant’s tibia, found on the inner ramp of the North Rampart, was the only human bone encountered; this is doubtless typical drift of a camp and does not necessarily imply violence. However, if Bury Wood were ever attacked, it is to be supposed that the main offensive would be launched from the south-west and the debris of battle would be found on that side. In that event the enemy, once they had mastered the South-West Front, might be expected to race across the middle of the Camp and set light to the dwellings and the two gates from the inside. Such an explanation would also explain the absence of conflict at the North-East Entrance. There is one further possibility: the inhabitants may have fled before the arrival of their enemies. Who were the enemies? There are two strong probabilities. In the preamble attached to the first report we considered the possibility that the Belgae, the supposed pre-Roman inhabitants of Wiltshire, might have built Bury Wood Camp. That appears now to be completely in error, but the warlike Belgae could well have been the aggressors. The current opinion (not shared by the writer) that the Belgae were responsible for the Glastonbury massacres and the attack on Worlebury Camp, would of course colour this hypothesis.!! The other adversary would be Rome. It seems inconceivable that the Second (Augusta) Legion, in its final advance on Gloucester, would by-pass Bury Wood Camp without attacking or, if its inmates had already fled, without de-militarizing and burning the gates. !2 12. RECONSTRUCTION OF THE GATEWAY (See fig. 3). Reconstruction is the end objective of all archaeology. Here it must be tentative, especially as we are dealing with several modifications in plan which cannot be readily separated. There are four indisputable post-holes which bear a certain relation- ship to each other; however this relationship be considered, there must have been a timber gateway with some sort of superstructure. Mediaeval analogies are misleading: the gateway has some of the pro- perties of a barbican, the possession of a double defence straddling the passage-way and an extended approach, but in this last character it is the reverse of the 13th to 14th century castle.'3 It is not an outwork but an inwork. Here we refer to the structure simply as a gateway and bridge. Two diagrams (fig. 3) illustrate the probable form. The timbers are mostly pictured as round or half-round, because there is no great advantage in using planks shaped laboriously with the adze. It is believed that the main posts, in the last phase, would not have been more than 2 ft. and possibly nearer 1 ft. 4in. thick. We think the base of each would be flat to give the maximum stability. The bridge must have been built pari passu with the rest: without it the isolated posts in shallow sockets would have been unequal to the strain. Further strength would be gained with very little trouble by the addition of diagonal struts. If more strength is needed to resist the blows of the deadly battering-ram, the main cross-beam or lintel might be extended at each end so that it could be embedded in the masonry of the two ramparts: such bracing of the gate timbers was suspected at Blewburton Hill Camp, Berkshire. '4 Where necessary, all the carpentry joints could be simple butts or the } to 4rd overlap. No iron nails were found in this area, but trenails or dowels might have been used. Once the bridge has been constructed, the tactical advantage of a sentry-walk or gallery is inescapable: hence the slatted floor and external paling. A central post-hole in a wide passage-way is usually regarded as a fair criterion for the presence of a double-leaved gate. A narrow passage and no central post-hole, as at Maiden Castle, Phase 1, normally implies a single-leaved gate. There is, however, divided opinion and we hestitate to picture this detail. The four posts, as at the Trundle, Sussex, Stage H, !5 may indicate two separate gates, inner and outer, and both of these may have been secured by drop-bars on the inside. | Here we are confronted with 194 ie Ze ° » “p= Cini sede oo: 2S {IM Se OSA iii ine WI Le g 5 CM ar —) fh (Fig. 3) Reconstructions. | STRAINER WITH PERFORATION Fig. 4. Pottery from N.E. Entrance. (3) Nos. 1-7 from North Terminal, 8-13 from Passage-Way, 14-16 from South Terminal, 17-18 from N.W. and N.E. Post-Holes. 195 196 much inconclusive conjecture, largely because there can be no certainty as to the method employed for hanging the gate or gates. A simple iron hinge similar to that of some modern farm gates might have been used, but it would have had inherent weaknesses. The object of the gate is two-fold: to resist a very infrequent enemy, and, more commonly, to prevent cattle straying from the Camp. For the second a light portable gate would be sufficient. For the first purpose a heavy gate to resist fire and battering-ram, as well as spasmodic light infantry. If warning of enemy approach was generally adequate, or felt to be so, then a heavy gate might be simply lifted into position, perhaps hung on strong wooden brackets, and barred on the inside. Raw skins might be hung on the front to withstand firebrands. 13. poTTeERY. (fig. 4.) Compared with the 1959 total, the finds for 1960 were meagre. Only 175 sherds were recovered from the North-East Entrance, of which 130 were from the passage-way and 45 from the northern end of the North Rampart Terminal. As was to be expected, the majority from the fairway were very small, abraded, formless specimens, a scatter of early breakages, kicked about by Iron Age feet before the final episode. Most of them were found near or on the old ftoor level, and even the 8 sherds recovered from post-holes probably originated in the passage-way. With one exception all the pottery from this area was plain coarse ware, devolved situlate vessels with steep sides and simple slightly everted rims, the paste being mixed with pounded grit and shell. With due reservations, the material may be described as native La Tene I, having closer connections with the pottery recovered in 1959 from the Occupation Site, further east in the wide part of the Entrance, than with the sherds « 1 the surface of the Northern Rampart. Eleven of the sherds may, in fact, belong to an extension of the Occupation Site. The one exception is a fine specimen of Smooth Dark Ware, with silky texture, and black burnished surfaces both inside and out. This was found beyond the tip of the Southern Terminal and was therefore hardly in the passage-way at all. The 45 sherds from the small cutting at the end of the Northern Terminal Wall have a more decided La Tene II character: several sharply everted rims, rims with internal swelling, incipient bead rims, 3 sherds of Smooth Dark Ware. Eight thick sherds were found to join, making a flat base of 44 in. diameter, with a centrally placed perforation of 1.5 cm. diameter inside and 1.15 cm. diameter outside. Five other sherds matched to form a bucket-shaped wall, 6 in. deep, believed to belong to the perforated base. It has a tapered and slightly everted rim, while the shoulder of the vessel scarcely exists. Although blackened in places, the pot is of a buff colour, coarse but well made. Like many similar vessels from other Iron Age sites, it is considered to be a strainer, possibly for honey. Three pieces of baked clay may be fragments of daub. The position, as well as the associated concentration of animal bones, suggests a similar origin to that of the domestic rubbish found on the inner ramp in 1959. The pottery is also comparable. COLT HOARE’S ‘SMALL EARTHEN-WORK ” (fig. 5) As suspected from a few surface finds picked up in 1959, this feature was found in 1960 to be roughly — contemporary with the hill-fort. Air photographs and a pre-excavation plan re-established its approx- imate position on the north front within the interior of the Camp. The surface signs were extremely obscure, but the slight elevations and depressions were surveyed. The ‘ small earthen-work’ is clearly an irregular ring enclosure surrounded by an outer ditch and the vestiges of an inner bank. 1. THE BANK. A test cutting 40 ft. by 6 ft. was made athwart the bank and ditch in the north- — west sector. It revealed a mere scatter of stones from 3+ ft. to 8 ft. beyond the inner margin of the ditch. Six very small and abraded sherds, 2 fragments of baked clay, 3 flints, a small amount of charcoal, | piece of Old Red Sandstone, and a small quantity of broken animal bone were found in this area from 2 to 8 in. below surface. . SMALL EARTHEN - WORK” pBuRY woop CAMp 1960 D.L. THE RING or FEET 20 PLAN 18 Y \ 8 Ke) 12 14 Io 3 METRES THE DITCH A to B on Plan ii SECTION THROUGH \ \\ VW MA it BANK OF FROM AIR PHOTOGRAPH \\ , ie WS VESTIGES FISSURE BEDROCK PLAN QUERN > 4 a 9 a BLACK LAYER HUMAN OCCIPUT IRON AGE POTTERY IRON STRAP ® HUMOSE TOPSOIL BAND OF STONE WEATHERED RUBBLE a) q ‘on Us wr DJ oO kc co 0 a 1a) o 0, 29 Y af © Qo I Ny OY Q % J oy Wy If 40 35 30 25 20 Fig. 5. 15 10 FEET rul CO} 197 2. THEDITCH. On excavation this was found to have a V-shaped section about 6 ft. deep by 12 ft. wide at the top. The bottom coincided with a natural fissure in the bedrock, which extended the full width of the cutting and probably well beyond. The scarp was steeper than the counterscarp. Most of the primary and secondary silt had obviously fallen from the collapsed bank, in spite of the fact that the rock of the counterscarp was much more weathered and broken. Traces of a line of humose top-soil were observed about 2 ft. below the surface. Above this rested a curious band of loose medium-to-large sized stone rubble, as much as a foot in thickness, stretching from side to side. Again, most of this appears to have descended from the south margin. 3. FINDS. There were very few finds in the two top layers: 1 sherd, 4 fragments of Old Red Sand- stone, a little bone, and a small amount of charcoal and rotted root. Below 2+ ft., but chiefly in the primary silt, the finds increased greatly in number: a mass of animal bone, including a horn core and a fair part of a cow’s skull, boars’ tusks, a fragment of human occiput, burnt limestone, more charcoal, some particles up to ? in. long, 89 sherds, 4 pieces of baked clay, pottery-like fragments with verdigris, 4 broken sections of a curved iron strap or handle, and a broken fragment of a rotary quern 4.9 ft. below surface. The 4 pieces of iron strap (fig. 5) some of which may join, have a combined length of 10% in. measured on the curve. The shaft has a varying width of 6.5—11.0 mm. by 2.6—4.0 mm. in thickness. One terminal with a width of 10.5 mm. has a broken perforation 2.0 mm. in diameter. This has a burred edge as if the hole had been punched through from one side. The second terminal, though much corroded with rust, is complete, having a width of 15.0mm. A perforation of about 3.0 mm. appears to be blocked with an iron rivet or lug. The quern is a piece of a lower stone with a maximum height near the centre of 6}in. + and 5,9. in. at the outer edge, and a minimum diameter of 103 in. The slope of the grinding surface is about 13°. The spindle recess, which is partly damaged, is about 1} in. deep and 1$ in. maximum diameter. It is made of fine Old Red Sandstone. The two top layers of the ‘ earthen-work ’ probably represent material deposited since the early 19th century. The second humose horizon is probably the surface seen by Sir Richard Colt Hoare or his surveyor sometime before 1819, when the field was still uncultivated. Such a declivity would be essential to mark the outline of an earthwork, which otherwise must have remained unnoticed. At some un- known date after this, the ‘ thick copse ’ which covered the interior must have been removed and arable farming begun. We believe that the loose stones were turned up by plough and harrow during an early phase of cultivation of the field, and then discharged, either naturally or intentionally, into the un- wanted ditch. The presence of rotted roots and charcoal may even hint at the use of fire to assist in clearing the virgin woodland. The other end of the narrative is recorded at the bottom of the ditch. Here, just above bedrock, is a band of black soil, 5.5 ft. wide, of an unknown length beyond the cutting face, and with a maximum thickness of 1.2 ft. This contains a fair amount of burnt material, including some calcined bone, and it might be a temporary occupation site. It can be argued with equal conviction that the black band is typical domestic rubbish, which could have been thrown out from an adjacent dwelling. It is certain, however, that the debris was deposited at an early period, when the enclosure wall was still largely in- tact. The black soil is interspersed with small rubble which was mainly derived from the counterscarp while the heavy clean rubble from the wall fell mostly on top, and without doubt post-dated it. The regular lines of stone on the black soil militate strongly against the hypothesis of rubbish cast en masse from outside, since this would presuppose a more chaotic scatter. Moreover, a deliberate rubbish dump in the ditch makes nonsense of the earthworks at a time when they are supposed to function. _ The weight of evidence, therefore, favours small scale use of the ditch and piecemeal deposit of a | negligible debris. VOL. LVIIL-CCX Y } | | 198 POTTERY. (fig. 6). The pottery is remarkably uniform: all coarse, hand-made wares, without a trace of decoration, devolved situla types with steep sides or ‘ saucepans ’ with vertical sides. At least one base indicates a flattened bowl shape. Many of the rims are small and neat ‘ rolls ’ with internal thickening characteristic of La Tene II, but there is no burnished Smooth Dark Ware and there are no incipient bead rims. While most of the fabrics are thin, at least 10 sherds measure up to +4 in. in thick- ness. The only other datable object is the fragment of rotary quern. This is of a thick early or Wessex Type generally associated with Iron Age B people: it stands possibly near the beginning of the British series. While numerous quern fragments have been recovered from Bury Wood Camp, this is the only specimen found to equate stratigraphically with B. It rested at the bottom of the primary silt on, and partly in, the black soil. It is contemporary, therefore, with the early stages of the break-down of the enclosure | POTTERY FROM THE DITCH OF THE CURVED IRON STRAP OR HANDLE Fig. 6. (§) Rims 1-3 from high levels. The rest from the primary silt. 199 wall. The violence and freshness evident in the fractured surfaces show that the quern was seriously damaged in ancient times. The absence of splinters of stone in the immediate vicinity suggests that the quern was broken elsewhere and then fell, or was hurled, into the ditch. Other quern fragments were found on the surface in the middle of, and outside, the enclosure. It may later be possible to correlate the material with the Enquiry into the Petrology of Querns which is to be undertaken by Dr. J. W. Cowie of the Department of Geology, Bristol University. The pottery-like fragments with verdigris encrustation may have belonged to a pottery crucible used in the smelting of copper or bronze. The last artefact to be noted here is the iron strap or handle (fig. 5). In its present form it has a flattened arc, the chord of which measured no more than 74 in. In its original form, it might well have been a semi-circular handle for a light metal or wooden bucket. The purpose of the ring or enclosure is still obscure, though one may hazard the conjecture that one of its functions was that of a cattle corral. Had it ante-dated the hill-fort, it might have been regarded as a modest percursor. Its ditch comes well within the range of the smaller defensive structures of which there are a fair number in the Cotswolds and north Somerset areas; but here again the purpose of these small camps is not always clear .1° Even farmsteads, such as Little Woodbury and Fifield Bavant in Wiltshire, can possess comparable ditches. The matter must be left unresolved until excav- ation in the centre of the ring furnishes more decisive data. ANIMAL BONES. So far we have avoided much comment on the mass of bones from the two Bury Wood sites. We are most grateful for the comprehensive report on the two season’s finds by G. H. Bunting, D. W. Verity, and I. W. Cornwall of the Institute of Archaeology, London, (See Appendix IV) whose analysis conveys an intimate impression of the Bury Wood economy. The prominence given to sheep (or goats) has a striking continuity in the 20th century farm, which includes the Iron Age Camp. APPENDIX I BURY WOOD CAMP, COLERNE, WILTS TOPOGRAPHICAL NOTE By W. J. DAviEs The survey of Bury Wood Camp was completed by the writer for the Royal Commission on Histor- ical Monuments during the summer of 1960. In the following brief note on the plan of the hillfort, comment will be confined to defining the problems of interpretation that arose from a detailed field examination of the earthwork remains and to some general observations on the tactical implications of the defences '. The siting and description of the hillfort have been dealt with adequately by Mr. Grant King and Dr. Shaw Mellor? and little need be added other than to point out that full advantage has been taken of the natural slopes of the promotory on the north-western and south-eastern sides. With material conven- iently provided by the internal quarry-ditch and consequently with minimum effort, the builders sited their rampart on the very edge of the sheer slopes. Here, too, the rampart is noticeably slighter than those of the multiple defences of the south-west side. The quarry-ditch is particularly evident on the north-west side but it is impossible to make a positive statement of its existence on the south-east side without excavation because modern ploughing has built up a lynchet along its whole length. Originally the hillfort had only two entrances and Colt Hoare’s assertion that there was an entrance on the south-west side can be discounted. It is clearly a comparatively recent cutting providing access to the interior of the hillfort. Mr. Grant King has already mentioned the humping in the cutting directly on the line of the inner rampart and the mound-like feature on the north side of the cutting is probably throw-out deposited during its excavation. 200 The two original entrances show a degree of similarity which strongly suggests that in its final form the hillfort was the concept of a single military engineer. The North-East Entrance is the more complex. Here the approach, now deeply worn into a hollow-way, leads up the apex of the promontory from the valley below to a relatively level platform outside the ramparts. Two banks—one a projection of the north-western rampart, the other built along the northern edge of the platform—give outwork pro- tection. Their purpose, clearly, was to canalize traffic towards the inturned arms of the entrance. The northern of these inturned arms makes a regular curve, set well back from the natural edge of the pro- montory, to lead to the gateway. In contrast the southern arm makes a sharp, almost angular, inturn from the natural edge of the steep slope to provide a bastion-like position covering the approach along the terrace-way. The North-West Entrance is very similar in plan. The north-eastern inturn here again covers the terrace-way which provides access to the entrance. The tactical advantage of the long approach, enfiladed by the set-back rampart is obvious. The interpretation of the defensive arrangement of the south-western side is more challenging. This was the most vulnerable area and needed defence in depth as well as in height. The intended form of the banks and ditches is best seen in the sector south-east of the cutting where a massive inner bank, stand- ing some 15 ft. above the bottom ofits accompanying ditch, dominates the outer works. These consist of a double bank, the outer of which is slightly higher than the inner, fronted by a 5 ft. deep ditch forming the initial obstacle to a potential attacker. Field survey strongly suggests that these defences are un- finished and this is best illustrated in the sector north-west of the cutting. The hillfort on Ladle Hill 3 demonstrates the apparent practice of digging isolated sections of ditch during the initial stages of hillfort construction and this seems the possibility here. The causeways present in the outer ditch are problematical and it is hoped that excavation will decide whether or not they are original features. More difficult to explain is the pronounced “ kick ’’ made by the inner rampart of the south-western side. There appears to be no defensive reason for it. A possible explanation is that originally the settle- ment on the promontory was delimited by a cross-dyke with a simple staggered entrance such as that present in the cross-dyke on Okeford Hill in Dorset.+ The manner in which the ditch fronting the inner rampart is carried over the natural edge of the promontory is reminiscent of the termination of the cross- dyke ditches. This perhaps would explain the scarp which cuts off the approach to the terrace-way leading to the North-West Entrance. A period of political danger would merit such a procedure of strengthening an existing feature. Fieldwork has produced many questions as to the purpose of the builders of Bury Wood Camp and it is hoped that excavation will be able to produce some of the answers. The results will certainly pro- vide an invaluable addition to the history of Wiltshire here in one of the county’s most impressive earthworks. 5 Royal Commission on Historical W. J. DAVIES. Monuments (England) Salisbury. APPENDIX II HEATED LIMESTONE EXPERIMENTS By J. W. CowlE A specimen of Jurassic oolitic limestone from Bury Wood Camp, near Colerne, Wiltshire, supplied by Mr. D. Grant King, showed extensive pink colouration which was thought to be due to heating. Con- centrations of the pink ‘ veneer ’ were examined by X-ray crystallographic analysis and were found to give no diffraction pattern. The material was evidently in an amorphous condition. Chemical methods were then used to compare an unaltered specimen of oolite of the same lithological type from the same 201 area with the altered material; no significant difference in the proportions of ferric to ferrous iron was found. Unaltered Great Oolite Limestone from the Bury Wood Camp district was then heated in a furnace to 600°C: a strong pink colour was acquired and was retained on cooling. Ham Hill Stone was then heated to 600°C. and a permanent change of colour to a brick red hue was observed. Chemical analysis again showed no change in ferrous/ferric proportions. Samples of Ham Hill Stone taken before and after heating to 600°C were examined by differential thermal analysis. The graphical curves obtained gave no peaks due to iron compounds although it was known that iron was present. A similar effect has been recorded by R. C. Mackenzie in The Differential Thermal Investigation of Clays p. 310 (Mineralogical Society, London, 1957) when examining light brown soil clays which contained up to 7% of free iron oxide, but gave no differential thermal peaks or X-ray or electron diffraction pattern which could be attributed to iron oxide. Ham Hill Stone was then heated gradually from 110°C. to 500° C.: after heating to intermediate temperatures there was a gradual loss of weight as the temperature increased, associated with a gradual change in colour from buff to red. It is probable that this loss of weight represented loss of water. Without extensive detailed research no firm conclusions can be reached from these simple tests but it can be stated that oolitic limestone can be changed in colour from buff to pink and red by the application of heat; the change is apparently not accompanied by any change from an amorphous to a crystalline state; the ferrous/ferric proportions appear to be unaltered; there is a loss of weight associated with the colour change which probably represents loss of water. It is possible that the colour change may be connected with loss of water, i.e.a dehydration of the iron oxide content of the oolitic limestone may occur. The X-ray and D.T.A. analyses were supervised by Mr. R. Bradshaw and Dr. B. E. Leake was respon- sible for the chemical analyses. Department of Geology, J. W. Cowle. University of Bristol. APPENDIX Il IDENTIFICATION OF CHARCOALS FROM BURY WOOD CAMP By A. C. WESTERN The material submitted was identified as follows :— 1959 SPECIMENS from NORTH RAMPART Pyrus type Acer sp. Fraxinus sp. Corylus avellana (probably) from Pyrus type OCCUPATION SITE Corylus avellana Acer sp. Quercus sp. 202 1960 SPECIMENS from OCCUPATION SITE from EAST END OF ENTRANCE from GATEWAY AREA from N.E. POST-HOLE from N.W. POST-HOLE from WEST of N.W. POST-HOLE from S.W. POST-HOLE from WEST of S.W. POST-HOLE Corylus avellana Acer sp. Fraxinus excelsior Pyrus type, possibly Prunus sp. Hedera helix Viburnum sp. Quercus sp. Corylus avellana (young twig) Acer sp. (young twigs) Pyrus, type, possibly Crataegus sp. Rhamnus cathartica Quercus sp. Corylus avellana Ilex aquifolium Fraxinus excelsior Acer sp. Populus sp. or Salix sp. Ulmus sp. Quercus sp. Corylus avellana Quercus sp. (mostly) Fraxinus excelsior Acer sp. Pyrus type, probably Crataegus sp. Corylus avellana (further specimens of OAK: mature timber with fairly large diameter) ‘Lall fragments of fairly large pieces of J timber Quercus sp. Fraxinus excelsior Quercus sp. Acer sp. Quercus sp. Alnus sp. possibly 203 from Quercus sp. (mostly) S.E. POST-HOLE Acer sp. Pyrus type possibly Crataegus sp. Pyrus type possibly Prunus sp. Populus sp. or Salix sp. Fraxinus excelsior Corylus avellana Viburnum sp. Alnus sp. probably from Corylus avellana EAST of S.E. POST-HOLE Viburnum sp. It is very rarely possible to determine the species from wood remains, and this is especially the case with charcoals. Where a species is given, as for Corylus avellana, Ilex aquifolium, Rhamnus cathartica and Fraxinus excelsior it is because no other species of these genera are known to be, or have been, native in Britain since glacial times. There appears to be so much similarity between the woods of Acer sp. and Frangulaalnus that it would probably be extremely difficult to differentiate between them, except that Acer has a very noticeable spiral thickening to the vessels, as is the case in the specimens here identified as Acer, while in Frangula the spiral thickening tends to be somewhat indistinct. A further argument against the latter is that it normally occurs only on acid soils, such as fenland. Probably the only species of Acer native in Britain is A. campestre, the Common Maple. The date of introduction of most alien trees and plants is very uncertain, except those of comparatively recent date, and that of the sycamore (A. pseudoplatanus) is by some attributed to the Romans, though more pro- bably it occurred in about the 16th or 17th century. (Godwin: History of British Flora, 1956). In all probability, therefore, the Acer represented in these samples is A. campestre. The list includes a good proportion of the shrubs found commonly, and in some cases exclusively, on calcareous soils, e.g. Rhamnus cathartica, Viburnum sp., Hedera helix, Ilex aquifolium, Crataegus and other members of the family Rosaceae, and Corylus avellana. Specimens of Quercus, Fraxinus and Acer are also extremely common on these soils. As will be seen, the area in and around the four postholes in the entrance contains a good deal of oak and ash charcoal, much of it fragments of mature timbers of fairly large dimensions. This applies in particular to the N.W. Posthole. They could, as has been suggested, have been timbers of posts or gates, though ash would be unsuitable for posts as it is not durable in contact with the earth. The S.E. Posthole, on the other hand, produced a large variety of species, eight in all, with a fair amount of oak and not much ash, nor did the fragments of the latter indicate timbers of any great size, which may tend to indicate that the ash was not structural. The large quantity of ash charcoal found round this posthole, might be explained as brushwood for burning down the gate, as suggested, since ash burns well either wet or dry, but there is no evidence for or against this idea. The presence of a fragment of Viburnum (Sample 109) in this posthole, though it came from a mature timber, cannot determine the species of the original post, since there was so little of it, especially in view of the other seven species found in or just over or round the hole. Furthermore, neither species of Viburnum native in Britain, V. opulus, the Guelder Rose, and V. /antana, the Wayfaring Tree, produces timber of size or durability for structural work. 204 The variety of species represented, and their distribution in greater or less concentration throughout the site, indicate, apart from the possibility of gate and posts already mentioned, normal occupation debris. Some of the fragments of charcoal found in the North Rampart, representing Pyrus type, Corylus and Acer, may conceivably be remains of some kinds of brushwood hurdle or fence crowning the North Rampart, but this is merely a suggestion, entirely dependent upon any archaeological evid- ence for such a structure. Since the quantities found there are small, and they are fragments of species quite freely represented throughout the site they are more probably merely occupational scatter. A. C. WESTERN. APPENDIX IV ANIMAL BONES FROM BURY WOOD CAMP, (seasons 1959, 1960) By G. H. BuntineG, D. W. Verity and I. W. CORNWALL Between 400 and 500 bone-fragments in the collections from the two seasons were determinable. With few exceptions, they consisted of very small pieces and there were many quite unidentifiable chips, some calcined. The vast majority proved to be of the usual domestic animals—sheep or goats, cattle, pigs, horses and dogs. Of these, over half were of sheep or goat; these, plus the cattle, forming over 80% of the whole. Pig amounted to only 10%, horse 2.9%, dog 0.7 % and all others together just over 5%. The list of other species was not long. Six specimens were of birds; two probably of domestic fowl and the remainder (3 from the N. Rampart excavation, 1959, 1 from The Ring, 1960) very large, prob- ably of geese or swans. Remains of small birds were not found. Insectivores were represented by the mole (1 specimen); rodents by rabbits (5) and a vole (1); carni- vores by the fox and a smaller species (? stoat), each contributing a single specimen. All these likely owners are burrowers, or haunters of burrows. This fact, together with the condition of the remains (well-preserved and complete, though small bones) suggests that they are later intrusions by the modern fauna. Deer, probably red deer, were recognized from fragments of antler and of a calcaneum. These are likely to be contemporary with the domestic animals, judging by their condition. Two fragments only were recognized as human—an infant tibia from the North Rampart, 1959 (No. 4) and from the Ring, 1960 (No. 14). Extension A.4, 1960 (Nos. 32, 36) yielded groups of bones representing two paws of a large dog. This looks like a burial (possibly ancient). The animal was too large for the likelihood of its becoming trapped underground, like a terrier in a burrow. It was not large enough to have been a wolf, the other possible alternative. The N.E. Entrance, 1960, gave a fragment of a dog-like canine, perhaps fox. The relative rarity of any but domestic species makes it unlikely that hunting played any considerable part in the food-economy of the inhabitants of the Camp. This was evidently firmly based on stock- keeping. Of the domestic animals, the proportions present in the collections from the different sites were fairly constant and it is doubtful whether such differences as appear in the Tables are significant—sheep varying between 41% and 67.5%, cattle between 20% and 37.2%, pigs between 3.5% and 16.7% of their respective collections. The percentages of the species present, taken over the whole collection from the two seasons, are very close to the arithmetic means of the corresponding percentages from the separate sites. The remains were too incomplete to yield any useful measurements. All that can be said is that, in general, both sheep (or goat—there was in no case any distinctive fragment) and cattle were small and lightly built. The only two cattle horn-cores (No. 90, North Rampart, 1959; No. 18, the Ring, 1960) 205 were of the small, down-turned form characteristic of the Celtic Ox, the so-called Bos longifrons, and such other fragments as were large enough to afford a basis for judgement of size were quite compatible with this determination. In particular, no remains of any large bovine, comparable with Bos primi- genius, were found. Pigs were also on the small side. Most were represented only by loose teeth. Nothing large enough to suggest a wild boar was seen. Immature individuals were occasionally noted, generally by the recognition of milk teeth, but they formed only a small percentage, less than 5%, of the whole. No. 17, the Ring, 1960, included a meta- podial of a very young, perhaps new-born lamb or kid. No. 33, Ext. A. 4, 1960 yielded three milk teeth of a foal which was only just beginning to graze. No. 8, N.E. Entrance, 1960, was a fragment of a well- worn, perhaps shed, milk tooth, belonging to a rather older, but still immature, animal. The canine of a fully-grown stallion was found in No. 84, N.E. Entrance, 1960. Horse was recogniz- ably represented by teeth only, though some of the numerous indeterminate fragments of long bones and ribs of larger animals may also have belonged. There is, thus, no positive evidence that the horse was used for food. VOL. LVI CCX Z 206 _N. E. ENTRANCE No. Sheep Ox Pig Horse Dog Others 8 | | 1 Frag. milk molar (imm.) 25 | | 1 Frag. molar 46 1 De | | | *Rib. frags with cuts and rodent tooth-marks ‘ ae 58 3 2 1 1* | *Frag. canine 3 birds 1 | 3 63 1* *recent? 69 | rabbit ( ?recent) | (imm.) | 1 84 | 4 Pel 2 cheek tooth, canine 88 | g) cheek teeth 92 rabbit ( ?recent) = So a im We —_ nN Ww ONE wW 147 1 Fox mand. (?recent) TOTALS TOTALS N. E. 44 27. 12 7 1 6 97 ENTRANCE Immatures (included above) 2 1 5 1 9 (+ numbers contained no determinable bone) 207 THE RING No. | Sheep Ox Pig Horse Dog Others | 2 3 | | | (indet.) 5 1 | 6 | 4 7 | 1 1 | 9 | 1 1 1 | | 10 2 1 1 | 12 v2 2 1 | | Deer (calcaneum frag) 13 1 1 1 | 14 10 9 2 | Man (occip.) open sutures 15 1 1 | 16 2(4+ 1 4 3 | | imm.) | 17 | S(+1 4 1 | | Large bird (frag. long bone) new born) | 18 4 1 1 cf. B. longifrons | TOTALS 32 29 13 1 | 3 78 Immat. 2 | 2 EXT. A. 4 NORTH RAMPART No. Sheep Ox Pig Horse Dog Others and remarks or goat 9 2 2 12 14 7 16 5 1 18 6 1 Fossil shell 19 5 2 20 p2 Small carniv. ?stoat (21 indet) 29 2 2 30 3 1 Rabbit, Ist. phal. (recent) 32 9 2 4 1 Large dog extrems. ribs 33 3 3 3 1 QB milk teeth) 36 1 1 2 phals. 39 3 TOTALS TOTAL 55 | 18 11 1 2 2 89 IMMATURES 7 | 1 I 9 1Z 208 TABLE I SUMMARY—DETERMINABLE FRAGMENTS “Ss re. Se | Sheep Ox Pig Horse Dog | Others Totals (or goat) | | | N. Rampart 51 20 3 2 ooo aageeg 85 Occup. Layer 1959—in Cutting A. 27 10 2 1 = oo 40 Bury Wood (gen.) 26 | 20 3 1 | — 3 53 N. E. Entrance—1960 4 px | 12 i | 1 | 6 97 The Ring 32 | 29 13 1 — | 3 78 Ext. A. 4 55 | 18 11 1 2 | 2 89 | | | | TOTALS 235 124 44 13 3 | 23 | 442 TABLE II eae INDIVIDUAL SPECIES AS % OF TOTALS FOR SEPARATE SITES : | | | | N. Rampart 60.0 23.5 | 3.5 2.4 | — | 10.0 Cutting A 67.5 25.0 5.0 2.5 —_— — | Bury Wood (gen.) 44.0 32.8 Pes 1.9 — | 5.7 N. E. Entrance 45.5 27.8 12.5 hed. 1.0 6.2 The Ring 41.0 37.2 16.7 1.3 —_— | 3.9 Ext. A. 4 61.5 20.0 12.3 | 1.1 | 2D | DED, | | | | | | | | | | | | | Site as a whole (both seasons) 53.1 | 28.0 | 10.0 2.9 | OT, | 52 | 99.9 University of London, ae : a op Sv ; ~ G. H. BUNTING ¢ Institute of Archaeology. D. W. VERITY. * A token number. 1 V,. Gordon Childe, Social Evolution, 1950, 47. 2 Again we are beholden to the owner of Northwood Farm, Mr. T. E. Cobbald, as well as to the Ministry of Works, for permission to excavate; to the Workers’ Educational Association for renewed help and encourage- ment; to the Royal Commission on Historical Monu- ments (England) for the new plan, and for the cordial co-operation of its staff; to the R.A.F., Colerne, and the Army Air Corps, Middle Wallop, for air photographs; to Count P. de Salis for the loan of tractor and trailer necessary in transporting sand to the site; to Mr. E A. Shore and Mr. J. Tucker for excellent photographic records; to Mr. L. R. Leonard and Mr. E. L. Mann for valuable discussions on carpentry problems; and to Dr. A. Shaw Mellor and Prof. E. K. Tratman, who both visited the site, for useful comments and advice. We are particularly indebted to the specialists whose reports have contributed so greatly to our knowledge. 3 W.A.M., xlvii, 507. 4R. E. M. Wheeler, Maiden Castle Excavations, 1934-37, plate xcii. 5 Ib., 109 6 Originally it may have approximated to Wheeler’s estimated height of 10-12 ft. for the Maiden Castle Iron Age A rampart. 7D. Hartley, Made in England, 1940, 131. 8 Wheeler, Maiden Castle Excavations, 9. 9 It is appropriate to note here that an unintentional experiment was carried out in the open air on the site. A camp fire was made by some of the excavators, who used nothing more than a hole in the ground and wood as fuel. Stones of oolite on the margin of the fire turned red. 10 Proc. Hants Field Club, xi, 1930, Pl. I, 65. I. W. CORNWALL. 11C, A. Ralegh Radford, Proc. Prehist. Soc., New Series, 1954, xx, pt. 1,9. 12 The recent excavations directed by Mrs. H. E. O’Neil in Gloucester have placed the legionary fortress within the city area, and not, as formerly considered, at Kingsholm. These discoveries may raise new possi- bilities and unsuspected military concentrations. Bristol and Glos. Trans. 1963. 13 H. Braun, The English Castle, 1936, 92-93. 14 Berks Arch. Journ., \iii, 1952-53, 43. 15 Sussex Arch. Colls., \xxii, 1931, plate v, 118. 16 Compare with ditches at Bredon Hill, Worcs., (inner ditch 8 ft. deep, outer 6 ft. deep), Leckhampton, Glos., (Iron Age A ditch 5 ft. deep), The Bulwarks, Minchin- hampton, Glos., (6 ft. deep), Lydney, Glos., (8 ft. deep), Bury Hill, Glos., (5 ft. deep), King’s Weston, Glos., (6 ft. deep), Kingsdown Camp, Som. (over 5 ft. deep). FOOTNOTES TO APPENDIX I 1 The writer wishes to point out that the observations made in this introduction are his own and are in no way connected with those of the Commissioners of R.C.H.M. 2 W.A.M., Wiii, ccix, 40 and W.A.M., xlvii, 504-512. 3 Antiquity, Vol. V, No. 20, 474-486. 40.S. 6’ map DORSET XII S.E., National Grid Reference SY 817090. 5 The apparent difference in shape between the small internal earthwork as shown on the plan and on the air photograph is dueto the fact that the bank has been so completely ploughed down and the original shape has been altered beyond recognition. In addition the crop mark shown on the air photograph represents the line of the ditch and not the bank. 209 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1961 The Committee decided that for many reasons it would be most convenient if the Annual Gen- eral Meeting of the Society were to be held in the Spring, rather than the Autumn. The Meeting for 1961 was held, therefore, on Saturday, May 6th, at the Church House, Salisbury, the Chair being taken at 11 a.m. by the President, Mr. E. C. Barnes. Reports having been submitted by the Soc- iety’s Officers, a number of amendments to Rules were made, as follows: “Delete Rules II and III and substitute :— Rule If. Membership. The Society shall consist of Ordinary Mem- bers, Life Members, Honorary Members, and Junior Members. Suitable Institutions may be admitted to membership in their corporate capacity. Rule If. Members and their privileges. Candidates for admission as Members, whether Institutions or individuals, shall be proposed at any meeting of the Committee and elected or rejected by the Committee. Ordinary Members shall pay an annual subscription of £1 12 6, payable on the first day of January each year in advance. The subscription of any member who joins the Society on or after Ist October in any given year will be deemed to cover the following year, but such member will not have the right to receive without payment a copy of the Magazine for the year of join- ing. Life Members shall pay a single subscrip- tion of £25. Junior Members, who must be under the age of 21, shall pay an annual subscription of 10/-. Institutions admitted to membership in their corporate capacity shall pay the same subscription as Ordinary Members, but the Committee shall have power to increase the subscription of any such Institute to a sum commensurate with the facilities afforded to it. Ordinary Members and Life Members shall receive one copy of eachissue of the Society’s Magazine, shall have free access to the Society’s Museum and Library at all times when they are open, and shall have the right to attend all meetings and excursions organised by the Society. Junior Members shail have the same rights as Ordinary Members except that they will not receive a free copy of the Magazine. Honorary Members shall be treated as laid down in Rule V. Institutions admitted to membership shall! have free copies of the Magazine. The individual member of Institutions which have been admitted to membership in their corporate capacity shall by previous arrange- ment be allowed access to the Society’s Museum and Library at all times when they are open, but shall not individually receive free copies of the Magazine, and shall not have the right to attend meetings and ex- cursions organised by the Society. The name of a Member whose subscription is in arrears for more than two years shall, after notice given to that Member, be liable to removal from the Society’s books. The foregoing amendments make provision for implementing a proposal put forward by Mr. R. W. Willoughby, and accepted in principle by the Meeting, for the establishment of a Junior Membership of the Society. The President, Mr. E. C. Barnes, having occupied the Office for three years, retired, receiving warm thanks for the manner in which he had led the Society. To succeed him, the Committee nominated Mr. E. G. H. Kempson, whose election was carried with applause. Other nominations made by the Committee and accepted at the Meeting were: Hon. Sec- retary, Mr. A. M. Hankin, c.m.G. Hon. Trea- surer, Mr. F. W. C. Merritt. Hon. Librarian, Mr. R. E. Sandell. Hon. Editor, Mr. E. E. Sabben-Clare. Hon. Meetings Secretary, Mr. R. W. H. Willoughby. To fill vacancies in the Committee, Mr. Charles Floyd, Group Captain G. M. Knocker, and Mr. J. W. G. Musty. Luncheon was taken at the Red Lion Hotel, after which large parties visited the Cathedral School (by permission of the Headmaster, Mr. B. C. Still, B.A.) where Mr. Hugh Braun was guide; No. 17 the Close (by permission of Mrs. L. Pitcairn) where the speaker was Mrs. Dora Robertson; and the Wardrobe (by permission of the Principal of Salisbury Training College) where Mr. Hugh Shortt described the building. 210 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1962 The Annual General Meeting was held at S. Mary’s Hall, Malmesbury, on Saturday, June 2nd, at 11.30 a.m., the President, Mr. E. G. H. Kempson taking the Chair. Reports by the Society’s Officers follow this account, but do not include that made by the Hon. Secretary, Mr. A. M. Hankin, c.M.G. in which he announced that circumstances would compel him to relinquish the Secretaryship, to which there had recently been added the work of Hon. Treasurer. The Meeting generously applauded a tribute paid to the retiring Secretary by the President, who spoke of his loyal service to the Society, and in particular, his valuable reorganisation of the Society’s administration. Thanks were also expressed to Mr. F. W. C. Merritt, who had resigned the office of Hon. Treasurer during 1961. Other Honorary Officers to announce their retirement were Mr. E. E. Sabben-Clare, and Mr. R. W. H. Willoughby. Mr. Sabben-Clare said that his new duties as Headmaster of Bishop Wordsworth’s School would make it impossible for him to continue to edit the Magazine after the issue of the 1962 number. Mr. Willoughby found that personal commitments would prevent him from continuing as Hon. Meetings Sec- retary. To both of them, warmest gratitude was expressed. Mr. Kempson having beenre-elected President, the following elections were made, upon the nomination of the Committee: Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, the Rev. E. H. Steele, M.A. Hon. Librarian, Mr. R. E. Sandell, M.A., F.L.S. Hon. Meetings Secretary, Mr. J. B. Roberts. To fill vacancies on the Committee, Colonel J. H. Houghton Brown, D.S.0., T.D., and Mr. J. S. Judd T.D: An important and lively discussion ensued, following the reading of a letter from Mr. D. Grant King who expressed in pungent terms his dismay at the widespread and rapidly increasing destruction of antiquities. Mr. King put for- ward suggestions for combating destruction, and for providing a body of persons who could undertake to record monuments whose des- truction was inevitable. The Meeting was most sympathetic towards the views expressed, and asked the Committee to investigate the question urgently. After luncheon, Members repaired to the Abbey, where the history and antiquities of the ancient building were described by the Vicar, the Rev. A. Beaghen. Great interest was shown in an exhibition illustrative of the history of the Borough mounted by local historians, who also lead parties on tours of the town after tea. A Report from the Archaeology sub-Committee During 1961 the practical work undertaken on behalf of the sub-Committee was concentrated at three sites, Savernake Forest, Bilbury Rings, and Wanborough. At Savernake a seventh Romano-British pottery kiln was excavated. The intention was that this, being the last of the kilns detected in that particular part of the Forest, should mark the completion of the field ;work in connection with this study. However, a further kiln site has come to notice in the Deer Park close to Totten- ham House, near where a Roman Villa was excavated many years ago. The area is to be surveyed by Dr. Martin Aitken, of Oxford, with the proton magnetometer, and some further excavation work will be required. At Bilbury a third season of excavation occupied a fortnight in August. The work con- sisted of a very productive cutting across the ditch surrounding the inner enclosure within the Hillfort, and a further examination of the outer ditch of the main ramparts. Bilbury and its surroundings are beginning to assume a position of some importance in the study of Romano- British agricultural organisation, and the sub- Committee is fortunate in having the advice of Mr. Collin Bowen who is a leading student in this field. We also acknowledge gratefully the parallel work undertaken in the area by the Salisbury Museum Excavations Committee. The site, and the findsmadethere, have been examined by Professor Hawkes and Mr. John Brailsford whose advice has been most helpful. The Wanborough area poses a number of problems, the study of which will involve a great deal of organisation and field work. In this, the sub-Committee expects to have the support of the Ministry of Works, which originally re- quested the sub-Committee to direct its atten- tion to the site. Mr. Anthony Clark has been invited to oversee the work on our behalf, and has already made some preliminary surveys. During the off-season, work has continued on the assembling and recording of the Savernake pottery, and the study of the Bilbury finds. In February and March 1962 a further series of lectures were organised in co-operation with Bristol University Department of Extra-Mural Studies. The subject was some problems of Dark Age Britain, with special reference to our County, and the speakers were Dr. Graham Zit Webster, Mr. Ralegh Radford, and Professor Hawkes. The lectures were so well attended that the Society’s lecture hall proved too small, and other accommodation had to be found. We also provided house-room for the B.B.C. “Brains Trust” in the “Archaeologist”’ series, the mem- bers being Professors Piggott and Atkinson, and the Chairman Mr. Nicholas Thomas. By way of conclusion, it is heartening to report that a much increased number of mem- bers visited our excavation sites during the year. E. H. STEELE. W.A.S. RECORDS BRANCH REPORT FOR 1961 Volume XVI, The Crown Pleas of the Wiltshire Eyre, 1249, edited by C. A. F. Meekings, and Volume XVII, Wiltshire Apprentices and their Masters, 1710—1760, were both published in 1961. They were the volumes for 1960 and 1961 respectively. Vol. XVIII, Miss Helena Chew’s edition of Hemingby’s Register, is already in galley proof and should be issued before the end of the present year. The membership of the Branch now totals 212. A reduction in the number of personal members has been offset by the enrolment of new institutional members, but all members of the Wiltshire Archaeological Society who do not subscribe also to the Re- cords Branch are invited to consider doing so, as the rising cost of printing makes it imperative to find many new members. The subscription is £2 2s. Od. REPORT OF THE MEETINGS SECRETARY——196i On June 10th the day was spent visiting the Wiltshire section of the Kennet and Avon Canal. The party visited the Crofton Pumping Engine, the Bruce Tunnel, Ladies Bridge, Honey St. Wharf, the Canal Workshops at Devizes, the Caen Hill flight of locks, the Dundas Aqueduct and the Claverton Pumping Station. An ex- hibition of maps and pictures of the canal was arranged by Dr. Hancock, and held in North- gate House, Devizes. We are indebted to the Kennet and Avon Canal Association for arrang- ing this outing and particularly to Dr. Hancock who is a Vice President of the Kennet and Avon Canal Association. The Wylye Valley was visited on June 29th. Lord Heytesbury spoke on Heytesbury Church. Mr. R. E. Sandell then addressed us on the sub- ject of William Cunnington of Heytesbury who died on 31st December 1810 and is buried in Heytesbury churchyard. A visit was paid to Parsonage Farm, close to Heytesbury Church. In the afternoon the Rev. Dr. Richardson addressed us in Boyton Church, and then followed a visit to Boyton Manor, by kind per- mission of Mr. Dewhurst. After tea Mrs. Yeat- man-Biggs very kindly invited the party to see the garden of Long Hall, Stockton, following which we visited Stockton Church where Mr. Ponting spoke on the Wylye Valley Clothiers, some of whose memorials are in the church. On July 22nd an excursion was made into Gloucestershire. Mr. Donald Atkinson, the curator, spoke on Cirencester Museum. Mr. W. I. Croome spoke on Cirencester Parish Church. During the afternoon the party visited the Roman Villa at Chedworth where Mr. Atkinson and our curator Mr. Annable acted as guides. On August 19th excursions were made to Dodington Park, Glos., (by kind permission of Sir Christopher Codrington), and to the National Trust property of Dyrham Park. Mr. Ken- worthy-Brown of the National Trust addressed the party at both houses. Tea was taken in Dyrham Park Orangery and afterwards the party visited Dyrham Church. R. W. H. WILLOUGHBY 2A2 REPORT OF THE HON. EDITOR READ AT THE A.G.M. AT MALMESBURY on June 2nd by the Hon. Secretary I am particularly sorry not to be able to be with you this morning, because this will be my last Annual General Meeting as Editor of the Magazine. I took over this post from Mr. Hubert Wylie in 1956, when I was teaching at Marlborough; I wanted to keep it on when I came to Salisbury as a Headmaster in 1960 but I have found it increasingly difficult to do so and IJ think the time has come for someone else to take over. I shall, of course, hope to complete the number at present in proof which will be due out later this year. I believe it contains some interesting articles for all tastes and I hope you will enjoy them. During my editorship it was decided to bring out the Magazine once a year instead of twice and to issue a short Bulletin in the Spring. I believe the decision about annual publication was the only possible course in view of high printing and publishing costs and I believe the Bulletin—which we owe to an initial suggestion from Mr. Steele above all—is also proving useful. It was also decided to enlarge the size of the page of the Magazine so as to give the archaeologists a better chance with their illus- trations. At the same time it was necessary to re-design the cover and to replace the very old worn block which had done service for so many years. I think this decision, too, was right and I hope you will agree that in the next number a higher standard of illustration has been made possible by the larger page. Throughout my editorship I have been helped by very many people and I would like to express my thanks to them. I have always had the greatest help from the Presidents and from our Committee; I shall miss working with them in the future. And I, of course, owe a great debt to those who have been associated with me in the editorship—Mr. Owen Meyrick throughout, Mr. John Prest of Balliol and then Dr. Thomson of Cricklade. | am most thankful to them for the service and encouragement they have given me and for the work they have put in, writing for the Magazine and in vetting the articles of others. I have felt one of my most difficult tasks in the editing of the Magazine is to ensure as far as possible that the Magazine should be at one and same time interesting and scholarly. The main membership of the Society is a membership of amateurs, of general readers. They are, to my mind, very important people and their interests should not be overlooked in the editing of the Magazine. But our Magazine, too, is a County Magazine with a high reputation and I hope with Wiltshire’s richness in archaeological material it will continue to attract articles by eminent and professional archaeologists. 213 REPORT OF THE CURATOR FOR 1961 THE MUSEUM AND COLLECTIONS Throughout this year emphasis has been on what might be termed * back room work’. As part of this programme, attention has been given to improving storage facilities. One of the attic rooms has been redecorated and fitted with ‘ Dexion ’ shelving. This has greatly increased storage space and has enabled us to arrange all the Iron Age and Roman store material systemati- cally in a single room. We hope it will be poss- ible to fit Dexion shelving in all the attics, and thus utilise to the full the limited space we have for reserve collections. The task of completing the visual reorganis- ation of the Museum still continues, and all this year Mr. Cole, our carpenter, has been engaged. in constructing cases within the new Neolithic room. This has been a major task, and some constructional work still remains to be com- pleted in 1962. Display units have, however, been built along two sides of the room and fitted with interior lighting; storage accommodation has been provided beneath the display windows for reserve Neolithic material. A start has also been made on the interior display, and all the Beaker culture finds are now on show. A distribution map of Beaker sites and finds has been prepared, similar to the map of scheduled monuments permanently displayed in the entrance hall. This has been mounted on plywood, and will shortly be incorporated in the Neolithic room as part of the permanent display. MUSEUM DARKROOM The conversion of the small room leading off from the pottery laboratory into a darkroom is complete, and we are now fully equipped to carry out all our photographic work. That we can now do so is due to the generosity of two of our members, Messrs. N. U. Grudgings and A. H. Stokes, whose gifts are mentioned later in this report. PUBLICATIONS A great deal of the work of both Curators has this year been concentrated on the production, first of the card inventory of nine Bronze Age grave-groups for inclusion in Jnventaria Archae- ologica, and second, a guide-catalogue of the Neolithic and Bronze Age collections in the Museum. The former has now been completed, and awaits publication. Very considerable pro- gress has been achieved on the Catalogue. All VOL. LVIM CCX the drawings, and the greater part of the text are now complete, and it is hoped to have the manu- script ready for the press by the spring of 1962. Such a publication will be costly, but we have high hopes that its importance to the archae- ological world will result in adequate financial support when we go cap in hand with our appeals. LABORATOR Y—TECHNICAL In preparation for the eventual display of our Iron Age collections, a number of storage vessels from the Iron Age settlement at Swallowcliffe Down have been repaired and restored. Some ironwork from Barbury and Battlesbury Camp has also been cleaned, and laboratory treatment isnow inprogress on recently excavated material, which includes a large collection of iron work from the medieval settlement on Fyfield Down, iron and bronze from Bilbury Camp, and decorated wall-plaster from the 1961 excavations at Cunetio. A number of beakers have been re- constructed, and some plaster facsimiles have been made for inclusion in the Neolithic display. LOANS AND PUBLICITY Eleven groups of museum specimens were lent during the year for lecture and teaching purposes. Amongst the loans made were a group of Iron Age pottery from All Cannings Cross to the Department of Extra-Mural studies, Birmingham University, and two groups of fossil specimens to Urchfont Manor during a weekend course on Geology. Temporary loans of digging and cooking equipment were made to G. Connah, for excavations at Knap Hill, H. Ross, for excavations at Barnsley, near Ciren- cester; and P. Fowler, for his third season of excavations at the medieval settlement on Fyfield Down. The small bronze Minerva of Roman date, from Charlton Down, near Pewsey, was lent by the Society for an exhibition organised by the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies on ‘Art in Roman Britain’, and held in London from 26th June to 22nd July. A series of 22 coloured transparencies illus- trating objects in the Museum collections has been prepared for the Society by Pictorial Colour Slides Ltd. These are on sale in the Museum (price 2/- each) and can be purchased on appli- cation, from the Curator. A detailed list of sub- jects is also obtainable at the Museum. 214 PHOTOGRAPHY The installation of the new darkroom in the Museum has enabled us to carry out photo- graphic work at the request of Society members and specialists. Some 40 miniature slides in colour and black and white were made at the request of Mr. R. W. H. Willoughby. Amongst others who have been supplied with photographs of material in the collections are Professor J. M. C. Toynbee of Cambridge University, Miss J. Liversidge of the Cambridge Museum, Messrs. Longman and Green for their public- ation * Prehistoric Man’, Dr. N. Davey, and Miss E. Field, a student of Edinburgh Univer- sity. A number of black and white transpar- encies of material relating to the Wessex Culture have also been prepared for teaching use, but production has been slow owing to technical difficulties. It is hoped that, once the technical problems have been overcome, our teaching collection of miniature slides will increase rapidly. LECTURES The success of the winter lectures held at the Museum in 1960 encouraged the Society to organise a further group of three University Extension lectures, in collaboration with Bristol University. The lecturers were Dr. P. A. Jewell, Royal Veterinary College, London; Dr. E. T. Hsll, Director of the Oxford Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art; and Pro- fessor J. M. Cook, Bristol University. These further lectures, held in the Museum lecture hall during February and March, again proved remarkably popular. During the year the Curator and Assistant Curator gave lectures on various aspects of archaeology to Workers’ Educational Associ- ation groups at Warminster and Chiseldon. Lectures were also given at Urchfont Manor, and to groups and Societies in Wiltshire, Somer- set, and Devon. The Curator acted as a guide lecturer during a ‘Searching for the Past’ holiday organised by the Youth Hostels Associ- ation under the leadership of Mr. R. W. H. Willoughby. This holiday was centred at the Youth hostels of Marlborough and Salisbury. On November 28th a meeting of Wiltshire teachers, arranged in conjunction with the County Education Committee and the County Rural Studies Association was held in the Museum Lecture Hall. Mr. C. Owen, Curator of the Natural History department of Colchester Museum, was the guest speaker. VISITORS Specialists have again visited us this year to study our collections. We have been glad to welcome amongst them Mr. J. B. Calkin, who has been researching on late Bronze Age urns; Mr. G. C. Dunning, H.M. Inspector of Ancient Monuments, working on Anglo-Saxon and medieval material; Miss Joan Liversidge, Cam- bridge Museum, who has examined our Roman wall plaster; Miss V. I. Evison, also researching on Anglo-Saxon material; Mr. P. Liversidge, a research student on the Neolithic period; and Mr. D. Clark who has drawn all our Beaker period material. Dr. Isobel Smith has also con- tinued her researches in connection with the report on the Keiller excavations at Avebury and Windmill Hill which she is preparing. Student parties also continue to visit the Museum for the purpose of inspecting our col- lections. Some of these are regular visitors, such as the Bedfordshire Archaeological Society and extra-Mural groups from London University, and from Cambridge University, who this year descended on us in force under the leadership of Dr. Glyn Daniel. The British Summer School of Archaeology also made considerable use of the Museum and staff during their Annual School held at Cirencester. A large proportion of the School inspected the Museum, and during the week were conducted round Avebury, Stone- henge, and Cunetio by the Curators. On a num- ber of occasions the Museum has been opened on Sundays and during the evenings for the benefit of visiting groups. On June 3rd the Records Branch of the Society held their Annual General Meeting in the Museum lecture hall. Nineteen groups from schools in the county visited the Museum and were guided round by the Curators, or worked in the Museum. The total number of visiting pupils was 569. The number of visitors to the Museum ex- cluding specialist visits, and school groups is given below, with the figures for last year:— 1960 Jan.—March A ae ne 375 April—June aa a se 648 July—Sept. a BS, Se 1222 Oct.—Dec. a xs me 396 Total .. 2641 1961 Jan.—March wt ¥ a 391 April—June ie “a on 772 July—Sept. 7 ot Se 1155 Oct.—Dec. st a sue 319 Total 2637 ASSISTANCE AT EXCAVATIONS Whenever circumstances allow, the staff of the Museum are anxious to give assistance, when requested, to official Ministry of Works excava- tors digging in the county. A number of Minis- try excavations were visited during the year, and in September technical and photographic work was undertaken at the request of Mrs. P. Christie, during the course of her excavations on a Bronze Age barrow group near Amesbury. FIELDWORK A further short season’s digging under the patronage of the Society was again carried out at the Romano-British township of Cunetio, Mil- denhall. The investigations this year were con- centrated at the north-west corner of the town. An interim note appears in the Excavations and Fieldwork section of this magazine, but the Curator and Mr. A. J. Clark again make acknowledgment of generous donations towards the expenses of the dig from the Society (£25), and Mr. Norris Thompson, a Society member (£10). We are, as usual, indebted to Mrs. Hannay for unlimited hospitality and assistance, and to the Crown Commissioners for the further use of a nearby cottage as our headquarters. In July the Assistant Curator undertook a short excavation on behalf of the Ministry of Works on a supposed barrow site at Pitton, near Salisbury. Details are also reported in Excav- ations and Fieldwork. A number of scheduled barrow sites in the Beckhampton and Aldbourne areas were in- Natural History Skin of Kittiwake. (Rissa tridactyla tridactyla). Found injured at Charlton, near Salisbury. Donor uncertain. 3/61. Stuffed Goldfinch in case. (C. carduelis britan- nica) Stuffed by Mr. James Grant, Maryport Street, Devizes, Mr. C. Rice. 11/61. Prehistoric Group of bronzes comprising 3 flat axes, 2 palstaves, 2 socketed axes, I dress fastener. Found in Ireland, but exact provenances unknown. Mrs. T. Cannon. 4/61. 215 spected on behalf of the Ministry of Works by the Curators. Further barrows were also in- spected in the Roundway area near Devizes by Mr. A. H. Stokes, a Society member, who in his leisure time has undertaken to carry out a regular inspection of scheduled monuments within the county. With so many of our earthworks and barrows under a growing threat of destruction, the value of such an undertaking cannot be over- estimated. GIFTS AND VOLUNTARY HELP A warm tribute must again be paid to Mr. N. U. Grudgings for his unstinted help at the Cunetio excavations this year, and for his advice and help on photographic matters. Our library collections have again been augmented by his gifts of colour transparencies, and black and white photographs. We are indeed grateful also to Mr. A. H. Stokes for the gifts of a 35 mm. enlarger and a large printing frame, both of which are now in regular use in the darkroom. Mr. David Boyle assisted for a number of weeks in the Museum, and was of great help in arranging some of our reserve prehistoric material, and in doing pottery repair. Mr. Paul Pickering, although now working in London, still acts as our geology expert on his visits to Devizes, and we are grateful for his expertise in fossil identification on a number of occasions. It goes without saying that we ate ever in- debted to Mrs. Cole for her devoted work in the service of this Museum, and to Mr. Cole for the remarkably versatile way in which he continues to construct new cases out of old, and to make them resplendent with fluorescent lighting. ACCESSIONS The Society Committee extends its thanks to all who have made gifts or loans during the past year. These are listed below: Fragment of polished stone axe. ?Found at depth of 12ft. in Glenleary Bog, near Coleraine, Co. Derry. Mrs. T. Cannon. 5/61. Neolithic and Early Bronze pottery. From M.O.W. excavations at Down Farm Barrow group, near Pewsey. Ministry of Works. 6/61. Bronze single looped palstave. Labelled ‘found in Shepperton Road, Pewsey, 1797’, but the road has not been traced. Southend-on-Sea Museum. 13/61. Plano-convex knife of blue/grey flint. Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age. Found in the area 2A2 216 known as ‘ Cinder Barrows’, Bromham. Mrs. dishes and jugs of 13th cent. date, also a number G. King. 18/61. of iron fragments. Found in the area around The Large discoidal flint knife. Late Neolithic. Grange, Shalbourne. Mr. P. G. E. Pantin. 14/61. Found near King Barrows. Mr. G. C. Dyer. 12/61. Jug handle in green-glazed ware, 14/15th cent. Flint scraper or push plane. Neolithic. Found Found at Liddington. From collection of the late at Shalbourne. Mr.P. G. E. Pantin. 23/61. A.D. Passmore. 16/61. Roman Recent Romano-British coarse wares. Found during Silver shoulder badge with bronze attachments. M.O.W. excavations at the Down Farm barrow Inscribed Ist B. WILTSHIRE L.M. Wing Com- group, near Pewsey. Ministry of Works. 6/61. mander R. P.S. Wyrill. 2/61. Bronze ‘ dolphin’ type brooch. From area of Wooden corn measure bound with iron. Mr. East Croft Coppice, Savernake Forest. Miss Spyree. 8/61. Brenda Toogood. 15/61. Three Valentine Cards. Mr. Spyree. 9/61. Samian and Romano-British coarse pottery. Fragments of clay pipe saggers. Found during Found at Windmill Hill, Avebury. Grosvenor demolition work beneath the foundations of alms- Museum, Chester. 19/61. houses at Islington, Trowbridge. Messrs. Gaiger Complete vessels and a large series of sherds. Bros., Devizes. 10/61. Found during excavations at the Romano-British pottery kiln site in Savernake Forest. The Earl of Brass malt sampling instrument as used by In- Cardigan. 20-22/61. Jand Revenue Authorities. Mr. R. S. Child. 17/61 Act of Parliament clock. Originally belonged to Medieval Wm. Cunnington and Sons, Wine Merchants. Bronze ‘ stirrup’ ring, 14th cent. Found in the Mr. R. E. Sandell. 26/61. grounds of The Grange, Shalbourne. Mr. P. G. E. Pantin. 1/61. Equipment Handled jug, 14th cent. Found during renova- A Johnson Wray 35 mm. photographic enlarger. tions at Hillbarn House, Gt. Bedwyn. The Earl of Mr. A. H. Stokes. 24/61. Wilton. 7/61. A large Agimask printing frame. Mr. A. H. Group of sherds comprising parts of bowls, Stokes. 25/61. ZiT NOTES Two Preuistoric Axes. Through the courtesy of Brigadier S. D. Mills, of Fifield Bavant, | publish this note on a polished stone axe (fig. 1) picked up by his father in about 1900 A.D. while shooting near his house at Orcheston St. George. At the time of writing the axe is on temporary loan in the Salisbury Museum (acc. 48/61). It is 63in. long, 2}in. wide and 14in. thick, thoroughly polished all over, but since pitted by weathering, particularly on one side. The specimen has not been microscopically examined or sectioned, but geologists agree that it is made of Cornish green- stone, probably belonging to Group I. Its exact find-spot cannot now be determined, but it seems to be in the proximity of barrow 2, Orcheston St. George. Axes from this unlocated Cornish quarry are by no means unusual. In the Salis- bury Museum is one from the Thames at Batter- sea, but no less than six others from the Salisbury neighbourhood, the locations being Charford, south of Downton, Chicksgrove near Tisbury, Amesbury, Starveall near Wilsford, Deptford near Wylye (a broken polished hammerstone), and Wylye itself. The distribution map shows a concentration of axes of this material in the proximity of Stonehenge and the country to the south, in distinction to the Avebury region where Welsh and Cumbrian axes predominate. The second axe belongs to Mr. Ronald Lever of Teffont Magna, to whom also I am indebted. It is a flanged bronze axe of the Wessex culture, comparable with some of those carved on the Stonehenge uprights and datable to about 1500 B.C. It is 4.6 in. in length; the blade is 2.4 in. wide and each flange is .6 in. thick (fig. 2). This axe, which has no loop or trace of stop-ridge, nor even ornament, was found before Whitsun in 1959 on Chilmark Down, a quarter of a mile south of Henley Copse and some two hundred yards above and to the east of the 500 ft. contour. It was noticed among the spoil from a recently- dug post-hole. It is in the parish of Chilmark. Axes of this type, often decorated with chisel- cuts or hammering, are most commonly met with in Ireland, whence they seem to have come to this country. There are several similar axes to the Chilmark example in the Brackstone collection of the Blackmore Museum, all from Ireland. From England is one from Reading (Proc. Pre- hist. Soc. iv, 1938 p. 299 no. 13) while from the neighbourhood there is only one close parallel from an unlocated spot on Salisbury Plain (Catalogue of Bronze Implements p. 10). Com- parable examples come from Laverstock, (Arch. Journ. civ, 1948 p. 24, fig. 2B), an axe which resembles more than the others the Stonehenge carvings; and West Amesbury (W.A.M. xlii, 1924, 75 and 602-3, fig. 3). A very close parallel was found in the immediate vicinity of Stone- henge during pipe-laying operations, but it is richly ornamented in a geometrical pattern done with a chisel combined with hammered decor- ation along the flanged sides. (Antiquity xxviii, 1954, p.28 p.l. WIA; W.A.M. lv, 1953, 30). I am indebted to Mrs. Faith Vatcher for the drawings of these two axes. HUGH SHORTT THE AVEBURY SARSENS. It is to be regretted that P. A. Hill of the University of Tasmania did not make more searching enquiries, or check his own statements, before plunging into print in W.A.M., lviii, No. 209, p. 39. Three visits to this famous site are hardly sufficient to warrant some of his conclusions or the criticism of past in- vestigators implicit in his remarks. It is true that the late Alexander Keiller, who was chiefly responsible for the excavation and restoration of the monument, died before the final reports on his great work could be published; this omission is being remedied at the moment. But for the interruption of the War and his untimely death, there is no doubt that the complete restoration would have been accomplished, as he fully believed, in ten years. The geology of the Tertiary sarsens has been described and debated by a number of writers, notably by Douglas W. Free, who in 1948 con- tributed an important article on the subject in W.A.M. From this, as well as from observations on the ground, the futility of searching for the origin of the Avebury sarsens in ‘ outcrop areas ” would be apparent. The brown faults mentioned by P. A. Hill will be seen in the well-known residual deposits on the Marlborough Downs, and it is on the highest parts, as Free stressed, that the Jargest sarsens are to be found. No other area would provide the 30-60 ton megaliths seen at Avebury. Moreover, the pillar and triangular shapes (Types A and B) are also to be found on the Downs, and were evidently chosen deliber- ately by the prehistoric builders of Avebury. (In 1939 the writer made numerous sketches of sar- sens on the Downs to demonstrate the matter to his own satisfaction). There is no need to postulate the deliberate shaping of the stones 218 "yoryy “Ul FT “oprm “ul FZ “SUOT “Ul FZ ‘QUOJSUDSID YSIUIOD JO oxe dUOIS,poysyog “|[ “SI4 “YOI) “UL 9 soBuey ‘opm “Ul p-Z opel “BUCT “UI 9-p ‘QINY[ND XOSSeAA JO oxe BSU0IQ posuL[y "7 ‘SI into male and female symbols. The official guide by D. Emerson Chapman has been mis- read and misquoted: it was never suggested that 18th century stone breakers were responsible for making the A and B types. It is impossible to deal with all the points raised by P. A. Hill, but a few may be answered specifically :— 1. Iron wedges were used exclusively during recent centuries for breaking up the stones. It is doubtful whether they or their marks could ever be studied sufficiently to deduce the original ‘attitudes’ of the sarsens, which had been broken up, incorporated in walls, even deposited in a catchment pond, and so present a series of move- ments much too complicated to permit such forms of reasoning. 2. Not all the fallen stones were re-erected in the late 1930’s. Half of the great circle is still untouched and two-thirds of the Avenue remain unexcavated. 3. Pre-excavation ‘ attitudes’ were and are known. A complete photographic record was made by Alexander Keiller and others. Plans by Aubrey, Stukeley and Colt Hoare all re- corded positions and destructions in earlier time. 4. Wherever stone-holes had been preserved, accurate plans and sections were made, either by Professor Stuart Piggott or D. Grant King, and these were compared with elaborate care with the bases of the stones. Stone 4 of the South Setting was a particular case where this method was applied most effectively. Some stone- sockets, however, were so damaged by the pits and diggings of the destroyers that this pro- cedure was quite impracticable. 5. Stones 16 and 21, as well as many others hidden away in 14th century burial pits, could never have been subjected to modern iron wedges. Little Cheverell, D. GRANT KING Devizes. GROUND AND POLISHED STONE AXE FROM EuripGe. Serial No. 1161 (Wilts 316). This broken specimen (see fig. 1) was found by Mr. H. Morrison in June 1958 on the surface of a field at Park Farm, Euridge, in the parish of Colerne. Nat. Grid O.S. 834731. The fragment consists of the crescentic cut- ting edge, 7.3 cm. across, but has lost the major part of the butt end, which is presumed to have been of medium length. The section has a Z19 maximum thickness of 2.75 cm. and the sides are bevelled. The axe, which was believed to be of a foreign igneous rock, was submitted to the Sub-Com- mittee responsible for the Implement Petrology Survey of the South-West. It was sliced and examined by Mr. E. D. Evens and Dr. F. S. Wallis, who have given the following report on the find :-— (a) Macroscopic. Rather coarse grain, green- ish rock, weathering rough, bluish grey on cut surface. Rough surface due to re- sistance by weathering of ferromagnesian mineral. (b) Microscopic. Usual character of Group I. Group [ refers to stone axes made of epidiorite or greenstone considered to have been quarried from outcrops in the neighbourhood of Mounts Bay, West Cornwall, very possibly from an area beyond the coast and now submerged by the sea. Artefacts from this axe factory were distributed over a wide part of the South-West, and even beyond, chiefly, it is believed, by sea routes. One such route would appear to have been along the south coast and up the Hampshire Avon, and another up the Bristol Channel. The comparative rarity of greenstone axes in the Cotswold and Mendip regions may give an additional interest to this new specimen. Other allied axes close at hand have been found at Radstock, Som., Westbury, Wilts., Bath, Som., Somerford Keynes, Glos. A stone axe belonging to the related Group Ia was found at Bury Wood Camp, with- in a mile of the Euridge find spot. (Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, New Series, Vol. xvii, pt. 2, 101.) It is thought that these greenstone implements were manufactured in the late Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages. The Euridge specimen was found within 200 yards of a barrow probably of Bronze Age date. Little Cheverell, Devizes D. GRANT KING Two BRONZE BROOCHES FROM NortH WILT- SHIRE. The brooch of heavy bronze shown on Fig. 1 was found by Mr. O. Pearce while making a flower border in March 1940, at a newly built council house at Winterbourne Monkton, of which he was the first occupant—SU/098726. Mr. Pearce stated that the find occurred at a depth of no more than six inches below the original turf surface. The building site was 220 cee ay we ee oe ewe easy) sere ae =e ~~ a ed Sa nm - oo — ee eee sa = ~—. ~ea _— ita ee = - oe ne oe _ - Fig. 1. Part of stone axe found at Euridge formerly part of a meadow known as Brook Furlong, and the find was recorded on March 7th of that year. The brooch is in good condition and complete except for the pin, which is missing. It is a very interesting example of the broad ‘ fan-tail’ form, and appears to bear a closer resemblance to the famous Aesica brooch than either of those described and illustrated by Collingwood in his article on Romano-Celtic Art in Northumbria in & Vian 221 widely splayed part of the footplate bears a simple ornament of Late Celtic scroll design in bold relief, the slightly raised edges borderingit on three sides being ornamented with a series of short irregular incisions. An engraved chevron also appears on the catchplate. It is curious that these two Wiltshire examples of a rare type of brooch should be found in low- lying villages along the course of the Winter- bourne, no more than two miles apart, but the Drawings actual size. Fig. !.— Brooch from Winterbourne Monkton. Archaeologia LXXX, 37-58. Of the nearest examples quoted, one is from Hook Norton, while the other was found at Winterbourne Bassett in 1866 and is now in the Devizes Mus- eum. It differs from the latter brooch, however, both in the way it is made and in the manner of its decoration. For instance the curved-over upper bow has been cast in one piece with the rest, and not rivetted to the broad footplate underneath. Further a solid loop at the back, through which the spring passes, continues in the form of a raised rib over the centre of the short upper bow, the rib being slightly flattened into the shape of a narrow leaf with a single incised vein running down the middle of it. On either side of this leaf is a small incised circle, while the end of the upper bow terminates at a flat knob at each side where it curves over to join the lower part of the brooch. These knobs are definitely ornamental and not rivet heads. The VOL, LVIII CCX Fig. 2.— Brooch from Okus Quarry, Swindon. possibility that their true source of origin was on the high Ridgeway bounding the flat vale on the east should not be overlooked. R-B. Sites 171 and 172 of Mrs. Cunnington’s list lie above these villages; it is well known that both sites have yielded vast numbers of coins and various objects in times past, which found their way into the hands of collectors from men who had chanced upon them in the course of their work on the downs, apart from those recorded in W.A.M., xlv, 166-216. Site 171 is situated on a spur of the Ridgeway, opposite Winterbourne Monkton. By 1930 the middle part of it had become quarried away to obtain chalk for various purposes. Between the two world wars several instances came to my knowledge of men taking home coins and objects which they had found there, only to lose them later. One in particular was of a fine brooch and some bronze rings which the finder had promised 1B 222 to bring me. When he went to look for them on the mantelpiece where he had kept them, how- ever, they had disappeared. In explanation, he said—‘ the volk indoors had chucked em away, zaying twas nuthin but a lot a woould rubbish, and I coud’n vind em again’ ! Fig. 2. This brooch was found in 1937 during quarrying operations at Okus Quarry, Swindon, by Mr. J. Prismore, who was employed by Messrs. E. H. Bradley & Sons as foreman of this quarry, situated at SU/145835. It was acquired through a colleague of his, Mr. George Bates, who happened at the time to be attached to the Ministry of Works, Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, to assist Mr. Keiller as foreman in charge of the erection of the stones at Avebury. Mr. Prismore stated that the brooch was found ‘ along with some bones ’ not very far below the surface, when removing the top soil in prepar- ation for getting at the material below. The brooch, of the ‘trumpet’ form, is of bronze, enamelled in blue and yellow. It is in perfect condition, complete with the pin, which is sharp and moveable, and with a loop at the back for chain attachment. It was shown to Prof. R. G. Collingwood when he visited the Avebury Excavations on 3rd August, 1937. Collingwood pointed out that this type of brooch, made in the north of England early in the second century A.D., is rarely found in the southern counties, but examples had been found in Germany, apparently imported from the same source. Both brooches have now been placed in the Avebury Museum. W. E. V. YOUNG ROMANO-BRITISH BURIALS AT Devizes. In May, 1960, a number of Romano-British burials were discovered during building operations on the site of the new Junior School in Nursteed Road, Devizes. The first of these was a stone coffin of normal late round-headed type, hewn from a single block of Bath stone. Its internal measurements were as follows:—max. length 6ft. 4in., max. width (at the head) 1 ft. 9 in., max. width (at the foot) 1 ft. 4 in., depth of walls 114 in. The thickness of the walls varied between 5 and 54 in. The lid had unfortunately been broken and dis- persed, and could not be closely examined. The coffin contained a single extended in- humation, orientated north-south, with skull to the north. The skeleton was that of a female estimated to have been 5ft. 5 in. tall and about 30 years old. A single bulbous-bodied flask of green glass, with base ring, was found inside the coffin at the feet of the skeleton. At a distance of 5 ft. west of the above, a lead sarcophagus was discovered, approximately 3 ft. below ground level. The coffin was of normal tapering type, but its narrow end was badly damaged and had broken away from the sides; the lid also had been considerably distorted and forced into the coffin interior by the weight of soil on top. It was 6 ft. long, 114 in. deep. with maximum and minimum widths of 1 ft. 10 in. and 1 ft. 3 in. The technique of manufacture was remarkably similar to that employed on a lead sarcophagus recently found at Storridge Farm, Westbury (W.A.M., lvii, 402). The body of the coffin had been cast in two sheets, corresponding, as in the Westbury example, to an upper and lower half, each rectangular in shape, but with squares cut out from two corners. At the head of the coffin the sides and end had then been hammered up and retained by soldering to short flat-topped rods oflead, each 4+in. long, fittedinside the upper portion of each angle. The technique employed at the foot of the coffin could not be ascertained as here it had suffered heavy damage and corrosion. There was no indication of securing rods, and it may be that simple lead flanges had been cast with the original sheet and used to retain the sides and end in an upright position, as carried out at Westbury. The two halves of the coffin had been joined together by soldering narrow strips of lead, approximately 1 in. wide, internally and externally over the join up both sides, but not across the base. The lid was of biscuit-tin type cast in a single sheet, the edges being beaten down to overlap the sides of the coffin. The coffin contained a single extended male inhumation with skull to the north, of estimated age at death of 50-70 years. There were no associated grave goods. Two further uncoffined inhumations were noted immediately to the east of the stone coffin, but these unfortunately could not be excavated at the time. Information has been recorded on the 6 in. Ordnance maps, together with a detailed photo- graphic record, now deposited in the Society’s library. The skeletal remains and glass flask have also been deposited in the Museum through the kindness of Messrs. F. Rendell and Sons Ltd. (Accession Nos. 18-19/60). Thanks are due to Mr. R. E. Sandell for his assistance in excavating the coffins, and to Mr. R. Parkinson who has kindly examined and re- ported on the skeletal material. F. K. ANNABLE ROMANO-BRITISH BURIAL, COLERNE (O.S. Nat. Grid.ST 813735). In June, 1961 a shallow grave at Northwood Farm, in the parish of Colerne, was disclosed during ploughing operations. The site is situated in the field between Northwood Barn and the Radar pylon, some 200 feet from the south-west gate and about 40 feet west of the farm trackway, on level ground approximately 500 ft. O.D. 223 higher at the head than at the foot. The stones are roughly hewn and most of them have tool marks, usually more highly finished on the inner surfaces. The principal cover stone, measuring Aft. 54 in. x 1 ft. 104 in. (11 in. at foot) with two right angles, is of superior workmanship to the rest. Neat, closely-spaced chisel marks, most of them arranged obliquely, are seen as a band 3in. to 5in. wide along the outer margin on the underside. This might have been made for some other purpose, perhaps a child’s grave, and seems to have been adapted for the lower end of the coffin lid. The top was covered precariously by 3 unshapely stones; and these, having been struck by the ploughshare (as the larger stone NORTHWOOD FARM R.B. GRAVE SR ee ESE NOV The grave (see Fig. 1) consists of a crude stone coffin built of 12 separate oolitic limestone slabs: the floor is of 3 stones, sides of 2 long stones and 3 smaller ones wedged asymmetrically at the head and foot, and 4 stones comprise the cover. The inner dimensions of the coffin are 5ft. 2 in. x Ift. 3 in. (84 in. at foot) x 1ft. 15 in. depth. The floor is not quite horizontal, being about 1+ in. = AQ Q’DH FOUR COVER STONES SURFACE SECTION 6 FEET Fig. 1. was also) must have crashed on to the human skull below, breaking it into many fragments. The cover stone was only 5 in. or 6 in., and the floor only 2 ft., below the field surface. The orientation of the grave was N.W.—S.E. (with the head to the N.W.); the compass bearing was 290°. Unhappily, the major part of the coffin with 2B2 224 its mortal remains was completely uprooted at the time of discovery; and it was only the excel- lent preservation of the impressions in the adjacent ground which ensured a reliable re- construction of the grave. I am indebted to Mr. T. E. Cobbald, a local farmer, for his active and astute assistance in effecting this reconstruction. The space allotted to the skeleton seems extra- ordinarily narrow and short, and it is a matter of conjecture whether the burial was abnormal, especially in view of the apparent loss of some of the ribs and other bones of the thorax. ‘ The arms were cut off and put down by the legs’ was the ploughman’s description. I am grateful to Dr. R. J. G. Savage, of the Department of Geology, Bristol University, for the following comments :— ON HUMAN SKELETON FROM R. B. GRAVE, NORTHWOOD FARM Sex female. Age 30-40 years. Height 5ft. 7in. Cephalic Index 80.7. Comment. There are no abnormalities of the bone or teeth, though the iatter are well worn and show typical caries decay. The Cephalic Index places the skull on the boundary between Mesocephalic and Brachycep- halic. The estimate of height is made from a stand- ard formula, and may be anywhere up to an inch out in either direction. Members of the Bury Wood Excavation Club were called in to assist in the enquiry. One splin- ter of glass, probably intrusive, was found in the grave; but no coins, rings, or other artefacts. In the same field, even within a few feet of the burial, a fair quantity of Romano-British coarse ware sherds, imitation Samian, Pennant stone, nails and other iron objects were picked up. Even more important, over a number of years our fellow member, Mr. H. Morrison of Euridge, has found 78 Roman coins in this same ‘ coffin field ’. These, which have not been reported before, include coins of Nero (1), Hadrian (1), Gallienus (1), Postumus (1), Aurelianus (base silver 1), Tetricus (3), Constantine (3), Constantius II (4), Constantinopolis (5), Constans (6), Valens (3), Valentinian [ (4), Valentinian II(1), Gratian (1). The remainder are of uncertain attribution, but probably mostly of Constantinian date. The evidence for the period of the burial is therefore indirect and circumstantial, but I sig- gest the 3rd or 4th century A.D. for the follow- ing reasons: 1. The overwhelming number of coins of the later Empire found in the vicinity. 2. The fact that inhumation became the normal burial rite in the 3rd century. 3. The segmented stone coffin compares to some extent with one or two stone slab graves reported at North Wraxall and other villas of supposedly late date. 4. The tooling technique, especially on the lid, compares closely with that of several Roman stone coffins found on the outskirts of Aquae Sulis and now exhibited in the Roman Baths Museum; most of which have been dated to the 3rd-5th century. 5. The shallowness of the grave corresponds with that of the stone coffin found under the R.A.F. runway, Colerne, another at Oatland Down found in 1956, the two stone fragments found at Cold Ashton, in May, 1960, and many other examples of the Roman period. 6. The orientation is also common for the age. We suggest that the Northwood Farm grave represents a poor burial, perhaps the first of a series of burials of a small, unknown cemetery, associated with Colerne Villa. D. GRANT KING QUIDHAMPTON MANor. The exact site of the ancient Manor of Quidhampton in North Wilt- shire has been, and still is, something of a mys- tery which has puzzled more than one antiquar- ian. The property is mentioned in Domesday and from 1268 onward its ownership can be traced with considerable accuracy in documents in the possession of the Society which were printed and, in part, illustrated in the Magazine in 1910 (W.A.M., xxxvi, p.90). But as to where the original Manor stood there appears to be no exact knowledge. In 1952 a paper was published in the Magazine (W.A.M., liv, p.411) which discussed and largely accepted the then current belief that two old cottages which then stood below Quidhampton Wood constituted the site of the old Manor. The theory was that a landslide (the cottages lay directly under the steep Lower Chalk Escarpment) had in about 1825 destroyed the rear portion of a large house that then, so it was suggested, stood there and that the remainder of that house had been converted into two cottages. This house— so it was then thought—was the original Manor of Quidhampton. The writer of the paper in question admitted that for various reasons this explanation was not entirely satisfactory since, for example, the medieval deeds indicated that the original Manor was much more important than the house which, it was suggested, had survived until the nineteenth century. The author therefore con- cluded by saying that the evidence as to the site of Quidhampton Manor consisted of ‘ tantaliz- ing ends and broken threads’ and that the research that had started in 1899, though incon- clusive, ‘ might arouse the curiosity of a later generation’. I feel emboldened to suggest another solution to the mystery. A Quidhampton deed of 1268 written in Latin (illustrated in W.A.M., xxxvi, p. 90) deter- mines that ‘at the end of the twelfth year at Hockeday the said Richard shall receive his hall and ox-house with that part of the court viz. towards the west: and all the other part of the court with the garden dove house and the rest of the appurtenances shall remain in possession of the abbot and convent.’ I remember very clearly being shown by the late Canon Goddard a document, in addition to this which I should greatly like to trace. It was a very beautiful little manuscript, about twelve inches square, of early Plantagenet date, written in English: it described the Manor of Quidhampton as a Manor House with a large walled garden, farm house and buildings and a pigeon house. It spoke also of a third house and of hunting and fishing rights. These and other documents all seem to refer to a much larger establishment than one can visualize situated directly under the hill of Quid- hampton Wood. My surmise is that the medieval Quidhampton Manor stood, in fact, upon the site of Basset Down House and that the name of the former was at some period changed to that of the Jatter. Basset Down House, which my sister Mary Arnold Forster described in her book Basset Down—an old country house, was demolished in 1958 and the old timbered house or cottage which was called Quidhampton was much damaged by landslips and was finally pulled down. My reasons for my surmise are two-fold. The description of the amenities of Quidhampton to which I have referred tally closely to those of Basset Down. Basset Down, though built in the late seven- teenth century, had a medieval wing, that would appear to have been the remains of a further court towards the west, the site of an ancient pigeon-house, a walled garden and fish ponds. The existence at Basset Down of a considerable acreage of land, of an old farm house, and of the old timbered house under Quidhampton Wood which could be the (* third house’ men- tioned in the old manuscript) . .. . all these 225 would seem to correspond with what has been recorded of Quidhampton Manor. And of such amenities there would appear to be little or no trace nearby the hitherto accepted site of that house. In fact there is no space for such amen- ites to the west of that site as the hill comes steeply down. My second reason for my surmise is the following. There can be no doubt that there existed on the site of Basset Down a substantial medieval house with the amenities of a Manor. Nevertheless there is, to the best of my know- ledge, no reference in any document to Basset Down. by that name prior to the seventeenth century whereas there are, as the volumes of W.A.M. and the County Archives show, many documents referring to its neighbouring houses and manors, whether great or small, including the unlocated Manor of Quidhampton. May not the explanation lie in the change of name that I have suggested ? M. Story MASKELYNE WILTSHIRE FAMILIES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN. Can any member throw any light on the origin of the following ? John Yonge Akerman This distinguished secretary of the Society of Antiquaries died at Abingdon in 1873. W.A.M., xiv, 235 gives a notice, as does the D.N.B. The name is fairly common in the north of the county. The Num. Chron. xiv, n.s., pp. 13-19 has a notice which begins ‘ Mr. (J. Y. A., F.S.A.) was born in Lon- don June 12, 1806, his father having been for some years engaged in mercantile pursuits in that city, to which he had removed from Wiltshire, where his family had previously resided for some centuries.’ On the title of Akerman’s Wiltshire Tales London, 1853, this account of his birth seems to be contradicted, for he quotes (from Roche- foucault) ‘ L’accent du pays ou l’on est né, demeure dans l’esprit et dans Je coeur comme dans le langage’. Of course it is possible that his own birthplace was not at that time to mind. It is probable that were his father’s name known, he could be placed in an established yeoman family. Neeld of Grittleton Whence came this family which made such a large splash for such a short time? Joseph, who bought Grittleton, and his brother John, the first baronet, were sons of an obscure London solicitor, Joseph, whose wife was the favourite niece of Philip Rundell, the 226 miser and silversmith, who left about £1,000,000. Joseph was born about 1754. Where was he born and who was his father? The first Joseph’s name occurs also as Neale. Jenner of Widhill, Marston Meysey, Eisey, etc. A good deal is known of John of Crudwell (d. 1647), and his brother Robert (d. 1651), M.P. for Cricklade who served on the Goldsmith’s Hall Committee for Compounding, and was secluded at Pride’s Purge. Who was their father ? The last of this family died in 1850. T. R. THOMSON Fic. 1: 1. Bronze brooch, found in the area of East Croft Coppice at the side of a newly laid track in Savernake Forest. (Nat. Grid. Ref. (approx.) 225684). Kindly given to the Society by Miss Brenda Toogood. Museum Acc. No. 15/61. Length 3.15 ins. (8 c.m.). This is a spring pin brooch of ‘dolphin’ type with side wings to protect the spring. The spring is not extant. The external cord remains; it passes through a lug cast in one with the bow- head. The side wings were each originally decorated with three parallel rows of beading, but corrosion has removed all but a slight trace. The bow is ornamented with a beaded keel between two raised cordons, running from the bowhead to the tip of the catchplate. A similar cruder beading occurs at the junction of the bow with the side-wings. The catchplate has three circular perforations, a degeneration of the ornamental piercings of the catchplate of late La Téne type brooches. The type is one of a large family of brooches which were common in southern Britain through- out the first century, and first half of the second century A.D. F. K. ANNABLE Fic. .1:<2. Discoidal flint knife found near Old King Barrows, Amesbury (Nat. Grid. Ref. 129425) and kindly donated to the Society by Mr. C. C. Dyer. Museum Cat. No. D.M. 1635. Length 4ins. (10.15cm.); breadth 3.1 in. (7.9 cm.); max. thickness 0.9 in. (2.3 cm.). The knife has been manufactured from a large flake and working is largely concentrated on the upper face. The underside has five large flakes removed from its edge followed by secondary trimming, otherwise the face is unre- touched. The upper face has been carefully worked all over, large flakes being detached from the whole surface except at one point where a portion of the original cortex survives, secondary working being confined to the edges. One edge has been deliberately blunted although there is no trace of the polishing characteristic of these implements suggesting the present specimen. is unfinished. The knife comes from the southern edge of a flint working area on King Barrow ridge which has produced many artefacts of Late Neolithic type including a discoidal polished flint knife (Mus. Cat. No. D.M. 1453; W.A.M., xlviii, 1938, 150-160, Map p. 152). The form of the new find, with blunted edge almost straight and crescentic cutting edge approximates to Clarke’s Class II discoidal knives (P.P.S.E.A., VI, 1929, 41-54). He lists ten finds from Wiltshire, to which can be added the present example and the earlier find from King Barrow Ridge. The Wiltshire examples appear to represent an out- lying group of the Thames Valley concentration, although the majority of knives of this type are found in East Anglia. The discoidal knife appears as an integral part of the Secondary Neolithic flint industries (Piggott: Neolithic Cultures of the British Isles, 1954, 285) and may also be considered, in view of the similar distribution and the association of knives with a Long Necked Beaker and a flint dagger, to be a component of the Long Necked Beaker complex (B.M. Stone Age Guide, 2nd Ed., 124). Fic. 1: 3. Plano-convex flint knife from area known as Cinder Barrows, Bromham (Nat. Grid. Ref. 96236523) kindly donated to the Society by Mrs. G. King. Museum Access. No. 18/61. Length 2.2 in. (5.5 cm.); max. thickness 0.25in (0.7 cm.). The knife, of grey flint, is neatly worked over the upper surface with finer flaking at the edges. One end appears to have been deliberately blunted, possibly for hafting. The concave undersurface is unworked. The knife is smaller than the general run of plano-convex knives although equally diminu- tive examples occur in Yorkshire (Mortimer, 40 Years Researches . . ., 1905, PI.XVI, 140; XIX, 164; XX, 171 etc.) and in other respects the tool conforms to the type first described by Clark (Ant. J., XII, 1932, 158-162). Examples of this class of knife are rare in the county (one may cite a fine specimen from Market Lavington with a collared urn: W.A.M., Ze. FIG. 1 1.—Bronze ‘Dolphin’ brooch, Savernake. 2.—Discoidal flint knife, near Old King Barrows 3.—Plano convex flint knife, Bromham. 4.—Bronze palstave, Pewsey. (No.1. nat. size; rest 4) 228 xliii, 1925, 140; and a less characteristic knife from Windmill Hill: Avebury Museum) the type being more at home in north-east England where it is generally found in association with Yorkshire Food Vessels or more rarely cinerary urns. Clark could find no satisfactory ante- cedents for the form among Neolithic flint artefacts and concluded that the plano-convex knife was an invention of the Early Bronze Age cultures, and more especially of the Yorkshire Food Vessel culture. In Wiltshire a similar horizon is suggested by the Market Lavington association. Fic. 1: 4. Bronze looped palstave bearing label ‘Shepper- ton Road, Pewsey, 1797’. This palstave was generously donated to the Society by Mr. L. Helliwell, F.L.A., borough librarian, Southend- on-Sea. Museum Cat. No. D.M. 1789. Length 6 in. (15.3 cm.); max. breadth of blade 2.4 in. (6.1 cm.); max. thickness 1.2 in. (3 cm.). The palstave, of the single looped variety, has a splayed blade with prominent mid-rib running from the stop to ? in. above the tip of the blade, bordered by two elongated, sunken panels. The casting seams produced by the two piece mould are clearly visible on each side. The object is in fine condition and has a light green patina. Doubt rests on the true location of the find as Shepperton road cannot be found among the street names of Pewsey. Also on the label are the initials H.S.O. which may refer to Col. H. S. Olivier, the Society’s first Hon. Treasurer. The height of the flanges on the one hand and their relatively smooth profile when the imple- ment is viewed from the side suggest that the palstave may represent a hybrid between Miss Margaret Smith’s South Western Group of palstaves which is concentrated in Somerset, Devon and Dorset and her Low-Flanged Group whose distribution is largely south-eastern— Wiltshire being the area of overlap between the two types and therefore a region where hybrid products might be expected (P.P.S., XXV, 1959, 168). D. D. A. SIMPSON ENGLISH PLACE NAME SOCIETY, VOLUME XVI, (WILTSHIRE) These notes follow those from W.A.M. xli 335, xlix 130 and 364, li 611, lii 116, lv 70, lvi 195, Ivii 72 and 241, and lIvili 48. It is not known whether these and similar notes in many other county publications are recorded at University College, London, the headquarters of the E.P.N.S. 54. Whiteshard Bottom, p. 302; This is the meeting place of the ancient bounds of Aldbourne, Ramsbury, Mildenhall, and Ogbourne St. George. It is the site of the crossing of the Aldbourne-Mildenhall road by the herepath which is proceeding from near Liddington Castle to the Ken- nett crossing at Axford. Just to the west of this place is an earthwork, over 2,000 yards long, which seems to be a southern continuation of Bican Dic. For A-S sceard notch or gap, see E.P.N.S. xvi 445 and xxvil01. Compare Shepherds Shore. 55. Bican Dic on the Liddington-Badbury boundary, (Wilts Tracts 160-). Crawford, having turned up Bosworth and Toller, gave to a short length of a long series of ditches the label ‘Bitches Dyke,’ which of course has no relevant meaning. The words occur more than once in the charters, and where identified and ex- amined, as on the Liddington-Badbury boundry, are found to refer to a bank and ditch, or series of such, marking a bound which could have no natural feature to serve as such. For defensive purpose, in either direction, they are useless. I sug- gest the word may be ‘connected’ with bicgan, to buy, or bicnian, to indicate. I suggest the phrase means, simply, ‘bound- ary ditch.’ The scrappy series of ditches running south from Liddington Castle down to Smatcham Copse forms a good example. 56. Ramsbury and Mildenhall, p. 301; Sound Bottom and Sound Copse. It is doubtful whether the early references given refer to this locality. North of these is Saund- ridge Yeatt (Sandridge Gate) the ‘open- ing’ where the 1oad crosses the parish boundary from Stock Close, Aldbourne, to Burney Farm, Ramsbury. This from the Parliamentary Survey of 1591. I think the two must be taken together, but a derivation from ME sound (security) seems less likely than one from sand, of which there is a fair overlay in places. 57. Amesbury and Durrington, Fargo Road and Fargo Plantation; for these see W.A.M. xxxvi, 143. 58. | Wanborough, Liddington, and Aldbourne The Scocera Weg mentioned in B.CS. 479 is rightly placed on the O.S. maps. In this locality it has formed a boundary for a very long time. Starting probably as the /imes between Atrebates and Dobuni, it became the Hundred boundary, the Parish boundary, and for a time, Union and Parliamentary boundary. It has been known as the Folks (Folces) Dyke and the Thieves Way. But scucca, scocca, means a devil, so that it is reasonable to emend scocera, a form not otherwise recorded, to scoccena (gen. plur.) giving ‘The Devils’ Way.’ Mr. R. W. Burchfield agrees with me that this emendation is reasonable. It is interesting to note that the four ways crossing this neighbourhood roughly from east to west are approximately par- allel. They are, from north to south, the county boundary, continued through Little Hinton as ‘The Rogues Way,’ the Icknield Way, the Ridgeway, and the above ‘The Thieves Way.’ Shady char- acters kept off the main roads, and enjoyed the immunities of a No Man’s Land. See W.A.M. lvii, map f.p. 210. 59. Aldbourne; Chestercombe (omitted), and Hellscombe Cottages (6"). Local enquiry has placed Chestercombe in two places, one a smallish coomb behind (west) of North Farm, and the other the deep coomb in front of North Farm. In the latter are Hellscombe Cottages. There are many evidences of Roman occupa- tion, and there is little doubt that at this place where Ermine Street crossed the tribal boundary (see the above note) there was a largish settlement and probably an early posting station. See Jones, J.B. A New View on Ermine Street, 1950 and W.A.M. lvii, 78, note 18. 60. Berwick Bassett Gorse (6”) omitted. This VOL. LVIM CCX 229 does not sound as if it were of great interest, but it is almost certainly the PUDDOKESBURGH of B.C.S. 886. The meaning would be “Frogs Casitle.”’ It lies at the junction of three parishes and was the site of springs. Berwick Bassett Common owes its existence to the fact that it was a marsh. At some distant period a deep channel of U section had been cut along its southern limit to help the drainage. Cross cuts are numerous. The U section can still be made out, and the depth is now, in places, over six feet. The springs are nearly dry. The Gorse was cleared some six years ago. It is now under the plough. Being at the extremity of three parishes it was long kept as covert, and was known within living memory as ‘The Fox Covert.’ T.R.T. SEVENHAMPTON The E.P.N.S. Wilts volume seems to be un- certain whether the SEVAMENTONE of D.B. (324) is in Highworth or in Leigh Delamere (pp. 27 and 107). Now that I have shown that the Confessor’s grant to A&lfstan—destined to Abingdon Abbey—(K.C. D. 767 and Rolls Series, Abingdon 1, 54), refers to Sevington in Leigh Delamere, it has become certain that this is the property referred to in D.B. at the above refer- ence. The evidence has been deposited, with a map showing the bounds, in the Library. Abingdon Cartulary has no mention of the place after the ‘grant’ of 1043, and from D.B. we know that it was held by ‘Alestan of Bos- cumbe’ T.R.E. Round suggested many years ago (Wilts N. & Q. IV, 506) that the gift to the Abbey had been ignored or overridden. In 1086 it was one of William de Ow’s many Wiltshire holdings. For discussions on the possible meaning of the word Seofonhaemtune and its later variants, see E.P.N.S. at above references, Ekwall D.E.P.-N. 393, and Smith £.P.N.S., xxv, 216. T. R. THOMSON 230 OBITUARIES REGINALD HERBERT, M.V.O., 15TH EARL OF PEM- BROKE (1551) AND 12th EARL OF MONTGOMERY (1605) was born in 1880 and succeeded his father in1913. As amajor in the Bluesheserved in France as a very successful liason officer at French H.Q. He was mayor of Wilton 1932—1934, and a mem- ber of this Society until his death in 1960. On several occasions he made available for inspec- tion by members the treasures of Wilton. Obit.: The Times, Jan. 14th, 1960 DR. CECIL WILLETT CUNNINGTON died on 21st Jan., 1961, aged 82. Educated at Clifton and Cambridge, he entered the medical profession. He had a practice at Highbury till 1909 and later, except for service in the R.A.M.C. in the first World War, at Finchley till 1945. A member of the Cunnington family of Wiltshire, he inherited their antiquarian flair, specialising in the history of women’s costume, of which he formed a very large collection, and wrote a number of books on the subject in collaboration with his wife, Dr. Phyllis Webb, whom he married in 1918. His concern was not for fashion but for what was the general wear of women through the centuries. In 1946 the collection was bought by Manchester Corporation to form the basis of their gallery of English Costume at Platt Hall. Obit.: British Medical Journal, Feb. 11th, 1961. COLONEL WILLIAM JACKSON POWELL, C.LE., died Feb. 8th, 1961, aged 79. Son of Ven. D. H. Powell, Archdeacon of Cork, educated at Dover and Trinity Coll., Dublin, he entered the Indian Medical Service in 1905, serving in the 1914-18 War in Mesopotamia, Persia and Russia. Inspector General of Prisons in Central Pro- vinces, 1923-35, of Civil Hospitals and Director of Public Health 1935-38. A doctor with R.A.F. Yatesbury 1939-41 before taking up practice at Great Bedwyn 1941-48. Here he was for many years chairman of the Parish Council and from 1952 a member of the County Council. He leaves a widow and four daughters. Obit.: Marlborough Times, Feb. 17th; British Medical Journal, March 4th, 1961. A. E. TITLEY, M.C., died in March, 1961. Edu- cated at Emanuel School, he joined the Devon- shire Regt. in 1916, being awarded the M.C. and mentioned in dispatches. After the war he graduated at St. John’s College, Cambridge; from there he joined the staff of Marlborough College, later becoming head of the modern languages department. In this capacity he brought a new conception to the teaching of French and Ger- man, combining an appreciation of art and music with that of literature. Every Easter he took a party of boys on a course in Paris. In the last war he rejoined his old regiment as Lieuten- ant-Colonel in charge of a training team. Some years later he accepted an invitation to join the Ministry of Education as a Staff Inspector deal- ing with modern language teaching. Here his qualities of sympathy and shrewd judgment, combined with many years of practical work, soon won the respect of the teachers with whom he came into contact. He leaves a widow and a son and daughter. Obit.: Times, March 18th, 1961. DR. FREDERICK THRELFALL WAINWRIGHT, F.S.A., died suddenly at the age of 42 on June 12th, 1961. The son of a Lancashire insurance agent, he studied history and philology at Reading Univer- sity under Sir Frank Stenton. After teaching at Liverpool University, he became head of the Department of History at University College, Dundee before taking over the Department of Dark Age Studies at St. Andrews. In recent years he took an active part in field archaeology, and from 1952 directed a series of Summer Schools with his wife in different parts of Britain, each was followed by a publication under his editorship. His important account of five seasons’ digging on the the walls of Cricklade was to have been published this year; he had already contri- buted interim reports to W.A.M. His wife sur- vives him with a son and daughter. Obits. : Times, June 15th, 1961. Scotsman, June 15th, 1961. SIR GEORGE WILLIAM JAMES CHANDOS BRUDENELL-BRUCE, D.S.O., T.D., 6TH MARQUESS OF AILESBURY died in Jersey on Aug. 5th, 1961, aged 88. He served in the Boer War from 1899, being awarded the D.S.O., and going through the siege of Ladysmith. He also served in the 1914-18 war, being mentioned in dispatches, and with the Home Guard in the last war. Suc- ceeding to the title in 1911, he took a great inter- est in his estates, which then covered 40 square miles: they extended from Bedwyn and Colling- bourne to property in Marlborough, and included the manorial rights of the fairs. He soon earned a reputation as a considerate landlord. In 1929 avery large part of the estate was put up for sale; many of the tenants were able to buy on reasonable terms. Just before the last war Savernake Forest was leased tothe Forestry Commission and, since the war, the remaining farm lands on the borders of the forest were sold to the Crown Commiss- ioners. After the war he retired to Jersey, hand- ing over the care of the Savernake Estate to his son, the Earl of Cardigan, whilst the family seat, Tottenham House, was let as a private school. During his residence there he had been for many years on the County Council. He was married three times, and leaves a son and two daughters by his first marriage. Obits.: Times, Aug. 7th; Marlborough Times, Aug. Lith, 1961. SIR CYRIL THOMAS FLOWER, C.B., F.S.A., died on Aug. 9th, 1961, aged 82. Son of Thomas Flower, M.R.C.S., of Warminster, educated at St. Edward’s School, Oxford, and Worcester College., Oxford, he joined the Public Record Office in 1903 and was called to the Bar in 1906. Gazetted to the R.G.A., he was severely wounded. in 1916 and posted to the War Office till 1919. Returning to the Public Records Office, he was appointed in the same year Jegal member of the committee for the systematic preservation of rec- ords and in 1938 made Deputy Keeper of Records; made C.B.in 1939 and knighted in 1946, he retired the following year. From 1938-60 he was a member of the Historical Manuscripts Com- mission; from 1939-43 he was vice-president of the Society of Antiquaries; he also served on the council of the Royal Historical Society. He was a successful administrator and his careful scholarship was shown in the 13 volumes of Curia Regis Rolls (1922-59) edited and largely transcribed by him, and in other publications. He took pride in his native county and had been formany years a member ofthe W.A.N.H.S. He leaves a widow and one daughter. Obit.: Times, Aug. 11th, 1961. SIR HENRY HOWARTH BASHFORD, F.R.C.P., of the White House, Easton Royal, died on Aug. 15th, 1961, aged 81. Educated at Bedford Modern School, he qualified at the London Hospital in 1904. After resident appointments at the hos- pital, he joined the medical staff of the G.P.O., devoting most of his life to the special indust- tial problems presented and becoming chief medical officer in 1933. He left in 1943 to become first medical officer to the Treasury, retiring in 1945. He was knighted in 1938 and 231 appointed a member of the Industrial Health Research Board, from 1941-44 he was honorary physician to King George VI. He contributed many articles to medical journals and also had several novels published. More recently he wrote Wiltshire Harvest about his village and the surrounding country and in W.A.M. (June 1955) put forward evidence for the sites of the old parish church at Easton and the Trinitarian Priory Church there. He leaves a son and three daughters. Obit.: Times, Aug. 16th, 1916. CANON CHARLES HENRY SELFE MATTHEWS died at Wilcot on Sept. 30th, 1961, aged 87. Educated at Leeds Grammar School and King’s College, Cambridge, he was ordained in 1897. After a curacy in Southampton he spent seven years in Australia before returning to England, where he held several livings. He was Chaplain at Marl- borough College 1930-38; Vicar of Kenil- worth 1938-42; Vicar of Fenny Compton 1942- 47. He then retired to Wilcot, where he was able to indulge his hobbies of painting and shooting. He took duty in many local churches and was for two years priest-in-charge of Little Bedywn. He leaves a widow and one son. Obit.: Marlborough Times, Oct. 6th, 1961. CANON ALFRED SWANN, D.S.C., died on Oct. 7th, 1961. Educated at Rugby and Trinity Hall, Cam- bridge, he was an outstanding oarsman, being president of the C.U.B.C., and winner of the Silver Goblets at Henley, 1913-14; he also gained a half-Blue for running. In the 1914-18 war he served with the R.N. and was awarded the D.S.C. after Zeebrugge. Ordained in 1922, he married in 1923 Katherine Nona Abraham, daughter of the Suffragan Bishop of Derby. Later he went out to the Far East and was Dean of Hong Kong, 1928-35. Returning to England he accepted the living of Potterne, where he was Rural Dean. In 1941 he became Rector of Marlborough and a Prebendary of Salisbury Cathedral. A grave illness forced his retirement in 1952, when he be- came Canon Emeritus of Salisbury, but after an astonishing recovery he was appointed Acting Dean of St. John’s Cathedral, Newfoundland in 1955. In 1956 he became Vicar of Bicknoller, Somerset, finally retiring in 1958. He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. Obit.: Marlborough Times, Oct. 13th, 1961. LADY KATHARINE MCNEILE, of Nonsuch Park, Bromham, died on Nov. 12th, 1961, aged 67. 2C2 Zan. Second daughter of the 6th Earl of Radnor, she married Capt. J. H. McNeile in 1927 and had lived at Nonsuch since 1930. She had worked tirelessly for the Wilts Federation of Women’s Institutes, from its foundation in 1919. She was elected president in 1960, an office which had been in abeyance since her mother’s death in 1949. She founded and conducted Bromham Choral Society and played the violin in the Wilts Musical Festival Orchestra for many years. Among many other activities, she was vice- chairman of the Management Committee of Roundway Hospital and secretary during the last war of The Wiltshire Women’s Land Army. In 1947 she was elected to the County Council and had been one of its representatives on the committee of the W.A.N.H.S. Her husband survives her with four sons. Obit.: Wilts Gazette, Nov. 16th, 1961. THOMAS H. CHANDLER died at Aldbourne on Dec. 2nd, 1961, aged 79. His father had lived at North Farm and here he himself farmed for a time. Later he had a farm in Sussex but returned to Aldbourne some years ago. He took a very active part in local affairs, serving on the old Hungerford and Ramsbury R.D.C., and was a devout churchman. His interest in antiquities was early aroused by the many Romano-British finds at North Farm, and Devizes Museum houses much that was pre- sented by the Chandler family. He was a staunch member of our Society, regularly attending its excursions. Obit.: Marlborough Times, Dec. 8th, 1961. CHARLES WILLIAM WHATLEY died at Burderop on Dec. 8th, 1961, aged 88. He had farmed for 67 years, first at Wanborough Plain and from 1919 at Burderop. A member of the N.F.U. since its inception, he had been chairman of the county branch and was a regular contributor to the N.F.U.Journal. He also wrote several books on farming. For 36 years he was an alderman on Wilts C.C., and had long served as a magistrate on Swindon County Bench; a governor of the Royal Agricultural College, Circencester and deputy chairman of Wilts Agricultural Executive Committee. He leaves five daughters. Obit.: Wilts Gazette, Dec. 14th, 1961. HAROLD DALE, who died in December last, was born in 1889 the son of Dr. B. H. Dale of Craven, Yorkshire, and afterwards of Devizes and Swindon. Dale married Phebe, the daughter of Harry Bevir, solicitor, of Wootton Bassett, to whose practice he succeeded in 1913. Dale was Clerk to the Justices, Cricklade Division 1929 —1957, Calne Division 1932— 1948, Clerk to the Swindon Assessment Com- mittee 1932—1952, and H.M. Coroner for Wilt- shire from 1933 to the year of his death. He was a president of the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Law Society and of the Coroners Society for England, in 1951 he was chosen to be a member of the Royal Commission on Coroners. During most his life he lived at The Lime Kiln, Wootton Bassett, but shortly after his second marriage he went to live at Stapleford near Salis- bury. He was a keen fisherman, a prominent Con- servative, and a sympathetic coroner. He leaves one daughter living in Western Australia. Obit.: Wilts Gazette, Dec. 21st, 1961. SIR PERCY LAURIE, K.C.V.O., C.B.E., D.S.0., Who died on the 16th of February was born in 1880 the son of Alfred Laurie, stockbroker, of Seven- oaks, and the grandson of John Snaddon who took the name of Laurie in 1824. He was gazet- ted to the Scots Greys in 1902, and served with distinction in the 1914—1918 war. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1919, and became Assis- tant Commissioner in 1933. He and his white horse “‘Quicksilver” were figures well known to Londoners. Laurie settled in Cricklade a few years before the last war, and his house was then a scene of great activity as he gave hospitality to a large number of babies from St. Thomas’s Hospital. From 1939 to 1946 he was Income Tax and Land Tax Commissioner for the County, for which he was made a justice in 1939. In 1937 he had been appointed High Bailiff of Cricklade an office which he held until 1947, when he left the county to reside in Buckinghamshire. Obit.: The Times, Feb. 17th., 1962 Obit.: Wilts & Glos. Standard, Feb., 23rd, 1962 | | 253 REVIEWS Victoria County History of Wiltshire, Volume I, Part 1. Edited by R. B. Pugh and Elizabeth Crittall. pp. xxi and 279 with a frontispiece photograph and nine maps. Published for the Institute of Historical Research by the Oxford University Press, 1957. This initial volume of the Wiltshire V.C.H. maintains the County’s advantage in coming late into the V.C.H scheme, so that the editors and their Committee could plan the series de novo. Hampshire’s V.C.H., the first, had a method of planning, which, though sometimes quaint (Hampshire ‘ Sport’ has three times the space of ‘Hampshire Agriculture’ and nearly six times the space of ‘ Early Man in Hamp- shire ’ ), was rational. But it was much distorted in later volumes and the decision soon taken to include somewhere or other a section on ‘ Earth- works ’ could lead to grotesque and occasionally disastrous results. The Wiltshire series can pro- ceed straight forward in the story of man from what one can call the archaeological to the historical periods and deal with them in proper chronological succession. In the old days a V.C.H. series would start with geology and natural history, to succeed with the archaeological divisions, each with its own Inventory. For Wiltshire it is decided to inter- pret History in its normal sense of the human record alone. Some may regret the decision. Sections on local history were often written by local enthusiasts with exact local knowledge, throwing valuable light on problems of ecology; and the amateur entomologist or field botanist was able to get the ‘feel’ of a County. But, as O.G.S. Crawford once said, ‘it was not the “ Rolling English drunkard ”’ but the ‘* English field-geologist who ‘‘ Made the rolling English road ” ’—and many other things; so geology must have its place, and twenty valuable pages on ‘ The Physique of Wiltshire ’ are the work of Mrs. Clifford. She must have found, of course, the meaning- lessness of Wiltshire County as her prescribed - unit quite unusually exasperating, and has in- deed to break the rules in describing the Cots- wold uplands, since the Cotswold crests do not happen to be in Wiltshire. On the whole (with the exception of some trouble with the Upper - Oolites in the Vale of Wardour) Wiltshire is not a difficult county for the geologist, the alternation _ from NW to SE of Cotswold Oolite, clay of the Vale of Wiltshire and the Chalk of Salisbury Plain being nine-tenths of the picture; and Mrs. Clifford sorts it out neatly enough for the benefit of the practical student of Human Geography. She makes no distinction between Kimmeridge Clay, Oxford Clay and Gault, which is probably wise, though it makes the intrusion of the Corallian ridge virtually bisecting the Vale from Highworth to Calne rather difficult for the amateur geologist to place. For the prehistorian, of course, the arch- aeology of Wiltshire is above all the archaeology of the chalk and here Mrs. Clifford has some things to say which are very well worth saying. She notices two significant phases, a ‘ marine transgression’ (geologists have to talk this language) which submerged all but the *‘ summit areas’ above an O.D. level of 650/700 and an “erosion surface’ when the sea-level remained long constant at a height of about 400 feet O.D., producing the contrasts of the ‘ Higher ’ and the ‘ Lower ’ Plain. The mere archaeological tourist needs reminding that on the ‘ Summits ’ weather- ing has reduced the chalk to reddish-brown clay-with flints. Their soils, as she writes, * are unattractive. . . . Heavy, wet soils are domin- ant and it is probable that they have always supported a natural forest vegetation,’ whereas both the ‘ Higher’ and ‘ Lower Chalk’ Plains ‘ supported a light woodland vegetation, offering land which was easy both to clear and to cultiv- ate.” The physiographic distinction between them is mainly the relative availability of water. so that in periods of low rainfall the ‘ Higher Plain’ may be less attractive. This indeed, prompts the hope that the reader may be told briefly somewhere what the climatic history is. A short summary on the lines of Zeuner (Dating the Past, p. 94) would be quite sufficient. In general the relation between the geology and the natural vegetation (which should connote the prehistoric distribution) is very well presented, and it is good sense to make the geological map the foundation for all the ‘period distribution’ maps. It is the least criticism of these maps that the book must be slewed sideways whenever we check them from the narrative. They are printed in a uniform blue colour which would horrify a display expert; and the symbols used for the important distinction between * Higher ’ and * Lower’ Plain are almost identical. And if the maps which illustrate the geological picture are difficult to interpret, the picture itself has 234 difficulties too. Itis sprinkled with the technical language that geologists are entitled to use among themselves, but which for the non-expert is simply terrible jargon. ‘ Interfluve ’ (which I can interpret because I am a classical scholar, but what if I were not?), ‘ Planation,’ *‘ Cuesta ’ are not in the OED nor even in its Supplement, where we do indeed find * Bench’ used in the geologist’s sense, which the plain man can hardly guess. And this, alas, is but a selection. Yet if Mrs. Clifford believes that jargon is unavoidable, let her read Arkell’s geology in the Oxfordshire V.C.H. Nevertheless, her picture, if we can work it out, and the maps, if we can read them, show the distribution maps on the whole obeying climatological rules: the ‘Upper Plain’ does not seem to be seriously occupied (though it may have its barrows) until the period of maximum rainfall in the Iron Age. The corallian ‘ island’ in the clay has as good as nothing until the Roman period, and the clay itself as good as nothing even then. The distributions are based on the wonderful gazetteer which makes up the last 250 pages of the volume. It is Grinsell’s compilation, and I will tell the reader that on a 1% sample of his refer- ences, I have not found a single mistake. There is a general gazetteer, parish by parish, with exact grid references where exact locations of finds are known. A parish with finds uncertainly located will thus have no grid reference—which is rather troublesome if one tries to find it on a map. If every parish had been given a grid- reference to its parish church, things would have been easier. There are in addition a List of Barrows (under which no less than 27 of their idiosyncrasies have specific check-lists), of ‘Highworth’ circles, of Ditches, of Enclosures and hill-forts and of Field systems. This completes the splendid entertainment of this First Part of Volume I. The reviewer, await- ing the syntheses of the Second Part, must feel himself like the spectator of an old-fashioned cinema serial. Yet he may risk asking a question on how it will be ‘ continued in our next.’ The information in the gazetteer that there is—e.g.a Roman Villa or a Saxon Cemetery does not, as arule, confine itself to amererecord ; there is usually a general summary. One hopes that such summaries will not be inevitably regarded as final statements when the Second Part comes to be written. As an expert on Roman Britain, for instance, I should be very disappointed if I were never offered a plan, disappointed too if in the description of a Hoard I were never told how many coins of each emperor it contained. And no doubt the Second Part will tell us exactly what a * Highworth circle’ is; one is very much reminded of that cinema spectator here! Indeed, one can hardly wait for the Second Part, so exciting an introduction to the story is the First. One final tiny point will prove one reader’s excitement that has inspired his careful reading. The ‘ Menander ’ whose silver drachma was found ‘* near Stonehenge ’ was once ruler of India from Cashmere to Kathiawar, and Indian legend made him a great Buddhist monarch. Perhaps Mr. Grinsell was anxious to keep Swamis from Stonehenge. Still, Menander is a more exciting name to find at Stonehenge than one could guess from his description as a *‘ Hellenistic King in Asia.’ Magdalen College Oxford. 1 This review was not received in time for the last issue, to which Mr. J. W. G. Musty kindly contributed a pre- liminary notice of this work. C. E. STEVENS Problems of The Iron Age in Southern Britain. Edited by S. S. Frere. University of London Institute of Archaeology Occasional Paper No. 11, (1961), pp. xii and 308, 14 Plates and 28 Text Figures. 30/-. Let no one be misled or daunted by the descrip- tion of this major contribution to Iron Age studies as an ‘ Occasional Paper ’. Its bulk alone makes it a substantial volume; its contents are indispensable to any modern appreciation of the last six centuries before the Roman conquest, even though its concern is with Southern Britain alone. This volume consists of papers given at the C.B.A. Conference at the Institute of Archaeol- ogy in December, 1958. It was then that Pro- fessor Hawkes’ revised ‘ A.B.C. of the British Iron Age ’ was publicly explained, and the period liberated from a too literal adoption and too widespread application of the suggested chron- ology for Maiden Castle. One of the great merits of the volume is that the papers have now been published more or less as they were given (except in the case of Mr. Alien’s, to which important details have been added: see below), so that the evidence and the arguments can be studied in detail. Professor Hawkes’ paper although already published (Antiquity xxxiii, 1959, 170-82), rightly begins the volume as it began the Conference. Its very comprehensiveness will perhaps provoke criticism on points of detail, see Antiquity xxxiv, 1960, 138-40, and may involve difficulties in, for example, discussing meaningfully within his framework sites at the north-eastern and south-western ends of the Southern Province (200 miles apart). However, the present ABC ‘model’ of the Iron Age is the only existing at- tempt to survey all the British evidence and make sense of it; and, as such, particularly as it comes from Professor Hawkes, it must command respect at least until an increase in our know- ledge makes the nomenclature superfluous. Welcome descriptions of seven Iron Age settlements follow. Particularly interesting, not least because they are illustrated by site plans, are those excavated by Professor Grimes in the 1940s: these include the Heathrow temple site, and what was apparently an ironworkers’ settle- ment at Draughton, Northants. All seven settlements are small and, their existence, as that of the settlements recently excavated in Wessex, shows that our knowledge, coming largely from hillforts, has hitherto been un- balanced, with a consequent blurring of our un- derstanding of the nature and economy of Iron Age society as a whole. There must have been many such small settlements for every one hillfort; and Little Woodbury is typical of but one class of small settlement. The evidence is accumulating to illustrate the variety, socially and economically as well as culturally, of the former ‘ Ancient Britons ’. Hillforts themselves still present many prob- lems. The variety they exhibit is well illustrated here in three papers. Mr. Rivet’s review of some of the problems is particularly relevant to Wilt- shire, partly because the county contains some fine examples, partly because there are no re- liable published archaeological plans of them, let alone excavation reports to satisfy modern requirements (though work in progress will remedy this lacuna to some extent). What can be learnt, largely by fieldwork on the one hand and by a careful analysis of excavated evidence on the other, is splendidly demonstrated by _ Lady Fox in discussing multiple enclosure hill- forts in the south-west . . . generously illus- trated with contoured plans... ., and by Mrs. Cotton in making some ‘ Observations on the Classification of the Hillforts in Southern England ’. The last four papers deal with chronology and _ objects. Mr. Jope’s discussion of* The Beginnings _ of La Téne Ornamental Style in the British ' Isles ’, illustrated by sword and dagger scabbards, is largely a re-assessment of the dating evidence. He suggests an insular school of craftsmen con- 235 temporary with Iron Age A cultures in the south, and a 3rd and early 2nd century B.C. floruit of insular La Téne art. This differs from, for example, Fox’s dating (Pattern and Purpose, 1959), partly by relating closely British examples to Continental parallels, particularly those of the La Téne 1-II transition (Waldalgesheim and Sword styles), partly by eschewing a ‘ suitable ’ time-lag for the transference of ornament across the Channel. Mr. Frere, discussing the ‘ Later Iron Age,’ also relates events to Continental evidence and to earlier dates. He clearly argues for a re-dating of B and C cultures, showing how the pressure of events in the Ist century B.C. had suggested cur chronology was at fault even before the Le Catillon Hoard proved it to be so. Now that the Hoard has provided a terminus ante quem of 56-51 B.C., much that was crowded around the middle years of the century can be redated to c.100 B.C. or earlier. No doubt c.75 and 56 B.C. will linger as ‘ fixed points’ in our Iron Age chronology, particularly as they are becoming common in school text books, but there is now no justification for them to be used, at least on the basis of previous arguments, to date Belgic in- vasions of Southern England. Among other stimulating points in this paper, the alleged reference by Pytheas, preserved in Diodorus Siculus, to one or other of the Iron Age methods of storing grain as typified at Little Woodbury, should be mentioned, if only because the matter is still unsettled. This issue, and the collapse of the later Maiden Castle chronology based on Caesar’s account of his Gallic Wars, together can be viewed as a caution against accepting too readily literary evidence to support archaeological interpretation at any period. The allied prob- lems of using pottery as evidence are briefly discussed by Mr. Brailsford; and his plea for a higher standard of pottery publication should not pass unnoticed. Over 200 pages of the volume are occupied by Mr. Allen’s definitive ‘ Reappraisal’ of the origins of British coinage, consisting of a point by point discussion, and seven Appendices list- ing, inter alia, all the recorded find-spots of Celtic coins in Britain. This is such an invaluable study, now essential to an understanding of the ‘later Iron Age ’, that less than justice is bound to be given to it in a short review. Full appre- ciation of its implication must await, firstly, the publication of the companion distribution maps with the Ordnance Survey’s Map of Southern Britain in the Iron Age; and, secondly, the 236 correlation, if correlation there be, between Allen’s coin types A-F, ‘cultures’ and ‘ in- vasions ’ during Hawkes’ Period 3 proposed on the basis of other archaeological evidence, and events and tribes known from documentary evidence. This one paper by itself justifies the volume; published with the other papers, it completes an important contribution to Iron Age studies to which we shall be referring for some time to come. P. J. FOWLER Stratification for Archaeologists. By Edward Pyddoke. Pp. 124; VII plates. Phoenix House, 1691. 30/-. The author introduces his book by suggesting that there are books and reports which deal with the details of the strata at some particular site, but none which introduces the archaeologist to the great variety of deposits in which antiquities are discovered, or to the processes which lead to their becoming buried and preserved. It is with these processes that Mr. Pyddoke mainly con- cerns himself. The book is therefore comple- mentary to Soils for the Archaeologist (by Dr. I. W. Cornwall in the same series) the first five chapters of which do in fact serve as an intro- duction to archaeological deposits and also in- clude some observations on the processes in- volved in their formation. As Dr. Cornwall’s five chapters occupy 71 pages (of a much larger volume of 230 pp.) there must be inevitably some overlapping of subject matter, but not duplication, as each treats the subject from a different aspect, and both can be read with pro- fit. It is strange, however, that no mention is made of Dr. Cornwall’s book in the introduction, especially as two of Dr. Cornwall’s illustrations reappear in the new work; one of these illustrates the extremely important process of ditch silting. After discussing the geological and geograph- ical background, the author considers in ten chapters the various agencies at work in the formation of stratified deposits—sun, air, wind, rain, frost, lakes and ponds, the sea, rivers and ponds, fauna and flora, and, finally, human settlement. In a last, short chapter, the author discusses the interpretation of stratified deposits. That the author should devote only seven pages to the subject of interpretation is in keep- ing with his remark that, ‘interpretation is something requiring special skill and much experience ’. Admittedly a book is no substitute for experience, but surely the matter should have received more attention than it has been given by Mr. Pyddoke. The equally important sub- ject of the effect of human settlement also could have received more generous treatment. If it was necessary to contain the book within its present length, cuts could have been made elsewhere in the book by removing material already well known or available in physical geographies or geological texts. Such matter for instance as the mode of formation of river terraces, or the statement of the fact that tree roots destroy masonry; the latter topic needs three pages for its development. There is no shortage of material for a more generous treat- ment of these chapters. It is distributed widely amongst the excavation reports in numerous journals, and it should be the function of books such as this to make such material more readily available. Admittedly the author does give field observations as examples in his other chapters but is not sufficient. As a consequence one is left wondering at whom is the author aiming his book. Mr. Pyddoke says he hopes that it will stimulate archaeologists to a fuller study of the many factors and processes which combine in the formation of strata, and suggests that there are some who are merely content to draw and num- ber layers without endeavouring to obtain an interpretation. This book may provide the stimulus to a fuller study, but how does Mr. Pyddoke hope to persuade beginners in archae- ology to interpret their sections if he doesn’t show them the way? A final word must be reserved for the plates and the index. Like some of the letterpress, there are plates which could have been left out or replaced by material of greater interest. For example, a full-page plate demonstrating the effect of atmospheric corrosion on some iron railings is of little interest to either an archae- ologist or a scientist and its presence in this book seems somewhat remote from the theme of stratified archaeological deposits! The index, as I see it, should serve to enable the reader to refer quickly to topics he has previously noted in the book. The index to this book is simply a list of place names, and is of no use for reference. This should be remedied in any future editions. Salisbury JOHN Musty 2011 ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY 1961 BOOKS BOUGHT Notes on the History Survey of Manor. Chute. 1774. of Fovant. Dr. Rental. Chute. 1771. R.C.C. Clay. Author Survey of Estate of Strickland Freeman. Manor of Calston. Chute. 1809. 16th Century trans- Churchwardens Accounts. 1827-1912. script of Inquisi- Garsdon. tion made in the Archaeological Notebook. A. D. Passmore. reign of Edward Sale Catalogue, North Farm, Aldbourne. II. Lt. Col. C. Floyd 1848. A Matter of Time. History of Cirencester. W. St. C. Baddeley. R.C.H.M. 1960. R.C.H.M. 1924. A History of Building Interdict Documents. Pipe Roll Society, Materials. Dr. N. Volume 34. 1960. Contains two Wilt- Davey. Phoenix shire Surveys. House. 1961. Author The Annals of the Addington family. A History of the E. M. G. Bellfield. 1959. Includes an Village of Chil- account of the life of Henry Addington, mark and Guide to M.P. for Devizes. the Parish Church, Looking over my Shoulder. C. Willett 1961. A. G. Har- Cunnington. 1961. Dr. Cunnington field. Author was born in Devizes. Prehistoric Times. Late Roman Bronze Coinage. Carson, Hill Sir John Lubbock. and Kent. 1960. 1869. W. E. Brown A History of the Lord Weymouth School, 14s A eanht Warminster. R. Hope. 1961. i LE een Flora. N. OD. BOOKS PRESENTED DONOR Simpson. N. D. Simpson The Bronze Age Crown Pleas of the Round Barrow in Wiltshire _ Eyre. Britain. P. Ashbee. Edited by C. A. F. Phoenix House. Meekings.Records 1960. Publishers Branch Volume 16 A Guide to Pre- 1961 historic England. Apprentices and their N. Thomas. Bats- Masters 1710-1760. ford. 1960. Publishers Edited by Chris- Wiltshire Prints. tabel Dale. Three Volumes. Records Branch. Collected by W. Volume 17. 1961. Gough of Wootton Handbook of British Bassett. A. Mitton Chronology. Royal History of Danvers Historical Society Family. Typescript 1939. Dr. T. R. Thomson copy. E. J. Danvers Ancient Fields. H.C. The Anglo-Saxons. Bowen. Author D. M. Wilson. Letters and Papers Thames & Hudson on Agriculture etc. 1960. Publishers 1792. Bath and Ecclesiastical History West of England of the English Society. Miss Halahan and Miss Nation. Bede. Dr. T. R. Thomson Wade White VOL. LVHI CCX 1D 238 Archaeologia. Volume 98. PAMPHLETS GIVEN The Marlborough College Corps, 1860-1960. Catholicism and Jacobitism; Some Wiltshire Evidence. J. A. Williams. Dublin Review Offprint. Autumn 1960. Highworth Church. Rev. H. Bassage. 1960. Letter to Rev. W. C. Lukis concerning the Wiltshire Arch- aeological Society. J. Britton. Stillman family Notes. Broughton — Gifford. MS of Rev. Wilk- inson’s History. Norton Bavant. Trac- ing of brass of John Bennett and wife. Colerne Village His- tory. Colerne W.1I. Alderbury _ Village History. Alderbury W.I. 1955-56. Dr. T. R. Thomson DONOR W. F. Harling Author Author N. U. Grudgings G. H. Stillman F. G. Burt B. M. Stratton Wilts County Library Wilts County Library The Anglo-Saxon Coinage and_ the Historian. C. E. Blunt. Medieval Archaeology. 1960 The Coinage of Ecgbeorht 802-839 British Numisma- tic Society Journal. 1958. Presidenttal Addresses to Royal Numismatic Soci- ety 1957-1960. Collection of papers about the British School. Devizes. An Essay towards the Reformation of the British Bronze Age Dr. I. Smith. Helenium. 1961. MAPS, PHOTOGRAPHS ETC., GIVEN Photograph of Naish’s Plan of Salisbury 1716. Saxon Bounds, Field Names and Ter- riers of Grittleton, Nettleton and Sev- ington; Maps and Schedule. Two aerial photo- graphs of Rings- bury Camp Author Author C. E. Blunt W. E. Brown Author R.C.H.M. Mrs. D. M. Brackenbury Dr. T. R. Thomson ACCESSIONS TO THE COUNTY RECORD OFFICE 1961 Parish Bishop’s Cannings, registers, 1591-1882; Bishopstone, registers 1601-1913, church- wardens’ accounts, 1812-1948, charity accounts, 1850-92; North Bradley, council minutes, 1894-1945, etc.; Bremilham, registers, 1813-1904; Chiseldon, council minutes, 1894-1944, etc., surveyors’ accounts 1766-1836, overseers’ accounts, 1780-1834; Foxley, registers, 1713-1937, churchwardens’ accounts, 1719-57, overseers’ accounts, 1719-52; Heddington, registers, 1538-1895; Semley, registers, 1709-1889; Southbroom St. James, registers, 1572-1959, surveyors’ accounts, 1762-1804, overseers’ accounts, 1778-c.1836, school managers’ minutes, 1898-1936, etc.; Stratford Tony, registers, 1562-1837, churchwardens’ accounts, 1720- 1936, highway accounts, 1768-1829, etc.; Sutton Veny, registers, 1564-1812, church- wardens’ accounts, 1686-1828, overseers’ accounts, 1686-1746, etc.; Westbury, churchwardens’ accounts, 18th and 19th cents., overseers’ and surveyors’ accounts, 18th cent., etc. Estate, Business and Personal C. W. Garnett, Esq.: Approximately 600 deeds relating to the manors of Oxenwood and Fosbury in Shalbourne and Tidcombe and Fosbury, and to other property mainly in Vernham’s Dean (Hants.), 1574-1885. Miss D. Morris: Exemplification of a common recovery relating to property in Brinkworth, 1707. Salisbury Diocesan Registry: Papers of the Rev. George L. Benson, comprising approx- imately 20 deeds and some estate and probate material relating to Salisbury, 1724-1871; miscellaneous papers of William Lisle Bowles (1762-1850); papers of John Douglas, Bishop of Salisbury, comprising 5 deeds and some probate records relating to Potterne, 1807-1865; papers of the Rev. W. M. Macdonald of Calstone Wellington, comprising 3 deeds and a will, 1789-1842; io? papers of John, John Michael and Henry Peniston, architects and surveyors to the county, (1822-48, 1848-58, 1858-64), of Salisbury, comprising mainly drawings and business records including letter books, 1823-1858, and prepared maps, etc., for tithe and inclosure commissioners (East Grimstead, Winterbourne Gunner, Lake, Teffont Evias and Winterbourne Dauntsey); and a collection of miscellaneous records comprising approximately 400 deeds, 1639- 1850, with some estate and _ personal material. Brig. A. C. Sykes, C.B.E., D.S.O.; 5 deeds relating to the manor of Corton in Boyton, 1561-1677. M. G. Rathbone. Ne i) tN 240 EXCAVATION AND FIELDWORK IN WILTSHIRE, 1961 Amesbury, Earl’s Down Farm: Bronze Age Barrows During August and September two barrows within the Earl’s Down Farm group were excavated on behalf of the Ministry of Works by Mrs. P. M. Christie. Grinsell’s Barrow No. 70 (SU/18234196) The barrow was of bowl type, 100 ft. in diameter and 4 ft. high. The mound, constructed of clayey turves and revetted with chalk, was surrounded by a continuous, flat-based ditch 2 ft. wide and 6 ft. in depth. A central post-hole packed with chalk had originally contained a post 5 in. in diameter with a sharpened base. Close to it was a cremation pit 2 ft. in depth, which contained badly burnt bones. No direct dating evidence was available, but fragments of Neolithic pottery, together with Bronze Age sherds, a bone pin and some worked flints were found in the mound material; Roman pottery and a well preserved penannular brooch occurred in the ditch silt. Grinsell’s Barrow No. 71 (SU/18404188) This fine barrow, 88 ft. across before excavation, and over 7 ft. high, revealed an astonishing com- plexity of structure as a result of progressive enlargement from the centre outwards during the early Bronze Age. The primary monument, a shallow ring ditch enclosing an area 22 ft. in diameter with an inner setting of stakes, was succeeded by an oval central grave 6 ft. deep containing the crouched skeleton of an adult with a mass of decayed wood at the head and feet. The grave was filled with chalk rubble and traces of timber were noted at the top and through the filling, indicating some kind of rectangular wooden shaft. Over this central area a mound of turves 34 ft. across was constructed, with a double stake circle and flint ‘wall’ on the perimeter, and chalk capping over all. A berm, 12 ft. wide, and a surrounding ditch originally completed the monument, which is thought to belong to Beaker times. This bell barrow, (described by Grinsell as of bowl type—V.C.H. Wilts., I. i, 1957, 151) was first truncated and then enlarged in a subsequent phase: inhumations were inserted into the turf mound, one of the three child burials being accompanied by a small Food Vessel with circular stamped decora- tion. Cremations, one inurned in a fine enlarged Food Vessel, were also inserted, and antler tines were found. Overlying these burials on the horizontal surface of the truncated barrow were the remains of a fire and quantities of flint, including many struck flakes. Stake holes set in the remains of the chalk capping were found on the perimeter of this platform, upon which a second mound of soil and turves (badly holed by rabbits) was then built up. For this final stage of enlargement, an outer ditch was dug to a depth of 5 ft. Despite the activity of rabbits, traces remained of an original envelope of chalk, into which, on the south-west side, was inserted a cremation in an inverted collared urn with channelled decoration. Secondary burials in the ditch on the south and south-east include three crouched inhumations, a cremation in a Late Bronze Age globular urn, several unaccompanied cremations, and fragments of Bronze Age urns. Some 20 burials were counted in the mound and ditch (to which should be added the biconical urn with horseshoe handles and bronze razor now in Salisbury Museum). Worked flints include two barbed and tanged arrowheads, scrapers and core tools; quantities of Roman pottery occurred in the ditch as in G. 70. 241 Normanton Down: Grinsell’s Barrow No. 33a (SU/10864148) During the summer the excavation of the vertical shaft situated at the centre of this site was continued. The ‘barrow’ was one of a group of three situated a little to the west of the main Normanton barrow group on Normanton Down in the parish of South Wilsford. The investigation was directed by Mr. P. Ashbee on behalf of the Ministry of Works. A further 30 ft. of the interior was emptied. In the fill were fragments of a globular vessel of Deverel- Rimbury affinities, while at about 100 ft. waterlogged pieces of alder wood and a mass of organic material were recovered. Evidently the shaft had been dug around a plumb line in short sections of about 6 ft., using antler picks, their marks being visible on the chalk sides. In view of its constant diameter (about 5 ft. 8 in.), it seems likely that a template was used at the stated intervals. Metal tools, probably palstaves with expanded edges, had been utilised to finish off and render the sides uniform throughout its depth. At this stage it is not possible to assign a function to this unusual monument. It is possible, however, that other ‘pond barrows’ may have such shafts beneath them. Winterbourne Stoke, Greenlands Farm: Bronze Age barrows (SU/098442) Emergency excavations on two small barrow groups consisting in all of three disc type and three bowl barrows were carried out by Mrs. F. J. de M. Vatcher on behalf of the Ministry of Works. Both groups are situated at Greenlands Farm in the parish of Winterbourne Stoke. Group 1 Three large low disc barrows were excavated; their diameters, which included outer banks, ranged from 185 ft. to 220 ft. They were encircled by flat-based ditches, 6 ft. wide and between 4 ft. and 54 ft. in depth. Within site A there had been a small stake structure which was burnt and subsequently replaced by a circular stake structure 25 ft. across, with a passage, surrounding the central grave. The grave contained a cremation with a bronze knife and awl, and beads of amber and jet. Part of a leather belt also remained. After the filling of the grave a small incomplete ring of stakes was placed round the top; later, the central area within the now collapsing outer structure was filled with turf. A secondary cremation with bronze awl, was discovered on the berm of the barrow. The grave had been lined with basketwork and originally covered with a small mound. The other two barrows, B and C, were both flat. Within site B an irregular stakehole circle 22 ft. in diameter surrounded an empty grave; in site C, a stakehole circle 24 ft. in diameter surrounded a robbed grave, which, however, still contained a bronze awl. A further barrow within the group was excavated. It was bowl-shaped, 58 ft. in diameter, with surrounding ditch. Two unaccompanied cremations were recovered. Group 2 Two bowl barrows were investigated. Site A was 85 ft. in diameter, 4 ft. 6 in. high, and surrounded by a narrow, flat-based ditch 2 ft. wide and 6 ft. deep. A stakehole circle, 38 ft. in diameter, surrounded a trapezoidal mortuary house, which was burnt down before a shallow grave was dug in its centre and a small token cremation placed within. Finally, a mound of turves capped with chalk was constructed over the now decayed and broken off stake circle. Site B, 74 ft. in diameter, with a ditch similar to site A, was composed entirely of red and black scorched earth, capped with chalk, and may have been on the site of a crematorium. A few stakeholes were found, some forming a rough rectangle round the grave-pit which contained an inurned cremation, whilst others seemed to form part of an incomplete circle. 242 Bronze Age Barrows Emergency excavations on behalf of the Ministry of Works were carried out by Major H. F. W. L. Vatcher at three sites, consisting in all of five round barrows. He reports as follows :— Heale Hill, Woodford (SU/110367) Grinsell’s Barrow No. 12 Of bowl type, 50 ft. in diameter, the mound was originally constructed of clay with flints, but capped at a later date with chalk excavated from a surrounding ditch of U-profile. Although the primary burial had been robbed, the mound contained five crouched inhumations without grave goods, one of which was located under the chalk covering; the remnants of three Late Bronze Age urned cremations, one complete urned cremation of like date, and a further unaccompanied cremation were also discovered. One of the urn cremations had been deposited as a secondary burial at the centre of the barrow. The base of the urn was decorated internally with a finger printed cross. Outside the ditch on the east side of the barrow a small urnfield of Late Bronze Age date was discovered. It comprised three inurned and one unaccompanied cremations. Other finds from the site included a phallus-like object and scrapers of flint, part of a bronze bangle of Roman date, and late Bronze Age sherds from the primary silt of the ditch. Grinsell’s Barrow No. 13 The mound of the barrow, approximately 22 ft. in diameter, was composed of scraped-up clay with flints and material excavated from the primary grave cut into natural chalk at the centre. Within the grave was a crouched inhumation without grave goods; the grave filling of large flints, which extended to the present surface of the mound, also contained an additional human lower jawbone. A similar crouched burial, the grave filling also containing flints and additional disarticulated human bone, was found beyond the limits of the barrow on its north-east side. Winterbourne Stoke: (SU/104431) Grinsell’s Barrow No. 31 This bowl barrow, approximately 84 ft. in diameter overall, was encircled by a flat-bottomed ditch within an outer bank. The mound had been badly ploughed out, and the primary oval-shaped grave cut into natural chalk had been robbed; only cremated human bone remained in the filling. Grinsell’s Barrow No. 32 This bowl barrow, 63 ft. in diameter, is made up of turf capped with chaJk quarried from an encircling flat-bottomed ditch. Within the mound was an urn of overhanging rim type, placed in a circular pit with a stakehole on each side. The urn had been replaced by W. Cunnington after his excavation in 1804. Beneath the south-east side of the mound was a second, similar undisturbed urn, also deposited in a pit cut into natural chalk, but without accompanying stakeholes. Clarendon Park: (SU/178327). Grinsell’s Barrow No. 5 A bowl barrow, approximately 76 ft. in diameter, constructed of flint capped with chalk excavated from a surrounding flat-based ditch. Robbing had occurred on two separate occasions at the centre of the barrow, whence came evidence of primary and secondary urned cremations. The excavation also brought to light evidence for a pre-grave mortuary house stake structure, perhaps originally surrounded by a dwarf wall of timber. Four cup-shaped pits filled with charcoal and burnt flints were discovered on the perimeter of the mound. 243 Down Farm, Pitton: (SU/204323) The site, marked on the 1 in. O.S. map as a tumulus, situated in the parish of Pitton and Farley, was excavated by Mr. D. D. A. Simpson on behalf of the Ministry of Works. It proved to be a natural feature produced by the slower weathering of a large deposit of clay with flints, against which ploughed soil had been banked up. In the ploughed material were found numerous sherds of Romano-British pottery unassociated with any structure. Ebbesbourne Wake, Elcombe Down: (c. ST/982217) Field System Volunteers working for the Salisbury Museum Research Committee under the direction of Messrs. J. W. G. Musty and H. C. Bowen (Royal Commission) excavated two sections across the lynchet on the downhill side of the ‘Celtic’ field in which the hoard of bronze bangles and a torc had been found seventeen years previously, (W.A.M.., liii, June 1949, 104-12). The object was to see whether pottery finds supported the apparent inference that these fields had not only been formed by the 13th century B.C., but had actually been abandoned by then. Only the smallest scraps of potsherds were found, but most of these certainly belong to the Iron Age and Romano-British periods. Consideration of the evidence will, it is hoped, appear in a future issue of the magazine. W.A.N.H.S. Archaeology Research Committee Excavations Excavations directed by the Rev. E. H. Steele, chairman of the Archaeology Research Committee of the Society, were again conducted at Bilbury Rings and at sites of Romano-British potteries in Savernake Forest. Bilbury Rings: Tron Age (SU/010363) A further fortnight’s excavation was organised at this hillfort, as part of the study of Romano-British activity on Wylye Down being pursued in collaboration with the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), and the Salisbury Museum Research Committee. Work was concentrated at two points: the ditch of the inner enclosure near the centre of the hillfort, and the outer ditch of the main ramparts. The Inner Enclosure A section 7 ft. wide was excavated on the southern edge of the enclosure, where its ditch appears to bound a rectangular salient. The purpose was to obtain dating evidence, and indication of the function of the ditch, and confirmation of Colt Hoare’s statement (Ancient Wilts., 1, 108) that the bank was outside the ditch. The ditch was noticeably narrower than the main ditch of the ramparts, and its southern edge was much weathered and collapsed. The width was approximately 13 ft. from lip to lip, and the depth from modern ground level was 8 ft. 7in. The bank had been entirely removed by ploughing, but the soil lines showed conclusively that Colt Hoare was correct in reporting that the ditch was within. The modern ploughsoil was approximately | ft. deep, resting upon a thick layer of buried soil which itself overlay a complex series of bands of brown earth, flints, and chalk rubble in varying proportions. Much of this clearly represented falls from the former bank. These layers were prolific in Romano- British pottery, indicating a long period of occupation, and including 4th century New Forest wares from Sloden. Metal articles included knife blades, a saw blade, an iron fibula, many nails, and a well preserved bronze brooch with the pin missing, but the spring intact. i The pottery from the primary silting has been examined by Professor C. F. C. Hawkes, whose 244 interest is gratefully acknowledged. He points out that some of the pottery, notably a fragment of a butt beaker, is consistent with a pre-Claudian date for the original construction of this enclosure. He has also suggested that the rectangular salient mentioned could well enclose a house, a suggestion which it is intended to follow up in 1962 during a further examination of the enclosure. The Outer Ditch The section cut in 1960 having produced no dating evidence, and having posed a number of problems, a new section 8 ft. wide was excavated. The stratification exactly followed that previously observed, and there was no indication whatever that the narrow bottom of the ditch had ever served as a palisade trench. The primary filling again produced no dating evidence, but a few Romano-British sherds were found in the higher silting. Above this level, a compact layer of small flints in brown earth suggests that the ditch had been deliberately filled up at a date very considerably before the final destruction of the hillfort early this century. While further evidence is desirable, and is to be sought, it can be said that there are strong reasons for believing that the outer ditch represents a girdle of Roman date, encircling a pre-existing univallate hillfort (but see below). The comparatively small volume of spoil from the girdle ditch appears to have been spread in the area between it and the pre-existing defences to produce the ‘broad flat’ bank men- tioned by Colt Hoare (Joc. cit.) and commented upon in these notes last year, (W.A.M., lvii, 1961, 33). The Western Ramparts In view of Colt Hoare’s reference to triple ramparts on. the west, confirmation of their existence was sought by means of a resistivity survey. The results proved indeterminate, and it would seem that future investigation by excavation must be undertaken. Column Ride, Savernake Forest: (SU/225649) A Romano-British Pottery Alteration in Nomenclature. It should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the secondary kiln numbered 4a in the report of work done in 1960 (op. cit., p. 34) has now been renumbered kiln 5. The kiln numbered 5 therefore becomes kiln 6, and the newly discovered kiln reported below will be kiln 7. The 1961 season saw the completion of excavations at this site, work occupying eight Saturdays during June and July. Kiln 7 This kiln was exposed in an area indicated by two separate high readings during the 1959 proton magnetometer survey. It proved to be similar in design to kiln 6, having a shallow elliptical oven, without central plinth, and with opposed firepits at the south-east and north-west ends. A hitherto unobserved feature was the reinforcing of the oven floor with a paving of small flints. The collapsed roof of the kiln was clearly traceable as a layer of red burnt clay covering the whole extent of the oven and flue passages. A number of vessels with bead rims had been abandoned in the kiln, as had one large storage jar, found in the north-west flue passage, and one very tiny bowl which also had a bead rim. Alternating layers of clay and sooty mud in the stokeholes suggested many successive firings of the kiln, but there was no indication that the structure had required remodelling or repairing. At the south-east end there were indications that an earlier kiln had existed on the site, and had been utilised when the new kiln was excavated, but the consequent destruction was too great to permit recognition of its form. 245 A curious runnel in the clay crossed the kiln area, being cut through by the kiln itself. It suggested some previous structure, but time did not allow of its being traced beyond the area excavated. Near the sites of kilns 5 and 6 the proton magnetometer survey had indicated another feature to be examined. This proved to be an area of hard burnt clay upon which rested a single inverted vessel with everted rim, and rather poorly fired. In shape and size the baked area was similar to the floor of a kiln, but no trace of a firepit could be found. Since the ‘floor’ was on the surface of the clay stratum, the kiln, if such it was, must have been erected above, instead of being dug into the natural clay, but no trace of any structure remained. It seems possible that pots were here given a preliminary drying prior to firing in one of the adjacent kilns. Black Field, Mildenhall (Cunetio) A Romano-British walled township Further investigations, again undertaken by F. K. Annable and A. J. Clark, were concentrated at the north-west corner of the township. The line of the town wall was accurately determined up to the north-west angle, and a small test excavation was carried out at the site of a small town house which appeared on air photographs to abut on to the north wall in this sector. A single apsidal room pro- jecting beyond the main building at the back towards the interior face of the town defences was cleared. Much wall plaster was found, and it was proved that the construction of the apsidal room was subse- quent to the building of the town wall: absolute dating evidence was not, however, forthcoming. The thickness of the wall foundations of this room suggested that the building as a whole may have been official, rather than domestic, in function, but fuller investigation is needed to confirm this. There were slight indications that the earlier pre-masonry ditch defences extended to the northermost limits of Black Field, and partly underlay the 4th century town wall. Time was not, however, available to confirm what is at present merely conjectured to be the lip of one of the earlier ditches located beneath the tail of a considerable bank associated with the late masonry defences. Westbury, Wellhead: (ST/873502) A Romano-British Lime-Kiln, of 4th cent. A.D. In October 1959 a scatter of occupation material of 3rd—4rd centuries A.D. came to light during the building of a bungalow on the southern outskirts of Westbury. In July 1960 the owner, Lieut.-Col. W. D. Shaw, a keen amateur archaeologist, discovered an ancient lime-kiln and midden within 12 ft. of his verandah. Owing to its great depth (15 ft.) the excavation of this kiln proved to be a major undertaking, and has only recently been completed. The following general conclusions have been reached :— (a) The size of the kiln indicates that lime was being produced on a commercial scale; and it is probable that other similar kilns were operated in the same area. (b) The unorthodox siting and construction of the kiln suggest that a siphon or down-draught system of ventilation was probably used. Very few lime kilns of this period have been found, let alone exca- vated, and it is reasonable to suppose that in certain situations deep kilns, using this type of ventilation, might have been in fairly common use. (c) The quantity and variety of the pottery and other objects found in the kiln point to the existence of a prosperous settlement on the site since the 2nd century A.D. In addition to cattle raising, there is evidence that iron smelting and pottery making were carried on in the vicinity. A further series of small-scale excavations is being carried out to determine the extent and nature of associated house sites on the higher ground above the kilns, and arrangements have been made for a proton-magnetometer survey of the open ground below the kiln to be carried out by Dr. M. J. Aitken. Rescue and Research Work in the Salisbury Area During 1961 it was decided to change the name of the Salisbury Museum Excavation sub-Committee VOL. LVITIT CCX 25 246 to that of the Salisbury Museum Research Committee as the existing name no longer adequately described the work of the group. Investigations undertaken this year by the Committee under the direction of Mr. J. W. G. Musty, assisted by Messrs. D. J. Algar and J. E. D. Stratton, are summarised below. Broadchalke (SU/038256): Roman, Medieval and post-Medieval finds The demolition of cottages on the outskirts of the village, and subsequent rebuilding on the site, revealed a complex of pits and ditches. The ditches were found to be of Roman date, and one ditch contained an extended burial. Medieval and post-medieval pottery of 12th—18th centuries A.D. was recovered from the pits. Broadchalke is therefore clearly an example of a valley settlement with continuity of occupation from Roman times; in addition to the present finds, the existence of the Saxon cemetery on the other side of the river, discovered and excavated some years ago by Dr. R. C. Clay, should be noted. Ashpot Cottages, Upper Woodford (SU/12863778): Roman or Saxon inhumation In digging a pipe trench in connection with the Avon Valley water scheme, an inhumation was revealed, and later examined by J. E. D. Stratton. The skeleton lay on its side at a depth of 5 ft., on the chalk, with spine curved. It is possible, therefore, that the burial had been made in a crouched position, but the fact could not be confirmed as the skull and limbs had been destroyed by the trench- digger. A small iron knife was found behind the lumbar vertebrae. Although extended burials with knives are common for the Saxon period, a crouched inhumation at a depth of 5 ft. would be unusual for that period. The overburden of flinty soil, although uniform throughout, may have accumulated after the burial. Knighton Down, Broadchalke (SU/062233) Roman Road, Old Sarum to Dorchester Trial trenches were dug at the point on Knighton Down where there is a very pronounced kink in the road. The purpose of these trenches was to test a theory that the road may have originally followed a different line, i.e. along that of the Ox-drove in a westerly direction. No evidence was obtained for au alternative route. Moot Close, Downton (SU/181213): Roman Development of the areas excavated by P. A. Rahtz and E. S. Higgs (W.A.M., Lvii, 1958, 13) ‘was started in 1961 and the progress of the work was watched during the laying of roads and sewers. The road foundations were at a depth of approximately 2 ft., and archaeological layers were therefore exposed, but surprisingly little new information was obtained from the areas previously examined by excavation. Sections of known Roman estate roads were revealed, but little else. It is of interest to record, however, that Mesolithic flint implements were not found outside the area previously excavated by Mr. Higgs. Outside the previously excavated area an accumulation of stone slates and large flints was observed. Only a cursory examination of this feature was possible, but it is suggested that it was probably a corn- drying oven, the slates forming the drying-floor or roof over the main flue, assuming the oven to be of T-shape. A lead cauldron probably employed as a measure was recovered from the flue. The previous occurrence is known of a vessel of this type in association with a T-shaped corn-drying oven. Old Sarum, East Suburb (SU/145331): Roman Road, Old Sarum to Silchester The Fawley-Avonmouth pipe-line crosses the conjectural line, as marked on the O.S. map, of this Roman road in the vicinity of Old Sarum. The side-ditches of the road were exposed in the trench section, but there was no indication of an agger. The conjectural line of this road is therefore confirmed ; the road was aligned on the eastern entrance to Old Sarum. Old Sarum, East Suburb (SU/141326): Medieval pit A pipe trench revealed a large pit in the modern road just north of the area in the East Suburb | | 247 excavated by P. A. Rahtz, (W.A.M. lvii, 1959, 237). Pottery of 13th century date, and part of a Purbeck stone mortar were recovered from the pit filling. Most of the pottery can be assigned to the first half of the 13th century, and the mortar may therefore be the earliest of its type so far found. Clarendon Palace: (SU/182302) Excavations were undertaken at Clarendon Palace with the primary object of obtaining a stratified pottery series for comparison with the pottery from the Laverstock kilns. Sections were cut through the main ash pit area, and through a newly discovered ash deposit adjacent to it. The pottery was all of one date (late 13th—early 14th century) and includes Laverstock material. Certain other features on the Palace perimeter were also examined. These included the hitherto undescribed terrace below the Great Hall to the north-east, (possibly one of the gardens referred to in the Liberate Rolls, Henry II) which was shown to be retained by a flint wall, and a complex of wall features in the south-west corner of the courtyard perimeter. It was thought that the latter might be a gate-house, but the excavation produced no evidence to support this, although it did show that the perimeter wall had been taken down to its lowest course over a length of 12 ft. Possibly the most important result of this excavation has been to focus attention on a hitherto un- described earthwork of some 40 acres, within which, in one corner, the Palace lies. This earthwork consists of a bank and ditch, the ditch running inside the Palace perimeter wall. The ditch was sectioned and found to be approximately 8 ft. deep and 20 ft. wide at the lip. The only stratified finds were late 13th century pottery and a 13th or 14th century arrowhead. These were at the top of the ditch silt, and are an indication that the earthwork is a very early medieval, or pre-medieval, feature. A complete survey of this earthwork is now proposed in order to determine significant points for further investigation. FIELDWORK Deserted Medieval Villages A list of over 100 candidates for Deserted Medieval Village status has been prepared, principally from documentary evidence. Approximately half of these are at present the subject of field investiga- tion by the Salisbury Museum Research Committee. One village site, that of Gomeldon, near Salisbury, has been selected for detailed examination. A complete survey of the area has revealed the location of at least five medieval long-houses. The survey was run as a training course in archaeological surveying directed by Mr. J. Davies under the auspices of the Department for Extra-Mural Studies, Bristol University. Burderop Park, Chiseldon (SU/163802) A watching brief was carried out in September by Mr. D. Grant-King on behalf of the Ministry of Works during building operations at the site of an earthwork, possibly rectangular, on the margin of Burderop Park in Chiseldon parish. The site was previously recorded by A. D. Passmore, (W.A.M. xliv, Dec. 1928, 243) in which he notes the extent of the enclosure ditch on its north and east sides. No evidence of date for the earthwork was recovered from the trenches cut during building work, but the line of the ditch was traced to its southern termination on the west. A sketch plan and note, giving further details have been deposited in Devizes Museum Library, (Wiltshire Tracts, 161). 248 Church End Ring, Steeple Langford: (SU/013356) During June, small-scale excavations were carried out at this enclosure by the Salisbury Museum Research Group under the direction of Messrs. D. J. Bonney and J. W. G. Musty. A section was cut across the ditch and on the north side of Church End Ring, to establish its date, and thus relate it to the lengthy occupation sequence known from Hanging Langford Camp on the ridge immediately above. Traces of an outer bank were found, and just back from the inner lip an occupation layer with rough cobbling. The ditch measured 13 ft. from lip to lip, and 2 ft. 6 in. across the bottom, which was 6 ft. below the present surface. Nearly 50 sherds were found, those from the ditch bottom being Iron Age C. Two further sections were cut across the ditch linking Church End Ring with Hanging Langford camp, particularly to determine whether or not it had been used as a trackway. The section of the ditch in both cases was V-shaped and its bottom 6 ft. below the present surface. A few sherds of Romano-British pottery occurred in the upper fill. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks are accorded to the following for their contributions to this summary of excavations :— Mrs. P. M. Christie (Amesbury); P. Ashbee (Normanton Down); Mrs. F. J. de M. Vatcher (Winter- bourne Stoke); Major H. F. W. L. Vatcher (Woodford, Winterbourne Stoke, Clarendon Park); D. A. Simpson (Pitton); H. C. Bowen (Ebbesbourne Wake); Rev. E. H. Steele (Bilbury and Savern- ake Forest); Lt.-Col. W. D. Shaw (Westbury); J. W. G. Musty (Rescue and Research Work in the Salisbury Area); D. Grant-King (Chiseldon). CORRIGENDA 1. Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine lvii, 11, lines 9 and 10: for south-west (SU/222652) read south- east (SU/22326499). : . ibid., 235, line 33: for SU/222652 read SU/22326499. . ibid., 235, line 37 for south-west read south-east. . tbid., 396, line 21 for Kiln 1 read Kiln 3. . ibid., lviii, 38, line 1 for Fyfield Down (SU/143707) read Overton Down SU/129707 or possibly 130707. mA BwWh 249 NATURAL HISTORY SECTION HON. SECRETARY’S REPORT (A.G.M., JUNE, 1961) Since the A.G.M., 1961, the Section membership has risen from 270 to a total of 287, of which 129 are full members of the Society and 158 are Section members; a satisfactory increase of 17 overall. 23 of the 28 meetings arranged for the half year January to June, 1962 have been held. Mr. J. D. Grose has completed the second successive Survey of Roadside Verge Spraying, which will appear in The Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine. The Survey will also be made available to The Council for Nature. The position of the Section’s publications, all of which have been entirely financed by members of the Section, is now as follows :— The Macrolepidoptera List for Wiltshire, compiled by Dr. Charles de Worms, will shortly be published and copies are still available at the pre-publication price of 20/-. The Flora of Wiltshire by Mr. J.D. Grose continues to sell slowly and some 130 copies are now left in stock at 42/- out of the total first edition of 600. The List of Wiltshire Birds has not sold as well as might be expected, considering the wider interest of the general public in birds. At 4/- it was almost certainly too cheaply priced and about half of the edition of 800 are still unsold. FIELD MEETINGS AND LECTURES, 1961 Report by the Hon. Meetings Secretary, BEATRICE GILLAM Members of the Natural History Section were very active during 1961 and with an increased member- ship, the average attendance at lectures and field meetings rose to twenty. During the year two lectures were given by members of the Section. Lt.-Colonel C. Floyd’s talk on ‘Colour Photography for the Amateur Naturalist’ attracted a good audience. It is to be hoped that there will be a quick response to his appeal to photographers to record aspects of the countryside which are in danger of disappearing. Mrs. S. Lee gave a fascinating account of her courageous journey with Miss Gwyn across some of the South African National Parks in her A30. Many of her coloured slides of birds and animals were remarkable. In collaboration with the Swindon N.H.S. the beautiful colour film ‘Sea Bird Summer’ made by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was shown to a large audience in Swindon. Members were also able to hear Dr. E. Neal speaking of his latest work on the behaviour of Badgers at a meeting in Salisbury arranged by the Salisbury N.H.S. and they were again invited to lectures arranged by the Bath N.HLS. Lt.-Colonel and Mrs. C. Floyd kindly invited the Section to hold its Annual General Meeting at Great Chalfield Manor on 15th July. This resulted in the largest attendance at an A.G.M. in the Section’s history. The business meeting at 7 p.m. was followed by a picnic supper in the garden and a short talk with slides by Mr. M. Blackmore on Bat Identification. As darkness fell Lt.-Col. Floyd and Mr. B. W. Weddell set up two mercury vapour lamps to attract moths in the hope that bats might take some of them in the low beam of light. Mr. Blackmore was ready with nets to catch, identify and ring the bats but unfortunately weather conditions were unfavourable. Very few moths appeared and the few bats seen were too high to be netted. The first field meeting on 22nd January was the annual visit to Chew Valley Lake, most ably led by Mr. B. King. Fifteen White-fronted Geese, the first record for the winter, grazing on a hillock were easily visible from our cars, which served as excellent hides at several points round the lake. Good views of duck including Gadwall, Pintail and Smew were enjoyed. This meeting, attended by forty-one members, was followed by two more, equally well supported, at Bridgwater Bay and at the Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge. Two Avocets feeding on the mud banks were the highlights of the day at the coast. At Slimbridge the 4,000 wild Whitefronts were restless and large numbers wheeled and called overhead. During the last few years Mr. M. J. Penistan (Forestry Commission Divisional Officer) has become associated with the Section, resulting in an increasing interest in ali aspects of forestry. In early spring 250 he took us to Grovely Wood where, with the help of Mr. Cameron (District Forestry Officer) and Mr. Bunting (Lord Pembroke’s forester) our party of fifty saw something of the work being done in the wood in 1961 and heard the early history of the wood and the story of its flora and fauna. On a geological expedition in March Mr. R. S. Barron conducted us through the Vale of Wardour from Charnage Down to E. Knoyle to show us evidence of the Mere Fault and to search for Chalk fossils. During April, May and June eight meetings were arranged to a variety of habitats at times ranging from 4.15 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. to enable the bird-watchers to see and hear most of the summer visitors to the county. In Sandridge Vale, Common Curlew and Nightingale; at Coate Water, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart, Reed and Sedge Warblers; at Ramsbury, Swift and Redshank; at Corsham, at dawn, first to call was a Cuckoo and as the light grew stronger the Warblers joined in the chorus of Thrushes, Blackbirds, Tits and Rooks. On 10th May Golden Ball Hill gave us Turtle Dove, Wheatear and Grasshopper Warbler; on 17th May the evening chorus at Bedwyn Common included a Tree Pipit but it was not until 28th May at Gare Hill that Woodcock and Nightjar were seen and heard at dusk. A 7.30 p.m. meeting at Fosbury was successful in its object of hearing Wiltshire’s wildest bird, the Stone Curlew. A party of seventeen members and their relatives spent a wonderful Whitsun week at Mr. R. M. Lockley’s guest house at Orielton, Pembrokeshire. The weather was consistantly good and landings were made on Skomer, Skokholm, St. Margaret’s and Grassholm Islands so that close studies of cliff and island nesting birds were possible. These included Puffins, Gannets and Choughs. Botany and Geology were also studied along the coast and in the Prescelly Mountains. Meetings during the summer months were held on Calstone Down, where botanists found many interesting plants in an area not previously visited, the By Brook valley, Imber and Porton ranges, Milk Hill, Wylye Down and Coate Water. Eighteen members spent 24th September, a beautiful sunny day, at the water-filled gravel pits at Frampton-on-Severn and along the banks of the Severn estuary. This meeting was of interest to both botanists and bird-watchers and presented two very special habitats. Conditions were ideal for Fungi on Ist October in Savernake Forest. Twenty-two species were identified including specimens of Boletus edulis as big as dinner plates and perfect specimens of the deadly poisonous Amanita muscaria. A fortnight later a visit was made to woods at West Lavington to collect Mosses and Liverworts which were identified with the aid of microscopes in the laboratory at Dauntsey’s School. The last field meeting of the year was aptly billed as ‘A Winter Walk.’ In spite of fog and hoar frost six members walked all day from Tytherington over the downs and through Grovely Wood. Little life stirred but a Roe Deer was seen and an over-fat Grey Squirel was found with its head wedged in a hole in an oak tree. During 1961 an inquiry into the distribution of Swifts in Wiltshire and an ecological study of Somer- ford Common were launched. The Badger Survey continued into its fifth year. The few members who took part in three dusk watches had the thrill of watching a female badger going out and returning backwards downhill with rolls of bedding. Members taking part in the autumn Bird Migration Inquiry in recent years have discovered definite routes from North to South used during migration. Two of these, Easton Hill and Ham Hill were visited in the autumn and a definite southward movement, especially of Hirundines, was seen. At the conclusion of seven years in this office I should like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the many people who have so generously given their service as leaders and lecturers to the Section and for the support given to them and to me by Section members. It has been a most interesting and enjoyable term of office and I hope my successor, Mrs. S. Lee, will enjoy the same support. 251 THE WEATHER OF 1961 By R. A. U. JENNINGS This was another undistinguished year. The warmth of the first four months accelerated the flowers and leaves. There were some high temperatures in mid-March and April was generally frost-free. A year which starts with such clemency has often a crude joke up its sleeve. 1961 was no exception, and a couple of sharp frosts at the end of May devastated the potato haulms. May, June and July were very dry, and there was no heavy thunder-rain to bring up the totals. During the summer there were four tiny spells of hot weather, but they had no staying power. Harvest might have been worse. The leaves stayed late on the trees though they did not keep their colour. The causes of this late-staying are not known; there seem to be exceptions to all the theories so far put forward. December was the only exciting month. A very cold air stream covered the country in its second half, and in brisk sunny weather the ice began to bear skaters on Christmas Eve. A silver thaw (not to be confused with ‘“‘glazed frost’) on the 29th made walking dangerous for some hours and motoring almost impossible. The last night of the year brought the lowest temperature since 1947. In the summary below ‘“‘T” means temperature; “‘R’’ means rainfall; ‘‘S’? means sunshine; “+-” means excess; ‘‘“—’’ means deficiency; “‘O’’ means nearly normal. T. R. S. Jan. + ++ — Mild, dull and wet Feb. “LE + — Mild, dull, and wet March -+ — + The best month of the year April + -- — Very dull but frost-free May — — + Dry but not warm June O — + Dry but not warm July — — O Dry but not warm August ee al a A hot spell at the end Sept. + + — Normal Oct. O O — A late first frost Nov. O — O Drier than usual Dec. aad O a ee Sunny and cold 1961 O sa O A dry year 252 WILTSHIRE BIRD NOTES FOR 1961 Recorders: RUTH G. BARNES, GEOFFREY L. BOYLE AND R. L. VERNON Contributors: A. F, Airey .. oe , A.F.A. Inigo Jones 5 LJ D. A. W. Alexander . D.A.W.A. Mrs. Lawson : V.C.L David Barnes. . ? D.G.B. Julian Lawson ; J.C.L. Mrs. Barnes .. R.G.B. CG: Lock? .2 wa ; C.G.L. Geoffrey Boyle G.L.B. Miss Mary Luckham . M.K.L. C. J. Bridgman C.J.B. Mrs. Morgan ; V.M. E. J. M. Buxton E.J.M.B. J.-C. C. Oliver ag x C.E€1O: Dr. Bruce Campbell B.C. Brigadier J. R. I. Platt = Jd RAP G. W. Collett G.W.C. R. H. Poulding ; R.H.P. Major W. M. Congreve W.M.C. Countess of Radnor : IR. R. M. Curber R.M.C. Cyril Rice : C.R. John Cuss J.C. Mrs. Richards : F.D.R. M. Drummond M.D. Mrs. Ridley .. : C.Ry. A. A. Dunthorn A.A.D. Peter Roberts : P.J.R. F. P. Errington E.P.E: Julian Rolls .. Ae ae ; J.C.R. Mrs. Errington P.E. Brigadier E. E. G. L. Searight .E.E.G.L:S: D. D. Fieldhouse D.D.F. Mis. Seccombe Hett. . ; : C.S.H. Mrs. Forbes .. E.V.F. A. Smith a AS. Miss Forbes .. K.G.F. J. D. Smith J.D.S. George Forster G.H.F. R. J. Spencer be R.J.S. Miss M. C. Foster M.C.F. Miss Monica Stokes M.J.S. D. W. Free D.W.F. B. M. Stratton B.M.S. D. E. Fry ; a D.E.F. Aidan Sudbury A.W.S. Mrs. Gandy .. on LG. Noel Tilley N.T. Miss Beatrice Gillam B.G. J. L. A. Tyler I.L:AGE: G. W. Hemmings G.W.H. G. L. Webber G.L.W. Major R. K. Henderson R.K.H. G. L. Weyman G.L.Wn. A. J. Horner .. A.J.H. Ralph Whitlock R.W. E. L. Jones E.L J. Lady Young R: Ye Abbreviations used in the text— Gravel pits G.P. Sewage farm S.F. 4. RED-THROATED DIVER. A bird in winter plumage remained on Corsham Lake from Jan. 1st—8th when it was frequently watched at close range. On several days the lake was partially frozen over (G.W.H., J.C.R., C.S.H., B.G., D.G.B.). 5. GREAT CRESTED GREBE. Four pairs at Coate when nest building started in early March, but, due to the receding water level, all deserted and left by Apr. 2nd (G.L.W., J.C., G.L.Wn., M.C.F., E.L.J.). Three pairs on Braydon Pond, July 19th, one of which had 3 young about a month old; a pair with 1 young about 6 weeks old (A.F.A.). Fourteen birds on Bowood Lake, Mar. 12th (J.L.A.T.). Two pairs nested and 6 young reared at Corsham Lake. First nest found, Feb. 18th (G.W.H.). Three strong young, presumably from this nest, Apr. 8th (C.R.). Pair with 1 young bird on Westbury 203 Station Ponds, July 16th (R.M.C.). Three young seen with adult at Stourhead, May 14th (J.C.C.O.). A pair at Shearwater, displaying, Mar. 13th, and a pair on Fonthill Lake, Mar. 21st (B.M.S.). Non- breeding records numerous. 28. CORMORANT. One at Britford on Mar. 30th and Apr. 7th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 30. HERON. The number of occupied nests in heronries this year was as follows: Great Bradford Wood c. 24 (R.J.S.); Bowood, 27 (G.L.B.); Savernake Forest, 7 (N.T.); Leigh, 2 (R.G.B., D.G.B.); Hurdcott 5—11 (M.K.L.); Standlynch, 2—4 (M.K.L.); Boyton, 6—7 (J.R.LP.). 38. BITTERN. One seen flying up the valley at Britford on Nov. Ist. It was being mobbed by Jackdaws which left it after it came down in a muddy dyke. Here it was watched with binocuJars at 10 yards range. It soon took wing, flying off down the valley. The water bailiff reported that it was present throughout the autumn (D.E.F.). One at Longford, Dec. 7th (I.R.) and one was flushed in the Deanery Meadow, Salisbury, when shooting, Dec. 30th (Mr. A. M. Barker per M.K.L.). 45. MALLARD. Maximum numbers: Corsham Lake 196, Sept. 6th (J.C.R.); Bowood Lake c. 780, Oct. 15th (J.L.A.T.); Coate Water, c. 250, Jan. 15th and c. 500, Nov. 3rd (G.L.W.); Fonthill Lake, c. 300, Oct. 28th (R.J.S.). Breeding noted in many areas. 46. TEAL. Maximum numbers: Broome S.F., c. 120, Nov. 5th, Bowood Lake 30, Jan. 15th (J.L.A.T.); Coate Water c. 250, Jan. 8th and c. 300, Dec. 23rd (G.L.W.); Shearwater c. 35, Dec. 26th (J.C.C.O.); Clarendon Lake c. 50, Apr. Ist and c. 200, Nov. 18th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). A pair remained into the breeding season at Coate Water and a male was seen repeatedly throughout the summer. Breeding was strongly suspected as 2 adults and 2 young birds were seen in late July and early August (G.L.W.). 47. GARGANEY. A pair on marshy ground beside the R. Bourne near Tidworth, Mar. 20th, both birds standing on alert and later seen on wing. They were flushed from the same area on four later occasions, the last, Apr. 21st (B.G.). One male in eclipse plumage flushed from waterside vegetation at Coate, Aug. 27th (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.). 49. GADWALL. A female with Mallard at Longford Castle, Dec. 17th. The white speculum clearly seen (M.K.L.). 50. WIGEON. Very few this year. Maximum numbers: Coate Water, 9, Nov. 18th; Bioome S.F., 8, Dec. 26th (G.L.W.); Braydon Pond, 9, Jan. 15th (R.G.B.); Clarendon Lake, c. 15, Feb. 4th and c. 50, Dec. 2nd (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 52. PINTAIL. A male at Wilton Water, Jan. 13th (A.W.S.). At Coate Water a single male, Jan. 7th (G.L.W.) and Feb. Sth (G.L.Wn.); a pair, Feb. 25th and a female, Dec. 2nd (G.L.W.). 53. SHOVELER. At Coate Water small numbers present between Jan. Ist and Mar. 4th, including 4 on Jan. 7th (G.L.Wn.); 4 pairs on Feb. 25th and 10 birds, Feb. 26th (M.C.F.); in autumn between Nov. 11th and 26th numbers between 1 and 4 (G.W.L., G.L.Wn.). At Corsham Lake there were a pair, Mar. 12th—26th and Aug. 30th and 3 males Dec. 12th (G.W.H., J.C.R.). A pair at Clarendon, Mar. 31st (R.W.) and Apr. 8th (D.E.F., A.J.H.) and another at Axford, Oct. 20th (M.C.F.). Six at Fonthill, Oct. 28th (R.J.S.); a drake at Braydon Pond, Dec. 7th (P.J.R.) and a single bird at Bowood, Dec. 17th (J.L.A.T.). 54. RED-CRESTED POCHARD. A male was shot at Upavon, Oct. 31st. It was a first winter bird without a red crest and was in a half-way state of moult between winter and summer. The skin was examined by G.H.F. and R.W. and is now in the Museum at Monmouth. The bird was not ringed (R.W., G.H.F.). This is the second record for the county. 55. scAuP. Female at Coate Water, Apr. 23rd. Noted broad white band at base of bill and forehead, absence of creat on head, steeper slope of forehead than Tufted Duck. Back and flanks showing marked vermiculation. Still present following morning when seen by G.L.Wn. 56. TUFTED DUCK. Maximum numbers: Corsham Lake, 40, Dec. 17th (G.W.H.); Bowood Lake, 17, Jan. 15th (J.L.A.T.); Braydon Pond, 20, Feb. 12th (R.G.B.); Coate Water, 11, Jan. Ist (G.L.Wn.); Chilton Foliat, 19, Mar. 12th (E.L.J.); Wilton Water, 30, Feb. 12th (B.G.); Clarendon Lake, c. 20 pairs, Apr. 22nd (R.W.); Shearwater, 40, Dec. 20th (J.C.C.O.); Fonthill Lake, c. 20, Feb. 28th and Dec. 14th (B.M.S.); Longford Castle, 14, Dec. 25th (M.K.L.). A dusk flight during June to a pool in Maiden Bradley was noted on several evenings, 16 birds on one occasion. Young in down were seen on the same pool later in the summer but do not appear to have been reared (J.C.C.O.). A pair seen on the R. Kennett near Mildenhall, Apr. 22nd, and 2 pairs on the Kennett and Avon Canal at Oakhill, Apr. 22nd and May 20th (D.A.W.A.). 57. POCHARD. Maximum numbers: Corsham Lake, 23, Feb. 12th (J.C.R.); Bowood Lake, 15, VOL. LVIIT CCX 1E 254 Dec. 17th (J.L.A.T.); Coate Water, 210, Jan. 29th (E.L.J.) and Feb. 4th (G.L.W.); 181, Feb. 12th (G.L.Wn.); Braydon Pond, c. 64, Nov. 12th and c. 40, Dec. 17th (R.G.B.); Erlestoke Lake, 17, Dec. 17th (B.G.); Fonthill Lake, 24, Oct. 18th (B.M.S.). Three birds including 2 males stayed on Clarendon Lake through the summer but breeding wa not established. Six birds present, June 3rd (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 60. GOLDENEYE. At Braydon Pond a single male diving and feeding close to the roadside bank, Feb. 9th (R.G.B.). A male on Bowood Lake, Nov. 12th (J.L.A.T.). MANDARIN DUCK. One at Shearwater, Feb. 2nd. Present at end of year but no observations in summer (J.C.C.O.). 69. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. A flock of c. 70 birds seen flying over Idmiston, Mar. 11th, in a day of clear blue sky. The general direction of progression was north but about once a minute the flock would break formation and head south in a loose pack until one would take lead and head the forma- tion north again. The birds were a little too high to be definite but were either Goosander or Merganser and are much more likely to be the latter, as numbers of Merganser winter on Poole Harbour (G.H.F.). 73. SHELDUCK. One on flood water near Shrewton, Feb. 19th (C.M.R.P.). GREY GEESE. A skein of c. 50 flying NE. over Corsham Park, Jan. 7th and of 12 birds flying NW. over Malmesbury, Jan. 11th (G.W.H.); in autumn 27 flying NW. over Maiden Bradley, Oct. 19th (J.C.C.O.). 76. WHITE FRONTED GOOSE. Six feeding and resting on muddy verges of frozen flood water between Melksham and Whaddon, Dec. 3lst, a day of severe frost with snow. Birds flushed, calling, from 50—60 yards when they flew off towards west. None seen feeding in this area since severe winter of 1939/1940 (R.J.S.). 78. PINK FOOTED GoosE. One, first seen in company with Mute Swans on the Chitterne Brook in January, moved later to the R. Wylye and remained in the neighbourhood until the end of April (C.Ry., E.V.F., K.G.F.). This was presumably a ‘pricked’ bird. 82. CANADA GOOSE. Two on Coate Water, Mar. 12th (M.C.F., G.L.W., G.L.Wn.). 84. MUTE SWAN. A sample census of Mute Swans sponsored by the British Trust for Ornithology in conjunction with the Wildfowl Trust was organised by Dr. S. K. Eltringham to cover 14 counties in England and Wales in April and May 1961. Of these Wiltshire was one. In due course Dr. Eltringham will be reporting in the journal Bird Study on the result of the census as a whole. Some detailed figures for Wiltshire will be given next year in these Notes. 86. BEWICK’S SWAN. Three adult and two immature birds on the R. Avon at Longford Castle, Nov. 29th. They fed voraciously (I.R.). 91. BUZZARD. At Maiden Bradley in 5 to 7 occupied ‘territories’ 2 pairs bred for certain (J.C.C.O.). Also known to have bred near Fonthill (M.J.S.). Heard and seen regularly throughout the season in Great Ridge Wood and on Bidcombe/Brimsdown Hills (R.J.S.). A pair over Colerne airfield, Mar. 30th, and a juvenile flushed at very close range in that area, Aug. 13th (C.J.B.). Two circling very low over Swindon, Sept. 2nd (G.L.W.). Two soaring over Roundway Down, Sept. 26th (B.G.). Thirteen records through the year of single birds (R.M.C., I.J., I.G., et al.). 93. SPARROW HAWK. Seen too frequently about Maiden Bradley to warrent individual notes. At least one pair with young reported destroyed (J.C.C.O.). At Bratton apparent disappearance noted where four years ago several could usually be seen. This is not due to game preservation, as there is none and Jays and Magpies have increased (E.E.G.L.S.). Single birds seen at Odstock Down, Apr. 2nd, (E.L.J.); Limpley Stoke, May 3rd (R.M.C.); Tidworth in July and Alton Barnes, Aug. 7th (A.W.S.); near Whiteparish, Aug. 18th (R.W.) and Bathampton House, Oct. 14th (K.G.F.). 100. HEN HARRIER. A ‘ringtail’ flying W. at Chitterne Down, Jan. 6th (E.L.J.). One seen near Farley, Feb. 23rd (R.W.). At Boscombe Down a ‘ringtail’ alighted on road ahead of car for a few seconds, Mar. 14th (G.H.F.). One seen at Upavon, Oct. 31st (R.W.). 102. MONTAGU’S HARRIER. A very detailed description received of a male bird watched hunting Imber Down for 20 minutes on July 9th. It finally gained height and circled for a short while at a considerable height with a Buzzard (B.G., G.W.C.). A male also seen on the Bnlford Ranges, June 28th and Aug. 7th at distances from 40 yards (A.W.S.). One seen near Pitton on June 6th, Sept. 8th and Oct. 10th and near Downton, July 29th. A female at Ham Hill, July 19th, was almost certainly of this species (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.). A male bird seen in pursuit of an unidentified passerine on downs | 220 near Everleigh, when it saw observer’s car it gave up its chase and slowly wheeled away. It was sub- sequently watched quartering above the grass into which it dropped several times before finally flying out of sight (B.G.). 104. Hossy. Localities not given for security. First record Apr. 26th when one was seen to catch a small bird, presumably a Skylark, and, half circling and half hovering, plucked it in the air. It took almost 10 minutes to accomplish the task (R.W.). The next spring record, May 13th (G.H.F.). One seen at morning and evening, June 9th, each time pursued by Swifts (R.W.). Seen chasing House Martins, May 16th (P.J.R.). One spent some time playing with 2 Kestrels, July 8th (G.H.F.), and one was chasing Swallows and House Martins over a farm, July 26th (G.L.B.). A single bird seen on 4 dates between June 19th and Aug. 12th (A.W.S.), and 4 individuals were seen during autumn migration (J.C.C.O.). A single bird seen in 3 different areas in July (B.G.). There is only one breeding record: of a pair with one juvenile watched at a breeding place, Sept. 16th, and one adult with a juvenile were still there, Oct. 7th (G.L.W.). 105. PEREGRINE. A female at Clearbury Ring flying SE, Apr. 2nd (E.L.J.). One over Fyfield Down, May 27th, and near Devil’s Den, June 2nd (I.J.). An adult male flew from a wood near Old Sarum, Sept. 23rd, and one seen flying down the valley at Ford, Dec. 2nd (A.J.H.). 107. MERLIN. One, which scattered Rooks, over Chitterne Down, Jan. 6th (E.L.J.); one on Porton Range, Jan. 21st (G.H.F.), and one hunting finches low over kale at Highpost (A.J.H.). 110. KESTREL. One ringed as nestling, 26.6.59 near Hinckley: 52° 35’ N. 1° 21’ W. (Leicester) found dead or dying 27. 1. 60 at Pitton (Wiltshire) 100 miles S. cf. British Birds, Vol. 54, p. 467. 115. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. Heard calling in spring below Knap Hill and Tan Hill and at Hippens- combe. Seen frequently at Milton Hill (B.G.). A pair near Savernake, May 13th, and single birds near Rockley, May 14th and Ludgershall, Aug. 7th (E.L.J.). An adult with c. 10 young near Ogbourne St. George, June Ist (D.W.F.). Two on Ham Hill, Sept. 16th (G.L.W.). 117. QUAIL. One which was seen several times in a kale field at Charlton All Saints during the winter was positively identified in clear view, Mar. 17th (C.G.L.). One at Pertwood, May 19th (M.J.S.). One calling and seen in flight near Everleigh, June 2nd, and two calling at Larkhill, June 14th (A.W.S.). Calling heard, June 9th, and a pair seen June 11th near Aldbourne (M.C.F.). Also near Aldbourne two were heard in grass June 20th and at least five, June 28th; heard calling in barley near Forbury, Aug. 7th (G.L.W.). A single bird heard on Boyton Down, July 7th, and two heard in barley on Allington Down, July 22nd (B.G., R.J.S.). Heard in summer at Liddington Castle (G.L.Wn.). SARUS CRANE. Two cranes seen by Mrs. Vincent near Odstock, June Ist, and photographed by one of the staff of the Salisbury Journal, were identified at the Natural History Museum and by British Birds from these photographs as belonging to this species and were certainly escaped birds. 120. WATER RAIL. Records confined to autumn and winter months: in January at Corsham (J.C.R.); and Brinkworth (P.J.R.); in March at Coate (G.L.Wn.); in October at Corsham (J.C.R.); Burcombe (F.P.E.); and Ramsbury (V.C.L., I.G.); in November at Axford (B.G.); Idmiston (G.H.F.); Sher- rington (K.G.F.); Britford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); and Coate (G.L.W.); in December at Axford (M.C.F., G.L.Wn.); Ramsbury (V.C.L.); and Corsham (J.C.R.). On Dec. 23rd one was ringed and 5 seen at dusk in a half-mile stretch of water at Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 125. CORNCRAKE. One seen to walk across the road from one field of wheat to another between Shrewton and Tilshead in August (R.Y.). 127. coot. One ringed when full grown 19.2.60 at Slimbridge and transported 20.2.60 to Salisbury: 50° 04’ N. 1° 47’ W. (Wiltshire) recovered dead or dying 25.6.60 near Bridgnorth (Shropshire) 100 miles NNW. cf. British Birds Vol. 54, p. 467. 131. OYSTERCATCHER. One at Rodmead Farm, Maiden Bradley all day, Sept. 22nd, on plough with gulls (J.C.C.O.). 133. LAPWING. Maximum flock numbers: c. 900 near Beckhampton, Feb. 11th (E.L.J.); c. 200 at Stitchcombe, Aug. 26th (D.W.F.); and c. 1,000 at Barbury, Nov. 12th (G.L.W.). Flocks frequent at Colerne airfield from June to October and sometimes exceeded 500 (C.J.B.). Weather movement of several parties towards S. or SW. during afternoon, Dec. 24th (G.L.W.). Large numbers feeding at | edges of frozen flood near Melksham, Dec. 31st (R.J.S.). 140. GOLDEN PLOVER. Maximum numbers: c. 70 at Burbage, Jan. 12th (A.W.S.); c. 500 at Ford, Feb. 18th, had decreased to c. 100 by Mar. 29th (D.E.F., A.J.H.); c. 200 near Chilmark, Mar. 29th, some of which by their markings belonged to the northern race (B.M.S.); last 2E2 256 seen in spring at Old Sarum, Apr. 3rd (F.D.R.). First noted in autumn Sept. Ist, at Old Sarum (G.H.F.). Numbers at Colerne airfield c. 250, Oct. 6th (C.J.B.); c. 50 on Roundway Down, Oct. 18th and c. 100 near Calne Golf Course, Nov. 19th (B.G.). At Barbury c. 250 on plough, Oct. 22nd (G.L.W.). From 300—400 near Stourton, Oct. 24th (J.C.C.O.), and c. 200 on old airfield at Ramsbury in Oct./Nov. (V.C.L., J.R.L.). At Chiseldon c. 100, Dec. 17th (M.C.F.). 145. snipe. A good many calling and drumming at Chilton Foliat, Mar. 19th (M.C.F.); and several pairs near Ramsbury and Axford, Mar. 26th (B.G.). G.H.F. notes that the bird breeds in the valley of the Salisbury Avon and in some years in the Bourne Valley near Idmiston. The highest flock numbers include c. 50 at Coate, Jan. 7th (G.L.Wn.); c. 30 resting and preening near Marden, Jan. 26th (B.G.); at Broome S.F. c. 300 were seen, Nov. Sth and during Christmas from 400 to 600 birds were there (G.L.W.). 147. JACK snipe. At Coate birds were present until Apr. 2nd, and from Oct. {5th until Dec. 2nd in small numbers, highest 6 (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.). Two at Collingbourne Ducis, Jan. 9th (A.W.S.); and one at Maiden Bradley, Jan. 17th and Nov. 8th (J.C.C.O.). 148. woopcock. One killed by collision with telephone wires in garden at Pitton, Feb. 8th (R.W.). Two seen roding in Clarendon Woods, Apr. Ist and May 20th (D.E.F., A.J.H.); several heard and seen at dusk in Tyning Wood, May 28th (R.J.S.). Two roding at dusk near Ramsbury, June 11th (V.C.L.). One pair proved to breed in Bradley Woods (J.C.C.O.). 150. cuRLEW. Three pairs in meadow between Coleshill and Inglesham, May 12th and four pairs near Upper Inglesham, May 15th, whose behaviour indicated that chicks were present (G.L.W.). Nine birds by the R. Thames at Lechlade, May 15th (G.L.Wn.). A nest with 4 eggs near Minety, May 13th, where breeding suspected since 1958, found by J.C. who also reports that he found a Curlew’s nest in the Blunsdon/Watereaton area in 1952. One pair at least nested near Brinkworth where 2 young were seen in mown grass in June and several adults bird were seen all through the summer on another farm (P.J.R.). One bird near Crudwell, June 2nd (D.A.W.A.). A pair seen near Seagry, Apr. 5th, 3 pairs near Red Lodge and Ravensroost Wood, Apr. 6th and bubbling call heard at Leigh (R.G.B., D.G.B.). A juvenile was killed by a dog at Seend in June (J.C.R.). Birds seen and heard near Potterne Wick, Mar. 17th (B.G.), and bubbling call heard from several birds near Patney, Mar. 26th, where they were frequently heard and seen later (R.J.S.). A pair were seen south of Liddington Castle, Aug. 27th (J.D.S.). On Dec. 31st, a day of severe frost and snow, 15 and later 6 were feeding at muddy verges of frozen flood waters between Melksham and Whaddon; Curlew are not normally seen here in ‘average’ winter weather (R.J.S.). 156. GREEN SANDPIPER. One near Salisbury, Mar. 26th (M.K.L.). On Britford Watermeadows 6 were seen Mar. 30th, 2 on Apr. 7th, 3 on Sept. 2nd, and 6—10, Sept. 30th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). By the R. Kennett single birds at Littlecote, July 28th and Nov. 14th (I.G.), and Axford, Aug. 4th and 11th (M.C.F.). At Coate there were single birds Aug. 19th—20th, Sept. 19th and 3 on Sept. 29th (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.). A single bird seen for several days in late November feeding by the R. Key at Cricklade (J.C.). 157. WOOD SANDPIPER. Two birds of this species flew in from the north at Coate in company with a Greenshank just as light was beginning to fade, Aug. 17th, when flushed they flew round repeatedly making the chip-chip-chip call (G.L.W.). One of these birds also noted by G.L.Wn. 159. COMMON SANDPIPER. Seen on spring passage from Apr. 6th, 1 at Fonthill Lake (B.M.S.); Apr. 9th, 2 by R. Avon at Chippenham (C.J.B.). Largest number at Coate, 8 on Apr. 23rd and 4 on May 7th, and 14th (G.L.W.). One was seen on a lawn at Hilperton Marsh, May Sth (G.L.B.) and the last was seen at Britford, May 17th (G.H.F.). The autumn passage, all single birds from July 2nd at Coate (G.L.W.); at Tellisford, July 23rd (A.S.); Seagry, Aug. 6th (R.G.B.), and last at Axford, Aug. 19th (M.C.F.). 161. REDSHANK. A pair near R. Cole between Inglesham and Coleshill, May 12th; five pairs in meadows near R. Thames at Lechlade of which behaviour indicated that chicks were present and eggshells were found; also 2 pairs with chicks near Inglesham, May 15th (G.L.W.). Nest found near Collingbourne where there were probably 4 breeding pairs, June 3rd (A.W.S.). Several pairs noted as usual in Kennett valley between Axford and Chilton Foliat. A pair seen by R. Bourne near Tidworth in March and April (B.G.). 165. GREENSHANK. One in full summer plumage at Coate, May 13th, and a juvenile bird, Aug. 9th— 12th (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.). When one was present at dusk, Aug. 17th, a second bird flew in from the 251 north with 2 Wood Sandpipers (G.L.W.); one of these shanks had a broken leg (G.L.Wn.). One flushed several times from the Bybrook at Slaughterford, June 21st (G.J.B., J.C.R.). One near Long- ford, Sept. 10th (I.R.). 178. DUNLIN. Three at Coate Water, Apr. 5th (J.C.) and a single bird, May 9th (G.L.Wn.) and June 8th (G.L.W.). 184. RurF. A single bird feeding in shallow flood water near Marden, Mar. 6th, was very tame and when approached did not fly far. One feeding in company with Lapwing and Redshank on flood _ water by the R. Bourne near Tidworth, Mar. 20th. This bird with head and nape strikingly dark was a different individual to one seen here Mar. 26th. Detailed descriptions given (B.G.). A reeve was _ feeding with 3 Redshank on water meadows by the R. Kennett at Clatford, Mar. 26th (V.C.L., J.R.L., B.G.). At West Harnham there was a single bird, Mar. 12th (G.H.F.) and a reeve in the water meadows Mar. 15th, with possibly 16 others (A.J.H.). On Mar. 26th there were 14 birds in various states of plumage although none of the males were as yet wearing a ruff (G.H.F.). 189. STONE CURLEW. Localities not given for security. First seen in spring, Mar. 10th (R.W.), and | Mar. 23rd (G.H.F.). A nest found containing 2 eggs, May 10th, which hatched May 15th (D.A.W.A.). _ Nests also found by R.W. and G.H.F. A pair seen with 2 downy chicks, June 20th (G.L.W.). Birds ' were seen and heard in 12 or more separate areas, some pairs by several observers (R.M.C., B.G., R.J.S., G.L.Wn.). Last bird seen Aug. 8th (E.L.J.). 198. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. An adult bird at Coate, Mar. 5th and Apr. 8th (G.L.W.). One over Pitton, Nov. 10th and 27th (R.W.). _ 199. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Small numbers were recorded in every month of the year. The larger winter flocks included c. 250, almost all adult, near Beckhampton, Feb. 11th, where c. 135 were feeding, Feb. 26th. Also on Feb. 26th, 70 adult and 7 young birds feeding near St. Joan a Gore’s Cross (E.L.J.). A flock of 25—30 following the plough near Stanton St. Bernard, Mar. 18th, with a few Common Gulls (B.G.). At Lacock G.P. there were 35, Nov. 19th and in a ploughed field near _ Lacock a flock of c. 60 of which about 20 were young birds (J.C.R.). One Scandinavian bird was seen at Britford, Sept. 30th (D.E.F., A.J.H.).. Two roosted in autumn at Broome 8.F. There is no previous _ record of gulls roosting in the Swindon area (G.L.W.). 200. HERRING GULL. Only 9 records in all, the largest number being 8 at Rodbourne S.F., Apr. 2nd, 5 at Barbury, Mar. 26th, and 4, Nov. 12th (G.L.W.); 5 at Lacock G.P., Dec. 26th (J.C.R.). 201. COMMON GULL. At least 300 in one flock and c. 150 in another on flooded meadows near Malmesbury, Jan. 2nd; at least 300 feeding on flooded meadow near Pewsey, Jan. Sth (B.G.). Very numerous in Swindon area during hard weather at Christmas (G.L.W.). 208. BLACK-HEADED GULL. Highest number at Corsham Lake, c. 130, Jan 8th. One bird was frozen in there on Dec. 26th (J.C.R.). | 212. BLACK TERN. A solitary bird flying low over Walcot, Swindon, Aug. 16th (G.L.W.). Ten birds in autumn plumage feeding over Coate Water all the afternoon of Sept. 3rd (B.G., R.G.B., D.G.B.) 217/218. COMMON or ARCTIC TERN. One at Coate Water, June 11th (G.L.W.). and June 12th (G.L.Wn.), was probably a Common Tern. A juvenile bird seen there Aug. 20th (G.L.W.). A tern with white patch on forehead seen fishing in Corsham Lake, Sept. 5th (C.R.). 226. LITTLE AUK. One was found in a field near a factory at Highpost by Mr. Mankin on Nov. 6th and released on the R. Avon the following day. cf. Salisbury Journal, Nov. 10th from whose photo- _ graph the bird was satisfactorily identified. The Editor of British Birds reported that no ‘wreck’ had taken place and that, although a few Little Auks were seen on various parts of the E. and S. coasts at _ the end of the first week in November, this bird is the only inland record so far received (G.H.F.). 232. STOCK DOVE. Several hundreds in Ham Hill area, Oct. 28th (G.L.W.). 235. TURTLE DOVE. First noted May 2nd, Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.); May 5th, East Knoyle (B.M.S.); May 6th, Hackpen (G.L.W.), and Savernake Forest (M.C.F.); May 15th, 32 mostly paired feeding on a newly sown field near Pitton (R.W.). Last seen Sept. 23rd, Coate (G.L.W.). 237. cuckoo. First heard Apr. 9th, Corsham Park (J.C.R.); Apr. 16th, Savernake (D.W.F.) and Coate (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.); Apr. 17th, Pitton (R.W.). Four seen to fly from a roadside hedge near Worton, June 4th (B.G.). Last seen a juvenile at Seagry, July 24th (R.G.B.). /241. BARN OWL. Nest found in a haystack, May 15th, and parent seen carrying what appeared to be -a Water Vole (G.L.W.). A nest in building at Fyfield Down, May 29th (I.J.). Two young birds + nesting in hole in a hollow tree at West Ashton, Aug. 27th (A.S.). Seen regularly through the year in 258 several areas near Melksham (R.J.S.). One, sometimes two, hunting in broad daylight in Savernake Forest, May 13th—22nd (E.L.J.); and one at dusk near Potterne, Aug. 20th (R.M.C.). 246. LITTLE OWL. One run over on road near Chilmark, Sept. 6th, and one partly plucked and disembowelled on Berwick St. John Down, Sept. 29th (B.M.S.). In reported single birds seen at Wanborough and Axford in March and May, and at Wroughton in October, M.C.F. notes how very few there are where once they were abundant. The spring duet so frequently heard at Seagry, not heard in past 2 seasons (R.G.B.). 248. LONG-EARED OWL. A pair nesting in a downland belt of pine trees had eggs in mid-March. One observer saw an adult owl attack and drive away a Carrion Crow which had flown near the nest site (J.C., G.W.H., G.L.W., G.L.Wn., J.C.R.). 249. SHORT-EARED OWL. Single birds on Porton Range, May 9th (G.H.F., A.A.D.), and between Bulford and Tidworth, Aug. 31st (G.H.F.). 252. NIGHTJAR. Flight call first heard at Maiden Bradley, May 12th; first eggs, June 1st and first young June 14th. Four nests found, probably 8 or more pairs present (J.C.C.O.). Four birds also noted in this area on May 28th (R.J.S.). Heard near Forbury, Aug. 7th (G.L.W.). 255. swirT. Notes on this species will be included in the results of an enquiry in a future report. 258. KINGFISHER. Six trapped and ringed on meadows by the Salisbury Avon in September, all first winter birds. The increase in numbers in August and September noted for past 2 years. No marked increase in spring and few seen on meadows in summer and winter (D.E.F., A.J.H.). One seen ducking another Kingfisher in the R. Bourne at Idmiston, Aug. 4th (G.H.F.). cf. British Birds, Vol. 55, p. 43. 261. HOOPOF. One seen in Salisbury, Aug. 15th (M.D.). 263. GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. A nest in a rotten willow tree in the Bird Sanctuary at Coate, May 22nd, of which the young were reared successfully (G.L.Wn.). A male bird which regularly visits a bird table at Seagry adopted as a drum an empty wooden seed hopper on this table. The hopper was only 4 feet from the ground and 12 feet from a window and from Apr. 23rd to May 12th the bird drummed at frequent intervals during a 12 hour day starting at about 06.00 hours (R.G.B.). Several poles carrying electricity at Brinkworth had to be replaced in October owing to damage by this bird. One pole examined had 5 large holes in the top 12 feet (P.J.R.). 264. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Notes on this species will be included in the results of an enquiry in a future report 265. WRYNECK. One in the grounds at rear of the Police Station, Trowbridge for 2 hours, Sept. 24th. It was quite active, perching on a fence and a clothes post within 3—4 yards of a window and was observed by several interested officers who noted the snake like markings on the neck and the peculiar habit of twisting its head (Sergeant Watchman per A.S.). 271. WooDLARK. A small flock on top of Dean Hill, Jan. 30th (I1.R.). A pair raised at least one brood at Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). Several pairs bred on Porton Ranges (G.H.F.) and single birds seen on Bulford Ranges, July 5th (A.W.S.). Two pairs on Barbury Down, June 2nd (A.F.A.), and single birds in open part of Grovely Wood, Aug. 13th (B.M.S.). 272. SKYLARK. A westerly movement noted along the southern edge of the Downs above East Knoyle in October, November and early December (B.M.S.). 274. SWALLOW. First seen Mar. 20th, Coate (G.L.W.); Apr. Ist, Stoford (W.M.C.); Apr. 2nd, East Knoyle (B.M.S.). At Fyfield Down, Aug. 16th, 8 or 10 parties of 10—30 birds and some singletons flying West (W. wind) between 10.00 and 12.00 G.M.T. A marked movement. Some scores moving South and West over the Ridgeway near the Berkshire border, Sept. 17th (E.L.J.). Last seen Oct. 25th and 29th, Coate (G.L.Wn.); Oct. 30th, Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). 276. HOUSE MARTIN. First seen Apr. Ist, Stoford (W.M.C.); Apr. 8th, Coate (G.L.W.); Apr. 15th, Pewsham (J.L.A.T.) and Horningsham (G.L.W.). A large passage at Ham Hill, Sept. 16th, and 66 on passage there, Oct. 7th (G.L.W.). Last seen, Oct. 15th, Stoford; where young were fed in the nest until evening (W.M.C.); and at Axford, Oct. 17th (G.L.Wn.); Oct. 20th (B.G.). 277. SAND MARTINS. First seen Mar. 10th, West Grimstead (R.W.); Mar. 25th, Coate (G.L.Wn., G.L.W.); Mar. 26th, Ramsbury (B.G.). 280. CARRION crow. A roost of 35 birds in Corsham Park, Mar. 31st (J.C.R.). A crow with fawn coloured plumage seen with others in Sandridge Vale, Apr. 15th (R.J.S.). 281. HOODED CROW. Single birds at Broome S.F., Jan. Ist (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.); at Collingbourne, Jan. 19th (A.W.S.); and in flight near Maiden Bradley, Feb. 10th (J.C.C.O.). 259 283. JACKDAW. A bird ringed at Cole Park, taken to Oxford Nov. 20th and released at New College was re-trapped at Cole Park, Dec. 31st (E.J.M.B.). 284. maGpie. At Heddington on July 20th at 18.30 hours a fox was seen sitting outside its earth, Eight magpies were hopping about in the field in front of it. When the fox moved down the hill and sat outside another opening the magpies closed in on it (6 close and 2 in the outfield). At the least movement of the fox the birds jumped a little way away. The fox went to ground and reappeared at - the top earth. Meanwhile the birds closed in on the earth down which the fox had gone. The fox finally made off across the field and the magpies split up (B.G.). 289. BLUE TIT. One ringed at Cole Park as juvenile 23.9.60 found dead at Longlevens, Gloucester (20 miles N.) 29.12.60 (E.J.M.B.). 293. WILLOW TIT. A pair excavated and lined a nesting hole at Maiden Bradley but did not lay, the _ only ones seen there during the year (J.C.C.O.). Single birds at Coate, Jan. 15th (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.); - Clarendon Lake, Apr. 22nd (R.W.); Fyfield Down, Aug. 4th—I11th (E.L.J.), and positively identified in a mixed flock at Ham Hill, Oct. 7th (G.L.W.). 294. LONG-TAILED TIT. Three seen feeding at bird table near Marlborough, Jan. 25th (R.K.H.). _ Following a week of continual severe frost one bird was seen feeding at a plate of food on a lawn in Devizes with Starlings and smaller garden birds (B.G.). 300. DIPPER. Nested as usual at Maiden Bradley and at least one brood successfully reared (J.C.C.O.), — One near Hurdcott, Apr. 8th (E.V.F., K.G.F.), and an adult with 2 young seen there, Apr. 23rd (M.K.L.) _ One on Stradbrook, Bratton, July 28th, was the first seen there (E.E.G.L.S.). 302. FIELDFARE. Last seen in spring, Apr. 2nd, c. 30 at Nunton (E.L.J.); Apr. 9th, c. 50 near Coate —(G.L.W.); May 12th, one at Winterslow (G.H.F.). First seen in autumn, Oct. 22nd, c. 60 near Rockley (G.L.W.); Nov. Ist, Pitton (R.W.); Oct. 29th, Roundway Down (B.G.). At least 2,000 thrushes, mainly Fieldfares in the valley south of Barbury, Nov. 12th (G.L.W.). Large numbers feeding with _ Redwings and Thrushes at verges of frozen flood waters near Melksham, Dec. 31st and others endeav- _ ouring to shelter on river banks. In ensuing severe weather many were to die of starvation. Several | found exhausted and dying near Bradford-on Avon (R.J.S.). One found dead, very thin and with _ empty crop, Dec. 31st (B.G.). | 303. SONG THRUSH. A nest at Cricklade with first egg, Feb. 21st, an early date (J.C.). - 304. REDWING. Last seen in spring, Mar. 26th, Ramsbury (B.G.); Apr. 9th, several with Fieldfares | near Coate (G.L.W.). First seen in autumn at Odstock, Oct. 9th (V.M.); heard flying over Swindon . during night, Oct. 12th (G.L.W.); and over Melksham, Oct. 13th (R.J.S.); seen near East Knoyle, _ Oct. 13th (B.M.S.). In cold weather during Christmas weekend c. 40 were feeding on sewage carriers _ at Broome S.F. and many died by the end of the week (G.L.W.). Numbers with Fieldfares feeding in | riverside meadows during severe weather, Dec. 31st. None were however found dead or dying here as _ with Fieldfares in the following days (R.J.S.). 307. RING OUZEL. A male at Martinsell, Apr. 16th, when the white gorget was clearly seen (A.W.S.). | 311. WHEATEAR. First seen Mar. 16th, Fyfield Down (I.J.); Mar. 17th, Pitton (R.W.); Mar. 32rd, | Colerne (C.J.B.). Last seen Oct. 25th, Mildenhall (R.K.H.); Oct. 28th, Walcot (G.L.W.); Oct. 29th, - Porton (G.H.F.). _ 317. STONECHAT. Birds seen in every month at Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.). G.H.F. notes that in S. and _ SE. Wilts where the bird breeds, more are usually seen in winter except in severe weather. Birds seen in | eveLy, month except April, May and July in 15 different places; the June observation at Beacon Hill _ near Bulford (B.G.). Male birds seen in January at Codford (E.V.F.) and Coate (G.L.W.); in February | at Chitterne (E.V.F., K.G.F.) and Winterbourne Earls (R.W.). A pair at Coate, Sept. 22nd—Nov. | 19th (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.); a pair at Walcot, Oct. 15th—Nov. 5th; a pair and 2 males at Barbury, | Oct. 22nd, and a pair there Nov. 12th(G.L.W.). A pair at Hackpen, Nov. 28th (G.L.Wn.), and another | at Monkton Deverill, Dec. 18th (J.C.C.O.). Single birds at Ham Hill, Oct. 7th and Wroughton, ) Oct. 22nd (G.L.W.); at Axford, Oct. 28th (M.C.F.); and daily sightings at Boscombe Down in | _ November (F.P.E.). 318. WHINCHAT. First seen Apr. 28th, Russley (M.C.F.) and Lockeridge (B.G.); Apr. 30th, Coate L(G. L.W.); May Ist, Lopscombe Corner (R.W.). Two pairs bred on Porton Range (G.H.F.). A | pair with a fledged juvenile near Tilshead, June 25th, a pair seen near Bulford, June 26th, and a party - of 6—7 mostly juveniles in water meadows neat Tidworth, Aug. 14th (B.G.). A pair near Winter- 260 bourne Stoke, Aug. 29th (C.R.). Last seen Sept. 10th, Milton Lilbourne (B.G.); Sept. 14th, Middle Woodford (F.P.E., G.H.F.); Sept. 15th, Urchfont (B.G.). 320. REDSTART. First seen Apr. 8th, Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); Apr. 9th, Codford (E.V.F., K.G.F.); Apr. 10th, Maiden Bradley, where seven pairs nested later (J.C.C.O.). At least six pairs seen in Saver- nake Forest, May 7th (G.L.B.), and c. 30 singing males located there between May 13th and 22nd (E.L.J.). Two or three young at Coate, June 4th (M.C.F.). Last seen Sept. 17th, Coate (G.L.W.); Oct. 8th, Stanton St. Bernard (B.G.); Oct. 14th West Gomledon (A.A.D.). 322. NIGHTINGALE. First seen near Farley, Mar. 10th, a very early date (R.W.). First heard Apr. 9th, Sandridge Vale (R.J.S.); Apr. 10th, East Knoyle (B.M.S.). A young bird visited a flower border and rosebed, sometimes only a few feet from a window, in Sheldon Road, Chippenham, July 15th, and last seen there July 22nd (C.R.). 325. ROBIN. Ina garden at Hilperton Marsh a pair was building, Mar. 16th, and fully fledged young were fed Apr. 15th (G.L.B.), early dates. 327. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. First heard Apr. 15th, Great Bradford Wood (R.J.S.); | Apr. 17th, Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.) and Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). Noted later at Savernake (G.L.B.); Sandridge Vale, near Oare (R.J.S.); Middle Woodford and Winterslow (G.H.F.). Last noted July 4th, Bulford (A.W.S.); July 13th, below Westbury White Horse (R.J.S.). 333. REED WARBLER. First noted Apr. 16th, Corsham Lake (J.C.R.); Apr. 23rd, Coate Water (B.G., G.L.W.). During June a few more pairs arrived making a probable total of 18 pairs. Two pairs ringed in July 1960 were re-trapped in May 1961 within a yard or two of where they were ringed the previous year (G.L.W.). 334. MARSH WARBLER. An adult bird in worn plumage trapped at Coate, July 26th (G.L.W.). 337. SEDGE WARBLER. First seen Apr. 2nd, Coate (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.); Apr. 9th, Clarendon (D.E.F., A.J.H.). One ringed at Coate 2.6.60 re-trapped there on 13.5.61. Last seen Sept. 20th, Corsham Lake (J.C.B.); Sept. 26th, Coate (G.L.W.). 343. BLACKCAP. First heard Mar. 15th, East Knoyle (B.M.S.); Mar. 18th, Box (C.S.H.), early dates. A first winter male trapped at Britford, Mar. 30th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Last noted Sept. 10th, Milton Lilbourne (B.G.); Sept. 17th, Coate (G.L.W.). 346. GARDEN WARBLER. First seen May 9th, Coate (G.L.W.). Last seen Aug. 2nd, Trowbridge (A.S.). Two nests at Coate, May 13th (G.L.W.). 347. WHITETHROAT. First seen Apr. 8th, one trapped at Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); Apr. 11th, Pewsham (J.L.A.T.); Apr. 15th, Sandridge Vale (C.S.H., A.S.) and Stratton (G.L.W.). Last seen July 31st, four obvious migrants at Colerne (G.J.B.). An adult female ringed 12.5.58 at Skokholm: 51° 42’ N. 5° 16’ W. (Pembroke) recovered dead or dying 0.5.60 Corsham (Wiltshire) 130 miles E. cf. British Birds Vol. 54, p. 485. 348. LESSER WHITETHROAT. First noted Apr. 13th, Idmiston (G.H.F.); Apr. 18th, Tisbury (B.M.S.); Apr. =a Great Somerford (P.J.R.). In May noted at Box (C.S.H.); Chisledon (B.C.) and Coate (G.L.W.). WILLOW/CHIFF. Two in a hedgerow at Ford, February 11th, five birds were seen in this hedge, 17.12.60 (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 354. WILLOW WARBLER. First noted Mar. 3lst, Clarendon (R.W.); Apr. 2nd, Corsham (J.C.R.); Apr. 5th, Whitsbury (F.D.R.). Last seen Sept. 14th, Coate (G.L.W.). 356. CHIFFCHAFF. First heard Feb. 28th, one bird calling intermittently near Biss Brook (C.S.H.); Mar. 10th, Ramsbury (V.C.L.); Mar. 11th, Pitton (R.W.); East Knoyle (B.M.S.) and Coate (G.L.W.). Last noted Sept. 24th, Axford (G.L.Wn.) and Coate (G.L.W.); Oct. 3rd, Corsham (J.C.R.); Oct. 2nd, Roundway (B.G.). 357. WOOD WARBLER. First noted at Maiden Bradley, Apr. 24th, where it was well distributed throughout the summer (J.C.C.O.). Often heard in June in Tidworth area (A.W.S.). Last seen Aug. 19th, at Coate (G.L.W.). 364. GOLDCREST. In October two birds had formed the habit of taking cooked meat and fat from bones hanging over a bird table near Norway spruce at Box (C.S.H.). 366. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. First seen May 11th, Corsham (J.C.R.); May 12th, Coleshill (G.L.W.) and Seagry (R.G.B.); May 13th, Pitton (R.W.). A heavy passage at Coate, Aug. 20th; one very late bird there, Oct. 8th (G.L.W.). 368. PIED FLYCATCHER. A first winter bird trapped at Ford, Sept. 2nd, was in company with Spotted 261 Flycatchers (D.E.F., A.J.H.). One near Coate Water, Sept. 22nd (A.W:S.). 371. HEDGE SPARROW. A bird ringed at Coate 18.5.59, re-trapped there on 5.3.61 (G.L.W.). 373. MEADOW PIPIT. Nested on Porton Ranges and Boscombe Down (G.H.F.). Several pairs nested on Marlborough Downs in Barbury area (G.L.W.). Suffering badly from frost at Brinkworth, Dec. 29th and seen feeding in grit and dirt spread on icy roads. Several frozen ones brought home by cat (P.J.R.). 376. TREE PIPIT. First noted Apr. 8th, Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.); Apr. 11th, Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). Also reported at Liddington Hill (A.F.A.); Savernake Forest (R.M.C., G.L.B.); below Westbury White Horse (R.J.S.); below Windmill Hill, East Knoyle and about Stockton (B.M.S.). Last noted Sept. 16th, Fyfield Down and Sept. 17th, Idstone Down where also were Meadow Pipits (E.L.J.). 380. PIED WAGTAIL. The roost at Coate Water destroyed by the cutting of reeds this year (G.L.W.). Winter roosts noted at Corsham Park (J.C.R.) and Chilton Foliat (E.L.J.). Two White Wagtails were trapped in a roost of alba Wagtails at Clarendon Lake, Sept. 2nd (D.E.F., A.J.H.). One ringed as juvenile, 23.6.60 near Winterbourne, Glos. recovered 20.5.61 at Pewsey, Wilts., 35 miles ESE. (R.H.P.). 381. GREY WAGTAIL. A pair in the breeding season at the following places—some nesting by the Bybrook at Ford and Slaughterford (C.J.B.); by the R. Biss at Trowbridge (A.S.); by the R. Kennett near Marlborough (D.W.F.) and Axford (M.C.F.), by the R. Wylye at Codford and the R. Till near Stapleford (B.M.S.). Also nested at Ansty Pond (B.M.S.) and at Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). 382. YELLOW WAGTAIL. First seen Apr. 6th, Rodbourne S.F. (G.L.W.); Apr. 8th, Corsham (J.C.R.); Apr. 9th, Coate (G.L.B.) and Pewsham (J.L.A.T.). There appeared to be 3 males and 4 females at Coate and that the ‘spare’ female was carrying food to a nest containing young but no male was helping. This may have been a case of polygamy (G.L.W.). On May 23rd, at West Harnham, a blue-headed variant, easily seen to be different from the adjacent Yellow Wagtails, was also in company with an almost white-headed bird. The latter a typical Sykes variant (G.H.F.). Last seen Oct. 5th, Colerne airfield, where birds had been present on dates from August, sometimes feeding with Wheatears (G.J.B.). 388. RED-BACKED SHRIKE. A male in Bulford area, July 4th and a pair seen there Aug. 3rd (A.W.S.). Seen near Tidworth, June 10th and 12th (D.D.F.). 389. STARLING. A roost of c. 1,500 birds in plantation below Sandridge Park noted Mar. 28th— Apr. 13th (R.J.S.). Birds present through the year at roost in Corsham Park, c. 2000 on June 22nd (J.C.R.). A roost at Water Eaton Covert was estimated at 250,000 in February (J.C.). A roost in hazel coppice near Stanton St. Bernard, Aug. 27th (B.G.). Some thousands roosted in thorns at Summer- leaze, East Knoyle in January and the roost was renewed a short distance away in December (B.M.S.). One ringed as nestling 4.6.58 at Eid: 61°55’ N. 5°51’ E. (Nordfjord) Norway, caught 13.2.59, Little Bedwyn: 51° 23’ N. 1° 33’ W. (Wiltshire). cf. British Birds, Vol. 54, p. 506. 391. HAWFINCH. One seen to alight in top of tall tree at Ramsbury Lake and call note heard, Mar. 26th (B.G.). One seen in Savernake Forest, May 14th (E.L.J.). A female caught and ringed in garden at Cole Park Oct. 28th, the first recorded there since observer came there in 1955 (E.J.M.B.). 393. GOLDFINCH. A large increase noted by G.L.W., who observes that in the last two years they they are a very common nesting species about Swindon, even in the centre of the town. Exceptional numbers in the Malmesbury—Brinkworth, Somerford Common area, Apr. 20th (P.J.C.). Six nests with eggs in an area of half square mile near Sevenhampton, May 11th (J.C.). A charm of c. 60 on Downs near Everleigh, Sept. 25th (B.G.); several large flocks at Ham Hill, Oct. 7th and c. 200 at Coate, Oct. 8th (G.L.W.), and c. 50 on Mere Down, Sept. 27th (B.M.S.). An adult ringed at Idmiston, 14.8.60, recovered at Facture (Gironde), France, 25.10.61 (G.H.F.). 394. SISKIN. Birds seen near Bulbridge, Jan. 14th (F.D.R.). In Stourton Woods 40 seen together on Jan. 16th were the highest number that month. In Maiden Bradley 20—SO were seen Mar. 3rd, and c. 40 on Mar. 10th about a mile from where seen on the 3rd. On Oct. 30th there were c. 20 birds and small numbers to the end of the year (J.C.C.O.). Three feeding on alder cones by Erlestoke Lake, Dec. 17th (B.G.). 397. REDPOLL. One with finches in Bowood, Feb. 12th (J.L.A.T.). On Gutch Common 3 were seen, Mar. 9th, and one, Sept. 25th; two or three frequented Park Copse, East Knoyle during October (B.M.S.). Three feeding on seed heads of Rosebay Willow Herb, Nov. 4th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 401. BULLFINCH. An unusual nest site in a reed bed at Coate Water where nest was built solely in reeds at a height of 2ft. 6in. above water. The nest was similar in construction to normal but bulkier VOL. LVI CCX 2F 262 at base and possibly slightly deeper. Four young successfully reared, which were ringed with the adult birds (G.L.W., G.L.Wn., J.C.). Increased numbers noted about Swindon (G.L.W., G.L.Wn.), Ald- bourne (M.C.F.) and Salisbury where trapping records bear this out (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 404. crossBILL. In January there were mainly ones and twos or up to 5—8 throughout the month in various places at Maiden Bradley and Stourton. A pair seen Feb. 7th and 14th (a), another pair in a different place, Feb. 14th (b), a third pair, Feb. 21st (c) and a fourth, Mar. 15th. At locality (a) 15 birds were seen Apr. 7th; at (b) the pair were very agitated by observer’s presence, Mar. 10th, and 6 birds were seen Apr. 5th; at (c) a fluffy juvenile unable to fly was being fed by a female bird, Apr. 21st. There was a complete dispersal after the last week in April (J.C.C.O.)._ Two birds seen in oaks at Wilton, Aug. 10th (E.L.J.). 408. BRAMBLING. Few recorded this year. One in Maiden Bradley, Jan. 30th (J.C.C.O.). Noted near Stock Close, Jan. 15th, and Baydon Hill, Feb. 5th (M.C.F.); last seen in spring, Feb. 12th, a single bird in Savernake (M.C.F.); Mar. 2nd, Charlton (C.G.L.). First seen in autumn, Nov. 11th, Corton oh (B.G.); Nov. 12th, 11 at Barbury (G.L.W.); Dec. 20th, c. 10 in Collingbourne Woods (A.W.S.). 410. CORN BUNTING. In areas not reported to the Corn Bunting Enquiry singing birds were noted near Everley and Collingbourne Kingston (E.L.J.). Wiltshire Birds gives a distribution which implies that it is missing east of the Salisbury Avon except from an area N. and NE. of Pitton. In fact the bird nests in some numbers between the Avon and Pitton (G.H.F.). 415. CIRL BUNTING. No records received this year. 421. REED BUNTING. A pair were frequent visitors to a bird table at Corsham in January and Febru- ary and in the cold spell in December (G.W.H.). A juvenile ringed at Coate 5.8.59 recovered at Mudeford, Hants, on 6.8.61, distance c. 55 miles (G.L.W.). 425. TREE SPARROW. 35—40 birds feeding near Pewsham, Jan. 25th, several near Foxham, Mar. 8th, and at least 50 in a mixed finch flock, Oct. 29th (B.G.); c. 12 in a mixed flock near Grovely Wood, Nov. Ist (B.M.S.). Twelve records of small numbers, under 5, through the year (R.W., C.R. et al). Five trapped and 10 others seen at Old Sarum, Oct. 30th, and 9 at Ford on dates in Nov.—Dec. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). A pair nested in May in a nest box at Cole Park where there was a large number in January (E.J.M.B.). A pair also nested unsuccessfully in a nest box at Seagry (R.G.B.). One feeding at a bird table in snow, at Box, Dec. 31st (C.S.H.). Checklist numbers of those species which, though not mentioned in these notes, were recorded in 1961:—9, 84, 116, 118, 126, 234, 247, 262, 282, 286, 288, 290, 292, 296, 298, 299, 301, 308, 392, 395, 407, 409, 424. Correction to the Report for 1936:— A GREY-HEADED WAGTAIL, Motacilla flava thunbergi seen at Britford, 15.4.1936 was reported in the Hampshire Report for 1936. The mistake was not noticed when the report was reviewed in British Birds, Vol. 31, p. 94 and is perpetuated in The Handbook as ‘One probable, Hants, 1936.’ Britford is in Wiltshire and 2 miles SE. of Salisbury. We were kindly informed of this mistake by Mr. Edwin Cohen. 263 AUTUMN MIGRATION ENQUIRY, 1957-1960 By GEOFFREY L. WEBBER During 1957-1960 an enquiry was held with a view to determining possible passerine migration routes through the county. In 1954 there was a similar enquiry, mainly concerned with later migrants, i.e., Chaffinches, Starlings, etc. The results of that enquiry were never published as a whole, and relevant information has been included in this report. Both enquiries owe their origins to many reports of migrating birds using inland hill escarpments as artificial boundaries, thereby giving well defined flight lines. Berkshire observers have noted birds ‘coasting’ along the Berkshire Downs, and D. and E. Lack published an article on this behaviour (B.B. V.42). The results of enquiries are summarized yearly, and at the end of the report a list is given of the total number of species seen on migration during the period of enquiry. Of the two sketch maps reproduced next page, I shows observation points 1958-1960; II indicates flight lines of migrating birds noted during enquiries 1954 and 1957-1960. 1957. In 1957 observers were placed on the northern escarpments of the Marlborough Downs, and Salis- bury Plain. Both of these scarps have a generally south westerly direction, associated with gradual decrease in average height. Points selected were relatively the highest available in a given stretch of ‘scarp,’ if possible, with 360° field of view. Heights ranged from c. 900 ft. to c. 450 ft. Three dates were selected, and on all of these the weather was most unsuitable for migration; very few birds were seen. One interesting point was that observers at the more easterly points, saw more birds than those westerly, and that the Marlborough Downs were almost barren in comparison with the Pewsey Vale. This result closely followed that of the 1954 enquiry; observation points were identical in both cases. During the autumn of 1957 an observer on the Berks.-Wilts. border saw an extremely large passage of Hirundines, (between 400 and 500 an hour) passing into Wilts., along the line of the plain escarp- ment. In view of this and rather meagre support from observers, it was decided to watch only the Plain escarpment during the autumn of 1958, with additional points, if the observers were available, on both rivers which cross the plain from north to south. The sketch map I gives the positions that were selected, not all of these being occupied on any given date. 1958. The first watch in 1958 was again marred by weather, an obvious fault with long-term selection of dates. On the second watch, August 31st, the morning was rather misty and many observers left their posts prematurely. At two points passage in small numbers was noted. At Ham a small passage of Tree Pipits and flava Wagtails noted, these birds not ‘coasting’ but flying in a direct southerly course over the escarpment. The other point was on the Avon at Enford where a movement of Hirundines was noted. The next date was September 21st; some movement was noted on this occasion mainly taking place at both ends of the line. The weather was fair with a light westerly breeze. At Ham Hill at the eastern end of the line, Swallows and House Martins were congregating around a farm house, just beyond the summit of the hill. By 08.30 G.M.T. this gathering numbered some 500 birds. At approximately 09.30 G.M.T. this flock began to move off in a southerly direction across the plain, breaking up into small units as it did so. Yellow Wagtails, Tree and Meadow Pipits, and several Buzzards were seen ‘coasting’ the ‘scarp’ south-westerly. The point at Westbury Hill provided the other records for this date, and the species there was the Meadow Pipit, where between 07.00 and 11.30 G.M.T. birds were passing the observer at a rate of 150 per hour. These birds were not ‘coasting’ but flying direct to the scarp and climbing over with only slight deviation. A small number of Swallows and Pied Wagtail were noted at this point, but these were all ‘coasting.’ No obvious passage was noted on either of the rivers on this date, or elsewhere along the line. 264 MARLBOROUGH Dow Ars VALE OF PEwsey ee 760, egal -UPAVON DoW ie eer be Le Des 630 EWSEY MILL LAYIVATON Downy Rib 600 TIMHGAD Hey, Coomge Hie ENforRO WGITOIRY Winn NeAxY I) SALISQURY PLAIN LINE OF IMAP FOLLOWS APPAOM IMATELY 710 ete height in foot above sea level Tad 700° covreug LIne Not to Seale DIAGRAM OF OASERVATIONEFOINTS ROR MIG VATION anguiay ‘" GtocS Map I Thames, APPROX SOO FT i ComfouR = ogscevep LINES OF FLIGHT HANTS Not to Scate MapIC 265 1959. Dates, 30th August, 20th September, 4th October. During 1959 the same points were again used and, as before, three dates were selected (nearly ten months in advance). The first two dates, unfortunately, clashed with holidays and few useful records were received; only one point reported any birds—this was on 20th September. At this point, near Pewsey Hill, quite a large passage was noted. Birds were moving in a steady stream due south from the Marlborough Downs to Plain escarpment, over a narrow front of only a mile or so in width. The majority of birds flew directly ‘over,’ but a proportion was deflected west and east along the ‘scarp’; this proportion was 14% of the total. The majority of birds were Swallows and Meadow Pipits, with a sprinkling of House Martins and other species. Nearly 350 birds were seen in just over 14 hours. On the 4th October at the above point again, good results were obtained. On this occasion, 75 % of all birds were ‘coasting’ ; the maximum in | hour was approximately 130. 1960. Dates, 28th August, 11th September, 25th September. The same points were again used in 1960, and the first date was distinguished by extremely heavy rain over the majority of the line. Weather on the 11th was exceptionally good and although the line was almost fully manned on this date, the only noticeable passage was on the extreme east, at Ham and Inkpen. At Ham a steady stream of birds was ‘coasting’ but in very small quantities; the maximum was in the region of 40 to 50 per hour. The observers moved eastwards to Inkpen, and it was then noted that Hirundines were moving along the Berkshire Downs in very large quantities, at least 250 per hour. The majority of these birds were turning due south, through a gap, where the scarp dips sharply just before Inkpen Hill, and flying down-valley beyond into Hampshire. On the 25th September the weather was fairly good but with rather heavy cloud; Ham Hill again reported some passage and, from 07.00 to 11.45 G.M.T., some 500 birds passed along or over ‘scarp’. Just over 15°% were ‘coasting’ the remainder flying on the broad front principle. The coasting move- ment consisted of three main species, Lapwing, Swallow, and Meadow Pipit, the latter comprising over half the total. One interesting bird noted was a Spotted Redshank that dropped into a small pond for a rest and a bathe, en route. Another interesting species among the up and over fraternity was the Mistle Thrush; c.70 of these passed over, and at first it was thought that these birds might have been local flocks, feeding in the area. But a visit a few days later, disclosed no Mistle Thrushes in the immediate neighbourhood, so probably all were genuine migrants. As Ham Hill seemed a good observation point two further visits were made on the 2nd and 16th October, 1960, when considerable passage again was noted. The 2nd October was entirely unsuitable to our eyes for migration, with a gale force southerly wind blowing, yet in two hours a total of 150 birds was seen. Of these, 30 were Bramblings, all of whom were moving along the hedgerow at the crest of the hill. Of the other species, 35 of which were Hir- undines, the majority persisted in attempting to battle over the crest into the teeth of the wind. Several Swallows and a Wheatear made at least four attempts before succeeding, the Wheatear eventually half flying, half walking, under the bottom strand of a wire fence. On the 16th October a passage consisting of several species was again noted at Ham; at least 700 Fieldfares and Redwings passed in 14 hours. The hedgerow along the hill crest was seldom empty, and birds of the following species were noted passing along it: Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Bramblings, and Yellow Buntings. These last four were in large quantities. All these birds were definitely using the escarpment as a line and were only spreading to either side within a very narrow limit. From a series of random observations made along the northern escarpment of Marlborough Downs during the autumns of 1960 and 1961, it was found that there is a definite passage route along this ‘scarp’. Numbers are smaller than on the Plain scarp but carry quite good numbers of the later migrants i.e., Thrushes, Finches, and Corvidae. From the foregoing it can be seen that there is a marked passage of certain diurnal (and possibly nocturnal) migrants, along the two main escarpments of the county, this probably being an extension 266 of the passage already noted in Berkshire, (D. and E. Lack, BB. Vol. 42). Although certain points along the escarpment gave nil or virtually nil returns, this may have been due to faulty siting of observers at points where birds may have been further out in the vale. Even though fairly large numbers of birds tend to coast, quite a large proportion of totals seen used the broad front principle of migration, and virtually ignored even the highest hills in their line of flight. This habit was very noticeable in Pipits and Wagtails, and to a lesser extent in Hirundines. Wind speed and direction had little or no effect upon this behaviour. One feature that this enquiry showed was that the river valleys, of the Bourne and the Avon, did not appear to be used to any great extent by diurnal migrants. (See sketch map II for flight lines noted during enquiry). Whilst writing this report I have had several notes from observers in the west of Wiltshire, indicating that there is a passage South to South-East, from the (Bristol) Avon Valley, which joins the South-West moving stream near Westbury. It would be very interesting to correlate the two main streams, and to attempt a full scale survey of all possible passage routes in the county. At the moment this does not seem possible for various reasons. The main difficulty is to select a date when passage is taking place and observers are available. Some form of migration ‘Flying Squad’ connected by radio, ready to move at a moment’s notice, would be the ideal. List of Species i. This is a list of birds that were definitely on passage, along or over escarpments during daylight :— Buzzards, (several not identified as to species) Harriers,( ie 7 i r ae Peregrine Falcon. Hobby. Merlin. Lapwing. Snipe. Spotted Redshank. Dunlin. Lesser Black-backed Gull. Black-headed Gull. Common or Arctic Tern. Turtle Dove. Swift. Sky- lark. Swallow. House Martin. Sand Martin. Rook. Jackdaw. Great Tit. Blue Tit. Marsh Tit. Long-tailed Tit. Mistle Thrush. Fieldfare. Song Thrush. Redwing. Wheatear. Gold- crest. Meadow Pipit. Tree Pipit. Pied Wagtail. Grey Wagtail. Yellow Wagtails, (not all identified as to race). Starling. Greenfinch. Goldfinch. Linnet. Chaffinch. Brambling. Yellow Bunting. Reed Bunting. Tree Sparrow. ii. List of birds seen on hill tops and escarpments in fairly large numbers for type of country, possibly indicating influx due to nocturnal migration :— Willow Tit. Blackbird. Redstart. Robin. Reed Warbler. Sedge Warbler. Blackcap. Garden Warbler. Whitethroat. Lesser Whitethroat. Willow Warbler. Chiffchaff. It might be of interest to would-be migration ‘watchers’, to know that there is a marked passage of birds of prey, which can be seen in Inkpen, Ham and Walbury Hill area, during September and October. My thanks are due to the following, who sacrificed sleep and much comfort in helping with this enquiry :— Miss B. Gillam, Mrs. R. Barnes, Mr. D. Barnes, Mr. M. C. Rice, Mr. D. Felstead, Mr. J. Burden, Mrs. Seccombe Hett, Marlborough College Natural History Society, Mr. R. Tilley, Mr. Angell, Mrs. O. Peall, Mr. R. Vernon, Mr. E. Jones, Col. Stanford, Mr. J. Tyler, Miss Stevens, and Mr. J. C. C. Oliver. 267 ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1961 By B. W. WEDDELL After a mild winter the February sun brought out many of the hibernating butterflies. On the 14th, St. Valentine’s day Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, and Brimstone were all seen on the wing. A cold spell set in about March 20th and later on the general scarcity of butterflies was lamented by experienced and casual observers all over the country. The number of moths was similarly reduced. A mild winter not only does not favour insect life but in fact endangers it. The soft earth affords no protec- tion to the overwintering larvae and pupae and a heavy toll is taken by birds and other predators. Insects however, can recover from these natural fluctuations, but it is doubtful if they can withstand the massive interference with the balance of nature, which man is carrying out today. Immigrants have been scarce in our County and in spite of a very favourable late summer and autumn, we have again been denied the joy of seeing lots of Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, and so forth on our Buddleias and Michaelmas daisies. Reports reaching me this year have been very few indeed. We must assume that most of our usual correspondents have been discouraged by the pacuity of their observations. Happily and unexpectedly the Blues on the Downs have been well up to strength though the coveted varieties have been almost nil. The beautiful iridescent Adonis Blue was more in evidence than for a number of years, in some fresh localities too. This is good news. It is worth noting that the Wiltshire List of Lepidoptera, written up by Baron de Worms, is now in the printers’ hands, and is expected to be available by late Summer. Observations recorded in this column over the last 13 years have formed the nucleus of this work and it is hoped that all our members will not only purchase a copy but make it as widely known as possible. Wiltshire will at last take an honoured place on the entomological map. CONTRIBUTORS M.C. Marlborough College N.H.S. G.W.C. Mr. G. W. Collett, Chippenham. C.F. Lt.-Col. Charles Floyd, Holt. B.W. Mr. B. W. Weddell, Trowbridge. R.A.J. Capt. R. A. Jackson, C.B.E., R.N. (Retd.), F.R.£.s., Codford. C.M.R.P. Mr. C. M. R. Pitman, Salisbury. S.F.C. Salisbury Field Club. R.W. Mr. Ralph Whitlock, Pitton. I.R.P.H Mr. I. R. P. Heslop, M.A., F.R.E.S., Salisbury. PHENOLOGICAL REPORT Average date 1961 emergence Difference Large White 26.4 16.4 +10 Marbled White 25.6 15.6 +10 Meadow Brown 14.6 15.6 —| Cinnabar 18.5 12.5 +6 Garden Carpet 25.4 25.4 = Brimstone Moth 10.5 16.4 +24 Green-veined White Pieris napi SG. 3.3: Small White Pieris rapae S.F.C. 26.3 R.A.J. 11.3 G.W.C. 15.3 Orange-tip Euchloe cardamines S.E.C...26.3. Clouded Yellow Colias croceus C.M.R.P. 12.10. Proving that some migrants arrived and bred. Argynnis euphrosyne C.M.R.P. 6.7. 2nd brood Nymphalis polychloros S.F.C. 15.7 18.8. Not fully confirmed observations, but worth recording in view of past records. Pearl-bordered Fritillary Large Tortoiseshell 268 Camberwell Beauty Painted Lady Red Admiral Purple Emperor Common Blue Adonis Blue Holly Blue Humming-bird Hawk Sallow Kitten Figure of Eighty White Satin Scarlet Tiger Miller Poplar Dagger Alder Dagger Dusky Sallow Rustic Downland Wainscot Blossom Underwing Common Quaker Powdered Quaker Early Grey Small Yellow Underwing Straw Point Silver Y Orange Underwing Royal Mantle Pale Brindled Beauty London Brindled Beauty Wood Leopard Nymphalis antiopa Vanessa cardui Vanessa atalanta Apatura iris Polycommatus icarus Lysandra bellargus Celastrina argiolus Macrglissum stellatarium Cerura furcula Tethea ocularis Leucoma salicis Panaxia dominula Apatele leporina Apatele megacephala Apatele alni Eremobia ochroleuca Oria musculosa Orthosia miniosa Orthosia stabilis Orthosia gracilis Xylocampa areola Panemeria tenebrata Rivula sericealis Plusia Gamma Brephos parthenias Euphyia cuculata Phigalia pedaria Lycia hirtaria Zeuzera pyrina IL.R.P.H. July. Seen on two days in- dependently in Blackmoor Copse Reserve. S.F.C. 7.9. S.F.C. 10.9. Larvae. S.F.C. July in new locality. Reported I.R.P.H. Reports its absence from Black- moor Copse Reserve. S.F.C. 16.4 R.A.J. 3.6. R.A.J. 3.6. Reported on the increase. 2nd brood in August. S.F.C. Early and increasing. S.F.C. 8.7. B.W. 31.7. S.F.C...1.7, R.A.J. 12.7. New to County. Probably a migrant. S.F.C. 1.7 S.F.C. 1.7. S.F.C, 22.7. R.A.J. 3.6. S.F.C. 13.5. SFC, 22.7. R.A.J. 4.8. Very few seen. S.F.C. 7.3. R.A.J. 7.3. S.F.C. 14.2. Very early. R.A.J. 16.3. Exceptionally early. S.F.C. 14.3. S.E.C,. 9.5. S.F:C,; 1.7, R.A.J. 23.4. SPC, 3h.3: R.A.J. 30.6. S.F.C. 4.2. S.F.C. 11.2. R.A.J. 16.4. B.W. 4.7. 269 WILTSHIRE PLANT NOTES (22) (Fifth Supplement to The Flora of Wiltshire) compiled by DONALD Grose, Downs Edge, Liddington Additions to Recorders Anscombe R. L. Chippenham Deakin R. H. Wimborne, Dorset Harley R. M. London Hughes D.C. C. Marlborough Jones I. Pewsey Lever Miss A. Manchester Peacock E. Mrs. Devizes Pennington T. D Ewell, Surrey Undated records are for 1961. Thalictrum flavum L. Common Meadow Rue. 2. Slaughterford. Aquilegia vulgaris L. Columbine. 2. Somerford Common, Hayes. 4. Bedwyn Common, B. E. Pankhurst. 9. Frequent. Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. Yellow Water Lily. 4 and 6. Canal by Fore Bridge. Nasturtium microphyllum (Boenn.) Reichb. One-rowed Water Cress. 4. Water-meadow, Marlborough D.C. C. Hughes. Arabis caucasia Willd, Grey Rock Cress. 3. Roadside, Braydon, 1960, Barnes (G); since destroyed. Cardamine hirsuta L. Hairy Bitter Cress. 6. Fore Bridge. Erophila spathulata Lang. 2. Chippenham, Collett. Hesperis matronalis L. Dame’s Violet. 2. Wick Farm, Rowde, E. V. Cleverly. 9. Roadside, Chilmark, Stratton. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Thale Cress. 4. Railway near Fore Bridge. Brassica rapa L. Turnip. 7. Bulford, Gillam. Raphanus raphanistrum L. Wild Radish. Var. flavus Schubler & von Martens. 4. Granham Hill, D.C. C. Hughes. Near West Woods, M. O. Hill. Dianthus barbatus L. Sweet William. 8. Near Wylye, 4 mile from any house, Haythornthwaite. Cerastium tetrandrum Curt. 2. Holt Junction, Collett (G)! C. pumilum Curt. 4, Milk Hill (G). Sagina apetala Ard. Annual Pearlwort. 8. Imber, B. E. Pankhurst (G). Spergula arvensis L. Corn Spurrey. 8. Rail track, Wylye. Hypericum androsaemum L. Tutsan. 2. Silverstreet Wood, Sandell. H. humifusum L. Trailing St. John’s Wort. 2. Somerford Common. H. pulchrum L. Upright St. John’s Wort. 2. Somerford Common. Malva verticillata L. 4. Waste ground, Marlborough College, D. C. C. Hughes. Linum catharticum L. Purging Flax. Double-flowered form. 8. Near Great Ridge Wood, Carey (G). Geranium phaeum L. Dusky Crane’s-bill. 1. Steeple Ashton, Haythornthwaite. Lupinus arboreus Sims. Tree Lupin. 1. West Lavington, R. J. Pankhurst. Medicago arabica (L). All. Spotted Medick. 2. Rowde, P. Cleverly. Melilotus altissima Thuill. Common Melilot. 8. Yarnbury Castle, Stratton (G). M. officinalis (L.) Lam. Field Melilot. 8. Wylye. Trifolium medium Huds. Zigzag Clover. 5. Frequent. 9. Middle Hills. T. arvense L. Hare’s-foot Trefoil. 2. Bromham, P. Cleverly. Nash Hill, E. V. Cleverly. Lathyrus tuberosus L. Tuberous Vetchling. 7. Larkhill, Lever. Lathyrus latifolius L. Everlasting Pea. 5. Near Porton Station, Stratton. 9. Railway bank near Chilmark, Stratton. Potentilla anglica x erecta. 2. Somerford Common (G). Poterium polygamum Waldst, & Kit. Prickly Burnet. 2. Roadside near Colerne Airfield, Frowde and Collett. Sanguisorba o fficinalis L. Great Burnet. 2. Somerford Common. VOL. LVI CCX 1G 270 Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz. Wild Service-tree. 2. Somerford Common, Gillam! Crataegus oxyacanthoides Thuill. Midland Hawthorn. 3. Frequent. Philadelphus coronarius L. Syringa. 1. Wood, Flinty Knapp, Grudgings. Sedum album L. White Stonecrop. 8. Imber, Pankhurst (G)! Peltiphyllum peltatum Engl. Umbrella Plant. 9. Fonthill Abbey Lake, Stratton. Epilobium hirsutum x montanum. 2. Silverstreet Wood, Pennington and Sandell*. Epilobium lanceolatum Seb. & Mauri. Spear-leaved Willow-herb. 1. Wall near Limpley Stoke (G)*. E. roseum Schreb. Pale Willow-herb. 2. Silverstreet Wood. Pennington and Sandell (A)*. 4. Waste ground, Marlborough, R. A. C. Hughes*. E. adenocaulon Hausskn. 1. Potterne, Pennington and Sandell*. 2. Slaughterford, R. J. Pankhurst! Somerford Common, Hayes! Canal basin, Devizes, Pennington*. Chittoe and Silverstreet Wood, Pennington and Sandell*. 5. Farley. Whiteparish Common, Pennington and Sandell*. 7, Enford, Pennington and Sandell*. This American species is probably frequent throughout the county. E. adenocaulon x hirsutum. 2. Brook near Chittoe, Pennington and Sandell*. E. adenocaulon x montanum. 2. Canal basin, Devizes, Pennington*. E. adenocaulon x obscurum. 2. Chittoe and Silverstreet Wood, Pennington and Sandell*. E. adnatum Gris. Square-stemmed Willow-herb. 2. Canal basin, Devizes, Pennington (A). Chittoe, Pennington and Sandell*. 8. Rail track, Wylye. E. obscurum Schreb. 2. Silverstreet Wood, Pennington and Sandell*. Silaum silaus (L.) Schinz & Thell. Sulphurwort. 6. River Bourne near North Tidworth, Gillam (G)! Heracleum sphondylium L. Hogweed. Var. angustifolium Huds. 4. Bedwyn Common, B. E. Pankhurst. Galium cruciata (L.) Scop. Crosswort. 2. Near Dundas Aqueduct. Valerianella carinata Lois. 1. Rail track near Limpley Stoke (G). Erigeron canadensis L. Canadian Fleabane. 8. Rail track, Wylye. Anthemis cotula L. Stinking Chamomile. 2. Frequent. Chrysanthemum segetum L. Corn Marigold. 4. Near Pit House Farm. Tanacetum vulgare L. Tansy. 9. Sutton Mandeville, Stratton. Artemisia biennis Willd. Lesser Mugwort. 1. Persistent weed in cultivated ground, Dilton Vale Farm, 1958—1961, Bennett (G); det. J. E. Lousley. The record for A. absinthium (256) for this locality was an error. Petasites hybridus (L.) Gaertn., Mey & Scherb. Butterbur. 6. Fore Bridge. Doronicum pardalianches L. Leopard’s Bane. 9. By the Nadder near Donhead St. Andrew Church, Deakin. Mr. Deakin was unable to find D. plantagineum which has been recorded for this locality (228). Senecio vulgaris L. Groundsel. Var. radiatus Koch. 2. Corsham, B. E. Pankhurst; det. J. E. Lousley S. sylvaticus L. Heath Groundsel. 2. Somerford Common, Gillam. 3. Flisteridge Wood. S. viscosus L. Stinking Groundsel. 8. Railway track, Wylye. S. squalidus L. Oxford Ragwort. 2. Holt Junction, Collett! Corsham, B. E. Pankhurst. Centaurea nigra L. Black Knapweed. 2. Somerford Common. Cichorium intybus L. Chicory. 9. Frequent. Crepis biennis L. Rough Hawk’s-beard. 2. By entrance to Charlton Park (G). Hieracium perpropinquum (Zahn) Druce. 9. Frequent. H. brunneocroceum Pugsl. 4. Bank near Marlborough Common, O. Meyrick. Leontodon leysseri (Wallr.) Beck. Hairy-headed Hawkbit. 9. Middle Hills. Taraxacum laevigatum (Willd.) DC. 4. Milk Hill. Fyfield Down, J. Jones. Primula veris L. Cowslip. Red-flowered form. 2. Near Smallgrain Plantation, FE. Peacock; Collett. Amsinckia menziesii (Lehm.) Nels. & Macbr. 1. Specimens from Little Cheverell recorded as A. inter- media have been identified as A. menziesii by F. C. Hommersand (Univ. Calif.) and it is probable that all the ‘tarweeds’ of the district belong to the same species. Pentaglottis sempervirens (L.) Tausch. Evergreen Alkanet. 4. Aldbourne, R. A. C. Hughes. Myosotis discolor Pers. Yellow-and-blue Scorpion-grass. Var. dubia (Rouy). 9. East Knoyle, Stratton (G). Calystegia pulchra Brummitt & Heywood. 1. Railway bank near Stert, Stratton. 3. Wanborough Plain (G); det. V.H. Heywood. 8. Near Shrewton, Stratton. It is probable that all pink-flowered 271 plants of the larger Great Bindweed belong here although it is considered by Scholz to be a variety rather than a species. The Wanborough specimen is quite glabrous. Datura stramonium L. Thorn-apple. 1. Dilton Vale Farm, Bennett. Var. tatula(L.) Torr. 1. Little Cheverell, Nurse. Verbascum virgatum Stokes. 8. Imber, Pankhurst (G)! Mimulus guttatus DC. Monkey-flower. 2. Slaughterford, Collett! Digitalis purpurea L. Foxglove. 4. Frequent. Erinus alpinus L. Fairy Foxglove. 7. Wall, The Close, Salisbury, M.A. Chaplin. (G)! Veronica agrestis L. Green Field Speedwell. 7. Lower Woodford, Newall (G). V. filiformis Sm. 4. River bank, Manton, D. C. C. Hughes. 8. Deserted garden, Imber. V. anagallis-aquatica f. anagallidiformis (Bor.) Beck. 4. Near Marlborough, R. A. C. Hughes (G). V. catenata F. W. Pennell. 2. Slaughterford, B. E. Pankhurst! Euphrasia nemorosa (Pers.) Wallr. Common Eyebright. 9. Middle Hills. E. confusa Pugsl. 2. Somerford Common, det. E. F. Warburg (G). E. pseudokerneri Pugsl. 4. Golden Ball Hill, 7. Jones!’ Draycot Hill. Melampyrum pratense L. Common Cow-wheat. 9. Park Copse, East Knoyle, Stratton (G). A very luxuriant plant probably best placed unde1 f. ovatum (Spenn.) Beck. Orobanche minor Sm. Lesser Broomrape. Var. compositarum Pugsl. 2. Rowde, E. V. Cleverly. Lathraea squamaria L. Toothwort. 2. Bury Camp, abundant. Mentha x niliaca Jacq. var. alopecuroides (Hull) Briq. 7. Netheravon, Harley. M. spicataL. Spearmint. 1. Pond on Poulshot Common, Sandell; det. R. M. Harley. Calamintha ascendens Jord. Common Calamint. 8. Churchyard, Winterbourne Stoke, Stratton. Teucrium scorodonia L. Wood Sage. 6. On chalk near Pickpit Hill; a most unusual habitat. Scleranthus annuus L. Knawel. 9. Middle Hills. Atriplex patula L. Spreading Orache. Var. bracteata Westerlund. 3. Coate Water, Hutchison. Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. Good King Henry. 8. Wylye. Imber. Polygonum convolvulus L. Black Bindweed. Var. subalatum Lej. & Court. 5. Near Farley, Timperley. P. nodosum Pers. Spotted Persicaria. Var. inundatum C. E. Britton. 2. Chippenham, B. E. Pank- hurst. 8. Damp track near Imber, B. E. Pankhurst (G)! P. amphibium L. Amphibious Persicaria. Var. terrestre Leers. 2. Chippenham, B. E. Pankhurst. Canal bank, Staverton. P. cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc. 2. Hilperton, Collett! Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. Buckwheat. 6. Field near Everleigh Ashes, Gillam. Rumex crispus x obtusifolius. 4. Golden Ball Hill. Viscum album L. Mistletoe. 8. Stockton Down, on hawthorn, Yeatman-Biggs. Mercurialis annua L. Annual Mercury. 9. Tisbury, Stratton. Carpinus betulus L. Hornbeam. 4. High Clear Plantation. (Stratiotes aloides L. Water Soldier. The pond where this grew at Gastard has been filled in and the plant is not now known in the county, Anscombe.) Spiranthes spiralis (L.) C. Koch. 2. King’s Play Hill, Gillam. Orchis morio L. Green-winged Orchid. 8. Down east of Sherrington Bottom, Stratton. O. praetermissa Druce. Var. junialis Verml. (O. pardalina Pugsl.). Leopard Marsh Orchid. 2. Near Dundas Aqueduct, Jardine. O. fuchsii x praetermissa. 8. Stockton Down, Stratton! det.V.S. Summerhayes. Plants with ring- spotted leaves also grew here; it is uncertain if these are Leopard Marsh Orchids or hybrids between the Spotted and Marsh Orchids. Galanthus nivalis L. Snowdrop. 8. Spinneys close to river, Stockton, Stratton. Ornithogalum umbellatum L. Star of Bethlehem. 2. King’s Play Hill, £. V. Cleverly. Colchicum autumnale L. Meadow Saffron. 8. Cold Kitchen Hill, Gillam. Luzula multiflora (Retz.) Lej. Many-flowered Woodrush. 2. Somerford Common. Typha angustifolia L. Lesser Reed-mace. 5. Clarendon Lake, Timperley! Sparganium neglectum Beeby. 3. Pond, Liddington. Potamogeton crispus L. Curled Pondweed. 2. Dew-pond, Calstone Down, W. Stevenson! Zannichellia palustris L. Horned Pondweed. 4. Dew-pond, Milk Hill. Carex disticha Huds. 4. Marlborough, R. A. C. Hughes (G). 2G2 pH pe C. paniculata L. Panicled Sedge. 4. Fore Bridge. 6. Oak Hill. C. otrubae Podp. Common Fox Sedge. 6. River Bourne below Pickpit Hill. C. nigra (L.) Reichard. Common Sedge. 4. Marlborough, R. A. C. Hughes. C. hostiana DC. 2. Near Dundas Aqueduct, Jardine; det. N.Y. Sandwith. C. demissa Hornem. 2. Near Dundas Aqueduct, Jardine! C. pseudocyperus L. 3. Coate Water. Phleum nodosum L. 2. Somerford Common, Hayes (G). Agrostis canina L. Unawned form. 2. Somerford Common (G). Agrostis stolonifera L. var. palustris (Huds.) Farw. Marsh Bent Grass. 2. Dry roadside near Spittle- borough Farm. 3. Frequent. 6. Frequent. Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth. Wood Smallreed. 2. Somerford Common. 9. West end of Grovely Wood. Aira caryophyllea L. Silvery Hair Grass. 9. Middle Hills. Holcus mollis L. Creeping Soft Grass. 2. Somerford Common, I. M. Grose (G). Poa nemoralis L. Wood Meadow Grass. 2. Somerford Common. P. compressa L. Flat-stemmed Meadow Grass. 2. Wall, Biddestone, R. J. Pankhurst (G). P. trivialis L. Rough Meadow Grass. f. glabra (Doell) Junge. 2. Near Colerne, Collett and Frowde. Desmazeria rigida (L.) Tutin. 4. Knap Hill. Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C. Gmel. Mouse-tail Fescue. 1. Railway track near Limpley Stoke. (A;G). Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Tall Fescue. 2. Slaughterford, B. E. Pankhurst! Chippenham, B. E. Pankhurst. Somerford Common. x Festulolium loliaceum (Huds.) P.Fourn. 2. Bank of By Brook near Slaughterford, B. E. Pankhurst! Bromus commutatus Schrad. 2. Slaughterford, R. J. Pankhurst! 8. Near Imber, R. J. Pankhurst! Agropyron caninum (L.) Beauv. 5. Frequent. Juniperus communis L. Juniper. 9. Grovely Wood. Taxus baccata L. Yew. 9. Grovely Wood. Probably this and the last are relics of what was once downland scrub. Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth. Hard Fern. 2. Somerford Common, Hayes. Azolla filiculoides Lam. 2. Canal, Staverton. * det. T. D. Pennington. pi 5 P| SOME NOTES ON THE FUNGI (other than Basidiomycetes) FOUND IN SOUTH-WEST WILTSHIRE ESPECIALLY ROUND DONHEAD ST. MARY MYCETOZOA IL! By T. F. G. W. DUNSTON and CAPTAIN A. E. A. DUNSTON When one of the authors of these notes left England a number of their findings was unfortunately not sent to the W .A.M. for publication. Their list of Mycetozoa was the result of collections between the publication of Vol. xlix of the W.A.M. and 1948. The authors are indebted to the late Rey. Fr. P. T. Alexander for naming the plants and for much valuable help. ABREVIATIONS OF AUTHORS Berk. M. J. Berkeley de Bary H. A. de Bary Ehr. C. G. Ehrenberg Fr. E. M. Fries Karst P. A. Karsten Macbr T. H. Macbride Morg A. P. Morgan Pers. Er. C. H. Persoon Racib M. Raciborski Rost. J. T. von Rostafinski Roth. A. W. Roth Torrend C. Torrend Wett. R. von Wettstein Badhamia utricularis. Berk. Plasmodium yellow, creeping along dead branches of trees, feeding on various leathery fungi such as Polyporus versicolor. Sporangia ovoid, sub-globose usually in clusters. Grey. On Polyporus versicolor. Burltons, Donhead St. Mary. B. ovispora. Racib. Plasmodium white. Sporangia semi-spherical white. On dead wood, in swampy ground. Berry Wood, Donhead St. Andrew. Physarum bitectum. Lister. Plasmodium white. Sporangia scattered, serrile subglobose or obovoid usually white or buff. On dead twigs. Burltons, Donhead St. Mary. Fuligo cinerea. Morg. Plasmodium white. Aethalia pulvinate, simple or branched gregarious and composed of tightly interwoven sporangia. On dead leaves. Burltons, Donhead St. Mary. Didymium melanospermum. (Pers.) Macbr. Plasmodium colourless to grey. Sporangia. gregarious either stalked or sessile, white or grey. On dead Fir twigs. Burltons, Donhead St. Mary. D. squamulosum. Fr. Plasmodium colourless. Sporangia gregarious, stalked or sessile, white or grey. On straw. Wardour Woods, Tisbury. 1 For Part I see W.A.M.,xlix, 270-273. Stemonitis fusca. Roth. Plasmodium white. Sporangia cylindrical stalked, and brownish purple. On dead Poplar. Burlton, Donhead St. Mary. S. ferruginea. Ehr. Plasmodium white. Sporangia cylindrical, stalked and in dense clusters, brown. On dead wood. Starveacre, Donhead St. Andrew. Liceopsis lobata. Torrend. Plasmodium watery white. Sporangia cluster- ed, rarely solitary, subglobose, rust coloured. On dead wood. Burlton, Donhead St. Mary. Comatricha typhoides. Rost. Plasmodium watery white. Sporangia cylin- drical, in clusters or scattered, stalked, first silvery grey, then turning to lilac brown. On decayed wood. Berry Wood, Donhead St. Mary. Dictydiaethalium plumbeum. Rost. Plasmodium rose-red, aethalium pulvinate. Sporangia, cylindrical, yellow. On dead wood. Burlton, Donhead St. Mary. Trichia a ffinis. de Bary. Plasmodium watery-white. Sporangia globose or obovoid, sessile, crowded, shining gold or yellow. On dead wood, Donhead Hall Wood, Donhead St. Mary. T. persimilis. Warst. Plasmodium watery-white. Sporangia globose, crowded, shiny brown or yellow-brown. On dead wood, Burltons, Donhead St. Mary. T. decipieas. Macbr. Plasmodium rose-coloured or white. Spor- angia stalked, gregarious, olive or yellow- brown. On dead wood, Wardour Woods, Tisbury. Arcyria denudata. Wett. Plasmodium white. Sporangia stalked, gre- garious, usually ovoid, first crimson then brown or red-brown. Very common throughout the area. A. cinerea. Pers. Plasmodium greyish white. Sporangia stalked, gregarious or solitary, usually cylindrical, grey. On dead wood. Burltons, Donhead St. Mary. 274 THE TREATMENT OF ROADSIDE VERGES IN WILTSHIRE By DONALD GROSE At the request of the Council for Nature an investigation was started in 1960 of the effect of mowing and spraying on the vegetation of roadside verges in Wiltshire. The roads suggested by the Council for operations were A303 from Cholderton to Bourton and A361 from Swindon to Devizes. It was ascertained, however, that these particular roadsides would not be sprayed during the year and it was decided to extend the scope of the survey to include other roadsides which had been sprayed in 1959 and on which further spraying was contemplated for 1960 and 1961. These were entirely in north Wiltshire. Advance information of the details of the spraying programme was kindly furnished by the Divisional Surveyor, Mr. K. Lanham, and thus it was possible to select and examine stands before the 1960 treatment commenced. Attention was paid chiefly to sections of B4040 from Cricklade to Malmesbury and of B4042 from Swindon to Wootton Bassett. The survey fell naturally into four divisions :— (1) Verges which were mown only. (2) Verges treated with a selective weedkiller. (3) Verges treated with a grass growth regulator. (4) Roadside scrub treated with a brushwood killer. VERGES WHICH WERE MOWN ONLY The roadsides examined were both sides of A361 from the summit of Cannings Hill, Devizes to Wroughton Church and a stretch of A303 from Wylye to Chicklade Bottom. The first-named road was divided into thirteen sections of approximately a mile each in length (Map 1):— 4 ee Hill to Harepath Way. . to Shepherds’ Shore. . . to Winterbourne Monkton. . to Berwick Bassett. C . . to Three Barrows. . . to Fiddlers Hill. D. ... to Roman Road. . . to The Weir. E. .. . to Beckhampton. . . to Gadbourne Bridge. F. . to Avebury. . to Red Barn. ART ATES to Wroughton Church. Parts of G., H., and L. are shaded, chiefly by elms; the other sections are mainly very open, sections A. to E., in fact, having no hedgerows. The whole of the road is on the Chalk and is almost entirely between ‘the 500 ft. and 600 ft. contours. The second road, in length about 54 miles, was surveyed as a single unit: Z. . . . Wylye railway bridge to Chicklade Bottom. About two miles of this road is bordered by woodland and is on Clay-with-flints; the remainder is open and is on the Chalk. The altitude is from about 300 ft. to 600 ft. Sections A. to E. were surveyed by R. E. Sandell; F. to N. by D. Grose; and Z. by B. M. Stratton. Lists of flowering plants were made at approximately fortnightly intervals from mid-May to the end of September and the dates of mowing noted. Only showy flowers and those smaller ones growing in sufficient quantity to make a substantial contribution to the general display were recorded. They were graded as abundant, frequent or occasional. Unfortunately there was much disturbance on parts of the roadside between Cannings Hill and Beckhampton during the summer, particularly in section B., where the verges were cut back for road widening. Sections F., K., and N. had been partially disturbed in previous years and some evidence of this was still visible. Detailed charts (not reproduced here) were prepared for each section showing the frequency of each species, the duration of flowering and dates of mowing or other disturbance. The first mowing varied from mid-May to late June, but for most sections it occurred during the second week of June. A second mowing was made in late August to late September, but some sections had no second cutting during the survey period. Usually only a narrow strip was mown. Mowings were often removed, occasionally thrown back a short distance, only rarely left where cut. No burning was observed. In addition to the general mowing a few corners were scythed by hand at different times. It is thought that the selected verges were mown less frequently than those in the lowlands which bear a denser, taller vegetation. mM \ 7™ 7‘ N \ ran / 3 ) \ a ee Z Me she ON ws if ae) \ , NB, em / A eS . ee SD ra 10 g 2 a \ = ‘ ; . 1A, , \_ \ » Cricklade 7 4 ; { a ~.J bbe ; i 4 | J Z | Ss : “Crudwell | Je, 4 mul J KL Z 5 h 1g my | ff Y f { fone a | 6 |F3INYy ( ? ey \ ALE Tie, Ait )Ty oy, ee ee | | 2 ae ec Sit a } ey rie Malmesbury v Selective Weed Killer SLA J ti Selective Killer with C Grass Growth Regulator Pacak > & mati 5 a ALIS NI wILSvTE In Dm AR ANARENARN ARAN RARE Ry; pv RRNA ARVIN IN ITU VI ARV ITUTTES oncetod onanon RIRIN IN IN ARVIN IN IS IMIR ESRD ANIA HAAN DO DIN IN IN TORN ANON NON ARAM ANINRNEN anand A nnn ASIA IW User SH207E MIVHD ANITS EGEa#oOs IAS! SM sey uve us ri ‘€7 see ‘ ” vovu PU LUWANL OLE ULUULL LY :ULWvE GY SETUUeULuULU LE BULK, WULOUL UL, VE UU LO LULL LL OU UU SVCD Erie, Tee er EEOC SU SUNA BME VOU LAURE UL ; a > “ > a ‘7 3 OW0vLSIG YooTy #92 IX LIM AOA AAINIO INDO ANIM QUAD BY DUD IGG DDIOVIOY PMP III AIO VI IU WII ION . PIU IUILGIGU IW UIE: t § z - / H Hi i 3 i i 3 3. & f k £ i i E 5: | | eae : > Ly roe y Lan pt ee Tnonnannooobinn ARDS AN IN TRO NONDNINO NANO: : m aLUNuniclasadaty cee yas : ‘ WA WOU LULL, RUG YUU SUS CSEEL US ULULLU/QULSIAU OL BOB UULL UR SUE U0 UU LEE SL UO RENE LEVEN LE VE LU LULU BU uu, ‘ a Lea a Le Te Sa SLR RR TTC OSL TY VERIO ESCUSE SCS CSOT TSU LESS SOC BUR HOSENIE er BR Bee LULU oY LU OL ULWIUULILUL EEN zis ' E Sells st's @ HOLIG ¢ Mae a 4 IIA Juve Yuu sus! 2 3 & FOAPANR ROR ARAYIMIAMA RNIN RAMI MINOR NAAR ANINNAANRAOMN MANE OVI UTE IU OW, 307 evidence of use, but nothing that could not have taken place in a decade or two. The latest coin is of 330-335 (No. 15, from Castle Meadow), and as this is the only one later than 313, it seems likely that the occupation was in decline in the second quarter of the 4th century. THE VILLA PLAN (fig. 2) The plan as shown is complete in so far as no other walls were found leading from those shown, except that part of the bath-house which lies beneath the railway line. The main entrance was west of Room I and the back entrance in the east wall of Room III, where two steps led up into Room VII. Room I was clearly the most important one; it was the largest and had a fine mosaic panel (Plate I); of the other rooms only Room IV was heated. DETAILS OF ROOMS (S numbers refer to sections) The entrance (fig. 3, S 13) consisted of a porch about 9 feet square. The foundation of the west wall of the front corridor VIII and IX continued across the entrance; it was robbed below floor level, but doubtless consisted of a sleeper wall with a threshold of mortar, stone or wood. The two projections® westwards from this wall were probably to support column bases 12 feet apart from centre to centre. Inside this sleeper wall were two corresponding inward projections and two more pairs of columns; or the outer two pairs might be interpreted as piers for some more massive structure. There was a doorway on either side, marked by the two gaps shown, each some 3 feet across; the puddled chalk of the founda- tion continued across these gaps. There was apparently no entry straight into Room I; the way was blocked by Pit 5, as discussed below. Room I (fig. 3, S 13) (20 by 18 feet). Room I was the largest room discovered and contained the mosaic (p. 334). Dr. David Smith suggests (p. 335) that the position of the mosaic in relation to the plan of the room indicates that there was a piece of furniture more or less permanently against the east wall of the room. Room IT (18 feet square) had a ‘ white’ tessellated floor. Room IIT (S 12 and S 14, figs. 3 and 4) (18 by 19 feet). There was a slight patching of brick-mortar in the south-west corner. The floor was broken in the centre of the east wall by an entrance consisting of two steps; the eastern of these was a large block of ‘ heathstone,’ worn on its upper surface; this was lying on several slabs of Purbeck limestone, which also lay on either side, while the lower western step was an inverted ridge-block of oolite (p. 337, no. 13); all were heavily mortared together and to the sub-soil. Room IV was excavated to its destroyed floor level over the whole area; trenches were cut below this and the stoke hole and stoking pit were completely excavated. The room originally had a mosaic; two small fragments of this, both 3 in. ‘white’ tesserae in a curving pattern, were found in the filling of the stoke-hole. These were set in a border of 3 in. ‘ white ’ and red tesserae, which survived in situ in two places, to the south of the stoke-hole and in the north-east corner. In the infilling were a few hundred 3 in. tesserae. The walls were plastered and painted in colour; fragments were found in the infilling of the room and stoke-hole (described on p. 337) and a line of plaster with a grey-blue surface remained in position by the walls in some places. On the north wall of IV this grey-blue plaster continued down the sides of the foundation as far as the offset level (section S 14); it was absent, however in three places; twice where the wall was breached for the wall flues, as described below; and for a stretch of 6 feet east of centre: the plaster at the edges of this part was cut vertically. It is suggested that this gap represents the entrance between III and IV where some masonry abutment of chalk, flint or tile, since removed, formed the basis of a doorway. 308 ° N ° TOS ATI BA¥i 6 VeNCEC ita t 9S ATIBAVO _NMOUS ua) "B "YVLYCH "TiOS NMONa “eee e ew AS \e a ow ONIZOOY *3VH3SS3L wo @ “YBLSVId ‘SINITG oy a e¢ 3ve3ssa ORS 2 SLNITS_ Ms ‘TIOs ° x POI9SSa) poy ( AND “MOS ATI3AVED NMOUE CY)? * H ; OM MIT Wane fea € ‘S14 sour ~pue J wooy - egy qaaf fo ayvag €s61 O3lvAvDx3 III ITA sulooy - gry oat fo a]D09 SI! MWHD Q3100Nd VAAVYD 9 AVID = SJONVYO- MOTISA — TVUNIVN “NMOUS - 43N@ tL! { * “g3usvid4 ee IDVIYNS N3Quvo III sdaqs y Ayaaous_* a@ 309 The Hypocaust. The room was heated by channels alongside the walls and under the floors. The stoke-hole consisted of two pillars of tiles 14 in. thick, bonded with white mortar, burnt red in places; these were built into the masonry of the west wall with an internal aperture 2 by 14 feet. The gravel floor of the channel of the stoke-hole was heavily burnt red, and this continued for 3-4 feet into the interior. The heated air from the stoke-hole passed in three directions, to the right and left along the inner edge of the west wall, and straight ahead under the centre of the room; one box-tile was in situ (p. 337, no. 11) and was covered with a thin slab of Purbeck limestone. S$ 15 - Stoking pit V and edge of [IV EAST & @® RECENT TIP GARDEN & PLOUGHSOIL ) MOR TARY ‘soil, FLINTS, “CHALK, ‘os SNS Xt TILE ee PLASTER Se os . MEANS ae SNE AEN x SN SAN 7 x SN NN Ne Nig \ NATURAL ~GINGER- BROWN nsN A NSN SS SASS Se NAR 4T-DARKER LHL Zs LE CLAYEY SOIL CHALK lining of SILT COIN of Clardus tt "TILE & MORTAR hypocaust S 14- North side of IV and Sa of III SOUTH PLASTER NORTH BIO LULITALL LLY LILLE ee SANS NESSU PSDs DVLA SOY WANSA NS ASS OS SN NNN AVN BSN NAN NX NaN WN REN NNN \ SHAQ Oe NaN Se SSN SALTS SONLITS Xn N Ses « SAR Ve NS RANA N AN AEN AINE RS aS N Ao 2 » Wyss SN Wes SS Divi x SO > Poss % S DANN YN SS mG SSN o* Con et buff- SUR RNENS Ss sy @®) poctbrown soil - natural AS \ep( } =S>N = SAN en NATURAL ~ Yellow-orange clay & gravel UDDLED CHALK Dark soil ,sherds, PUD Cc & oyster-shell =e Seen SR, 5 10 Scale of Feet Fig. 4 mred tesserae ee Mortar Room V (Stoking Yard) (S 15, fig. 4) (14 by 9 feet). The stoking-pit was almost completely filled with a rake-back of laminated ash and mortar, with some burnt gravel. In the lower part of the ash was a coin of Claudius II (p. 336, no. 2): a few tesserae were scattered throughout the filling. The ash over the west half sealed a layer of buff-brown soil thicker near the edges; this was evidently a primary silt, and in and under this were some rather larger sherds, possibly derived from the building period (p. 330-331, fig. 17 nos. 1 and 2). Above the ash layers on the north side of V was a dump of occupational debris, spreading into the stoke-hole. In this dump with other debris were found large fragments of 25-30 vessels, including a complete small beaker (see pp. 330-331, fig. 17, nos. 3 to 13). Covering the dump was an infilling of robbers’ spoil similar to that of IV. 310 Rooms VIII/X (37 by 9 feet, probably originally two rooms 13 by 9 feet and 22 by 9 feet) (S 12) had a red tessellated floor without mortar bedding; the division between VIII and X was marked by a pro- jection of flints from the east wall, 2} by 2 feet. This was in line with the east wall common to II and III, but was not deeply founded. To the west of this, but not under it, was a spread of puddled and rammed chalk, traced westwards for 4 feet; it may represent an original entrance between VII and X, later removed. ? in. ‘ white’ tesserae were laid covering the flint projection, the surviving parts of this floor showed some signs of wear and had been patched irregularly with single inserts and rows of red 3 in. tesserae. Room VI (18 feet square) had a ‘ white’ tessellated floor, patched with a few red and dark brown tesserae. Room XI (19 by 9 feet) was floored with ‘ white ’ tesserae. Room XII (18 feet square). Only a few square feet of floor survived in the south-east corner of XII; this was of ‘ white’ tesserae, but a few larger (14 in.) red tesserae survived to show that there had originally been a centre panel, whose south-east corner only could be plotted. THE DITCHES AND PITS NEAR THE MAIN RANGE OF ROOMS Ditch | (S 6, fig. 5). Little rubbish was deposited in the ditch until the building was destroyed. The ditch was probably a storm water drain, and may additionally have taken waste water from the bath- house; a sherd of New Forest brown-slipped pot was found near the base of layer 4. Ditch or Depression 2 was just over 3 feet wide at sub-soil level; it was only noted as a deepening of the mortary soil and roofing on the east side of the east wall of Room VI. It might be a timber slot. , U ° s ° 5 ry ° ° y > @ BROWN SOIL € GRAVEL ' s ° § aver “f° YELLOW- BROWN S CLAYEY SOIL & GRAVEL’ 7 a x U ° ry ' woe @ 2 le ° a 951 S'a BaD __ DESTRUCTION LAYER, °g7** : ~ aot °QDan i oa ; K ‘ a a 8arl go : . OMe a : ae ~ ~~ @BUFF-BROWN SOIL Sra . €& GRAVEL y ° > Z — — = YELLOW BROWN C c AY WwW Night es ae — (4) YELLOW BROWN ~ STICKY SOIL o Mt Oo 1 2 3 feet ~ ° 7a e — S6- DITCH 1 Fig. 5 ‘JT WOOY “oresopy *[ aed “yYys144do) UMOAD CS ARETE ERAN SBR ENR SUE OS STATS : exe ; Tr : oe . , wis — ; : g . ae as aries Crown copyright. 1. Corn Drying Oven: Flue B from south-west. Crown copyright. 2. Corn Drying Oven: Flue B, collapsed cover-slabs at north end. Plate II. 1. Crown copyright. General view of Bath-house from north. Ds Crown copyright. Castle Meadow, Road C. Plate III. 311 Pit 3 (S 11, fig. 6) appears to be earlier than the wall; but it might be a soakaway to drain the founda- tions. In the lower foot, west of the wall only, was some builder’s rubbish,? and some darker soil with most of the skeleton of a small dog (p. 329). Ditch 4 (shown on Site Plan, W.A.M., ccx, 117, west of Villa) was 4 feet wide at sub-soil level, | foot deep below sub-soil and 3 feet 6 in. deep from present surface. Pit 5 (S 13, fig. 3). Layer 5 was probably the upcast from the pit, and was sealed by the flint and chalk foundation of the outer entrance wall; it seems possible therefore that Pit 5 was part of the original layout. Layer 6 contained material which appears to have come from the destruction or major modification of a building.'° The pit must have remained open throughout some period of use of the building; for its sides to remain stable in gravel (and its collapse would have threatened the stability of the west wall of I) it would have to be lined, probably with wood or lead. It is suggested that Layers 7 and possibly 8 (though this may be a primary silt or fall-in) are the result of collapse of the west side, following the removal of this lining, before Layer 6 was thrown or fell in,1’ to be followed by Layer 4, perhaps the first ploughsoil (containing part of a sheep skull, p. 328). The position of Pit 5 shows that it must have formed a barrier between the entrance and Room I, the doorways being to north and south, as suggested above (p. 307). It seems possible that Pit 5 represents an ornamental feature of the entrance, perhaps a fountain with a lead cistern. NORTH RK BROWN SOIL € GRAVEL TITTS "\ | @ BROWN SOIL € GRAVEL j , ’ y , ° NE of FLINT,TILE, : Pe) De ie Ou gy yet CHALK , TESSERAE NATURAL ~ ORANGE GRAVEL aoe Zoe we @) ORANGE BROWN CLAYEY * ow? SOIL E GRAVEL > Oa van Be. ie sa 0.8 g Scale of Jeet S11- PIT 3 PAR. 53. Fig. 6 312 SECTION SOUTH ~ NORTH PAE ~ ‘are ; ot i <3 Zit of ong ' . SITE eco ‘iP ba é Ori nee ’ ' ‘ RECENT DUMP ’ ‘| D DARK BROWN . PLOUGH SOIL \ ’ J BUFF BROWN SOIL Le . ’ , 4 MORTAR, FLINTS. in Coal Siete ay aa ais Be cers (oa ae : y 7 Ae 4 ny VO) a Maa ve eae BLACK-BROWN soit | ' B SSIES > = a PaaS zt tas TSS & BLACK SOIL, Charcoal —_ TWMitrtirrce OC) \/ EN 6 7 RED-BURNT SUBSOIL ‘ ls WSN? 8 %ELLOW-BROWN 208 3| SUBSOIL eee AU BURNT asses BROWN SOIL CLAY & GRAVEL &) PINK MORTAR & CHALK 0 I 2 3 5 (OVEN WALLS) of — Teet Scale Fig. 7 THE BATH HOUSE (Plan fig. 8, and sections S 1 to S 4, figs. 9 and 10). The position of these sections is shown only on the main villa plan (fig. 2). GENERAL DESCRIPTION Only part of the bath-house was excavated. This was entered by VII by way of the entrance in III. The rooms excavated were probably the major part of the bath-house, and are in turn: XIV, a square room without heating; XV, a small cold bath; XVI, a heated room; XVII, an apsidal hot room; and XVIII, another apsidal hot room: this was next to the stoke-hole and was thus the hottest of the three. The stoke-yard lies under the garden of No. 15. In line with the partition wall between XVI and XVII another extends eastwards under the railway,” so there is at least one other room on this side, though not a heated one. No floor levels survived in the bath-house except that of the sunken bath XV; it seems likely that they were at a slightly higher level than those of the main building. Only the hypo- caust pilae remained in the heated rooms, built on a 4 in. mortar floor in all except XVI. All the floors had been of thick red mortar except XVI, which probably had a red tiled floor. The floors, except that of XV, had been robbed to obtain the large tiles bridging the pilae. The walls had been rendered with plaster (p. 337); the foundations were no deeper than the hypocaust floor, except by Pit 10. This was the sump which clearly drained the hypocaust system by way of Drain gully 11. Some cob, apparently containing chopped straw, was in the infilling; this was never seen in the main building, and suggests that the walls of the bath-house at least were not built to any great height in flint. Roof tiles of Purbeck limestone were represented only by scraps. No tesserae were found in the filling. ~The exact mechanics of the heating system are difficult to determine because of the extent of 313 8 SI SaTava = I] wwratow puo VRAAAR SED ha = ; IIL NIHON SJ oy ST OL ¢ Or 6G & SE JJe Isom 1sInG) LAAT fo ATVOS een Sarg mee C Seeders ee a ee 1 Ayjn3 ureag PPERPAPRO MIRON IRON RAM EHNN fm UY, soDLINs p © SOOO CSU JOJIOUW U, jOOWwS arson “Su, cL HWIVHD GQ Bol WOIaS da alayid VTITIA NVWNOU NOLNMOd inq4 £ a | 2 AI ‘ Z § Zz ie ee KH OL ag LPP rene RARE ROROANAARARORANONANON “AINIOIND NO Sol waaay ph, < sar SS min 37s en x blngd bs Sie oN o* VSN ee OLLULULULLE We : panini aac tiaete a UELQUOUOLE 0 c Wyss 8 so TES é 4 ene 2 oon 3 Y wm SNS ee tsa fF pas Bo oe Do is 4 YVLYOW Byo0 SQ GES ra 3 & 3 N| NY Ni NX £ a 5 ita 3 Yoo7s ON é 3 40074 on = asd N St oe 3 AIX & 3 TIA WAX z oS st 3 ecr oii N AON Bog hee 4 3 {| roy ot F) “aii 200 o 3 € 3 4g ae) ea 4 Yeo Fe = N = Ai ena ke! WN RI , ety, Gos co 8 ow We SP & 2 & 2arngernnann “Lla>5 OR TARRAOAIRPAIAAAAAAARARINMINANCORAGON — BenmaANQNAAENgE NTT aRANANeAe | ud 1) : wou we Ob We DEEU ELLE OLLL OL 57 SII SE aR cae oan YOOTs ON Ce Sa oe 4 Y t ay ae = C Ay uns ae eZ aa — — y0074 ON Uojsiow pas é BV 3: MOTTIVHS, fapwiid a buy 44s Shi Asppuozeas NORTH S71 ALONG LINE OF RAILWAY FENCE ee ; a SKIRTING — “FALLEN PLASTER ‘ : J i @ cS Sections of BATH. XV S. NATURAL ----5 ‘ SCALE of FEET Key to Bath-house sections TILE (@) DARK BROWN SO/L - GARDEN PINK MORTAR FLOOR of XV |(@)BROWN GRAVELLY SOIL - OLD PLOUGH CREAM MORTAR FLOOR of @) MORTARY BROWN SOIL ~ DESTRUCTION HYPOCAUSTS a A @ FLINTS, MORTAR, BATH FLOOR CEMENT, MORTAR TILE,CHALK, PLASTER : IN BROWN SO/L MATRIX - ROBBERS’ INFILLING PILA MORTAR MORTAR, FLINTS, FRS. FLUE TILES and WHITE PLASTER ~DESTRUCTION MATERIAL in DRAIN I FLINT FOOTING @) YELLOW MORTAR, TILE, BROWN SOIL. - DESTRUCTION YELLOW MORTAR (>) t IME GAELDIRT. “GONCRETION <" |G) NATURAL-?" BURR BROWN. CLAY Fig. 9 315 the robbing. The heat obviously declined through XVHI, XVII and XVI and was conveyed through box-tiles (p. 337) in the walls. Two were found in situ as pilae in Bath XVII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ROOMS XIV (about 9 feet square, not regular). No floor was found in this room. XV (S 1 and S 2) (north-south width between walls: 4 feet 9 in.). The floor consisted of 44 in. of hard red mortar laid on a tile foundation. Inset into the floor was a tile 163 in. by 11 in. thick, which may perhaps be connected with steps on the east side. On the west side was a channel; the marks of a quarter-round moulding could be seen on the edge of the floor, which finished in a clean vertical edge. XVI (84 feet by 5 feet). This room was the most remote from the stoke-hole, and was evidently warmed by hot air passing through several channels between blocks of masonry of varying composi- tion,!4 with gaps for box-flue tiles. D was of courses of tile set between chalk blocks, and may mark the position of the doorway between XVI and XVII. The mortar used in the masonry blocks differed from that in the main walls. The infilling of XVI was in two parts, the upper with more soil and lumps of cob, the lower almost clean yellow mortar continuing into the heating channels; the rather dirty natural orange gravel and clay at the base of these was covered by a little soot. No red mortar frag- ss - Bath xvu ROBBERS’ EAST TRENCH RAILWAY CUTTING van 8 TILE FOOTING apse S. BUFF - BROWN CLAY ~- NATURAL GULLY S 4-Stoke hole and apse of bath XVIII SOUTH-EAST ~ LIMIT of EXCAVATION ON SOUTHWEST S/IDE NORTH-WEST o> hex it ee aga is Ba ee . rae c > op Ss Z J BLACK SO _ [ast ee ha ey vv OR f Ourfer west RROOF TILE Pe FSS: : Reed A wall S. NATURAL "1 I 2 3 4 5 10 15 20 SCALE of FEET Fig. 10 (See Fig. 9 for key). 316 ments were in the infilling, and it seems probable that the masonry blocks supported a floor of tiles on yellow mortar. XVII (S 3, fig. 10). A sleeper wall of broken flints and mortar was between the apse and the main part. The floor of XVII was of thick hard mortar painted red: large pieces of this were in the infilling, and the floor had evidently been robbed for the tiles which supported it; only the hypocaust pilae survived to a maximum height of 10 tiles; the level of the floor is uncertain. The main part of the bath was supported on 25 pilae of square tiles not quite symmetrically arranged, and fanning out slightly towards the stoke-hole. The sleeper wall had two projections of tiles at each end, over it had been four pilae, formed of large box tiles (fig. 16, no. 1), two found in situ. Both these and the tiles of the sleeper wall appear to have been re-used as there was burnt matter on the latter, and the box-tiles were filled with burnt substances and pieces of broken tile too large to have got in through the side apertures. The tops of the box-tiles were heavily mortared over. The evidence suggests some modification to the original structure. The apse floor (presumably a bath) was supported on 10 pilae, 7 of box-tiles and 3 of square tiles.!° The apse was bounded on the west side by a thick wall; this was broken at hypocaust floor level, probably for a pipe to drain the hypocaust into Gully 11. The wall was found with a smooth mortar finish on its upper surface, perhaps where a tile course had been robbed; its inner side was lined with chalk blocks. The masonry between the apse of XVII and XVIII overlay the sleeper wall. XVIII (S 4, fig. 10). Between XVII and XVIII was an 18 in. wide sleeper wall of tiles set in mortar; the hypocaust floor did not continue over this; the surviving part was level with this floor, except for one 18 in. square block of tile masonry; doubtless there were two or three of these supporting the floor, with channels for the heat passing into XVII and XVI. Part of XVIII lies under the railway, and this room may extend further in this direction than does XVII. The floor had again been of thick hard mortar supported on square tile pilae. The apse partly in the garden of No. 15 was separated from the main part by a sleeper wall of tile and mortar, and the hypocaust floor did not extend over this. The Stoke-Hole (S 4, fig. 10) survived as a break in the south wall of XVIII with cheeks of square tiles, and a heavily burnt tile floor. The Outer West Wall (S 4, fig. 10) was only slightly founded and was not so heavily mortared as most of the flint masonry on the site. DITCHES AND PITS NEAR THE BATH-HOUSE Drain 11 (S 4, fig. 10). This was a carefully cut gully with almost vertical sides which emptied into Pit 10. Its filling consisted entirely of clean mortar, fragments of white plaster, (probably exterior rendering), fragments of pila-tiles, flue-tiles and a few scraps of roofing tile. There was no silt in the filling, and it is possible that, like Pit 10, this drain was lined and possibly covered, either with lead, wood or tiles, which had been removed; apparently just before it was filled with debris, to judge by the cleanly-cut sides and base. In the filling above it was a limey concretion apparently derived from the exterior stucco. Pit 10 (Maximum depth 5 feet from sub-soil level). This pit was a soakaway taking the water from Drain 11. It was an original feature of the bath-house, as both the west wall of XVI and the north wall of XVII were founded to its full depth; it may indeed have drained the foundations as well (cf. Pit 3). Its filling was a mixture of dark brown gravelly soil, several dozen flints, a few fragments of Purbeck limestone roof tile, and mortar and brick fragments similar to those in the filling of XVII. It seems likely therefore that it was open to its full depth during the period of use of the bath-house; it may have been lined with wood or lead. After the disuse of the baths, and the decay or removal of the lining, the sides collapsed, bringing with them part of the flint masonry and mortar floor of the hypocaust of Bath XVII. D Bowes: Stoking pit CORN- DRYING OVEN SCALE of FEET 10 15 Fig. 11 7 PURBECK |} CHALK & || FLINT HEATH - |I -~-STONE i BRICK TILE 318 Pit 8. West of Bath-house. (See Villa Plan, fig. 2). This was only a depression in the sub-soil; it was about 3 feet in diameter and roughly circular, with shallow sloping sides. Its maximum depth was 1 foot below the level of the surrounding sub-soil, and it was filled with brown soil in which were many lumps of ‘ lime.’ It may perhaps have been a small slurry-pit. CONCLUSION It is suggested, on the basis of the rather incomplete evidence, that the itinerary of the bath-house was as follows :— From III a doorway led into VII, and this gave access to XIV, which may have been the dressing room (apodyterium). From here the bather entered the succession of tepid, warm and hot rooms XVI, XVII and XVIII, returning in the reverse order, entering the cold bath XV if desired, and return- ing to the villa via XIV and VII. This order takes no account of further possible rooms to the east under the railway, and the cold bath XV may have been entered through such rooms, which are not destroyed, and may be available for excavation at some future date. THE CORN-DRYING OVEN (Plan, fig. 11 and S 10, fig. 12). (Masonry 19 by 14 feet, flues c. 11 feet long) consisted of an irregu- larly built sub-rectangular block of flint masonry built into a shallow pit, with two T-shaped flue- channels (A and B), and a stoking-pit at the south end. The masonry mass was mostly flint and chalk but included some brick fragments, pieces of oolite freestone, and large blocks of ‘ heathstone,’ the latter chiefly lining the flues and stoking-pit. There was very little sign of mortar except in the stoking- pit, and the flints were apparently roughly coursed in a clayey soil. The flues were lined with ‘ heathstone ’ blocks burnt to a wine-red colour, one or two oolite blocks (badly eroded by burning), flint burnt purple and crackled, and chalk blocks burnt grey. The burnt floor was covered with a thin layer of gravelly brown soil, probably a slight silting. They were filled with debris of flint, chalk and brick. The chimneys were not quite at right angles with the flues; at the base of each was a layer of light compact ash, which reached a maximum depth of 6 in. in the west end of the chimney of flue B. In the lower part of this were carbonized grains and seeds of wheat, barley, S 10 -~ Corn- drying oven vy RECENT - DUMP ° > ’ . ’ - ‘ , , ’ ’ ’ , ; , i ’ ‘ ‘ , ' . 5 sae — on - : pos BUFF BROWN GRAVELLY SOL ; Bi tae tos Io ary an : ) ’ ‘ , , ; ’ , = ee ee <~ 9 “ROOFING, ad :< ’ * destroyed A ’ , I Sa =e Mortar, chalk, dark soil, 7 ris9 epee on ae Te H Fis sherds (EV go BognovaaGy, Iyst Tork. yaa NATURAL ~ BUFF-ORANGE CLAY € GRAVEL Scale of Feet O 1 De She hi AD 10 15 20 a as Se et ee 319 vetch and cleaver (p. 328). The chimney of B was sloping outwards while that of A was almost vertical. In the surface of the masonry on the south side of the west end of the chimney of flue A were two large flanged tiles (incl. fig. 16, no. 3), both inverted with their flanges uppermost, and with a layer of orange gravelly silt between them: they may have served as supports for the flue capstones. These were large slabs of Purbeck limestone, some large (16 by 16 in.), pieces of which were found collapsed into the chimney of flue B. In the filling of the chimneys were also found fragments of imbrices, one almost complete lying inverted in the east end of the chimney of flue B (p. 337, no. 10). The stoking-pit floor was slightly higher than that of the flues, probably due to raking out and removal of the surface inside the stoke-holes. The lower layer contained much soot and rubble and fragments of over a hundred Purbeck limestone roof slates, many whole, and mostly lying thickly around the edges of the pit. FINDS Much pottery, representing in many cases most of the sherds of several vessels, was found in the lower soot level (p. 330, fig. 17, nos. 30-38), with coin No. 14 of Constantine I (p. 336), and other finds. Parts of two upper quern-stones were among the rubble, (fig. 16, nos. 8 and 9), and also an oolite block, which looked like a capstone (p. 337, no. 2): a similar piece was built into the west side of the stoke-hole of flue A (fig. 16, no. 2). Interpretation as a corn-drying oven is based on the occurrence of grain in the chimneys, and on several analogous examples. A close parallel is that found at Rockbourne Down, not many miles away. This had a wall round the stoking pit, and in this connection it is clear that the Downton structure was roofed only over the stoking-pit, and yet no post-holes or outer wall were found. FEATURES NEAR THE CORN-DRYING OVEN Ditch 12 (shown on Site Plan, W.A.M., ccx, 117). There were three layers of silting, all of which yielded pottery, especially the central black layer, which produced some metal objects (fig. 15, nos. 6 and 8) several hundred sherds (see fig. 17, nos. 14-29), and bones and shell. It is evident that this layer (3) derives from the main period of occupation and may be connected with the use of the corn- dryer close by. The layer above (2) seems to post-date the main occupation and it may equate with the rubble layer over the corn-dryer, which has a similarly-coloured soil matrix and also yielded sherds. The primary silt (layer 4) was loose and probably rapid in accumulation: at its extreme base were some mortar and brick fragments probably from the building period. Test-holes showed no signs of any structures north of this ditch, and it is probably the northern boundary of the site. A coin of Licinius (no. 12) was found in the buff soil on the south lip. The pottery is from almost as many different pots as there are sherds, and is thus probably the accumulation of some years, rather than a few loads of rubbish, (cf. deposits in hypocaust of IV and stoking-pit of corn-drying oven, which are more likely to be the latter). Oven 6 (Plan fig. 7 and sections 5 and 5a). This oven lay about 100 feet west of the villa (see plan, W.A.M., ccx, 117) and near the site of the possible well. It consisted of two structures; one (C on plan) is probably a replacement of the other (B on plan). The earlier (B) appears to have been a simple fire- trench (layer 6 in S 5a). It consisted merely of a shallow gully found filled with black soil and charcoal in which were a few indeterminate sherds; the sides were burnt red at the top, the floor very little, though this does not imply that it was heated less. The main structure (C) was an oven of the bat- shaped variety; the shallow walls were of mortar and chalk, These showed signs of considerable use. The soil floor of flue and oven were burnt to a hard brown consistency; the remains of the structure were covered by some loose flint rubble, probably representing the upper part of the walls. ROMAN FEATURES IN CASTLE MEADOW General. There were no definite buildings in Castle Meadow, but the large post-hole 30 may be one of several forming some structure; oven 24 and some of the smaller ditches and post-holes in this Cc 320 area may also be associated with timber buildings. Pottery, coins and dark soil in and around these features show that there was domestic occupation on a small scale in Castle Meadow, but it need be no more than might be expected on the fringe of the villa estate in huts or hovels occupied by estate dependants. Beyond the roads towards the river the amount of Roman material decreased, and there was no reason to think that the lower part of the field was used for anything other than pasture or arable outside the peripheral roads. The roads are named A, B and C; A and B swung round the west and north sides of the villa complex, merging into one road AB as they turned eastwards. The roads consisted of spreads of small and large gravel as shown in the sections (fig. 14) laid down without any camber on the existing ground surface. S17 ~ Section of south-west side of trench DD-north-west é 2 : . oS ue 2 o_o 2, 225 Ses D230 AS o ©, 6 LoeSS's., 7 = ! Turf and topsoil D 28 JUNCTION of ROADS Aand 8 2 Grey brown gravelly J Dark buff-brown S Compact brown ¢ Buff-brown 6 Clayey buff Downton ROAD AB i) slope Plan of road junction Scale of feet ~. “2 treriches 128 oO 5 U PB). ASRS 321 On this metalled surface deep ruts developed, 4 feet 7 in. to 4 feet 9 in. apart, and the centre of the road became worn, evidently by the feet of animals. In several places, the gravel cobbles in the ruts were pressed down deeply into the underlying soil, and the ruts were repeatedly filled up with more gravel (see fig. 14). The roads were buried by post-Roman soil accumulation and their surface survived intact in most cases; towards the south, soil accumulation was less, and the metalling of Road B had been ploughed away. The roads were flanked by small ditches (15, 18, 19) draining the verges, though not perhaps in such a regular and continuous manner as would appear in fig. 13. Road B was clearly a replacement of Road A; heavy rutting may have made Road A unusable; both showed evidence of heavy use and bad conditions, in the form of deep ruts, fragments of horseshoes (fig. 15, nos. 15-18) horses’ teeth and linch pins (fig. 15, nos. 20-22). Road AB was cut by Road C and its drainage ditches 14, 16 and 17 draining away to the south. C was an access road directly to the villa, and widened as it approached what may have been some kind of outer yard near the flint spreads seen in 1953. It leads from a northerly direction, perhaps from the river crossing near the Moot. Detailed description of Roman features (see Castle Meadow Plan W.A.M., ccx, 119). Road A was 6 ft. 3 in. to 8 ft. 6 in. wide, with ruts averaging 4 ft. 7 in. apart, up to 9 in. wide, and up to 3 in. deep; additional ruts in places; trodden area (horse-track) in centre. Road B was 6 ft. to 6 ft. 6 in. wide, ruts average 4 ft. 7 in. apart, up to 9 in. wide, up to 5 in. deep. Road AB showed first as a combined road north of the Neolithic area, where there were two levels of gravel metalling 14 ft. wide, the lower representing Road A, the upper Road B. The rather confused section here is shown as fig. 14. In the junction cuttings (see Plan, fig. 13) the combined road was seen (in Trench 1, fig. 13) as a three-rutted sunken road at a level similar to that of the lower gravel in fig. 8. Road AB was found again in Trench 5 as a single road deeply rutted as shown in S 16, fig. 14. Road C consisted of a very light spread of gravel with well-defined double ruts 4 ft. 8 in. apart in V-DD;; it widened and thickened progressively and lost its ruts towards Moot Lane, probably as the road merged with some kind of outer yard, where the traffic went off in different directions. Ditch 14. Sherds of B1, B3, D1, F3 (p. 333). Ditch 16 drained west side of Road C in southern part of its course (see Castle Meadow Plan W.A.M., ccx, 119) 3 ft. to 3 ft. 6 in. deep from surface, shallow V-shaped, filling brown gravelly soil. Ditch 17 was 5 ft. wide at sub-soil level, and 5 ft. deep from present surface. Coin No. 4 (Tetricus II) 4 ft. 3 in. from surface. Sherds of A6, B5, D1, D2, E3 (p. 333). Ditch 18. Average 3 ft. deep from present surface with dark brown filling=Ditch 326 in Beaker area. Ditch 19. Sherds of A2, B1, Fl (p. 333). Ditch 21/22. 2 ft. 5 in. deep turf (6 in. sub-soil) fill dark brown soil, sherds of A2, B1, D2, Fl (p. 333) Oven 24. There was a wide rake-back with an occupation layer behind it to the north-east. The oven consisted of a narrow trench which doubtless carried some superstructure made from the materials of stone, tile and flints found scattered in the filling. The associated sherds include D2, BI and E3 (p. 333). Pit 26, south-west of Beaker area. Rubbish pit near Oven 24; 6 ft. across, 10 in. deep from level of sub-soil, fragments of flanged tile and chalk. Coin No. 11 (barbarous radiate), rectangular nailhead (p. 326, no. 38), long iron needle (p. 326, no. 38), sherds of A2, A3, B1, D2, El, E3, Fl, F3, (p. 333) scatter of dirty soil around. Post-hole 30. 27 in. diameter, 32 in. deep from turf, 14 in. deep from sub-soil, 18 in. deep from surface of flint metalling, which surrounded it in the limited area dug; post itself was represented by softer core 7 in. in diameter, which was surrounded by 40-50 large flints; this was clearly a major post- hole and might be associated with some structure whose floor is represented by the flint metalling. 322 bl “S14 us uve § pue + sayouaia uondunf peor Jo suonsac¢ ~ uozunog AYU QIS 40; = f99f JO FDIS oF SI OL Ss oO 2 {SOM- YfJ4ON) S HONFAL JO 30IS MS - -OTS ‘Gl PUD BIS 404 TIAVYD BYOW'Z SV eo AINVYS NMOYE MYVO £2 YSILHOIT ATLHOIIS GS SY 9 ABAVTID AGNVS NMOYG JING FS AV7TD FONVIO SLNIT1 ®AVTID GE WOoS AIGNVYS NMOYg Of £ SV 8 TAIAVYD FPF AVID JONVYO WE AONYS NMOYE-JING MYVOd £ WOS ATTIFAVYD NMOYG AWD 2 WOSAOL FB SUNL | ou, Wy, {ns P2esoADoxaUuN pon yee piano Lae 1D WO) CELMUDL PULL £SOM-Y4sopy | ” Sve - ines & HONFYL 42 FGIS IN-G I S es Ge Gv agvoy PaDAD>OxauN neta ueacae aS {sam- YL4ON {soa Yinos | F HONFTYL #9 FIIS MS ~ 8i S 323 Ditch 45. West of Saxon gravel-pit; U-shaped, 8-9 in. deep below sub-soil, date uncertain, but a medieval sherd was found in one cutting, and it may be of this date. Roman features in Beaker area (found in area excavation) 301 Stake-hole, dark sandy soil and tile fragments, diameter 4 in., depth 8 in. sub-soil. 302 Depression, burnt soil and gravel, 16 in. by 20 in., 2 in. deep. 303 Hearth, surface burnt black and red round edges. 304 Depressions burnt round edges, filling burnt gravel and dark soil, 12 in. by 10 in. by 2 in. deep. 305 Post-hole, 2-3 in. deep from sub-soil, sandy dark soil. 306 Ditch—see S 31, W.A.M., ccx, 120, 28 in. from turf in west corner, tile and Roman sherds. 312 Ditch, dark brown soil and gravel, sherds and tesserae on base, 27 in. turf on south corner, deepening in centre to further 6 in. = ditch 21/22. 318 Ditch with deeper area (see S 32 and S 33, W.A.M., ccx, 120) = ditch 19. 326 Ditch, 32 in. deep from turf in centre, dark soil and flints = ditch 18. ADDITIONAL DISCOVERIES FROM CASTLE MEADOW, DOWNTON INCLUDING A ROMAN LEAD VESSEL At the request of the Ministry of Public Building and Works a watch has been maintained by members of the Salisbury Museum Research Committee on subsequent building developments at Castle Meadow, Downton, (SU 18202135) during 1961-62. Over much of the area little of any significance was discovered but just outside and S.W. of the limits of the trial trenching in 1955 an area of flinting was exposed by the cutting of a new road. It was not possible to examine the site in detail but the flints could have formed the floor of a simple building. Sixty yards to the south a second area of flinting was revealed by the cutting of another road. Excava- tion of the latter area revealed what appeared to be the remains of a late Roman corn drying oven. From this feature was obtained a large lead vessel and late Roman pottery. The structure at the point examined consisted of a ‘V’ shaped ditch which had originally been roofed with stone tiles, possibly reused house tiles as some had peg holes. The tiles had collapsed into the trench in a layer two feet thick. Between this layer and the natural gravel was an accumulation of fine soil 5 in. deep in which lay the lead vessel. Another cutting parallel to the first and 5 ft. away exposed a layer of burnt clay extending in the direction of the lead vessel. Tiles were also present here and these and the burnt clay probably represent the remains of a flue. Both of these features were 3 ft. below the present ground surface. The lead vessel (fig. 18) is 6 in. deep and 12 in. in diameter. It was made by beating a sheet of lead into a baggy profile. At the rim the lead has been beaten around an iron hoop which serves to strengthen the vessel. There is no clear evidence as to whether there was ever a handle; at one point the iron breaks through the lead as if a handle had been attached but this is probably due to oxidation. Un- fortunately, at the point diametrically opposed to this rusting the rim has been damaged, the lead having been torn away from the rim. One is not able to say for certain what the use of this vessel could have been. The application of lead in its construction would seem to preclude its use as a cooking vessel, and its weight (10 lbs. 8 ozs.) and lack of handle would rule out its use as a bucket. A possibility is that it was a Romano-British corn measure and on experiment it was shown to hold 14 Ibs. 12 ozs. of barley. This corresponds quite well with the Modius, a Roman measure of capacity which was equivalent to just over a peck (14 Ibs.). The vessel has been deposited in Salisbury Museum by the Salisbury and Wilton Rural District Council, upon whose property it was found. JOHN STRATTON, ALEC EAST. 324 SS w a a Tile fig Pre Wn liye tll a Lepr uy] I TU ay ll ls UT Ay . Hitt \ ! if \r Hil FATT NINIKM I qh pe w) Fig. 15 Downton; Copper Alloy 1—3, 5—6. Bone 4, Iron 7—27, Stone 28 (pp. 325 to 326). Scale: 1—6 3, 325 THE FINDS THE PAINTED PLASTER Plaster was recovered in small quantities from both villa and bath-house. This represents only a minute part of what must have originally existed, and the rest has disintegrated, surviving as a layer of grit on the tesselated floors and as a large part of the infilling. That from the villa was mainly from Room I, and this was found in 1953. Most of the plain and striped pieces came from the north and south walls, while the more elaborately painted pieces (about a square foot in all) were found alongside the east wall. From Room I came pieces painted in sky blue, primrose, leaf green, peach, pink, indigo, white and red. These were mainly in various combinations of stripes, though there are also examples of dark red and purple splashed on pink, red curves on a ground of white and blue, and white curves on a red ground with some decoration, possibly a leaf, in primrose green. There is also a curious piece which shows traces of a design in black and lobster-red on a cream ground. This came from near the east wall, and may be part of a human figure, the lobster colour representing flesh-tone. One piece has a convex surface, probably from a pilaster; another fragment of peach colour has a rough incised half-inch lattice, possibly for a game. The only other plaster from the villa was found in the infilling of Room IV. On several pieces there were two re-coats; originally white, and re-painted red and lastly blue-grey. The only colours found in IV were white, red, pink, grey-blue and light green. No decorated pieces, other than stripes, were seen. One piece suggested a sequence from the base of grey-blue, red, white stripe and green. From the bath-house came several large decorated pieces; one shows stripes of pale grey, white with green splashes, black and white; another had a red stripe over panels delimited by intersecting arcs, and filled with pale green, very pale mauve, pale mauve, and mottled viridian green on yellow ochre ground. Other colours in the bath-house were orange red, cream and yellow and pink with red splashes. COPPER ALLOY (C.A.), BONE AND IRON OBJECTS Fig. 15 1. Riveted C.A. strips; one strip is folded lengthwise angles, possibly staple (1953, II) (5256). over the other to form a rim of aie thickress 14. Iron latch-lifter, spatulate end, twisted shank; hole held together by a C.A. rivet (Pit 3, 3 ft. turf) in spatulate end suggested by X-ray (C.M., Neo (5263). ; : area) (6609). 2. Part of C.A. bracelet with nicked outer edge 15. Fr. horse-shoe, drawn from X-ray (C.M., on (corn-drying oven, soot of stoking-pit) (5264). 3. Ear-ring C.A. (C.D.O., soot of stoking-pit) (5265). Road A) (6610). 4. Bone Die, opposite faces total 7, numerals in 16-18. As 15, on toad B (6607A & B & 6602). incised dot and circle. (Room IV, stoke-hole 19. Disc-headed iron nail, probably from door (1953, rubbish dump) (2963). T) (5250). ; 5. Pin, shaft of iron and wound-on head of C.A. 19A. Another similar (on floor of VI in N.E. corner) wire; point broken (1953 Room II) (5262). (5251). ; : 6. Strip of C.A., with spatulate middle, end split; 20-22. Iron linch-pins (C.M. on road B) (6603 & 6605, not clear on drawing, where it looks bifurcated 6606) _ ; ; (Ditch 12 black layer) (5266). 23. Two joining pieces of sheet-iron, slightly curving 7. Iron arrow-head (rubble N. of C.D.O.) (5252). in section; ded part of axle-support. (C.M. on 8. Iron double-hook (Ditch 12, black layer) (5258). road B) (6599 9. Iron ring; flattened at join; drawn from X-ray 24. Iron latch-lifter (C.M. beaker area) (6608). (1953, Room ID) (5260). 25. Iron point with square section: ? tool (C.D.O., 10. Iron ring or possibly buckle (1953, ID (5261). soot at base of stoking-pit) (5257). ; 11. Smallish iron anvil*, for insertion in a heavy block 26. Fr. sheet-iron, perforated with oval hole, 2 iron of wood at the blacksmith’s forge—too large for a rivets or nails, drawn from X-ray, possibly a field anvil. (Room VI, on floor) (5254). hinge (C.M. on road B) (6600). 12. T headed iron tang or fitting (pit 3, 3 ft.) (5259). 27. Iron latch-lifter, ring attached (ext. N. of XID 13. Iron bar with hooked end; bar with slightly ($255): (fortuitously) bent end, other end bent at right 28. See p. 326 (570174). *We are indebted for this description to Mr. H. H. Coghlan; see also his Notes on Prehistoric and Early Iron, P\. XI, fig. 2; Pl. XU, figs. 1 & 2. 326 MISCELLANEOUS FINDS NOT ILLUSTRATED The glass fragments were kindly examined by Miss 35. frs. pale bluish green, ss in. and +; in. with edge D. Charlesworth, whose comments are given in italics. sin. thick. Window. (3rd-4th & Ist-2nd Cent.) (Room VI). Glass 36. frs. of three different kinds: 30. fr. pale green, 7 in. thick. Window. (a) three of bluish green +; in. thick; 31. curved fr. pale green, 4 in. thick. Vessel. (b) two of very pale yellowish green with fine 32. fr. very pale yellow green, + in. thick with threads and bubbles, z's in. thick; slight ridging and bubbles. Sharp angle, diagonal (c) three of very thin, very pale bluish green, 4 fluting; not a vessel, unless ? post-Roman. mm. minimum thickness. 33. 2 frs. dark blue +; in. thick; raised diamond All vessels. (Room VI on floor). pattern on exterior. Could be early vessel glass. Tron. (Nos. 30-33 were found in 1953 in Room II). 37. fr. socket; tapering tube 3 ins. by +} to % in. 34. fr. pale green # in. thick; one face smooth, the (C.D.O. soot at base of stoking-pit). other laterally wrinkled or reticulated. Window 38. frs. of horseshoes, a knife-blade, an iron needle, a rather than bottle (Room IV stoke-hole rubbish). (1st-2nd Cent.) STONE SAMPLES linch-pin, and a bill-hook (from Castle Meadow trial trenches, but lost in transit to M.O.W.). The identifications given here have been made from hand specimen examination by Helen A. H. Macdonald, of the Petrographical Department of the Geological Survey and Museum. M.O.W. Ref. Number Roof Coping and Fine-grained oolite, slightly glauconitic, similar to a specimen from { 570177 Worked Stone the Portland Beds at Tisbury, Wilts. and 570179 Roof Slates Sandy shelly limestone, similar to in of Purbeck Age from Swanage, Dorset 570176 Building Stone, Ferruginous quartz grit similar o. a ereomnen om thie: Bower Grom used for quoins, sand at Compton Bay, I.0.W. (but also found in the nearby New etc.; referred to in Forest—P.A.R.) 570184 text by local name of ‘ Heathstone.’ Lignite (found in Similar to a specimen of lignite from the Wealden Beds, I.O.W. 570352 Room I in 1953) Hone (fig. 15, no. | Micaceous sandstone similar to ieee from the Coal Measures at 28) Stoke Lane, Somerset . a . 570174 Quern (fig. 16, no. Glauconitic sandstone imide to a specimen fom the iGpper con 8) sand at Shaftesbury, Dorset 570175 Large Tesserae Red:—Red Brick (Room IV aalineye, 570185 Off-white or pale buff:—Sandy shelly hiestone pinmilae to specimens { 570180 of Purbeck Age from eres Dorset (Room VI and Room IV< _ and infilling) : 570183 Small Tesserae Brick-red: Red ck 570178 White: White Limestone similar to specimens fon ihe White Tae 570178 from Central Somerset and 570182 Dark olive-brown, grey-blue, light grey, and grey-buff: Brownish grey limestone similar to specimens from the White Lias at Charlton, Somerset 570178 Fig. 16 Downton; Tile 1 and 3, Worked Stone 2 and 4—9, (p. 337). Scale: c. 4 328 CARBONISED GRAIN AND SEEDS FROM THE CORN-DRYING OVEN (p. 318) The two samples examined came from a deposit at the base of the chimneys in Flues A and B. Flue A (A.M. No. 570229). Broken pieces of grain, | seed Atriplex patula. Flue B (A.M. No. 570231) 142 whole wheat grains comprising :— T. spelta T. aestivum T. compactum 3 barley grains: Hordeum vulgare 26 Leguminosae: [Vetch] Vicia angustifolia 1 seed cleaver: Galium aparine In this deposit, the vetch plant amounted to approximately 15%. Vetch seed in the Roman period has been thought to be from the occasional weed; but its presence here in such a relatively high pro- portion suggests that it was grown as a pulse crop deliberately, and dried in the oven in the same way as the cereals. An alternative possibility is that the vetch was intentionally sown with cereals, being difficult to extirpate, and therefore left as a useful plant. This deposit in all probability represents not one but two specific crops, both being dried on two floors, one above the other at the same time, namely: Wheat for Bread corn; Vetch for cattle food. Although other crops such as Beans were grown for cattle food, Vetch may well have been grown more extensively. In any case this deposit reflects that crop husbandry had advanced considerably by this time. J. R. B. ARTHUR (Littlehampton) ANIMAL BONE The identifications are by Miss J. E. King, of the Department of Zoology British Museum (Natural History); all were found in late Roman levels of late 3rd—mid 4th century date. M.O.W. Ref. Number Ox 1 L. humerus 1 R. radius Castle Meadow H.J. __... bat me me ... 570354 1 sacrum 1 fr. atlas vertebra 2 pelvis frs. Corn-drying oven, rubble layer ... Za tee -OL0355 1 skull fr. 1 R. tibia 1 R. caleaneum + Corn-drying oven, soot layer ... Aes se bag TOLOSIS 1 R. astragalus 1 R. femur (less distal end) 1 R. tibia Ditch 12, black layer __..... es sen 010399 Part of lower jaw with teeth Sheep Cranium and part of upper jaw—Pit 5, layer4_... eos sid, to! OTOS99 Sheep or Goat 1 fr. lower jaw, with teeth—Ditch 12, black layer ... ee 570355 Badger Limb bones, vertebrae, ribs, pelvis, skull and lower jaw of seule male animal—Bath XVI, soot levels of hypocaust channels (found with cat bones below) ... See ne cae ce ehh es ase 2.3 2910399 329 Cat 1 L. tibia (less distal end) 1 atlas vertebra As Badger ... ae ae a «. 970355 1 metatarsal 1 L. humerus Dog 3 frs. skull—Castle Meadow H.X. ... dag an ss ae vex 910393 Lower jaw, limb bones and other fragmentary parts of skeleton. Adult animal of small size, of approximately same size as Pomeranian and Dachshund, though this does not imply similarity of breed, particularly as the Downton dog has a more curved jaw than either of these two (Pit 3, 64 ft.—7 ft.) ... rr ery ane as oF ae 570359 BIRD BONE (identified by MARGARET JoPE) Domestic Fowl Humerus (L.) of small immature bird (rubble over corn-drying oven) ... 570355A (Gallus sp.) ROMAN COARSE POTTERY (fig. 17) Very little pottery was found on the site except for dumps in the disused hypocaust of V, in the corn-drying furnace and in Ditch 12 close by. The sherds illustrated, Nos. 1-53, figs. 17 and 18, are from groups associated each with a coin, apart from a few pieces which are included for their intrinsic interest. To save repetition in the catalogue and in the detailed list of sherds from all features,!” a type-series of fabrics has been compiled. Many of these are probably of New Forest origin, but certainty on this point must await further field-work on the kiln sites. Their relative frequency at Downton is shown in the table on p. 333, which is compiled from the analysis of sherds representing 120 vessels. Such internal dating as is suggested by coin evidence is indicated in the forenote to each group. The dating of the villa and its environs is discussed on p. 305 and it may be summarised as follows:— Of the sixteen coins found, only one (no. 1) is earlier than Claudius II (268-270 a.p.) and the latest coin (no. 15) is c. 330-335. Only seven pieces of samian were found in the entire excavation, and these and coin No. | may be regarded as stray. The floruit of the site appears to have been in the first quarter of the 4th century A.D. It seems reasonable, therefore, to suggest that all the pottery is likely to have been current in the late 3rd-mid 4th centuries A.D., with termini post quem for the deposition of each group as indicated; Nos. 48—53 are perhaps least reliable in this dating bracket. The series throws no new light on the dating of the New Forest pottery industry, on which little progress has been made since Hawkes’ summary of the dating evidence!*, in which he suggested that the ‘ Early Period’ sites were in production from c. 250-290 a.p. ‘* Middle Period’ sites from c. 290-330 A.D., and the ‘ Late Period’ sites from c. 330 A.D. onwards. Most of the Downton pottery may be related to the early and middle phases of the industry. Several parallels are however drawn from ‘ Late Period ’ sites, such as Ashley Rails, but of these No. 49 is the only sherd from the site of the stamped ware which is characteristic of the later products of these sites, and which are elsewhere dated to the later 4th century A.D. The occurrence of several examples of semi-hand-made vessels in coarse gritty fabric (B5) at Downton parallels its occurrence at Clausentum in late levels,!® though Sumner thought them to be native and earlier.2° Mrs. Cotton considered several of them to be hand-made, though perhaps with the rim turned on a slow wheel. Their occurrence at Downton and Clausentum, and especially in the Forest it- self, is surprising, considering the availability of the tough and sophisticated products of the Forest kilns. The occurrence of forms (such as rope-rim storage vessels) not included in the illustrated series is indicated in table of forms and fabrics on p. 333. Detailed lists and drawings of about seventy other vessels may be consulted. 330 Fig. 17 Downton; Roman Pottery 1—38 (p. 331) Scale: 4 Group 1 (nos. 1 and 2) are from a primary silt layer at the side of the stoking pit in Room V (p. 309) and should date from the earliest use of the villa. 1. Jar, scribed lattice, fabric Al, but no white wash. 2. Flanged bowl, fabric A2, less blue; near to H.S., Pl. XI, no. 14 (Ashley Rails); and to Clausentum 1951, fig. 27, no. 10 (late 4th century). Group 2 (nos. 3-13) are from a dump in the hypocaust of V, evidently deposited after it had gone out of use (p. 309). The dump is above thin ash layers, the lowest of which contained a coin of Claudius II (268-270 a.p.) (Coin No. 2); this group should therefore be later than 268 A.D. in its deposition. 3. Small beaker with grooved rim, D2. 4. Folded beaker, white-painted decoration; D2; cf. H.S. Pl. XXXV no. I (Armsley); also Claustentum 1951, fig. 27, no. 16 (Miss Collinson suggested Crock Hill as likely source—iate period site). Lid, fabric El, no slip, blackened round rim. No lids like this are recorded by Sumner. Bowl, A4; cf. H.S. fig VII, no. 12 (not fabric). Narrow-necked jar; B4. Squat jar; B2, cf. H.S., 1, Pl. XI, no. 7 (Ashley Rails—late period site); and CVL/RP/352. Jar; BS (see p. 333). Jar; B5; cf. H.S., Pl. XIV, nos. 10 and 11 (Old Sloden Wood—early period site) (see p. 333); also Clausentum 1951, fig. 26, no. 22 and fig. 29, nos. 23 and 24. 11. Cavetto-rim jar; El; there are few typical late cavetto rims at Downton or in the New Forest industry; cf. H.S., Pl. XVIII, nos. 1-3 and 6. 12. Jar, A6, incised lattice. 13. Jar, B2. Group 3 (nos. 14-29) are from a well-defined black layer in Ditch 12, near the corn-drying oven (see p. 319). All are likely to be associated with the use of this; a coin of Licinius (307-324 a.p.) was found on the lip of Ditch 12, though not actually in the black layer. 14. Oval dish with handle springing from rim, B3. This is a common type on 4th century sites in Somerset, cf. CVL/RP/184. 15. Bowl with lid recess, E3 with buff slip. 16. Bowl imit. Dr. 38, F3; cf. HS. Ashley Rails, Pl. VII, 5-6 (late period site). 17. Bowl imit. Dr. 38, F3. 18. Bowl, Al, no white paint; cf. H.S., Pl. XI, no. 7 (grey). 19. Bowl, A2, smoother surface; c.f. H.S., Pl. XI, nos. 17-18 (Ashley Rails). 20. Jar, A6, grey throughout. 21. Jar, B5 (see p. 333). 22. Jar, E3; cf. H.S., Pl. XI, p. 17. 23. Jar, A2; cf. H.S., Pl. XI, No. 17, Pl. XVII, no. 7. 24. Jar, A5, grey throughout. 25. Jar, Bl, finer. 26. Jar, Al; possibly related to H.S., Pl. XI; no. 7. 27. Jar, recess for lid, Al. 28. Flanged bowl, BS (see p. 333); cf. H.S., Sloden Inclosure, No. 1 kiln, Pl. XVII, no. 19 (buff) (middle period site). 29. Flanged bowl, A5, grey throughout cf. Clausentum 1939, 170, fig. 11, no. 14 Group 4 (nos. 30-38) are from soot layers at the base of the flues and stoking pit of the corn-drying oven (see SO OND w — 331 p. 319) and are associated with a coin of Constantine I (Coin No. 14). 30. Beaker, D1 with incised decoration. 31. Bowl with everted rim trimmed off; F3, burnt in places. 32. Bowl, A3. 33. Mortarium, A7. 34. Flanged bowl, BI with greyish slip; sherds burnt red in places, cf. Clausentum 1951, fig. 29, no. 12 (scribed decoration). 35. Flanged bowl with scribed decoration, B1; cf. Clausentum 1939, 170, fig. 11, no. 16. 36. Dish with grooved rim, Bl. 37. Jar, with thick everted rim, and cordon at base, E3. 38. Large jar with thick everted neck, BS (see p. 333). Group 5 (nos. 39-45) are from the rubble filling the flues and stoking pit of the corn-drying oven (p. 319), they may be derived from occupation subsequent to the use of that oven, in which case they are of Constan- tinian or later date. 39. Storage jar, with stepped recesses for lid, near A2; this is probably related to those found in No. 1 Kiln, Sloden Inclosure. H.S. Pl. XVII, nos. 11-15, “bowls with knob rims in grey and brown.’ (Middle period site). 40. Bowl imitating Samian f.37; F3, orange colour- coat in places. 41. Candle-stick with drip flange, A2. 42. Mortarium, El, incised decoration, colour-coated deep red on exterior, cf. Clausentum 1951, 115, fig. 27, no. 4; and H.S. Type B, close in form, but not decoration, to Pl. Xa, no. 7 (Ashley Rails) and close to Pl. XXXII, no. 16 (Islands Thorns), both late period sites. 43. Bowl, B2, but coarser. 44. Flanged bowl, Bl; an even more drooping example is H.S. Pl. X VIII, no. 5 (grey-brown), No. 1 Kiln, Sloden Inclosure (middle period). 45. Bowl or lid, El. Group 6 (nos. 46 and 47) are from the infilling of the Bath-house; they are not datable in this context, but may be related to the use of the building. 46. ?Candle-stick, four superimposed discs, El, mortar on base. 47. Small bowl, G4, slight blackening round rim. Group 7 (nos. 48-53) are from miscellaneous proven- ances, and cannot certainly be related to the dating of the villa environs. 48. Sherd of a beaker or flagon in D2 with relief ‘scale’ decoration. This is a New Forest fabric, but not figured by Sumner. A globular beaker of this type and fabric was found at Birdcombe Court, Somerset. (From Castle Meadow U/S.). 49. Sherd of F3, decorated with ‘ half-rosette ’ stamp; this is the only sherd of stamped ware from the site. (From Castle Meadow U/S.). 50. Body sherd of flask in D2, with decoration in white paint in incised circle. Miss Collinson sug- gested that this was likely to be later than 330 A.p. cf. CVL/RP/234, in a late 3rd—mid 4th context. (From filling of Saxon Gravel Pit, Castle Meadow). 51. Bowl in F3, no colour-coat surviving. (From ground outside Room XII). 52-53. Two jars in B5 (see p. 333). No. 53 has a bur- nished exterior. (From 1953 excavations). 552 INCHES Downton; Roman Pottery 39—51 (p.331). Scale: 4 TABLE SHOWING FORMS REPRESENTED AT DOWNTON (Based on Sherds Representing 120 Vessels) Flagons, flasks and bottles Beakers ... Jars, small and medium — ; Storage jars, including rope- rim examples Flanged and oval dishes Bowls, imit. Samian forms and ‘others Candle-sticks, jugs, mortaria, strainers Lids and dishes aes ahs Bs THE TYPE FABRICS No. of examples (% of 120 Group A—Grey wares (33%) Jars, including storage, flanged and other bowls, jugs, strain- ers, candlestick, lid; Mortarium in A7. Ai—Very hard fine blue-grey, white slip ... A2—Hard sandy pale blue-grey eee A3—Hard sandy coarse blue-grey A4—Medium hard with dark blue-grey core, shading into reddish-brown and grey- brown surfaces, with traces of white slip a me ae a ais A5—Medium hard fine grey-brown, with dark grey outer surface = A6—Medium hard, light grey core, shading into reddish- brown then into grey surfaces . A7—Hard coarse sandy, dark blue- -grey, with pale mauve interior surface, gritted. (Mortarium 33 only) Group B—Black or dark grey wares (24%). Jars, lid, flanged and other bowls, dish. B1—Hard coarse sandy, fine grit, dark grey/ black, surface burnished in places (normal late cooking-pot fabric, less common in N.F. then elsewhere) Ss B2—Soft fine, drab core, dark grey surfaces (cf. CVL fabric B, unusual there and in unusual forms) B3—Hard, coarse, sandy, black, dark grey surfaces with traces of white slip : B4—Very coarse gritty black, with reddish- brown surfaces (one example only, No. 7—probably B5 refired in oxydising atmosphere of Room V hypocaust) ... B5—Very coarse gritty dark grey/black, apparently hand-made, with better- finished rims, and burnished on the exterior to a variable degree ... This is Sumner’s ‘ hand-made native ware,’ which he thought to be earlier than the Forest products. cf. Old Sloden Wood, Pl. XIV, 10-11, which are forms as crude as those found at Downton, figs. 17-18, nos. 9, 10, 21, 28, vessels) NI \O CO 10 38, 52, 53 and possibly the refired ex- ample 7. See also Clausentum 1951, 78, no. 11, ‘ Storage jars in burnished grit- ted ware,’ type JSG tl, fig. 26, no. 22, and fig. 29, nos. 23-24, similarly in simple forms; nineteen examples were found at Clausentum, of which six could have been earlier than the New Forest industry, and the remainder of their period. Mrs. Cotton suggests that while the body may have been hand- made, the rims were almost certainly finished on a slow wheel. Their oc- currence at Downton in several groups leaves no doubt that they were made at the same time as the superior New Forest products. Group C, C1, Coarse buff-pink, fine gritted, grey- -buff surfaces. 2 storage jars, and a smaller jar Group D—Hard colour-coated ware. Flagons, beakers, bowls. D1—Very hard grey or grey-blue, with coat- ing of dull purple D2—Hard pink-cream with blue- -grey core, purple-coated interior, brown-black coated exterior, sometimes with white painted decoration sé D1 and D2 are differently- fired ver- sions of the same fabric, and not of different date (see Hawkes, Linwood, p. 126; Mrs. Cotton, in Clausentum 1951, 84, demonstrates their contem- poraneity, and quotes Miss Collin- son for their admixture in the Crock Hill sherds in the British Museum). Group E—Coarse painted ware (10%). Lid, (18 %). cooking jar, candlestick, jars, mortarium, flanged and other bowls. E1—Coarse sandy buff-grey, sometimes with red colour-coat on interior, and purple semi-glossy coating on exterior (which may be same red coat over- fired). E3—Similar to El, but with pale surface painted in black. (cf. Clausentum 1951, 90, ‘ Salopian’’? and New Forest painted ware). Group F—Soft colour-coated wares (9%). Beakers, flanged and other bowls. Fl—Soft fine cream ware with soft dull brown slip. This may be an even more underfired version of D2, but is differ- ent in appearance F2—Soft reddish ware, darker ‘surfaces, with wavy line of thick white paint en barbotine (only one sherd) F3—Soft fine cream ware with pale reddish- brown burnished slip ... “a ; Group G—Miscellaneous red wares (2%). G4—Soft fine orange ware (Flagon) G6—Soft fine salmon-red ware, with fine red flecks (Flagon) 333 334 ROMAN COARSE POTTERY REFERENCES H.S. Heywood Sumner. Excavations in New Forest Pottery Sites, (1927), London. Clausentum 1937-8 Waterman, D. M., ‘ Excavations at Clausentum 1937-8.’ Antiquaries Journal, xxvii (1947), 151-71. Hawkes, Linwood Hawkes, C. F. C. ‘ An unusual find in the New Forest Potteries at Linwood.’ New Forest Potteries at Linwood.’ Antiquaries Journal, xviii, no. 2, 113-36. Clausentum 1951-54 M. Aylwin Cotton and P. W. Gathercole. ‘ Ex- cavations at Clausentum, Southampton, 1951- 1954.’ Ministry of Works Archaeological Reports, No. 2 (H.M.S.O. 1957). CVL Forthcoming ‘Excavations at the Chew Valley Lake.’ Ministry of Works Archaeological Report, publication forthcoming by H.M.S.O. Birdcombe Court Birdcombe Court Roman Villa, North Somerset. Information from Mr. C. M. Sykes; see also Proc. Som. Arch. Soc. SAMIAN POTTERY Of this there are seven sherds. They have been kindly examined by Mr. Brian Hartley, M.A., F.S.A., and his comments are incorporated in the following notes. Five of the sherds, rim and base frs. of a f. 31 with a rather low basal kick, were found in the in- filling of the hypocaust of V; they are fairly heavily weathered, but the footing is not very worn; they are of central Gaulish ware of Antonine date. Another f. 31 (large piece of rim and side) was found in the mortary soil on the floor of VI, and might have been incorporated in the mortar of the wall. It is hardly weathered and is probably central Gaulish ware of Antonine date. The last is a small sherd of similar form and was from the dark soil over Road A in Castle Meadow. Mr. Hartley suggests that it is very unlikely that any of these sherds were in use during the period of occupation of the villa. As there are no coarse wares that are likely to be earlier than the 3rd century, the most likely explanation is that these are derived from a scatter of 2nd century occupation for which we have no other evidence. This explanation accounts satisfactorily for the two odd sherds, but is less convincing for the large part of a f. 31 in the hypocaust dump. THE MOSAIC IN ROOM I By Davip SMITH The excavations of 1953 brought to light in Room I—the principal room of the villa—substantial remains of a decorated mosaic pavement (PI. 1), datable on external evidence to the late third or early fourth century (see above, pp. 305-307). Though incomplete and slightly buckled, it was considered to be worth preservation, and has now been mounted on a wall in the Salisbury, South Wiltshire and Blackmore Museum.”! So far as is known, there was only one other decorated mosaic in the villa (Room IV), but this had been almost entirely removed, (see above, p. 307), and little is known of its design or pattern (p. 307). The paving of the Corridor and the other rooms survived in places and apparently consisted throughout either of red or off-white tesserae, or, in Rooms X and XII, of tesserae of both these colours. Room I measured 20 ft. from north to south, 18 ft. from east to west. There are grounds for thinking that it was entered by a doorway or doorways in either or both the north and south walis (see above, p. 307). On the west side the plain off-white tessellated surround separating the decorated panel from the wall was 2 ft. 9 in. wide, while on the north, east and south sides it was respectively 5 ft. 6 in., 5 ft. O in. and 4 ft. 10 in. wide. The panel itself was designed to be viewed from the east, and its situation in relation to the plan of the room seems to imply the presence of a piece of furniture standing more or less permanently against the wall on that side of the room. The central motif, a large cantharus or drinking vessel, would strike a convivial note appropriate either to a dining room or to a reception 335 hall, such as the principal room in a villa might well be, and perhaps one may visualise a sideboard or a cabinet on the east side of this room. The position of the mosaic appears to suggest, therefore, that it was conceived as an integral part of the furnishing, as well as the decoration, of the room. Design The panel measures 10 ft. 4 in. from north-south.”* It shows, on a white ground, a geometric design in which the central motif is a large cantharus with two handles in the form of dolphins. This is enclosed in five borders or frames: first, a dark brown band describing a circle, then a circle formed of the wave-crest pattern, then two interlaced squares of simple guilloche, then an octagonal frame of three-strand guilloche, and finally a rectangular border in which the simple guilloche is repeated. The small and variously shaped spaces left vacant between these different frames have been filled with minor motifs of types obviously invented for the purpose: small dark brown triangles, lozenges with dentil borders, subdivided into four smaller lozenges, two red and two white, small circles with excrescent leaves, red and white, short lengths (two loops) of simple guilloche with excrescent leaves at either end, also in red and white, and, enclosed by dentil borders in the four angles of the outermost frame, elegant leaf-motifs, of which opposite pairs were respectively probably heart-shaped and, perhaps, trifoliate. Sufficient of the mosaic has survived to show that the composition was strictly symmetrical, identical motifs balancing each other in opposite parts of the design. The construction or framework of the design calls for a brief comment. Nine mosaics showing a central roundel framed by interlaced squares have so far been recorded in Britain.** In all except three,”* both squares were formed of simple guilloche, as in the Downton pavement. Generally, the central motif was a conventionalised flower or leaf arrangement, the choice of a cantharus at Downton being an exception to the rule. The small filling-motifs are not altogether negligible, insofar as their types and the manner of their employment are characteristic of the work of mosaicists in the south of Britain. Beyond this, however, their interest is slight, except in the case of the motif in the north-east angle of the outer border. Though largely destroyed, it seems possible that it was a trifoliate motif akin to one repeated twelve times, radially, in a circular mosaic at Pit Mead, also in Wiltshire;?° the same, or a similar motif also recurs on no less than three different mosaics discovered in London,”® once in the angles of the outer border, as at Downton, and twice placed so as to form a cross, a simpler version of the wheel-like arrangement at Pit Mead. It does not seem to be found on mosaics outside Britain. But the most interesting feature of the Downton pavement is the central cantharus. Representations of canthari were widely employed by ancient mosaicists, usually as subordinate features, but also fairly often as the central motif in a design, as at Downton. The type varies from site to site, but generally speaking a classification of the canthari in Romano-British mosaics would probably add little to our knowledge of the subject as a whole. The Downton cantharus, however, displays an exceptional feature which entitles it to special mention. Normally, the handles of canthari in mosaics are simple and scroll-like, after the style of the handles of the silver vessels from which they were copied. But those of the cantharus on this pavement take the form of dolphins, a variation hitherto without a parallel in Romano-British mosaic.?’. Technique It remains to record some technical details. The make-up of the pavement (see fig. 3, Section S 13), was surprisingly poor, consisting only of a rather patchy mortar laid on the thin spread of yellow clayey soil thrown up from the foundation trenches. The tesserae (see p. 326), however, were as usual bedded in a fine white mortar. Those used for the plain surround are of pale buff Purbeck limestone and average | in. square, but those in the decorated panel are much smaller, averaging 3 in. square, and comprise six colours: white, brick-red, greyish-blue, light grey, greyish buff and dark olive-brown. E 336 The material for the tesserae came from various sources, some many miles away (p. 326). Finally, it is interesting to note (see fig. 3, Section S 13,) that the walls of the room had been plastered before the mosaic was laid. Such evidence for the order of construction is perhaps of minor importance, except in rare cases where it may have some chronological implication, and often it will have been destroyed; but it is always desirable to record it when it exists. THE COINS No. 15 is the latest coin, c. 330-335; no others need be later than 313. No. 1 is presumably a stray. References are to The Roman Imperial Coinage and J. Maurice, Numismatique Constantinienne. — Le i ee ce re ee ed SiS OF I Se A YoU ee ANTONINUS PIUS AE |. illeg., very much worn. CLAUDIUS II. RIC 145, = , sl. worn. CLAUDIUS II. RIC 266, , worn. . TETRICUS JUNR. RIC 271, worn. CARAUSIUS. RIC 101 type, defaced. CARAUSIUS. Similar, unorthodox, st sl. worn. ALLECTUS. RIC 28, 7m sl. worn. ALLECTUS. RIC 129, “om , sl. worn. RADIATE. Victoria type, worn. RADIATE (barbarous). Probably as 4-5 above. LICINIUS I. Maurice I, p. 406, IV, 2, wie sl. worn. LICINIUS I. Maurice Il, p. 41, V, 4, > sh worn. CONSTANTINE I. Victoriae Laetae Princ Perp, =5—- _ , but unorthodox (obv. Constantinus Aug, bust helm., cuir., R.). Sl. worn. CONSTANTINE I. Manrice I, p. 480, HI, 1, — worn. CONSTANTINE II. Maurice Il, p. 114, no. 33, alk , defaced. GEORGE C. BOON, B.A., F.S.A., F.R.N.S. PROVENANCES OF COINS Castle Meadow, Trench X-GG, 12 ft. 6 in. north-west of X, 19 in. turf, buff-brown sandy soil. Room V stoking-pit, in ash rake-back (see S 15, fig. 4). Castle Meadow, Beaker area, Grid 33, layer A. Castle Meadow, Ditch 17, (p. 321) 4 ft. 3 in. turf. Castle Meadow, Neolithic area, Grid 1, layer A. Found 1953, south-east of Moot Lane near ‘ Flints seen 1953.’ Castle Meadow, Neolithic area, Grid 3, layer Aa. Castle Meadow, Neolithic area, Grid 6, layer Aa. Castle Meadow, Beaker area, Baulk 32/33, layer A. Castle Meadow, Trench GH, layer 2, above Road C. Castle Meadow, Pit 26 (p. 321). Ditch 12, south edge. Castle Meadow, Trench TT-UU, 12 ft. south-west of TT, 15 in. from turf. Corn drying oven, filling of stoking-pit in soot layer at base (p. 319). Castle Meadow, Neolithic area, Grid 1, layer Aa. Found 1953, Room III, on red tesserae south of step. This report was prepared before the appearance of Carson, Hill and Kent, The Late Roman Bronze Coinage, and other recent studies in the coinage of the Constantinian period. 337 TILE AND WORKED STONE Fig. 1. Box flue-tile, one of a pair built into wall foundation in Bath XVII, between apse and main part (p. 316 and fig. 16.) 2. Gutter or flue capstone of oolite; ?® the lower surface is unworn; the upper surface is flat with curving edges, but with two squared off projections (built into west cheek of stoke-hole of Flue A in corn-drying oven, p. 319; another similar in rubble over Flue B). 3. Fr. flanged tile, (tegula) corners round-chamfered (corn-drying oven, on south side of chimney of Flue A; shown on plan fig. 11; see p. 319) (others by Room XII exterior). 4. Section of ridge-coping of oolite;?* (Room VI, on floor at east end); angle of ridge 110 degrees. 5. ? Pivot-stone of ‘ heathstone ’;?° the hollow shows some wear, but this may be due to other causes (corn-drying oven, rubble over Flue B). 6. Fr. of oolite;?8 rough oblique decoration in channel and on one side; chamfered to pointed section; possibly part of a window head (exterior, south of Room V). 7. Fr. of small oolite?* engaged half-column (exterior west of Room V). 8. Fr. of quern, upper stone, sandstone?® (corn-drying oven, rubble over black layer). 9. Fr. of quern, upper stone, sandstone?® (corn-drying oven, rubble over Flue B). 28. Fr. of hone, sandstone*® (Castle Meadow). Not illustrated Tile 10. Part of imbrex, 132? in. long, tapering 5 to 74 in. wide, thickness 6/10 in., depth 4 in. (Corn- drying oven, east chimney of Flue B, found inverted, p. 319). (Another in hypocaust ash of Room IV). 11. Box-tiles; 8 in. long, 73 in. by 44 in. externally (Room IV, p. 307); 5 and 9 in. wide, in infilling of bath-house; some frs. had elliptical holes c. 24 by 5 ins. cut in one side, which was left without comb markings. 12. Bricks, 9 in. square by 1? in. thick (Room IV and Bath-house, p. 312). 12 in. square by 1? in. thick (Room IV, p. 307). Fr. 2 in. thick with 4 in. circular perforation (Room XII exterior). Stone 13. Ridge-coping, oolite;?* angle of ridge 110° (steps of Room III). 14. Fr. column, oolite,?® 5 in. long, diameter 34 in. (floor of Room VI). 15. Another fr. similar, but slightly bevelled one side (ext. west of Room V). 16. Roof slates, Purbeck limestone;** these are roughly hexagonal, varying in size from 14 in. by 10 in. to 16 in. by 12 in.; some ridge slates, squared at one end, vary in size from 12 in. by 8 in. to 15 in. by. 12 in. EXAMINATION OF ROMAN PAINTED WALL-PLASTER Two series of samples were examined. The largest number and the most interesting from the point of view of painting techniques, come from excavations of 1953 in Room I and are unfortunately un- stratified. Their numbering runs from Al, A2...M5. The site was properly excavated in 1955-57 and the stratified samples resulting are numbered 550013 onwards. Since the total number of samples was about one hundred, time would not allow for every sample to be examined in detail. After a preliminary visual inspection of all the samples a dozen samples were taken away for detailed analysis, comprising the most interesting and/or most typical. Of these twelve the paint layers only were examined, since the wall-plaster could be analysed elsewhere by the methods 338 generally used for archaeological material. The analysed specimens were then compared with and related to the remaining samples. A comparison was also drawn between samples from the present site and those previously examined in the National Gallery Laboratory from two other Roman sites in Britain, Verulamium and Stanton Low. Detailed examination of twelve samples The paint surface of each sample was examined under the microscope at low magnification. A small scraping of paint was then removed, tested for medium by means of solubility tests and combustion and the pigments present identified by means of microscopical and chemical means. In no case could any medium, either vegetable gum, animal protein such as glue, or oil or resin be detected, or extracted, even from the very thick white impasto stripes found on some samples. Sample C2. The main paint layer is pale green, overlaid in one part by a thin layer of dull crimson. Down the centre of the specimen runs a thick, white stripe, having quite heavy impasto clearly showing (vertical) brush-strokes. The green pigment is a quite highly-coloured green earth (a complex silicate of iron, magnesium and aluminium, commonly used as a pigment) but has been mixed with a high proportion of chalk (calcium carbonate) to make the colour paler. The red pigment is a purplish red iron oxide, probably anhydrous ferric oxide of the haematite variety. Crystalline calcium carbonite is also present in this layer to a small extent, but it may be due to migration from the plaster beneath occuring in damp conditions, rather than to admixture of chalk as a pigment. Sample C4. White stripe of calcium carbonate; deep red-brown stripe of iron oxide, similar in appearance and particle characteristics to what is now sold as Burnt Sienna, but having a rather more intense red-brown colour. Sample E2. Thin black layer, very worn, with fragments of bright and opaque yellow-green in places. The black is carbon black (probably wood charcoal, since splinter-like fragments are visible). The green is green earth (see Sample C2, above) mixed with a bright yellow ochre (a hydrated ferric oxide) and also with a little carbon black in the darker areas. The effect is of leaf- or grass-green colours much more vivid than would be expected from the pigments used. Sample F4. The main paint layer is white (chalk) on top of which is a deep pinkish-red stripe running across one corner, the red pigment being red iron oxide. Over another area is the remains of a worn, pale green stripe (green earth; see sample C2, above), originally having thick impasto. Sample F3. Pale pinkish crimson stripe over off-white underpaint. The pink stripe is red iron oxide pigment mixed with chalk. The red pigment is of a crimson colour now rarely seen in natural ochres in commerce, although it is produced in artificial iron oxides, e.g. by I.C.I. The underpaint is chalk. Sample C2. Thick red-brown iron oxide layer, similar to that in C4. A thinly-painted pale blue stripe goes over this and consists of Egyptian blue (a copper silicate pigment used in ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Roman paintings, but the secret of its preparation was lost before medieval times) mixed with chalk. In another area of the same sample, however, there is a similar blue layer beneath the dark red-brown. It is possible that later (but not much later) overpainting has been carried out in this area, but using the same materials in the same way. Possibly a local damage may have been repaired after the painting was finished. The paint on this sample is rather more flaking than in most. Sample L2. The effect of pink and blue mottling is contrived using only mixtures of carbon black and chalk to give a blue-grey, and mixtures of chalk and red iron oxide to give pink, both layers over a thin white undercoat of paint or fine plaster. Sample M. The paint layer is a single coat of very pale blue. It consists of chalk tinted with a small proportion of Egyptian blue (see sample C2). 339 Sample M2. The surface is a pale greenish yellow shading to grey when uncoated. The grey areas consist of a mixture of chalk and carbon black, the green of yellow ochre (hydrated iron oxide) mixed with carbon black. Again the carbon black seems to be wood charcoal. Sample M4. This has a broken mottled surface on which red-brown, yellowish and blue layers seem to be superimposed. All the blue areas, which are of a very intense colour, consist of Egyptian blue (see Sample G 2) and the red-brown and yellow colours are iron oxide pigments. This is one of the few samples on which later overpainting might have been carried out, but the same comments apply as in sample C2, and again the sample has paint with a tendency to flake. Sample 550016 Downton. Fragmentary remains of pale blue-grey paint over the white undercoat. The paint consists of Egyptian blue, some particles of a particularly intense colour and quite large (hypocaust of Room IV). Sample 550022 Downton. The surface is coated with an orange-red layer on which is a mottled pattern of irregularly shaped spots on a paler orange-yellow. It might be an attempt to imitate the surface of some type of marble. Both pigments are iron oxides. (Stoke-hole, Room IV). These analysed samples were then compared visually with the remainder of the samples and it was seen that they were representative of the materials and techniques employed. It can therefore be said that the range of pigments employed consists of: white—chalk (calcium carbonate), it must be noted that if a fresco technique had been used, either true fresco or fresco secco, this white pigment would initially have been lime (calcium hydrate) which would then have become converted to calcium carbon- ate by exposure to the atmosphere; black—carbon black, which seems to be wood charcoal; reds, browns, oranges, yellows—all iron oxide pigments; green —green earth (a natural iron magnesium silicate colour); blue—Egyptian blue, an artificial copper silicate colour used in antiquity. This is exactly the same range of pigments as was found in the samples from Verulamium and Stanton Low, and as would be expected in frescoes of this period. There seems to have been a little more ingenuity employed in the Downton samples in mixing pigments to produce different colours and effects, e.g. the green in Sample M2 and the mottled pink and bluish effect in Sample L2. Features of technique common to the present samples and to those from Verulamium are the heavy white stripes which have held brushmarks and, in fact, striped patterns in general, including black strips thinly and flatly painted and bright orange-yellow bands with highlights which could be intended to represent metallic gold. In the Downton series there is beneath the paint and the coarse plaster a thin white layer of calcium carbonate which could be regarded either as a final wash coat to the plaster or as priming for the paint. In several of the Verulamium samples, on the other hand, there seems to be a similar coat either in dark red ochre or else a salmon pink made of ochre and chalk, which is a true priming in that no part is exposed on the surface or forms part of the design. In the case of Stanton Low, some samples had the paint layer directly on the rough brown plaster while others had the same thin white chalk undercoat of the Downton samples. Stanton Low seemed from the samples examined to be a much simpler painting technique than either Verulamium or Downton, consisting almost entirely of single flat washes of colour. In the Downton samples no medium of any type could be detected. It is possible, however, that if a gum or glue medium had been present originally it may well have disappeared by leaching out with water in damp conditions or by action of moulds or bacteria. Otherwise it must be assumed that the painting was in some sort of fresco technique. It is not possible to tell from the samples whether the buon fresco technique (the pigments mixed with water only and applied to the wet plaster) or the fresco secco (pigments mixed with lime water and applied to dry plaster) was used. At present all paint layers contain a varying proportion of crystalline calcium carbonate. This could have arisen from use of either of the above-mentioned fresco techniques, or it 340 may be the result of soluble salts diffusing from the wall-plaster in damp conditions, or in some cases to calcium carbonate or lime being added to the colours as a white pigment, or, of course, a combination of these factors. Both the Verulamium and the Stanton Low samples were also examined for medium. One sample only from Verulamium gave a positive test for protein, but since the pigment of the black paint examined was found to be bone black (calcium phosphate present) it is just possible that the trace of protein might have come from incompletely combusted animal matter. On the other hand, it might be that a glue medium was used with the black only in order to make its colour a little more intense. Two samples from Stanton Low, however, had a small amount of extractable, glue-like protein medium. Both these samples were thick paint layers and both a dark purple-red. It is always possible, of course, that this is not original medium but something which has been added to consolidate the paint at a later date. One further comment on the materials used is that in antique wall-paintings earth colours of a much brighter range than now seem to be available in commerce appear to have been used, especially orange- yellows, reds of a crimson or purplish tone and an intense coloured red-brown. Probably the fact that .these hues can all be made artificially by controlling the conditions of manufacture of iron oxides accounts for natural sources being no longer exploited to the same extent. The following are a few comments which attempt to relate some of the Downton samples to one another by visual and chemical examination, and to some extent to relate them to the Verulamium and Stanton Low series: C7, C8, C13, C14 and C15 appear to be from the same area, consisting of black, a deep red ochre, and a salmon pink made from ochre and white. C7 bears what might be a leaf pattern in red and black on pink and is interesting as a piece of fairly free painting. Cl, Cll, Dl, K1, F4, 55019 and 55023 all contain the same type of pale, dull green (green earth mixed with chalk) (1953, I, and IV infilling). L2 and 550020 are very similar and could come from the same area consisting as they do of mottled pink (ochre plus chalk) and blue-grey (carbon black plus chalk) (1953, I and Stoke-hole Room IV). LS and 550020 both have channelled grooves which appear to have been made with an instrument before painting was begun (1953, I, and stoke-hole IV). C5, C2, C9, D1, D2, 55023 and part of 550020 all have thick white stripes showing brushmarks. This was also a feature of the Verulamium series of samples (IV, stoke-hole and IV infilling). C7 and C14 have black stripes, thinly painted in a single flat coat, as in one sample from Verulamium. E\ and E2 seem to be from the same area (see detailed analysis report of E2 (on p. 338) for descrip- tion). C2, M, M4, 550016 all have Egyptian blue as the blue pigment, M and M4 being specimens of particularly intense colour. In addition DS has traces of Egyptian blue (1953, I, and IV hypocaust). C15, C16 and DS all have bright yellow bands with what appears to be darker yellow shading and white highlights. This feature also occurred in one of the Verulamium samples and may be an attempt to depict metallic gold. F3 and F4 are of the same pinkish red and could be from the same region of the painting. C3 seems to be from an area where there might have been later overpainting. There is a lower layer of grey-green paint, a red layer above this, then a top green layer. One or two crystals of Egyptian blue are also visible on the surface. D2 is interesting because the white impasto stripe has along one edge pale pink modelling or shading as on the edge of a pink riband. 341 D4 seems the most ambitious from the pictorial point of view. There appears to be vigorous model- ling and deliberate surface texture and pattern. The sample is like the most interesting of those from Verulamium. One odd feature, however, is that near one edge there is a trace of what looks like brown plaster on top of the paint and this has a few particles of Egyptian blue embedded near the surface. 1 The writer would like to thank all those who have helped in the excavation and in the preparation of this report: The Salisbury and Wilton Rural District Council, without whose co-operation the excavation would have been impossible; the tenants under whose gardens the villa lay, especially Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Churchill; Mr. A. T. Morley Hewitt; Mr. J. R. B. Arthur for his report on plant remains; Mr. L. Biek of the Ancient Monuments Laboratory, for his help with scientific problems; Mr. G. C. Boon for his report on the coins; Miss D. Charlesworth for examining the glass fragments; Mr. G. Bisson and Miss Helen Macdonald of the Geological Survey and Museum for their reports on geology and stone samples; Leslie Harris for draw- ing the Roman pottery; Brian Hartley for his note on the Samian; Miss Judith King and Miss Margaret Jope for their reports on the animal bone: Mr. Neil for his drawings of metal objects, and Dr. David Smith for his report on the mosaic from Room 1. The finds have been deposited in the Salisbury and South Wilts Museum, Salisbury. 2 Mesolithic: ‘ Excavations at a Mesolithic Site at Downton, near Salisbury, Wilts.,’ by Eric Higgs (P.P.S. 1959, 209-32); Neolithic and Beaker: Part | of this report (W.A.M. ccx, 116-141). 3° The first paragraph in this section is based on information kindly given by Mr. G. Bisson of the Geological Survey and Museum, South Kensington. 4 Higgs 1959, 214. 5 Quoting Dr. Hey of the Department of Geology, Cambridge. 5 The local name for a ferruginous quartz grit found as near as the New Forest (p. 326) * Probably puddled chalk and clay. 8’ They are equally founded with the sleeper wall shown in S13. ® Roof tile fragments, chalk, yellow mortar and a red tessera. 10 250 tesserae (mostly red with a few * white,’ some of them 4 in.), fragments of Purbeck limestone, roof slates and flanged tile, flints, plaster (with white, red and pale blue facing) and lumps of tessera bedding; there were no sherds or domestic debris. 11 Layer 7 extended up the east side of the pit, as shown in S13, and the upper part may have been behind the original lining, or be merely the natural, soiled by the lining or by being exposed. 12 Tt is just possible that this is only a buttress. 13 Finds were few; there were about 20 sherds of only 4 different pots (p. 332 fig. 18 nos. 46 and 47) and many bones of a badger and a cat (p. 329). 14 The north, east and west walls were of flint; the north and west walls had a lining, with gaps for box- tiles. The former (K on plan) survived as a foundation of flint, chalk and tile courses; the latter (L on plan) of flint, tile course and flint. The south wall, with gaps for flue channels survived as courses of tile, flint and chalk, Purbeck limestone slabs, flint and chalk, and tile. In the remaining area were five blocks of masonry form- JOYCE PLESTERS, National Gallery Scientific Department. ing the flue channels: B, G, H and J were of flint and a little chalk only. P 15 To judge from the shape of impressions left in the oor. 16 * Excavations on Rockbourne Down, Hants.’ by Heywood Sumner, pp. 21ff. 17 Deposited with the finds in the South Wilts. and Blackmore Museum, Salisbury. 18 Hawkes, Linwood. The late Miss Collinson had been working on the industry for many years, and I am indebted to her for comments on the Downton pottery; her M.S. notebooks and drawings are at present (1958) in the care of Andrew Richardson of Godshill, who was helping Miss Collinson in her work on the kiln- sites. 19 Clausentum 1961—* Storage jars in Burnished Gritted Ware ’, type JSG tl, p. 78, No. 11, figs. 26, No. 22 and fig. 29, Nos. 23-24. 20 H.S., Old Sloden Wood, P. XIV, 10-11. 21 Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Annual Report, 1956-1957, 9, 14, Pl. I. The lifting and mount- ing were carried out by the Ancient Monuments Division of H.M. Ministry of Works, the cost being shared between the Ministry and the Salisbury and Wilton Rural District Council. *° The east-west measurement was similar, as far as can be judged with the pavement in its present state. 23 At Basildon (Berks.), Frampton (Dorset), Tocking- ton Park and Lydney Park (Glos.), the ‘ Cherry Orchard’ (Leicester), in Bucklersbury, 1869, and Leadenhall Street, 1863 (London), at Borough Hill, near Daventry (Northants.) and Bromham (Wilts.). Doubtful instances, e.g. Malton (Yorks.), are not included in this list. "4 Bromham, the ‘ Cherry Orchard,’ and Tockington Park. 2° R. C. Hoare, Ancient Wiltshire (1821), Ul, 111-117. Hoare’s illustration, though perhaps not strictly accurate, is probably fairly reliable. 26 Bucklersbury, Roman London (R.C.H.M. Report, 1928), 109, Pl. 42; Leadenhall Street, 1863, ibid., 127, fig. 45; Threadneedle Street, Bank of England site, 1805, ibid., p. 106f., Pl. 47. It may be noted here that ‘trefoil patterns’ are recorded on yet another London mosaic, discovered in 1873 in Bishopsgate Street Within, of which there seems to be no extant illustration; see V.C.H. London, I, 89, and Roman London (R.C.H.M.), 108. 27 Two mosaics at Verulamium show canthari with scroll handles and dolphins entwined. Both are assigned by their respective excavators to the second half of the second century. For the first, see R.E.M. and T. V. Wheeler, Verulamium (1936), 147, Pl. XLVII. For information concerning the second, to be published shortly, and for a criticism of the present report while still in draft form, I am much indebted to Mr. S. S. Frere, M.A., A. ot See stone identification (p. 326). 29 Not examined by Geol. Survey, but similar in appearance to No. 8 342 THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF FYFIELD AND OVERTON DOWNS, WILTS. (Second Interim Report) By P. J. Fowxer, with a contribution by T. J. SCANTLEBURY Continuing the project outlined in the First Interim Report! on the archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, during 1962 further fieldwork and survey was carried out, one excavation was prac- tically completed, and another was begun. This Second Interim Report deals only with these excava- tions. Fieldwork has now reached the stage of surveying the various newly-discovered sites and the large acreage of ‘ Celtic’ and other fields, which will take some time to complete. It is not proposed to publish ad hoc notes as the fieldwork progresses until completeness has been achieved in our surveys of the various Categories of earthworks and other remains as outlined in the First Report. Meanwhile, interim reports on the excavations seem justified if only because, in the case of the Wroughton Copse medieval site,” it will be some time before a final report is published, and because, in the case of the Down Barn enclosure, interesting dating evidence, anticipated in the First Report, has already been obtained.* The opportunity is taken here to publish plans of the second long house, House IV, from the Wroughton Copse site (fig. 1), and of the Down Barn enclosure (fig. 2). THE 1962 EXCAVATIONS AT WROUGHTON COPSE, FYFIELD DOWN The excavation of the stone buildings of the medieval farmstead was completed. Two or three trial cuttings alone are now required to elucidate minor points, and, it is hoped, finish the excavation. The site has already been described :* suffice it to say here that it consists of three small enclosures, two of them contiguous, towards the northern end of a twelve acre enclosure defined by a low bank and ditch on a gentle southerly slope. While the main aim of the 1962 excavation was to complete the investiga- tion of House IV, various other sites were also examined. The presumed pond (G.5) between Wroughton Copse and the medieval farmstead was sectioned and produced sufficient evidence to confirm its provisional identification and its contemporaneity with the farmstead. Similar dating evidence was obtained in completing a section across the bank and ditch on the east of Enclosure C, the small triangular-shaped earthwork 70 yds. north-east of the farmstead. The section also suggested the former existence of a fence or hedge on top of the bank. Each of the sites of ‘ three further buildings,’ optimistically referred to in the First Report, was examined but not one produced any evidence of a former building. This development, however, has the great merit of making it virtually certain that at least all the stone buildings of the settlement have been completely excavated. Parts of Building II, already described in some detail, were re-opened to pursue further the hints of an earlier structure obtained in 1961.° The evidence remained inconclusive though both ends of a | ft. deep trench half beneath and sealed by the curved eastern wall of the building were located. House IV, lying at the south-west corner of Enclosure B, has now been completely excavated and in the process virtually destroyed, since nearly all the surviving stonework was removed to make sure that there was no underlying structure. Nevertheless, the stone building clearly was used during several phases and was associated with various different features. Four significant features were isolated which can be placed in a relative chronological order tied at either end to a reasonably certain date. The earliest feature of the site, originally unconnected with the medieval farmstead, was a large pit some 27 ft. in diameter at present ground level, 11 ft. deep, and c. 20 ft. across its flat bottom. Its sides where excavated were near vertical or convex so that in section the pit was slightly bell-shaped. It contained much red clay at the bottom, suggesting that the chalk dug from it had not been heaped on the pit’s edge. Two deposits of samian pottery, made up of ten small sherds probably all from the same vessel, occurred within inches of one another at a depth of 7 ft. from the present surface and Photo: P. J. Fowler. (a) Wroughton Copse medieval settlement: House IV from the south, with bank of Enclosure B on left and in foreground. Photo: P. J. Fowler. (b) Wroughton Copse medieval settlement: north end of House IV from the east, showing * oven base ’ after removal of central packing. 343 uopprul Jo Jed [IOs UMOIq yTeyo suy ‘Q[QUIN} OUO}s JO }Ud}x9 SMOYUsS URTd UO sddns ae [osqns syUIy-UyIM-keID 8 Tlosqns yyeyD 6 “ [los Aut 9 .* sdumy yyeys € Ike] sqe[s y[eys psquin} [ “sty ee [eooreys syulg. poddeuy [los yor[q Zs Za =A AUT, i 2) Qoasi iP d (ania jo ipa 344 immediately beneath a massive spill of tons of sarsen stones. These sarsens had been tipped into the pit and probably represent the clearance of adjacent land for new arable. The significant point here is that, since the whole area had been under cultivation in ‘ Celtic ’ fields, the pit was dug into a ‘ Celtic ’ field which was arguably no longer ploughed. New clearance of sarsen stones suggests a new develop- ment of the downland for a new sort of arable. And since the sarsens were tipped into the pit between the samian sherds and a 12th century midden (see below p. 344), it may well be that here is direct evidence for redevelopment of the downland for new arable, presumably in strip fields, in the Saxon period.’ The pit itself was probably dug in Romano-British times, perhaps simply as a marl pit. Probably in the late 11th or early 12th century, when the pit was no more than a broad, shallow depression, it was re-used, this time as the site of a midden. Some 3-4 ft. of rubbish, containing a large amount of pottery, was accumulated, and very probably represents the occupation débris, at least in part, of the adjacent House IV during its long-house phase. Although the long-house is structurally later than the contiguous bank of Enclosure B, this relationship need not imply a significant lapse of time and probably the two are contemporary and formed the original settlement unit. The midden is also associated with them for, while the enclosure excludes the other buildings, it embraces both House IV and the top of the pit, tucked into its south western and north-western corners respectively. In its long-house phase, House IV was 37 ft. long and 14 ft. wide internally (fig. 1). It was built of broken and unbroken sarsen stones, probably originally forming a wall proper on all sides except the west. There the ‘ wall’ was no more than an internal revetment to the enclosure bank. Many of the stones had already been removed, probably during the occupation of the site, but the former line of the walls was clearly marked by a slight scarp in the clay-with-flints subsoil. This was a characteristic feature of the three buildings previously excavated, and is presumably simply the result of wear within the building (the rather irregular scarp marking the north end of the long-house is not shown on the plan since a line of hachures here would complicate rather than clarify the presentation. The broken line taking its place is along the general line of the top of the scarp). At the south end, the existing stones were probably part of a wall. A section through the bank is still required here, the position being complicated by the superimposition of the enclosure bank on a ‘ Celtic ’ field lynchet at this point. The revetment on the west was at most two courses high, and since there was no tumble in front of it, this probably represents its original height. Perhaps in this case, however, the rafters would be bedded in the bank immediately behind the revetment rather than on the stones themselves, though no evidence of this was discovered. In fact, unlike House I and Building II, no sure evidence of the roofing tech- nique was found, though it is possible, if unlikely, that the patch of chalk lumps on the floor at the north end of the building was a post footing similar to, though larger than, those discovered in House I.8 An entrance was clearly defined in the east wall just north of centre. A large sarsen stone lay on either side of it, and a very irregularly surfaced path or track led up to it, stopping level with the inside face of the wall and forming a slight step down into the interior. This path cannot have been very efficient since its stones were of different sizes and shapes, in many cases lay with edges uppermost, and were mostly several inches apart. It is difficult to see how they would even have been very suitable for cattle, though no doubt any path is better than none in counteracting the glutinous mud into which the Fyfield clay-with-flints so quickly degenerates after rain. Clay-with-flints formed the floor of the house, and into it was cut a drain, 17 ft. long, 3 ft. 9 in. wide at the top, 2 ft. wide at the bottom, and 9 in. deep, down the centre of the southern half of the building. Originally, it was open. The stones lying over it when excavated had clearly been dumped into it when it contained silt and probably after it had gone out of use. None of the stones over the drain were an original covering since not one of them was large enough to span its width. The drain ended to the south in a small pit partly beneath the southern wall. It had been dug mainly into previously disturbed 345 soil forming part of either the enclosure bank or the lynchet or both. The pit was 3 ft. wide at its mouth, with curving sides descending to a bottom | ft. below. From the south side of the pit ran an outlet, dug entirely through disturbed soil, and filled with a fine earthy silt. The filling of the pit itself was brown soil and flints, similar to that in the drain beneath the stones, but not noticeably darker or dirtier than the normal flinty soil in the area. This simple system of drain, sump and outflow, starting as it does in the exact centre of the building, is fairly conclusive evidence for the stabling of cattle at the southern end, even though no evidence of internal partitions either within the southern end or between the southern and northern ends was found. Though this evidence is missing, the drain, the wide entrance, and the proportions of the ground plan together would seem to justify the description of this building, probably the earliest stone building on the site, as a long-house. That it was a domestic building rather than a cowshed, for example, is borne out by the great number of finds and by the probability that the patch of chalk on the floor at the north end is a hearth rather than a post-footing (see below p. 347). It cannot as yet be dated firmly, and it is not certain that the pending analysis of the large amount of pottery associated with it and the midden immediately to the north will allow appreciably greater exactness. That it was in use in the 12th century is reasonably certain; a purely subjective impression from superficial examination of the finds is that it was probably built nearer to A.D. 1100 than 1200 (Plate fa). One feature, the third of the four significant ones mentioned above, was discovered in the long-house interior and is probably earlier than the structure. This is the U-shaped pit, ambiguously labelled ‘ Fire-Pit’ on fig. 1 lying in the north-east corner of the building, dug slightly more than 2 ft. deep below floor level, and partly obstructing the entrance. This last point in particular suggests that the entrance and the pit were not in use at the same time, and, since the entrance is unlikely to be secondary to the house, that the pit is not contemporary with the house. The pit itself was 11 ft. long, with a straight, almost vertical, northern end cutting through both clay-with-flints and chalk subsoil. Both sides were carefully lined with knapped flint blocks forming vertical faces, and their line at floor level was continued for a short distance to the south before the lip of the pit curved round in a regular U- shape. At this southern end, the sides dropped downwards in a relatively long slope so that the area of the pit bottom was much less than the top of the pit at floor level. It was filled up to floor level with various sorts of burnt soils, and at this level was built over at its north western corner by part of the stone structure to be next described. For the greater part of its area it was covered by collapse from this structure (see below). It gave every appearance of having been a flue except that it was not visibly connected with any other structure and that the flints lining its sides bore little trace of having been heated. On the other hand, it was filled with burnt soils, chalk and charcoal. If it was a flue, then the structure it served was completely removed when the long-house was laid out, and the pit was filled in before the entrance was used. This seems the most likely sequence, though it is possible that the pit was dug, used and abandoned between the end of the use of the long-house as a long-house and the erection of the stone structure immediately to the north. Even if this were so, however, for it to have been a flue it is still necessary to postulate that some associated structure was destroyed before the ‘ oven base’ (see below) was built. No trace of such a structure was found, either in or on the house floor, or beneath the ‘ oven base.’ The pit remains a largely unexplained feature, certainly earlier than the ‘ oven base’ and probably earlier than the long-house. It appears to have been ‘ industrial’ rather than domestic in nature, and cannot, quite apart from structural difficulties, be regarded as the long- house fireplace. The fourth significant feature of this site was the sub-circular structure labelled ‘ Oven (?) base ’ on fig. 1. This was far and away the most substantial and well-built stone structure in the settlement, yet it had been placed partly on top of the 11 ft. deep pit. Its overall dimensions were 15 ft. 9 in. by ye] PI]OS UMOYsS souojs uasies pasodxy Z ‘314 wig, APITIS “SMa ag 774 AAMAAA ALAR Trerrrepe, WHA G, 2 - 0 ” y, AWS Deck a a 1 he ye eae Pars %G aa Sav d ddd Pr Arr, 388 44 (/ : Addy ae ppuddaaidaaan é NOLUYUAAO HaNsO LIN a LSAM 346 TYTTYIVrrreyy ep, rrvpyryryryrerev yer rre er seirrarr rey yy, _Nuve ’ l , NAOT a 347 14 ft., and its maximum height nearly 2 ft., though originally it would have been a little higher on the south side at least, to judge from the spread of tumble over the floor and fire pit at the northern end of the long-house. There was some tumble on the east but none on the other two sides. The core of the structure was a circle 6 ft. in diameter made of sarsen stones lying on a thin soil layer directly above the clay-with-flints subsoil. The eighteen stones forming the circle were not actually touching one another in most cases and were in no way bonded with other stones. They seem to have been the marking-out feature for the rest of the structure which was then built round and above them. Probably at the same time that the courses of stonework were rising, the centre of the structure was carefully filled up with alternate layers of knapped flints and a mortar-like chalk powder (probably soliflucted chalk from the combe bottom at the foot of the slope to the south) after an initial layer of chalk lumps had been laid on top of the lowest layer of flints which rested directly on the clay-with-flints. The finished structure appears to have been deliberately curved in plan on all but the north side, which was equally deliberately almost straight and contained in its lowest course larger stones than elsewhere. This relatively massive structure at the end of the existing long house meant the removal of the house’s north wall. The southern curved side of the structure sailed over the scarped line marking the original house end, part of the probable hearth, and the north western corner of the ‘ fire pit’. The oven was not in fact built on to the end of the existing house: it was inserted into its width in such a way as to suggest strongly that the house ceased to be used as such. Indeed, it seems probable that the building was no longer roofed, and that it was at this stage that part of the eastern wall was demolished to fill in the previously open drain. Most of the structure became derelict and whatever it was that the site was now used for took place at the northern end. The ‘ fire pit ’ must certainly have been filled in by now, if not at a much earlier date. Other alterations were that part of the inner edge of the enclosure bank was dug away to insert the western side of the ‘ oven base ’: and a few stones were added to the northern end of the eastern wall of the long-house so that it now continued up to the outer eastern side of the base. Apart from these stones being smaller than those used elsewhere in the long-house, they project north of the end of the house and lay on a 3 in. thick occupation layer not present beneath the stones of the original house (Plate Ib). It is by no means clear what the ‘ oven base ’ was for: the suggestion that it was an oven base is only made tentatively through lack of a better. It was not part of a kiln since it was not connected with the probable flue (‘ fire pit ?) below, there was no other subterranean flue, and there was no way of heating it from below. It was not a chimney breast or base since there was no fireplace associated with it and no tumbled material of which a chimney might have been made. Nor was it the base for an external staircase. Certainly the structure was in some way associated with burning: the whole of the long- house floor immediately south of the structure was covered in wood ash, the outer southern face immediately above was burnt red, the topmost layer of chalk ‘ mortar’ was burnt, flecks of charcoal occurred throughout the central filling beneath, and many of the slabs of chalk rock which had tumbled from a position at and above the present surface over the structure were burnt. Further, the carefully laid central core requires explanation, and the best one seems to be that it was a form of insulation which would stand up to considerable heat from above and would then retain it for some time. It is suggested therefore that the structure was the base for an oven of the type which has a fire lit inside it, the fire subsequently being raked out . . . hence all the burnt débris on the floor in front of it... to be replaced by the material requiring baking.® It is suggested that the slabs of chalk rock formed the actual oven into which the fire was put: they would be built up perhaps into a domed oven on the base provided by the sarsens, flints and chalk ‘mortar’. For this purpose they would seem to be particularly suitable since the regular slabs in which they are quarried are convenient for a small, rough and ready structure, and the material itself does not crack or splinter when heated. Such an 348 oven may or may not have been encased in clay before use, but either way would have been relatively easy to construct and replace. The base may indeed have been the permanent site for numerous ovens of this type. Such ovens were in use in many parts of Britain until relatively recently and were usually used for baking bread. While known examples were usually incorporated in one of the end walls of the house, there seem no overriding objections to a separate oven structure . . . indeed the great danger of serious fire is largely vitiated . . . and along the Mediterranean littoral, for example, many a peasant ‘croft ’ today has its own separate bread oven outside the house. Structurally, it was madness to build the oven base so that its heavy northern wall sailed out over a filled-in pit; indeed, the whole northern half canted over from west to east as the wall gradually sank into the soft midden material filling the top of the pit. Archaeologically, the builders’ mistake was a boon since, right at the end of the excavation, it provided the one good example on the whole site of vertical stratigraphy. There could not be the slightest doubt that the midden was earlier than the oven base, and consequently that at the very least the pottery directly beneath the northern wall was earlier than that wall. In fact probably all the pottery in the midden, spreading almost right across the pit top, was earlier than the oven base, which was itself later than the long house. Although detailed study of the thousands of sherds from the midden . . . and it can be said without exaggeration that pottery came up by the bucketful . . . remains to be completed, the implications of one sherd in particu- lar can be mentioned now. This was a body sherd with an external yellowish green glaze and decorative bands of three slight parallel grooves on a thin pale grey fabric with a light brown interior. It lay near the top of the midden a few inches beneath the lowest course of the northern wall of the ‘ oven base’ (the position marked ‘ sherd ’ on fig. 1) and undisturbed by its construction. This is a type of pottery dated at, for example, nearby Avebury, to the middle of the 13th century.t° It would seem likely then, in view of this and of the lack of 14th century material from the site as a whole, to date the ‘ oven base’ to the second half of the 13th century, and the accumulation of the midden and the use of the long-house as a dwelling to a period which in its latest phase at least probably falls within the first half of the 13th century. In view of this, the size of the midden, and the occurrence of uncharacteristic wares and profiles (i.e. uncharacteristic of the site) in the midden’s lower levels, a 12th century date is provisionally suggested for the beginnings of both the midden and the adjacent long-house. THE DOWN BARN ENCLOSURE This small enclosure (fig. 2) was discovered in November, 1961, when a search was being made along the northern reaches of Piggledean for a possible settlement, similar to that at Wroughton Copse, which could be associated with the large acreage of broad rig on Overton Down (D.3). No such settlement has yet been found, but the enclosure itself is proving of considerable interest. The enclosure lies on the bottom of a small combe, a continuation of Piggledean, 300 yds. north of Down Barn. The site has not been ploughed, though ‘ Celtic ’ fields run down to it on the east, and is at present used for cattle-grazing. The enclosure is defined by a bank and ditch forming an unusual ground plan which involves an acute angle at the northern corner. The internal area of the enclosure is c. 180 sq. yds. and in all the site covers c. 3 acre. Its earthworks are slight, nowhere being more than 2 ft. high. Two breaks in the bank appear to be original entrances, though the ditch runs across the front of that on the east. That on the south gives directly on to a large, 7 ft. deep circular pond (G.1), which is enclosed on the downhill side by a bank rising to a height of 4 ft. The enclosure embraces several lesser scarps and banks, notably two roughly parallel scarps 6 in.— | ft. high running on either side of the lowest level down the centre of the enclosure and dividing the interior into three. The effect is of a low platform on either side of the enclosure. A site of a possible building, with an entrance on the west, lies on the eastern platform though it is defined only by the slightest of scarps. 349 Running towards the enclosure from the north-west, where it probably joined up with an originally prehistoric trackway through the ‘ Celtic ’ fields on Overton Down, is a slight hollow-way. It impinges on the enclosure ditch along the north-eastern side and then, becoming the terrace-way shown south- east of the enclosure on fig. 2, runs away to the south-east towards Down Barn. Probably the whole feature was a track, and whenever it may have been first used, it was probably also used after the enclosure’s abandonment. Even today the combe bottom becomes waterlogged in very wet weather. The opinion was offered in the First Report that the enclosure’s ‘ general appearance and situation suggest that it is later than Roman.’ Its proximity to the broad rig on Overton Down (and indeed to the ‘ Celtic ’ fields for that matter) in addition to its unusual appearance and situation suggested that it might well have an important bearing on several aspects of our general survey of the archaeology of the area, not least on the study of settlement pattern. Pre-1940 work on the Marlborough Downs had shown that small enclosures could contain small Bronze Age settlements,!! and the Wroughton Copse excavation has now demonstrated inter alia that the question of medieval settlement must also be considered in assessing the possible date and function of small downland enclosures. When there- for it was proposed that a rejuvenated Marlborough College Archaeological Society, under the guidance of Mr. John Scantlebury, carry out a trial excavation, there seemed a splendid opportunity to add to the rather limited resources of the Fyfield project and at the same time to give to the Society more purpose and incentive by working in a long term project than would perhaps have been attained by ad hoc excavation elsewhere. With the kind and interested permission of Mr. F. Swanton, the Society carried out a trial excavation on the enclosure on four afternoons a week throughout the summer of 1962. John Scantlebury contributes the following interim report. THE FIRST SEASON’S EXCAVATIONS, DOWN BARN ENCLOSURE, WEST OVERTON The aims of the excavation were twofold. First it was hoped to obtain sufficient material to date the site and place it in the sequence of human occupation and use of the chalk lands that is beginning to appear in the larger research project of Bowen and Fowler. The second intention was to run a small excavation where it would be possible to offer training in archaeological techniques to boys at Marl- borough College. For the latter the site has proved particularly suitable with a clearly defined strati- graphy, although it has meant that the work has proceeded at a somewhat slower pace than would normally be expected. A grid of 10 ft. squares was laid out across the centre of the enclosure with the object of obtaining a section and exposing a sufficient area to explore any structures which might be encountered. Un- fortunately it was not possible to complete this although a considerable amount of information was obtained which allows a rough dating of the site to be made, and emphasises the need for at least another season’s work. The section across the bank and ditch on the south-west side showed the enclosure to have an outer ditch cut down into the chalk subsoil and to be about 4 ft. deep. In section it was V-shaped although opening out towards the top. The bank presented something of a problem. In the section cut it was found to consist largely of a low spread of soil and occupation material only, without any stone facing or core, or any trace of a timber revetting. It is difficult to understand how this relatively unsubstantial bank has maintained such clear traces on the surface. So far it has not been possible to establish inside the enclosure any clear stratification within the occupation level. It is composed of rubbly material, rich in pottery, bone and iron, and extends all over the area so far examined. No substantial structure associated with this occupation has been 350 found within the enclosure, although traces of what may be a small hut were found, defined by two parallel lines of small broken sarsens with a floor of packed chalk between. The complete ground plan has not yet been recovered. As well as large quantities of pottery and a considerable amount of animal bone, of which a high proportion appears to be sheep, iron nails, three very eroded bronze coins and the pin of a bronze brooch have been found. The coins are awaiting expert examination, and the pottery has not as yet been studied in detail, but some general conclusions are possible. A fairly soft red ware and a rather harder, light grey ware are both present, and in addition a black ware occurs. This last pottery is rather variable in quality, some of the sherds having a fine burnished surface and being wheel-made while others are much more gritty and apparently hand-made. It is not at present possible to recon- struct many of the forms but in the black ware both low-sided dishes and fairly straight-walled pots with a characteristic outer flange just below the rim are found. Apart from two or three stray medieval sherds, the whole assemblage would fit quite well into a late Romano-British context towards the close of the 4th century or possibly rather later. In the southern part of the enclosure, lying in the bottom of the combe, this occupation layer was found to rest on a sterile layer of fine, dark brown earthy clay, some 3 ft. thick at its deepest point and thinning out towards the sides of the valley. The ditch on the south-west side had cut through the edge of this layer. At present it is difficult to account for the layer, although two possibilities offer themselves. It could represent the accumulation of soil in the bottom of the combe as the result of accelerated soil creep and rain wash from arable fields on or immediately above its sides. Alternatively it could represent a flood deposit in the valley bottom, and the archaeological sterility of the layer rather suggests this may be the explanation. Lying beneath this layer and completely sealed by it from the late Romano-British occupation above was another rubble layer lying on the chalk subsoil. So far only some 30 sq. ft. have been exposed at this level but already it is apparent that a more extensive examination at this level in the coming season will be essential. Some half dozen sherds of undecorated, coarse pottery, rich red-brown in colour and containing a large amount of crushed chalk, have been found, and a grouping of large sarsen boulders suggesting some form of rectangular structure has been partly uncovered. Apart from the fact that it is demonstrably much earlier than the overlying Romano-British material, it is not possible at the present to offer any closer dating of this level but it is hoped that more positive evidence and the full plan of the sarsen feature will be obtained in 1963. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The continued interest, support and co-operation in 1962 of all those individuals and institutions mentioned in the First Report (p. 112) is greatly appreciated. 1W.A.M. LVII (1962), 98-115, henceforth referred to as the First Report. 2 First Report, 109-115, fig. 2 and plate IIb. 3 First Report, 103, category no. C.2. References to other sites are given in the text by category and number as listed in the First Report, 99-109. * First Report, 109-110. 5 First Report, 111 and plate Ia. 6 Although House IV was the most drastically treated n this respect, parts of the walls of the other three stone buildings were also removed in the excavation 1959-62 in examining the lowest courses and in looking for evidence of earlier structure. No such evidence was found, except possibly under Building II, contrast- ing with, for example, the sequence of buildings on the same site excavated at Wharram Percy, Yorks, c.f. Med. Arch. I (1957), 166 and fig. 34. 7 In the four narrow tithings into which Overton was formerly divided, it was virtually inevitable that the open fields associated with each of the four valley settlements should run up at least some way on to the downland N. of the River Kennet. That this was so in the Saxon period is shown in the two Charters relating to the tithings of West and East Overton of, respectively, A.D. 972 and A.p. 939 c.f. Brentnall in Rpt. Marl. Coll. Nat. Hist. Soc. 87 (1938), 116-136, esp. map pp. 120-1, no. 7 on p. 125, and no. Ia on p. 132. 8 First Report, 110 and fig. 2. ® As described, for example, by F. Thompson, Lark Rise (1939), 14. 10 [Information partly from notes by E. M. Jope with the medieval pottery in Avebury Museum; and from J. W. G. Musty in discussion. 1 P.P.S. VIII (1942), 48-61. 351 IMPROPRIATOR AND BENEFICE IN THE LATER MIDDLE AGES By I. KEIL Many aspects of the history of vicarages remain obscure. Medieval writers concentrated their attention either upon the moral shortcomings of impropriators and the inefficiency of impoverished parsons, or else upon the legal implications of establishing a vicarage. Modern historians have dis- cussed the institutions obtaining livings and some of the evidence of failing parochial life for lack of funds. This paper deals with a neglected side of this trade in real estate: the economic and administra- tive consequences to the impropriator, Glastonbury Abbey, of a particular example, Longbridge Deverill church with its chapel of Monkton Deverill. On 3 June, 1391, the king granted a licence to the abbot and convent of Glastonbury to appropriate in mortmain the church of Longbridge Deverill and the annexed chapel of Monkton Deverill in Wiltshire together with the church of Butleigh and its chapel of Baltonsborough in Somerset.? The Wiltshire parsonage lands abutted those of the abbey manors of Longbridge Deverill and Monkton Deverill which formed a substantial part of the chamberer’s endowment. The Somerset benefice lay within the peculiar jurisdiction of the archdeaconry of Glastonbury and its lands adjoined abbey property. Both advowsons had belonged to the abbey for centuries so that Glastonbury probably knew the potentialities of these livings before seeking to appropriate them. The case advanced for appropriating the benefices in 1391 depended upon a common form of argu- ment; namely, the poverty of the abbey caused by a heavy burden of debt, and by impaired revenues owing to pestilence, murrain, and flood. The true reasons probably included a need to meet a new expense mentioned in an undated grant of Abbot John Chinnock (1375-1420) of about the the turn of the century. This ordered an increase in the cash doles of the monks to be covered by income from unspecified appropriated livings. The major part of the cash paid to the monks came from the chamber- er and this obedientiary took over the benefice of Longbridge Deverill with Monkton Deverill. The probability that the abbot referred to these livings is strengthened by the interest taken by the then archdeacon of Glastonbury, Brother Walter Oscote, in accompanying the chamberer and two attorneys to the bishop of Salisbury’s court to conclude the formalities of appropriating the Wiltshire living.® The archdeacon found from his revenues some of the needs of the abbot and convent.® A claim of poverty by Glastonbury Abbey had little to justify it. Abbey income exceeded £3,000 a year in cash although, in common with all landowners, it experienced a fall in profits from its estates.’ This decline in revenue did not prevent the abbey incurring great legal expenses in the course of ap- propriating its churches, for the licence mentioned above cost £100 to which must be added the dis- bursements on travel, pleas, and fees before the abbey completed the transfer of the livings two years afterwards. Even then the parsonage farm needed restocking. The wealth of the abbey manifested itself in the monks’ cash doles. In 1372 the chamberer alone gave £2 13s. 4d. to a monk in priests’ orders and by the early fifteenth century as a result of Chinnock’s award of a further 10s. 8d. the peculum exceeded £3 4s. Od.§ This bears comparison only with Westminster Abbey for generosity. Many appropriations occurred during the scandalous Great Schism of the papacy. The Roman curia had a notorious desire to inflate its income so that a suitable contribution to papal funds made many privileges available. Thus the impropriation of the Wiltshire benefice of Longbridge Deverill has no uniqueness. Probably the abbey finally established its control on 17 March, 1393, because an account of that day until the following Michaelmas, traditionally the end of the accounting year, shews an abnormally large number of expenses, including purchases of livestock, apparently for restocking the parsonage farm. G 352 At the time of establishing the vicarage the abbey incurred some extraordinary expenditure. A chaplain tended the cure at Longbridge Deverill for twenty-five weeks before 17 March, 1393, and received 26s. 8d. for his food, a further 20s. Od. met the needs of another chaplain at Monkton Deverill during the same period. The expenses of the chaplain for two weeks before Easter amounted to 2s. Od. At Easter, Richard Chaplain of Glastonbury came to celebrate Masses for two weeks having an allowance of 3s. 8d. for food and a fee of 6s. 8d. In the six months to Michaelmas, 1393, ‘ foreign ’ expenses totalled £19 Os. 4d. The abbey presented the church of Longbridge Deverill with a cross and a tablet worth £3 16s. 4d. Taxes and fees amounted to about 30s. Od. The chamberer and his party coming at the time of the take-over cost £4 18s. 44d. in food and a further 21s. 6d. in presents from the chamberer to his servants. However, income from the parsonage bore the cost of the induction of the parson of Mells, over 50s. Od. and the chamberer’s attendance at the Winchester Parliament which including presents to people there (20s. Od.) came to 28s. 114d. After completing the appropriation the administrative arrangements introduced in 1393 remained almost unaltered until the dissolution of Glastonbury Abbey in 1539. The manorial reeve of Long- bridge Deverill served as bailiff of the parsonage.® His work differed a little from that of a reeve: he supervised the parsonage demesne farm, collected rents, saw to the maintenance of buildings and furnishings of the churches, and received tithes. The dual office had the merits of cheapness and efficiency because the use of hired labourers and of implements needed to be co-ordinated in exploiting the demesne farms of manor and parsonage. When demesne farming ended on the parsonage the bailiff acted as a rent collector. It is not clear from the accounts whether he went to Monkton Deverill to receive tithes and rents but he answered for them to the auditors. Parsonage accounts survive for several years from the time of appropriation until the dissolution, the longest gap in the series available extending from 1443 until 1494. Until the end of Abbot John Selwode’s rule (1456-1493) they are separate from those of Longbridge Deverill manor, but from the first year of Abbot Richard Bere (1493-1525) they are amalgamated. Thus for the last half century parsonage profits cannot be estimated because accountants did not distinguish between all the incomes and expenses of the manor and parsonage. The usual principle of personal charge and discharge used in the parsonage accounts shew the bailiff’s financial position for the year at Michaelmas. This medieval system makes it impossible to discover whether the capital value of property increased or declined in a given year. No indication of investment nor neglect over, say, a decade may emerge without a continu- ous series of accounts. Nevertheless, what the chamberer took from the parsonage as profit appears in the balance after deducting all expenses. The figures in Table 1 shew the total charge, discharge, balance, livery, and chamberer’s receipts. ‘ Livery’ (column 5) part of the total discharge (column 3), represented unavoidable payments of pensions or dues although some variation in their size occurred because of the incidence of taxation. For example, the refectorer at Glastonbury ought to have received 26s. 8d. but in 1399 he had 2is. 6d. owing to the Wiltshire Levy of 2s. 6d. and part of a Tenth, 2s. 8d. Some livery payments continued after 1536, but no longer appear separately in the accounts. ‘ Chamber’ (column 6) differs from the balance when not in deficit because of various expenses not included in the discharge total.1° No figures occur in accounts after 1493 because the actual profit is merged with the receipts from Long- bridge Deverill manor. It should be noted that the first account covers only six months and that extraordinary expenditure provided necessary stock for the demesne farm and met some exceptional costs incurred by the chamberer. The following year saw the debt created in 1393 reduced to only £9 14s. 23d. 353 TABLE 1 SUMMARY OF PARSONAGE MONIES col. 1 col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 col. 6 Date Charge Discharge Balance Livery Chamber £- 'S.d, zs, .d, bE sed i. 85 hy bss. =a; 1393 14.11 43 48 6 11 —34 15 64 2° 250 none 1394 48 5 1? 57 19 44 |—9 14 23 219 34 none 1399 66 2 0 34 10 84 | +31 11 3% 214 I 30 14 11% 1401 58 18 112 20. OU |) 432 17 11g 218 34 31 15 72 1416 35°60. 9 17 15 113 | +17 10 92 2 13 114 19 8 8% 1418 41 2 2} 20 13 Of | +20 9 2 2 9 4 20-9 2 1443 34 6 14 13 3 14 | +21 2 11} 217 83 19 19 7} 1494 16 15 10 514 1 | +11 1 8} 219 13 1503 16 2.3 19 17 9 — 315 6 243° 9 1515 167 2:0 5 1 24 | +11 0 94 215 8&4 1523 16 8 8 512 34 | +1016 43 3 6 94 1524 16 8 8 512 32 | +10 16 42 3 6 92 1525 1628.3 512 34 | +1016 4? 3 6 9 1530 16 8 8 415 2% | +11 13 53 2 9 8 1536 16 8 8 315 44 | +12 13 3} 1537 16 8 8 4 7 5t | +12 1 23 1538 16 8 8 3 O OF | +13 8 7 1539 16 8 8 3 1 OF | +13 7 7 The charge, or income side, of the accounts contains rent, tithes, profits from sales of farm produce and perquisites. These items are analysed in Tables 2 and 3. Income from rents and leases had little importance before the lease of the parsonage. Until then, rents brought in less than a tenth of the total revenue (compare column 4 of Table 2 with column 2 of Table 1). The ‘ rents’ (column 2 of Table 2) includes rents of assize and new rents, the latter becoming significant after leasing part of the demesne farm of the parsonage in 1428. In 1443 new rents amounted to 27s. Od. ‘ Lease’ (column 3) refers to the lease of the parsonage which included both demesne land and tithes, but not the manorial jurisdiction still reserved to the lord. In 1494 the bailiff, Thomas Wason, held it but an adjustment in the annual value occurred on the tenancy passing to the vicar, Sir John Hill. ‘ Defects ’ (column 5) is unpaid rent sometimes arising on changes of tenancy when the lord had the land in his own hands. But, in 1443 and in subsequent years, this item served as an accounting device whereby the abbey reduced the rent on some holdings and, by recording a defect of rent, spared itself the expenses of making a new rental. Tithes provided the largest part of the parsonage income. Their true importance does not emerge clearly at first sight from the figures in Table 3. ‘ Parsonage Issues’ (column 3) contains income 354 entirely derived from tithes but including oblations of £1 13s. 4d. in 1393. ‘ Corn Sales’ (column 4) and ‘ Stock Sales’ (column 5) cover not only the proceeds from surplus demesne produce and a few incidental perquisites in kind but tithes paid in kind.1* Whether tithes appear under ‘ Parsonage Issues ’ or ‘ Corn Sales ’ and ‘ Stock Sales ’ seems to have depended upon accounting conventions and procedure. By convention tithes of hay, wool, hides and skins always count as ‘ Parsonage Issues,’ so too, do sums received from tithe grain sold in the fields. Tithes paid in kind are entered in either the granary or livestock accounts and on the cash side under appropriate headings. However, the precise value of tithes paid in kind cannot be estimated because accountants never distinguished between sales of grain produced on the demesne farm and tithes. From an inspection of the granary accounts it seems likely that the major portion of the grain sold came from tithes.4* The decline in revenue from ‘ parsonage issues ’ between 1418 and 1443 did not represent so great a fall in tithes, but only that corn sales in the fields had ceased. Nevertheless, demesne produce had dwindled during the same period, a time of nearly stagnant produce prices and rising wage rates.° Tithes probably amounted to as much as three quarters of parsonage revenue. TABLE 2 RENTS AND LEASES col. | col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 col. 6 Date Rents Lease Gross Total Defects Net Total £. 8.2; 2. Sead ; ae Yea £-s. -d. £ isd. 1393 6 0 none 6 0 none 6 0 1394 1 0 6 none 1 0 6 6 0 14256 1399 1 610 none 1 610 none ba 68.10 1401 1 14 10 none 1 14 10 5 4 1 “9: 6 1416 110 5 none L-10y 35 none 108 2S 1418 110 5 none 110.5 none 1-10> 5 1443 247-3 none 2175 4 0 2 ABR 1494 Sa2330 13 0 0 16 2 0 18 0 15. 4-0 1503 32. © 13 0 0 16 2 0 18 0 15°34 =0 1515 Si 2n OD 13 0 O 16 2 0 18 0 15 :42:0 1523 3 2 O 13 6 8 16 8 8 18 0 £5 10-3 1524 37.270 136.8 16 8 8 18 0 15 i0 8 1525 3°20 13 6 8 16 8 8 18 0 15 10 8 1530 5220 1376. 8 16 8 8 18 0 15.108 1536 3.5 2..30 13-536. 7S 16 8 8 18 0 1510238 1537 3.°2.°.0 13 6 8 16 8 8 18 0 15 10 8 1538 3, :2..:0 13 6 8 16 8 8 18 0 15 10 8 1539 3. 2-20 13 6 8 16 8 8 18 0 15210-35 355 TABLE 3 INCOMES OTHER THAN RENT col. 1 col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 col. 6 col. 7 Manor Parsonage Corn Stock Perquisites Total Date issues issues sales sales £ sad: £ S38 ‘di £ os. d. £ os. d: Lashed: fs ds 1393 5 10 10 16 93 none Sa aes | L8 14 5 43 1394 2 8 10 9 4 27 6 03 4 19 10 4 6ll 47 4 93 1399 8 2 18 16 8%] 40 7 O48 4 18 ll 4 4 64 15 2 1401 2 0 22 8 10 26 6 O32 8 3 6 3 9 57 3 0 1416 none 15 7 53 16 0 03 25 4 3 6 33 16 48 1418 1 O 15 13 54] 2113 4% 118 8 5 3 39 11 98 1443 4 0 319 74} 25 1 11} 1 13 10 9 4 31 8 43 Although tithes had great importance in the revenue of the parsonage, relatively little emerges from the accounts about the relations of rector and vicar over this question. The rector received the great tithes on grain and hay but also those on livestock other than fowls (exceptions being villeins’ geese and the ducks of Sir Walter Giffard at Radenhurst), wool, skins and hides, milk, cheese and even nuts. Perhaps he had the tithe on wax and honey, although no payments of these are entered against these items. In addition, the rector had the Easter eggs offering and churchscot paid in chickens.'¢ The lot of the vicar could not have been very happy. Revenue from ‘ Manor issues ’ (column 2) and ‘ Perquisites ’ (column 6) usually had little significance. The former were derived from sales of surplus grazings, hay or straw from the parsonage farm. Per- quisites fluctuated according to the number and size of entry fines and amercements in the manorial court. The discharge, or expenditure side, of the accounts shew that the principal disbursements cover maintenance of parts of the church and parsonage buildings, running the demesne farm, meeting taxation and other dues besides administrative costs. Adequate information on some of these subjects comes only from the earlier accounts, later ones provide much less detail as may be seen in Table 4. ‘Rent Defect ’ (column 2) and ‘ Livery ’ (column 6) have already been mentioned in respect of Tables 1 and 2. The insignificance of defects of rent until after 1443 seems clear. In later years it never exceeded 30% of expenditure and before 1530 it averaged a fifth of the total. Before demesne farming ceased ‘ Livery ’ formed between 5 and 15% of the expenditure although in the last fifty years of the parsonage it usually exceeded three-fifths of the total. ‘ Demesne Farm’ (column 3) usually absorbed more than half the expenditure for the year and never stood at less than two-fifths of the total. The demesne costs are analysed in Table 5. ‘ Administration and Church ’ (column 4) include administra- tion, church maintenance, dues, and taxation, much of the latter being under the heading * Foreign Expenses ’ in the accounts between 1393 and 1443. A detailed study of these costs appears in Table 6. 356 TABLE 4 SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE col. 1 col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 col. 6 col. 7 Rent Demesne Admin. & | ‘ Foreign’ Livery Total Defects Farm Church expenses Discharge Date £38. -d fs: £os.0d, £..-8; di. £.'s:. d fs: 0 1393 none 19 12 114 |. 26:12 11 9 O 4) 2:2 90 48 611 1394 6 0 8 2 OF] 12 16 6 (4 19 11) 219 33| 5719 43 1399 none 22 4 23 913 4 (4 11 7) 214 14] 3410 84 1401 5 4 14 6 8 810 72] (212 O8) 218 34] 26 O 114 1416 none 8 3 03 618 53] (6 2 24 2-13 113)" 17,15 112 1418 none 1215. 18 a so (4 12 10) 29 44| 2013 0} 1443 4 0 2 1G. \3 Zoo 4 (1 10 10) 2°17. 8) 13°73... 1494 18 0 117 0 219 13 5 14 13 1503 18 0 *14 16 6 1 7 6 2 15-29 19 17 9 1515 18 0 1 7 -6 215 8% S21. 24 1523 18 0 1. 7.6 3 6 94 5.12. 34 1524 18 0 1 7 6 3° 6" 94 512 3% 1525 18 0 1 7 6 3 6 94 Sil2- 34 1530 18 0 1 7 6 2-9 - 84 415 24 1536 18 0 217 44 315 43 1537 18 0 3. 9. 54 4 7 5} 1538 18 0 2 2 08 3.0 . 08 1539 18 0 2 3 O8 3-2 1 08 N.B.—(Sums in brackets) are included in figures of column 4. The total of 1394 includes a deficit from the previous year of £33 15s. 63d. * New building separately accounted, (the chancel of Longbridge Deverill parish church). Wages constituted the most important element in farm expenditures although regular amounts met the costs of repairing or replacing worn out implements. The figures in Table 5 under ‘ Implements ’ (column 2) and * Harvest ’ (column 5) include large payments to smiths, carpenters and casual workers. The large sum for * Implements ’ in 1399 arose from replacing the existing grange for £6 Is. 9d. How- ever, harvesting depended upon hiring workers which, taken with ‘ Wages ’ (column 6) shew how high a proportion of the cost of demesne farming arose from labour. Only wage labourers worked on the parsonage farm in this period and they became ever more expensive, leading to the leasing of part of the demesne in 1428. ‘ Wages ’ (column 6) contains payments to threshers and winnowers, the bailiff’s fees in 1399 only, and half the annual cash wages of two ploughmen shared with Longbridge Deverill manor. Additionally, in 1416 and 1418, a drover was employed at 8s. Od. a year to act as carter and Jo7 ploughman. The rising cost of labour emerges clearly from a comparison of the total wages paid to the two shared ploughmen: 10s. Od. in 1399, 13s. 4d. in 1416, and 15s. Od. in 1443. Some notion of the fall in the activity of the demesne farm may be seen in the total acreages under crop in Table 8. After the initial stocking of the farm in 1393 the expenditure on ‘ Corn’ (column 3) and ‘ Stock ’ (column 4) to be seen in Table 5, usually provided for replacements of working animals, seed changes, or needs for food for visitors not available on the demesne farm. TABLE 5 EXPENDITURE ON DEMESNE FARM col. 1 col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 col. 6 Date Implements Corn Stock Harvest Wages £- $,, d. £ sed: Ee Bed e Bx A. £) Sih 1393 3 5 0 3 2 63 210" 9 ¢ 313 10 O 1394 9 6 none none 5 6 8 2 5 102 1399 10 3 1 1 6 34 4 4 6 1 10 4 8 8} 1401 a 122 3 Lez’? do 706 2 4 75 1416 215 33 3 0 5 4 216 7 2 2 9% 1418 4 10 10 19 8 510 4 7 8 213 1 1443 1 18 103 6 5h 3 0 3 7 64 2 8 8 TABLE 6 EXPENDITURE ON ADMINISTRATION AND CHURCH col. | col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 Date Church Chamberer * Foreign ’ Admin. Wages £. s. d, z. Sd B&G: Es. @ 1393 4 610 a> oc 19 0 4 none 1394 3 1 13 4 8 9k 419 11 6 8 1399 3 0 0 114 3 411 7 t 6 1401 3 6 4 249 212 O88 7 6 1416 oS 7 — 6 2 23 7 8 1418 8 0 — 4 12 10 T8 1443 6: 7 _— 1 10 10 7 8 358 Administrative costs and the rectorial provision for the benefice are summarised in Table 6. * Ad- ministrative Wages ’ (column 5) include the price of parchment which rose in price from 10d. in 1399 to 12d. by 1416 whereas the clerk’s fee remained constant at 6s. 8d. Although administration must have exceeded these sums the accounts record other costs very irregularly. Apart from 1399 no bailiff’s wage appears—then his stipend in cash amounted to 30s. 8d. (column 6, Table 5). Hence Longbridge Deverill manor bore the burden of running the parsonage. The chamberer visited the parsonage from time to time, perhaps for administrative reasons, although these comings disappeared by 1416. The ‘ foreign’ expenditure (column 4) includes 6s. 8d. as a reward to the bailiff for his services but no more administrative costs in subsequent years. Ecclesiastical expenditure, shewn in Table 6 under ‘ Church’ (column 2), covered repairs and maintenance of the chancel, parsonage house, and regularly the provision of ‘ processionals’ for parish church and chapel.” These processionals seem to have been the only expenses in many years until the dissolution, including 1416, 1418 and 1443. Taxation levied by parliament and convocation formed a considerable part of the ‘ Foreign Expenses’ (column 4). Total tax payments varied from year to year, fairly typical of the whole of the later middle ages were the figures of 20s. 2d. in 1393, £3 15s. 9d. in 1399, and £1 Os. 8d. in 1401. Entertainment of official visitors, archdeacon or diocesan, and dues payable in the course of transacting clerical business absorbed on average less than a pound. Alms, fixed by the bishop according to Canon Law, amounted to 20s. Od. in most years.18 By 1494 clerical fees to the dean and chapter of Salisbury and others and alms amounted to the total ‘ Foreign Expenditure ’ (column 5, Table 4). In this later period, taxation came from the funds of Longbridge Deverill, being paid with the manorial assessment. The profit from the parsonage accruing to the chamberer in the early years of the impropriation has been noted in column 6 of Table 1. A detailed analysis of the balance made over to him appears in Table 7. These items come partly as late payments or from arrears of rents (column 2). Monkton Deverill parsonage revenues and tithe goods sold at markets accounted for nearly half the money paid to the chamberer (columns 3 and 4). ‘ Cash’ (column 5) came from divers transactions recorded in the main body of the account. In later years, after 1494, the parsonage probably yielded a profit except in 1503 when the rebuilding of the chancel at Longbridge Deverill cost £14 16s. 6d. TABLE 7 PROFIT TO CHAMBERER col. 1 col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 col. 6 Date Rent Tithe Monkton Cash Total £s3.3-d £. ‘suid £s.d £os. d £s. d 1393 none none none none none 1394 none none none none none 1399 none 615 13 615 0 17 6 OF 30,161.18 1401 1: 13 37 none 17 6 2 12 15 104 31 1StL7 1416 none 2nd os deg D vul. 918 62 19 8 82% 1418 none DD 714 3 1t 12-6 2129 eeD 1443 8 15 6 2 2 8 7 6 43 115 Of 19 19 7} 359 TABLE 8 DEMESNE FARM ARABLE ACREAGE OF GRAINS SOWN refoltea| col. 2 col. 3 col. 4 col. 5 col. 6 col. 7 col. 8 col. 9 Year Wheat Rye Maslin Vetch Barley Drage Oats Total 1393 144 0 0 0 20 9 3 463 1394 163 0 0 0 16 10 8 503 1399 11} 0 103 81 223 102 # 645 1401 20 54 0 63 244 } 14 674 1416 3 0 0 0 zt 7h 164 534 1418 314 0 0 0 143 0 0 46 1443 0 0 0 0 2 8 0 10 Surviving accounts shew that the parsonage farm was integrated with the Longbridge Deverill manorial demesne. However, separate accounts make it possible to see its contribution to the parson- age economy and how it was worked. Grain production had pride of place and the crops under cultivation are shewn by acreages in Table 8. The prominence of barley resulted from its part in the sheep and corn husbandry common to much of downland Wiltshire in the later middle ages. Drage (dredge), a mixture of oats and barley had importance because of its hardy nature and its value as animal fodder or as food for humans according to nature’s bounty in other grains. Wheat, the principal cash crop, usually found a ready market. Rye and Maslin (rye and barley mixture) seldom had much importance in this part of Wiltshire owing to soil conditions. Vetch and oats were fodder crops. Profitable arable cultivation necessitated care of the land, implements and seed. Indicative of such a policy the parsonage arable received manure at frequent intervals. In 1399, sheep folded on 22? acres for barley and 20 acres of fallow for wheat in the following season cost Is. 2d. and Is. 6d. an acre respectively. The importance of fallows in the crop rotations cannot be assessed because there lacks a rental or a continuous series of accounts. Seed purchases to replace a tried variety occurred from time to time. Entirely new wheat seed 2 quarters, 7 bushels, was bought in 1399 and sown at the rate of just over 2 bushels to the acre. Mention of regular expenditure on implements has been made above. Livestock farming had little importance. The meadow land amounted to 5} acres and its hay supported one or two horses, one or two oxen and occasionally two or three cattle. In fact these draught animals provided enough power only for carting and working animals came to the parsonage from the manor at ploughing times. Fines or dues and tithes sometimes meant that a handful of sheep belonged to the parsonage but these were sold as soon as possible in most years. In the early 1390s the pigsty contained a sow for breeding but this disappeared from the demesne by 1399. The flock of geese, including a gander and a handful of hens for breeding, disappeared from the parsonage economy between 1401 and 1416. Normally the parsonage livestock farming contributed little to the profits of the whole farm. H 360 Glimpses of the abbey as rector come from the accounts. The duties included maintaining the chancels of Longbridge Deverill church and Monkton Deverill chapel, to provide the ‘ processionals’ annually, to pay the taxation due from the benefice and to make a contribution (20s. 0d.) to the poor law. Each of these functions the abbey undertook and in addition gave occasional adornments to the church, the most notable being a cross worth 16s. 4d. and an alabaster tablet of the Blessed Virgin Mary containing five jewels costing £3 Os. Od. In the late fourteenth century a chaplain served Monkton Deverill for a yearly stipend of £3 Os. Od. but after 1399 no more is heard of him. The benefice of Longbridge Deverill with Monkton Deverill provided Glastonbury Abbey with a convenient source of income to finance an increase in the generous portion of its monks. The parish continued to have a chancel in good repair but probably lost an important and irreplaceable source of funds for poor relief. The status of the vicar remains shadowy. Evidently one of them thought it worthwhile to buy the lease of the parsonage for an annual rent of £13 6s. 8d. The abbey made the most of its impropriation, a symbol of its riches and privileged position. 1 The principal studies of vicarages are: R. A. R. Hartridge, A History of Vicarages in the Middle Ages, 1930. E. L. Cutts, Parish Priests and their People in the Middle Ages, 1914. Some useful information about the impropriations and conditions of vicarages appear in the following: K. Wood-Legh, Studies in Church Life in England under Edward IIT, 1934; A. H. Thompson, The English Clergy and their Organisation in the Later Middle Ages, 1947, especially 116-19; D. Knowles, The Religious Orders in England, Wl. 1957, 290-94; and a survey of fifteenth century conditions and the general state of knowledge may be found in E. F. Jacob, The Fifteenth Century (1399-1485), 1961, 277-79. 2 Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1388-1392, 416. 3H. C. Maxwell-Lyte, ‘Glastonbury Abbey in 1322’ in Collectanea I, Somerset Record Society, xxxix, 1924, 14. 4 John of Glastonbury, Historia de rebus Glastoniensi- bus, edited by T. Hearne, 1726, 272-7, see also G. G. Coulton, ‘ Some Chapters in the History of Vicarages ’ in History Teachers Miscellany, iv, 23. 5 My most grateful thanks are due to the Marquess of Bath for his kindness in allowing me to use many of the Glastonbury Abbey records now in the muniment room at Longleat. Unless otherwise stated all informa- tion used in this article comes from the following accounts:— Separate Parsonage Accounts: 10698 (1393), 10699 (1394), 10610 (1399), 9868 (1401), 10664 (1416), 10611 (1418), 10707 (1443). Parsonage accounts merged with Longbridge Deverill manorial accounts: 9913 (1494), 9920 (1503), 9925 (1515), 9931 (1523), 9932 (1524), 9971 (1525), 9977 (1530), 9990 (1536), 10711 (1537), 9992 (1538) and from the Public Record Office, SC6, Henry VIII, 3118 (1539). All dates refer a Michaelmas of the year in which the account ends. 5 Longleat MS. 9933. Account for the year 1392-93. Caps cost him 33s. Od. * Chapters of the Black Monks, edited by W. A. Pantin, Camden Society, 3rd series, xlv, xlviii, liv, 1931- ip Ill, passim. In 1408 the triennial assessment reckoned upon an income of £3,396 6s. 8d. 8 Longleat MS. 10642 (1371 72): The chamberer’s sales for dole were: priest monk: £2 13s. 4d.; monk without orders, £2 Os. Od. and novices £1 Os. Od. Some further payments in kind and services were supplied in addition. The revised scale by Chinnock increased the inferior’s allowance by 6s. 8d. The Glastonbury allowances, unlike the Westminster peculum, remained guaranteed and some small allowances came to the brethren from obedientiaries other than the chamberer, see D. Knowles, op. cit., Il, 240-43, and also A. Watkin, ‘ Glastonbury 1538-9 as shown by its account rolls ’ in Downside Review, |xvii, 437-50, and The Great Chartulary of Glastonbury Abbey, edited by A. Watkin. Somerset Record Society lix, Ixiii, Ixiv, III, 720, et seq. The present writer hopes to publish a study of the Glastonbury chamberer shortly. * The bailiff of the parsonage of Longbridge Deverill seems to have been the only minor Glastonbury official with the title Bailiff. The term normally applied to the senior administrators who controlled a group of reeves. The term reeve was used as a synonym in 1416 to describe the bailiff on being paid 6s. 8d. for his good work. The word bailiff and the impreciseness of this terminology is discussed fully in T. F. T. Plucknett, The Medieval Bailiff, 1954. 10 These sums were never large:— 16s. 4d. (1399), £1 Os. 48d. (1401), 6s. 8d. (1416), and £1 3s. 4d. (1443). The latter figure comprised 20s. Od. annually given as alms and 3s. 4d. paid by the chamberer to another monk. 11 Oblations ceased to be paid to the rector after this time. Perhaps this income passed to the vicar. 12 In some years the auditors insisted upon including items ignored by the bailiff. These goods, ‘ Sold on account ’ (Vendit super compotam) amounted to 8s. 4d. from 25 geese in 1394, 5s. 4d. from grains and 13s. 4d. from livestock in 1399, and 2s. Od. from 4 geese in 1401. These sums of money have been included under the appropriate columns in Table 3 13 Between 1401 and 1416 it became the custom to give details of tithes sold in the field at Longbridge Deverill, where none were so disposed of in the earlier year. Typical i in form although largest in amount was £3 11s. 2d. paid by John Smyth for the tithe of 122 acres of divers grains at 7d. per acre. This might represent a convenient way of farming tithes on a small scale but perhaps helped in the process of commutation of tithes to grow. Two years later tithe on 88 acres of corn in the same fields (‘ Blakelong ’ and ‘ Blakehull ’) were sold to John Payn for 5d. an acre. In each year tithe on the corn of the holding lately belonging to John Nicolls on ‘ Sheote’ were sold for 16s. Od. on each occasion. In 1443 the same purchaser still had the Nicolls holding tithes for 16s. Od. but the other tithes had reverted to a payment in kind. 14 The total grain incomes and the proportion received as tithe together with total quantities of grain sold are set out in the table below. The tithe percentage ‘ A’ is of total revenue in grain and percentage *‘ B’ shews tithes as a percentage of sales of grain if all the tithes were marketed. We cannot be certain that this occurred. TABLE TO SHEW IMPORTANCE OF TITHES IN GRANARY Date 1393 1394 1399 1401 Quantity |Q. B. P.| Q. B. P. | Q. B. P. | Q. B. P Tithe none 1193-4. 22) 192252 87 2 2 Demesne none 95 60 95 13 60 7 2 Other 295272 030 430 102 TOTAL 29°22. 3552 oes 149 2 2 5 Tithe ‘A’ none 35°) 52-75 58- Sales none 189 13 | 191 0 3 Tithe ‘B’ none 63-25 59-0 76:75 Date 1416 1418 1443 Quantity Q. B. P. |} Q. B. P.| Q. B. P Tithe 54.4 2 56 3 O 76 5 O Demesne 38 5 O 82> 5 -0 67 3 O Other none 7 .3:. “0 1 4 3 TOTAL 93 1 2|146 3 0O| 145 4 3 Tithe ‘A’ 58°5 38°5 52°5 Sales 62 6 2]111 6 1{140 1 1 Tithe ‘B’ 87:0 50-25 54:5 15 Prices of wool, skins, hides and, above all, grain, depended upon quality as well as demand at any date. The value of tithe goods, when not specified, makes calculations of value hazardous. Wool prices from tithes averages 3s. 4d. a stone in 1399, 6s. 5d. a stone in 1416, 7s. 2d. a stone in 1418 and 7s. 84d. a stone in 1443. Grain prices varied according to type, wheat being dearest and oats cheapest. In 1394 prices of grain were as follows for a bushel:—Wheat 5d., 54d., .. 7d.; Cural 34d., 74d.; Rye 5d.; Brotcorn 3d.: Barley 4d.; Pulse 3d.; Drage 3id., 34d.; Oats 3d. Wage rates are discussed below. 16 See N. Neilson, ‘Customary Rents’ in Oxford Studies in Social and Legal History, edited by P. Vinogradoff, II, 1910, for a discussion of these pay- ments. The chickens were usually paid in kind, a few cousumed by visitors and the rest sold for about 2d. a ead. 17 * Processionals > seem to have been large candles. 361 18 B. Tierney, The Medieval Poor Law, 1959. This book discusses the Canonical theories and practice in England in the middle ages. 19 A translation of the account for building the chancel has some points of interest. The reeve made a mysterious journey to Wilton and Amesbury. Prob- ably the fees paid to the carpenter and stone mason covered payments to their assistants, although the time taken and numbers involved in rebuilding does not emerge from this account. The windows have particular interest: this was the period of Abbot Richard Bere’s rule when Glastonbury constructed a fitting chapel to commemorate the alleged connexion of the abbey with St. Joseph of Arimathea. Arthur and the Holy Grail appealed to the pilgrims and doubt- less the chamberer enjoyed making this tribute to their importance because he controlled the George Inn (now George and Pilgrim) at Glastonbury where many pilgrims stayed. A window in the northern wall of the nave of the present church has a representation of the history of the abbey by a modern artist. * The same (Thomas Wason reeve) answers for carriage of timber from Selwode to Deverill at 15s. Od. Item, for the carriage of 4 oaks at Is. 4d. Item, for the carriage and purchase of 7 wainloads of stones at 23s. 8d. Item, for the carriage of 12 wainloads of gravel (zabulo) at 2s. Od. Item, for bread, meat and other things for the carters on divers occasions at 6s. 8d. Item, for hire of one carpenter to fashion all woodwork at 66s. 8d. Item, for hire of a stone mason to build walls and win- dows of the same chancel at 66s. 8d. Item, for 3 wainloads of roofingstone bought at 12s. Od. Item, for 66 ‘ saculus ’ (? bags) of lime at 21s. 4d. Item, for dressing timber for laths at 12d. Item, for making 1,000 laths at 3s. 4d. Item, for carriage to Deverill at 12d. Item, for roofing by piece work at 16s. 8d. Item, for 8 wains of freestone at 4s. 7d. Item, for carriage of one wain of freestone at 3s. 4d. Item, for the expense of Thomas Wason journeying to Wilton (Wylton’) and Amesbury (Amysby) at 12d. Item, for hire of smith for divers iron works at 12s. 6d. Item, for 4,000 lathnails at 4s. 0d. Item, for 6 ‘ Hurdell’ for ‘ Le Scafote’ (? Gallery of the Rood) at 9d. Item, for making ‘ Le Scaffote’ with (?) removeable divisions (remoc’ divisi) at Is. 8d. Item, for feast (mundat’) at clearing chancel at 8d. Item, to Thomas Nevyll for painting the arms of King Arthur with the arms of St. Joseph for the window of Deverill chancel—i2d. Item, to a man from Salisbury, a glazier, for glazing windows behind the altar of chancel containing 36 feet at 7d. per foot—2Is. Od. Item, to same for glazing second windows containing 16 feet at 5d. per foot, 6s. 8d. Item, to same for glazing window in north part of chancel at 2d. per foot, 2s. Od. Total £14 16s. 6d.’ 362 A GROUP OF BARROWS NEAR SHALBOURNE, WILTS. By Davip E. JOHNSTON Between 4 and 29 August, 1959, rescue operations were undertaken by the Ministry of Works on a group of barrows on the high ground above the village of Fosbury, near Shalbourne (fig. 1); the work was supervised by the writer. The group consisted of three barrows; two of these were known before the excavation began, and the third barrow (barrow 4) was observed and excavated while work was in progress on the other sites. There is also a further mound in this group (site 3) with a shallow depression to the south of it, which turned out to be a comparatively modern quarry or marling-pit. THE SITE These and neighbouring barrows are situated in Wiltshire, near the junction of three county boun- daries, and at the end of a ridge or spur of the Chalk Downs. It is noticeable how the barrows of this area are mostly above the 600 ft. contour, lying along the slope, and generally just below the skyline. No further barrows in this small group are known, though there is an outlier some 900 yards to the north, ploughed nearly level with the ground. THE EXCAVATIONS BARROW | (Plan fig. 2). Grinsell 4. This was a bowl-barrow, 74 ft. in diameter and 5 ft. high with a large robber trench depression in the centre. In plan the barrow is definitely not an accurate circle, as could be seen from signs of the buried ditch in the grass growing above it. Ditch (fig. 3). Four sections were cut across it. The ditch seems to have been fairly consistent in width, although remarkably shallow, with a regular flat bottom. There was, surprisingly, no sign of the clean primary filling usually found in such ditches. Layer 4 is in fact the secondary chalky rubble filling, derived from the mound as it weathered, and from the crumbling outer lip of the ditch (sug- gesting, incidentally, that ploughing on three sides of the barrow has reduced the ground level and made the ditch even shallower than it originally was). This absence of a clean primary filling could be taken with caution to show that the ditch had been cleaned out, after lying open for some time but before layer 4 had accumulated. Layer 2 is a layer of stoneless buried soil—a feature matched on barrow 2 (fig. 4). This level contained a Roman coin, probably of Antoninus Pius. Mound. The mound itself was of loam with flints, covering a chalk core, which was covered with a false cairn of flints. The edge of the mound on three sides was of chalk which met it in an abrupt and nearly vertical step, like a revetment; presumably the ditch was dug while the mound was still being built. This procedure has been identified elsewhere in two recently excavated barrows.! In this case the chalk seems to have been spread over the rest of the mound to produce the chalk capping that later slid back into the ditch as layer 4. Beneath the barrow mound a thin layer of ‘ buried soil’ was found. The segregation of the small stones to the top and bottom of it suggested turf, into which a small vole had burrowed but had been trapped and suffocated by the mound built over it. Below this buried soil faint parallel scorings in the surface of the chalk were detected. It is tempting to interpret these as marks of early ploughing (though not ritual ploughing immediately before the funeral), but as they lie in one direction, downhill, it might be safer to explain them as solifluxion. On barrow 2 the ancient surface had been ploughed away, and barrow 4 was a special case (p. 366). The central grave had been thoroughly robbed in the past, and the only trace found of the burial was a tiny fragment of human bone—the left condyle of the lower jaw—showing that the barrow had originally held a cremation. There had been two disturbances (fig. 3); the first (layer 8) was a neat and narrow trench, little more than two feet wide, driven in from the south-west edge of the mound at SHALBOURNE ,WILTS % i oe a fe ‘ 0 GLOS s ert € ° v < s Winchester e @~s ° Prod Thad Southsmpton yam Pra 29 0 20 40 60 go too120 , Se miles 1 Pan | 1959 to | EXCAVATIONS Shalbourne|* i . ~ N ce % \ ; based on O.9..6 heer Wilts XL1 \aes ased on O15. Gins. s ilts Il to Fosbury village with permission \ ( ae “ -| 550 scale ees ee yards Fig. 1 363 364 approximately ground level, and filled up progressively with the spoil as the diggers approached the centre. This apparently found the burial, as the fragment of bone was found in its filling—giving us an approximate position for the grave. No dateable material was recovered from the robber trench, but its filling had consolidated and must have been invisible when the next party of optimistic barrow diggers dug a massive hole in the centre some nine or ten feet deep and well into the undisturbed chalk. This ragged hole even dangerously undercut its own sides, causing the unexcavated barrow to subside into it. When the diggers backfilled, they left some of their spoil on the edge, sealing the earlier filling, and topped up the hole with crockery, broken bottles, a dead calf, a small fire and a massive lump of sarsen. Neither of these disturbances can be confidently attributed to any antiquary known to have dug in the neighbourhood. Finds from this barrow were not spectacular. The round scraper (fig. 6, no. 1) came from layer 2 in the ditch; nos. 2 and 4 and another notched scraper lay just below the ploughsoil. No. 3, probably the broken end of a ‘ pick,’ came from layer | at the top of the mound. The sherd with finger-nail decoration, no. 8, from the body of the mound (layer 6) is more important. Its fine red fabric would be appropriate for a Beaker, but although fragmentary it could be regarded as an early Collared Urn; the weak junction of collar and neck as well as the decoration support this. It could then be tentatively placed between EB 2 and MB 1, that is about 1400 B.c. or later, when Collared Urns first appear. The two rusticated sherds, nos. 6 and 9 (layer 3), are also early, this type being usually found with Beaker sherds. The regularity of the decoration on no. 6 puts it in Professor Clark’s class 2? and is best par- alleled on a sherd from Woodhenge?® and a fragment from the Holdenhurst barrow.‘ No. 9 closely resembles one from Whitehawk Camp.® No Beaker sherds were found. BARROW 2 (fig. 2). Grinsell 6. Mound. Excavation showed that this was a saucer-barrow, elliptical in plan, and comprising mound, ditch and encircling outer bank. It measured 80 by 68 feet from ditch to ditch, excluding the ploughed- out bank, which could not be measured. These dimensions are average compared with most saucer- barrows.® The elliptical shape of our barrow is certainly unusual and the regularity of the ditch, as clearly seen on the surface before excavation suggested that the highly sophisticated method of describ- ing the outline from two fixed points may have been used. The ‘ false ditch ’ to the west of the barrow (scarcely visible on the surface) may represent a mistake corrected while the barrow was actually being built, the gang responsible starting to dig inside the marked line until checked. Ditch. The identification of this as a saucer-barrow was confirmed by the ditch sections (fig. 4). The dirty chalk rubble of layer 4 and its darker equivalent 5 are derived from the bank and mound of mixed earth and chalk. Layer 3 is humus, with some small chalk lumps, washed in as the chalk sides of the ditch crumbled, and layer 2, with very little chalk, represents the more durable turf and topsoil finally caving in.? The interesting interleaved pattern in the filling shows how the bank slid back at various times. Two features of these sections suggest that the outer bank was well set back from the ditch, with a berm of perhaps as much as 10 feet. In the first place, layer 3 reached the ditch filling from the bank later (although it was steeper) than from the mound; secondly, the weathered outer lip of the ditch was clearly not protected by the bank as the inner lip was by the mound. If this was so, such a berm is apparently unique on barrows of this type. The cutting of the ditch itself was neater and more regular than on barrow 1, and layer 2, the buried humus, was considerably deeper. There was no sign of disturbance on the site, and yet a careful search of as large an area as possible in the centre failed to reveal any sign of a grave; fortunately, however, our eastern trench picked up a cremation in a shallow scoop in the chalk (see appendix) outside the ditch, and under the bank. As the bank had disappeared it was impossible to say if the burial was an original or a later insertion. 365 . weeeas ereeees te eesoceee et eee cone ee eeoees eeeoetes ABLUII.A 366 Finds on the barrow were few, comprising fifteen flakes and several fragmentary bones, including horse and ox. The grooved sherd, (Fig. 6, no. 7) and another like it were found in layer 2. SITE 3 (fig. 1). Grinsell 3. Before excavation this resembled a low mound with a large depression to one side of it. The mound turned out to be a natural rise in the ground, accentuated by the depression, which proved to be a small chalk quarry. The filling contained nothing except several large balls of puddled chalk with straw, clearly the rubble from a demolished ‘ cob’ wall. This was not excavated to the bottom, but probing indicated that the depth was about twelve feet. Near the lip of it were found six undateable prehistoric sherds, one of which is illustrated in fig. 6, no. 5. BARROW 4 (fig. 5). Mound. This low mound only 24 ins. high, was noticed during the excavation of the other sites, and as it was not on the official programme, was excavated entirely with volunteer labour. Originally this barrow may have been as much as 30 ft. in diameter, and had no ditch, as was proved both by careful probing and by the absence of chalk in the mound. Cheap scraped-up barrows of this kind are not uncommon in barrow groups. The chalk on this part of the site only had a deeply pitted SHALBOURNE 1959 BARROW 1 (0) ploughsoil @ stoneless humus © light brown humus with Flints @ chalk rubble © ctalk capping © body of mound @ chalk core robber trench @ natural depress- ion pemMoliv st Un oY ‘QORJANS YJLYD oy SUIMOYS Payeavoxa se puNnoww ay) ‘eld ip MOLIeg 367 surface (Plate I), perhaps best explained as the result of root action, suggesting that a small spinney or copse once stood here, and that the deep leaf mould (layer 3) provided material for a small mound of loam and flints. The burial was not in the centre of the mound but nearly three feet to the south-east. It was a cremation in an urn placed upright on the buried soil, and mostly ploughed away before excavation. This meant that only the base survived, making identification difficult. A single stray sherd ploughed into the topsoil, indicated that it had been a Collared Urn, apparently undecorated. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am most grateful to the owner of the land, Mr. C. W. Garnett, for permission to excavate, and in particular to the farmer, Mr. Briant, of Church Farm, for a good deal of material help and encourage- ment during the excavation. Much voluntary help was given by members of Andover and Ludgershall Local History Societies, among whom I must particularly thank Mr. Eric Levell, of Faberstown. Officials of the Ministry of Works have been unfailingly helpful at all stages of the work. The urn has been deposited in Devizes Museum. THE HUMAN REMAINS (BARROW 2) By ROSEMARY POWERS Sub-Department of Anthropology, British Museum (Natural History) SKULL Many of the skull fragments were comparatively undistorted and it was found possible to reconstruct a considerable area of the vault. Most of the surviving areas of bone are on the left half of the skull. SHALBOURNE 1959 BARROW 2 scale Es feet ENLARGED SECTIONS for layers, see text Fig. 4 368 SHALBOURNE 1959 BARROW 4 0) piataiect @ orange-brown loam and as 2a but more make-up of barrow buried soil - ? leaf-mould flints ar Fig. 5 Scale 4 Fig. 6 The Finds nos. 1—3 (top): 4—6 (centre): 7—9 (bottom). 369 The occipital protuberance is well developed as in males, and the extent of the surviving portion of the frontal sinus and the brow ridge confirm the sex as male. The skull is of normal thickness. As far as can be seen the condition of the sutures is as follows: the sagittal and lamboid are obliterated internally but can still be traced externally. No undoubted fragments of coronal suture are identifiable. The metopic suture is absent. The squamo-parietal and frontal-malar contacts are open. DENTITION The left maxilla and portions of both mandibular rami, also a number of loose, fragmented teeth, are present. The dental condition appears to have been as follows: In the maxilla all six molars are present and the remainitig teeth on the left side are represented by sockets. In the mandible the left molars, premolars and canine are present, and the right canine and second molar. The only teeth missing during life (as far as can be seen) were the lower third molars which were probably never formed. The two molars identified as M3 (upper) have fused roots and display a compressed and distorted form; the fragments of occlusal surface remaining show a complex pattern of ‘ wrinkles ’ with no trace of wear. The two molars identified as M1 (upper) show considerable wear, on the occlusal surface, the cusps having been worn away and dentine exposed except at the fissures. One M1 and an M3 display swelling at the roots, the result of additional cementum apposition. The eighteen other root fragments all appear healthy and normal. POST-CRANIAL SKELETON In general, the post-cranial bones have been much more thoroughly burnt than the skull, but enough remains to indicate that substantially the whole body was cremated. The post-cranial bones identifiable by fragments include vertebrae, scapula, ribs and pelvis. Also identified were part of the distal end of a femur and part of a femur head (or humerus head). Several phalanges are present, and all appear to be from toes. About four terminal phalanges are complete, and several distal portions of medial phalanges are complete, and several distal portions of medial phalanges are present. No separate epiphyses were observed, and several long bone fragments showed prominent muscle markings, con- firming the evidence of the skull that the individual was an adult male. The comparatively unburnt condition of the skull and the toes suggest that the head and feet were near the edges of the funeral pyre. 1 Chick’s Hill, Dorset (Proc. Dorset N.H. & A.S., ° PPS. 1936 fig. 10, p. 21, no. 54. Ixxx) and Bishop’ s Waltham (PPS., xxiii). 6 Grinsell, in PPS 1941, p. 88 and Ashbee, the Bronze 2 PPS. 1936 p. 20. Age Round Barrow in Britain, p. 27. 3 Devizes Mus. Cat. Pl. xxi c, no. 6. 7 This process is well described in a classic paper by 4 PPS. 1937 fig. 6, no. 14. Curwen (Ant. iv, 1930, p. 99). 370 THE STONEHENGE CURSUS By PATRICIA M. CHRISTIE INTRODUCTION Excavations were carried out in September, 1959, on behalf of the Ministry of Works, at the extreme western end of the Stonehenge Cursus in order to explore what remained of the earthwork at this point and the round barrow enclosed within it. The site, which lies due west of Fargo Plantation just off the Amesbury-Devizes road (OS. National Grid: Sheet 167, 110429), had been extensively damaged as a result of wartime activities and subsequent levelling of the ground for agriculture, with the result that the monuments were virtually obliterated. The object of the excavation was to rediscover the line of the Cursus ditch and bank? on all three sides and to excavate what remained of the barrow.? SUMMARY The Stonehenge Cursus was found to vary in construction, the north and south sides having shallow, flat-bottomed ditches separated from the inner bank by a 5 ft. berm, while the western end had a deep ditch, wider berm before the inner bank and in addition an outer berm and bank. The barrow (Winter- bourne Stoke G. 30) which had previously been demolished, revealed a central cremation pit with two pairs of stake holes nearby—the whole encircled by a continuous flat-bottomed ditch 57 ft. in diameter. The crouched skeleton of a small child was found in the primary silt of the ditch on the south-west, and a barbed-and-tanged flint arrowhead also came from this sector. The only other worked implements among the vast amount of primary flakes and cores from both Cursus and barrow were a thick point and a scraper from the barrow berm. Potsherds from the barrow ditch included a few fragments of Bronze Age ware. No satisfactory dating evidence was obtained from Cursus or barrow but an early date for the western end of the Cursus is suggested, with the flanking ditches falling into the Beaker period, while the barrow is thought to fall within Wessex I. THE CURSUS Since Dr. Stone’s work in 1947 the character of the Stonehenge Greater Cursus has not substantially changed, though the centre portion where it crosses the dry valley is now largely obliterated by a sewage farm. The southern bank and ditch is better preserved than the northern, though in the final eastern stretch even the former is no more than a crop mark—the ditch showed up clearly in the dry summer of 1959 since it supported lush green grass in contrast to the surrounding parched field. The condition of the western end prior to excavation has already been described, but at least the pig farm noted by Dr. Stone is no longer there and the field in which it lies is now used mostly for crops and grazing. _ An initial survey of the field containing the western end of the Cursus was made on a 50 ft. grid by Mr. Maese of the Ministry of Works Engineering Tests Branch with a Megger Earth Tester. Since the earthwork was best preserved on the south side and across part of the western end, where a slight rise beyond the ditch suggested an outer bank, cuttings could be laid down with reasonable accuracy in these sectors (fig. 1, Cuttings I and V). Additional cuttings (II, Ifa, IIb, IIc, III, IV) were laid down partly as a result of the Megger survey and partly on the basis of a sketch plan made before the north side was obliterated.*? The ditch was picked up in all these trial trenches, but only those giving good sections at right angles are described. West End A surprisingly deep ditch (Plate I) was found at this end (in Cuttings III, IV, V), in contrast with those of the north and south sides, measuring 5 ft. wide with nearly vertical sides, varying between 5 ft. 6 in. and 6 ft. 9 in. in depth from the modern turf, with a flat bottom. Allowing for the recent overburden of bulldozed earth (fig. 2) and for the erosion of chalk since its construction, it is estimated that the ditch was originally about 5 ft. 6 in. deep.* 371 The primary filling of coarse chalk rubble and fine rainwashed silt was overlain with dark grey bands interpreted as turf falls from the upper edges as these became undermined by weathering. The thick layer of fine grey silt above these turf bands was not easily explained, and analysis (Appendix A), while not actually disproving it, was unable to confirm the suggestion that it represented windblown material. This grey silt and the fine pale brown soil above it were both badly disturbed by burrowing animals. The double turf-lines drawn in the sections (fig. 2) show the soil distributed over the original turf and topsoil when the field was levelled by the farmer after World War II. The ditch was separated by an 8 ft. wide berm from the inner bank which was found to consist entirely of hard-packed powdery chalk rising some 2 ft. above the present surface of the natural chalk. This material, described by Dr. Stone as compo,* is now recognised as the ancient land surface pro- y > a rh yao \PP & ag > rife oc 3 se aeneCe NUS OU OUD y,, Mfc 7 RariTTT / z < \< ~ ~ i — ~— {= = — = fete | = E ~ i / / ue i rT ! 3, feet. Oita: Sone 82 ____ Modern cart tak = ee eh an ~ eal ms 77) ALbbag re ae “dun, Addb dad WALD ae La Oy, ier, pg eS LOVES erat yy rpry gy TTT TITTY IT rrapey yg MTR Aor cutting | Fy E ng LD H EO GE STONEHENCE CURSUS (WEST) Fig. 1 Plan of site 372 tected from erosion by the now-vanished bank some 20 ft. wide.® Similarly, the slight rise noticed beyond the ditch was also found to consist of compo and so to represent the remains of an outer bank at this end of the Cursus, separated from the ditch by a berm 6 ft. 6 in. wide. South Side The section across ditch and bank (fig. 2) revealed a shallow flat-bottomed ditch, 3 ft. 3 in. deep, 3 ft. 9 in. wide at base, with a primary filling of clean, coarse chalk rubble and an upper filling of dark reddish brown soil (brownearth) in which unworked flint flakes were found. The bank, indicated as elsewhere solely by the compo rising above the present level of the chalk, appears to have been about 15 ft. wide and was set back 5 ft. from the edge of the ditch with a heavily weathered berm. Pockets of soil which penetrated the compo both here and in other cuttings to a depth of several inches should no doubt be seen as solution pockets, though one or two particularly pronounced wedges at the outer edge of the bank were regular enough for stake holes. The amount of erosion at this point of junction between bank and berm would result in only a small portion of the holes surviving—insufficient to provide convincing evidence of timber revetment. The chalk layer lying partly over the ditch and continuing outside it was due to recent bulldozing. North Side All the cuttings (fig. 1) laid down on this side in an attempt to pick up the line of the ditch revealed a ditch of similar dimensions to that on the south: 3 ft. 9 in. deep, 3 ft. 9 in. wide at base—the slightly increased depth from modern turf being due to levelling in this part of the field. The silting differed, however, in the presence of a fine grey silt similar to that found at the western end lying between the primary silt of clean chalk rubble and the upper filling of brownearth (fig. 2). As on the south, the bank was found to be set back some 5 ft. from the ditch. The total distance between the north and south ditches (measured from centres) is 280 ft. at the widest part—between Cuttings I and I[b—after which point they taper towards the western end. It proved impossible to explore fully the corners of the Cursus to establish the point of transition between deep and shallow ditches, partly owing to lack of time and partly owing to the nature of the site; the southern corner was largely obscured by a dump of recent material and at the same time cut by a farm track which was in constant use, making excavation of the area difficult. The northern corner was partially explored (Cutting III) and here the deep ditch was found to curve round to the north; by Cutting II it had narrowed, indicating that the transition lies between these two cuttings. The possibility of a causeway at this juncture cannot be ruled out (surface indications were useless owing to the overburden of bulldozed material, which also interfered with the Megger readings in this area) and it is to be hoped that future excavation may one day clarify this point. THE FINDS Apart from numerous flint flakes and cores from all ditch sections no finds were made from the Cursus excavation. The flints consisted of primary flakes only (some bearing slight retouch), and no finished implements were found. On the floor of the ditch at the west end (Cutting V) part of a well defined working floor was discovered. A further concentration of flakes and spalls was found on the inner edge of the ditch in the grey silt Jayer in Cutting III, while random flakes were found in all the layers of these deep ditch sections. In the shallow ditches on the north and south the bulk of the flint flakes came from the upper brownearth filling, very few being found in the primary silt.’ DISCUSSION While the present excavations have done little to enable a firmer date to be fixed for this enigmatic earthwork, they add to our knowledge of its structure and at the same time raise some interesting 373 OTT ONLLNI A SUN) «SUSIN = =f SI }98J Qe PapUa)Xa UO/}IaS jaa Pa eae ope eee a eee aer on ar A+Ye} SV DrOewettia wea Pao ca ee = : : Peart ee Oo ee er er a a pre oe a - eS = + ’ , Sea tet + te i". APRESS At AS] oft) Xe ROSDSSO ISR TOP Or ener SS RPGTETEN rer ra gree: ee Hea oh oii Ba Raa be pe aetna COdWO I) HTVHI 0ILIVIWOD fA FIG H7IVHI NvI79 SHAMNL NIT1WI HLIM LTS 47VHO EB LUS H1VHI Lovdwoo E3 ius A349 IN MM SINITZ HLIM 7110S NMOYP FI¥_d fF « SVAd GIlYOs FE] TOS HLIM FTGENY N7IvHO [= (JENL OFNG) WOS IWNH Nava ZA SVJd GIISG PHTVHD HLIM TOS Fd FE] WOSd0l P 3uNL Wh punouws ae 3fpa YO0)4 BulyJOM TILELL, TLL Lita? Z ONLLNI u/DUp PIals I 9NLLNI (.,00W03.,) YNVE YIONN Y7VHI CFL WWO FIGENY HIV NvI79 EE HOLIO Ni J8NL JO S77¥5 Bl LS H1WHO LovaWwoo EE Svad 0Flu0, C4) 8 vgho. SNE T10S HLIM FTGGNY 7VHI El SIMTJ HLIM 70S NMoxg © Sd/HI MTVHI HLIM TI0S HSIAIY9 FE] (44M PalINq) 7I0S JINNH YYva FZ WOSdol & JUNL tH 374 problems, notably (i) the purpose and function of the deep ditch at the west end, (ii) the cause of the fine grey silt in the deep ditch and the north ditch, (iii) the curious character of the compo on the site as a whole (see Note on Compo, p. 380). The section cut by Dr. Stone across the southern bank and ditch due east of Fargo Plantation differs in only one respect from Cutting I — the brownearth filling reached down to the floor of the ditch in the centre, with the primary chalk silt appearing only at the sides. The absence of an old land surface under the compo of the mound, encountered by Dr. Stone, has now been explained.® Since 1947, excavations have been carried out on the Cursus at Dorchester (Oxon)? and the Thorn- borough Cursus (Yorks)! but positive analogies for the deep ditch of the Stonehenge Cursus are still lacking. Excavations of the western portion of the Thornborough Cursus revealed a shallow ditch continuing round the curved end with little sign of berm between ditch and bank. The slight narrowing of the south-west end is the main point of similarity between this cursus and that at Stonehenge, though should the latter ever be found to have a causeway at the north-west corner, this would compare with the gap in the Yorkshire cursus at this point. The similarity between the deep ditch at the western end and those of Neolithic long barrows is too striking to be ignored, and indeed, when it was first revealed there was speculation as to whether a long barrow had once existed at this point of the Cursus. The extension of Cutting V a considerable distance eastwards from the inner ditch edge eliminated this possibility, and the deep ditch remains an enigma—unless it was intended to simulate the long barrow already existing at its eastern end, on which the earthwork was aligned. The coarse primary filling of the deep ditch is calculated to have accumulated in five years at the outside." Towards the end of this time some falls of turf from the sides would have taken place, giving the impression of a buried turf-line. Conditions would then have become more stabilised, but the nature of the fine grey silt is puzzling. It is possible that it represents rain-washed chalk from the bank before soil formed over it—a process which could take a millennium. On the other hand, since the silting is fairly regular, and not chiefly from the inside, the possibility of its being wind-borne seems more probable. In the light of these facts, it is suggested that there were at least two—possibly three—stages of construction of the earthwork: first, the deep ditch at the western end, with the north ditch dug at the same time or shortly after, since the grey silt occurs in it also; then at some later date, after the conditions which produced the fine grey silt had ceased, the south ditch was dug. Further- more, since the formation of the grey silt must surely imply the existence of exposed chalk, it is suggested that it represents the wind-borne dust from the large expanses of exposed chalk on the Cursus and other monuments that were being constructed in the area at the time. It has been pointed out, how- ever, that since the prevailing wind was no doubt from the south-west as it is today, this wind-borne material could have collected in the north and west ditches, where the banks are on the windward side, and not in the south where the bank is on the lee side of the ditch. In this case the south ditch need not be substantially later than the rest of the earthwork.!? DATING The original assignment by Dr. Stone of a Late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age date for the Stonehenge Cursus and similar earthworks, of which twenty-five are now known, must, in principle, remain until further knowledge of them is gained. The Thornborough Cursus* is dated on the basis of soil analysis to the Late Atlantic climatic phase, and is known to precede the henge which overlies its northern ditch. The Cursus at Dorchester (Oxon)"‘ is later than the Long Mortuary Enclosure and a circular henge with Abingdon and Ebbsfleet pottery, while in all instances where there are associations cursuses Plate II. Plate I. Ditch in Cutting IIT. General view of excavated barrow. “JSOM-YINOS Ul YOUP MOLLY Ul UONeUINYUL “TTT 21d 213 appear to be later than long barrows. In view of what is known of these monuments at the present time, Professor Atkinson has recently proposed a date in the late phase of the Windmill Hill Culture for cursuses in general, in the second half of the third millenium.’ Recent experiments to demonstrate the time taken to dig a ditch with prehistoric equipment!® enable a rough calculation to be made of the time it may have taken to build an earthwork such as the Stone- natural (?) 2 hollows es we ee orn a ’ a oval a “ N / / army {aisturbance’ a , / / Ve ‘ / i stake, ' holes s c—} —c ? 1 GPK E | ritual (?) Or, | ! \ hollow 2s. cremation pit pit dis turbance a Fig. 3 Plan of Barrow (Winterbourne Stoke G.30) 376 henge Cursus: employing 100 men, it could have been constructed in four-and-a-half months. A very much reduced period of time is obtained, however, by applying Professor Atkinson’s empirical formu- la,17 when an estimate is obtained for this Cursus of seven weeks employing 100 men, assuming a 10-hour day and a seven-day week. In either case it can now be shown that an earthwork of this magnitude could have been constructed, given the necessary labour force, in a remarkably short space of time—all the more striking when considered against the broad time-scale of prehistory, calculated in centuries rather than weeks and months, to which one is accustomed. THE BARROW The barrow (Winterbourne Stoke G. 30) was first explored by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, who reported finding burnt bones.1® At some subsequent date—before or during World War I—the mound was totally demolished. Before excavation, therefore, the site appeared as a very slight rise in the centre of a ditch, identified solely by the richer vegetation, with the suggestion of a second slight mound adjoining on the west. Apart from areas where disturbances such as slit trenches and the concrete remains of a mortar emplacement showed that the site had been used extensively by the army, the barrow was totally excavated by the quadrant method (Plate II). Mound Since none of the original mound material remained, it was not possible to ascertain its structural composition. Like the Cursus bank, the slight rise within the area surrounded by the ditch was due to the proud land surface formerly protected by the mound. Recent ploughing had removed what small (projected) ao T SMS NS Nsta Ua time moins al = J=N=V=HSt2NO SSNs sl SU sila ls i ry f4 turf and topsoil (and buried turf) fq chalk rubble with soil il compact chalk on mound £4) brownearth with flints & sherds f—} dark soil wit) chalk rubble F) “dried peas” 3 clean chalk silt ditch £3 chalk rubble charcoal pit ES. dark soil with chalk (disturbed) feet Fig. 4 Barrow; cross-section A-B, Ditch sections d-D, C-c. 377 amount of turf there may have been and only a few inches of chalky plough soil existed on the surface of the rotted natural chalk. A pronounced ridge of chalk indicated the outer edge of the mound in several places with a berm between it and the ditch—thus establishing the site as a bell barrow with a mound approximately 43 ft. in diameter. A central cremation pit (diameter 1 ft. 9 in., depth 1 ft. 4 in.) roughly circular but irregular on the west, showed pink and grey discoloration from fire on its upper edge only, the sides and floor being clean chalk with no sign of burning. The filling was dark humic soil, disturbed in its upper levels by ploughing, but with a small undisturbed heap of ash and burnt bone at the base.!° Immediately west of the cremation pit were two pairs of stake holes varying between 8 and 12 in. in depth from the present surface of the chalk. These were set in a rectangle, the long sides measuring 3 ft. 3 in., the short sides 1 ft. Three of these stake holes contained the usual dark earthy fill, but one nearest the cremation pit contained lighter, less humic soil, suggesting that the stake was withdrawn. It was not possible to establish with certainty the position of Colt Hoare’s pit, owing to the absence of good sections, but there were indications that it was slightly north and north-east of centre, just missing the cremation pit. The natural chalk all over the central area was found to be very pitted and uneven, with a soft “compo-like ’ texture similar to that under the Cursus bank. Stripping it down by 2-3 ins. failed to reveal anything more than a quantity of flint bedded into the chalk. Since this would have been well down in the natural chalk at the time of barrow building, it was considered a natural feature.2° An oval pit (1 ft. 6 in. by | ft., depth 1 ft.) west of the central area was devoid of finds and is thought to be a natural feature, though its position and relative regularity cannot entirely rule out the possibility of its being a ‘ ritual’ pit of some kind. Berm The area between the inner ditch edge and the chalk ridge indicating the limit of the mound varied between 4 and 6 ft. in width, sloped steeply, particularly on the south, and was heavily weathered. In the north-east was found a large oval hollow, 6 ft. by 9 ft. across, averaging 2 ft. in depth. The filling consisted mainly of very compacted creamy chalk, often harder than the natural bedrock. Between this filling and the sides and floor of the hollow a lining of darker greyish mould (due to earthworm activity) was noted.*! On sectioning this feature an area of darker soil on the east side nearest the ditch was found to contain charcoal and ash and some burnt flints, and fragments of orange-stained chalk.?? The floor of the hollow showed no sign of burning, so the ash must have been deposited when cool. A softness in the chalk on the outer edge of the ditch opposing this hollow suggested that the feature continued across the ditch, but this proved not to be so: the east end of the hollow had been dug away when the ditch was cut; the ditch floor was lower than the floor of the hollow and the undisturbed ditch section showed primary silting on the outer side of the ditch only, thus indicating that the feature antedated the ditch. Ditch A continuous flat-bottomed ditch, | ft. 6 in.—2 ft. deep and 3 ft. 6 in. wide in most places, surrounded the mound and berm. It will be seen from the plan that it was regular, with a diameter averaging 57 ft. measured from the ditch centre. No stake hole for a laying out peg was found at the geometric centre (which lies just west of the cremation pit) though one of the stakes in the rectangular setting may have served this purpose and been subsequently withdrawn (see above). The primary filling of clean, coarse chalk rubble and rain-washed silt was practically devoid of finds; the brownearth filling above, however, contained a quantity of unworked flint flakes and potsherds and one worked flake (fig. 5, 3). 378 Two parallel ruts made by a wheeled vehicle ran across the eastern part of the site, crossing the silted- up ditch on the south-east, passing over the edge of the berm and recrossing the ditch in the north-east. Where the outer track passed over the edge of the berm, the chalk had been pushed down over the ditch (see section, fig. 4) and the rut was V-shaped. In the ditch itself, compression of the brownearth of the upper ditch fill into the clean chalk rubble of the primary silt caused the tracks to show up clearly once the upper ditch filling had been removed. In the south-west sector of the ditch a skeleton of a child was found in the primary silt, lying on the left side in the crouched position, the skull intruding slightly into the darker brownearth above. (Plate III).22 Careful examination of what remained of the ditch filling around the burial failed to reveal any indication of a grave pit, but since the ditch had already been excavated to the top of the primary silt before the discovery, the possibility of its being a later, intrusive burial cannot be entirely ruled out. A large phallic-shaped flint nodule was found near the skull, under and around which was a concentration of flints. A number of large flints were also noted at the top of the primary silt in this portion of the ditch, before the discovery of the burial, and are assumed to be connected with it—a protective covering for the corpse. A barbed and tanged arrowhead (fig. 5, 1) was found in the area, but its association with the burial could not be established. The slight second mound on the west was found to consist of chalk and soil overlying the ditch and is interpreted as the dumped material from the barrow mound when the latter was demolished. THE FINDS Pottery Of the thirty-odd sherds recovered from the upper ditch silt, less than half are thought to belong to the Bronze Age. Of these, two base sherds and one fragment of collar are of Middle Bronze Age cinerary urn type, while three sherds with linear decoration may belong to the Late Bronze Age Globu- lar Urn class. Owing to the lack of dateable contexts and their fragmentary nature, none of these sherds are illustrated. Other sherds from the ditch are of Iron Age and Romano-British type. Flint (artifacts) (fig. 5) 1. Tanged and barbed arrowhead, with sharp slightly convex sides; tip of one tang broken. Finely made, in unpatinated translucent grey flint. Found near inhumation. 2. Double side-scraper made on thick flake, retaining cortex down median line, patinated white. Found on the old land surface in the south-east sector of mound. 3. Asymetric point with oblique platform, made on thick flake, trimmed steeply down straight side, patinated white. From upper ditch filling in the south-west. DISCUSSION Little information could be obtained as to the original make-up of the mound, or the nature and date of its contents. It has been noted that it belonged to the bell-barrow class, with a rather narrow berm. Judging from the section through part of the adjacent mound lying over the barrow ditch on the west side, the original barrow would have contained a good deal of chalk. The rectangular stake setting is too small to be considered the remains of a true mortuary house, but it seems likely that it supported some kind of temporary shelter, presumably for the cremated bones in their container before burial. The burning on the upper edge only of the cremation pit could be explained by a fire being lit in a shallow pit which was then deepened to receive the cremation, leaving only the upper portion with the characteristic pinkish-red colour due to fire. The compact, dome- shaped deposit of ash and bone strongly suggests that this was contained in some sort of organic material which has since perished. Colt Hoare’s mention of burnt bones in this barrow, together with 379 the probable position of his pit and the undisturbed nature of the deposit in the cremation pit, indicate the presence of at least two deposits of ash and bone, though this need not, of course, imply more than one individual (see Appendix A). The oval hollow on the berm in the north-east has been compared with the enigmatic ‘ tree-’ or ‘ bush-holes ’ so frequently encountered on chalk sites, and considered to be of natural origin. In the writer’s opinion, however, this particular feature is more likely to be man-made in view of its regular shape and the deposit of ash and charcoal at the base. While the presence of dark, ashy organic matter is known to exist in places well down in the natural chalk,”4 the localised nature of this material makes it likely that it represents a deliberate deposit and the coniferous charcoal supports this (see Appendix C (b) (1)). Since the hollow is a pre-barrow feature, it could belong to a phase of activity in the area connected with Cursus building. The large quantity of flint flakes recovered from the upper ditch silt testify to considerable flint knapping in the area. It is interesting to note that, in contrast to the deep ditch at the west end of the Cursus, struck flints occurred only in the upper silt of the barrow ditch. This would suggest that flint knapping was mostly performed during the building of the Cursus, some of the debris of these work- shops becoming incorporated in the slow silting of the barrow ditch at a later date. A detailed analysis of all the material from the site, and comparison with other assemblages will, it is hoped, eventually throw some light on this problem. ty) 1 2 3 by 5 (NS. Fig. 5 1. Tanged and Barbed Arrowhead. Die Double Side Scraper. 3: Asymmetric point. 380 DATING In the absence of satisfactory dating evidence it can only be stated that a central cremation pit under a bell barrow with a continuous regular ditch would place the site somewhere within the Wessex Culture. The crouched burial from the ditch and the barbed and tanged arrowhead need not, in the light of present knowledge, be out of place in these contexts, even if they do suggest the survival of earlier Beaker traditions. Since the great Wessex barrows in the area all carefully avoid the precincts of the Cursus, the position of this barrow in the centre of the western end cannot have been fortuitous. The other barrow so placed, just to the east in Fargo Plantation, is known to have contained Beaker burials.2° These are, as pointed out by Dr. Stone, the only two barrows within the Cursus enclosure, and it seems likely that they were built within a fairly short time of each other—the great group of Wessex barrows being lined up outside, but roughly parallel to the southern bank and ditch of the Cursus. An early date within the Wessex culture is therefore suggested for this barrow. APPENDIX A: NOTE ON ‘ COMPO’ The distribution of the powdery compact chalk described as compo presented a problem when excavating the Cursus bank. Only its rise above the surrounding land surface could be used to define the limits of the bank, since it was not solely restricted to the area of the bank or other protected surface (such as under the barrow mound) as had previously been thought. In Cutting I it continued inward to the end of the cutting, well beyond the estimated limit of the bank. An extension 46 ft. long eastward from the end of Cutting V was unsuccessful in finding the limit of the compo in this direction, although a total distance of some 82 ft. from the berm was uncovered. This extension cutting was excavated to an arbitrary depth of between | ft. 3 in. and 1 ft. 6 in., the dusty yellow compo persisting throughout. But, on the outside of the barrow ditch, and on the outside of all Cursus ditch sections, apart from Cutting V where an outer bank exists, good hard tabular chalk was found. While admitting that the problem is more geological than archaeological, it is interesting to speculate whether some special activity may have caused this particular effect on the chalk both here and on other sites where this phenomenon has been observed. It implies an artificially produced condition, possibly connected with pressure, which has not been eradicated by subsequent erosion, and lends more support to the various theories concerning dances, races and other linear activities within the enclosure which have been propounded from William Stukeley’s day onwards. APPENDIX B: CURSUS DITCH—GREY SILT Results of work on the Cursus ditch deposits (Cutting III, Cutting IIc), designed to identify any concentration of wind-sorted sediments, were inconclusive. The samples contained only up to 7% of acid-insolubles—nothing like the 42% found in the Nutbane Long Barrow ditch-silt. This does not prevent the preponderantly calcareous grains from having been wind-deposited, but owing to the secondary calcification the use of dilute acid was necessary to disintegrate the sample and all calcareous grains were dissolved also. The silica grains remaining after acid-treatment were overwhelmingly of the expected silt-grade, but their proportional quantity was too small for them to represent the sediments as a whole. I. W. CoRNWALL, Institute of Archaeology, London. APPENDIX C: BONE, CHARCOAL AND SOIL SAMPLES (a) Central Cremation from Barrow: In view of the small amount of cremated fragments preserved, amounting to no more than 2 oz. of crumbs, not much can be said. The few determinable charcoal fragments were of oak (see below). Fragments of skull, fibula and phalanges were recognised, the head of a radius and a single tooth- 381 root, so that it is likely that an entire body was originally present, the preserved remains representing only a part of the resulting ashes. The tooth-root was closed at its extremity, suggesting an adult subject, but nothing indicative of sex could be recovered. (b) Two samples from oval hollow on berm in north-east: (1) Ashy soil. The material is mainly the crumbly grey-black rendsina soil normal on Chalk. It is full of rootlets and old root-channels lined with a secondary deposit of crystalline calcium carbonate. Apart from stray chalk lumps and flints, there is a large quantity of wood-charcoal, also encrusted and permeated by secondary carbonate, all apparently of sizeable sticks of a single coniferous species (Pinus). The burning of this clearly did not take place in situ, for there is no reddening or other evidence of heating in the associated soil-material, though the large amount of secondary carbonate might well be derived from wood-ashes dumped with their unconsumed charcoal. No bone fragments were found, so that the ash concerned is unlikely to have been from the fire of the central cremation, unless special care had been taken to segregate the bones. The incompleteness of the cremation does not suggest that such care was shown in this case; moreover, the cremation-wood having been proved to include oak, no oak was found here, despite a careful search and examination of several dozen fragments of charcoal. (2) Orange-stained material. This orange-coloured earthy material is limonite—hydrated ferric oxide—possibly formed by the decay under weathering of marcasite, nodules of which are not un- common in the chalk. It is probably quite natural in origin. A test for sulphate in the specimen was negative. A positive test would have strengthened the theory of its formation from marcasite. The negative was inconclusive, since calcium sulphate (the product of the breakdown of marcasite in chalk) is soluble enough to be completely leached out by percolation within a few years, in our climate. I. W. CORNWALL, Jnstitute of Archaeology, London. APPENDIX D—SKELETAL REMAINS FROM STONEHENGE CURSUS WEST By D. R. BROTHWELL and ROSEMARY Powers, Sub-Department of Anthropology, British Museum (Natural History) The bones are those of a nearly complete skeleton. Considering the degree of epiphyseal development and the state of dental development and eruption the childs age was about 7-+-1 year. The sex of the child could not be determined with any degree of certainty. The teeth were all in good condition and no caries cavities were present. The crowns of a number of teeth (incisors and permanent molars) displayed slight macroscopic irregularity indicative of mild enamel hypoplasia. Calculus deposits were surprisingly well developed on some of the milk teeth. The bones were all in a very good state of preservation. The skull has been reconstructed with only a little post-mortem deformity. The individual had a noticeably long head and narrow face, and although the proportions would have been modified during the later growth period, the adult form would have been generally similar. Although craniometric details of immature specimens are at present of no immediate comparative value, the following may be placed on record. Maximum length aa Sah .. (L) = 181 mm. Maximum breadth _... a .. (BY) = 131 mm. Minimum frontal breadth ... .. (B’) = 88 mm. Basi-nasal length ee ae .. (LB) = 102? mm. Basi-bregmatic height mie .. (H’) — 138 mm. Facial height ... te oe ws (GH) = 56 mm, Facial breadth... on ee (GB) = 76 7 mm: 382 Auditory and oral tori were absent. Usura orbitae was present to a medium degree on the superior (frontal) aspects of the orbits. The generally good state of the post-cranial skeleton enabled the bones to be assembled into their approximate positions in life, and from this a total stature of 3 ft. 7 in. was estimated. Anomalies were noted in two areas of the post-cranial skeleton. Both femora displayed at their necks a circular area of medium osteoporosis (referred to by some as Usura P. Lauring). The vertebral column in the lower lumbar and sacral regions displays a noticeable developmental defect and asymmetry. Of the lumbars, numbers II and V show abnormal neural arches. In the case of I the marked asymmetry appears to have resulted from the stunted growth of the left half of the neural arch. In contrast, the right half of the neural arch of V appears to be very slightly underdeveloped. Unfortunately, fracturing and loss of bone obscures some of the sacral arch details, but it seems probable that the arch was incompletely formed in each of the five sacral segments, the left side of the arch being again more retarded in development. 1 For full description of the earth work and previous excavation, see J. F. S. Stone in Arch. J. civ, 1947: ‘ The Stonehenge Cursus and its affinities.’ 2 The writer is indebted to the Ministry of Works Ancient Monuments Inspectorate and to numerous specialists, colleagues and students for their help and advice both during and after the excavation—in particular to Dr. I. Cornwall for reporting on the soils and cremation, and to Mr. Roger Whitehouse for taking the photographs. 3 This plan, drawn up by Mr. Guy Underwood, was loaned by the farmer, Mr. T. O’Neal, to whom the writer is indebted for this and much practical help and co-operation during the excavation. *R. J.C. Atkinson, Antiquity xxxi, 1957. 5 J. F.S. Stone, op. cit. For lack of a better one, this term is retained. ®°R. J. C. Atkinson, op. cit. ? Analysis of all the flint material from the Cursus is being carried out and will be published in a comparative study with material from other sites. ®R. J.C. Atkinson, op. cit. ®R. J. C. Atkinson, Excavations at Dorchester (Oxon) Vol. 1. 10 FR. de M. Vatcher, York Arch. J. clviii, 1960. In view of the results so far obtained from the experimental earthwork on Overton Down (Wilts). 12 The writer is grateful to Professor Atkinson for this and other comments made on reading the draft text. 13 F. de M. Vatcher, op. cit. 14R. J. C. Atkinson, op. cit. 15* Cursuses and Long Mortuary Enclosures ’— paper delivered to The Prehistoric Society, London Conference, April, 1962. 16 Ashbee & Cornwall. Ant. xxxv, 1961—An Experiment in Field Archaeology ’. 17 Atkinson, Ant. xxxv (1961), 295. 18 Ancient Wilts., I, 165: Barrow 44. 19 See Appendix C (a). 20 The condition of the chalk in this area of the barrow floor is thought to be due to accelerated chemical erosion caused by rain percolating more easily through the loose filling of Colt Hoare’s pit. 21 R. J. C. Atkinson, op. cit., p. 225. 22 See Appendix C (b). °3 For report on skeleton, see Appendix D. 24 Barrows excavated by the writer in 1961 on Earls Farm Down (Amesbury) produced several examples, due to physio-chemical phenomena. 25 Ancient Wilts, 1, Barrow Amesbury, 43. 383 ANNE, LADY BEAUCHAMP’S INVENTORY AT EDINGTON, WILTSHIRE, 1665 The document printed here was acquired by the Wiltshire County Record Office in February, 1958, as a gift from a London solicitor through the British Records Association, and is published by permis- sion of the County Records Committee. The transcript was made by Miss T. E. Vernon for Miss D. U. Seth Smith and the late Miss I. M. Braidwood and comprises ‘ AN INVENTORY INDENTED OF ALL THE GOODS, CHATTELLS Plate, Household Stuffe, Implements in the Household of the RIGHT HONOURABLE ANNE, LADY BEAUCHAMP, late of EDINGTON in the County of WILTS, widow, deceased, the Relict of EDWARD LEWIS, late of EDINGTON aforesaid, KNIGHT, deceased.’ It was appraised on | February, 1665-6, shortly after the lady’s death, by John Yerbury, John Ristell, and William Harris. The Inventory consists of a parchment roll, indented at the top, of a width of 5 in. and a length of approximately 40 ft. It is made up of eighteen parchment sheets averaging 2 ft. 3 in. each, neatly stitched together. The roll is in fair condition except the right hand margin at the beginning which has damp marks of old origin. These occur occasionally throughout the roll, but it is not until the last part of the Inventory that portions are extremely difficult to read, and the last page is a complete blank. The appraisers were men experienced at dealing with the goods and chattels of a large household and detail is reduced to a minimum, but it is tantalizing to be given no description of the many Pictures nor of the Imagery on the Arras Hangings. The handwriting is very good, but the flourishing capital letters tend to get mixed up with the lines above and below. It is unfortunately not possible to make a statement on the financial side of the inventory, for the last page being obliterated, the sum total is missing, and a number of other figures, too, on other pages by reason of damp stains in the right hand margin. However, many figures are perfectly clear and the original Roman is given with the modern rendering in square brackets. It is obvious that the appraisers are keeping the figures low, perhaps even lower than the usual valuations for probate. ANNE, LADY BEAUCHAMP. She was born a Sackville of Knole in Kent and of Great Dorset House, London, the second surviving daughter of Robert Sackville, 2nd Earl of Dorset (1561-1609) and his first wife, Lady Margaret Howard (1561-1591). Lady Anne’s paternal grandfather was Thomas Sackville, Ist Earl of Dorset, Poet, Statesman, Courtier, Lord High Treasurer of England to Elizabeth I. Her maternal grandfather was Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, involved in plots concerning Mary Queen of Scots, and beheaded in 1572 for high treason. Lady Anne Beauchamp’s brothers Richard and Edward Sackville were respectively the 3rd and 4th Earls of Dorset, the former married the celebrated Lady Anne Clifford, daughter of George, Earl of Cumberland, but only two daughters lived to grow up, Margaret and Isabella. Lady Anne Clifford seems to have been very fond of her sister-in-law, and several times mentions ‘ my sister Beauchamp ’ in her diary. The 2nd Earl of Dorset died on 27 February, 1609, and in his will stated that ‘ my daughter Lady Anne Sackville ’ was to have £3,000 at the age of 21, also an annuity of 100 marks a year until she is 21 or is married. Lady Anne was married on 21 June in the same year to her first husband, Sir Edward Seymour, Lord Beauchamp, born 1586, the grandson of the Earl of Hertford and his first wife Lady Katherine Grey. He died in 1618 and the last of their several children died soon after. Lady Anne Clifford records in her diary . . . ‘ there was an end of the issue of that marriage which was concluded soon after mine.’ Lady Anne Beauchamp’s elder sister was Cecily Sackville who had married Sir Henry Compton of Brambletye. ‘ My sister Compton ’ is also mentioned in Lady Anne Clifford’s diary and some hints of her differences with her husband. On 7 October, 1622, Anne Lady Beauchamp (the style she retained) married Sir Edward Lewis, Kt., K 384 who came from a Welsh family. Their monument is in the choir of Edington Priory Church on the south side of the chancel, to which it was removed from its original position against the south wall of the Sanctuary where it hid the sedilia. Edington House or Priory House belonged to the Paulett family, Earls of Winchester and was leased from them. MRS. TREGONWELL. A daughter of Anne, Lady Beauchamp and Sir Edward Lewis who married John Tregonwell of Dorset, son of Thomas Tregonwell. They had one son and three daughters. Lady Anne’s will leaves her jewels to Anne Tregonwell and the remainder of £600 owing from her brother William, who died in 1661. LADY ISABELLA. Possibly the Lady Isabel Sackville, niece of Anne Lady Beauchamp, and daughter of Richard, 3rd Earl of Dorset (Lady Anne’s brother) and his wife Lady Anne Clifford. She was born in 1622, married 5 July, 1647, James Compton, 3rd Earl of Northampton and died in 1661 having had three sons and two daughters. Only the youngest daughter, Lady Aleatha Compton survived and married Edward Hungerford, only son of Sir Edward Hungerford, the Spendthrift who squandered the Hungerford estates. Lady Aleatha’s husband was still a minor when he died in 1681 and they are buried in the vault of Farleigh Castle chapel. MR. LEWIS. This is probably Richard Lewis, Lady Anne Beauchamp’s third son, to whom she made over the lease of Edington House before her death. MRS. COMPTON. Probably a minor member of the Northampton family. MRS. BAYLEY. The entry of her burial is in Edington Priory register, she was a servant of Mrs. Lewis. MR. MICHEL, J.P., and his son. Probably members of the Michel family of Seend and Lacock. JOHN HOOPER. He was overseer of the poor in Edington in 1668. A Ralph Hooper had South Down Farm in 1686 and was a churchwarden. MRS. THISTLETHWAITE. Gabriel Thistlethwaite was Curate of Edington in 1662. A Wiltshire family of this name had two members in Parliament in the 17th century. AN INVENTORY indented of IN THE HALL all the Goods Chattells P[late and] Imprimis three Table Household stuffe Impleme[nts in the] Household of the Right Honourable Anne, Lady Beauchamp late of Edington in the County of Wilts Widow deceased the Relic of Sr: Edward Lewis late of Edington aforesd: Knight deceased remaining in the mansio[n] house of the said Lady Beauchamp Situate in Edington aforesaid and in other Closes thereunto belonging, taken and praised by John Yerbury John Ristell and William Harris Gentlemen the first day of ffebruary in the Seaventeenth yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the secoad by the Grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the ffaith &c. Annoque Dm. 1665 Bords, Three fformes twelve Joyned Stooles one great Bible and Deske, one Comon Prayer Booke one Iron Grate, two Iron Barres, one fire Shovell and Tongs, one Sifter one fire forke, one Iron li Racke, one payre of Snuffers, one Payre of Bellowes, three Brasses Sconces one baskett five Turkyworke Cushions, twenty Musketts and Cullivers, Tenne Pikes, fower headpeeces, six Corsletts, Eighteen Rests for Musketts and six Swords IN THE GREAT DINEING ROOM Item ffive old Peeces of Arras Hangings of Ima= gery worke two Tables Eight Turky worke Carpetts Six green Carpetts. Nine= teen Turky worke Chayrs high and Low ffoure ffrench Green Cotton Window Curtaines Two Pictures one Skreen one great lookeing Glasse li one payre of Brasse 1 [£50] Andirons one Brasse fyre shovell and Tongs one paire of Dogs with Brasse heads one fire= shovell and Tongs with five brasses one brasse ffender one payre of bellows and one payre of Iron Snuffers IN THE CHAPPELL AND PASSAGE Item one Round Table with a Turky worke Carpett seaven Pictures fower purple Velvett Cushions fower Guilt Leather high s Chaires and one Turkyworke xl Lowe Stoole one round Table five high Turkyworke Chaires and five Pictures IN THE GREAT PARLOUR Item Six peeces of Arras Hangings of Imagery worke Eighteen Turkyworke Chayrs high and Low, one Table board two Livery Cupboards three Turkyworke Carpetts three Leather Carpetts foure stripte Window Curtains six Pictures foure Turky= li worke Cushions, one payre 1 [£50] of brasse andirons, one paire of brasse Creepers with brasse tops, one fire= shovell and Tongs with Brasses, one paire of Bellows, one p[aire] of Snuffers one Skreen and one Stiffe Brush [40s.] IN MY LADYES BEDCHAMBER Item One Standing Bedsted Downe bed and downe Boulster, three Blankets one sky colour Quilt w:th the furniture thereto belonging, three peeces of Arras Hangings, one Chaire three stooles, one table bord, four Carpetts, two window Curtaines, two window cloths, two Turkyworke Cushions and sky colour li Guilt Shelfe for books 1 [£50] two Cabbinetts, twelve Pictures, one Pallet bedsted & featherbed and Bolster, three blanketts a Rugge and Sasenett quilt, one velvett nighte= box and Cushionett of the same, one fire shovell & Tongs, a Skreen, one paire of Andirons, one paire of bellows & One Iron Chest 2: 385 —_——_—_—_—_—_—_—+_—_—_—— [Stitching of 2ft. 3 in. 3: by 5 in. parchment IN THE WITHDRAWING ROOME Item ffve peeces of Arras Hangings of Imagery worke Seaven Velvett Chaires, Eight Stooles and a wickett of the same, one velvett Couch, one Long velvett Cushion, and a Little Cushion of the same, one Table= board, one velvett Carpett one Pertian Carpett two li Turky worke Window Carpetts x] with false Greene Carpetts to them belonging one Turkyworke foote Carpett nine Pictures, one paire of brasse Andirons with Creepers, one fireshovell & Tongs, one paire of Bellows, one paire of Snuffers & a Skreene IN MRS. COCKETTS CHAMBER Item one standing bedsted one ffetherbed and Bolster, two Pillows, three Blanketts, one Rugge with the ffurniture thereto belonging, three window Curtaines, one li little Table with a lij green Carpett, one wicker Chaire, thre Trunkes two Greene Carpetts, one Cole Baskett, and one paire of Iron Doggs IN THE GREENE CHAMBER Item ffive peeces of Arras Hangings of Imagery worke, one High bedsted, downebed and Bolster, one yellow Sassnett quilt, with the furniture of the sd: Bed, being all Green Velvett with Silver ffringe, one Great Chaire, ffower Stooles with a Crickett, all of Green velvett, one Low Chaire of the same, one Green Cloth Stoole, one Turkyworke foote sheet] [£40] [£3] 386 Carpett, three Turkyworke Carpetts for the windows with false Carpetts to them belonging, six Cloth window Curtains, one Green Shelfe Two Green Guilt Stands, three Cabinetts, one Tortershell box one Cupboard with Drawers, one Presse three little Trunks, one looking Glasse, one little Table with two Green Carpets, one Skreen, one paire of Great Brasse Andirons, with a paire of Creepers one fire shovell and Tongs and one Cupboard of Plate ] ce IN THE PARLOUR CHAMBER & CLOSETT Item ffive old Peeces of Arras Hangings fforest worke, one Standing Bedsted, one Sasenett Quilt, one Sweettbage, one Downe Bed and Bolster, two Downe Pillows, three Blanketts, one Rugge with a false Cotton cover to the bed, with the ffurniture therunto Belonging, two Red Carpetts ffringed, one Indian Carpett, and two ffalse Carpetts, a peece of Green Taffety, ffoure Red Cloth Window Curtaines ffoure Window Cloths, one Turkyworke ffoott Carpett one Arras worke Cushion one square Table and Livery Cupboard, two high Chaires, fower Stools one ffootstoole, with theire Coverings one paire of brasse Andirons, a Brasse ffender a paire of Doggs, with Brasse heads, a Brasse ffiire shovell & Tongs a paire of Bellows one fireshovell and Tongs with five brasses one warming pan two false Leather Carpetts, two Stands, a little Table covered with Red Bayes, one Lookeing Glasse, one Skreene, one Close Stoole two panns, three Chamber potts and a Bason. li XXXV [£35] IN THE INWARD PARLOUR CHAMBER Item ffower old Peeces of Arras Hangings [of] Imagery worke, one High Bedsted and Pallet Bedsted, two ffeather beds, and two bolesters, two ffeather Pillows, a Holland Quilt six Blankettsx two Red Ruggs with the ffurniture thereunto belonging, one square Table one Turky =worke Carpett with a false Bayes Carpett one High Chaire, two High Stooles cover’d with Bayes, three Red Cloth window Curtaines, one Turky= worke Cushion, and one Cole Baskett IN THE LITTLE PARLOUR Army digging apparently cut into pits several feet deep within the fortifications. From these pits came a number of sherds, only three of which are ornamented, one with small stamped circles, the other two with deep punch marks, which in one case are arranged in a double row on each side of a lightly impressed wavy line ‘ of Iron Age B type’; the remainder includes well polished black-coated M 400 sherds and a few fragments of haematite ware, characteristic of the ‘A’ cultural scene. Belgic pottery appears to be absent and there are no Roman finds from the site, although Romano-British pottery was found lying on the surface not far outside the rampart. The eleven types of object described above could show individually a range of date from Iron Age A to the Roman period. A correlation of their possible datings, however, reveals that while only two could be Iron Age A, eight C and seven Roman, all would be quite at home in an Iron Age B context, and the life of two is restricted to B. This evidence, taken in conjunction with the form of hill-fort fortification and the pottery discovered within the ramparts, favours a date for the group within the range of Hawkes’ First or Second Southern B culture (i.e. roughly between 200 and 50 B.c.). The presence of an anvil and the considerable duplication of sickle and awl favour interpretation of the material as a blacksmith’s hoard. The predominance of tools as opposed to weapons and ornaments implies a society devoted less to the pursuit of war than was its North Eastern counterpart. In fact, the sickles may have been wielded by people of basically Iron Age A stock. It is clear that the Iron Age A population in South Western Britain formed the bulk of the peasant community until Roman times and beyond, upon whom successive waves of invaders established overlordship. Piggott®* has correlated the distributions of grain-storage pits, field systems and other material evidence for cereal production in Iron Age A times; the distribution of socketed sickles corresponds well with this pattern and may be advanced as a further piece of evidence for the continuation of the agrarian tradition until the arrival of the Romans. We should like to express our gratitude to Mr. E. G. H. Kempson, President of the Society, for ready permission and facilities to examine and draw the objects discussed in this paper. 15 Pliny, Hist. Nat. XVII, 67. 1 Marlborough College Nat. Hist. Soc., Jan—June, 1875, 4. 2 V.C.H., Wilts. (1957), vol. 1, pt. 1:94. 3 For list see Bulleid & Gray (1917) Glastonbury Lake Village, vol. IL: 364. Additions to this list are included in Appendix A. 4K. Wagner (1943) Nordtiroler Urnenfelder: Plate 37, 14, 20. 5 Déchelette (1927) Manuel D’ Archéologie, vol. II: 282, fig. 314. ® Déchelette (1927) Manuel D’ Archéologie, vol. IV: 866, fig. 596, 3 and 4. ? Déchelette, op. cit., vol. TV: 430, fig. 390, 24; 869, fig. 599; 868, fig. 598, 1-3 ® No distinction has been attempted between sickles and bill-hooks. In Appendix B an attempt has been made to separate socketed from tanged examples in that list published by Bulleid & Gray (1917), vol. H: 367-8. A few additions have been made. ® Déchelette, op. cit., vol. IV: 889, fig. 614, 1. Also Arch xlvi, 438-9; and two in Rouen Museum. 1° Déchelette, op. cit., vol. IV: 889, fig. 614, 2. 11 Appendix C is based upon Bulleid & Gray (1917), vol. Il: 367-8. For a discussion of the type see Fox (1946) A Find of the Early Iron Age from Llyn Cerrig Bach, Anglesey: 86. 2 Bulleid & Gray (1917), vol. II: plate lx, 142. 13 Fontes Archeologici Posnaniensis (1953), vol. IV: 139, fig. 51, 10. 14 Déchelette, op. cit., vol. IV: 888, fig. 613, 4 and 6. ae Lake Dwellings of Switzerland, plate cxxiii, g. 19. 16 Bulleid & Gray (1917), vol. II: plate lxi, 130. 17 In passing, one may note the suprising number of split-socketed examples from Iron Age sites; this feature was formerly regarded as indicative of Dark Age and Anglo-Saxon spearheads. 18 Arch. J. XCIII (1936), 57-100. 19 Arch. J. XCV (1939), 117, fig. 8, 1-6. 20 Arch. LXII, pt. 2, 422, plate Ixi, 5. 21 Arch. LXVI, pt. 2, plate xxiv, opp. p. 491, 3. 22 Devizes Mus. Cat., vol. Il, plate Ixxvii, 6. 23 Fox (1945), Liyn Cerrig Interim Report, plate v. ** Fox (1958), Pattern & Purpose; a Survey of Ear ly Celtic Art in Britain, plate 39a. *> Bulleid & Gray (1953), Meare Lake Village, vol. U, 235, 134 and I 119. 26 Rotherley (Pitt Rivers Excavations, vol. II, plate cvi, 10) and Traprain, E. Lothian (Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. LXXXIX (1955-6), 204). 27 Proc. Camb. Ant. Soc. XIII (1909), 146-63. 28 British Museum; accession no. 47, 2-8. 29 Déchelette, op. cit., vol. IV, 654, fig. 481, 7. 30 Op. Cit., 654, fig. 481, 1-5. 51 E.g. deposit at Heathery Burn Cave, Co. Durham (Arch. LIV, pt. 1, 88-112). 32 Bulleid & Gray (1911), Glastonbury Lake Village, vol. I, 328, fig. 99 and 336, fig. 110. Examples displaying almost identical techniques of manufacture occur as far distant as Ryton, Co. Durham (Proc. Prehist. Sec., 1949, 191) and Newstead, Roxb. (Curle (1911), New- stead: a Roman Frontier Post and its People, 292). 33 Kings, eagerly and Lady’s Barrows, Arras (Arch. LX, 279, 282, ): 34 Newstead ade op. cit., 291). 35 The report could be "inaccurate (Proc. Som. Arch. Soc. XXXII, plate iii, 2). 36 Devizes Mus. Cat., vol. II, plate xxiv c, 3. 3? Déchelette, op. cit., vol. IH, 322, fig. 337, 4-11. Oe Déchelette, op. cit., vol. IV, 726, fig. 517, 4 and 5. 39 Bracelets from Danes Graves and Cowlam (Fox (1958) Pattern & Purpose, plate 2, a—c) and terrets from King’s and Lady’s Barrows, Arras (Arch. LX, 280- and 286, fig. 30). 40 Bracelets from Mount Batten, Plymouth (Fox, op. cit., plate 31, 20-3) and terrets from Fairford, Glos., Glastonbury, Hagbourn Hill and Hod Hill (Refs. in Leeds (1933) Celtic Ornament, 124). 41 Stanwick, Yorks. (Brit. Mus. Early Iron Age Guide (1925), 139, fig. 151) and Polden Hill, Som. (Arch. XIV, plate xx, 5). * Bulleid & Gray (1911) vol. I, 230, fig. 45B. 43 Fox (1958) Pattern & Purpose, plate 53b. APPENDIX A SINGLE-EDGED KNIVES English:— 1. All Cannings Cross, Wilts. (2 egs.) M. E. Cun- nington (1923), 124, plate xx, 13, 14. 2. Angel Court, London. London Mus. Cat. Il (1930), 79, plate xxxvi. 3. Bredon Hill, ee (2 egs.) Arch. J. XCV (1939), 79, no. 2, 82, no. l. 4 Caerwent, Mon. ae LXII, pt. 2, 422, plate xi, 4. 5. Casterley Camp, Wilts. Devizes Mus. Cat., vol. II, 105, plate xxix, 12. 6. Dog Holes, Lancs. Trans. Lancs. & Cheshire Ant. Soc. XXVHI (1911), 72, plate ii, 3. 7. Hertford Heath, Herts. £. Herts. Arch. Soc. XIV, pt. 1 (1955-7), 1-19. 8. Maiden Castle, Dorset. (5 egs.) R. E. M. Wheeler (1943), Rep. Research Committee Soc. Ant. Lond. XII, fig. 88, 7 and fig. 89, 7-10. 9. Meare, Som. (3 egs.) Bulleid & Gray (1953) Meare Lake Village, vol. Il, plate 1, I 103 and plate li, I 126, 186. 10. Rotherley, Wilts. Pitt Rivers Excavations, vol. I, plate civ, 8. 11. Santon Downham, Cambs. Proc. Camb. Ant. Soc. XIII (1909), 146 ff. 12. Verulamium, Herts. R. E. M. and T. V. Wheeler (1936), Rep. Research Committee Soc. Ant. Lond., plate Ixiv, 9-11. 13. Winklebury Camp, Wilts. (2 egs.). Pitt Rivers Excavations, vol. II, 249, plate cxlvii, 1 and 2 14. Woodcuts, Dorset. (16 egs.). Pitt Rivers Excava- tions, vol. I, plates xxii, xxiil. 15. Wor Barrow, Dorset. Pitt Rivers Excavations, vol. III, plate 253. 16. Wrecclesham, Surrey. Prehist. District, 212, fig. 91. of the Farnham 401 44St. Albans, Herts. (Arch. 84, 260, fig. 12, 2 and 5) and Silchester, Essex (Arch. 92, 146, fig. 94). 45 Culbin Sands, Moray (Arch. XXII, plate xxv). 46 Kaufman (1959), Die Vorgeschictliche Besiedlung des Orlagaues, vol. I, Taf. 48, 14 and Taf. 52, 12. 4? Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. LXXXVII (1952-3), 24-6. 48 Brit. Mus. Early Iron Age Guide (1925), plate xii. ‘Arch. XIV, plate xix, 6. ‘Meare (Bulleid & Gray (1953) vol. II, plate xlviii, E 32 and E 50); Strood, Kent (Coll. Ant., vol. I, plate xi, opp. p. 20); Clevedon, Som. (Fox (1958) Patter n& Purpose ,plate 25b) and E. Lancs. (Trans. Hist. Soc. Lancs. & Cheshire ns., vol. VI (1865-6) 278-82). is Bulleid & Gray (1911) vol. I, plate xli, 1 129 and I1 52 Bulleid & Gray (1953), vol. II, plate li, I 30 and 92. 53 Bulleid & Gray, op. cit., plate li, I 28 and I 32. 54 Déchelette, op. cit., vol. ‘Iv, 883, fig. 609, 2. 55 Wilts. Arch. Mag. LI (1946), 256-63. 56 Roman and Native in North Britain (1958); edited by Richmond, 1-27. Scottish: — 1. Buston, Ayrshire. (6 egs.). Munro (1882), Ancient Scottish Lake Dwellings, 222, fig. 227 and 228, fig. 229-30. 2. Lochlee, Ayrshire. Munro, op. cit., 124, fig. 129. 3. Traprain, E. Lothian (several), Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. LXXXIX (1955-6), 205, fig. 7. APPENDIX B SOCKETED SICKLES OR BILL-HOOKS English:— 1. Bigbury, Kent (several egs.). Arch. J. LXXXIX, 105. vol. If, Ns Botley Copse, Berks. Devizes Mus. Cat., plate xxvii, fig. 11. Bredon Hiil, Glos. (?) Arch. J. XCV, 82, fig. 10, 11. Glastonbury, Som. (5 egs.). Bulleid & Gray (1917), vol. II, plate Ix, 48 and fig. 138, 49, 17, 76, 9. Mount Caburn, Sussex. (2 egs.). Coll. LXVIII, plate iii, fig. 12, XLVI, pt. 2, plate xxiv, 13. 6. Caerwent, Mon. (?) Arch. LXII, pt. 2, 422, plate lxi, 5 7. Fairy Hole, Lancs. Soc. XXVII, plate ii, 2, opp. p. 72. 8. Ham Hill, Som. Proc. Som. Arch. Soc. LVI, 114. 9. 0 1 Pats Sussex Arch. 13 and Arch. mn Trans. Lancs. & Cheshire Ant. Hod Hill, Dorset. Crawford & Keiller (1928), Wessex from the Air, fig. 3. Hunsbury, Northants. (4 egs.). Arch. J. XCIII, 66. Maiden Castle, Dorset. R. E. M. Wheeler (1943), Rep. Research Committee Soc. Ant. London, 279, fig. 91. 12. Meare, Som. (2 egs.). Bulleid & Gray (1953), vol. II, plate 1, I 118 and plate li, I 52. 13. Rotherley, Wilts. Pitt Rivers Excavations, vol. U, plate cvi, 2. 14. Rushall Down, Wilts. Devizes Mus. Cat., vol. Il, plate Ixxvii, 10. 15. Sutton Walls, Hereford. Arch. J. CX, 60, fig. 24, 7. 16. Titsey, Surrey. Guildford Museum. 17. Tre Ceiri Camp, Caern. Arch. Camb. XII, 95. 18. Woodcuts, Dorset. Pitt Rivers Excavation, vol. I, 88, plate xxix. Scottish:— 1Traprain, E. Lothian. Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. LXXXIX, 212. APPENDIX C TANGED SICKLES se daar — All Cannings Cross, Wilts. M. E. Cunnington (1923), All Cannings Cross, 124, plate 20, 11. Battlesbury Camp, Wilts. Devizes Museum Cata- logue Il, plate xxiv, c, 6. N Bh Blandford, Dorset. B egs.). B.M. 4. Caerwent, Monmouth. Arch., LXII, Part 2, 422, plate 1xi. 5. Charterhouse-on-Mendip, Somerset. A. C. Pass Coll. Bristol Mus. 6. Cissbury, Sussex. Arch., XLVI, 438. 7. Glastonbury, Somerset. Bulleid & Gray (1917), vol. II, plate Ix, 48; Ixi, 128, 179, 133. 8. fy Hill, Dorset. Cat. Durden Coll., plate iv, fig 9. Hamdon Hill, Somer Proc. Som. Arch. Soc. XXXII, plate iii, 1. 10. Hunsbury, Northants. (6 egs.). Arch. J. XCIII, 11. London. Ward, Roman Era in Britain, 197, fig. 56. 12. Maiden Castle, Dorset. (3 egs.). R. E. M. Wheeler (1943), Maiden Castle, fig. 88, 6; 89, 12, 2 13. Meare, Somerset. (4 egs.). Bulleid & Gray (1953), vol. II, plate 1, I 110; plate li, I 101, I 66, 1 94. 14. Silchester, Essex. Ward, Roman Era in Britain, 197, fig. 56. 15. Wilsford Down, Wilts. Devizes Mus. Catalogue, II, plate Ixxvii, 10. 16. Wookey Hole, Somerset. Arch. LXII, part 2, plate Ixxviii, 16. Scottish:— 1. Blackburn Mill, Berwick. Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. LXXXVII, 1 ff. 2. Carlingwark, Kirkcudbright. Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot., LXXXVII, 1 ff. 3. Newstead, Roxburgh. Curle (1911), Newstead: A Bonen Frontier Post and its People, plate 1xi, 2g. 25.5% 4. Traprain, E. Lothian. (4 egs.). Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot., LXXXIX, 212. 403 A STUDY OF THE WILTSHIRE WATER MEADOWS by GEORGE ATWooD PREFACE The shapes of those parishes extending in long rectangles from the valley floor to the surrounding upland might be called the macrocosm of the chalk valleys. Their boundaries have remained sub- stantially the same since Saxon times. The microcosm, of rig and furrow on the former Open Fields, still discernable in many places, and of pitches and waterways in the meadows fully evident and locally in use to this day, is the subject of the article following. Those of us who wish to observe the country- side with an informed eye owe a debt to G. E. L. Atwood for his study of the old chalk valley economy, and regret that his untimely death prevented the completion of a book for which this article was to have been the opening chapters. In volume LV of this Magazine will be found an article by Dr. E. Kerridge on the ‘ Floating of the Wiltshire Meadows’ which may profitably be read in conjunction with this article. Both authors appear to have used some of the same sources for their material, but Atwood has gone further in establishing the important position held by the water meadows in the general agricultural economy of the district, and he has contributed an ingenious theory on their origin. He explains the part played by the Wiltshire Horn Sheep in maintaining the fertility of the arable land. This breed nearly became extinct about one hundred years ago but was revived for cross-breeding purposes and there are now flocks in Northamptonshire, Anglesey, Hampshire and elsewhere. In editing and prefacing this incomplete work, I have accepted the principle that it has been necessary to amend a few errors of spelling and fact which would probably have been done in due course by the author himself. Certain phrases have been re-worded to make the sense clearer, and some have been condensed without, I hope, blurring or distorting the author’s voice. It remains very briefly to comment on the later history of the water meadows. Their importance as the main prop of chalk valley farming was undermined by the coming of the railways more than by the introduction of root and green crops, because it was the reduction in horse population caused by the former that left land available for the cultivation of the latter. A subsidiary cause of their decline was the introduction of Italian rye-grass to give that early bite which the water meadow alone was hitherto capable of providing. We must all regret the passing of the water meadows, a native invention described as a jewel of British agriculture. Our thanks are due to Commander Atwood for preserving something of their departed glory. H. J. S. BANKS. ‘ Benedicite, montes et colles, Domino: benedicite, universa germinantia in terra, Domino. Benedicite, fontes, Domino: benedicite, maria et flumina, Domino. Benedicite, omnes bestiae et pecora, Domino: benedicite, filii hominum, Domino.’ Largely owing to the mildness of our climate, irrigation in England has never been of the same vital importance it has in less favoured countries. Our only true application of the principle is to be found in the water-meadow systems of the south and south-west, particularly Wiltshire and Hampshire, where it is solely concerned with pasture and until the present century with the * golden hoof.’ 404 The origin of these water-meadows is lost in the obscurity of the middle-ages, but they were in their beginning as well as in their later development an indigenous enterprise owing little or nothing to foreign influence. They probably began to shape into the definite systems we know today at the end of the Elizabethan era. Contrary to common belief, they were neither made nor inspired by Dutch or Flemish engineers. There is no evidence that either Vanderdelf who drained the Wapping marshes in 1544, or Cornelius Vermuyden who reclaimed the Lincolnshire fens seventy years later, had any part in constructing them. Irrigation, however, must not be confused with ‘ warping’ which certainly came to this country from the continent. In simple terms, irrigation may be defined as the stimulation of plant life by the artificial application of continuously running water. ‘ Warping’ on the other hand, is not concerned directly with the growth of plants, but with the soil in which they grow. Here the principle is to flood land with muddy estuarial water heavily laden with alluvial matter in suspension. This water is left stagnant to deposit its burden, so building up depth and fertility of the soil, after which it is then pumped or drained off. Both Irrigation and Warping are practices strictly limited to areas having the right geological and topographical characteristics. We can now perhaps conveniently discard the term ‘ irrigation ’ and substitute in its place the local Wiltshire words ‘ drowning’ and ‘ floating.’ In Wiltshire the term ‘to float a meadow’ is more exactly used in reference to the actual construction of a ‘ water ’ meadow; whilst to ‘ drown a meadow ’ refers specifically to the process of operating it. In North Wilts, on the River Kennet and its tributaries, a countryman who tends the water meadows is known as ‘ the Floater ’ but in South Wilts he is always called ‘ the Drowner’. There are three main desiderata necessary for the floating and drowning of a successful water meadow— 1. A ready supply of clear river water at the right level. 2. A convenient site with gentle gradients. 3. A porous soil and sub-soil. The first of these is obvious and needs no further comment. The second, though also obvious, has certain necessary limitations. The gradients must be sufficient to give water a steady gravitational flow, yet must not be so steep that volume, speed and direction cannot be easily controlled. The third, in addition to purely biological advantages, is essential for drainage. Without perfect drainage, unimpeded flow of water through and over the soil cannot be attained, nor the particular danger of water-logging eliminated. Generally speaking, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorsetshire, alone provide these three basic require- ments together. In these counties the water is of the highest quality and the valley contours well within desired limits. Their chalk, flint and gravel sub-soils, quite apart from certain highly advantageous manurial and fertilizing merits, provide the almost perfect draining medium. Such terrain only can provide really first class water-meadows in England. Where clay intervenes through the erosion of centuries (as it does sometimes even in these counties) the meadows are of indifferent quality. But on the true unimpaired chalk the Drowner’s ideal can be realized, and which is so aptly and crisply expressed by their time-honoured slogan— “You lets’ the water on at the trot and off at the gallop’ There are two distinct types of water-meadows—bedwork meadows and catch-meadows, but we are only concerned with the former. The lay-out of an ordinary Wiltshire bedwork water-meadow in its simplest form consists of a series of beds which in appearance are not unlike a ridge and furrow field in the Midlands. The beds are 405 parallel, and normally run at right angles to the contour of the land. An artificially cut ‘ carrier’ conveys water from the river along the upper contour of the meadow, and feeds each bed through little channels cut along their crowns, and which are called ‘ drawns ’. In the‘ valleys ’ or depressions between each bed, similar channels known as ‘ drains’ take all water spilling or percolating from the drawns and return it to the river through the main drain. The overall control of water both for drowning and drying off is effected by a hatch. The following dimensions will give some idea of average measurements. It is not possible to give anything but rough figures which must of course vary with individual conditions. Beds may be as much as 200 yards long, and from 30 to 40 ft. wide from ‘ valley ’ to ‘ valley.’ The length will depend on the head of water available, and the more porous the soil, the wider the beds can be. The ‘ crowns’ or summits of the beds are normally from 18 in. to 24 in. above the ‘ valleys.’ A bed 200 yards long will require a ‘drawn’ 20 in. wide at its exit from the carrier, tapering gradually to about 12 in. at its tail. The correctness of this taper will have considerable influence on the even flow of water. The “valley ’ drains are in reverse to the drawns, starting about 8 in. wide at the top of the meadow, and ending about 24 in. wide at the point of entry to the main drain. This increasing width in the direction of flow conforms of course with the principle of letting water off * at the gallop.’ This simple example of a single meadow is greatly extended in practice. More often than not, the main drain of a top meadow does not return direct to the river, but becomes the main drawn of the next meadow below. Alternatively, the carrier of a top or upper meadow if of sufficient capacity, may be extended to feed other meadows lower down. Also such a carrier may sometimes finish its course as main drain to a meadow further down still. The floating or making of a meadow is a costly and intricate business. It may take as long as two or three years to complete. To make the beds, the ground has often to be broken up, reshaped, and re-seeded, paying very careful attention to levels. Irrigation will not be possible until the ground has settled and firmed up. If however the old turf can be lifted, replaced when the new beds are ready, and then well beaten down, much time will be saved. In such circumstances, if the operation can be completed in the early autumn, a hay crop may be taken the following summer. One unique characteristic of the Wessex water-meadows must be mentioned. That is their amazing self-fertilizing power mainly derived from the chalk-beds on which most of them lie. The advantage was not appreciated much before the middle of the eighteenth century. Hitherto it was believed the merits of drowning centred chiefly in the warmth given to the dormant plants during winter months. It was of course always realized that sheep grazing the meadows by day were essential agents for ferti- lizing the arable lands. But it was not realized that this fertility transferred by the sheep was auto- matically replaced by the irrigation process, and moreover, without trouble or expense to anyone. The meadows received back, through the medium of the waters that drowned them, all the elements and minerals that the sheep took away in the form of dung. No process of nature utilized by man has ever co-operated better in the farmer’s interests. It might however be thought, that water having once passed through a meadow, loses some of its value, and that a second or third meadow irrigated by the same water would derive less manurial benefit. Actually this is not so. The absorption of soluble matter by plants is selective to the extent of their needs, and there is always an abundant excess left for the water to carry forward. In fact, water that has passed through a meadow is as likely as not to be enriched than otherwise. From their inception right up to comparatively modern times, the main purposes of our water meadows has been specialized pasturage for sheep, and greater production of hay. When sheep ceased to be a factor of prime importance in the national economy, and mechanized transport in every form began to replace the horse, a gradual decline of the water meadows set in. This was further aggravated 406 by periods of intense agricultural depression and revolutionary changes in farming methods. Since then, it has become more and more the practice to graze comparatively large numbers of heavy cattle on the few meadows that are still drowned. For this they were never intended, and the idea would have horrified the old drowners who cherished their meadows as a gardener does his garden. Heavy cattle tend to poach and tread the comparatively loose soil and destroy its vitally important porosity. They upset the carefully graded alignment of the beds, and break in the little water channels. They graze unevenly and far less efficiently than sheep. No wonder therefore that each year we see a few more once lovely meadows reverting back to what is little better than primitive marsh. Whether it will prove economically possible to recover such meadows, or even to maintain those still in being, to full advantage for use by dairy cattle, remains to be seen. There are some farmers appreciating the possibilities, who are making gallant efforts to do so, and one can only hope they will be rewarded by the success they deserve. Their difficulty is greatly increased where neighbours immediately above and below them have allowed meadows to go ‘ dry.’ Real efficiency depends to a great extent on continuity of upkeep over the length of a river valley system as a whole. The cycle of the water-meadow year may be roughly outlined as follows. It remained more or less static until nineteenth century changes in economic conditions and agricultural practice, caused various modifications. After the autumnal grazing, which ended about the middle of September, there were a few weeks of busy activity for the drowners, repairing and cleansing carriers, drawns and drains. In November the drowning season commenced and continued right through the winter to ensure the ‘ early-bite ’ at the beginning of Spring. Normally the meadows would be drowned alternate weeks, but intensified if very cold weather made necessary. The Drowner’s chief anxiety was hard or continuous frost, when the utmost care had to be taken and the heavy volume of winter water used with great skill and judgement. The aim was to have the young grass well growing before Christmas. About the beginning of March the meadows were laid dry for three weeks or so to firm off, and then fed with ewes and lambs, the lambs ‘ running forward.’ They were driven to the meadow folds by day, and taken back to their arable folds at night. Grazing ceased in good time to prepare for the hay-crop, and drowning was resumed until they were ready to mow. After mowing drowning was again started, week in week out as requisite, until the autumn grazing commenced. Autumn grazing was always hazardous and unpopular owing to the danger of ‘ fluke,’ a disease, the parasites of which are helped by wilted or rotting vegetation at this time of year. The meadows were seldom if ever rolled, since they were kept level by the sheep treading them. THE DROWNER, HIS WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES We are now at a point when it is convenient to introduce the Drowner, upon whose craftsmanship the successful operation of a water-meadow system depends. To keep water flowing at exactly the right volume and speed suitable to weather conditions and state of growing crop, requires his constant attention. This does not mean just keeping all his water-courses clean and hatches open. It involves a multitude of separate adjustments for almost every part of a meadow to correct innumerable little variations in gradient and porosity; for no meadow is uniform in such respects. These fine adjustments are usually made by ‘ stops ’—little sods of earth temporally placed in the drawns at appropriate points to control the flow as circumstances of the moment require. With their aid, together with such major adjustment of sluices as may be necessary, the expert Drowner will attain uniform herbage growth over the whole area of a meadow. Level and even growth is particularly desirable for water-meadow grazing to avoid over-treading by animals who would other- ‘(aquad Jaddn) Jaait ay Jo pudaq oy} Ul eH IIA Sjouueg ‘ “AM AIA, JO YIOU SI ‘UIBIBLU TOMO] SY UO JIQISIA “dwieD Ainqysiwisg ‘dey Plo ue WoT UPALG UOION ‘| Id ‘(ps6l) Wey WOH ays Vo IL ld ‘YdDISOJOY AIPAIAG-YIOIG WY AGUlAD-] 407 wise concentrate on parts where the grass is most lush, and neglect the rest. The drowner will also have an elaborate system of hatches to operate, especially at times when it is required to isolate or dry off one section of a meadow whilst continuing to drown another. Just as the Wiltshire shepherd was the autocrat of the downs, so was the old-time drowner the autocrat of the meadows. They were both king-pins in the Wiltshire farming world, and no farmer with a good shepherd or good drowner would dare risk upsetting either of them. There is an old Wiltshire saying that ‘ the shepherd is half the flock.’ One might say with equal force: ‘ the drowner is half the meadow.’ Only the foolish ran counter to the wishes of their shepherd or drowner. Indeed, it has been said, perhaps with more feeling than truth, that one reason why Wiltshire farmers gave up sheep was because they could not stand being dominated by their shepherds to whose least whim the whole farm routine had to be tuned. The drowners were in a slightly different category. There was generally one head drowner in charge of a meadow system in any village or manor. As often as not a system was divided in ownership or tenancy between two or three adjacent farmers. If so the drowner was employed jointly between them, and when a mill intervened, by the Miller as well, for he was also concerned in the use of the river water. The drowner, with his highly specialized knowledge and responsibility towards these competing interests, thus tended to become even more a law unto himself than his vis-a-vis the shepherd. Both men in the old days worked very much together. In fact, it was often arranged that when the sheep came down to graze the meadows by day, the drowner took charge and handed them back to the shepherd in the evening to return to the arable folds. In his administrative capacity the drowner was virtually in complete unchallenged control of the waters in his drowning area. From time immemorial in every system, customary times evolved which gave fair and equitable distribution of water to both farmer and miller. These customary times, known as ‘stems’ were handed down from generation to generation, and were seldom questioned. They were not normally recorded in the manorial rolls since the water-meadows were generally outside the scope of the manorial courts. What records of them exist now are mostly found in old leases of mills and farms with water meadows attached. When any question did arise, the drowner was usually the sole arbitrator and his ruling accepted. Not very long ago, an old drowner told the author of this book that in sixty years of drowning he had not once had his decisions questioned, or the ‘ stems ’ evaded. The word ‘ stem’ is interesting and derives from the Wiltshire dialect where it means ‘ a period of time’; for instance— Thar’s a stem o’ bad weather comin’ along.’ Stems vary a good deal for each locality. As an individual example, the stem at Norton Bavant (Plate J) on the upper Wylye was as follows. The meadows had the water from sundown on Saturdays until _ daylight on Mondays. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the Miller had first call and penned as _ herequired. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays there was no priority, and it was a question of mutual arrangement. It has been said that because of the requirements of the mills, the water-meadow systems never operated to their fullest advantage, but there is little evidence to support such a contention | except where the number of mills became excessive. It may be of interest to note that in theory a _ riparian owner car. legally erect a mill and use it so long as he does not detain the water longer than reasonably necessary to work his mill-wheel. But if he places a dam across running water, it would have to be justified by manorial custom. Now that the mills have passed into disuse even more rapidly than the water-meadows, these stems may soon be lost and forgotten except where an occasional mill still | operates. Generally speaking, the farmer to-day has become the only interested party, except of _ course the fisher whose interests are all too frequently ignored unless an enlightened Fishery Board is i _ active on his behalf. As soon as the autumn grazing was over, the drowners began what they called ‘ righting up the | works’. This consisted of cleaning and remaking all the drawns, drains, and carriers that had suffered N 408 from treading, or growth of weeds, during the grazing period. The beds, which the drowners called ‘a pitch’ or a ‘ pitch of work’, would also require attention chiefly for re-alignment of their camber. The aim was to have the meadows ready for drowning by the first floods after Michaelmas (29 September) when the water was said to be ‘ thick and good.’ This expression meant that the water then carried much desirable mineral matter washed off the arable, the chalk hill sides and, in those days, off the un-metalled roads as well. The principle object of this first soaking was to make the land sink or, in the language of the drowners, to make it * pitch closer’, which was of particular importance after a dry summer. The ‘ works’ of the meadows having been put in order and drowning started, the next fundamental rule in the drowner’s procedure was to make the meadows as dry as possible between every watering. The water was stopped the moment any sign of scum appeared on the land as this was the sure sign that it had water enough. Farmers usually wanted their water-meadows ready for feeding as soon as the lambs could travel with their ewes which, in a normal year, would be during the latter part of March. The size of a fold was regulated by the size of the arable fields which had to be covered. Roughly, five hundred to one thousand sheep were considered ample per three-quarters of a statutory acre per night. Sometimes the land was folded again after sowing. Owing to the * quickness ’ of water-meadow grass, ewes and lambs were not usually allowed to enter the meadows with empty bellies or before the dew was off. It must be borne in mind they were required to hold their dung and carry it back to the arable for deposit in the evening. They were generally put on the meadows between ten and eleven in the morning, and taken off between four and five in the afternoon. The drowners usually demanded about eight weeks for the hay crop to grow after the spring grazing. The quality of water-meadow hay for feeding to cattle, as well as to horses, has often been adversely criticized. But when such criticism is justified, the inferiority is generally due to the practice of cutting too late in order to gain bulk. When water-meadow grass is cut young it is never coarse and cattle are very fond of it. If however it is left until too ripe its value is seriously impaired. These are a few of the considerations which governed the drowner’s craft, and the farmer who ignored them robbed himself of benefits which could reflect over the length and breadth of his farm. ‘THE GOLDEN-HOOF’ The whole history and raison d’étre of our water-meadows is intimately connected with Wiltshire farming, and Wiltshire farming with sheep. It is not out of place therefore to give some account of this versatile animal so far as the chalk counties are concerned. Wiltshire derived great prosperity from the wool industry right through the middle ages and into the eighteenth century. But even so, neither the fleece nor the carcass of the sheep were prime considera- tions to the Wiltshire farmer. As will have already been realized, that lay in its merits as a fertilizing agent. In view of the importance of the wool industry to the national economy, such a statement may seem paradoxical. But it must be remembered there was no importation of foreign cereals then to solve the problem of feeding a relatively large non-food producing industrial population. This had to be met from local resources. Corn and bread were therefore of prior importance to fleeces or mutton. Few people who pass up and down the still lovely Avon and Wylye Valleys to-day realize their little villages were centres of an immense cloth industry, and heavily populated for that reason. Some idea of what that population was, can be gathered by noting the size of the churches. Most of them would hold at least twice the present population of any one village. 409 From Warminster to Salisbury, almost every village had its * fulling ’ or ‘ tucking’ mill,” celebrated throughout Europe for the English broad-cloth they produced. Before the coming of the Saxons, the early British communities were settled on the downs, for the valleys were then densely wooded and over-run with wolves. The Saxons however, gradually reclaimed these fertile lowlands. Having established themselves there, the primitive hill cultivations were neglect- ed, and the downs reverted back to their natural state. Then began the peculiar tendency of Wiltshire manors to develop in long narrow shapes running from the downlands to the valleys. Under the Open Field system the arable part of the Manor was divided into portions of about 15 to 20 acres known as‘ yard-lands’. Each was sufficient for one plough team of oxen, with a yard to winter them in. Each ‘ yard-land ’ was occupied by one tenant, but it might be split up into several isolated pieces. In addition, each tenant had common rights of grazing on the down as well as certain seasonal grazing rights in common over the arable strips of his neighbours. The result was an extraordinarily complex and difficult set-up which made any crop rotation impossible, except what could be agreed for the tenantry as a whole. Such agreements were made in the Manor Courts, and in due course became time-honoured rules known as ‘ the Custom of the Manor’. The crude rotation which thus evolved is known as the ‘ three field system ’"—two fields were cropped with a cereal, and one laid fallow. Such conditions could not be maintained for long without manuring, and facilities for carting dung to the remote little pieces of arable were neither feasible nor economic in those days. Thus, out of necessity, came that happy alternative the folding of sheep without which probably no useful measure of corn could have been grown at all. The flock was held by the tenantry jn common, being fed on the downs by day and folded on the arable by night. It is doubtful if these customary tenants ever had the use of such water-meadows as there may have been in the middle-ages. These were almost certainly the result of enterprise by the Lord of the Manor himself for his own use. In effect they were as much part of his demesne, as his mill. When in the 16th century the Manorial system began to break down, Enclosure commenced on an increasing scale. Considerable agricultural developments resulted in due course, amongst them the expansion of the water-meadows. It was then realized, for the first time perhaps, that improvement of land values carried advantages from a rental point of view. In such changing conditions, not unnaturally, there were periods of economic difficulty. The continental wool trade fell off, partly owing to foreign competition, and partly to the loss of Calais. Calais was the great entrepét through which the bulk of our wool exports were distributed, and was a hive of English merchants. In 1550 we find legislation being introduced to control the number of sheep raised. It was sought to limit flocks on a basis of 120 sheep per 100 acres of arable land, demand- ing as well, that there should be one milch cow for every sixty sheep. This early example of govern- mental control does not seem to have been very effective. We are not however concerned with the great extensions of the water-meadows, or the varying fortunes of the wool trade, during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It is sufficient merely to say that there were probably about 700,000 sheep in Wiltshire in the year 1800 and that number had increased from Elizabethan times more or less pro rata with the increasing trade and population of the country as a whole. Wiltshire was more a corn country than ever, and what did not change was the type and breed of the animal itself. Towards the end of that period, however, a new restlessness amongst flockmasters developed. There was a sudden desire for better and finer sheep. It coincided with a moment of rapid general expansion of industry and population, with a corresponding increase in the demand for bread. To supply that demand the sheep downs were ploughed up, and for some inexplicable reason the part sheep would 410 have to play in maintaining them was forgotten. The whole folly was aptly summed up in the year 1794 by Thomas Davis, the great Longleat Agent, who said, in his classic Agricultural Report for Wiltshire— ‘ The arable land of a Wiltshire Down Farm is maintained by the dung of the sheep fed on the sheep down. Deprive this farm of its down and how is the arable land to be maintained?. . . it can never be too often repeated that so long as South Wiltshire remains a corn country, the sheep fold must be the sheet anchor of its husbandry.’ What probably began to influence these Downland farmers at this particular time was that the old Wiltshire Horn sheep, though perfect dung machines, gave indifferent fleeces and worse carcasses. Neither of these shortcomings had worried such farmers hitherto. But now suddenly, they wanted the best of both worlds. Experiment was a fashion of the moment which penetrated even their conserva- tive outlook. In their new enthusiasm they either forgot, or did not realize, the fundamental axiom that if you breed for bigger and better type, you must provide better and more nourishing keep. Other- wise, sooner or later, numbers will decline. Moreover, it should be remembered, when this movement started such keep was not available. There were no brassica or other high-value feeding stuffs. Coke’s? innovations had not yet taken hold in the West. Notwithstanding all this, however, the demand for fine sheep grew apace. There were Merino importations, Southdown introductions, and many experimental crossings from which finally evolved the now famous Hampshire Down breed. By 1830 the old indigenous Wiltshire Horn sheep were nearly extinct, and by 1860 the ‘ Hampshire Down’ was well established in the chalk counties. The qualities of the new breed were extolled by their promoters, and justifiably so from the breeding point of view, for they were magnificent animals. They stood heavy feeding and close folding better than any others. The speed of their maturity was remarkable, and they were unrivalled for early lambing. Their ewes fattened out well when their breeding days were over—and so on and so forth. But it was just these very qualities which later were one of the causes of the decline of sheep in Wiltshire. Technically the achievement was superb; economically, for all but the specialist, it was not. We have noted (stressing the point purposely) that up to the commencement of the great industrial expansion of the nineteenth century, Wiltshire farmers regarded sheep primarily as fertilizers. The Wiltshire Horn animal fitted the requirement admirably. It was a ravenous eater in the right place, and thrived on coarse fare. Its hardiness enabled it to get its food where finer breeds would wilt or die. It could be driven two or three miles for that food, and carry its dung back the same distance to the arable fold. That was its function beyond which, compared with other breeds, it was at a heavy discount. As the nineteenth century progressed new and more ominous factors arose to prevent any chance of proving on a large scale whether or not the new breed could take the place of the old ‘ Horned Crock ’ in its special function. The repeal of the corn laws and the flooding of the country with foreign grain, soon to be followed by the importation of Australian wool and Argentine meat, could only have one end. Wiltshire ceased to be a corn country, or even a sheep raising one either. Farming generally entered most difficult days. Early in the present century, two major wars gave urgent priority to home food production. But the damage was already done, and in any case the new synthetic fertilizers were taking the place of the * golden hoof’. THE MIDDLE AGES The origin and early history of our English water-meadows is very obscure. There are said to be traces of water-meadows on the Hampshire Avon and Gloucestershire Churn dating from the Roman occupation. Whether any continuity exists between them and our present systems it is difficult to say. That water-meadows were floated in some primitive form, in both Roman 411 and Saxon times, there is little reason to doubt. Aubrey, the seventeenth century Wiltshire antiquarian took that view, and so did Thomas Davis of Longleat a century later. Davis, whilst dating the highly developed systems of his day from about the end of the seventeenth century, adds— “... an imperfect system was practised before this period . . . perhaps indeed its introduction is almost co-eval with that of folding sheep with which it is immediately connected ... but any regular mode is not very ancient.’ The earliest Saxon record alleged to contain reference to water-meadows in Wiltshire is a charter concerning lands at Wylye dated 901 A.p. in which the following occurs— “... pratis pascuis silvis aquis aquarumque discursibus . . .’ This can be reasonably translated, “ meadows, pastures, coppices, waters and their outflows ’; but it is not impressive, nor does the rest of the context help. Certainly the inclusion of the word ‘ pratis ’ in conjunction with ‘ pascuis ’ is interesting, and the locus in quo makes it difficult to imagine other use for the ‘ outflows ’ than watering. On the other hand, it is possible the phrasing is designed to establish fishing rights or perhaps to deny claims to ‘common of piscary’. In any case the reference is un- satisfactory evidence for us. Any research into our water-meadow origins immediately presents difficulty. There is almost complete absence of clear cut reference to the subject in those medieval records where they are most to be expected. Manorial Court Rolls, Customaries, Post Mortems, Inquisitions, etc., are all singularly uninformative. For example, the latin nouns ‘ Pratum,’ * Pascua ’ and ‘ Pastura ’ seem to be used by the medieval scribes quite indiscriminately to denote any kind of pasture, no matter whether it be meadow, marsh, mead, or downland. In some instances, it would seem that ‘ Pratum ’ may have been used in a more definite sense as an ‘ enclosed meadow ’, but not with any consistency. Almost invariably, these three latin nouns are met with unaccompanied by any qualifying adjective to help us. However, a few fortunate exceptions to the practice have been found which may have considerable bearing on our enquiry. The compilers of the Medieval Latin Word List record the term ‘ pratum stagni’ and interpret it as ‘a water-meadow.’ The reference is taken from a Durham Account Roll of a.p. 1349. At first sight, this interpretation seems hardly acceptable, for if ‘ stagni’ is taken in the usual sense as equivalent to the English word ‘ stagnant’ then its association with ‘ pratum ’ would be in direct opposition to the fundamental principles of water-meadow irrigation. But in classical Latin, ‘ stagnum ’ and ‘ stangnum,’ in their nominal as well as their adjectival forms, can mean ‘ canal’ or * canalization.’ Applied thus, _ the term ‘ pratum stagni’ immediately becomes interesting. What more exact or crisper definition __ of a water-meadow could there be than ‘ a canalized pasture.’ To follow up this clue we can now return to Wiltshire. At about the end of the 13th century, one Richard de Middeltune granted to his brother John, succentor of Sarum, lands on the river Avon at _ Little Durnford, near Salisbury. | “* |, . Preterea dedi &c. eidem Johanni j acram et dimid. terre arab. que jacent inter predict. viam regalem et inter dimidiam acram que jacet juxta stangnum molendini ejusd. ville . . . Dedi insuper &c. predicto Joh. omnia prata mea ibidem que appellantur Les Millehumes .. .’ (... Also I give etc to the same John 1} acres arable land which lies between the aforesaid King’s Highway and between the half acre that lies next the mill-pound in the same village. . . Moreover I give etc to the aforesaid John all my water-meadows there which are called the Mill Hams.) The first thing that will be noticed in this quotation is the term ‘ stangnum molendini.’ Like ‘ stagnum’ at Durham it is here employed in the sense of ‘ canal ’—“‘ the canal of the Mill.’ Nor could it be used more exactly for, as we shall see later, the mill-pounds of our Wiltshire water-mills, are nothing but 412 artificial canals, diverting water from the river to supply the mill-wheel. The next point to note is the Norman-French field name ‘ Les Millehumes.’ This is the equivalent of our English ‘ Mill Ham,’ a field name that survives into our own time. It is frequently found in tithe and estate maps to-day, as well as in schedules attaching to leases, etc., where mill or water-meadow property is involved. More- over, it is significant that whenever the name appears, it always does so in reference to land immediately adjoining mill-pounds or mill-tails. In medieval England, wherever suitable rivers or streams were available, water-mills were established to grind corn. These mills formed an important part of the economy of a manor, and were long retained by the lord as an integral part of his demesne. The grinding of all corn produced on the manor was virtually his monopoly, and dire penalties were inflicted by his court on customary tenants who ground it elsewhere. In South Wiltshire, and other cloth making areas, ‘ fulling’ or ‘ tucking’ mills also became established on the rivers, to which weavers sent their cloth for various finishing processes. All these mills needed ample water for their operation: the corn mills to work their wheels, and the ‘ fulling’ mills to ‘ walk ’ their cloth. This ‘ walking ’ operation involved placing the cloth in troughs of running water where, after it had been cleaned with fuller’s earth, it was shrunk and thickened by men treading it with their bare feet. At first, these cloth-mills were not power operated, but in the course of time wheels were introduced to enable the treading to be done mechanically. It is characteristic of our chalk streams that they seldom carry sufficient volume of water during all seasons of the year to service a mill naturally. Some means had to be found to ‘ pen’ or ‘ impound ’ water artificially at the required head during non-working hours; especially in dry summers. The gradient of an average chalk stream is gentle. They have a mean fall of about 10 ft. per mile, but this may vary over that distance from as little as 4 ft. in some stretches, to as much as 17 ft. in others. To overcome these chalk stream limitations which were not generally so pronounced elsewhere, the medieval craftsmen adopted the practice of building artificial canals to form the requisite pounds. In effect, this meant they brought the water to the mill, rather than the mill to the water. The mill was sited to one side of the river at a level slightly above that of the river bed. From thence, the elevated mill-end of the pound was cut upstream to a point where it joined the river. There, the river was diverted into it and sealed off from the old course down stream. The length of a pound depended on the amount of water calculated to be necessary for an uninterrupted operation of the mill during its working hours, due allowance being made for unfavourable seasons, as far as could be estimated. Pounds are usually between one and four hundred yards long, but naturally the length varies with individual circumstances. Since it was essential that the impounded water should be at a higher level than the section of the river it replaced, the pounds had to be built-up rather than cut. Consequently, much embankment work was required. This was highest at the mill end of the pound, gradually dying away up stream as junction with the river was approached, where it had only to conform with the natural level. Every mill required two other artificial channels for their operation; one called the mill-tail and the other the mill-stream. The duty of the former was to return water from the pound to the river after use by the mill; and of the latter, to take off any excess water accumulating in the pound and return it to the river direct. The actual working head of water in the pound was mainly controlled by a set of hatches, inserted just upstream of the mill, in the pound bank which lay nearest the old river bed. Incorporated with these hatches, there is usually a Spillway, which forms an emergency exit from the pound, to deal with flood-waters beyond the capacity of the hatches alone. Both the hatches and spillway emptied into a pool and formed the head of the mill-stream. This pool, usually called the ‘ mill-pool’ (and sometimes erroneously the ‘ mill-pond ’) is, in South Wiltshire, always known as the ‘Pill’ or ‘ Pill-hole’. 413 The Pound banks were made of chalk, for this was the most suitable material in bulk ready to hand. When first constructed, they probably took many years to settle and consolidate and it may well be that the leakage from these newly-built pounds produced the fundamental requirements of a water meadow, and drew the attention of farmers to the advantages of this method of cultivation. 4 Any extension on a wide scale during the Middle Ages however, is very unlikely, even impossible. The time was not ripe for co-ordinated effort to link the meadows of individual manors with their neighbours the length of a valley. Each small manorial watering enterprise probably only covered but a few acres within the immediate vicinity of its river and mills. To have extended further, quite apart from any technical limitations, would almost certainly have meant infringing common rights of pasture, or encroaching upon the innumerable time-honoured holdings of the customary tenants. The conditions necessary for expansion only arrived with the tremendous economic changes of the Tudor age; then the Manorial system was crumbling and large scale enclosure commenced; when wealth was being re-distributed, and men preferred money rather than land in return for their labour. Thus, although we cannot date the extensive water-meadow systems of our own time any earlier than the end of the 16th century, it is reasonable to suppose, at least in Wiltshire, that they are direct descendants of our Mill Hams, Mill Platts, Rack Hams and Rack Closes which they incorporate to-day. 1 The fold is divided in two, with ‘creeps’ in the dividing hurdles. These allow the lambs (but not the ewes) to ‘run forward’ into the front division and so get first bit unmolested. When the fold is moved forward the ewes come on where the lambs have grazed, and the lambs again ‘run forward’ to the new piece, and so on. 2 * Pulling ’ and ‘ Tucking’ are alternative words, both meaning the process of consolidating cloth by treading it in running water. 3 Coke of Holkham, the great Norfolk agriculturist. 4 The Britford water meadows have a different origin. See Prolusiones Historicae, Edward Duke, 1837, p. 515. 414 BEAKER FINDS FROM SOUTH WILTSHIRE By JoHN Musty As a result of excavations undertaken at Winterbourne Gunner (on the site of the Saxon Cemetery) and on Wylye Down (a section across a double-lynchet way) finds have been made which are of inci- dental interest to the main objectives of these excavations, but are nevertheless important on their own account, and therefore merit separate publication. These finds consist of fragments of three B beakers, one cord-zoned and two comb-stamped. Two Beakers from the Winterbourne Gunner Saxon Cemetery (N.G.R. 182352) One of the Saxon graves (grave VII) excavated at Winterbourne Gunner! contained in its fill the remains of two beakers. These comprised the greater part of the base and one side of a B1 beaker with comb-stamped decoration, and three sherds from a much larger beaker decorated with impressed cord ornament. No certain explanation can be given for the presence of this prehistoric material in a Saxon grave. It is possible that the Saxon cemetery was sited in an area of prehistoric burials, as such sitings are not unusual.” Grave VII did in fact cut an empty pit which was of similar shape to a Beaker period grave, and an examination of the skeletal material from grave VII revealed, in addition to the remains of an adolescent Saxon, the tooth of an adult (upper, outer incisor). Conditions for the preservation of skeletons was not good, as was demonstrated by the poor state of the Saxon remains, and the tooth might have been the sole survival from a prehistoric burial. The empty pit could have originally contained a Beaker interment which was disturbed during the digging of the Saxon grave and pottery from this interment could then have become incorporated with the Saxon burial. The presence of two beakers in a grave is an unusual occurrence, but such a discovery has been recorded previously in Wiltshire. At Larkhill in 1939 a crouched skeleton was found in an oval grave with two B beakers, one much larger than the other*® and differing considerably in style and finish. Thus the possibility that the oval pit at Winterbourne Gunner was a Beaker grave cannot be discounted because there are two beakers. There was no other evidence, however, to suggest that a prehistoric barrow preceded the Saxon Cemetery although there is a group of ploughed out barrows in a field some 500 yards away. As there were only three sherds from the cord-zoned beaker it is not possible to reconstruct its form. Two sherds are from the lower half of the beaker, and include part of the shoulder. These are of different thicknesses and might therefore have come from two beakers although, if they were on different sides of one vessel, the variation in thickness could arise from uneven potting. The other sherd comes from the neck. All three sherds are decorated with horizontal rows of cord impressions produced by the application of a cord with three twists per cm. (S-twist) and a diameter of approxi- mately 2mm. The rows of impressions are at a separation from each other of approximately 5 mm. The fabric is typical and has reddish-brown burnished outer surfaces with a black core. One sherd has a large fragment of flint exposed on the outer surface. Prof. Stuart Piggott has recently published* an example of a cord-zoned beaker, found during excavations at the West Kennet Long Barrow, as sherds distributed between three of the burial chambers (north-east, south-east and north-west chambers). He suggests that beakers of this type could have been made in Wiltshire at a date not far removed from 2000 B.c. He quotes in support of this suggestion radio-carbon dates of 1980 +70 B.c. and 2145 + 110 B.c. from the Netherlands and North Germany and 1790 + 150 B.c. from Britain. The cord-zoned beaker is thus the earliest of all the varieties of British beaker. Other cord-zoned beakers found in Wiltshire came from the Sanctuary at Avebury and Woodhenge. Both of these are in Devizes Museum and are unpublished. 415 A reconstruction of the comb-stamped beaker is given in fig. 1(A). The beaker is of the Bif type first defined by Sir Cyril Fox® which has, as its main characteristic, a well marked and often quite angular shoulder low down on the vessel. The shape is relatively rare on Continental beakers, and occurs chiefly in Holland and North Germany which is also the area for continental finds of the cord-zoned beaker. That this shape can appear with comb-stamping or cord-zoning is made evident by finds with either decoration, and a close parallel for the shape of the Winterbourne Gunner comb-stamped beaker is provided by a cord-zoned beaker from Bulford Camp.* The comb-stamped beakers may have derived Fig. 1 (A) Comb-stamped beaker from Winterbourne Gunner Saxon Cemetery. (B) Sherd from a comb-stamped beaker found in an excavation on Wylye Down. Scale: 1/1 416 from the cord-zoned beakers, and the association of a comb-stamped beaker with sherds from the other type at Winterbourne Gunner suggests that the types can be contemporary. The fabrics are almost identical and the positioning of the ornament is similar—the rows of comb-stamping are spaced slightly closer, but only fractionally so. A Beaker Sherd from Wylye Down (N.G.R. 005365) During 1960 Mr. H. C. Bowen and the writer undertook an examination, by excavation, of the Celtic Field systems on Wylye Down.’ The trial trenches included cuttings across a double lynchet track running west from Bilbury hill-fort and a field bank 100 yds. south of the tracks. The cutting across the field bank showed the fields to have been in use in the Early Iron Age and Romano-British periods as the section produced approximately fifty sherds of pottery of that date.’ The cutting across the track showed it to be secondary to the fields, and the Beaker sherd found in this cutting must have belonged to some earlier feature on this area of downland—a Beaker settlement or a ploughed-out grave. The sherd (fig. 1(B)) is very much weathered, especially on the inner face. The fabric is orange throughout and with rough surfaces. Any burnishing of the outer surface would have disappeared through weathering. The marked angularity of the profile of this sherd suggests that the beaker is again of the Bif type. The decoration consists of horizontal rows of comb-stamping with oblique set rows in between. A beaker with similar (but not identical decoration) is that, already referred to, from Larkhill.® This beaker, which is now in Salisbury Museum, has horizontal and oblique set comb-stamping, but the oblique stamping is double and in a cross-over pattern. Acknowledgements I am greatly indebted to Prof. R. J. C. Atkinson for his comments on the origins of the cord-zoned beakers. 1 The excavation of the Saxon Cemetery is to be the H.M.S.O., 1962. subject of a separate publication. 5 Archaeologia, \xxxix, (1943), 101-3. * Evison, Vera I., Archaeologia Cantiana, 1xx, (1956), ® Shortt, H. de S., ibid., 383, fig. 3. 91. 7 W.A.M., \viii, (1961), 33. 5 Shortt, H. de S., W.A.M., li, (1946), 381. 8 Bowen, H. C., Ancient Fields, British Association 4 The West Kennet Long Barrow Excavation 1955-56. for the Advancement of Science, fig. 2C. Ministry of Works Archaeological Reports No. 4, ® Shortt, H. de S., ibid, 382, fig. 2. 417 THE EXCAVATION OF THE BARROWS ON LAMB DOWN, CODFORD ST. MARY By FAITH DE MALLET VATCHER Five of the six barrows on Lamb Down were excavated by the writer for the Ministry of Works during the period 23 June to 29 July, 1958. The height of the five barrows had been greatly reduced by plough- ing which had taken place for many years, and further damage had been done to at least one by First World War training activities on the Down. The remaining barrow, to the west of those excavated and the largest of the six, was not excavated, being unploughed. The barrows could not be said to constitute a group, being not only widely scattered but of different periods. The National Grid reference for the excavated barrows, taking only the rough centre of the area, is ST 989395. Situated on a spur of the Downs at the southern edge of Salisbury Plain, the barrows were at an average height of 450 to 500 ft. above sea level (fig. 1). Sites A, D, Eand F were on Upper Chalk, but Site C, near the end of the spur, lay on Middle Chalk which here formed an outcrop. Site B was at the point of junction of Upper and Middle Chalk and here faulting and slipping of the chalk appeared to have taken place. There are traces of field systems to be seen near Sites A, C, and E (fig. 2). Codford Circle lies half mile to the north-west. The writer wishes to thank the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (Eng.) for making a survey of the area and drawing up the site plan in advance of publication, and the following for the specialist reports:—Mrs. E. Fowler, Mr. Graham Webster, Mr. F. K. Annable, Mr. M. R. Hull, Mr. H. de S. Shortt, Mr. Bernard Campbell, Dr. and Mrs. Peter Jewell, Dr. I. W. Cornwall and Mr. P. Dorell, Miss C. Western, J. Calkin for discussion of the Deverel Rimbury sherds; and Miss M. Howard. PREVIOUS HISTORY Sir Richard Colt Hoare mentions the barrows, and explored one of them. ‘ This down is connected with another called Lamb Down, on which are several barrows, the greater part of which appear to have been opened in former times. One small tumulus had been overlooked, and produced a fine sepulchral urn inverted over a pile of burned bones in a cist.”! METHOD The barrows were excavated by the offset cross method, aligned on the cardinal points of the com- pass. The cuttings were 6 ft. wide in Sites A, B and C; 5 ft. wide in Site F; and 4 ft. in Sites D and E. In Site A the cuttings were extended to the removal of a quadrant and most of the barrow centre; in Sites B, C and F, further rectangular areas in the centres were removed to expose possible features. In Sites D and E only two arms of the cross were excavated. Contour surveys of the individual barrows were carried out by the writer. THE EXCAVATIONS SITE A: Grinsell’s No. 2 Site A was a bowl barrow 24 ft. in diameter and its greatest height was 18 ins. It was surrounded by a roughly flat-bottomed ditch 3 ft. to 3 ft. 6 in. deep from modern surface and 5 to 6 ft. wide at the surface of the chalk. Outside the ditch there was a low bank, which on the south and east sides appeared to have been cut into by later positive and negative field scarps. The chalk underlying the mound and the bank, and the chalk outside the bank, was weathered to a depth of about 2 in. uniformly; there were, however, slightly deeper weathered drainage runs at fairly even intervals of about | ft. over the area, following the slope of the hillside from east-north-east to west-south-west. The chalk under the 418 mound was not more than 3 in. higher at most than the unprotected chalk outside the barrow, which was the same level as the chalk under the bank. No trace of old land surface remained under either mound or bank, and probably neither was ever sufficiently high to preserve this. (PI. I). (a) Mound. The mound was composed of fine chalk with a small admixture of soil; the bank material contained rather more soil. In view of the small size of the ditch, it is probable that some of the material for the bank was obtained by scraping up chalky soil from outside the barrow area. In the centre of the barrow a roughly oval robbed grave was found, first indicated by a large oval patch of dark soil below modern ploughsoil (fig. 3). The grave itself was cut out of the chalk to a depth of 18 in. below the level of the old land surface, and measured 4 ft. 6 in. by 5 ft. 6 in. across. The outer extent of the robbing hole above it measured 11 ft. by 7 ft. 6 in. Most of the original grave filling of fairly coarse chalk and soil had been replaced, but some had been left at the side of the robbing hole and overlay the mound material, which showed that the mound was already considerably denuded by ploughing at this date. A thick layer of mixed chalk and soil, and above this a thin turf line, filled the rest of the grave and the robbing hole (fig. 4). A single human femur head, that of a male, lay at the base of the grave, and some adult finger bones were together in the replaced filling. Fourteen flint flakes were found in the filling also, and two fragments of a Romano-British mortarium. RD CIRCLE ff Wl "pag i Fig. 1 Locality Map. Land over 500 ft. above Sea Level shown stippled. 419 An extended intrusive burial lay immediately to the south of the grave. For this burial the mound had been dug away to the level of the old land surface on which the skeleton was laid. The bones were those of a female of 20-25, and an iron penannular brooch was upon the left shoulder. The top of the skull was immediately below modern ploughsoil, and the legs had been cut off, one above, one below the knee, by the robbing of the grave. The finger bones in the grave may have belonged to this skeleton and become involved in the robbing and filling back. A single post hole, 9 in. deep and containing powdery decayed wood, was found beside the right leg of the skeleton but there was no evidence of its date. Two unaccompanied secondary cremations were found to the south of the skeleton. These have been identified as being not certainly human, due to the scanty remains. LAMB DOWN BARROWS, CODFORD ST. MARY : SITE PLAN -@ ay A Sua i Un x B FIELD SYSTEM BOUNDARY FENCE suqngnqqaneg gta ageeraee nm arnag SS ikekeke) i =n wr FEET Fig. 2 Surveyed and Drawn by R.C.H.M. (England) Salisbury. Crown Copyright Reserved. 420 In the south-east quadrant of the mound and only 4 ft. from the edge of the ditch, several sherds of a Middle Bronze Age urn were found beside a shallow hole in the chalk. There was no mound material left at this point, and it was not possible to discern traces of later insertion. The filling of the small hole was chalky soil, and the urn may well have stood in the hole originally but been knocked out and destroyed by modern ploughing. (b) Ditch. The sections of the ditch showed the primary and secondary chalk silt coming in from both mound and outer bank, and above this a thick layer of chalky soil which overlay the tail of the mound and the bank at the edges of the ditch. This was apparently a fine, rain-washed silt which had been slightly increased in volume by a certain amount of hillwash. The hollow left in the centre was filled with a thin very dark soil layer beneath a band of small chalk lumps, and over this, and extending up to the base of modern ploughsoil, was a thick accumulation of dark soil. Analysis of the two dark soil layers has indicated that they were part of the same soil accumulation under natural vegetation, and that the band of chalk lumps had sunk from the surface. The thick layer of chalky soil in the middle of the ditch contained, on the west side, a scatter of sherds on one level from a Deverel Rimbury urn: at the same level on the opposite side of the barrow there were many fragments of a M.B.A. nail-impressed pot. On the north side of the barrow a small hearth rested on the secondary chalk silt, but there were no remains other than charcoal. In the primary and secondary chalk silt throughout the ditch were many fragments of bone, including horse, ox, sheep, pig, dog and fox. A sheep’s tibia had been cut and shaped to form a small pointed scoop. The upper part of the dark soil layer at the top of the ditch contained four human adult teeth, and several Romano-British sherds of 3rd—4th century date. A few similar sherds were found in the topsoil of the mound. There were also some chips of Samian ware in the top of the ditch with the other sherds. SITE B: Grinsell No. 3 Mound. Site B was a small scraped up bowl barrow with no ditch. Not more than 3 or 4 in. of mound material remained in the centre, below modern ploughsoil. The diameter was impossible to ascertain but it was unlikely to have been large. On this site the chalk was weathered to a depth of 3 or 4in. In certain places, south-west of the centre, and in the east cutting, the chalk when scraped gave way into soft holes, and air voids occurred between the blocks, almost as though the chalk had been dug out and re-filled back. On excavating deeper, into what had become a large hole, the chalk became harder and it was possible to see that it still possessed its natural cleavage lines, although easily moveable. Below the hard layer, the chalk was very loose, and no definite sides or base of the hole could be found, the soft condition evidently continuing in seams. The cause of the faulting seemed to have been a form of slipping. In many places the chalk on this site bore the characteristics of Middle rather than of Upper Chalk, and had every appearance of being a point of junction. There was no remaining trace of old land surface, and the mound material, a chalky soil, had become merged with the chalky soil washing off down the hillside. At what was presumably the barrow centre, the fragmentary remains of a crouched burial of a child of eight years lay on the level of the old surface. Modern ploughing had destroyed most of the bones which were only just below the base of the plough- soil. A very small and much abraded fragment of Beaker pottery was found with the bones. Two feet south-west of the croucher there was an adult cremation, in a pit measuring 2 ft. by 2 ft. 6in., and | ft. 4 in. deep from modern surface. The pit contained chalky filling to the level of the old land surface, and above this chalky soil filled what appeared to be a wide shallow robbing hole up to modern plough- soil (fig. 7 and Plate II). A few tiny fragments of extremely friable reddish sherds, of apparently B Beaker date, were found scattered in the chalky filling near the cremation. It is probable, since the robbing did not interfere with the actual cremation pit, that these fragments were scraped back into the “A[UO Sur[Y [los Jsddn Jo [aaa] 0} pasodxs wueIpenb ‘AA’S UL UDG “yougjourg ¢€ ‘BI q AWITY | | | | | | | = ; A & | Ww ie | / / . / Fa 7 SLNAWOVYT NYA BS %, TIOH MOTTVHS +7 “S SNOLLWWIYO 7, eo” AYWONODIS RAY / NOWLYWnHNI | Bs _ UISNLLNI ; = ’ rs ay oN | ie leis ee : : | | ’ ONIGZOY 40 INIT Ae tae FAVYD AYVWISd j G3890Y 40 NOLLISOd \ |! ; \ | \ \ SS : i.e | | | | | \ \ I ! \ \ | \ \ | / i ) Ee | / V sees 422 pit with the filling after the cremation had been deposited, either from a scatter of Beaker fragments on the surface at the time, or from the remains of a second Beaker with the croucher. The robbing probably resulted in the removal of nearly all the Beaker fragments from the crouched burial. Eight feet south-west of the central cremation pit, there was a second, unaccompanied, child’s cremation in a small circular hole | ft. 9 in. in diameter and 6 in. deep. SITE C: Grinsell No. 4 Mound. Site C was a scraped-up bowl barrow without a ditch, the largest of the five excavated barrows, being 42-45 ft. in diameter and | ft. 8 in. high to present surface. There appeared to be an outcrop of Middle Chalk beneath the site, consisting of very hard blocks with cleavage lines showing up sharply, but again there was a certain amount of faulting and ‘slipping’ of the chalk into irregulari- ties. A thick layer of blocky weathered chalk lay below what remained of the old land surface, which was a thin line of dark brown soil. The mound material was composed of medium-sized hard blocks of chalk, which it would have been easily possible to lever out of the original bedding planes, there being quite wide spaces and cracks between the blocks. The material had never become homogeneous, and there was little soil, with the exception of a few thin soil layers representing what had been turves in certain places. Immediately to the south-east of the barrow centre, a cremation appeared to have taken place in situ (fig. 5), the ground being scorched red and black in a thin layer covering an area approximately 6 by 8 ft. A very few fragments of cremated bone remained. Partially over, and down to the level of the cremation, a large kidney-shaped hole had been dug (fig. 7), probably fairly recently, which con- tained the bones of a horse and two dogs. It was possible to see that this hole had itself been disturbed later, for in the western half the bones were in great disorder, and the hole was deeper than in the eastern side where the bones of one dog, and the horse’s head, neck, and one foreleg were articulated. The whole disturbance had interfered a great deal with the original barrow. Centrally in the barrow a circular robbing hole, 4 ft. in diameter, had been dug down to natural unweathered chalk. This hole had been dug prior to at least the second part of the disturbance relating to the horse and dogs. One ft. north-east of the robbing hole there was a small stake hole, 4 in. in diameter, containing charcoal, and which was traced through mound material down into weathered chalk. With the exception of one featureless and abraded Deverel Rimbury sherd from the filling of the hole containing the horse and dogs, all the small finds were Roman or Romano-British. From the cremation floor came a small bronze component of a brooch or pendant, and three iron studs or rivets 14 centimetres long. Throughout the mound material, on the old land surface, and even in several instances well into the chalk below, many sherds of approximately 3rd—4th century A.D. date were found; and one coin dated A.D. 364-367, found in the weathered chalk. A metal terminal from a piece of modern military equipment was also found, just below the level of the old land surface; this may be a pointer to the way the sherds, coin, etc., may have been carried down, or alternatively it may have been placed in position attached to a rod originally. SITE D Site D was indicated by a low mound 10 in. high, but excavation showed that although the old land surface was still visible as a thin dark line, what was above it was certainly not barrow material. The mound constituted a clayey make-up of grey, pink, and whitish grains, which was, in fact, puddled trampled chalk and soil. Local knowledge was able to provide the information that the small barrow which had existed here had been levelled by First World War troops training on the Down. Evidently Plate II. Plate I. Site B. One hens een en: Site A. General view of barrow during excavation. Cremation Pit in Section near centre, over fault-hole. 423 b ‘Sly HNVE OLN] ONILING dexVIS TTA] FALLVIIN FTEVIONd T10S ANTVHD Ss ATVHO CAYFHLVIM = 777 SCYFHS YET AYILLOd TWIYAT FAISNYLNI AUMNGNIE-TIYFAIT 40 VIGIL AVE OLNI FAVUD AYVWIYd 4O FLIS diggoy T~O NOLLIIS ONILLND devo d771ly FAILISOd ATIVAOWd IVINZLVW ie ari 110s 1108 a) So " AXNTVHO 4 ies as AVIS awe g pate NTVHO C3W1dI¥ NTVHI AYWINOITS TINZLYW aNNOW JAISNY.LNI aagh 5 AMTWHO 40 SIATId TOS CZXIW INITIINL Sosy YIAVT TIOS NAV ONIGGOY FAV SdWAT NIVHO | FAVHO | = Wows YTVHO NVI7) J-V NOLLOTS NolLvTnWnd2¥ TloS yYvE AYVWNId JO FLIS CITY VY ALIS ‘SMOUYVE NMOG GnVT 424 the residue had been well trampled, probably in very wet weather, which accounted for its clay-like consistency. The remains of the old land surface indicated that the barrow had had a diameter of between 18 and 20 ft. The subsoil here was of a Combe Rock type of weathered chalk covering the underlying Upper Chalk. SITE E Site E was a very low mound, quite near Site D, investigated because it was considered that if not a small barrow, then it might be part of a lynchet. A narrow cutting was therefore dug to bisect it. A buried surface was found, 12 ft. 6 in. long west to east and 10 in. below modern surface. Above the buried surface was a 3 in. layer of chalky soil, which contained a few Romano-British sherds and one unidentifiable piece of Samian ware. A few feet away to the north of the mound traces were exposed of First World War slit-trench diggings, containing barbed wire, etc., and it would appear very likely LAMB DOWN BARROWS | | SITE C RECENT BURIAL OF 2 DOGS & HORSE ~ APPROX. EDGE } / OF MOUND Fig. 5 | 425 that the mound was caused by the throwout from similar diggings at that time, covering the turf which became a buried surface. Small humps and irregularities on the ground to the west of Site E were likely to be due to these activities also. SITE F (a) Mound. Site F was a small ditched bowl barrow, on a northern slope of the Down, at the side of acombe. The mound was 30 ft. in diameter, and 11 in. high to modern surface. A trace of the old land surface remained as a thin grey-brown line, and upon this, near the centre of the barrow, there had been a cremation im situ, shown by red and black scorch marks, covering an area about 8 by 8 ft. The bone fragments remaining were those of a child. Scattered on the old land surface over a wide area, both on the cremation and outside it, were thirty-nine fragments of part of a collared urn with twisted cord decoration on the collar (fig. 6). This urn seemed to have been pur- posely scattered before the building of the mound. One collar sherd of a different urn was found at the same depth in the north-east quadrant and may have come from a secondary burial, later robbed or ploughed out. Also on the level of the old land surface were three sherds of Windmill Hill pottery, one a fragment of a small cup; and three Beaker sherds with stabbed, cord-impressed, and lattice decoration respectively. All these sherds were abraded and indicated a sporadic pre-barrow occupation of the site. The 4 in. of mound material left above the old land surface was a very chalky soil, and this continued without distinction into the shallow ditches, with the probable addition of similar material washed down from the hillside into the hollow caused by the mound. (b) Ditch. The ditch was 11 to 13 ft. wide and | ft. 8 in. deep, again from present surface; little more than a scrape ditch into the already weathered chalk which under the mound and elsewhere was from 2 to 4 in. thick. A 4 to 6 in. layer of dark soil filled the top of the ditch, the accumulation of humic soil under natural vegetation (fig. 7). In this layer there were a few sherds of Romano-British pottery and two unidentifiable sherds of Samian ware. Some further sherds of Romano-British pottery were found in the topsoil over the barrow. THE POTTERY AND OTHER FINDS (The Samian and Romano-British wares will be dealt with collectively at the end of this section). SITE A The Collared Urn (fig. 8, 1). The fragments of the small urn, which lay beside a shallow hole near the edge of the mound, were presumably secondary to the barrow, but no cremation was found in close association, although two unaccompanied cremations were found 4 ft. away. The urn has a cord impressed decoration of hatched diamonds and horizontal lines round the outside of the collar, while inside the rim there is a lattice of cord impressions. The body, represented by several sherds, is undecorated. The paste is coarse, black inside and with a smooth brown exterior. There are no flint or other large grits. This urn, a Middle Bronze Age type, may be paralleled by several examples in Wessex although it differs slightly in having a more vertical collar than other urns. In the Ring Barrow on Rockbourne Down,? a similar urn occupied an analogous secondary position near the edge of the mound, un- accompanied by a cremation and actually in a small hole. The Codford urn is also similar to a vessel from a barrow on Woodford Down, now in the Salisbury Museum, but the collar of the latter, like that of the Rockbourne urn, is more concave; ornamentation consists of horizontal rows of cord impressions and cord impressed horseshoes below the shoulder. The decoration on the collar of the 426 Codford urn is somewhat similar to that on a small urn from an urnfield on Easton Down,? and on a sherd from the settlement on Thorny Down,' although the closest parallel is illustrated by Abercrombie on the collar of a vessel from Antrim.> The lozenges or diamonds combined with horizontal lines are somewhat reminiscent of Beaker decoration, and could be a possible pointer to ancestral influence by Beaker cultures. The Deverel Rimbury Sherds (fig. 8, 2) The fragments of the large Deverel Rimbury urn belong to the type of vessel fairly common in the region, and usually accompanying a secondary cremation in or outside a barrow. The paste is very coarse with many grits, dark brown to black, with an accentuated T-rim and vertical finger impressed bands on the body. Although such vertical bands are found on barrel, and not on bucket urns, the Codford urn does not possess the usual hollow neck common to the barrel type, nor LAMB DOWN BARROWS \ SITE -F , \ \ ‘ \ \ \ \ \ a \ \ \ \ \ : \ \ \ \ \ \ | \ | \ A 5 = = B a == / : ¢= URN SHERDS, ON OLD LAND SURFACE FopeMV Fig. 6 427 the fine paste found in this ware. However, the T-rim of the Codford urn, while not to be matched on bucket urns, agrees with the expanded rims of the barrels. More accentuated than most, it is paralleled very closely by the example found at Kinson,® although this is the true hollow necked barrel. The rim of Urn 1, from the same site, is similar also if less accentuated, and while still a barrel urn, has a shoulder more closely comparable to the Codford example. It would seem possible that the Codford urn possesses certain hybrid qualities, perhaps suggesting again the fusion, in the Salisbury Plain area, between the people bringing the barrel urns in from the Bournemouth region and the native makers of bucket urns. This fusion with the earlier single burial traditions in Wiltshire seems indicated also by the fact that the urns here occur, frequently as second- aries, singly rather than in large urnfields such as those found nearer the coast in Hants,’ Dorset,® and Sussex ;° a fusion which perhaps became closer as the northern penetration progressed. Part of an urn with a somewhat similar rim to the Codford example, and vertical finger impressed bands, is in the Salisbury Museum and came from Marleycombe Down, Bowerchalke. The sherds may also be compared with some of those found at Latch Farm, Christchurch,’ the rims shown being very similar. The type is analogous, too, to the urns from a barrow on Heale Hill, Woodford, where they were secondary to the presumed Early Bronze Age burial and three were outside the barrow.!! It is interesting to note other sites where this type of urn was found in association with the supposedly slightly earlier Middle Bronze Age collared urns, i.e. Thorny Down,' Steyning Round Hill.!? At Site A at Codford there may be no reason why the large Deverel Rimbury urn should not have been in- serted as a secondary either in our outside the barrow at the same time as the collared urn, and been partially ploughed out of a shallow hole into the ditch at a fairly early date. The Middle Bronze Age Sherds (fig. 8, 3) The nail impressed pot, many small fragments of which were found at the sides of the ditch, fairly high in the chalky soil silting on the downhill side of the barrow, belongs to the Class Al and A2 pottery found at Plumpton Plain and Itford Hill in Sussex. The paste is coarse and heavily gritted with flint; the rim is quite plain and thin, with a band of nail impressions just below, and a further impressed and raised band a few inches lower. It belongs to Middle Bronze Age II under present classification. At Plumpton Plain the type came from the earliest part of the settlement, Site A, where it was classed as common domestic ware; at Itford Hill settlement site, dated to around 1000 B.c., there were very similar sherds to those from Codford.’ Very much thicker sherds, but bearing the same decoration, were found at the Late Bronze Age farm site on New Barn Down.'® A similar sherd from the Deverel Rimbury settlement on Thorny Down has nail impressions just below the rim,!” and a further parallel was found at Portesham.1% The Spindlewhorl (fig. 8, 4) From the dark soil layer near the top of the ditch came part of a spindlewhorl, probably converted in Late Bronze Age or Iron Age times from a sherd once belonging to the base of a pot with a small foot-ring. The paste is pinkish and close grained, with a few grits. It is well smoothed on the outside and the broken edge at the top has been carefully rounded. The Penannular Brooch (fig. 8, 5) Type D, iron, pin bent round hoop. Now corroded. The terminals, though corroded, are clearly bent back. A Ist century B.c. or A.D. date is feasible, but it is impossible to date penannular brooches closely unless there are other dateable objects associated. There are other iron penannulars, one a Type D from Wandlebury, Cambs., which may be Ist century B.c. or early A.D. 428 L ‘Sty ———_HOLi¢ qdO7TS TlH ¥ GNNOW 4140 TIOS squazHe Nwn-¢ JOLYNS INVT d70 NO NOILVWIY) ROR, Fae ioar in XTVHI @AYFHLVIM ae TVIYILVW CINNOW AN TVHI €~V NOILIZS aS SCTYSHS Gy = x CxIHS VIEW . 6 ee ¥ FSdOH FOvAINS INVT ITO WIVHD ZMOOTE MIVHD CYVH Se ee TIAN LNZOZY NO NOLLYW2a), Pees /// ry 7) SASSI E UR EES™ Sam pee mk CaaFHLVIN ds ana E layed Crete LLL IL. LASTLY y ae WOT TTA a = a"4"u" "5-5-0 9" RADARD DADA YARRA z - Piero ir “: ee : a x : ft — te JIOH Chale Pe AY Read 4 2 / / yyy, - { Ontegod\ ~ x" ieee f 4 TVINILYN UNNOW MTVHO ANIOTE SYTAVT JYNL ae eee ges, YIWHD CIYTHLVIM UHL r mv 5 Lid NI NOLLYWI82 yaviD YIAO ONITMA ANTVHO @uvH ae of CIXFHLVIM ONITGOY E JO FNIT ZAOGV TOS AN TWH HSVMTTH HLM GI9YIW TWIAFTLVW MOVIVT V €~-V NOILITS q ALIS SMOYUdVE NMOd AWvV'l 429 There are two points of interest to note about the Codford penannular:— 1. The position of the pin point resting against the terminal. The pin has corroded in the position which it would have occupied in use and clearly demonstrated the function of the terminal enlargements, to prevent the pin from slipping through the opening in the hoop. 2. The position of the penannular on the left shoulder of the skeleton. It may have fastened a shroud; alternatively, it might have fastened a cloak or mantle, but this implies a toga-like garment which is not very British, and in addition the brooch is very small to bear the weight of a thick woollen garment. A shroud garment seems more likely in spite of the fact that to bury an iron penannular implies a disregard for economy. ELIZABETH FOWLER. The Bone Scoop One bone tool came from the secondary chalk silt in the ditch. This was a sharpened point of hard bone, 9-5 centimetres long, fashioned from a sheep’s tibia. It is exactly comparable to those found at the Itford Hill site,° in which paper it is suggested that such tools may have been part of weaving equipment. SITE B The Beaker Sherds The fragmentary sherd of Beaker ware found with the crouched burial is featureless and undecorated. It is typical of the ware, being thin (0-6 centimetres), and the paste is hard and very fine, pale terracotta on the outside shading to brown inside. It is probable that it was part of a B Beaker. The minimal fragments of Beaker sherd found in the cremation pit are friable, abraded and calcified. There are two pieces of plain pinched and rounded rim, typical of many B Beakers, and the fabric is fine and reddish. SITE C Bronze Object (fig. 8, 12) This is a small piece of flat bronze in the shape of an elongated oval bent double and pierced at the two ends by a bronze pin which survives. The pin has a small round head on one end and the other is bent at right angles and flattend and nipped as if with pincers. The two ends of the main piece have been brought closer together at some time subsequent to manufacture, causing a gap between the bent end of the pin and pierced side of the main piece and a lateral crack at the point where the main piece has been bent double and metal fatigue induced at the time of manufacture. The bronze is evidently part of a composite object. Its function was either to hang freely as a small pendant or to enclose and secure an object which has become detached. Of these two alternatives the former seems the most likely in view of its general shape and the presence of the pin which can best be understood as the means by which the object was attached to something else. An object so small and delicate could only have been used to decorate a piece of personal equipment such as a brooch, hair or dress pin, or an earring. The discovery of such an object complete with all its attachments is unfortunately rare and it is therefore difficult to find any precise parallels. The possi- bility of attachments of this nature to brooches of the [ron Age is shown by an example of an Italian type in the British Museum,”° but such a type is hardly likely to occur in Britain. A greater degree of possibility lies in the idea of a pendant to a dress pin like another British Museum example,”! and the further suggestion of a composite earring cannot be ignored, although no parallel can be offered. GRAHAM WEBSTER. o - ercree we eee eee See ar tian als oie ea Fig. 8 CMS. 431 The Bronze Age Sherd The small featureless Deverel Rimbury type sherd found in the hole containing the horse and dogs is abraded, thick (1-3 centimetres), dark brown and very coarse with many medium flint grits. The fabric would appear to be closer to that of a bucket than a barrel urn. The Iron Rivets The three iron studs or rivets found on the cremation floor are completely corroded and enlarged with rust. They are now 1-5 centimetres long, and the diameter of the larger end is 1-1 centimetres, the smaller 0-9 centimetres. They were probably used on a leather belt, on harness, or in shoes or boots. The date is uncertain. The Coin See Late Roman Bronze Coinage (1960), part II, no. 481. 4 3 Arles Valentinian I 364-367 A.D. O. VALENTINI-[ANVS. P.F.AVG.] Bust draped right with pearl diadem. B SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE goxar; Victory advancing left holding wreath. H. DE S. SHORTT. SITE F The Collared Urn Sherds (fig. 8, 6) The collared urn fragments scattered on the old land surface beneath the barrow mound are typical of many similar urns of the Wessex Culture. The decoration on the collar consists of horizontal lines of cord impressions, while on the top of the flattish rim an implement such as a bird bone or piece of wood has been used to make deep circumferential and radial impressions, very like the impressions on the ancestral Peterborough pottery. The paste is medium-coarse, but there are no large grits in it; the colour is pale terra-cotta stained black inside near the base of the pot. The decoration on the collar may be compared with that on the very much larger Wessex urn, containing a cremation wrapped in cloth, from the low barrow east of Stonehenge Avenue excavated in 1959 by Major H. L. Vatcher for the Ministry of Works (report forthcoming). Abercrombie illustrates a smaller collared urn from Alfriston, Sussex, with exactly similar decoration on the collar,?* but this has horseshoes below the collar; another bearing the same decoration from Durrington, Wilts., is of comparable size but has a more accentuated shoulder.?* The urn which was removed from one of the barrows on Lamb Down by Sir Richard Colt Hoare was of a similar type. One fragment found on the old land surface belonged to another collared urn of the same type as the above (fig. 8, 7), but with a more out-turned collar base. The collar decoration consisted of faint diagonal impressions, possibly made with a fine cord. Abercrombie illustrates an urn from Winter- bourne Abbas, Dorset, which may have had similar decoration on the collar,** but there is not enough remaining of the Codford pot to show the complete pattern of the decoration. The fabric is very pale terra-cotta, extremely coarse and friable, with large flint and other grits. The Neolithic Sherds (fig. 8, 8) The abraded Windmill Hill sherds from the old land surface are typical of the ware. The fabric is fairly thin, pinkish brown in colour, fine grained with a generous sprinkling of large flint grits. The sherd illustrated belonged to a small bowl with a simple pinched rim; another much smaller sherd not illustrated, was part of a cup. Both may be paralleled on many Neolithic sites; a similar cup and bowl were found on the old land surface at Nutbane, Hants.”° Q 432 The Beaker Sherds (fig. 8) The small Beaker sherds found with the other pottery on the old land surface were abraded and had evidently been lying about for some time. The fabric of all the sherds is pinkish-brown, fine grained and hard, but the fabric of No. 9 has a dark grey core. All the sherds are too small to be able to obtain the complete pattern of the decoration. No. 9 is decorated with small round stab holes, and may be similar to a B Beaker from Mere Down;?6 to an A-C Beaker from Risby Warren;?’ and to the B Beaker from Lambourne Down, Berks, shown by Abercrombie.?° No. 10 has a trace of an impressed lattice pattern, similar to that on an A-C Beaker from Risby Warren.?® No. 11 has close-set horizontal rows of cord impressions on either side of a plain band which seems to coincide with the widest part of the body. It could be comparable to two B Beakers illustrated by Abercrombie from Rushmore Park and Almer, Dorset,®° although the plain band between the rows of impressions does not occupy an identical position: and also to a B Beaker from Crosby Warren.*4 The Samian Pottery from Site A From the lower part of the dark soil layer in the ditch. There are nine chips of Samian pottery. The largest (1) is from a bowl f.37 which must be second half of 2nd century, (2) seems to be a fairly late example of an early f.33. Compare O. & P., Plate LI, nos. 3, 7, but note that there is not a real offset on the inside, only a slight groove, which makes it resemble ibid 8, said to be Domitian-Trajan. (3) is from a foot-ring of large diameter; probably from something like f.36; compare O. & P., Plate LIII, 5; or LXXI, 10. The remainder are even more dubious. It is worth noting that (6) has been repaired with a lead rivet. It is not f.37 and must be some kind of platter. (7) must come from a bowl, perhaps f.31, but the detail of the rim is remarkably small. Both these last two could be Ist century but this is by no means certain. The last piece worth men- tioning is from f.33; it has no median groove on the outside and should be Lezoux ware of c. A.D. 180. All the sherds seem to be remarkably similar in quality. M. R. HULL. The Romano-British Pottery SITE A Ditch, lower part of dark soil layer. Almost all of this pottery consists of a homogeneous group of mainly body sherds in a coarse fabric which is sandy to the touch: the colour ranges from dirty grey to reddish brown, and, with the exception of one or two grooved specimens, the sherds are undecorated. There are six rim fragments, all of cooking pot type with everted rims; three of them belong to the same pot, in a dirty grey, gritty fabric. On the basis of these rims a 3rd century date is probable. There are two small rim fragments, one of definite pie-dish type in a soft, sandy fabric, orange core and surface, but these are not closely dateable. Topsoil Two undateable body sherds in coarse grey ware with minute grit particles. Rim fragment of small cup, with well marked groove immediately below rim. Hard fabric, grey core and surface; probably cup type similar to Castor and Rhenish ware cups, suggests 3rd century date. For the general cup shape see Thos. May, Roman Pottery in York Museum, Plate X. Filling of robbed grave Two body sherds of mortarium. Reddish brown fabric, with medium brown and white grits em- bedded. Undateable. 433 SITE C Topsoil Fabric and type as above. All body sherds with the exception of three fragments of pie-dish type, one with groove, and two small rims, one in a grey sandy fabric which may be a jug form. The other small rim in a soft orange-brown fabric has traces of red colour coating on inner and outer faces. Colour coated wares are a late type not occurring until 3rd and 4th centuries. See Heywood Sumner, Excavations in the New Forest. For the grooved pie-dish type see J.R.S. xvi (1926), pt. I, Plate VI, 30. A.D. 220-300 (3rd century well at Margidunum). Barrow material above old land surface This group of pottery is so similar to that of Site A in texture and colour that it is probably con- temporary. Fabric again coarse, sandy to the touch and dirty grey to reddish brown in colour. All are body sherds with the exception of two everted rims of cooking pot type. The larger example in a coarse grey-brown fabric can be paralleled from numerous sites and appears as a common type c. 250- 300 A.D. c.f. Richborough Excavations, 3rd Rept. Soc. Ant. Res. Rept., x, Plate XL, 321. Lydney Excavations, Soc. Ant. Res. Rept., ix, fig. 27, 37-39. Old land surface Type and fabric as above. All body sherds with the exception of one rim of flanged bowl, one rim of cooking pot. Both again of late type. This flanged bowl type is paralleled on the Yorkshire kiln sites, e.g. Crambeck, Norton, Cantley (nr. Doncaster), all of late 3rd—early 4th century. Below old land surface Type and fabric as above. All body sherds, undateable. SITE E Modern surface to buried surface Fabric and type as above. All body sherds with the exception of two cooking pot rims, and one flanged bowl type rim. Angle of cooking pot with horizontal again suggests a lateish date, probably 3rd century. The flanged bowl is again a late type which supersedes pie-dishes somewhere round about 3rd century. This triangular section can be paralleled from sites of end 3rd to 4th century A.D. A common type amongst the Yorkshire kiln sites, e.g. Crambeck, Norton. SITE F Upper levels of scrape ditch, and topsoil Type and fabric as above. All body sherds, undateable. The only similar fabric types to the Codford material in Devizes Museum are amongst the group of pottery from Stockton Earthworks.*? These consist of flanged bowls, wall-sided mortaria and colour coated wares, of 3rd to 4th century date. The homogeneous nature of the Codford material suggests that the barrow area was occupied by a single group of contemporary date. It may also have been an isolated one, as there are only a couple of examples of colour coated wares and a single rim of a small grooved cup (Site A topsoil), which may have been made away from the immediate locality. There are, of course, the Samian sherds, but it is worth mentioning that these are somewhat abraded, and could well have been handed down from an earlier date, which should not be used to infer the date of the coarse R.B. wares. These latter should represent the true floruit of the group occupying the site. The few dateable sherds certainly date the whole group to the late 3rd century. F. K,. ANNABLE. 434 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The Lamb Down barrows at Codford cannot be said to form in any way a composite group or cemetery. Not only are they scattered haphazardly and at some distance from one another over the hillside, but each barrow clearly belonged to a different period, and was the result of a chance, un- planned burial. The earliest in the sequence must have been Site B, the burial of the child with its B Beaker, under a small scraped up mound. This was followed by the primary burial in Site A, which was an inhumation, indicated by the remaining femur head, in a grave in the chalk, and was quite possibly either of A Beaker or Wessex I date. The mound material in this case was obtained from a ditch, outside which was a small bank. A little later, in Wessex IH, the Site F barrow was built over the floor where a child had been cremated and over the ritually broken and scattered collared urn; this was a very small mound, the material for which was obtained partly from a very shallow ditch and partly, no doubt, scraped up. There may have been a secondary burial of another urn with a cremation. Later still, a small Middle Bronze Age urn probably containing a cremation was inserted into the Site A mound, and this may have been closely followed by another insertion of a cremated burial of someone connected with the Deverel Rimbury cultures. About this time or a little later, other, unaccompanied, cremations were placed in both Sites A and B; and there was some fresh activity in the vicinity of Site A resulting in the scattered sherds of nail impressed pottery in the ditch, activity which was possibly agricultural. In the Iron Age, Period 3, probably 2nd or 3rd c., an intrusive extended inhumation was placed in the mound of Site A; wrapped in a shroud-like garment, this female wore a penannular brooch on her left shoulder. The primary burial in Site C may be either Middle Bronze Age or Romano-British (see discussion below). DISCUSSION It is unfortunate that Sir Richard Colt Hoare does not make it clear from which barrow he obtained the collared urn. Possibly it was not even one of those excavated, but was the barrow to the west in the adjoining field; it is equally possible that the urn was a secondary interment, in this case from one of several possible barrows. Since the missing primary burial in Site A was an inhumation it is hardly likely that the urn would have come from there. If, as seems probable, the primary burial in this site belonged either to A Beaker or Wessex I times, it is unnecessary to draw comparisons with the many similar barrows in Wessex. The flat-bottomed ditch was typical of such barrows, and the mound had no remarkable characteristics except that it was smaller than the average Wessex Culture barrow; the size would be more in keeping with A Beaker traditions. A point of interest lies in the presence of the scarps of later field systems which cut into the outer bank of the barrow at two points. The secondary position of the small Middle Bronze Age collared urn in relation to the barrow has already been discussed and its similarity to one found in the Ring Barrow on Rockbourne Down remarked upon; there are also many cases of secondary interments of Deverel Rimbury date in an earlier barrow of this type. Not quite so common is the intrusive Iron Age or Romano-British burial; other relative examples include the extended skeleton of a man with two coins of Constantine II, in a barrow at Fittleton;%* a contracted male skeleton of Iron Age, Romano-British or post-Roman date in a barrow at Idmiston;*4 and, from a barrow at Collingbourne Ducis, a similar burial of an aged man with an iron knife which could likewise fall within these periods.** Further examples include that of a skeleton with a piece of Samian ware near the top of a barrow at Bradford Peverell, Dorset;%* a more interesting comparison was found in a barrow at Corfe Castle, which contained an intrusive skeleton with a penannular bronze brooch with knobbed terminals.*” 435 Site B was a typical example of a B Beaker barrow both in size and construction; B Beaker barrows being very small and low, many such mounds must have been lost altogether through ploughing and erosion, where they were not enlarged in later times. There have been other instances of primary child burials in barrows, often with a small Beaker, e.g. Wilsford (S.) 40,38 and Wilsford (S.) 52;3° and often more than one child burial under the same mound, as in a barrow at Normanton Gorse excavated in 1960 by Miss E. Field (report forthcoming); other cases of such burials with one or more adults are common, e.g. Amesbury 22, 39a?°; Figheldean 25"! and Frampton 4.” Site C presents a problem; there are two alternative conclusions one is forced to draw from the conflicting evidence. One is that the mound covered an Early—Middle Bronze Age cremation, possibly contained in the urn which Sir Richard Colt Hoare illustrates: the numerous Romano-British sherds and other objects would have to have been scattered on the surface at the time of occupation of the area in the 3rd—4th century and carried down by worms, etc., through the mound. This is considered unlikely by Dr. Cornwall in his report on the soil samples, and he suggests that not only would worms have found the almost humus-free mound unattractive but it would have been difficult physically for sherds to pass between the chalk blocks. The second alternative is that the cremation was of Romano-British date, and that the sherds, etc., were lying about on the surface and were also gathered up in the mound material, the date being around A.D. 370 (taking the coin as evidence). The person cremated would have worn a bronze brooch or other ornament, and an iron-studded belt or something similar. Archaeologically this would appear the most satisfactory alternative, but conversely it is very rare, indeed, almost unknown, to find a Roman cremation as late as the 4th century, inhumation being the usual practice after A.p. 200. Additionally there are few known examples of Roman barrows in Wessex.** The Codford barrow, if Roman, would have to have been the result of some unusual necessity or preference. Certainly the occupation of the whole hillside was very marked in the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Roman road running from the Mendip silver-lead mines to Old Sarum and Winchester is not far distant, running along the ridge on the south side of the valley through Stockton earthworks, with which the Codford occupation is contemporary. At Codford St. Peter Sir Richard Colt Hoare excavated a presumably Roman barrow containing an inhumation, with pieces of wood and iron nails in a ‘ room’ 11 ft. deep, which contained two pieces of ‘fine Roman pottery ’; at Deptford Field Barn, Wylye, a Roman interment was found in 1898, not in a barrow, with a narrow necked vase of New Forest ware, probably A.bD. 330-70, and a skeleton apparently in association. Although a Roman cremation under a round barrow is so unusual and in fact unlikely at this late daie, it is difficult to account for the great quantity of Romano-British sherds throughout the mound of Site C otherwise. By comparison, the mounds of Sites A and F contained no such sherds although many were found in the upper levels of the ditches and the topsoil only. The horse and dogs were probably buried in the barrow within at most the last 200 years, and could have originated with an accident with the local hunt or the local farmer. Site F mound was small compared with the average size of Wessex Culture barrows, and the ditch absurdly shallow, indicating perhaps either a somewhat hasty burial or the burial of a comparatively unimportant person. Bowl barrows containing a cremation with a Middle Bronze Age collared urn are sO numerous in the area that to draw parallels is unnecessary. Cremations in situ are not so common as cremations which have been gathered up and placed in an urn or grave, but there have been a few instances in Wiltshire where the remains of a funeral pyre have been found; in two barrows at Collingbourne Kingston, 21a and 21b;* in Market Lavington 2;* and in Dorset, the Nottington Barrow near Weymouth.*® 436 The Codford barrow provides another interesting example of the ritual breaking of pottery as a funerary rite practised by prehistoric and primitive societies, illustrating the belief that the ritual would be nullified were the vessel concerned to be used afterwards for another more profane purpose. Other similar examples under barrows include Berwick St. John 6, where the sixty-four sherds were near the primary cremation among ashes;*” Bishops Cannings 61;48 Ogbourne St. Andrew 6;49 Down Farm, Pewsey.°? REPORT ON HUMAN SKELETAL MATERIAL INHUMATIONS SITE A 1. Intrusive Iron Age or Romano-British burial This skeleton is not well preserved, but a calotte and mandible have been reconstructed. There are also fragments of the upper and lower limbs, the innominate, sacrum and some vertebrae. The lower dentition is complete, and only one M3 is missing from the upper dentition. The M3 are erupted but do not show much attrition. The whole skeleton is small and light in weight, in particular the cranial bones. The sutures are open. The age is estimated at 20-25 years. The sex is female. Pathology. No pathological symptoms were observed. The left radius has received a fracture. The stature was roughly estimated from two reconstructed Humeri: 157-7 cm., or 5 ft. 2 in. The cephalic index: 83-5 (brachycephalic). 2. From grave filling (a) A large femur head does not belong to burial above, but to an adult male. (b) Fragments of finger bones of adult. (c) Small fragment of Tibia, quite possibly belonging to an Iron Age or Romano-British burial. 3. From level of Romano-British pottery in ditch Three permanent molars of adult. SITE B 1. Crouched burial with Beaker fragment This skeleton is very fragmentary. Some bones of the skull were present together with mandibular and maxillary fragments containing teeth and a number of loose teeth. There were also two fairly complete tibiae and two femora. The epiphysis of the head of one femur was not fused. The bones were those of a child. The dentition: both permanent and milk teeth were present (22 in all) indicating an age of 8 years. CREMATIONS 1. SITE A, Secondary cremations in south baulk. Bone fragments not certainly human. 2. SITE B. Cremation near barrow centre. Fragments of adult individual. 3. SITE B. Cremation south-west of centre. Fragments of child. 4. SITE C. Primary cremation. Bone fragments probably of human origin. 5. SITE F. Primary cremation. Very fragmentary remains of child. Part of mandible present and two milk molars. Age approxi- mately 9 years. Bones warped by heat. B. G. CAMPBELL. 437 REPORT ON ANIMAL REMAINS SITE A The Romano-British level of the ditch, layers 3 and 4, contained three horse teeth, including an incisor of an 8-9 year old animal and an open-rooted lower molar of a younger animal. Ox is represented by the molar tooth of a young adult and by a metatarsal bone that is remarkable for its small size. This bone has been chopped to extract the marrow. Sheep are represented by seven lower molar teeth and some limb bones. The teeth are open-rooted and are from young adults. A just erupted third molar is from an animal 14-2 years old. Two tibiae with just fused epiphyses similarly indicate young animals; these and two metapodial bones are small and fine in structure. There is also a mandible fragment and an upper canine of a dog of medium size. The secondary and rainwashed chalk silt levels in the ditch provided the bones and teeth of horse, ox, sheep, pig and dog as well as a human premolar. There are also the lower jaws and fragmentary limb bones of an adult fox. Horse is represented by one upper cheek tooth and one incisor, both poorly preserved. Ox remains are, however, much more plentiful. Two pieces of horn core are present, both are straight and narrow and the longer, which has both ends missing, is 8 in. (203 mm.) long, 12 in. (35 mm.) broad. The shorter fragment is 5 in. (127 mm.) long and 2 in. (SO mm.) broad. There is a third molar from an old ox, but the other seven cheek teeth are from young adult animals for they are little worn and have open roots. The bones are all from small animals, being smaller than the corresponding bones of the skeleton of a Jersey cow with which they were compared. The one complete long bone, a metacarpal, measures 7 in. (178 mm.) long and 2+ in. (57 mm.) wide at the distal epiphyses. Sheep are represented by six upper cheek teeth, including two left third molars, one with open roots and one with closed roots from an animal of more than two years of age. There are three lower cheek teeth, one fragment of a calcaneum and one fragment of an acetabulum as well as some charred pieces of bone. A sheep’s tibia has been cut and shaped to form a small pointed scoop. A large proportion of the skull and jaws of an adult pig are present but the bone is in a very frag- mentary state. The teeth have all erupted but are little worn. SITE C The disturbance in the barrow contained the skeletons of two dogs and a horse. The horse is of the large headed, short limbed ‘ Cob’ variety and the limb bones are slightly shorter than those of a skeleton of a pony that stood fourteen hands at the shoulder with which they were compared. The teeth show that the animal was between 6 and 7 years of age at the time of its death and as both the upper and lower canines are well developed it is probable that it was a male pony. The upper and lower first premolars show a peculiar form of wear caused by bit-biting. One of the dogs was slightly smaller than the other but both skeletons belong to large adult dogs of the short-faced variety as opposed to the long-faced greyhound type. They are about the size of fox- hounds and have similar shaped skull remains. It can be roughly estimated that they stood about 2 ft. 3 in. at the shoulder. No indication can be given of the age that these skeletons have been in the earth but the bones have a comparatively fresh appearance and there is no evidence that they are prehistoric. The metacarpal bone and hoof core of a sheep and the second phalanx of a much smaller pony were also excavated from the area. The robbing hole at the centre of the mound contained two phalanges from the foot of a dog and the navicular bone of a horse. Probably these are intrusive from the upper levels. The mound material provided only the fragmentary upper cheek tooth of a sheep. SITES D & E Contained no identifiable remains. 438 SITE F Ox is represented on this site by the upper molar of an adult animal and by a first phalanx, a broken metatarsal bone and the fragment of a humerus, possibly of a calf. SUMMARY The animal remains are so few in number that so far as the Bronze Age ditch levels are concerned no comment can be made on the role of domestic animals in the economy nor on their relative abundance. Of greatest interest are the ox remains which indicate the presence of a long-horned beast of small stature, but its remains are tantalizingly fragmentary. In the Romano-British levels there was a metatarsal bone of an even smaller ox. J. CLUTTON-BROCK and P. JEWELL. REPORT ON THE SOIL SAMPLES SITE A. Ditch section, seven samples (fig. 9). The question was whether Layer 4 represents an occupation-level, 3 a ploughed surface and their relation to 2. Layer 3 (some 3-4 ins. thick) seems to be far too thin to have been a regularly ploughed level. The chalk lumps in it are, moreover, markedly rounded and etched, eloquent of long chemical attack in a humic soil, under natural vegetation. They would have been angular and relatively sharp if broken by cultivation. It is likely that they represent the stones sunk from the surface and body of 2, which is clearly a mature rendsina, some 12 inches thick at maximum, noticeably stone-free owing to worm- activity. \ a 1 20 eM Fig. 9 Layer 4 has a few well-rounded chalk lumps, many unbroken snails, rootlets and little or no charcoal. This composition rules out an occupation-deposit. Apart from its chalk content, it is identical with 2, and seems to occupy a position in the middle of the ditch-section consistent with its being an actual part of 2. If so, the chalk-lump concentration 3, apparently dividing it from 2, has not yet been sunk the full (18 in.) depth of the humic soil, though laterally it rests on, and in, the top of 5, the secondary chalk silt, where the rendsina A-horizon is thinner over the lips of the ditch. Layers 4, 3 and 2, then. represent parts of the same undisturbed natural soil-formation in the ditch- depression. Some snail-shells collected from the samples of 4 and 5 from the subject of a separate report by Miss M. M. Howard. SITE C. Three samples. Layer 3 is clearly the original land surface before the construction of the mound, sealed by the mound material of clean chalk blocks. The occurrence of Romano-British pottery here proves that it must have been exposed at least as late as Romano-British times, for artifacts sink by worm activity only through material which contains humus and so is attractive to worms. It is thus inconceivable that surface sherds could have traversed the sterile mound make-up, even if its blockiness did not make 439 such a thing physically impossible. Pollen or other organic evidence is unlikely to have survived in such alkaline surroundings. SITE D. Five samples. Sample 2, the material between modern surface and the buried surface, is described as ‘ compact chalky “‘ clay’ and appears to be the product of trampling and puddling of crushed chalk and soil when the barrow-mound was levelled in 1914-18. Sample 3, the original pre-barrow ground surface, seems to have been somewhat involved in the disturbance, for the rendsina-crumbs, doubtless originally blackish, are pale grey in colour owing to the presence of large amounts of finely-divided free calcium carbonate, partly mere physical downwash of chalk particles and partly by permeation with lime-salts in solution, coming from the puddled layer, 2. This is proved by the occurrence locally of ‘ pseudo-mycelium ’ (needle-like microscopic crystals of lublinite, a form of calcium carbonate). No suggestion of the date of the original burial of this soil can be given. Nothing intrinsic to it forbids a date in the Bronze Age, but the soil is now greatly changed. SITE E. Five samples. The date of the buried soil was in question, as it was suspected of being recent. On ignition, this soil gave an iron-colour much browner and less red than the probably Bronze Age soils of Sites C and F. The colour gave a close match with that obtained from the modern plough-soil from the check-section—possibly modern, therefore. There are no other chemical indications. It is a well-developed grey-black rendsina with very little free chalk, and so not disturbed for a long time before it became buried. From the drawn section supplied it seems that the total thickness of modern plough and chalky material covering the buried A-horizon was no more than 12 in. This being so, one would have expected the buried soil to have been destroyed by worms if it were really ancient and never more thickly covered than it is today. We still do not know how long this process may take, but one would guess at least a few centuries. The survival at all of a buried soil in this situation, therefore, seems to suggest that it cannot have been buried very long ago. Owing to ploughing, one cannot now be sure that the former, relatively chalky, cover was not once significantly thicker than we now find it, in which case the buried soil might, after all, be relatively ancient! SITE F. Four samples. The nature of 3, the buried surface, was in question. Sample 3 is of the general, crumbly, rendsina type, but a striking yellowish brown in colour, i.e., by the standard of a modern rendsina, very deficient in humus. It further contains markedly angular chalk fragments up to ? in. in size. This and the humus-deficiency suggest disturbance not long before burial of the ancient surface—perhaps, therefore, ploughing and cropping in Middle Bronze Age times. Modern plough-soils on Chalk are often rather pale and brown in comparison with the grey-black of undisturbed rendsinas, the reduction in humus due to cropping being accentuated by aeration through ploughing, which assists the rapid oxidation of organic matter in the alkaline conditions of a Chalk soil. The iron-colour of the ignited sample is a strong yellow-red, suggesting a soil of considerable maturity, the colour being due to the acid-insolubles of the underlying Chalk which, in time, accumulate in the weathering-soil. The amount of such accumulation, and, hence, the depth of iron-colour, is a measure of the soil’s maturity, barring serious denudation. By this measure, the buried soil of Site F is the most mature, fairly closely followed by that of Site C. The buried soil of Site E and the modern plough-soil of the check-section are very alike, while the buried soil of Site D is very pale in comparison, owing to the disturbance and introduction of fresh calcium carbonate by First World War activities. P. Dore. and I. W. CORNWALL. 440 REPORT ON THE MOLLUSCA SITE A Ditch, Layer 4, dark soil accumulation. Trichia hispida ...... aoe st Pupilla muscorum ee aes) Helicella virgata ... a suse Vallonia pulchella aan ES a | Immature unidentifiable specimens probably T. hispida. Ditch, Layer 5, secondary and rainwashed chalk silt. Pomatias elegans... 15 Pupilla muscorum 2 Trichia hispida a | Valonia pulchella I Helicella virgata... 3 imature specimens Discus rotundatus... 1 Helicella itala bei hel Cochlicopa lubrica 2 fragmentary Samples from Layer 4. These specimens suggest a turf soil. Samples from Layer 5. All the varieties present in 4 are represented here also, but the comparatively large quantity of P. elegans seems to imply the presence of trees or shrubs, while H. itala suggests grassland. 5 is not likely to be a turf population, it is rather that of partly wooded downland, or even woodland. M. MAITLAND Howarb. REPORT ON THE CHARCOALS Seven samples submitted, one sample unidentifiable, of which 3 were Fraxinus (ash) a oe so BI RoWA 1 was Ilex (holly) _... a mo ae 12-57%, 1 was Ligustrum (privet) sue fe mS 12°57 1 was Pyrus type Ss ” os ong i257, 1 was Corylus (hazel) tan oF ae 1257, 1 was Acer (maple) ... ae a ae (percentages on identifiable specimens) 1. Site A. Ditch. Hearth on secondary chalk silt. 2 spp. represented—Pyrus type (Rosaceae) Fraxinus 2. Site A. Ditch. Romano-British level. 1 sp. represented—probably Corylus (hazel) 3. Site B. Small hearth south-west of centre, in barrow material. 2 spp. represented—Fraxinus Acer (maple) 4. Site C. Old turf line. Specimens very poor—? Ligustrum (privet) 5. Site C. From cremation in situ, date unproved. Fragments too small and crumbly—unidentifiable. From the little that can be seen these specimens are definitely not the same as those from Site F. 6. Site C. From single burnt stake near cremation. 1 species represented—//ex (holly) 7. Site F. From cremation in situ, Middle Bronze Age date. All 1 species—Fraxinus (ash). It is unusual to find a complete absence of Quercus (oak) amongst the charcoals, and also such a large proportion of Fraxinus. 125% 441 Ilex is usually found in damp conditions, not merely of soil but of atmosphere, and is very sensitive to extremes of frost. It is recorded by Godwin from a number of places in the south-west, and from a few sites on Wiltshire and north Hampshire. Ligustrum and Acer both occur abundantly on calcareous soils and are very common now upon the Chalk downs. One would expect to find Ligustrum associated with Cornus (dogwood), Crataegus (hawthorn), and Euonymus (spindle); and Crataegus may, in fact, be represented by the specimen ‘Pyrus type’ which covers the Rosaceous woods indistinguishable from each other as charcoals. Corylus also is commonly found in this type of vegetation, being recorded by Godwin from a large number of sites in Wiltshire, Hampshire and the Berkshire Downs. H. Godwin, History of the British Flora (1956). A. G. Tansley, The British Islands and their Vegetation (1939). 1 Ancient Wilts. 1, 81, plate viii. 2S. & C. M. Piggott, Proc. Hants. Field Club XVI, part 2, 156-162, fig. 4. 3 W.A.M. XLVI (1927-29), 218. 4 P.P.S. VII (1941), 114-133, fig. 4, no. 12. 5 B.A.P. Il, plate Ixxix, no. 210. ® Proc. Dorset Nat. Hist. & Arch. Soc., vol. 80 (1959), fig. 6, urn 2. 7 Ant. Journ., XIII (1933), 414. 8 Excavations IV, 148. ° P.P.S. XXIV (1958), 158-164. 10 P.P.S. TV (1938), 174-187, fig. 8, nos. 26, 85. 11 W.A.M. LVI (1956), 253-261, figs. 2, 4, 6 12 P.P.S. VII (1941), 128. 13 P.P.S. XXIV Sees ie 164. 14 P_P.S. I (1935), 39, fi 15 P.P.S, XXIII (1957), 54200, figs. 21, E, F, G, and 221C2D, eo. Suss. Arch. Coll. LXXV (1934), 141-5, figs. 10, 13, 19 17 PP. S. VIE (1941), 123, fig. 5, no 18 P.P.S. XXIII (1957), 128— 130, fig. a no. 1. 19 P.P.S. XXIII (1957), 204, fig. 29, nos. 1 and 2. 20 B.M. Guide to Early Iron Age Antiquities (1925), fig. 40, Type IVa. 21 Antiquities of Roman Britain (1951), fig. 14, no. 12. 22 B.A.P. II, plate Ixii, no. 8. °3 B.A.P. II, plate lxiv, no. 36. C. WESTERN . IL, plate Ixiv, no. 28. -XXV (1959), "40, fig. 7. plate ii. xT (1957), fig. 6, no. 1. . I, plate vii, no. Al. . XXIII (1957), fig. 6, nos. 3, 7, 11. . I, plate vi, nos. 25 and 26. | XXIII (1957), fig. 6, nos. 19, 25, 28, 29. V.A.M. XLII (1925-27), 389-94. oe i M. XXXVI (1909-10), 626. 34 W.A.M XLVI (1932-34), 387. 35 W.A.M. X (1866), 90. 367. V. Grinsell, Dorset Barrows, (1959), 96. 37 Ant. Journ. XIII (1933), 444. 38 4,.W. I, 210, plate xxx, 2. 39 4.W. I, 211, plate XXVIII, 8. 40 4,.W.1, 99, 159. 41 W.A.M. XXXVI (1909-10), 623; XLIV (1928-9) 118. 47. V. Grinsell, Dorset Barrows, (1959), 109. 437. V. Grinsell, Arch. of Wessex (1958), 233-4. 44 W.A.M. X (1866), 103. 48 W.A.M. XLII (1925-27), 396-7. 46 Proc. Dorset Nat. Hist. & Arch. Soc. LXXII (1951), 98, n. 7. 47 Excavations 11, 258-9. 48 W.A.M. VI (1859), 323. 49 W.A.M. XIX (1881), 67-9. 50 W.A.M. LVII (1960). 343. SEEEERESE zs 442 THE SAXON LAND CHARTERS OF WILTSHIRE By T. R. THOMSON and R. E. SANDELL Two purposes should be served in printing this list. First, we shall help topographers and local historians in showing where material exists, and in indicating where solutions can be found. Second, we hope to encourage members to take up the work, and incidentally, to indicate what work has already been done on each charter. This is a first attempt, and it would be most helpful if members were to send in notes drawing attention to errors and omissions. Most of the charters have been worked over by Grundy, whose conclusions must be examined with the greatest care. In the Library is a one-inch O.S. map of the County on which the lands of these charters are marked, in some cases the bounds being accurately shown. The monastic destination of each is indicated by colour. On the same map are shown those places where there is substantial evidence of the former existence of a Saxon church, and those courses known to have been called herepaths. In the museum is hung a 6 in. map of north-east Wiltshire showing some of the pre-Conquest manors outlined accord- ing to their ‘ solutions.’ Besides these there are in the map lockers many large scale maps showing great detail in solutions or parts of solutions. The average time taken to ‘ solve’ a charter is, we suppose, about two years, although the late B. J. Wallis solved Norton in an afternoon, but admittedly not quite from scratch. The very large Broken- borough charter, ‘ Grundy’s Waterloo,’ took four years. The late O. G. S. Crawford took six months over Bedwyn and Burbage. Generally speaking, the topographer knows at once when he has closed up the bounds satisfactorily. The process is like solving The Times crossword puzzle or a chess problem. It all ‘ fits ’, and no doubts remain. Of course many charters will, for various reasons, never be solved. Some hints are given to would-be solvers in W.A.M., lvii, p. 203. We give first the reputed date and second the grantee. The abbreviations used are as follows: B Birch, Cart. Sax.; K Kemble, Cod. Dipl.; GA Grundy, Arch. Jour. Ixxvi; GB Grundy, Arch. Jour. Ixxvii; WM one of the wall maps in the Library; LM Map Collection in the Library; SRS Somerset Record Soc., \xiv; JA Jackson’s Aubrey; NM New Monasticon; WT Wiltshire Tracts in the Library; DB Domesday Book, numbers as in V.C.H. Wilts 2. Heavy type indicates where a successful solution may be found. Alton Priors a ... 825 Winchester; B 390, K 1035, GA 159, WM Alvediston ate ... see Broad Chalke Atworth ... ne .... see Monkton Farleigh Avon = ss ... 962 Titstan; B 1083, K 849, GB 68 972 Winstan; B 1286, K 572 Great and Little Durnford; T.R.W. held by William of Eu, and Wilton Badbury ... rae ... 955 Glastonbury; B 904, K 434, SRS 676 and 685, NM I 51, GA 205, WM, LM, WT 160 Baverstock ih ... see the appendage to B 757 under Wylye, GA 268 Bedwyn, Great ... ... 968 Abingdon; B 1213, K 1266, GB 75, WM, W.A.M., xli, 281 Bedwyn, Little... ... 778 Earl Bica; B 225, K 133, GA 151, WM, W.A.M., xli 281 Beechingstoke ... ... 941 Adric; B 769, K 390, GA 269, WM Bemerton oh 968 Wilton; B 1216, K 543, GB 84, WM Bishopstone and Dornion before 672 Winchester; B 27, K 985, GA 145, WM 826 Winchester; B 391, K 1036, GA 149 c 932 Winchester; B 690, K 1108, GA 149, see Codex Wint. Bradford-on-Avon Bremhill ... Brimslade... Brinkworth Broad Chalke Brokenborough ... Burbage : Burcombe, Nort: Burcombe, South Buttermere Cadley Charlton Chelworth (in Crudwel) Chisledon Christian Malford Collingbourne Kingston Coombe Bissett ... Coulston, East Crudwell, Eastcott Crudwell, Murcott Dauntsey Deverill Ditchampton Donhead ... Downton Draycot Cerne Durnford % Eastcourt (Estcott) Easton Bassett Ebbesbourne Wake Ebbesbourne (near) Edington ... 443 948 Winchester; B 862, 863, GA 150 997 Winchester; K 698, GA 150 947 Elfsi; B 832, GA 296 957 Elfric; B 1004, K 1209, GA 298 Note: These charters are examined and partly solved in W.A.M., xxxvi, 50 et seq. Bishopstone was a detached part of Downton Hundred. WM. see Monkton Farleigh 937 Malmesbury; B 716, 717, GA 238, Archaeologia xxxvii, WM, LM see Bedwyn, Great BM, add. MS. 15667, fo. 35; see also Brokenborough 955 Wilton; B 917, K 436, GB 25, WM; concerns the lands of Bower Chalke, Ebbesbourne Wake, Alvediston, Berwick St. John, Tollard Royal and Semley. 956 Malmesbury; B 921, 922, K 460, GB 42, WM, LM; the area includes land in many parishes, and is easily the largest in the series. 961 Abingdon; B 1067, K 1236, GB 62, W.A.M., xli. 281; see Bedwyn 956 Wistan; B 985, K 456, GA 236, WM 937 Wilton; B 714, K 1115, GA 234, WM 863 Wulfhere; B 508, K 1059, GA 183, WM see Bedwyn, Great 681 Malmesbury; B 59, 59a, K 23, GB 8, LM 901 Malmesbury; B 586, K 329, GB 119, WM, LM 901 Winchester; B 598, GA 200, WM; Grundy has confused Chisledon and Badbury. 940 Glastonbury; B 752, K 384, GA 255, SRS 666, WM 921 Wilfgar; B 635, GA 216, WM 961 Brynsige; B 1071, K 1232, GB 65, WM see Edington 974 Malmesbury; K 584, GB 114, LM, WM BM, add. MS. 15667, fo. 34a Note: These charters should be studied with those of Brokenborough, Charlton, and Chelworth in Crudwell. 850 Malmesbury; B 457, 458, K 263, GA 165, Archaeologia xxxvii 262, 270, WM c. 967 Wilton; Hoare Iii, 38, NM II, 323, GB 109 see Wilton 956 Shaftesbury; B 970, K 447, GB 57, WM; attached is a survey of Easton Bassett. see Bishopstone see Kington Langley see Avon see Crudwell see Donhead see Broad Chalke 956 Wulfric; B 962, K 1188, GB 55 968 Romsey; B 1215, K 544, GB 80, WM 444 Eisey Elandun ... Enford Fovant Frustfield Grafton Grittenham Grittleton Ham Hardenhuish Hinton Parva Idmiston Kennett Kington Langley Langford ... Laverstock Leigh Delamere Liddington Limpley Stoke Lydiard ... a Manningford Abbots Monkton Farleigh Moredon ... Murcott Nettleton Newnton, North Newnton, South North Bradley Norton B 226 does not refer to Eisey, Wilts, see W.A.M., lvii, 37 956 Aelfheah; B 948, K 1184, GB 54, WM, LM, W.A.M., lvi, 265 934 Winchester; B 705, K 1110, GA 228, WM 901 Wihtbrod; B 588, K 331 | GA 191, WM 994 Wilton; K 687 : see Newnton, South; it is hoped that an article on Frustfield will appear in the next number of W.A.M. see Bedwyn, Great see Dauntsey 940 Wulfric (Glastonbury); B 750, K 381 GA 251, SRS 648, JA 424, NM I 50, LM, WM, WT 161 931 Wulfgar; B 677, 679, K 353, GA 224 Earle 166, WM 854 Wiferth; B 469, K 270, GA 170, WM 854 Winchester; B 477, K 1053, GA 172, WM, LM, W.A.M., lvii, 203, WT 158, see also Wanborough 948 Wulfric (Glastonbury); B 867, K 419, GB 16, SRS 643 see Overton 940 Wulfric (Glastonbury); B 751, K 382, JA 431, SRS 661, NM I 60 943 Wilton; B 783, K 396, GA 278 956 Byrnric; B 934, K 446, GA 282, WM The first is probably Little Langford in Branch Hundred. 949 Aelfsige; B 879, K 428, GB 22 A doubtful attribution; see E.P.N.S. Wilts 1x1 see Sevenhampton 940 Adulf (Shaftesbury); B 754, K 386, GB 12, WM, WT 157, 158 see Monkton Farleigh Grundy is wrong in attributing any part of either Lydiard to Elandun. 987 Winchester; Lib. de Hyda, GB 106, WM 1001 Bradford (Shaftesbury); K 706, GB 101, WM, concerned also with South Wraxall, Atworth, Limpley Stoke, Winsley, Bradford-on-Avon, Westwood and Wingfield. 943 Aelfsige; B 788, K 1146, GA 283 956 Wynsige; B 983, K 1185, GA 284 see also B 1093 and K 1238, LM, WM see Crudwell 944 Wolfric (Glastonbury); B 800, K 398, GA 295, SRS 645, JA 435, Wood MS (Bodleian Library) I fo. 234, LM, WM, WT 161 892 Earl Aethelhelm; B 567, K 320, GA 187 934 Wilton; B 699, K 1109, GA 188, WM 943 Wulfgar; B 782, K 395, GA 271 a second charter (of King Eadgar) in NM II 323 (to Wilton) GA 274, WM see Steeple Ashton 931 Malmesbury; B 671, 672, K 355, GA 221, LM (Brokenborough), Archaeologia xxxvii, WM Overton, East Overton, West Patney Pewsey Purton Rodbourne Rodbourne Cheney Semley Sevenhampton Sevington Sherrington Southwick Stanton St. Bernard Steeple Ashton Stockton Stoke Farthing ... Stratford-sub-Castle Stratford Tony ... Sutton Benger Sutton Mandeville Swallowcliffe Teffont Tisbury Tollard Royal Upton Lovel Wanborough Wardour West Knoyle Westwood es Wilton, Rollington Town Ditchampton By the Nadder ... 445 939 Wulfswyth (St. Swithin’s, Winchester); B 734, K 1120, GA 240 949 Frytheric; B 875, K 1162, GA 247 972 Aelflaed; B 1285, K 571, GA 245 WM, A partial solution is in Marlb. Coll. N.H. Soc. Report No. 87, 116 963 Eadgar (self-booked); B 1118, K 1245, GB 68, WM 940 Winchester; B 748, K 380, GA 247 Marlb. Coll. N.H. Soc. Report No. 81, 41 796 Ecgfirth (Malmesbury); B 279, 279a, K 174, GA 155, WM, W.A.M., lv, 353 982 Malmesbury; K 632, GB 88, LM (Brokenborough), Archaeologia XXXVll, WM see Moredon see Broad Chalke 1043 Aelfstan (Abingdon); K 767, GB 106 This is Sevington in Leigh Delamere LM, WM, WT 161, W.A.M. lviii, 229 See Sevenhampton 968 Wilton; NM II, GB 110, Wilton Cart., WM see Steeple Ashton 905 Ordlaf; B 600, K 335 957 Bishop Osulf of Ramsbury; B 998, K 467 960 Bishop Osulf of Ramsbury; B 1053, K 482, GA 210, WM 964 (Rex); B 1127, GB 70, WM 901 Aethelwulf (Winchester); B 595, K 1078, GA 197, WM W.A.M., xii, 216 see Broad Chalke 972 Winstan; B 1286, K 572, GB 87, WM 986 Aelfgar; K 655, GB 96, WM This survey is attached to the Brokenborough charter; GB 53 see Fovant 940 Garulf (Wilton); B 756, K 387, GA 259 WM 860 Osmund (Shaftesbury); B 500, K 284, GA 181, WM; Teffont Magna was in Dinton. see Wardour see Broad Chalke 957 Aethelred; B 992, K 468, GB 61, WM 854 Winchester; B 477 and 478, K 1053 (B 479 gives the bounds in some year between 1042 and 1054) WM, LM, W.A.M., Ivii, 203, WT 158 This survey includes Hinton Parva. 984 Shaftesbury; K 641, GB 90, Earle 429, WM 948 Aelfheah; B 780, K 422, GB 19 956 Wiferth; B 956, K 462, GB 19, WM 987 Leofwine; K 658, GB 98, WM;; see also Monkton Farleigh 944 Aelfgyth (Wilton); B 795, K 401, GA 288 988 Aethelnoth (Wilton); K 665, GA 289 1045 Thorth (Wilton); K 778, GA 290 958 Aelfheah (Wilton); B 1030, K 479, GA 293, WM 446 Winkfield Winsley ... asi Bes Winterbourne Monkton Winterbourne Wraxall, South Wroughton Wylye see Monkton Farleigh see Monkton Farleigh 869 Wulfhere; B 886 (not B 1192), GB 23, SRS 671 LM;; This is DB 63 held by Glastonbury. 928 Elffleda; B 664, SRS 671 922 Eadric; B 1145, GB 24; the place is unidentified. It does not appear to be that described in B 1192 and 1193. see Monkton Farleigh see Elandune 940 Ordwold (Wilton); B 757, K 379, GA 261 977 Aelfric; K 611, GA 265, WM 988 Aelfgar; K 664 (see Forsberg 215); see also Baverstock 447 W.A.S. RECORDS BRANCH REPORT FOR 1962 Volume XVIII, for 1962, Hemingby’s Register, edited by Miss Helena Chew, was published in January, 1963. It is hoped that Volume XIX, for 1963, Documents Illustrative of the Wiltshire Textile Trades in the 18th Century, edited by Miss Julia Mann, may be published before the end of the year. Work is proceeding on an edition of The Rolls of Highworth Hundred, 1275-85 (Mrs. Brenda Farr), The Diary of Thomas Naish (Miss Doreen Slatter), Court Rolls of the Wiltshire Manors of Adam de Stratton (Mr. R. B. Pugh), The Wiltshire Forest Eyre, 1257 (Mr. N. J. Williams), and The Charters of Lacock Abbey (Mr. K. H. Rogers). The membership of the Branch now totals 213. New members are urgently needed owing to the constantly rising cost of printing. The subscription is £2. REPORT OF THE CURATOR FOR 1962 THE MUSEUM AND COLLECTIONS In the latter half of June the Curator entered hospital for a serious eye operation and did not return to his duties until the end of August. As a result the work of the museum was to some extent curtailed, but despite the setback, the arrangement of the new Neolithic room was finished during the year. To complete the display two desk type cases illustrating the Stone Axe trade were built and arranged at the eastern end of the gallery, and the one-inch scale distribution map of Neolithic sites and finds was mounted under glass by the staircase approach to the library. Continuing our practice of providing further information in the room for visiting students, a group of four folding panels giving additional data and bibliographies has been set up at the end of one of the long wall units. One feature, incidentally, of the new room is a model of the east end of the West Kennet long barrow show- ing the burial chambers. Finally, the floor of the gallery, and the library staircase were both treated with ‘ Gleem’. By incorporating storage shelves below the showcases we have been able to bring down all the reserve Neolithic collections from the attics to the new room, thus to be readily accessible. A start has been made in putting this material in order by arranging single finds and the smaller groups in glass-topped boxes, all relevant infor- mation and references being listed on each box. Boxes of this type are most handy in allowing immediate examination of specimens without the need for handling, but they are expensive, and for larger finds, cardboard boxes made to our specification are being used. At the beginning of the year a display of some of the Romano-British pottery recovered from the Savernake Forest kilns was arranged in the Centenary room. LABORATORY AND TECHNICAL Work will begin very early in 1963 on a small Saxon/Medieval display room to be arranged in the old Neolithic room which has now been dismantled. For this reason a good deal of attention has been given to the cleaning and restoration of Anglo-Saxon and medieval finds, particularly metalwork, in preparation for the new display. A number of Iron Age situlate jars have also been restored; it should be said more properly, re-restored, for the bad reconstruction carried out many years ago has made it necessary to dismantle some vessels completely and start again. Much of the wall plaster recovered from the Cunetio excavations last year on the town house site has been cleaned and consolidated, and the pottery from the early well near the west gate- way of the town has been washed and examined. It makes an interesting series, including also examples of Savernake ware. More medieval ironwork from the Fyfield Down investigations directed by Mr. P. J. Fowler has also been cleaned. This was in a sense a labour of affec- tion, for we hope that this extremely interesting series, along with the rest of the finds, will eventually come to this museum. PUBLICATIONS A good deal of our efforts this year have gone into the final stage of the projected ‘ Guide- Catalogue of the Neolithic and Bronze Age Collections in Devizes Museum,’ which is to be Ss 448 printed by Headley Bros. Ltd., Ashford. The catalogue is now complete with the exception of nine of our grave groups; the drawings are at present held in Oxford awaiting publication in Inventaria Archaeologica. These will shortly be returned and incorporated in the text of the catalogue. Professor Stuart Piggott has most kindly promised to contribute a short preface. We have got off to a good start with our appeals for financial help towards printing costs. An approach to the British Academy resulted in a generous gift of £150, which has been augmented by a grant of £100 from the Society Committee. All this augurs well, we hope, for our further application to the Council for British Archaeology made at the end of the year, the result of which we shall not know until early in 1963. An initial report was published in the Society’s Journal this year on the Romano-British Pottery in Savernake Forest (Kilns 1 and 2). It is, incidentally, the first publication of the Archaeology Research Committee of the Society. The value of having, also for the first time, a closely dated pottery series for the Roman period is already becoming apparent even after casual excursions amongst the Roman collec- tions in the museum, and this new information may well entail a reassessment of at least one well known Iron Age/Roman group of pottery from the county. The search for kiln sites within the county should continue, particularly for kilns whose products cover the middle and late Roman periods. APPEAL TO THE CARNEGIE TRUST This has been indeed a year of appeals. Members will know that in 1956 the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust generously provided a grant in aid of £1,500 to enable the Society to redisplay its famous Stourhead Collection. At the same time further help was promised for a future date for the reorganisation of our classic Iron Age collections. The development of the museum has now reached the stage when our next major task of reorganisation will be that of our Iron Age finds. Thus it was felt that the moment had come to take the first steps towards application for a further grant in aid. A memorandum of the Society’s activities in the museum since 1957 was drawn up by the Curator and sent to the Grants Committee of the Trust in June together with our request for an expert report on the museum. The museum is to be inspected early in 1963 when we hope our application will proceed a stage further. LECTURES Our winter University Extension lectures are fast becoming an established event, and for the fourth successive year the Society organised a group of three in collaboration with Bristol University. The lecturers were: Professor C. F. C. Hawkes, Oxford University; Mr. Graham Webster, Birmingham University, and Mr. C. A. Ralegh Radford, President, Somerset Archaeo- logical Society. The popularity of these lectures this year exceeded the seating capacity of the Museum Lecture Hall, and accommodation had to be sought in the Town Hall, and the well appointed Assembly Hall of Southbroom School. On 4th April a B.B.C. recorded broadcast was held in the Lecture Hall before an invited audience. The broadcast was one of ‘ The Archaeologist ’ series, and consisted of questions on ‘ Salisbury Plain during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages’ put by members of the audience to a panel of experts composed of Professors Stuart Piggott and R. J. C. Atkinson, under the chairmanship of Mr. Nicholas Thomas. The Curator lectured during the year to various groups and societies in the county. Talks and guided tours were provided for Urch- font Manor, and outside the county lectures were given to the Bristol Spelaeological Society and the Camerton Field Club. He also attended as lecturer at a Y.H.A. Wardens’ Conference held at Marlborough Youth Hostel, and after- wards acted as guide during a conducted tour of monuments in the Avebury region. LOANS Ten groups of museum specimens were lent during the year for teaching purposes to schools. A selection of objects of the Early Iron Age and Roman periods has been lent for a period of six months to the Committee of the Priest’s House Museum, Wimborne, an entirely new museum which was first opened to the public on 31st July of this year. Groups of fossil specimens were again lent to Urchfont Manor during a weekend course on the Geology of the county. Temporary loans of cooking equipment were made to Professor R. J. C. Atkinson during the period of excava- tion at Wayland’s Smithy, Berks., and to Mr. P. J. Fowler during his excavations on Fyfield Down. At the request of Professor W. F. Grimes, Director, Institute of Archaeology, London, two desk cases illustrating some of the finds (Iron Age and Romano-British) from Stockton Earth- works were arranged and displayed at Druids Lodge. The display was for the benefit of students of the Institute during a summer train- ing dig on the earthworks. During October the Committee of the Wilt- shire Womens’ Institutes were given the use of the museum Lecture Hall for a week for the purpose of storing and arranging pictures painted by their members, and afterwards exhibited in the Town Hall, Devizes. SLIDE COLLECTIONS Our collections of colour transparencies con- tinue to grow, and for this we are as usual greatly indebted to Mr. N. U. Grudgings who has presented further slides of archaeological and topographical subjects, not to mention his many brilliant flower studies. We have also augmented our archaeology series this year by exchanging transparencies from our own set on sale in the museum with groups from other museums. We are grateful to them for their co-operation. VISITORS We have again been privileged to receive specialists and distinguished scholars who visited the museum to examine our collections. Amongst them were Professor and Mrs. C. F. C. Hawkes who examined afresh finds from All Cannings Cross in connection with the publica- tion of their report on the Iron Age habitation site at Cow Down, Longbridge Deverell. Others included Mr. H. J. Case, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Mr. J. B. Calkin, continuing his study of late Bronze Age urns, and Dr. Cowie, Bristol University, who is researching on the petrology of querns. Dr. Isobel Smith has continued to be a regular visitor during the final stages of writing her Windmill Hill and Avebury reports. Amongst student and adult parties who visited the museum were J. W. X. Corcoran with students from Glasgow University; Lady Aileen Fox and students from Exeter University during their Field Studies course held in March; members of the University of Bonn; the Histori- cal Association, and the Classical Society of Reading University, the last-named being enter- tained to tea (pietatis causa) in the Lecture Hall. It was also a pleasure to welcome the Camerton Field Club led by their director Mr. W. Wedlake during one of their summer outings. 449 On 4th November the Natural History Society held a very successful ‘ Conversazione’ in the Museum. Nineteen school parties visited the museum and were guided round by the Curator. The total number of visiting pupils was 555. We do feel that the number of schools in the county who make use of the facilities offered by this museum is still, comparatively, very small. One overwhelming difficulty must be that of providing transport to bring pupils from out- lying villages. Headmasters too, most probably have a tight curriculum that must be got through, and which does not allow for regular visits to their local museum. Yet here is a treasure house of information about the geology, arch- aeology, history and natural history of the county. Surely then, for this reason a visit to this museum should find a place in the time- tables of the many schools in Wiltshire. But if this is not regularly possible, can we make a further suggestion? Of the many school- children in their last few weeks at school, would it not be beneficial for small groups to come here, not specifically to study the collections, but more particularly to be shown what goes on behind the scene in the workrooms and labora- tories of a museum and its library. Our intention is not to sell to pupils the idea of taking up a museum career but simply to add to the exper- iences they have already received during their school life. Few of them will ever have been in this museum (how many, for instance will ever have seen a six-inch map?), and most of them will be surprised at the variety and number of services provided here (and at other museums), for the general benefit. Such a visit might, at the same time, give them a fleeting picture of the historical and archaeological richness of their native county—not a bad thing for a rising Wiltshire generation. We do, therefore, invite headmasters and teachers to make fuller use of their neighbouring museum. Devizes has the reputation of being one of the best local museums in the British Isles with remarkable collections which comprehen- sively illustrate the archaeology, history and geology of Wiltshire, and we always welcome the opportunity to give guided talks to school- children when requested. The number of visitors to the Museum excluding specialist visits, and school groups is 450 given below, with the figures for last year:— 1961 January—March ie oe 391 April-June... ae be 772 July-September sed me 1,155 October-December ... oe 319 Total ... mA ss. ° 2,037, 1962 January—March ce ua 326 April-June... ve an 806 July-September es shy 1,120 October-December ... aa 347 Total ... a ae 2,599 FIELDWORK Before he finally left the museum (see below) Mr. D. A. Simpson undertook excavations in collaboration with Dr. Isobel Smith on a group of barrows at West Overton. The investigations were on behalf of the Ministry of Works. A small stone coffin of late Roman date was excavated at Winsley, Bradford-on-Avon after its discovery during ploughing. Fragments of a small cooking pot containing cremated bone found up against the head of the coffin, but outside it, have been deposited in the museum. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS In August Mr. Derek Simpson resigned his post as Assistant Curator to take up an appoint- ment as Assistant Lecturer at Leicester Univer- sity. We take this opportunity of wishing him every success at his new job, and thank him for all his excellent work during his stay at Devizes, Geology Part of Mammoth tusk, and tooth of Mammoth (Elephus antiquus). ? Hindlimb of Rhinoceros (Tichorinus). Found at a depth of 20 ft. in Shorncote Gravel Pit, near Ewen, Glos. Group Capt. G. M. Knocker. 5/62. Natural History Skin of Corncrake (Crex crex). Skin of Gold- finch (C. carduelis britannica). Skin of Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra curvirostra). Marlborough College Natural History Socy. 24/62. Prehistoric Perforated rake of Red Deer antler, consisting of brow and bez tines. Found during construc- tional work at Corston Spring, near Corston. Malmesbury Rural District Council. 18/62. Long-Necked Beaker, Collared Urns, flint, stone and antler implements. From excavations in particular the considerable part he has played in the compilation of the new catalogue. Miss Gillian Lamacraft, Exeter University was ap- pointed Assistant Curator to succeed him on 13th September, and took up her duties in November. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Curator’s absence during midsummer left a gap at the museum which was admirably filled at short notice by Mr. Sandell and the Rev. E. Steele despite their own very onerous duties. To both these officers the Curator feels he owes a very great debt of gratitude, and perhaps particularly to Mr. Sandell who so unhesitatingly abandoned his projected sabbatical leave from the Library. We are grateful as usual to Mr. N. U. Grudgings who, in addition to his regular and valuable photographic work for the museum, has provided us once again with free distilled water during the year. Mr. John Graham, a prehistory student at Cardiff University, assisted in the museum on a number of occasions, and we are especially grateful to him for his work in classifying part of the Neolithic collection. We would again thank Mrs. Cole for her faithful service in the museum, and Mr. Cole who continues in his admirable manner the steady work of reconstruction. When finally all is complete (is such a thing possible in any museum?) this museum will very largely be a monument to his own industry and interest. ACCESSIONS The Society Committee extends its thanks to all who have made gifts or loans during the past year. These are listed below: carried out by Dr. Isobel Smith on behalf of the M.O.W. at a group of barrows on Overton Hill. 26/62. Dolichocephalic skull of female. From long barrow within Bratton Camp, excavated by W. Cunnington. Rev. L. G. Champion. 28/62. Group of Iron Age sherds (class B and L8). Found during excavations at Hengistbury Head. Red House Museum, Christchurch, Hants. 2/62. Two hand-cut shale armlets, and one cutting tool of flint. Found at Kimmeridge, Dorset. Red House Museum, Christchurch, Hants. 3/62. Flaked flint roughout. Found at Stonehenge. Guildford Museum. 17/62. Roman Three flint lathe cutting tools. Found at Purbeck, Dorset. Red House Museum, Christ- church, Hants. 4/62. 451 Type series of sherds recovered during Handled German Stoneware mug, embossed excavations carried out by A. Keiller in 1925 at with initials G R (probably George I). Mrs. the Windmill Hill causewayed camp. Dr. Isobel Steele. 16/62. Smith. 7/62. Small figurine of (?) tinned iron, representing Iron scythe blade. Found above Water Dean male standing figure, humpbacked and wearing Bottom, ~ mile south-west of Casterley Camp. horned headdress. Exact date and_ locality Mr. R. E. A. Wright. 14/62 uncertain. Mr. B. J. Phillips. 21/62. Cooking pot, late 3rd/4th century A.p. (in- Lead tobacco jar, painted red and gold, lid complete). Found associated with cremated surmounted by head of negro. Jar bears the bone and set against a small stone coffin of late initials J P and the date 1846. Mrs. M. Reardon. Roman date. Discovered during ploughing 25/62. close to Parsonage Farm, Limpley Stoke. Mr. Wine bottle seal having the arms probably those H. S. Boles. 22/62. of the Long family of Baynton. Found in the Medieval garden of Upper Baynton Farm Cottage. Mr. Selécti Pe eieaicclicndes (Bound a ; L. J. Garrett. 27/62. election of medieval sherds. Found close to ; : Grange Farm, Shalbourne. Mr. P. G. E. Numismatics ; Roman Pantin. 1/62. Hoard of 3rd century coins. From the late Recent W. C. Priestley’s excavations at Nettleton in Three bone spoons and a number of clay pipe bowls (18th century). Found near Grange Farm, Shalbourne. Mr. P. G. E. Pantin. 1/62. Brass badge of Devizes and District Women’s Emergency Corps, formed during the 1914-18 War. Mr. R.S. Child. 6/62. Brass seal and wax impression of Marlborough Borough. Found in a garden at Stone, Staffs. Mr. P. C. Dutton. 9/62. . Brass snuff box. JOHN RUTTER BRIDEWELL ST. Devizes Wits engraved on the lid. The date 1912 is stamped on the base. Rev. C. Mascall. 10/62. Six-handled bowl with yellow/brown glaze. Mr. H. Ross. 11/62. Sampler embroidered with words ‘ Avebury National School’ and the alphabet in capitals and uncials. Dorchester Museum. 12/62. Combined nut-cracker and seal (?) with the letters F and S (in reverse and incuse) stamped on circular terminal. Rev. C. Mascall. 13/62. Iron sickle with wooden handle. Stamped W. Fox PATENT 5. Messrs. Higgs, The Garage, Little Somerford. 15/62. 1938. Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum. 8/62. Allectus (a.p. 293-6). Ae. Antoninianus Oby. Radiate bust r. IMP.C.ALLECTVS.P.F.AVG. rey. Laetitia 1. LAETIT.AVG. Found in a field at Bishops Cannings. Mr. P. Harris. 20/62. M. Aurelius (?) (A.D. 161-80). Ae. Sestertius Oby. Laur. bust r. IMP.CAES.M.AVREL.ANTONINVS.AVG. ? rev. uncertain. Found in a cottage garden near Calstone Church. Mr. Maslen. 23/62. Tradesman’s token. IOHN SHORTE IN CHIPPENHAM *S* IA Donor: Mr. F. Dean. 19/62. Equipment One Paterson 35 mm Developing Tank. Mr. D. D. A. Simpson. 29/62. 452 NOTES A Late Roman Coin Hoard from Nettleton. A small hoard of 3rd century Roman coins from the late W. C. Priestley’s excavations at Nettle- ton, Wilts., in 1938 has recently been examined. The hoard consisted of 61 coins and 26 frag- ments, but, since the coins were not cleaned after excavation, many have deteriorated and are now indecipherable. The details, so far as they can be ascertained, are as follows. The references are to Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. Valerian I (A.D. 253-9) rey. uncertain... sa 1 Gallienus (sole reign A.D. "259- 68) RIC 230 LIBERO P CONS AVG - 1 RIC 287 VBERITAS AVG 1 RIC 325 VIRTVS AVG + a 2 rey. uncertain ne 3 Salonina, wife of Gallienus RIC 58 AVG IN PACE _... < I Claudius IT (A.D. 268— iy rey. uncertain ... : ae se 7 Quintillus (A.D. 270) RIC 89 VICTORIA AVG ... ane 1 Postumus (A.D. 259-268) RIC 58 FELICITAS AVG bei 2 RIC 83 SAECVLI FELICITAS _... 2 RIC 89 VICTORIA AVG ... aa 1 RIC 318 PAX AVGPI _... I rey. uncertain ... 8 Victorinus (A.D. 268- 70) RIC 68 SALVS AVG ba pie l RIC 118 PAX AVG as fe 2 Tetricus I (A.D. 270-74) RIC 132 SPES AVGG l rev. uncertain ... 2 Tetricus II (A.D. 270- 274) rey. uncertain ... - we 2 Uncertain coins (regular)... Pe si 16 Uncertain coins (imitation) 6 Total — ... oe tan on 61 Fragments .. “a 26 Through ee adie e ches Desai of Coins and Medals, British Museum, the hoard is now lodged in Devizes Museum together with other material from the site. R. A. G. Carson, (Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum). Excavations near the Bishop’s Stables, Cath- edral Close, Salisbury. In view of the impending construction near the Bishop’s Stables of the Bishop Wordsworth’s School swimming pool, members of the School Archaeological Society led by M. R. Pinner and A. E. S. Musty, under the direction of Mr. John Musty, undertook trial excavations in the area just south of the stables to determine if earlier structures had existed on the site. These trenches revealed a series of archaeological levels, the earliest of which produced 14th century pottery. River silt with gravel was encountered at a depth of 4 ft. 4 in. and above this was brown and grey mud (7 in. thick). A floor of chalk rubble, covered in places with flint cobbling, had been laid on the mud, probably on a layer of straw. An insufficient area was exposed to determine the nature of the structure of which this floor formed a part. Associated with the floor was a ? drainage ditch 2 ft. 6 in. wide and three post- holes. Fragments of flat roofing tiles were obtained both off the floor and from the ditch. These tiles had buff unglazed surfaces, although a few fragments of glazed tile were also found. The pottery from this level is of 14th century date. Above the 14th century level was a black peaty layer (6 in. thick) and a grey sandy silt (9 in. thick) signifying a period of abandonment and possibly flooding of the site. Rubbish had then been tipped on the area to make up the ground, and the finds from this level included 17th century clay pipes, a hammer-head and pottery. On top of this make-up was a chalk floor associated with walls of chalk lumps, bricks and free-stone. The site had then again been levelled and rubble and heavy cobbling added, doubtless to make the yard of the present stables, now grassed over at this point. In the rubble make-up was a decorated floor tile of medieval date, which suggests that the rubble was possibly building rubbish from the Cathe- dral or the Bishop’s Palace. It is surprising that earlier structures should have existed on this site, especially at a depth of nearly 4 ft. as the Close was subject to severe flooding in the 14th century—in 1319, for instance, water rose to the high altar of the Cathedral. It is possible that the buildings were only of a temporary nature connected with building projects of that time, for example the building of the Close Wall, especially the nearby section along the side of Exeter Street. This project would have been under way by 1331 when permission was given for the demolition of the Cathedral at Old Sarum, the stone from which was used for building the Close Wall. J. W. Musty The Castle Eaton Sanctus Bell. In every reference to the church of St. Mary the Virgin at Castle Eaton, special attention is drawn to the sanctus beil turret which is its most prominent feature. Mr. E. C. Ponting, in his extensive notes on this church, which are found in vol. XXX of W.A.M., ascribes the beautifully proportioned chancel arch and chancel to the second quarter of the 13th century, and says, ‘ The picturesque turret over the east end of the nave is coeval with it.’ After describing the turret he goes on to say, ‘ There is no bell, but the gudgeons may be seen.” This was in 1898. Yet there is a sanctus bell hanging in the turret at Castle Eaton, though, so far as the present writer has been able to discover, no reference has ever been made to it in print. The story of this bell, as related to me some years ago by my _ predecessor—the Revd. C. M. R. Luckman, Rector of Castle Eaton, 1898-1945—deserves recalling. Early in Luck- man’s incumbency the Bishop of Bristol, Dr. George Forrest Browne, was visiting Castle Eaton and asked to go up the tower to see the bells. Forrest Browne was a Cambridge scholar who had been Disney Professor of Archaeology before his consecration to the suffragan bishopric of Stepney and subsequent translation to Bristol. In the bell-chamber the bishop saw the ring of six early 18th century bells, but there was also a much smaller bell, used as a ting-tang, which attracted his attention. He examined it carefully and then said to Luckman, ‘I am convinced that this is the original sanctus bell, taken down from the turret as superstitious under the Elizabethan Injunctions and re-hung here. You had better have it restored io its original position.” ‘I assume then, my Lord,’ replied Luckman, ‘ that it may then be restored to its original use.’ ‘Don’t draw any unwarranted conclusions from what I say,’ snapped the bishop. The upshot of this conversation was that the bell was re-hung in the turret in July 1900, and this was com- memorated by a small brass tablet on the west wall of the chancel. Very few people have seen the bell as the turret is only accessible by ladders, 453 and then with some difficulty; but for more than sixty years it has been used as a call-bell for Holy Communion only, and rung in the ancient way at the Consecration. In 1961 the sanctus bell turret was pronounced unsafe owing to decay of some of the stones and ominous cracks in others, and it had to be completely dismantled and rebuilt. The op- portunity was taken then of submitting the bell to expert examination. It bears no inscription, but on the lip is a founder’s mark in the shape of a tall cross, the lower half of the upright being supported by two struts. So far this founder’s mark has not been identified, and the present writer would welcome any light that can be thrown on it. Mr. Frederick Sharpe, F.s.A.— President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, and an acknowledged authority on medieval bells—pronounces the bell to be undoubtedly an early 14th century casting. It measures 114 inches in diameter and is 10 in. high from lip to crown. The bell had been damaged and badly repaired at some time in the past, so before it was rehung proper repairs were carried out by Mr. Frank White of Appleton, near Abingdon—a church bell- hanger whose business goes back at least to the time of his great-grandfather. He drilled out as much as possible of the broken cast-in crown staple to prevent the danger of cracking, fitted a new crown staple, welded a new shank to the clapper and refixed it. Once more the sanctus bell hangs in its graceful turret, from which it had been banished for more than three hundred years. J. A. HARRISON Naish’s Map of Salisbury. In the preparation of volume vi of the Wiltshire V.C.H., the following editions were noted. 1. Imprinted ‘ London. Sold by John Senex at ye Globe in Salisbury Court near Fleet street, and Will: Taylor at ye Ship in Pater- noster Row 1716.’ The only located copy of this belongs to St. Thomas’s School, Bemer- ton Heath, Salisbury. There must, however, be at least one more in existence, for it was used by Miss Kathleen Edwards when she wrote her article ‘ Houses of Salisbury Close in the 14th Century,’ Jn/. Brit. Arch. Assoc. (3rd ser.) iv, 54-115. Miss Edwards believes that she saw a copy of this edition at the British Museum, but it does not appear in the catalogue of maps, and the officials of the map room could not suggest its whereabouts. 454 2. Imprinted ‘ London. Sold by John Senex at ye Globe agst St. Dunstan’s Church Fleet street.’ There is a copy of this in the Society’s library. William Taylor died in 1723, so that the imprint was probably changed then: otherwise the map is unchanged from the 1716 edition. The difference in the form of address given by Senex is not helpful for dating it any more closely, because Salisbury Court was opposite St. Dunstan’s Church, so that it is not certain that he had moved at all. He died in 1740, and the map appears in a catalogue issued by his widow Mary, priced at 2s. 3. Imprinted ‘Sarum. Printed and Sold by Benjn. Collins, Printer, on the New Canal. 1751.2. There are copies in the British Museum and the Salisbury Museum. This is presumably the first edition published by Collins after he had acquired the plate. It has many alterations from the previous editions, including the following: a. Thecorrection of several spelling mistakes on the map of the River Avon. b. The deletion of a spire from Fisherton Church tower, the lengthening of the spire of St. Martin’s Church, and the addition of the tower of Frowd’s Hospital in the prospect of the city. c. Some corrections in the list of references, and the addition of a number of new ones. d. The addition of parish boundaries and names. e. The addition of more elaborate notes about the roads leading from the city. “The Ditch’ is changed to ‘The New Canal.’ The addition of some trees in the Close. The elaborate compass rose with blank panel below is replaced by a decorated panel containing a dedication to the Bishop, and a more simple compass is placed near East Harnham. j. Above the view of the cathedral the sky is replaced by thirteen lines of description. k. ‘ That was’ is added to ‘ Bowling Green ’ at the north end of Castle Street. 4. Imprinted as the last, but undated. There is a copy in the Diocesan Registry at Salisbury. a In addition to these there may be an edition of 1726. What purported to be one was pub- lished in Thomas Sharp’s Newer Sarum, but the reproduction was not clear enough to read the date certainly. Since the figure one used in the date in the 1716 edition has a prominent hook at the top and an exaggerated foot, it would be quite possible to misread it as a two, and the edition is apparently otherwise identical with the 1716 edition. Neither Mr. Sharp nor his pub- lishers had any record of the whereabouts of the map reproduced. It seems most likely that it was another copy of the 1716 edition, perhaps the same as that used by Miss Edwards. In British Museum Add. MS. 22838, f. 39 is a small copy, not a facsimile, of Naish’s map, engraved by T. Jefferys, apparently of the later 18th century. K. H. ROGERS A Seventeenth Century Trade Token. A halfpenny token issued by John Bradell and Lenard Lee in Shlatbourn in 1671 has been wrongly assigned to Shalbourne in this county. The mistake was originally made by Williamson in his edition of Boyne’s Seventeenth Century Trade Tokens and was repeated in W.A.M., xxx, 306, as well as in my recent article on The Marlborough Tokens in the Marlborough College N.H. Society Report for 1961, p. 41. It really belongs to Slaidburn in Yorkshire. John Bradell and Leonard Leigh are both described in the parish registers there as gentlemen. Leigh was one of the donors of two chalices to the parish church in 1678. E.G.H.K. The Spas and Mineral Springs of Wiltshire. Additional information to article in W.A.M., June, 1953, 1-29 and June—Dec., 1956, 388-89 and Victoria County Histories, Wilts., iv, 1959, 386-88. HOLT. The following letter has been brought to my notice and kindly transcribed by Mr. K. Rogers. It was written by Thomas Pyne from Dunsbear [Devon, in the parish of Merton] on 23 July, 1731, to Mrs. Buller at Morvall near Loo, Cornwall. It is now among the Buller papers deposited at the Cornwall County Record Office, Truro, by Major R. R. B. Kitson, in bundle no. 355:—! ‘ The concurse of people at Holt seems to me to shew the good opinion which you entertained of its water, but as several springs are found out of late in the place, all en- deavour, to whom they belong, to gaine a character for their spring. But as the cures are unexceptionable which the water of the old Pump hath done, and there is not yet a large catalogue of performances from the other springs, I am of the opinion with Mrs. Ilbert that there is scarce water enough from the old pump to be had, for all that desire it in this drie season. The water, I apprehend, bears carriage very well, and I have of late seen a child of consederable distinction who from them in the Country hath received very great advantage. I have as much evidence as the nature of the matter (I conceive) will allow, that there is no secret conveying water to the old well, and that there is no new spring broke into it, and that the water from thence retains still its full vertue. It is not practicable (I take it) to know when the water is bottled if there be not an eye witness to it, neither can I say how long it retains its vertue, on all which accounts I presume young masters drinkeing of them will be put of for a time longer, untill a proper supply may be had? ... which probably will be at least in a few months. If all that desire it can have the quantity Mrs. Ilbert mentions, they need not complaine of the want of the element, which scace is distinguished from common water but by gargleing of it two or three times, after which I presume a little brackisness will be felt on the tongue. ’ MELKSHAM. In the 1953 article the belief was expressed that the Spa, which began in 1813 had failed before 1841. Probably that is substan- tially true, but a work overlooked in 1953 may indicate that the spa continued to have some activity until about 1850. This is The baths and watering places of England ... Second edition, etc. 1848. By Edwin Lee. The first edition, entitled The mineral springs of England, 1841, mentions no Wiltshire spa, but the 1848 edition has one page (84) on Melksham which says, among other things, that the waters ‘ naturally deficient of gas,’ ‘ are charged by means of an apparatus, for exportation’ and that there are 17 am obliged to Mr. P. L. Hull, County Archivist, Cornwall, for permission to publish the letter. 2 The ms. is torn and perhaps one word is missing. 3 Inaugural address by G. Forrest Browne (W.A.M., xxxi, 1900-01, 275-9 and L. Richardson, Wells and Springs of Gloucestershire (Mems. of Geol. Survey), 1930, 82. The well is not mentioned in G. F. Browne: Augustine and his companions, 1897, or in R. C. S. Walters: The ancient wells, springs and holy wells of Gloucestershire, 1928. 455 ‘baths, with douching apparatus, and medicated baths.’ This section on Melksham is repeated almost verbatim in the third edition entitled The watering places of England ... Third edition, etc. 1854 (pp. 50-51) but is omitted in the Fourth edition, 1859. These are the only editions of the work and they mention no other Wiltshire spa. Lee may have been chiefly relying on older books, but from the details he mentions it would seem that he had some first- hand knowledge of Melksham and his remarks may show that there was some spa activity until the middle of the century. Of course local people have taken the waters since the life of the spa ended, as is the case with many spas. BAVERSTOCK. * Merry Well ’ is a little dipping well in the village ... said to be good for bad eyes, as well as for making tea.’ Even in the 20th century bottles of the water have been taken away to cure eyes. The name is obviously ‘Mary Well,’ or the Virgin’s Fount’ (C. V. G(oddard) in W.A.M. 1, 1942, 34). LATTON/DOWN AMPNEY. An old medicinal well in this district may be mentioned, for although actually in Gloucestershire, in the parish of Down Ampney, it is only just over the Wiltshire border. It was known as Lertle or Lertoll well, also referred to as St. Augustine’s well, and was at the point 114965 on the 24 in. O.S. map 41/19, but was sealed when an airstrip was built over the area in the 1939-45 war. Bishop G. Forrest Browne held that it was at this point that St. Augustine met the British (Welsh) Bishops under Augustine’s oak, and that he healed a blind man with water from the well.? At least until 1914 it was still locally held to be ‘ good for the eyes."* The name ‘Lertoll’ is perhaps from O.E. */orte=dirt, mud, a muddy place + wel/la=well, spring, or hol=hole, hollow (cf. Lertwell, Berks.).° J. H. PAFFORD 4C. G. Harper, Thames Valley Villages, 1910, i, 47-49; G. M. Royce, Notebook of an American Parson in England, 1918, 217. 5 E. Place-name Soc. Vol. 26 (Elements), p. 27. Dr. T. R. Thomson, of Cricklade, to whom I am indebted for information about this well, doubts this explanation of the name. No early forms are known to the editor of the forthcoming volume on Gloucestershire for the E.P-N.S. 456 OBITUARIES The Society lost a keen and valued member in the passing of Miss Isabella Mary Braidwood, on 20th September, 1962. She was a daughter of Dr. Peter Murray Braidwood, son of a minister of the Church of Scotland, who prac- tised for many years in Birkenhead, and was a founder of the Wirral Children’s Hospital, which commemorates him in its Braidwood Ward. Her mother was Lydia Mary Cunning- ton, a daughter of Henry Cunnington, of Devizes. In 1945 Miss Braidwood returned to Devizes, making her home in Victoria Road. True to the family tradition, she associated her- self actively with the Archaeological Society, and was a regular attendant at its meetings. For some years, with her friend Miss D. Seth Smith, she worked two days a week in the Library at the Museum, chiefly on the history of Edington and was responsible for checking the account of this parish in the Victoria County History. Her special interest was the history of Devizes, its institutions and buildings, and she wrote a history of the old Devizes Theatre, which stood in Estcourt Street, where for a long period travel- ling dramatic companies performed. Her literary gifts also found expression in the writing of fiction, particularly with local associations. Quiet and unassuming in manner, she won the regard of many for her personality, her gifts and character. Her friendships were deep and lasting. At the funeral service at Devizes Congregational Church (with which members of the Cunnington family were long associated), the Society was represented by Mr. Annable, Mr. Sandell and Mrs. Cole. Miss Braidwood will be held in grateful remembrance by all her friends. J.O.D. Sir William Palin Elderton, K.B.E., who died in the spring of last year at the age of 85 was one of our most senior members. Elderton was a first class actuary and statistician, and spent most of his working life in the insurance business. He was statistical adviser to the Ministry of Ship- ping from 1917 to 1920, and an adviser to the Ministries of Shipping and War Transport from 1939 to 1946. He was Chevalier, Legion of Honour, and an hon. Ph.D. of Oslo. Obit.: The Times, 11th April, 1962. Mrs. Dorothea Bussell, widow of the Revd. J. G. Bussell, sometime an assistant master at Marlborough, died on the Ist April, 1962, aged 77. She was one of the very small band among our members who was both a novelist and poet. One of her novels (Dunbarrow) was centred on Avebury. Mrs. Bussell leaves two sons and a daughter. Obit.: Marlborough Times, 6th April, 1962. Gerard James Buxton, of Tockenham Manor, Wootton Bassett, died there on 2nd April, 1963, five days before his 93rd birthday. He was the third son of John Matthew Barnes of Morningthorpe, Norfolk, and changed his name after his marriage in 1901 to Maud Isabel Buxton, elder daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, 3rd Baronet, of Shadwell Court, Norfolk. One of her ancestors had married in 1753 Elizabeth, daughter of John Jacob of The Rocks, near Bath. At that time the Jacob family owned property in Norton, Hullaving- ton, Hilmarton and Tockenham and it was through this marriage that Tockenham Manor came into the Buxton family. To it in 1905 Major Buxton and his wife came to live, and there he continued to reside for the rest of his life. Soon after coming to the county he joined the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, served in it till 1919, and remained a keen Yeoman for the rest of his days. To his brother officers he was always affectionately known as Pom-pom from his quick and rather staccato habit of speech which reminded the more senior of them of the Maxim gun of Boer war days. In his early life he had been a promising ball- games player. The Headmaster of Ipswich Grammar School, where he was educated, reported to his father that if sent to the Varsity he would certainly get a soccer Blue and perhaps a cricket one, but was very unlikely to get a degree. His Victorian parent was not impressed and no athletic honours were to come the young man’s way, although he did play soccer as an amateur for Norfolk, enjoyed all games as long as he could play them, and proved a bold man to hounds in his hunting days. Certainly he was not academically inclined but there was never any doubt of his quickness of wit, nor of his sense of fun, which remained with him till very nearly the end of his life. Major Buxton was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire in 1945 and served as High Sheriff in 1925. He sat as Magistrate on the Wootton Bassett Bench for many years, was a County Councillor, and a Governor of Dauntsey’s School. During his lifetime he made a number of local benefactions. He built the parish hall at Lyneham and presented Wootton Bassett with a cricket ground. When the 19th century school at Tockenham closed in 1950 he bought the building and made it available as a village hall. Through a covenanted gift to the Historic Churches Trust Major Buxton re-roofed the North aisle of Lyneham Church and made 457 possible extensive repairs to Tockenham Church. Farming was always a great interest and pleasure to him. In the 1920’s when he kept Dairy Shorthorns he had a number of Show successes, including a First at the Royal. His first wife died in 1951, and he married, secondly, Mirabel, daughter of Major and Mrs. Robert Lomer, who survives him. 458 REVIEWS The Church in Anglo-Saxon England, by John Godfrey, pp. xi and 529, with 6 maps and 16 plates, C:U.P:, 1962, 55s: The Society should be glad that the honoured names of its clerical scholars—Jackson, Goddard and Manley—will receive the addition of that of our member the Revd. C. J. Godfrey of Donhead St. Andrew. Mr. Godfrey’s work is no mere padded Bede; he has read largely, and he covers a great deal of ground in a readable way. He is especially good on the personalities of the early Church. His treatment of Aélfric and Wilfrid is excellent. The book is well printed, well illust- rated, and lies flat. It is, however, a book for popular refresh- ment, and not the book of a modern historian. Surprisingly, there are many Wiltshire errors and omissions. Tisbury has nothing to do with Tiw, nor Wylye with weoh and leah. One would have thought that a Wiltshireman writing of the anti-heathen campaigns would have spoken of the highly significant presence of an 8th century preaching cross at Avebury—that decayed but supremely obvious heathen centre of South Britain. The author does not seem to be acquainted with the important paper on Brad- ford-on-Avon church by Jackson and Fletcher (1953), neither does he seem to have consulted the wealth of our Library on Egbert’s Stone, heathen and Christian burials, and the distribu- tion of pre-Conquest churches. The Bayeux Tapestry is mentioned without reference to Sir Frank Stenton’s recent work; the work of Henri Pirenne and P. Grosjean, (Confusa Caligo, Celtica, 1956), does not seem to have been used. Generally speaking, the judgments are not those of an historian. A book to be read and enjoyed, but to be read with care as there seems to be some unawareness of modern historical, topographical, and archi- tectural work. Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Con- quest, by H. R. Loyn, pp. xii and 422, Long- mans, 1962, 30s. This is a volume in the series Social and Economic History of England, edited by Professor Asa Briggs. Its author, not unknown to readers of W.A.M., is one of our younger professional historians who will go far. He is up-to-date, readable, comprehensive, and absolutely reliable. The book is well produced, although the paper might well be heavier, the footnotes are foot- notes, the bibliography is useful and the index adequate, though not including travel, roads, clothing, army, building, meals, furniture or sport. One would rather expect some consider- able space to be given to these. The chapter headings give the scope of the book. They are: Settlement and Peoples, The European Setting and Overseas Trade, Internal Trade: The Coinage and the Towns, The Land, Kingship and Nobility, Church, Learning and Literature, The Major Social Changes, The Norman Con- quest, and England at the End of the Eleventh Century. Readers of Mr. Godfrey’s book, noticed above, would do well to read Mr. Loyn’s sixth chapter of 64 pages. They will enjoy the contrast of style and content. T. R. THOMSON Hemingby’s Register, edited by Helena M. Chew, pp. xi and 280. Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, Records Branch, 1963. Salisbury Cathedral possesses a series of mediaeval chapter act books unparalleled in any other English cathedral. The keeping of chapter acts began as a result of Bishop Martival’s statutes of 1319, and apart from a few entries for 1319-26 entered in Liber Evidenciarum C in the cathedral muniment room, regular records were kept from 1329, and the series continues almost unbroken. The only cathedrals with comparable series are Lincoln and York, which have earlier records but several gaps. Some chapters, such as Chichester and Hereford, appear not to have kept regular records of acta until the late 15th or early 16th centuries, and at other cathedrals although such volumes were compiled, only a few have escaped loss or destruction. The Salisbury chapter act books are both a principal source for the history of the cathedral, and also of great importance in the general ecclesiastical history of the period. Yet so far, much less attention has been given to them than to the bishops’ registers. No use was made of them by Le Neve, his reviser Hardy, or W. H. Jones, in the cathedral Fasti which they com- piled, and the chapter act book of Hemingby, now edited by Miss Chew, is the first to be published. The Chapter at Salisbury followed the practice peculiar to itself of naming its act books after the clerk responsible for it. Hemingby’s register is the first of the series, covering the years 1329- 1348, though John Hemingby appears only in 1341, and other clerks, Thomas de Ford and John of Salisbury, kept parts of it. In obedience to Bishop Martival’s statutes, an attempt was made to divide material into three sections, dealing with the admission of canons, the admission of vicars-choral, and chapter acta. The last section contains several curiosities, such as a list of books in the library of a canon, a case of assault by a vicar-choral on his canon, and permission granted to sick vicars-choral to be absent from night services. Mainly, however, the business recorded is concerned with leases of houses and land, allocation of chapter farms and canons’ houses in the close, and other matters relating to the common fund. Through- out the edition, entries of regular form are given as abstracts, but all letters and entries of special interest are transcribed in full. Footnotes relate the material helpfully to the Statutes and Customs of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury. The Introduction deals with the main divisions of business in the register, the canons, vicars- choral and communa, with a brief note on the choristers. It is particularly valuable on the composition of the chapter at this time, and casts doubt on several commonly-held views. It has been suggested that Bishop Wyville, himself no scholar, was guilty of allowing the intellectual quality of the Salisbury Chaper to deteriorate. Miss Chew exonerates him from this charge, and reveals the increasing number of papal provisions and royal presentations which limited the bishop’s ability to collate prebends to men of his own choice. The occasions on which the Pope claimed the right of provision had increased greatly, but the large majority of provisors were Englishmen rather than foreigners, and many of the foreigners were from the duchy of Aquitaine, and therefore technically subjects of the English king. Provisions often reflect the influence of the petitioner’s sponsor rather than the policy of the Pope, and many Salisbury provisions were promoted by the House of Lancaster. Royal presentations were an even greater abuse. In his need to secure stipends for his servants, the king now claimed to present on many new pretexts, and in cases of conflict with a papal provisor, the royal candidate was invariably successful. Miss Chew cites several instances of such conflict, and from a study of the plea rolls reveals that many of the king’s pretexts were fictitious, and that holders were frequently ejected in favour of royal presentees without due 459 canonical process. She suggests that this was no organized anti-papal campaign by the king, but merely that in the scramble for office the alien provisors were the easiest victims. It is often forgotten that the parliament which passed the Statutes of Provisors in 1351, protested also about the abuse of royal grants, and Hemingby’s register shows the extent of this grievance. In her study of the vicars-choral, Miss Chew offers fewer new theories, but gives a fascinating description of their duties, remuneration and the type of men appointed. This body contained several young men, inclined to turbulence, and during the long absence of the dean, they took advantage of their numerical superiority over the resident canons, to form secret confederacies and resort to serious insubordination over their complaints concerning the conditions of ad- mission to vicarages. They were brought to heel by the chapter in 1335, when the ringleaders made their submission one by one, and this temporarily checked the movement towards greater independence. The cathedral muniments contain only frag- ments of the communars’ rolls for this period, but from the evidence of Hemingby’s register, Miss Chew makes as thorough a description of the communa as is possible, showing the system of farms and the subsidiary sources of income. One of the most valuable features of the volume is the Biographical notes on the canons and some ministri inferiores. Besides giving the offices held, these describe the man’s career and affiliations, thus showing whether he owed his advancement to his family or to royal or papal service. Miss Chew gives much more than an edition of the register, and provides a detailed study of the cathedral clergy for the twenty years covered by it. This represents a tremendous labour, and is particularly useful because many figures of national importance held prebends and dignities at Salisbury. The Salisbury prebends were lucrative and therefore greatly in demand. This volume is available to non-members of the Records Branch at £2 10s. Copies may be purchased from Mr. M. J. Lansdown, 37 Hilperton Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. J. M. Horn Atlas of the British Flora. Edited by F. H. Perring and S. M. Walters. 13 x 104 in., xxiv + 432 pp., 3 figs., 1,622 maps, 12 overlays in pocket (Nelson, 5 gns.). The Botanical Society of the British Isles, the two able editors and the printers must be whole- 460 heartedly congratulated on the production of this magnificent contribution to the study of the distribution of British plants. The work was made possible by the help of more than 1,500 botanists and by generous financial assistance from the Nature Conservancy and the Nuffield Foundation. The maps, uniform in outline and printed four to a page, have been prepared from the punched- card records by mechanical methods. In all, the distribution of 1,700 native and introduced species is indicated by symbols in the 10 km. squares of the National Grid. In some cases early records are distinguished from recent ones thus giving a disturbing revelation of the growing scarcity of many of our more interesting plants. The value of the maps is enhanced by the provision of transparent overlays which interpret the data in relation to climatic and topo- graphical factors. With a view to the protection of a few very rare species the dots for them have been placed in adjacent squares. I feel that there is no justification for this course in a scientific publica- tion; if there had been any real danger in the true presentation of facts, might it not have been better to relinquish the maps and state the position ? What of Wiltshire? There is an average of about 500 records for each of the forty 10 km. squares which lie completely or mostly in the county; this compares about equally with southern England as a whole. The assertion (p. xv) that there is an above-average concentra- tion of pre-1930 records for Wiltshire is hardly accurate since to a very large extent those sub- mitted were for the period 1942-1954. The prime inference from a study of the maps is that Wiltshire is the headquarters of many of the British chalk-loving species. Again and again it is demonstrated that these plants are nowhere so widely distributed as on our downs. Mention should be made particularly of: Polygala calcarea Orobanche elatior Hippocrepis comosa Campanula glomerata Thesium humifusum Senecio integrifolius Gentianella amarella Cirsium tuberosum G. anglica Orchis ustulata A second feature to emerge from the maps is that Wiltshire forms the frontier where many eastern species virtually meet their western limits. This western or south-western limit or near-limit can clearly be seen with the following plants: Juniperus communis Astragalus danicus Iberis amara Crataegus oxyacanthoides Cerastium arvense Myosotis sylvatica Ulex minor Phyteuma tenerum In the reverse direction the phenomenon is less pronounced but there is some suggestion of it in Ulex gallii, Umbilicus rupestris and a few ferns. As might be expected, the maps illustrate how species which have become scarce in Wiltshire in recent years are also on the decline nationally; this is particularly the case with weeds of cultivated ground. It is inevitable that in a work of this magnitude and with so many contributors, some errors and omissions should be made, but the general picture is true and it is a picture full of vital information and of application to the many aspects of the study of our plant-life. J. D. GROSE The Macrolepidoptera of Wiltshire. By Baron de Worms, pp. xv, 177, 9 Plates, 25/-. At long last a list of the macrolepidoptera of the whole County has been produced, and your Society has every reason to be proud of the work now put before the general public. In the standard works on moths and butter- flies, and your reviewer has in mind in particular those of Barrett and South, it is very noticeable that few references are made to our County, and this of course made even more formidable the task undertaken on our behalf by Dr. de Worms. The nomenclature adopted is up to date, and in addition to details of the occurrence of each insect in the County, the author has from his great experience, added notes on the distribution of the various species throughout the country. To any collector coming to live in the county, or to the visitor on holiday, this list is really a ‘must’, for not only does it give information concerning the species likely to be encountered, but it also gives the names of resident collectors throughout the county, who would welcome visits from them. Wiltshire covers such a great area, and resident collectors are so few and far between that visits from newcomers are always welcome. In many cases, a county list can make very heavy reading, but an outstanding feature of that now under review is the incorporation of a number of plates illustrating the varieties of various species, and in particular of the ‘ blues’, for which the county is so well-known. To a visitor, a map on the | in. mile scale is really an essential, if the localities mentioned in the text are to be followed up. The map in- cluded shows the main centres, but could not give greater details, on the size permissible, without becoming intolerably overcrowded. To sum up, your reviewer has nothing but praise for this new publication, and is of opinion that it is a model of what such a list should contain. Your Society may feel well satisfied with what has been done up to date, and it is very gratifying to note that in his Foreword your President looks forward to the time when it may be possible to prepare a list of the smaller moths. F.E.S. Ordnance Survey Map of Southern Britain in the Iron Age (1962). Scale 1:625,000: about 10 miles to 1 in.; with 55 pages of text, 3 chrono- logical tables on a folder, and 8 coloured coin distribution maps. Made and published by the Director General of the Ordnance Survey. Crown Copyright. Price 17s. 6d. Text only, 8s.; map only, 7s. 6d. This splendid map with all its accessories is with little doubt the finest single production so far by the Archaeology Branch of the Ordnance Survey, and the most stimulating publication about the Southern British Iron Age for a generation. Beautifully presented in glossy covers, the front one nonchalantly emblazoned by an Iron Age * still-life > assemblage executed by Dr. Brian Hope-Taylor, at 17s. 6d. the Map is remarkably good value and indispensable for anyone at all interested in or concerned with the British Iron Age. The 12 pages of Jntroduction by the Survey’s Assistant Archaeology Officer, Mr. A. L. F. Rivet, are a model of succinct balanced writing. Here is the most up-to-date and comprehensive review of present thought about the 5 centuries preceding the Roman Conquest, incorporating short sections on the archaeology and carto- graphical representation of, for example, hill forts, settlements of various types, cemeteries, shrines and Celtic names. There follows a short interpretative essay by D. F. Allen entitled Celtic Coins. This is mainly a commentary on the eight very fine coloured maps showing the distribution of the various types of Iron Age coins in southern Britain and north-west France from the time of their first appearance in the former at the end of the 2nd century B.c. Mr. Allen plots the types represent- ing successive immigrants, the imports, and the native copies, by their metal—gold, silver, tin and bronze—and, where possible, by their tribe or individual issuer. The distribution of currency 461 bars is also given. This complex analysis, the details of which have already been published in S. Frere (ed.), Problems of the Iron Age in Southern Britain (1961), results in strikingly clear distribution maps which, above all, demonstrate the area of origin of the Gallo-Belgic coinages and their sphere of influence in a broad band where the ‘ British derivatives’ occur west, north-west, and north of south-east England. The way in which this numismatic evidence shows successive arrivals of continental immi- grants, correlated by Mr. Allen where possible with * political ’ history, marks a most important stage in the study of the later years of the pre- Roman Iron Age in Britain and of the Belgae in England in particular. The Map itself is fascinating. The first colours to take the eye are the vivid blue of the sea and the green of the lowlands, particularly on the east. Higher land is coloured in a graduated scale of browns, most of Wessex appearing in a brown so pale as to be almost white, and in a much darker tint. Against this background the black (Iron Age A and B) and red (Iron Age C) symbols show up clearly—in particular, bring- ing out the numbers of large, black multivallate hillforts in the Welsh Marches and Wessex, and the rash of red Belgic settlements from the Thames to north of the Chilterns—but the purple (‘C imposed on and influencing A or B’) and brown (‘ Continental imports ’) tend to be rather too unobtrusive. The symbols must have been extremely diffi- cult to decide, and the result is on the whole successful. Munor criticisms can be made: the open circles of univallate hillforts tend to be overshadowed by the largely filled-in circles of multivallate sites, so that, for example, Old Sarum, a large but univallate fort, makes less visual impact than Buzbury Rings, a small but multivallate site. There is no symbol at all for cross-ridge dykes, only Belgic Dykes, e.g., the Oxfordshire Grim’s Ditch, being shown. As a result, sites along the ridge between the Nadder and the Ebble in south Wilts., for example, which are associated with cross-ridge dykes, are shown by small triangles indicating ‘ farms and other minor open settlements’. The same symbol is used, arguably, for Little Woodbury, and, in a variant to indicate a ‘ major’ settle- ment, wrongly for Hog Cliff Hill. Then the small cross, indicating * other finds of Iron Age material’, is rather inadequate to represent everything from the Llyn Cerrig-Bach hoard to, presumably, odd finds of potsherds. There are 462 far fewer crosses than one might have expected, and indeed, eastern England north of the Icknield Way is largely a blank. The Map is made to look emptier than need be by the total omission of ‘Celtic’ fields. While this is justified, since such fields began earlier than the Iron Age, probably reached their fullest extent later, and in only rare instances have been dated, the existence of fields to go with many of the settlements shown here must be remembered. And surely, more hillforts will be found upon examination to be unfinished than the few shown here by a circle with an oblique stroke. Spettisbury and Eggardon immediately spring to mind. Nevertheless, this Map marks the zenith of a phase of hillfort research, stemming largely from the Maiden Castle excavations in the 1930s. Now surely we want to know more about the socio-political aspects of hillforts, from more knowledge of the archaeology of their interiors and from more careful consideration of them in their contemporary setting. It is here, as Mr. Rivet admits (p. 13), that the Map is deficient, because at the moment our knowledge is deficient. Hundreds of ‘farms’, small settle- ments, call them what you will, await discovery. On the Marlborough Downs, for example, the total of only three settlements (two of them purple) in an area of c. 20 sq. miles, dominated by the one hillfort of Barbury, is clearly non- sense. The one hillfort will no doubt remain a constant, but further work ought to increase the number of settlements about tenfold, i.e. so that there are more triangles than there are crosses at present, to give some idea of land-use, popula- tion and the setting for Barbury. And again, surely many of the crop-mark sites on the river gravels—the mainly blank areas along the Nene, Welland, Witham and Trent for example—will prove to be Iron Age, and substantially alter the settlement pattern in those areas and the balance in England as a whole. The sort of picture that may well emerge is given by the distribution in the Thames valley around Oxford and Dor- chester, an area where much work, however inadequate to cope with the large-scale destruc- tion, has over the years recovered a great deal of information. Inevitably then, the Map in representing present knowledge also reflects the areas of archaeological activity. Was there really, for instance, such a difference in the Iron Age between the Upper Thames (watched over by an active University Archaeological Society and the Ashmolean Museum) and the Bristol Avon, the Stratford Avon, and the river gravels already mentioned? Was there really such a difference between the Downs north of Pewsey Vale (conveniently near Devizes Museum and the Cunningtons) and the Downs east of Winchester ? Or to put the problem another way, is it just coincidence that in the area west of Salisbury— along the Grovely Ridge, a collector’s paradise; in Cranborne Chase, scene of Pitt-Rivers’ intensive settlement excavations, at Hod Hill, the major hillfort excavation of recent years—is it just coincidence that in this area the Map should show the added refinement of Iron Age C influencing A or B? Obviously not—the Map can only use the material available, but the user of the Map should bear in mind that it is authoritative without claiming to be definitive. Rivet himself says (p. 12) about hillforts that future research will doubtless change the symbol colour from black to purple; and this is no doubt true of other sites. And this indicates one of the great successes of the Map: unlike the Map of Roman Britain, where we are warned of its composite nature, this Jron Age Map is not static. It shows by its changes of colour from red through purple to black, the settlement, influence and limits of the Belgae, arriving in a land already settled and farmed. Not only are we presented with a distribution map showing all finds, dateable to a given period, but the passage of time and the change in archaeological culture are also por- trayed. The introduction of this additional dimension on the first of the Survey’s prehistoric Period Maps is a major achievement. Perhaps some impression of the stimulation occasioned by this Map has been given here. It marks a stage in, not the culmination of, our Iron Age studies. It must now be used to make a second edition a fuller and truer representation of the Iron Age as well as a comprehensive survey of our knowledge at the time of compila- tion. Like V.C.H. Wilts I, i, the main danger is that it will be regarded as the final word, the academic wet blanket damping further research. Rather should it be regarded as an interim state- ment, bringing together our knowledge for convenience in finding out more. P. J. FOWLER The West Kennet Long Barrow: Excavations 1955-56. By Stuart Piggott. Ministry of Works Archaeological Reports, No. 4. Pp. xii, 103; XXVII plates; 20 text figs. H.M.S.O., 1962. 60s. In the history of the West Kennet Long Barrow we have a classical example of, on the one hand, the way in which a baffling archaeo- logical puzzle can result from an ill-conceived investigation and, on the other, the means by which such illusory problems can be resolved by excavation under expert direction and in accordance with the highest modern standards. This does not of course mean that final answers have now been found to all the questions posed by this famous monument. A fruitful excava- tion must always present new problems of interpretation, but they should be, as in the case of West Kennet they now are, real and significant ones that open new fields of enquiry. Until recent years this chambered long barrow near Avebury in north Wiltshire appeared to be an embarrassing anomaly, for Thurman’s bur- rowings of 1859 into the West Chamber and along part of the passage leading to it had produced a plan of the internal structure that could not be fitted into any typological scheme. He had also recovered a large quantity of Late Neolithic pottery, including sherds of Long- Necked Beakers; these, if interpreted as primary deposits, indicated a date for the tomb’s con- struction that was entirely at variance with the evidence provided by other long barrows in southern England. Yet how otherwise could the presence of this pottery be explained ? These difficulties have now been satisfactorily resolved as the result of the excavations carried out in 1955-56 by Professor Piggott, with the collaboration of Professor R. J. C. Atkinson, and at the invitation of the Ancient Monuments Department of the Ministry of Works. The new plan of the stone structures within the eastern end of the barrow, with two pairs of side- chambers opening off the passage which termin- ates in the west chamber, shows that, far from being an oddity, the tomb belongs to the Transepted Gallery-Grave class within the Severn—Cotswold group, with well-known con- geners in the Gower Peninsula, the northern Cotswolds and Somerset, and with probable prototypes in north-western France. But the crescentic forecourt at West Kennet and the straight flanking facade, both constructed of upright stones with the intervening spaces filled with dry walling, is an arrangement character- istic not of the Severn—Cotswold group as a whole but of the Clyde—Carlingford tombs, concentrated mainly in south-western Scotland and northern Ireland. West Kennet, then, seems to provide a link between these widely 463 separated groups and so, in view of the early date now determined for its building, lends support to the idea that the movement which produced the Clyde—Carlingford series may have started out from the Severn—Cotswold region. As in both the groups in question, the chambers at West Kennet are set at the broader end of a long trapezoid mound; in this instance, however, the mound consists not simply of a cairn of piled stones but of a central cairn enclosed in a mantle of chalk rubble quarried from side- ditches. This technique links the monument in turn with the unchambered long barrows constructed mainly or wholly of material dug from flanking ditches. The long trapezoid mound may prove to be of north European derivation, so that at least two originally un- related traditions of funerary architecture are combined in the West Kennet barrow. The fortunate circumstance that the four side- chambers, the eastern end of the passage and the forecourt area were found to have suffered relatively little disturbance allowed the recovery of evidence not only as to date of construction and period of use, but also of much that is new in relation to burial customs and associated ritual practices and that can be extended to explain the puzzling circumstances often ob- served in other chambered tombs. Pottery from primary positions can be correlated with that from the primary levels in the ditches of the nearby causewayed enclosure on Windmill Hill, thus giving a date around the middle of the third millennium B.c. for the construction and first use of the tomb. During the time that the chambers remained accessible the bodies of at least 46 individuals of all ages and both sexes were deposited. Yet complete skeletons were the exception and there can be no doubt that extensive bone-robbing had occurred in the prehistoric period before the tomb was finally sealed. The bones removed were mainly skulls and femora, presumably required for use as fetishes or talismans. Disordered and imperfect skeletons are of frequent occurrence in cham- bered tombs, but none of the explanations previously advanced to account for their condi- tion was entirely satisfactory. On the West Kennet evidence it may now be seen that in many of these instances bones had been deliber- ately abstracted and that this must have been a widespread practice. (In this connection it is interesting to note that some part of the exten- sive external damage suffered by the West Kennet Long Barrow may plausibly be attributed U 464 to ineffectual attempts to break into it by the Dr. Toope of Marlborough who in the 17th century used to treat his patients with a medicine concocted of human bones.) When the time came for the tomb to be sealed, the chambers and passage were filled to the level of the capstones with sarsen lumps and chalk rubble, interspersed with seams of dark material containing large quantities of pottery and other artifacts, together with charcoal and animal bone, and an elaborate blocking of sarsens was constructed in and across the fore- court. In many other tombs a similar filling has been encountered, but its significance had escaped notice. As Professor Piggott remarks, ‘ The fact that the idea of deliberate filling as a recurrent feature in chambered tombs was hardly recognized before the dramatic demon- stration of the phenomenon at West Kennet is an interesting example of the way in which the observation and interpretation of archaeological evidence is conditioned by the presuppositions of the excavator.’ The sherds incorporated in the filling and in the blocking material at West Kennet were fresh and unweathered; as in the case of those found by Thurnam the fragments come from vessels of all recognized Neolithic styles, ex- cluding Windmill Hill ware but including Beakers. The full range of stylistic phases of Peterborough ware is represented, as well as, in lesser quantity, Rinyo-Clacton ware and both Bell and Long-Necked Beakers. It was clear that these sherds had been introduced in the course of the single act of filling and sealing the tomb and that they came from vessels that had been broken somewhere outside it. These circumstances posed a major problem in inter- pretation for, on present reckoning, all these ceramic styles cannot have been in use at the time when the tomb was closed, an event which, on the evidence of the latest pottery present, took place during the 17th century B.c. The good and sufficient reasons why we must accept, however improbable it may seem, that the tomb remained in use for the greater part of a millen- nium are fully set forth by Professor Piggott and his answer to the question how vessels represent- ing successive phases during this long span of time could all be brought together at its end is an attractive one. He suggests that the pottery and other objects in the secondary filling derive from a series of offerings laid down in some other place, perhaps in a roofed timber-framed build- ing or buildings such as existed at The Sanctuary, less than a mile to the east of the long barrow. If the offerings were associated with funeral rites, this would mean that a proportion of the persons buried belonged to societies other than that responsible for the initial building and use of the tomb, a possibility that may be supported by the identification of two physical types amongst those buried. Alternatively, the offer- ings may have been made during ceremonies connected with the ritual abstraction of bones. But no matter how the circumstances are inter- preted, the conclusion is inescapable that cultural groups of differing origins and _ tradi- tions were involved in the use and veneration of the monument and that the final acts of sealing the tomb were performed by Late Neolithic people with a degree of care and ceremony comparable with those expended on its original construction. Here, surely, is made plain one aspect of the process of cultural blending that was to produce the Wessex Culture in the following century. Thus, by a disciplined use of imagination, no less than by his skill in excava- tion, Professor Piggott has opened new per- spectives and added a new depth to our under- standing of the Neolithic period. In addition to a full catalogue and illustrations of most of the finds from the 1955-56 excava- tions, there is a detailed report on the skeletal material by Professor L. H. Wells (the individ- uals buried suffered severely from arthritis), a report by Dr. F. P. Lisowski on a cremation deposit consisting of the bones of a male and a female, and a note on the dental pathology by Dr. D. R. Brothwell (teeth generally good). Except for a few misprints and an unhappy choice of process for reproducing the photo- graphs (which surely does less than justice to the originals and which may be partly responsible for the unduly high price demanded for the book), this is a model of what an excavation report should be. As an example of clear, well- ordered and pleasant presentation in text and line-drawings it is recommended to the attention of all archaeologists, whether prehistorians or not. I. F. SmitH BOOKS BOUGHT Account Book of John Awdry. 465 ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY 1962 1776. Deals chiefly with the management of timber on his estate at Berryfield and Notton. Recollections and Letters of the Rev. W. H. E. McKnight by his niece, Edith Thomson. He was Rector of Lydiard Millicent. Coxe’s Monmouthshire. Richard Colt Hoare. Illustrated by Sir Over My Shoulder. M. B. Telling. Life in the village of Sopworth in Victorian times. England’s Wealthiest Son: William Beckford. The Pre-Conquest Church in England. Margaret Deanesly. Bagendon. E. M. Clifford. Keevil and Bulkington Records. Richardson. Rev. A. T. Ordnance Survey Map of Iron Age Britain: 1962. Problems in the Iron Age in Southern Britain. Edited S. S. Frere. Barony of Lucas of Crudwell. Claim before the House of Lords. 1907. Records of Romsey Abbey. H. G. D. Lieving. The Celts. T. G. E. Powell. British Mesozoic Fossils. Natural History. British Caenozoic Fossils. Natural History. Books PRESENTED Old English Houses. Hugh Braun: Faber & Faber. 1962. New England Heritage. Rosalie F. Bailey. Deals with the Ayer or Eyer family of Bromham. Chilmark. History of the Village. The West Kennet Long Barrow. Excava- tions 1955-1956. The Clerks of _ the Counties 1360-1960 Roman York. H.M.S.O. The Archaeological Album Vols. 1-6. Macrolepidoptera of Wiltshire British Museum British Museum DONOR The Author The Author A. G. Harfield Professor Stuart Piggott Wilts. County Council R.C.H.M. (England) per C. Bowen Dr. Shaw Mellor Annotated and _ inter- leaved copy of God- dard’s List of Bar- rows which belonged to Mrs. M. Cunning- ton. Victoria County Hist- ory; Volume 6. Life in Prehistoric Times; I. Doncaster; Longmans. Stratification for the Archaeologist; —_E. Pyddoke; Phoenix House; 1961. Crockford’s Directory for 1947. History of Fovant; sup- plement. PAMPHLETS PRESENTED Article on Wiltshire Weights and Measures. Grittleton: Field Names on 25 in. maps, Photostats of Ter- riers and grant of 1874. Nettleton: Copy of map of 1839. Wiltshire County Coun- cil Record Office Guide: Part 2 Notes on Parish Church of All Saints, Crud- well; Miss T. E. Vernon. South Damerham: Proofs and Manu- script of this portion of Modern Wilts. Indenture concerning a cottage at Rowde 1645. Memorial Lecture on John Fowler (of Melksham). Plans of habitation site and _ pottery; Battlesbury. Owen Meyrick Institute of Historical Research Publishers Publishers Rev. E. H. Steele. Dr. R. C. Clay DONOR Lt.-Col. R. F. J. Anderson Mrs. Brackenbury Mrs. Brackenbury Wilts. County Council Author Mrs. Straton L. C. Trumper R. Adams Ministry of Works 466 PRINTS, MAPS, ETC., PRESENTED Great Wishford; Buck- ler painting of the Grobham tomb. Sheep washing in Wilt- shire; Photograph of painting by Wilkie. DONOR Rev. E. H. Steele R. W. Willoughby Hawkeridge; _ photo- graph of Royal Oak c. 1880. F. C. Pitt Populus tremula. J. D. Grose Sir Richard Colt Hoare; 48 Views of Noble- man’s Seats. Preshute; Photograph of Crop Marks. Dr. I Smith Mr. J. M. Buckeridge on leaving Wiltshire, has presented to the Society a large and very important collection of maps, photographs, directories, documents, papers, reports and prints, all to do with the history of the Borough of Calne. ACCESSIONS TO THE COUNTY RECORD OFFICE 1962 Estate and Personal Long of Bulford: recipe book, 1846. Charles Sloper of Pucklechurch: will, con- cerning property in Little Somerford, 1804. Thomas, Earl Nelson: executors’ accounts, 1838-9. Dyer Townsend of Upton Scudamore: will, 1783. Rev. J. A. Trenchard: insurance policies of estate at Stanton Fitzwarren and Marston, 1808-53. Wardour Castle, Tisbury: sale particulars of part of the estate, 1946. West Knoyle: map, 1736. Deeds Baverstock, 1724, 1746; Calne, 1692, 1706; Elcot, 1314; Landford, 1692-1865; Little- ton Drew, 1572-99; Newton Tony, 1896; South Marston, 1720; Stockton and East Codford, 1595-1646; Urchfont, 1588, 1622; Westwood, 1760, 1783. Manorial Chute: court book, 1675, 1691-1711. Parish Bishopstrow, 1685-1914; Castle Eaton, 1549- 1812; Chute, 1580-1947; Compton Cham- berlayne, 1813-1956 (additional deposit); Easton Royal, 1580-1812; Milton Lil- bourne, 1686-1812; Minety, 1814; Trow- bridge St. James, 1539-1935 (additional deposit); Wroughton, 1649-1905. Business Cloth industry: pattern books, Bradford-on- Avon, 1833, 1886; letter concerning cloth manufacture, addressed to a Trowbridge firm, 1813. Miscellaneous Order, 1653, of the trustees for the sale of the King’s goods, relating to the rent of Longhopshill Lodge (in Braydon, now Red Lodge) and its payment to Col. Henry Prittie. 467 EXCAVATION AND FIELDWORK IN WILTSHIRE, 1962 West Overton, Overton Hill: Barrows. Neolithic/Roman Four barrows on Overton Hill (West Overton G.6, 6a, 6b and 7) were excavated during the summer on behalf of the Ministry of Public Building and Works by D. D. A. Simpson and Dr. I. F. Smith. Three of the mounds were extremely small and proved to be Roman; only the larger G.6b was pre- historic. Grinsell’s Barrow No. 6b (SU/11966835) This site has no previous history of investigation, though superficial diggings had disturbed a number of pagan Saxon inhumations in the upper part of the mound. There were also four intact secondary inhumations, all thought to be pagan Saxon: an unaccompanied child; a male with iron spearhead, knife, shield boss and finger ring; another with knife, shield boss and a number of silver-gilt studs, perhaps ornaments from the shield; and a female with a necklace and the remains of what appears to have been a reticule. Under the centre of the barrow was a large oblong grave, some 9 ft. long and 3 ft. deep, filled with chalk rubble. The sides were lined with large sarsen boulders. It contained the flexed skeleton of a male accompanied by a Long-Necked beaker, a pair of narrow slate objects, a spatula shaped object of antler, a double-pointed awl of copper or bronze, a flake, knife and strike-a-light of flint, and a worn ball of marcasite. In the fill of the grave, a few inches above the skeleton, was a cremation deposit covered by a small sarsen. Close to this grave were three small ones containing young children, one of whom had under its chin a biconical shale bead of Wessex Culture type. One of these small graves had been disturbed by two pits dug to receive cremations. One of the cremations was in a Collared Urn of early type which stood upright on the floor of the pit. A second upright urn, also of early type, was close by in another pit. All these interments were sealed beneath an unbroken layer of grey clay brought from elsewhere. The clay layer was surmounted by a turf stack and its edges were delimited by an irregular setting of sarsen boulders. Outside the sarsen setting was an approximately circular ring of flints and sarsen fragments, some 20 ft. in internal diameter. Two more children were found in shallow graves beneath this ring, one of these graves being lined with small flat sarsens. The covering mound, some 60 ft. in diameter and 3 ft. high, consisted of scraped-up topsoil; there was no ditch. Grinsell’s Barrows Nos. 6, 6a and 7 (SU/11936832; 11936834; 11936837) The barrows had previously been investigated by Colt Hoare (Ancient Wilts., I, 91), who found that they had already been robbed. Later on Thurnam dug into G.6 and 7 and reported a coin and bronze fragments from the latter (W.A.M., vi, 330-1). Total excavation disclosed that all three ‘ barrows’ were of similar construction. Each was sur- rounded by a narrow vertical-sided trench which had supported a ring of closely spaced upright timbers, some of them more than a foot in diameter. In G.6a and 7 the timbers had been held firm by a packing of chalk rubble. The trenches surrounding G.6 and 6a were 15 ft. in diameter; that of G.7 was 23 ft. In each case a central pit had been covered by a very slight mound. A Romano-British sherd was found securely embedded deep in the chalk packing in the trench round G.7 and another piece came from the old land surface under the mound. Fragments of sheet bronze distorted by heat and a number of globules of bronze were scattered through the mound; they 468 presumably came from a vessel that had been cast on to the funeral pyre. A small bronze ring orna- mented in a Roman style, probably also from a vessel, came from the mound of G.6a. A few scattered fragments of cremated bone were found in each mound, and it is thought these and perhaps the bits of bronze had been thrown out of the central pits by the original investigators. It would appear that these were not barrows in the usual sense, for when newly constructed the timber surrounds must have been the most conspicuous features of the monuments. They were arranged in a straight line, close to the Roman road from Cunetio to Verlucio and almost at right angles to it. Normanton Down: Grinsell’s Barrow No. 33a (SU/10864148) During the summer the excavation of the vertical shaft situated at the centre of this site was com- pleted. The ‘ barrow ’, one of a group of three, lies a little to the west of the main Normanton group on Normanton Down in the parish of South Wilsford. The investigation was again directed by Mr. P. Ashbee on behalf of the Ministry of Public Building and Works. The full depth of the shaft measured 100 ft., with a diameter of 6 ft. at ground surface, narrowing slightly to a width of 4 ft. at the bottom. The excavations indicated that the shaft in antiquity had been dug in short sections using a plumb line and circular template. Clear marks of antler picks showed on the sides of the shaft, but in the lower half, especially near the bottom, the shaping of the sides had been finished using wide bladed bronze axes. Finds made during the final stages of the excavation included bone ring-headed pins, amber beads, pieces of plaited bass thong, and well twisted rope of sophisticated finish, the latter being the only rope known from the 2nd millenium B.c. to have been discovered in England. A remarkable series of prehistoric objects and organic remains were additionally recovered from the bottom of the shaft where the waterlogged infill had preserved them. These included quantities of broken wooden tubs, bowls, scoops, and other objects, as well as grass, seeds, leaves, berries, insects and fungi. These latter constitute a remarkable record of the environment of the later Bronze Age, within two centuries of the completion of Stonehenge. W.A.N.H.S. Archaeology Research Committee Excavations A further season of excavation directed by the Rev. E. H. Steele, chairman of the Archaeology Research Committee of the Society, was again conducted at Bilbury Rings, (Iron Age SU/010363). Digging was concentrated on the Inner Enclosure (W.A.M., lviii, Dec. 1962, 243) with a view to obtaining, if possible, evidence of the type of living quarters within it, and, in particular, to discovering the purpose of the curious ‘ salient ’ on the south side. A second section was dug across the enclosure ditch, in order to check the results obtained from the 1960 cutting. The pottery recovered indicates a long period of occupation, beginning at about the time of the Claudian conquest, and continuing at least to a date late in the fourth century, thus cor- roborating the conclusions previously reached. Two very well preserved bronze fibulae, a knife- blade, many cleats for use with leather goods, and other miscellaneous iron objects were also found, and are now being studied. In the area of the ‘ salient ’ a grid of trenches was opened. It speedily became clear that any structural finds would be much damaged, owing to the deep ploughing which had taken place in the early years of this century. Nevertheless, the remains of a rammed chalk floor, associated with groups of post holes was exposed. The whole upper surface of the floor had been ploughed away, leaving less than 14 inches of chalk overlying the natural clay-with-flints, but it was possible to see that there had been at least two successive structures on the site, although the remains were not sufficient to allow of firm conclusions. 469 Three ‘ barbarous radiate ’ minims were recovered from the surface of the floor, but it would be unsafe to claim that they were associated with it, in view of the soil movement which is the inevitable result of a long period of cultivation. However, the late occupation of the site is again attested. Further investigation will be carried out in this part of the enclosure, and the ready co-operation and great helpfulness of Messrs. A. and R. Barrett, and Miss D. Barrett, the owners, is gratefully acknowledged. Savernake Forest: Romano-British Pottery. Quantities of coarse wares and kiln debris recently discovered and reported by Master Henry Edmunds, a pupil at Hawtrey’s School, indicate a further pottery industry in the Deer Park, close to Tottenham House, which is occupied by the school. It is hoped that the area will be surveyed with a proton magnetometer, as a preliminary to a further limited excavation, in order that the relationship of the new kilns to those already excavated in the Column Ride area (W.A.M., lviii, 1962, 143ff) may be established. Rescue and Research Work in the Salisbury Area Investigations undertaken this year by the Research Committee of the Salisbury Museum are summarised below. Upton Scudamore: ST/864476. Early Iron Age A/Roman/Medieval. Prior to the ploughing of a series of earthworks immediately south and west of Upton Scudamore Church a limited rescue excavation was carried out on behalf of the Research Committee and the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works under the direction of J. W. G. Musty. The earthworks, first noted by Colt Hoare (Mod. Wilts., I, (1831), 51), appeared to be shrunken village remains and a survey was undertaken by a C.B.A. Summer School in Field Archaeology in 1956. The current excavation has demonstrated that these earthworks have been scraped up from soil containing intensive Early Iron Age A and Roman remains, but their purpose remains uncertain. They cannot be pre-medieval as two or three sherds of 12th/13th century pottery were found in their make-up and it is thought that they are probably closes or gardens associated with a lost manor house which Colt Hoare suggested was in the enclosure at the north-west corner of the field, but which the results of this excavation suggest was near the church although its site has not been located. The trial trenches ent through the banks of the enclosure showed that it was unlikely that these surrounded a house. This enclosure and a mound are shown on Ordnance Survey maps. Excavation of the mound showed it to be composed of building rubbish which was probably dumped during a church reconstruction as it contained a piece of stained glass. Its make-up also contained Roman pottery and late 13th century ridge tiles—the latter possibly coming from the manor house site, the former from disturbed Roman deposits. At two points within the area of earthworks trial trenches passed through areas of intensive Early Iron Age A remains, principally of pottery. This pottery was made up of haematite bowls (including black furrowed wares) and shouldered jars. The finer wares are decorated with dot and circle (with white inlay), multiple dots and chevrons. The jars have finger nail impressions round the rim and shoulder. Later Early Iron Age material was absent. The Roman pottery found included the greater part of a samian bowl of form 36 and the base of another with the stamp of Borillus (of Lezoux); there is another example of this stamp in the Westbury Iron Works Collection. Small finds included part of a decorated bone comb of Roman or Saxon date from the mound near the church. 470 Winterbourne Down: (SU/203324) Romano-British Cemetery During the spring, rescue excavations directed by D. J. Algar were carried out on a group of earth- works prior to their being levelled. These earthworks, which were first recorded by Colt Hoare in Ancient Wilts., 1, 227, consisted of a hollow-way (running south-eastwards for about 1 mile from the Old Sarum—Winchester road to a Romano-British settlement site about | mile north of Pitton), and, at two points, roughly semicircular banks opening on to the side of the trackway, one on the east and the other on the west at some distance further south. The northerly of these semi-circular earthworks was sectioned with a bulldozer and was shown to surround what appeared to be a fairly recent chalk quarry. The other (at SU/203324) was shown to enclose a level area just under 100 ft. in diameter which on excavation was found to contain a saucer-shaped hollow 75 ft. in diameter and 3 ft. deep at the centre. The chalk from this hollow had returned to it, either as a result of silting or deliberate refilling, in the altered form of a grey chalk mud very similar to that found by Mrs. Vatcher in the make-up of the mound of the Winterslow ‘amphitheatre’. The function of this hollow, and the processes by which it obtained the fill of chalk mud, remain uncertain. Its refilling may have occurred only just before the establishment of the cemetery. The bank which surrounded the hollow stood to a height of 4 ft. and was 50 ft. wide at its base. It was composed of fine soil which contained a little chalk in thin bands. This make-up was partly chalk mud from the inner area and partly soil scraped up from the exterior. The bank enclosed a 4th century cemetery of 36 cremations and 14 inhumations. The former were placed in shallow hollows cut in the grey chalk mud and twenty of them were accompanied by a vessel. The earliest cremations were in a central position at the back of the horseshoe and were principally associated with New Forest thumb-pressed beakers. Flanking these were two groups of inhumations which in two instances cut through cremations. Subsequently further cremations had been placed on the silt surface, three of them on top of graves. This second group appear to be principally associated with necked bulbous beakers and colour-coated ware. Some of the vessels show signs of having been placed on or near the funeral pyre. Also found with the cremations were an iron knife, hob-nails, cleats and coffin nails. The inhumations were in silt/chalk cut graves which followed the line of the bank without any attempt to maintain any particular orientation. Pick-marks found in some of the graves were identical with others in the bottom of the silt-filled hollow. Of the fourteen graves, three contained infant skeletons and one of these. was accompanied by a pot containing an iron pin. Of the adults, five had been buried in coffins; two with coins (Constantine II and Valentinian I). There were cleats and hob-nails in five of the graves. Three adults had been beheaded. Beneath the earthwork bank evidence was found of Early Iron Age A occupation. This took the form of a V-shaped ditch and bank, several post holes and a silted quarry or working hollow. The V-shaped ditch had been partly cut away in the digging of the hollow and its bank formed the core of the northern arm of the horseshoe. Further evidence of this occupation was also obtained outside the earthwork as test holes revealed storage pits, and, in an area known to have yielded Roman material (W.A.M., lii, (1948), 395), air photographs indicated the presence of buildings. Trial trenches across the site of one of these produced an intensive pottery scatter but little in the way of structural remains. 471 FIELDWORK Old Sarum. The Roman Road to Dorchester. Observation and subsequent field-work in the vicinity of Old Sarum by J. E. D. Stratton have led to a possible new route, approximately 70 yds. away from the accepted line, for the Old Sarum— Dorchester Roman road. The new line was revealed during the dry weather of May and June 1962 as crop and parch marks in the fields between Old Sarum and the Salisbury—Devizes road, west of the present track which runs from Stratford Sub-Castle to join the Salisbury-Amesbury road near the Old Castle Inn. It has always been assumed that this track was originally the Roman Road and that its line was continued by the Stratford-Sub-Castle road for a distance of 100 yds. and, after crossing a field and the River Avon, by a farm track running from the river to the Devizes Road. The parch mark showed up very clearly as a straight line on the Old Sarum side of the river and also near the opposite bank, but half-way between the river and the Devizes Road it looped. Where it passed through a barley field the crop grew very poorly being less than half the height of the remainder of the field and this eventually rotted and showed as a black line which was easily discernable after the rest of the parch marks had disappeared during the wet weather which followed. If the line of the parch mark is that of the Roman road then it would seem that the road crossed the River Avon at a small island known as Tadpole Island. On the north (Old Sarum) side of the island the river is still fordable, but on the other side it has been dredged as it is now the main river. A trial trench was cut across the parch mark at the edge of the field between the river and the present Stratford-Sub-Castle road and near to the road. The siting of the trench proved to be unfortunate as the area was shown to be much disturbed by the foundations of a medieval building. Further trenches are to be cut. A Survey of Wiltshire Farm Barns A survey of the surviving traditional farm barns of Wiltshire is being directed by R. P. de B. Nichol- son. The intention is to record adequate details of all that remain, classify and date the structural features and also attempt to determine regional trends and materials. A large number of barns have already been visited and several have been planned in detail. In addition to the field survey, archives are being examined for information and an analysis has been made of the barns mentioned in the Surveys of Lord Pembroke’s Manors, 1631-32 (W. A. & N. H. Soc. Records Branch, Vol. IX). Of the total of 367 barns mentioned for the seventeen manors, those of three bay size are the most frequent (40 per cent.) followed by four bay barns (20 per cent.) There are two very large barns of twelve bays listed for Chilmark. One manor, that of Broadchalke, greatly exceeds the other Pembroke manors in the number of its barns as there are 62 listed for it. In this analysis only buildings described as Barns are included and not the many similar buildings variously described as ‘ cutte endes ’, stables, hay houses, cow houses, cart houses or ‘ houses fit for husbandry ’. From the frequency of the references to these various buildings it is probable that they were at least as numerous as the barns although possibly more limited in size. The Chilmark Stone Quarries A survey of the stone quarries, generally known as the * Chilmark Quarries ’, located in the Chilmark, Teffont and Tisbury area has been carried out by the Royal Signals Archaeological Club under the direction of A. G. Harfield. Vv 472 The quarry sites, which include a number of open-cast quarries, are now disused with the exception of those under R.A.F. control. The open-cast sites, which number four, are all overgrown and the remaining underground ones are in a dangerous condition. Of the eight underground quarries not in use by the R.A.F. six have been investigated and of these two have been measured. The first of this group is situated adjacent to the Teffont-Tisbury Road (ST/976313) and its entrance was examined by means of a trial trench. It was found that there was a false floor of powdered stone and rubble 3 ft. 8 in. deep, the removal of which increased the height of the entrance chamber to 10 ft. 2 in. There were no finds or remains of track marks for the removal of the cut stone. The second survey was carried out in a much larger quarry north-west of the first site. A passage running northwards was traced to a distance of approximately 300 ft. from the entrance hall. The face showed signs of having been worked and on the roof of the passage were numerous names and dates written with soot from lamps. A large number of the names appear to be fairly modern but others may well be contemporary with adjacent dates as they are the names of families who were resident in Chilmark in the 19th century. Three of these are ‘G. Lever 1805’, ‘W. Chubb 1840’ and ‘ Enoch Jay 1860’. The remaining quarries will be surveyed and a complete report on all those in the area will be produced during 1963. Industrial Archaeology: Salisbury Maltings. A photographic survey of the large maltings which lie between Fisherton Street and Castle Road, Salisbury, has been undertaken by J. D. Hadley. These maltings, which were worked until quite recently, are due for demolition. Aerial Reconnaissance During the autumn of 1962 arrangements were completed with the Bustard Flying Club (based at Old Sarum Aerodrome) for the flying of Research Committee photographers to enable aerial recon- naissances to be undertaken in the Salisbury Area. The parch mark of the Old Sarum—Dorchester road was photographed, and a member of the Flying Club (Mr. John Bennett) discovered and photo- graphed a new large enclosure, possibly Iron Age, north-west of Old Sarum. It is hoped to fly a series of sorties in 1963. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks are accorded to the following for their contributions to this summary of excavations :— P. Ashbee (Normanton Down); J. W. G. Musty (Rescue and Research Work in the Salisbury Area); Dr. Isobel Smith (West Overton); Rev. E. H. Steele (Bilbury and Savernake Forest). 473 NATURAL HISTORY SECTION REPORT BY THE HON. MEETINGS SECRETARIES Hon. Field Meetings Secretary: Hon. Indoor Meetings Secretary: Mrs. S. M. LEE Miss BEATRICE GILLAM During 1962 thirty-six Field Meetings were held with an average attendance of fourteen, of these six were joint meetings with other societies, two with the Salisbury and District Natural History Society, two with Bath Natural History Society, one with the Bristol Naturalists Society and one with Melksham W.E.A. The weather was bad during the spring and four meetings were held in heavy rain, one of which was abandoned halfway through. Two meetings were held at Somerford Common for the double purpose of studying the ecology of the wood, and taking part in the ‘ Breeding Census of Common Birds’, an inquiry organised by the British Trust for Ornithology. The weather during these two meetings was very cold and unfortunately the common birds were conspicuous by their absence. A two-day expedition was made to the Forest of Dean in May, members staying on Saturday night at Speech House Hotel. Two local Foresters led the meetings—Forester Thompson, the Forestry and Botanical walk on Saturday afternoon and Forester Dick, the Ornithological Meeting on the Sunday. We were interested to see Pied Flycatchers and Red Backed Shrikes, species rarely seen in Wiltshire. An expedition was made to the downs to hear Quail and although the evening was windy it became still as the sun set and Quail were heard. Birds were studied at Wilton Water, at Maiden Bradley, where woodcock and nightjars were seen at dusk, and to look for possible migrants. The ‘ Dawn Chorus’ was heard at Ramsbury, followed by camp fire breakfast organised by our leader, Mrs. Lawson. During January and February four ornithological meetings were held, two on the coast—at Sand Bay near Weston-super-Mare, and at Steart, led by Mr. J. W. Morley, Warden of Bridgwater Bay Nature Reserve. During the latter meeting an Avocet was seen and a Common Gull was found with a broken wing and was caught and taken home by a member in order to try and mend the wing. The other two meetings were to reservoirs, Sutton Bingham, near Yeovil, led by Mr. J. Keylock and the lakes at Chew and Blagdon led by Mr. Bernard King. Forty-six Bewick Swans were known to be on Blagdon Lake and the members quietly stalked close to them through the wood and returned equally quietly, leaving the swans undisturbed. On 20th May, led by Mr. Brian Dixon, a coach load of members visited The Tilly Whim Ledges near Swanage where there is a small colony of sea birds—Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Fulmars and Kittiwakes were seen, and a Dartford Warbler on the nearby Studland Heath. The Bird Watchers finished the year with two November Meetings, at Severn Beach where besides numerous waders a Black Redstart was seen, and at Poole Harbour, the latter unfortunately spoilt by persistent thick fog. The first Botanical meeting of the year was at Imber to study the garden survivals. One new flower, Papaver orientalis was found. This was followed by a very interesting evening at Lackham School of Agriculture to study grasses at which a member of the College Staff showed us round. Morgan’s Hill, an area particularly rich in the variety of Orchids, was again visited and Frog and Fly Orchids were found. 474 A Fungus Foray was held in Savernake Forest on 7th October, but owing to rather dry conditions the fungi were not so plentiful as in 1961 although a particularly fine specimen of Amanita muscaria was seen. As a follow up to this meeting on 20th October we searched for mosses, liverworts and fungi in the woods round Dauntsey’s School, West Lavington and afterwards studied the specimens through microscopes in the school laboratory. Two Botanical meetings were held outside the County; at Brean Down led by Mr. Ivor Evans and at Sedgemoor led by Mr. F. R. Sterne. The former has a very interesting coastal limestone flora including the white Rock Rose. On the nearby sand dunes two species of Evening Primrose made a wonderful sight. The latter, a complete contrast to Brean Down has a rich acid flora. Two Forestry meetings were held—one at Silkwood, Westonbirt, where we also walked through the lovely Arboretum and were shown over the greenhouses where the young trees are grown, and the other at Cranborne Chase. Both meetings were led by Mr. M. J. Penistan, Forestry Commission Divisional Officer. A very interesting meeting was held on Roundway Down to map Badger Setts. The good attendance enabled a wide area to be covered and many setts were found and mapped. Two meetings were held to study Bats. At the first in Box Stone Workings, Greater and Lesser Horseshoe and Wiskered Bats were found, examined, weighed and ringed by the Leader, Mr. Tony Oldham. Unfortunately, owing to the blocking up of these quarry entrances the second meeting could not be held there but another Stone Working at Combe Down was visited and a few bats were found. For members interested in geology Mr. R. S. Barron arranged two meetings to demonstrate the use of local building stones. The first in the Corsham and Devizes area where Bath Stone was studied and a visit was made to a brick works near Devizes. The second took place in the Vale of Wardour where Portland Stone was studied and a visit made to a one-man quarry. Two Entomological meetings took place. One near Warminster to look for Butterflies, but the weather was very windy and few were on the wing, although plenty of Chalk Hill Blues were seen. Members were also shown Captain Jackson’s wonderful collection of Butterflies and Moths. We were delighted to welcome Mr. Jelly as leader of this meeting after a long absence owing to illness. The other meeting led by Mr. Weddell, this time for moths, was held at Hungerdown House by kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Barnes. A mercury vapour lamp was used to attract moths. Several meetings of general interest were held. The first, ‘an Exploratory walk down the Frome Valley ’ and later a walk through the Castle Combe Estate and Wraxall Park, Angular Solomons Seal and Lily of the Valley were two uncommon plants noted amongst the large number of typical limestone loving plants. Corncrakes were heard during the meeting at Buxbury Hollow. An extremely interesting meeting was held in Fyfield Down Nature Reserve. Interest centred on Sarsens, their texture, bryophytes and lichens, distribution, possible fossil evidence, use by early farmers as boundaries and unexplained man-made grooves on one stone. Our leader, Mr. Inigo Jones, Warden of the Reserve, was joined by Mr. Peter Fowler who enlarged on the archaeological interest of the area. The Annual General Meeting was held at Marlborough College on 12th May at 6 p.m., by kind invitation of the Master. Plans had been made to follow it by a supper picnic listening to the evening bird chorus but as the evening was cold and damp Mr. Halliday arranged to show us the remarkable R.S.P.B. film ‘The Reed Warbler’ before we set out for Savernake Forest. There, a Nightingale was heard briefly and Woodcock were seen at dusk. 475 Three illustrated lectures were given by members of the Section during the winter months—all in the Museum. On 29th January, we were reminded of the promise of spring and summer when Mr. Grudgings showed a selection of his magnificent coloured slides of Wiltshire flowers. He also gave much useful advice to the photographers on methods of achieving such beautiful results. Mr. Sterne’s talk, ‘ The Portrait of a Bird’, was copiously illustrated by tape recordings, coloured slides and his own amusing and graphic drawings. The method used for colour-ringing of his garden birds was of particular interest. The title announced in May for Mr. Inigo Jones’ lecture in October was * The Flora of Sarsens ’. However, by the end of the summer he had examined every sarsen on Fyfield Down and beyond in search of lichens and, as a result, he had much more to tell us about them. He had discovered that about 70 per cent of the stones bore marks of the work of stomemasons, that circular holes on one stone were probably fossil pustules and that a recumbent stone bore a highly polished depression beside a series of parallel grooves. A successful Conversazione held at the Museum on Sunday, 4th November, included a variety of exhibits—drawings of fungi, a collection of flowering plants collected on Imber Downs the previous day, a selection of mounted Lepidoptera, live locusts and axolotls and a picture and polished samples of rock from Vallis Vale. Exhibitors spoke briefly about their interests and after tea several members showed coloured slides and Mrs. Lee presented her coloured film taken during a recent visit to Iceland. We would like to thank all those who have given their services as Leaders and Speakers and those members who have supported us during the year. Lastly the Hon. Field Meetings Secretary wishes to thank Miss Beatrice Gillam for the help she so generously gave to her successor in her difficult first year of office. 476 THE WEATHER OF 1962 By R. A. U. JENNINGS Few will mourn the passing of this year. The summary below speaks for itself and nearly everything was disappointing. The harvest, oddly enough, was an exception to the general condemnation; though it was difficult to get in, and often not finished until mid September, the yield in most places was good. There was a general deficiency of rain and the year’s mean temperature was the lowest since 1877, in spite of sunshine a little above the average. On Ist January Marlborough recorded a minimum of 2° F. In February and March there was a five-week spell of dry, cold East winds and much frost. June was beautifully sunny, but there were few really warm days. St. Swithin did his forty days more or less, and, with a characteristically perverted humour, gave many parts of the County one fifth of the summer’s rainfall on August Bank Holiday. The year will be chiefly remembered for its dramatic close. Most Wiltshire roads were blocked by the great blizzard of 29th-30th December. This was certainly the worst since December, 1927, and probably the worst since January, 1881. In this summary R means Rainfall; T means temperature; S means sunshine; -- means excess; — means deficiency; O means nearly normal. R. T. S. January + + O Bitter at start then mild and wet February — — O + Dry and cold with much frost March — — = + Dry and cold with much frost April ~ — O Dry and cold May — _ — Dry and cold June —-— — +--+ Sunny but seldom warm July — — — Poor after a warm start August + + — — — Cold and wet September -} — — Cold and wet October — O + Good on the whole November O — —-— Dull and cold December O —-— + Very cold at the end 1962 — —-— O Irritating WILTSHIRE BIRD NOTES FOR 1962 Recorders: RUTH G. BARNES, M.B.O.U., GEOFFREY L. BOYLE, Dr. E. A. R. ENNION, M.A., M.B.O.U., C. J. BRIDGMAN, M.B.O.U. D. A. W. Alexander E. C. Barnes ... Mrs. Barnes ... Mrs. Botting J. Bourne G. L. Boyle ... K. C. Briand C. J. Bridgman E. J. M. Buxton Mrs. Buxton .. ° Dr. Bruce Campbell David Campbell P. J. Chadwick Dr. R. C. Clay Major W. M. Congreve R. M. Curber C. A. Cutforth A. A. Dunthorn Dr. E. A. R. Ennion F. P. Errington R. C. Faulkner Mrs. Forbes a Miss K. G. Forbes ... G. H. Forster Mrs. Forster ... D. W. Free D. E. Fry Mrs. Gandy ... Miss B. Gillam Mrs. Haskell G. W. Hemmings Major R. K. H. Henderson A. J. Horner Miss M. Houghton Broan E. H. Jelly E. L. Jones I. Jones Contributors: . D.A.W.A. Miss C. Kendall E.C.B. Mrs. Lawson R.G.B. J. R. Lawson : E.B. Miss M. K. Ladki: J.B. J. E. Major G.L.B. Marlborough Colleze Nattigal K.C.B. History Society C.J.B. J. G. Mavrogordato E.J.M.B. J. C. C. Oliver M.B. C. M. R. Pitman B.C. Brigadier J. R. I. Platt D.C. Hon. R. O. Pleydell Bouverie P.J.C. R. H. Poulding R.C.C. Countess of Radnor W.M.C. Cyril Rice R.M.C. J.C. Rolls C.A.C. P. Roberts : A.A.D. Brigadier E. Searicit. E.A.R.E. Mrs. Seccombe Hett F.P.E. A. Smith R.C.F. R. J. Spencer E.V.F. B. M. Stratton K.G.F. A. W. Sudbury G.H.F. M. E. Tite C.M.F. C.N. Tilley . D.W.F. J. F. Traylen .. D.E.F. JL AG Tyler 1.G. Brigadier F. E. W. Venniis: B.G. Mrs. D. M. Wear G.G.H. G. L. Webber G.W.H. G. Weyman R.K.H. R. Whitlock ... ” A.J.H. T. Williams . M.C.H.B. Rev. R. H. Williameon E.H.J. Fit. Lt. D. E. Wooberry E.L.J. M. A. Wright LJ. Abbreviations used in Text: British Birds Journal Gravel pits Sewage farms B. G. S. tty by * 478 This year we have lost the help of Mr. R. L. Vernon as a recorder and we feel sure that all observers would wish to join us in thanking him for the time he has given to their records in the past four years. We have in his place two experienced ornithologists, Mr. C. J. Bridgman, who will share in the work of editing the notes and Dr. E. A. R. Ennion, who will advise on rarity records and difficult species. In 1962 three new species have been added to the Wiltshire list :— 1. The Broad-billed Sandpiper, a rare straggler to Britain on its migration from the far north of Europe with few records from inland counties. 2. The Collared Turtle Dove, which bred in a Marlborough garden, a typical habitat. This new- comer was expected as it had already bred in the neighbouring counties, in its rapid spread since the first pair bred in England in 1955. 3. The Red-headed Bunting, sometimes an accidental visitor from the Mediterranean and Middle East, has of recent years been a frequent escape from captivity and so must be suspect. The breeding record of the Pochard at Clarendon appears to be the first published for this county. There were some interesting occurrences: a Great Northern Diver which apparently mistook a wet tarmac road for water, Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes, a Long-tailed Duck only the second or third in our records. Of sea birds a Leach’s Petrel was found dead and a Manx Shearwater alive. in a generally late spring the Swifts arrived unusually early. It was a good Crossbill year and one Waxwing was seen in January. On « more sombre note, Bitterns were in trouble in the long cold spell early in the year. There is a warnins, 0 the scarcity of Peregrines on migration due to breeding failure caused by Toxic Chemicals and the attention of everyone interested 1m wid life is drawn both to this and to the incident of the Kestrel at songford Castle. For the information of these observers who do not receive our typed letter we would mention that there is no poini in our inserting records unacceptable to the Rarity Records Committee since they can never be admitted for any official purposes by anyone and, that the rarer the bird or the more unusual a report the more fully should supporting details be supplied. Observations taken at the time should always be kept apart and sent in independently of subsequent information gleaned from other observers or from text books. 2. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. One was found in a puddle at the junction of A4 and Avebury roads at West Kennett on 22nd Nov. It was cared for by Marlborough College N.H.S., released on Wilton Water 25th Nov. where it was still present 2nd Dec. (M.C., L.J., C.A.C.). From a photograph it appeared to be an adult assuming winter plumage and judging from size probably male (E.A.R.E.). 5. GREAT CRESTED GREBE. Low water level at Coate prevented nesting there. At Stourhead a pair incubating, 8th Apr. (J.C.C.O.), had 2 young 17th May (E.V.F.). A pair displaying at Shearwater, 5th Mar. (B.M.S.). A bird sitting by Westbury Station Ponds, 29th Apr., and two other nests reported in May (A.S.). A pair on Braydon Pond, 7th June, had 5 young carried on the female’s back, two of which were noticeably larger than the others (R.G.B.). There were 2 nests in all (P.R., R.G.B.). A nest at Corsham Lake contained 3 eggs, 22nd Feb., an early date; these were lost through the lake freezing over. Later 2 pairs raised only 2 young from 6 nests, some probably eaten by pike (J.C.R.). 7. SLAVONIAN GREBE. One at Wroughton Reservoir in winter plumage, 11th Nov. Three Little Grebe noted for size comparison. Points noted: relatively stout straight bill; black cap ended about eye level, the buffish white of cheek almost met at back of neck. Lower sides of neck smudged grey, breast and underparts satin white (G.L.W.). A grebe seen at Longleat, 18th Feb., noted as half as large again as Little Grebe with upper parts very dark grey or nearly black, under parts light. Constant diving made identification difficult (E.H.J., J.F.T.). 479 8. BLACK-NECKED GREBE. One on Corsham Lake, 10th May. The relative size could easily be noted against two resident pairs of Great Crested Grebe, which were seen by J.C.R. to chase the bird. Points noted: typical grebe outline, small tilted bill, black on head extending below eye, black down the back of neck, white throat and front of neck and a good deal of white showing beneath. It appeared to be still in winter plumage (J.C.R., G.W.H.). It was seen again the following day by J.C.R. 12. LEACH’S PETREL. One found dead on disused airfield near Keevil by Col. Charles Floyd, 22nd Dec. It was skinned for Devizes Museum by C.R. 16. MANX SHEARWATER. One was found alive on downs near Market Lavington on 9th Sept. by Mr. Lawes, in whose house it was fed for several days and seen 16th Sept. by G.L.B. and 17th Sept. by R.G.B. 28. CORMORANT. Frequently seen on Avon between Salisbury and Downton. Nine in a tree below Alderbury, 16th Mar. (I.R.). 29. SHAG. One seen on R. Kennet near Marlborough, 5th Mar. (M.C.) and 6th Mar. (D.W.F.), presumably the same bird. A number were reported in other inland areas at that time. A first winter bird found on a storm-water tank at Rodbourne S.F., Ist Apr., was captured and released on R. Ray the following day (G.L.W.). 30. HERON. The number of occupied nests in heronries this year was as follows: Great Bradford Wood, 17; the severe gales had blown down most of the previous year’s nests (R.J.S.). Bowood, 26 or 27 (G.L.B.); Leigh, probably 10 (E.J.M.B.); The Warren, Savernake, 6 (C.N.T., M.C.); Boyton, 4 or 5 (J.R.I.P.); Hurdcott, 2, Trafalgar, 1 (M.K.L., E.C.B., R.G.B.). 38. BITTERN. One seen over water-meadows near Britford, 2nd and 4th Jan. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). One which had been found starving on the Salisbury-Shaftesbury road was released by the R.S.P.C.A. in Longford Castle garden, 6th Jan. (I.R.). Two seen in Longford water-meadows 13th Jan. (R.O.P.B.), and two were found dead there in March (T.W.). 45. MALLARD. Maximum numbers: Coate Water, c. 400 on 14th Jan. and c. 300 on 24th Nov. (G.L.W.); Corsham Lake, 186 on 10th Nov. (J.C.R.); R. Wylye near Fisherton de la Mere, c. 360 on 15th Sept., c. 270 on 18th Nov. (M.C.H.B.). One ringed as young, Cole Park 31.7.56 recovered Wild- fowl Trust, Slimbridge, Glos. 12.1.62 and released at Beverstone, Glos. was shot at Hambridge near Langport, Som. 27.1.62 (E.J.M.B.). One ringed near Bruges, Belgium, 3.7.61 was shot at Coombe Bissett, 28.12.62 (G.H.F.). One ringed at Herwijnen, Holland, 17.12.61 was shot at Minety, 27.1.62 (P.R.). 46. TEAL. Maximum numbers: Coate Water, c. 300 on 20th Jan., c. 350 on 16th Dec. (G.L.W.); Braydon Pond, c. 40 on 16th Jan. (R.G.B.); Corsham Lake, c. 40 on 9th Dec. (J.C.R.); Hurdcott Lake, 14 on 14th Jan. (K.G.F.); Britford, c. 30 on 2nd Jan., Clarendon, 20 on 18th Jan. (D.E.F., A.J.H.); up to 100 on watercress beds at Shalbourne in severe weather early in year (E.A.R.E.).. Much courtship seen at Coate, 4th Feb., when in all ceremonies watched there were never less than 5 and once as many as 9 males in the circle around | female. No possible breeding, all having left by 31st May (G.L.W.). 47. GARGANEY. An eclipse male at Rodbourne S.F., Ist Aug., seen during morning and again in evening when also seen by R.H.W. (G.L.W.). 49. GADWALL. A female flew in at Braydon Pond, 19th Sept., was watched from car at 20 yds. range. Comparison possible with Mallard when differences in build, head and beak noted, also white speculum. The bird was very nervous and soon flew off when white wing bar again seen (R.G.B.). 50. WIGEON. Maximum numbers: Coate Water, 16 on 27th Jan. (G.L.W.); Braydon Pond, c. 120 on 16th Jan. (R.G.B.) and 90 on 19th Feb. (P.R.). R. Avon near Dauntsey, 42 on 26th Dec. (R.C.F., J.C.R.), Clarendon Lake, c. 70 on 24th Feb., and Britford Meadows, c. 40 on 2nd Jan. (D.E.F., A.J.H.); Compton Chamberlayne, 17 on 14th Jan., and Hurdcott Lake, 20 on 18th Feb. (K.G.F.). 480 52. PINTAIL. At Coate Water a male was seen, 14th Jan., a female, 20th Jan. (G.L.W.). One also noted 2nd Feb. (G.W.), and 3 males 8th Dec. (G.L.W.). A male in flight over Clarendon Lake, 18th Jan. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 53. SHOVELER. At Coate Water 3 pairs, 24th Feb. and 18th and 25th Mar. On 11th Nov. 5 birds, and Dec. 16th, 3 (G.L.W.). At Corsham Lake on Jan. 28th, 3; on Oct. 3rd and Nov. 11th, a pair; on Mar. 6th and Nov. 18th, a single bird (J.C.R.). At Clarendon Lake, 3 birds on Apr. and 2 pairs, Apr. 4th (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 55. scaup. An immature male at Coate with two male Tufted Duck, 25th Mar. The Scaup noted as much larger with no trace of crest and was vermiculated grey on back, underparts greyish white (G.L.W.). 56. TUFTED DUCK. Maximum numbers: Coate Water 5 on 4th-17th Mar. (G.L.W.); Corsham Lake, 23 on 20th Dec. (J.C.R.); Braydon Pond, 27 on 18th Mar. (R.G.B.); Fonthill, c. 50 on 8th Jan. (B.M.S.); Clarendon Lake, 50 on 24th Feb., 7 pairs on 2nd June but not known if they bred (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Two pairs at Compton Chamberlayne, 16th June (K.G.F.). At least 3 pairs seen during summer in water-meadows at Oakhill and a female with brood of 7 on Canal there, 4th Aug. (D.A.W.A.). MANDARIN DUCK. Noted at Ramsbury, 12th Mar. (M.C.). A first winter male at Coate with Mallard, 17th-24th Nov. (G.L.W.). 57. POCHARD. A female with 4 ducklings were seen on Clarendon Lake, 14th July (D.E.F., A.J.H.). This appears to be the first breeding record for the county. Maximum numbers: at Coate Water, where present until 8th Apr., 31 on 14th Jan. (G.L.W.); Wroughton reservoir, 11 on 8th Dec.; Braydon Pond, 209 on 19th Feb. (P.R.) and 43 on 8th Nov. (D.A.W.A.); Corsham Lake, 27 on 11th Feb. (J.C.R.); Clarendon Lake, 15 on 13th Oct. (D.E.F., A.J.H.); Compton Chamberlayne, 9 on 3rd Mar. (K.G.F.); Fonthill, c. 75 on 28th Nov. and Shearwater, 6 on 12th Dec. (B.M.S.); Longford, 20 on 3rd Feb. (I.R.). 60. GOLDEN-EYE. A female on R. Kennet at Littlecote in snowy weather, 4th Mar. (V.C.L., J.R.L.). 61. LONG-TAILED DUCK. An adult male in full winter plumage was seen on the Kennet and Avon Canal between the two Grafton Locks, 25th Nov.—2nd Dec. (M.C., C.K.). 71. smMew. A drake at Longleat, 4th Jan. (J.F.T.). At Corsham Lake, 7th-12th Nov., 2 females were seen on water and in flight when wing bars were noted as white (G.W.H., J.C.R.). GREY GEESE. Probably as many as 300 flying south at great height over Maiden Bradley, 2nd Jan. (B. Nicholls per J.C.C.O.). Two flying north-west at dusk, Maiden Bradley, followed by one bird, 14th Jan. (J.C.C.O.). 76. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Seventeen flying north-east over Swindon, 23rd Mar. (G.L.W.), a single adult watched feeding with Mute Swans by the Bristol Avon near Dauntsey and flight and alarm notes heard while in flight, 9th and 26th Dec. (J.C.R., R.C.F.). 82. CANADA GOOsE. Noted throughout early months of year at Coate, maximum number 9 on 4th Mar. and last seen 28th Mar. (G.L.W., G.W., R.M.C.). Eighteen seen at Castle Eaton, Ist Feb. (G.W.). Eight seen on Braydon Pond on dates from 29th Jan. to 22nd Feb., were wild and very wary (D.A.W.A., P.R., R.G.B.). 91. BUZZARD. No breeding records this year. A pair seen over E. Knoyle, 25th Mar. (B.M.S.); over Stitchcombe, 14th Apr. (D.W.F.); over Baydon, 17th Sept. (I.G.). On Fyfield Down 2 seen frequently from 15th June and 3 on 10th Sept.; one was drowned in a water trough, 15th Sept. (I.J.). One seen and at least one other calling at Longleat, 26th Dec. (R.H.P.). One watched taking and eating beetles at heights between 100-200 ft. (K.C.B.). Fourteen other records of single birds received. 93. SPARROW HAWK. Two nests found on Marlborough Downs, 5th June (M.C.). Two nests in Swindon area and a pair seen at Ham Hill (G.L.W.). A dying bird found in a stream at Bratton, 12th 481 Mar. (E.E.G.L.S.). Noted as holding its own on Salisbury Plain (J.G.M.). Sightings of single birds throughout the year at Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). Single birds seen at Pitton, 3rd Feb. (R.W.); Grittenham, Ist Apr. (P.R.); Cole Park, Ist Sept. (E.J.M.B.); Silkwood, 13th Nov. (B.C.); near Black Dog Hill, 19th Dec. (E.V.F.); near Druids Lodge, 22nd Dec. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 100. HEN HARRIER. One was seen near Pitton, 28th Feb. (R.W.); and 1 near Clearbury, 5th Nov., where it had been noted by a game keeper for the previous 10 days (R.O.P.B.). A female seen at Shrewton, 16th Nov., and possibly the same bird at Liddington, 19th Nov.; reports of a similar bird from Milton Lilbourne around this time (C.A.C.). HARRIER, MONTAGU’S or HEN. A ‘ ringtail? Harrier was seen on Cherhill Down, 25th Aug. (D.E.W.). One was seen approaching Heddington from the direction of Beckhampton—Devizes road, Ist Sept. (C.R.). One on Fyfield Down, 22nd Sept. (K.C.B.). 102. MONTAGU’S HARRIER. An adult male flew across a road 10 yards in front of a car near Larkhill in mid-May (J.G.M.). On 5th Aug. good views were obtained of an adult female on Haxton Down (P.J.C., M.A.W.). 104. HoBBYy. First seen 20th May, two males and a female, the males in display and chattering in rage at each other (G.H.F., C.M.F.); 24th May (M.C.); 27th May when one caught a swift (J.C.R.). A breeding record received from G.L.W. Four nests under observation elsewhere, all successfully hatched out, and the young from 3, and possibly all 4, are believed to have been successfully reared. One nest was, however, remarkably late even for Hobbys, one young still being in the nest on 3rd Sept. The ability of such a bird to migrate successfully is perhaps open to question (J.G.M.). Last seen 5th Sept., when one took a Swallow off an electricity wire (J.C.R.); 9th Sept. (G.W.); 19th Sept. (J.C.C.O.). 105. PEREGRINE. One seen at Britford, 21st Jan. (D.C.). Alarm given by rooks in rookeries at Imber as a Peregrine passed over flying south, 7th Apr. (B.G.). One was circling in a thermal over Clarendon Lake, 13th Oct. (A.J.H.); J.G.M. noted that the increasing scarcity of Peregrines and their breeding failures at their eyries is now reflected on their migration routes. An area of Salisbury Plain which was a ‘sure find ’ for migrating Peregrines in autumn and winter is now deserted. 107. MERLIN. A regular winter visitor on Salisbury Plain, where 1 was seen on 7th Jan. and 10th. A plucking-site was found in a pile of abandoned hay-trusses within 100 yards of A.360, the quarry mostly larks (J.G.M.). One in Colerne Valley, Ist Apr. (J.C.R., M.E.T.). One seen to take and carry off a Greenfinch on Boscombe Down, 24th Apr. (A.J.H.). An adult male seen at Coate, 29th Apr. A female at Wroughton airfield, 11th Nov., made a half hearted stoop at Golden Plover which seemed little perturbed (G.L.W.). One near Marlborough, 18th Nov. (M.C.). 110. KESTREL. In August a bird disturbed from the wall of Longford Castle flew to the nearest tree and sat on a branch near the ground, motionless and hanging its head. The next morning it lay dead. Analysis by the R.S.P.B. showed that Benzene Hexachloride, Aldrin and Dieldrin were present, but no Mercury. The absence of Mercury suggests that the birds prey was not contaminated by seed- dressings but by some other application of agricultural or horticultural chemicals. This unfortunate bird was ill and suffering for at least 12 hours before it died (I.R.). One seen to catch a Swift and carry it with some difficulty to a fence. There it soon let the Swift drop to the ground where it was recovered a few minutes later. There were no visible skin lesions and the Swift flew off quite strongly (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Two broods on the wing in close proximity on Haxton Down, Sth Aug. (P.J.C., M.A.W.). A common resident and breeding species on Salisbury Plain; one laid in a nest which had been used the previous season by a Hobby (J.G.M.). Ten other non-breeding records received. 115. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. Noted at Horton, Rushall, Kings Play Down, Tan Hill and Roundway Down (B.G.); at Huish Hill and Barton Farm (M.C.); also a covey north of Mildenhall (R.K.H.). 482 117. Quart. A pair seen in corn near High Post, 24th Apr. (A.J.H.). Heard calling in corn north of Aldbourne, 23rd May; calling in wheat near All Cannings Cross, 3rd June; calling in clover near Kingsplay Hill, 24th June (R.J.S.). One calling in arable near Milk Hill, 23rd June (B.G.) and two or more 5th July (M.C.). One Fyfield Down, 29th May (I.J.). A female with one chick flushed from stubble near Shepherd’s Shore, 25th Aug. (D.E.W.). 120. WATER RAIL. Thirty-seven sight records widely distributed of which 3 were in January, 5 in April, 6 in November, 15 in December. None in May or June (D.E.F., A.J.H., R.W., R.C.F., J.C.R., D.A.W.A., K.G.F., G.L.W., LR.). 125. CORNCRAKE. One, Oare Hill, 11th May (M.C.). Reported as heard on many occasions in late June and early July from grass fields near Shalbourne, no proof of nesting (E.A.R.E.). At Swallow- cliffe one was heard calling at first in corn and later in kale, 8th July (R.J.S., B.G., et al). 126. MOORHEN. A nest at Coate, 26th May, contained 17 eggs, 3 Coots and 14 Moorhens of two different clutches in a double storey, (M.C.). It was reliably reported from Westbury Leigh Leather Works that a Moorhen with chicks was seen to attack and drown a thrush which flew on to a branch above the pond (J.F.T.). 133. LAPWING. A flock of c. 1,200 at Winterbourne Earls, 19th Feb. (R.W.). Flocks on downs in Wroughton/Barbury area up to 600. 4th Nov. and 1,100, 18th Nov., a day of snow and sleet. On 9th Dec. c. 1,000 on fields near Hodson and large numbers moving north and north-east (G.L.W.). Flock of c. 300 seen near Melksham, 21st Jan., c. 300 on downs above Heytesbury, 19th Aug. (R.J.S.); c. 200 at Oxford, 13th Oct. (D.W.F.). 134. RINGED PLOVER. At Coate Water, 2, 23rd Apr. (G.L.W.) and 1, 31st July (G.W.). At Rod- bourne S.F., 2, 25th Sept. (G.L.W., G.W.). 135. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. One at Coate Water, 2nd Aug. Points noted: absence of wing bar, pale yellow legs, no black on head, breast band incomplete. Call heard several times (G.L.W.). 139. GREY PLOVER. One with Golden Plover at Hodson, 9th Dec. Noted white wing bar, light rump and black axillaries (G.L.W.). 140. GOLDEN PLOVER. Early in the year the largest flocks seen were: near Coate, 93, 18th Mar. (G.L.W.); Codford Down c. 200, 10th Mar. (B.M.S.); a large flock on Chilmark Down, Ist Apr. (K.G.F.); c. 200 near Odstock, 5th Apr. (I.R.). In autumn c. 750 near Hodson, 9th Dec. (G.L.W.); c. 400 at Stourton in late autumn (J.C.C.O.). Flocks of c. 300 seen as follows: Wroughton airfield, 28th Oct. (G.L.W.); Blacklands Down, 7th Dec. (B.G.); Old Sarum, 21st Dec. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Flocks of c. 200 at Roundway Down, Oct./Nov. (M.C., B.G.); Winterbourne, 20th Nov. (D.E.F., A.J.H.)., c. 100 at Colerne airfield, 22nd Oct. (G.J.B.). A large flock on old airfield at Ramsbury, 20th Oct. (J.R.L.). 145. snipe. On 2nd Jan. c. 250 were feeding on flooded meadows at Britford; 18 of these were ringed of which one was shot at Leffinghe, West Flanders 51° 11’ N., 2° 52’ E. on 27th Oct. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Maximum numbers at Coate c. 60, 25th Aug. (G.L.W.) and by the Avon at Dauntsey 78, 9th Dec. (G.L.W.). A bird spent several days from 3rd Jan. by a stream through a garden at Keevil (G.L.B.). One was drumming over riverside marsh near Bradford-on-Avon, 24th May (R.J.S.). 147. JACK sniPE. A dozen or more during the cold spell in early January at Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). One with c. 250 Snipe in Britford water-meadows, 2nd—6th Jan. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). At Coate Water 2 were seen, 8th Jan. (A.W.S.) and the last spring record was 27th Mar.; at least 10 were there 16th Oct. (G.L.W.). Three at Rodbourne S.F. 21st Oct. (G.L.W.). One at Lacock G.P. in spring and 3 noted 2nd Dec. (J.C.R.). One present on watercress beds at Shalbourne from Sept. 7th through autumn and early winter (E.A.R.E.). 483 148. woopcock. Breeding season records as follows: at Maiden Bradley a bird came off a nest with 4 eggs, Ist Apr. (J.F.T.), and birds seen roding at dusk, 2nd June (R.J.S.). Roding birds were also noted as follows: Clarendon, 3rd Apr. (D.E.F., A.J.H.); near Tollard Royal, 11th June (M.A.W.); a roding bird and mate seen in Groveley Wood and another bird near Bilbury Farm, 4th June (E.V.F., K.G.F.). Single birds also noted near Hodson, 14th May (G.L.W.), and in Collinbourne Woods in June (A.W.S.). A bird shot at Maiden Bradley, 2nd Jan., had been ringed as a young bird the previous summer within half a mile (J.C.C.O.). Unusually large numbers reported in county during the shooting season of 1962 (C.A.C.). 150. CURLEW. Four pairs seen near Etchilhampton, 17th Mar. and birds seen subsequently into June; a pair in Sandridge Vale, 19th Apr. and later in May but no nest found (R.J.S.). A pair seen near Summerham Brook where in 1961 they harched 4 young. That year they were seen driving off a fox which killed a young bird (E.B.). A pair were calling agitatedly over a hayfield being cut, 17th June (A.S.). A single bird seen whose behaviour indicated breeding, between Rowde and Roundway Hill, 14th May (B.C.). Three pairs in Brinkworth parish throughout the summer, only one pair known to have bred. Eggs were also found near Charlton (P.R.). Calling at night at Cole Park, 11th Apr. and ‘ bubbling ’ song heard, 19th Apr. (E.J.M.B.). One seen and ‘ bubbling’ heard at Bishopstone near Ramsbury, 29th Apr. (E.L.J.). A single bird seen in meadows north of Somerford Common, 28th Apr. (R.G.B.) and one south of the Common, 6th June (R.J.S.). Two heard in flight over Chippenham, 8th Apr. (R.C.F.). First heard near East Knoyle, 10th Mar. (B.M.S.). 156. GREEN SANDPIPER. Seen in small numbers throughout the county through the year except in March, May, June and October (R.C.F., J.C.R., D.E.F., A.J.H., et a/.). One by a small pond on Roundway Down, an unusual area (D.E.W.). 157. WOOD SANDPIPER. One at Coate, 25th Aug., and probably the same bird seen at Broome S.F. that day with a juvenile. On 26th—27th August there were 2 at Rodbourne S.F. with Green Sandpiper and Greenshank. Both birds were adult. Noted the yellowish tinged legs and that upper parts were much paler in comparison with Green Sandpiper. One bird had very strongly barred flanks and both lacked the pure white underparts of the Green Sandpiper, being much greyer. One bird remained at Broome S.F. until 30th Aug. (G.L.W.). 159. COMMON SANDPIPER. Up to 5 birds seen at Coate Water, March—-May and July-November (G.L.W., G.W.); also at Corsham Lake (J.C.R.); Shalbourne (E.A.R.E.); and canal at Devizes (B.G.). One on a lawn in Hilperton, 7th May (G.L.B.). Birds seen every evening throughout summer flying down R. Avon at Longford (I.R.). 161. REDSHANK. Two pairs nested at Coate, probably the first breeding record for the area (G.L.W., G.W.). Anest at Whittonditch, 22nd Apr. (V.C.L., J.R.L.). One on a road in Ramsbury area behaving as though she was moving small chicks, 19th May (E.A.R.E.). Pairs seen in breeding season on Fyfield Down (M.C.); Sherrington watercress beds (E.V.F.); by R. Kennet at Clatford and Axford, by R. Bourne at Tidworth, and by canal at Pewsey (B.G.); on Seagry G.P. (B.G., R.G.B.); on water- meadows near Froxfield (D.A.W.A.); by river near Bradford-on-Avon (R.J.S.). 162. SPOTTED REDSHANK. Two at Coate Water, Ist Sept. One an adult and very grey, the other a juvenile smaller and slightly browner with buffish white replacing white of adult. Legs of adult orange red, of juvenile orange. When flushed with a Greenshank all 3 flew off. They were found shortly after on Rodbourne S.F. wading belly deep picking and sweeping their bils through the water (G.L.W.). 165. GREENSHANK. A single bird at Coate, on dates from 7th Aug.—Ist Sept. (G.L.W., G.W.). Three at Rodbourne S.F., 26th Aug. and 2, 4th—Sth Sept. (G.L.W.). Five stayed several hours at Lacock G.P., 2nd Sept. (J.C.R.). A single bird fed along watercress beds at Shalbourne, 24th Aug., and flew off to south-west (E.A.R.E.). One spent some hours by Avon at Longford, 23rd Sept. (I.R.). 484 178. DUNLIN. An adult in full summer plumage at Coate Water, 8th Aug., one at Rodbourne S.F., 27th Aug. (G.L.W.). A single bird with a Common Sandpiper on Shalbourne watercress beds, 6th Sept. (E.A.R.E.). 183. BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER. A strange wader was discovered on Rodbourne S.F. on 23rd Sept. where it remained until 28th Sept. It was found and identified by G.L.W. and the identification con- firmed by E.A.R.E., who knew the species in Finmark and Major Hugh Ennion who had seen flocks in Aden. The bird was also seen by R.H.W., P.R., G.W., J.L.A.T., G.L.B., R.G.B. The record has been accepted for publication in B.B. by the Rarity Records Committee. Detailed descriptive notes are filed, the following summarizes particular points: Size as Little Stint or slightly larger. Head with broad superciliary stripes meeting at base of bill. Hind neck slightly lighter than dark crown, cheeks buffish. Upper parts not unlike Jack Snipe, ‘ snipe-stripes ’ along borders of mantle and scapulars forming two creamy ‘ V’s’ on back. Both ‘ V’s’ noted in flight also a faint wing bar. Rump and centre tail blackish brown, outer tail whitish. Lower plumage off-white with pale grey breast and two ‘ smudges’ of warmer sandy brown at sides of breast. Bill dark or black, longer than head with top mandible angled towards tip giving a marked decurved appearance. Legs dark or black, similar in length to Dunlin but relatively a trifle longer in tarsus like the Curlew Sandpiper. The bird spent much of its time resting in a hunched attitude similar to Dunlin but body axis a little more raised in front. When approached it persistently crouched before taking flight (it also crouched from aeroplanes) and when flushed uttered a weak tri trii (also described chipp-chipp) 4-7 times. The flight was fast and erratic, wings long in proportion to body. Feeding movements much slower than waders of comparable size and its gait a sedate walk, never far from cover. It normally fed by picking but occasionally plunged its bill into the sludge. 189. STONE CURLEW. Localities not given for security. First seen 27th Mar. (I.J.); 5th Apr. (I.R.). G.H.F. notes that due to prolonged cold weather they were much later in arrival, more difficult to observe and fewer in numbers, but that some did succeed in breeding. In June E.H.J. saw a pair and found | young, apparently 10 days old. At least 3 pairs seen on 3rd—4th May and Ist—3rd June. Birds disturbed by crop spraying, no nests found (R.J.S.). No other breeding records. Five seen on down- land, 16th July, and one dead on road (G.L.W.). Birds reported from 10 other areas by E.A.R.E., R.W., M.C., R.M.C., B.G., A.S. and R.J.S. Last noted in autumn, 10-12 calling in 3-mile radius, 2nd Sept. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Five or six flying south, 13th Sept. (I.G.). 198. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. Single birds seen as follows: 17th Feb., Swindon (G.L.W.); 23rd Feb., Marlborough (M.C.); 18th Mar. and 24th Dec., Longford (I.R.); 13th May, Coate (G.L.W.); on several days in December (R.W.). Two birds at Rodbourne S.F., lst Apr., and near Swindon 18th Aug. (G.L.W.). 199. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Winter records only included: at Lacock G.P., 7th-27th Jan., 7; 11th Feb., 30; 18th Feb., 43; 14th Nov., 30; 9th Dec., 40. Sixty on ploughed land at Lacock, 20th Jan. (J.C.R.). At Erlestoke there were 7 on 24th Feb. (B.G.). Of the Scandinavian race 2 were seen at Britford, 13th Apr., and 2 at Downton, 22nd Apr. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 200. HERRING GULL. A few in March and April at Rodbourne S.F., 7 on 25th Mar. (G.L.W.); 3 in Swindon, 24th Dec. (K.C.B.). Present at Lacock G.P. in spring and autumn, the maximum: 15 on 11th Mar., 17 on 28th Oct. and 40 on 9th Dec. Four by Avon near Dauntsey, 18th Nov. (J.C.R.). 212. BLACK TERN. Three at Corsham Lake, Ist May (J.C.R.). One at Coate, 4th June (G.L.W.) where there had been three earlier the same day (R.H.W.). Five at Longford, 30th Sept., all in winter plumage except one with heavily marked black patches beneath and on flanks. They stayed for several hours and at 19.15 with failing light they all started calling with high-pitched cries. They gathered into 485 a group and in a few seconds had disappeared (I.R.). 232. sTOCK DOVE. Up to 250 in a flock on arable land near High Post, 18th Mar. (F.P.E.). A bird sitting on 4 eggs in an elm at Corsham, 30th Mar., after several hours watching it appeared certain that there was only one pair in the tree and therefore it was an unusually large clutch (J.C.R.). 235. TURTLE DOVE. First noted 25th Apr., Shaw (C.A.C.), 5th May, Cole Park (E.J.M.B.) and Hurdcott (A.J.H., G.H.F.); 9th May, Pitton (R.W.). Last seen 8th Sept., Great Bedwyn and Ham Hill (G.L.W., J.L.A.T.); 11th Sept., Corsham (J.C.R.); 8th Oct., Codford St. Mary (C.A.C.). COLLARED TURTLE DOVE. First seen in Marlborough, 18th May, a pair. On 17th June there were 3 adult birds present, the odd bird presumed from behaviour to be a male. The pair had a nest with 2 well feathered young c. 15 ft. from ground in a conifer. One young ringed. When nest was approached the adults uttered a harsh grating kearrr, surprisingly loud (M.C., B.C., G.L.W.). A full description received from G.L.W. Birds reported late in autumn on his farm near Marlborough by Mr. Edwards, who said they had been with him most of the summer (C.A.C.). These are the first records for the county of this species, Streptopelia decaocto. 237. cuckoo. First heard 10th Apr., Chippenham (R.C.F.); 12th Apr., Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.); 14th Apr., Fovant (R.C.C.O.). Last seen (all juvenile birds) 29th July, Chippenham (C.J.B.); 29th Aug., Stratford-sub-Castle (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 10th Sept., Boreham (C.A.C.). 241. BARN OWL. Two seen hunting at dusk about a mile apart between Chitterne and Codford (E.V.F.). Fewer seen this year on Fyfield Nature Reserve (M.C.). 246. LITTLE OWL. Nest with 3 eggs found in roadside oak, Ist May, and a roost in a dead willow containing remains of beetles, voles, mice and birds. 30th May, both near Chippenham (R.F.C.). A nest near Devizes, 30th June (M.C.). A bird seen at Rockley, 14th May, and Baydon, 17th June (B.G.). One on Redhorn Hill, 7th July (B.M.S.). 247. TAWNY OWL. Only 2 records; one on Windmill Hill, Ludgershall, Ist Jan. (A.W.S.). Two frequently calling at night in April, Seagry (R.G.B.). 248. LONG-EARED OWL. On 17th Feb. in a known breeding area on the Marlborough Downs the display flight was seen against the moonlit sky with wing clapping and later the song heard, a series of moaning hoots (R.M.C.). Nest recorded in this area later and other pairs suspected elsewhere. Seen in West Woods in August (M.C.). 249. SHORT-EARED OWL. On 2nd Jan. and on many subsequent occasions until mid-February one was seen regularly hunting rough fields and sedgy areas between Ham and Shalbourne (E.A.R.E.). A single bird hunting over Battery Hill, Porton, 31st Mar. (F.P.E., C.M.F., G.H.F.); one being mobbed by Rooks and Skylarks at Winterbourne, 20th Nov. (D.E.F.); and one in thorn bushes at Easton Royal, 12th Dec. (C.A.C.). 252. NIGHTJAR. Five nests found near Maiden Bradley of which four were successful: probably ten pairs in the parish (J.C.C.O.). Single birds seen in Savernake Forest, 24th June, and West Woods, 22nd July (M.C.). Noted on several days in July on Stokke Common (C.N.T.). One pair seen near Winterslow (G.H.F.). One picked up injured on a road near Colerne, 18th Aug. by Chief Technician Maitland. It appeared to have been struck by a car and died shortly afterwards (C.J.B.). 255. SWIFT. First seen 12th Apr., Alderbury (I.R.); 15th Apr., Longford (I.R., R.O.P.B.); 21st Apr., Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.) and Coate (G.L.W.); very early dates. At Coate between 700 and 1,000 in early evening 12th May and c. 800, 31st May (G.L.W.). Last seen 25th Aug. Stratford-sub-Castle (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 26th Aug., Coate (G.L.W.); 28th Aug., Swindon (G.L.W.). 258. KINGFISHER. A nest by a small stream near Seagry (Mrs. Williams per R.G.B.). A pair at Corsham Lake in spring and autumn (J.C.R.). Three on Bybrook, 6th May (G.L.W.). Single birds 486 seen out of breeding season at Limpley Stoke (R.M.C.), near Littlecote (I.G.) and near Blunsdon (G.L.W.). 261. Hoopor. On 21st Apr., one was seen feeding in field near Coate Water. It occasionally perched in willows and trees of the boundary hedge. The bird was very tame and allowed close approach (G.L.W.). Still present on 22nd Apr. (G.L.W., V.C.L., J.R.L., J.L.A.T.). 263. GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Drumming on a nest box in an apple tree at Cole Park, 15th Apr., and later the same day drumming on another nest box (E.J.M.B.). A pair visited a bird table in Corsham, Jan./Feb. (J.C.R.) and a pair visited a table in Seagry up to the end of April (R.G.B.). One visited a bird table at Pitton in the cold spell in January (R.W.). 264. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Notes on this species will be included in the results of an enquiry in the next report. 265. WRYNECK. One watched for 5 minutes at a distance of about 10 yards on Pepper Box Hill, 15th May. It was sitting on the lowest wire of a barbed wire fence and occasionally dropped into the grass and then back onto its perch. It eventually flew away down the hillside. It was examined carefully with field glasses by observer and his daughter (F.E.W.V.). A bird seen flying from a garden in Chilton Foliat, 8th Sept. The flight was slow and deeply undulating and the bird had a heavy headed appear- ance. When within 20 ft. the plumage was seen to be a mottled soft brown. The call, not unlike a softer version of the Hobby, was heard 3 or 4 times. The bird alighted in a nearby willow and im- mediately took flight and was not seen again (G.L.W., J.L.A.T.). 271. WOODLARK. A pair feeding young near Grovely, 17th May (B.M.S.). A nest with young found on Somerford Common in June (per R.J.S.). Singles seen in Savernake Forest, 25th June (M.C.) and Stockton Wood, 9th Oct. (J.C.C.O.). 272. SKYLARK. A large migration movement eastwards on 6th Jan. and steady migration westwards during October noted at East Knoyle, (B.M.S.). Stream of small parties seen moving southwards over Corsham Park a.m., 7th Oct. (J.C.R.). Several thousand in parties of hundreds flew westwards across Harnham, a.m. Dec. 27th (E.B.). 274. SWALLOW. First seen April 3rd, Fovant (R.C.C.); 5th Apr., Clarendon Lake (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 6th Apr., Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.); 9th Apr., Dinton (B.M.S.). A pair nested successfully under the moat bridge at Cole Park—a remarkable site 2 feet above water, 1 foot below ground level with no real support below nest. Much more typical of House Martin (E.J.M.B.). Another nest, built at Stoford, was in a shed and the birds entered and left through a 2 in. wide opening on top of a normally closed door (W.M.C.). Up to 3,000 seen roosting at Coate Water during the latter part of August and most of September (G.L.W., G.W.). Last seen 20th Oct., Coate (G.L.W.); Sth Nov. Bromham (J.B.); 7th Nov., Broome S.F. (G.W.). 276. HOUSE MARTIN. First seen 16th Apr., Stoford (W.M.C.); 19th Apr., Winterbourne Monkton (per B.G.); 20th Apr., Coate Water (G.L.W.). Late broods left nests at Stoford, 22nd Sept. (W.M.C.) and Coate, 10th Oct. (G.L.W.). Last seen 28th Oct., Coate (G.L.W., G.W.); 6th Nov., 2 at Draycott Foliat (D.A.W.A.); 11th Nov., Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). 277. SAND MARTIN. First seen 8th Apr., Wilton Water (R.J.S.) and Marlborough (D.W.F.); 9th Apr., Chippenham (R.C.F.); 10th Apr., Clarendon Lake (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Nine pairs feeding recently fledged young at Calne, 19th Aug. (R.C.F., J.C.R.). Large numbers were flying with Swifts over Braydon Pond, 10th Aug. (R.G.B.). Forty-two birds out of a probable 80 plus ringed at Great Bedwyn during 1962 (M.C.). An adult ringed at nest at Stratford on 7th July was retrapped at a roost at Fordingbridge, Hants., on 24th July (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Last seen 23rd Sept., Coate (G.W.); 27th Sept. and 2nd Oct., Coate (G.L.W.). 279. RAVEN. One seen and call heard over thick woodland at Stourton, 15th Mar. (J.C.C.O.). 487 280. CARRION CROW. One seen to kill a House Sparrow and then proceed to eat it in a small garden at Swindon, 13th May. An albino seen near Wroughton, 23rd June. A number seen to take fresh water mussels at Coate Water during late autumn (all G.L.W.). 284. MAGPIE. Thirteen in one tree at Corsham S.F., 20th Jan. (J.C.R.). 288. GREAT TIT. A nest at Seagry lined, in the main, with steel wool taken from a workshop some 30 yards from nest site. The steel wool, of a type used for household burnishing, was bright when taken but rusted in the nest. Six young were reared successfully (R.G.B.). 289. BLUE TIT. One seen following a Great Spotted Woodpecker in a garden at Hilperton Marsh, 4th Jan. The tit investigated each place where the woodpecker had moved the bark. Same behaviour noted on a number of occasions after the above date (G.L.B.). 292. MARSH TIT. Eleven, with other tits, feeding in laurel bushes at Bird’s Marsh, Chippenham, 20th July (R.C.F.). 293. WILLOW TIT. At least one pair at Coate, 20th Jan. (G.L.W.). Two on tree alongside the Bybrook, Castle Combe, 11th Feb. (R.C.F., J.C.R.). 294. LONG-TAILED TIT. At least 8 in Everleigh Ashes, 25th Mar.; Pair carrying nesting material near Manor House, Imber, 7th Apr. (B.G.). Small party of 6 to 8 birds Corsham Park, Oct. to Dec. (J.C.R.). Thought to have decreased due to severe weather of December, 1961, and subsequent hard winter (M.C.). 300. prpPpER. Seen at various times during February and March at brook feeding into Bybrook at Hartham Park (G.W.H.). 4th Apr., a bird sitting on eggs in nest over sluice, Fonthill, (J.E.M.). Young reared at Weavern were seen in the nest on 11th Apr. but had left it on 3rd May when two were seen in the locality. Adult birds also seen at Castle Combe throughout year (R.C.F.). A nest, with young, under footbridge at Tellisford, 4th May (A.S.). A pair with four fledged young on Bybrook near Biddestone, 6th May (G.L.W.). A nest with young, above weir on Bybrook, Ford, near Colerne, 16th June (J.E.M.). Nest completed at Maiden Bradley, 11th Apr. (J.C.C.O.). One bird at Stourhead, 13th Oct. (B.G.). 301. MISTLE THRUSH. The first day of song, Stoford, 6th Feb. (W.M.C.). Nest found at Pitton, 25th Feb. (R.W.). A nest made almost completely of wool found in hawthorn adjacent to woollen mill, Trowbridge Park (A.S.). Flock 80-100 near Shalbourne, 25th Aug. (B.G.). 302. FIELDFARE. Last seen in spring, 47 near Kennet and Avon Canal, near Pewsey, 20th Apr. (B.G.); 6 at Pewsham, 29th Apr. (J.L.A.T.); 2 at Coate Water, Ist May (G.L.W., G.W.). First seen in autumn: 2 at Ham Hill, 7th Oct. (J.L.A.T., G.L.W.); 4 at Ford, 20th Oct. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Small flocks of 10-20, Great Ridge Wood, 21st Oct. (R.J.S.). A few on Kings Play Down, 28th Oct. (B.G.). Numerous at Barbury, 28th Oct. (G.L.W.). 303. SONG THRUSH. A nest containing five eggs, sited on the ground in wood at Corsham Park, found 26th April (J.C.R.). Large decrease in Swindon area after the hard weather in early part of year (G.L.W.). Bird ringed as nestling 6.5.59 Sittingbourne 51° 20’ N., 0° 41’ E. (Kent) recovered dead or dying Wootton Bassett (Wiltshire) 105 m. W. British Birds, Vol. 55, p. 528. 304. REDWING. Last seen in spring, 24th Feb., near Erlestoke Lake (B.G.); 15th Mar., c. 99 at Corsham Park (J.C.R.); 4th Apr., one singing at Coate (G.L.W.). First seen in autumn, 7th Oct., 12 at Ham Hill (G.L.W.); 10th Oct., 20 at Corsham Park (J.C.R.); 16th Oct., Knoyle (B.M.S.). 307. RING OUZEL. A male on downs near Cherhill for the afternoon of 28th Aug. (D.E.W.). 308. BLACKBIRD. An albino adult male at Box, Jan. and Feb. (J.C.R.). 311. WHEATEAR. First seen 3rd Apr., Fyfield Down (I.J.); 20th Apr., 2 males Imber Down (B.G.); 22nd Apr., Tan Hill-Milk Hill, Allington Down and All Cannings Down (R.J.S.). Three pairs nested on the reserve on Fyfield Down (I.J.). A pair feeding young on downs N. of Heytesbury, 8th July x 488 (B.M.S.). Birds were on passage through Colerne airfield from 8th Aug. until 10th Oct., 3 in one group on the latter date (C.J.B.). Other last dates, 14th Oct., 1 at Fyfield Down (C.B.); 18th Nov., 1 Totterdown (M.C.). 317. STONECHAT. One seen at Milford, 28th Jan. (R.W.). Two females, one of which was trapped, at Old Sarum, 21st Mar. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Observers, (B.G., M.C., G.L.W.) reported considerable decrease of birds compared to 1961. One at Devils Den, Fyfield Down, 31st Oct. (I.J.). A male between Wroughton and Barbury (G.L.W.); and a bird at Totterdown (M.C.) on 18th Nov. 318. WHINCHAT. First seen 4th May, two pairs, Fyfield Down (I.J.); 8th May, Old Sarum (A.A.D.); 10th May, female, near Allington, Devizes (B.G.). At least 4 juveniles at foot of Avebury—Fyfield track, 20th Aug. (B.G.). At least 7, mostly juveniles, One Tree Hill, Potterne, 2nd Sept. (B.G.). Five with 2 wheatears at Old Sarum, 29th Aug. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Last seen 13th Sept., Boscombe Down (G.H.F.); 22nd Sept., 2 at Fyfield Down (K.C.B., G.L.W.); 29th Sept., near Tilshead Camp (B.G.). 320. REDSTART. First seen 28th Apr., Pitton (R.W.); 29th Apr., 3 males and | female, Coate (G.L.W.); 4th May, Savernake (M.C.). Out of 3 nests at Coate | was destroyed and 6 young were successfully reared in each of the other 2. The young left the nests about the end of May. First time the observer has known more than | pair to breed at Coate (G.L.W.). A pair, near nest in wall of derelict cottage at Imber, accompanied by 3 fledged young, 10th June (A.S.). Last seen 30th Aug., Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); early Sept., Pitton (R.W.); 21st Oct., Alderton (R.H.P.). 321. BLACK REDSTART. A male was seen at Salisbury on 23rd and 24th Apr. (G.G.H.). 311. NIGHTINGALE. First heard 21st Apr., Sandridge Vale (R.J.S.). Both heard and seen 25th Apr., Castle Combe (R.C.F.); 26th Apr. Bratton (E.E.G.L.S.). Several in full song at Sandridge Vale, 24th Apr. (R.J.S.). 327. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. First heard 20th Apr., Great Bradford Wood (R.J.S.); 30th Apr., Shearwater (G.L.B.); 11th May, Cheverell Wood (G.B.). Last heard 14th July, Clarendon Lake (A.J.H.); 22nd July, Gopher Wood (M.C.). 333. REED WARBLER. First seen 5th Apr., Coate Water (J.L.A.T., G.L.W.); between 8 and 10 pairs noted at Coate. Nest building and 2 nests containing | and 2 eggs at Coate, 20th Apr. (G.L.W.). Two fledglings just out of nest at Coate, Ist Sept. (G.L.W.). Birds retrapped during 1962: 1 ringed 2.6.60 retrapped 12.7.62, | ringed 11.6.61 retrapped 12.7.62, 1 ringed 13.5.61 retrapped 19.7.62 (G.L.W.). Last seen 13th Sept., River Kennet near Littlecote (I.G.); 23rd Sept., Coate (G.L.W.). 337. SEDGE WARBLER. First seen 24th Apr., 2 at Coate (G.L.W.) and 6 at Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 26th Apr., Seagry G.P. (R.G.B.). Three nests with eggs noted at Coate on 20th May (G.L.W.). One bird ringed 8.6.61 retrapped 12.7.62 at Coate (G.L.W.). Last seen 16th Sept., Rodbourne S.F. (G.L.W.); 23rd Sept., Coate (G.L.W., G.W.). 343. BLACKCAP. On 22nd Jan. a male paid 5 to 10 minute visits to a bird table in Amesbury from early morning throughout the day. It insisted on eating alone, driving Blue Tits and House Sparrows away (D.M.W.). Otherwise first seen 3rd Apr., Clarendon Lake (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 23rd Apr., Coate (G.L.W.); 24th April, Cole Park (E.J.M.B.). Two males trapped on 25th and 3 females on 30th Aug. at Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Last seen 16th Sept., Coate (G.L.W.); 19th Sept., Corsham (J.C.R.); and the following two records of wintering birds. On 16th Dec. at Pewsham J.L.A.T. trapped and ringed a bird which had been feeding with Blue Tits. Measurements made with R.G.B. and colouration led to conclusion that it was an immature female Blackcap. A male was seen in a garden at Alderbury, 31st Dec. (C.M.R.P.). 346. GARDEN WARBLER. First seen 29th Apr., Coate (G.L.W.); 5th May, Angrove (E.J.M.B.). About 6 pairs at Coate, 13th May (G.L.W.). Nest with young in woods at Maiden Bradley, 2nd June (A.S., C.S.H.). Last seen 6th Sept., Trowbridge (A.S.); 6th Oct., Pitton (R.W.). 489 347. WHITETHROAT. First seen 21st Apr., Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 22nd Apr., Coate (G.L.W.); 23rd Apr. near Cole Park (E.J.M.B.). Last seen 23rd Sept., Coate (G.L.W.); 29th Sept., female trapped at Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 348. LESSER WHITETHROAT. First noted 23rd April, E. Knoyle (B.M.S.); 24th Apr., Oare (B.G.); 28th Apr., Pitton (R.W.). Seen feeding young in tangled growth between Cole Park and River Avon, July (E.J.M.B.). Big increase this year in Marlborough district (M.C.). A bird ringed at Ford on each of following dates, 25th, 27th and 28th Aug., Ist Sept. Presumably on passage as none had been seen there during breeding season (D.E.F., A.J.H.). This species seemed to be more common in 1962, at least in the Bourne Valley area (G.H.F.). Last seen 12th Sept., Corsham (J.C.R.); 23rd Sept., Broome S.F. (G.L.W.). 352. DARTFORD WARBLER. A female ringed at Ford, 21st Apr. This bird occurred with the first fall of warblers in the area (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 354. WILLOW WARBLER. First noted 3rd Apr., Corsham Park (J.C.R.); 4th Apr., Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 7th Apr., one singing, Coate (G.L.W.). Last noted 16th Sept., Coate (G.L.W.). 356. CHIFFCHAFF. First noted 29th Mar., Savernake (M.C.); 3rd Apr., | trapped, Clarendon Lake (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 4th Apr., Shalborne (E.A.R.E.); and Coate (G.L.W.). Last noted 23rd Sept., Rodbourne S.F. (G.L.W.); 29th Sept., 1 ringed, Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 6th Oct., Corsham Park (J.C.R.). 357. WOOD WARBLER. First noted 21st Apr., Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 25th Apr., near Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.); 8th May (M.C.). Lasted noted 5th Aug., Ham Hill (G.L.W.). 366. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. First seen 3rd May, Corsham Park (J.C.R.); 6th May, Biddestone and Hilmarton (G.L.W.;; 7th May, Longford (I.R.), and Boscombe Down (G.H.F.). Nests and young recorded in a number of localities (E.J.M.B., W.M.C., B.G., A.S.). Nests at Seagry destroyed, almost certainly by Magpies (R.G.B.). An adult recovered near Donhead during breeding season was ringed as a nestling in 1961 at Maiden Bradley by J.C.C.O. Last seen 16th Sept., Ramsbury Manor (B.G.); and Coate (G.L.W.); 27th Oct., Ford (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 368. PIED FLYCATCHER. An adult female near Maiden Bradley, 16th Sept. (J.C.C.O.). 371. HEDGE SPARROW. One ringed at Coate 18.5.59, retrapped there, in good condition, on 15.5.62 (G.L.W.). A probable male, seen at Longleat, 26th Dec., had distinctive creamy-yellow orbital rings. Both rings were broad with a slight tuft on the upper portion of the right one. The rest of the plumage was normal (R.H.P.). 373. MEADOW PIPIT. A bird ringed in garden during December 1961 retrapped 4.3.62 (G.L.W.); 4th Apr. several pairs at Hackpen. Hundreds at Rodbourne S.F., 4th Nov. (G.L.W.). 376. TREE PIPIT. First noted 16th Apr., Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.); 21st Apr., 3 together in orchard, Cole Park (E.J.M.B.); 27th Apr., Coate (G.W.). Also reported at Bulford Ranges (A.W.S.); Stockton Earthworks and Gutch Common (B.M.S.); Bidcombe Hill Woods and Somerford Common (R.J.S.). Probable migrant trapped in an Idmiston garden in autumn (G.H.F.). 380. PIED WAGTAIL AND WHITE WAGTAIL. A male White Wagtail in company of Pied, seen at close range, 4th and 7th Apr. at Coate (G.L.W.). Two White Wagtails, Rodbourne S.F., 24th and 25th Sept. (G.L.B.). 13th Apr., maximum number of a/bas roosting at Coate c. 120. This roost broke up in November (G.L.W.). 381. GREY WAGTAIL. Nests recorded near Weavern (R.C.F.); R. Frome near Tellisford (A.S.); Bybrook near Biddlestone (G.L.W.); Corsham S.F. (J.C.R.); Maiden Bradley (J.C.C.O.). 382. YELLOW WAGTAIL. First seen 4th Apr., Coate (G.L.W.); 26th Apr., Seagry G.P. (R.G.B., B.G.); 27th Apr., R. Kennet, Axford (B.G.). Two nests located 27th May and another 3rd June at Coate (G.L.W.). Two pairs seen feeding young in Cole Park, July (E.J.M.B.). Pair feeding young, Ist July, 490 Lacock G.P. (J.C.R.). Last seen 2nd Oct., 2 roosting at Coate (G.L.W.). There was a roost at Coate during July and August, the maximum counted being c. 80, 18th Aug. (G.L.W.). 383. WAXWING. One arrived in the Holloway district of E. Knoyle during the last days of 1961 and stayed until the thaw on 7th Jan. It fed on Cotoneaster berries in the observer’s garden for a great part of the day during its stay in the area. Although the crest was prominent no red tips were seen. The bird allowed a close approach (B.M.S.). 384. GREAT GREY SHRIKE. Good views of a single bird obtained in thorn scrub on top of the down at Rockley, Ist Apr. It had a very white breast (B.C., M.C.). One seen in same place, 22nd Apr. (H. Hony per M.C.). 388. RED-BACKED SHRIKE. One at Bulford—the third year that this species has been seen there in the breeding season—23rd June (A.W-S.). 389. STARLING. Maximum number of 4,000 in roost at Corsham Park, 6th Sept. One bird cream in colour (J.C.R.). One ringed in Swindon during February recovered in Hambourg, Germany, during July. Bird ringed 8.11.59 at Swindon found dead locally on 28.10.62. One ringed 22.11.59 at Swindon shot at Waarde Zuid Beveland, (Zeeland) Holland, end of 6.62. On 28th Feb. in the Swindon area a Corvid was seen to drop a Starling which was found to be dead and to have been ringed in the same district 2 months earlier (G.L.W.). 391. HAWFINCH. One seen Windmill Hill, Ludgershall, Ist Jan. (A.W.S.). One at Shaw House, near Marlborough, 2nd Feb. (E.L.J.). One in search of plum stones in a Salisbury garden, 4th, 5th and 6th Mar. (G.G.H.). 392. GREENFINCH. About 300 with 100 Bramblings, 400 Linnets and 300 Chaffinches in a kale-weed field at Burcombe, Wilton, 2nd Feb. Fifty still feeding, with same species plus Tree Sparrows, in same area 3rd Mar. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Very marked increase this year. Fourth commonest species trapped for ringing at Cole Park (E.J.M.B.). 200 in Kale field at Durnford, 22nd Dec. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Female, Ist winter, ringed 7.11.59 Dungeness. Recovered dead or dying 10.6.61 Salisbury (Wiltshire) 120 m. W. cf. British Birds, Vol. 55, p. 536. 393. GOLDFINCH. Nest in Hawthorn at Coate made almost entirely of sheep’s wool with just a few twigs and bents, 2nd June (G.L.W.). Flock of c. 200, most juveniles, present end July and early August at Froxfield (D.A.W.A.). Flock 100 to 120 at Lacock G.P., 19th Aug. to 30th Sept. (J.C.R.). Flock c. 40, Colerne airfield, 12th to 23rd Oct. (C.J.B.). 394. SISKIN. Party of 7 (3 males) feeding in alders and on river bank—possibly taking grit—in water-meadows, Longford, 28th Jan. (I.R.). 395. LINNET. 400 feeding in weeds at Wilton in company with Bramblings, Greenfinches and Chat. finches, 2nd Feb. and 3rd Mar. with a probable increase in numbers at the latter date. One adult male ringed at Wilton recovered near Blythe, Notts. on Ist July, c. 158 m. N.N.E. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). c. 50 at Lacock G.P., 7th Oct. (J.C.R.). Nestling ringed 12.5.61 Porton 51° 08’ N., 1° 44’ W. (Wiltshire) caught alive 12.10.61 Tresses; 44° 50’ N., 0° 32’ W. (Gironde) France, cf. British Birds, Vol. 55, p. 538. 397. REDPOLL. Five in hedge of a weedy field where c. 700 finches were feeding at Wilton, 3rd Mar. One pair in trees at Ford, 28th Apr. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Seen at Britford, Feb./Mar. (D.C.). A few on Birches, E. Knoyle, in October (B.M.S.). c. 15 in Savernake Forest, 22nd Dec. (A.W.S.). 401. BULLFINCH. c. 25 feeding in snow covered meadows at Ford, 6th Jan. A marked increase on 5-8 normally present there (D.E.F., A.J.H.). 404. CROSSBILL. First seen 30th June, 60-70 near Maiden Bradley, smaller parties seen there regularly in July, less frequently Aug./Sept. and occasionally to end of year. Twenty on 3rd Oct., more than 491 usual (J.C.C.O.). Two juveniles at Ham Hill calling incessantly on Sth July, seen again 16th July (G.L. W.). Parties of 6-8 seen in Park Copse, East Knoyle, July and August (B.M.S.). Nine-ten in West Woods, Sth July, and 4 in a garden in Marlborough, 7th July (M.C.). A number on Bedwyn Common, 13th July, and 5 birds at Stokke, 24th Aug. (C.N.T.). Two in flight near Coate, 19th Aug., call note heard (G.L.W.). At least 5, perhaps as many as 12, obviously a passage party, Shalbourne, 15th Oct. (E.A.R.E.). Twelve in Scots pines near Semley, 18th Oct., were making repeated short flights together and returning to the same trees (J.E.M.). Ten flew over county boundary from Westonbirt Arboretum, Glos. into Silk Wood, 13th Nov. (B.C.). 407. CHAFFINCH. Rather late flock of at least 6 males and | or 2 females at Cole Park, 25th Apr. (E.J.M.B.); 4th Nov., large influx in Swindon area (G.L.W.). 408. BRAMBLING. c. 100 feeding with other finches in weedy field, Wilton, 2nd Feb., numbers there dropped to 10, 3rd Mar. c. 100 seen roosting with other finches (mainly greenfinches) at Clarendon Lake, 3rd and Sth Apr. (D.E.F., A.J.H.).. Twenty with flock of (mostly male) chaffinches near Stype, 9th Feb.; c. 30 with mixed flock of finches feeding on rape stubble near Combe Gibbet, 4th Mar. (E.A.R.E.). First seen in autumn 19th Oct., E. Knoyle (B.M.S.); 27th Oct., Clarendon (D.E.F., A.J.H.); 4th Nov., Barbury Castle (G.L.W.); 30 in Race Plain, Salisbury, 15th Dec. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Considerable numbers—possibly 100 plus—in very large feeding flocks of finches, principally chaffinches in Savernake Forest, 24th Dec. (D.A.W.A.). 410. CORN BUNTING. Two at Ford, 19th Jan., 10 in willows there 24th Mar., 40 feeding in reeds same area 3lst Mar., 6th and 10th Apr., dropping to 10 on 14th Apr. and 5 on the 19th, (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Eight near Alton Priors, 19th Feb. (B.G.). In Tytherington Hill-Corton Down-—Boyton Down area several birds to be seen 23rd Apr. onwards, and in Tan Hill—-Milk Hill-All Cannings Down area birds were active from April to June (R.J.S.).. Numbers well up to average on downland in E. Knoyle area (B.M.S.). Frequently seen on downs near Monkton Deverill (J.C.C.O.). 413. RED HEADED BUNTING. On 25th June on the drive to Cole Park E.J.M.B. saw an adult male fly off over adjacent field of barley. The first impression was of the very clear bright yellow breast and chestnut head-mask with its rather odd ‘ wavy edged’ shape, extending well down on to breast. No white on tail as it flew off. No call heard. On 30th June seen by M.B. on drive and later that day seen on gravel path in garden by the above observers and Mr. R. M. Lockley at 7 or 8 yards range. Yellow- ish-green rump very conspicuous, greyish stubby bill noted. No doubt an escape, (v. Pyman’s reports in B.B. 53:172, 429:54:196). Accepted for publication by Rarity Records Committee. 415. CIRL BUNTING. Nested in usual numbers locally, Pitton (R.W.). 421. REED BUNTING. Two Clarendon Lake, 29th Jan. (R.W.). A pair were frequent visitors to garden and bird table at Corsham, Jan., Feb., Nov., Dec. (G.W.H.). Noted at Chippenham in Cole Parke, and near Codford, in April (R.C.F., E.J.M.B., W.M.C.). Two very pale juveniles trapped at Coate, 16th July; c. 80 roosting there Oct. and c. 10 seen 30th Nov. (G.L.W.). Juvenile ringed 5.8.59 Coate; 51° 34’ N., 1° 47’ W. Swindon (Wiltshire) manner of recovery unknown 6.8.61 Mudiford, Christchurch (Hampshire) cf. British Birds, Vol. 55, p. 541. 424. HOUSE SPARROW. A female, light cream in colour, bred with a normal male at Lacock G.P. Young were of normal colouration (J.C.R.). 7th Jan., Bird with white head, Rodbourne S.F. (G.L.W.). 425. TREE SPARROW. One at garden table, Maiden Bradley, Ist Jan. (J.C.C.O.). Two, Ford, 6th Jan. (D.E.F., A.J.H.). Flock of c. 150 Starveall Farm, Bishopstone, 28th Jan.; c. 80 Wanborough Plain Farm; 4th Feb. (E.L.J.). Fifty feeding with finch flock in weed field at Wilton, 3rd Mar. (D.E.F., A.J.H.).. Small numbers seen at Pitton throughout the winter to end of March (R.W.). Numerous at Coate, all usual nesting sites and some new ones including nest boxes, (G.L.W.). Two nest boxes 492 occupied and one brood successfully reared at Seagry (R.G.B.). A pair nested in Ash tree near Bidde- stone, May (G.W.H.). A pair bred at Lacock (J.C.R.). Seen at Rodbourne S.F. (G.L.W.), and Clarendon and Pitton (D.E.F., A.J.H.) in autumn. The following species, though not mentioned in these notes, were recorded in 1962:—Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Partridge, Pheasant, Coot, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Rook, Jackdaw, oo Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Robin, Gold Crest, Yellowhammer. 493 MUTE SWAN CENSUS 1961 It will be remembered that in 1955 the British Trust for Ornithology organised a Mute Swan Census covering the whole of England, Scotland and Wales. In the months of April and May 1961 in con- junction with the Wildfowl Trust, it sponsored a second and sample census, organised by Dr. S. K. Eltringham, to cover 14 counties in England and Scotland, and of these Wiltshire was one. His report has now been published in Bird Study, March 1963, and goes fully into the census figures, breeding habits and complaints of damage. It is too long to quote from fairly in this short note beyond observing the following from his summary on the whole census area. “4. The totals recorded from the ground in 1955 and 1961 in the census counties were 7,363 and 7,000 respectively. A more accurate assessment in which only areas with identical cover in both years were compared, showed no significant change in numbers.”’ “6. An analysis of winter counts, showed that the population, which had been increasing rapidly in 1955, reached a peak in 1959 and has since declined almost to the 1955 level.” The Report is well worth reading by all interested in Swans in conjunction with the more detailed tables for this county set out below. In considering them however it should be born in mind that nil returns were not called for in 1955, which makes exact comparison difficult, while the radio appeal for information from the general public complicated rather than helped the earlier enquiry. As far as numbers of breeding birds are concerned, in the two years the modest increase of nesting pairs from 117 to 128 may partly be accounted for by the increased number of observers in 1961 when, with the exception of two short lengths, all rivers and canals in the county as well as all lakes and ponds traceable by map were visited and reported on. Counts were also made by air of the Bristol Avon, Wylye, Salisbury Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Breeding Swans in their territories and non-breeding swans holding territories can both of course be counted with accuracy. On the other hand among non-territorial immature birds some are often on the move so that herds fluctuate in numbers from day to day, and only by a count organised for the whole area on the same day and at the same hour can numbers be established with accuracy. In practice manpower is not available for such a count and some way must be adopted of assessing as fairly as possible the fluctuating numbers seen on the same water on different days. Dr. Eltringham has taken the mean figure of these variable groups but it seems certain that a more conservative estimate was made in 1955, and for this reason the large increase in non-breeding birds must be accepted with some reserve. Nevertheless as far as Wiltshire is concerned the figures would apppear to support the belief, held particularly in the south of the county, that the non-breeding population is augmented, at least from time to time, by immigrants from elsewhere. Census forms completed by the observers have all been deposited with the Wildfowl Trust. The county organiser wishes to record her thanks to the many observers, landowners and fishermen, to the number of more than a hundred in all in the county, who helped in this work. TABLE I Location of birds with nests or broods 1955 1961 Rivers and canal Avon (Bristol) .. - - - 2 .. 18 12 Marden, Bissand Bybrook . 7” =f e 6 2 Thames, Cole and Ray oe ar ts os 4 4 Kennet and Avon canal _ st - .. 22 26 494 Kennet a ees Me an ae os 8 20 Avon (Salisbury) as . a ee c=. 66 62 Wylye.. oe + Se be Par aa, 20 50 Till 2 4 Nadder .. : i oe is >: a 2 16 Ebble_... te es oH 34 ae oo 4 Bourne .. a. a a Se a ne 6 12 160 212 Lakes and ponds ot Ne a; 4 .. 74 44 234 256 (117 pairs) (128 pairs) TABLE II Location of non-breeding birds 1955 1961 Rivers and canal Avon (Bristol) non-territorial 7 me ha 2 35 3 ne territory holding ie oe oo 4 Thames, Ray and Cole, non-territorial ae yen oe 17 he » 99 95, territoryholding .. oo 2 Kennet and Avon canal non-territorial ae ae 16 28 ae _ a », territory holding .. oo 2. Kennet and Og non-territorial - |) 59 99 29 ” ” ” oe ee — 5 Avon (Salisbury) non-territorial ae sie int yp ae 37 ” oy) 9 ” oa ° sive sar 8 Wylye non-territorial oe ae a sae OF 130 » territory holding Ls iz Re oo 4 Nadder .. ivi - oe = se oo 59 Lakes and ponds, non-territorial .. = .. 30 65 Meee ore A ,, territory holding .. a oo 9 274 464 (Territory holding non-breeding swans were not separately listed in 1955) Observers: J. Barkham, E. C. Barnes, H. S. Barter, Col. E. C. Barton, E. Briant, C.J. Bridgman, K. Brown, Sir Arthur Bryant, Miss M. Butterworth, MissC.M. Butterworth, E.J.M. Buxton, P. A. Chant, A. R. F. Coke, J. Cuss, H. Dale, E. J. Drewett, Mrs. R. Dumas, A. Dunthorn, R. Edwards, Eatwell, F. P. Errington, Mrs. Farquharson, R. Faulkner, Col. F. J. W. Firth, G. Fletcher, Col. C. Floyd, Miss K. G. Foott, Mrs. E. V. Forbes, G. H. Forster, Brigadier F. E. Fowle, D. Fry, J. H. Fry, N. G. 495 Gale, Mrs. Gandy, W. Garrett, Miss B. Gillam, J. W. Glass, Miss P. Gwyn, Mrs. Haines, L. F. Hall, H. S. B. Hare, C. Harris, G. W. Hemmings, Miss J. Hony, A. J. Horner, Miss C. Houghton Brown, J. W. Hunt, Col. B. G. Ivory, P. James, Col. N. F. Jeans, E. H. Jelly, Miss P. Jervis, Miss C. V. Kendall, Col. Kennedy Shaw, Major O. W. A. Kite, Mrs. G. W. Lawson, Mrs. Lee, R. Lee, Miss Legge, C. G. Lock, Mrs. Mackintosh, Marlborough College Natural History Society, Brigadier C. D. O’Callaghan, J. C. C. Oliver, Sir John Paskin, Mr. and Mrs. O. Peall, Col. G. F. Perkins, — Pitts, Brigadier J. Platt, Major D. A. Rasch, Major G. N. Rawlens, Mrs. Ridley, P. Roberts, J. Rolls, Lord Hugh Russell, Miss P. Sanders, F. Sawyer, Mrs. Seccombe Hett, A. Smith, R. J. Spencer, Mrs. F. M. Squarey, J. B. Strafford, Miss W. Stevenson, Miss E. Stewart, Miss M. Stokes, B. M. Stratton, Mrs. B. M. Syms, Capt. E. Thring R.N., F. Traylen, Miss M. Treadwell, Lord Tryon, E. R. Turpin, J. L. A. Tyler, Major J. C. Walker, Col. E. J. S. Ward, T. W. Warren, G. L. Webber, T. H. Williams, Rev. H. R. Williamson, Major G. Wills, Miss E. M. Wright. RUTH G. BARNES 496 WILTSHIRE PLANT NOTES (23) Compiled by DONALD GrosE, Downs Edge, Liddington The records are for 1962 unless otherwise stated. Colour-forms have been excluded; it is hoped to treat these in a separate paper at some future time. The numerals refer to the botanical districts as delimited in the Flora of Wiltshire. Thalictrum minus L. Lesser Meadow Rue. 4. Grassy ride, Savernake Forest, Mrs. Timperley (G)! Well-established but probably introduced. Ranunculus hederaceus L. Ivy-leaved Crowfoot. 9. Margin of lake, Wardour, L. F. Stearn ! Papaver somniferum L. Opium Poppy. 9. Roadside, Chicklade Bottom, B. M. Stratton. P. hybridum L. Rough Round-headed Poppy. 10. Frequent. Rorippa islandica (Oeder) Borbas. Marsh Yellow Cress. 9. Wardour. Cardamine pratensis L. Cuckoo-flower. Form with double flowers. 2. Castle Combe, P. Cleverly. Sisymbrium orientale L. Oriental Rocket. 3. Ladder Lane. 7. Mill Road, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer (261, 1962). Erysimum cheiranthoides L. Treacle Mustard. 3. Okus Quarry. 9. Oat-field, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer (261, 1962). Brassica nigra (L.) Koch. Black Mustard. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Diplotaxis muralis (L.) DC. Sand Rocket. Forma caulescens Kit. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. 9. Elizabeth Gardens, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. Wart Cress. 2. Bromham, P. Cleverly. Lepidium campestre (L.) R.Br. Field Pepperwort. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All. 1. Site of old Turnpike Cottage, Potterne Road, Devizes, Dr. Hughes. Reseda alba L. White Mignonette. 2. Roadside between Winsley and Bradford-on-Avon, Mrs. Curtis (G). Viola odorata L. Sweet Violet. 9. Sandpit, East Knoyle, B. M. Stratton. Sagina apetala Ard. Annual Pearlwort. 3. Wall, Old Swindon (G). Malva pusilla Sm. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer (G). Geranium pyrenaicum Burm.f. Mountain Crane’s-bill. 9. Frequent. G. lucidum L. Shining Crane’s-bill. 9. Frequent. Oxalis europaea Jord. 9. Hindon, L. F. Stearn. O. corniculata L. 8. Garden weed, Warminster, Mrs. Berry. Ononis repens L. Rest Harrow. 9. Roadside near Stockton Wood, B. M. Stratton. Medicago arabica (L.) All. Spotted Medick. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. 9. Elizabeth Gardens, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Trifolium arvense L. Hare’s-foot Trefoil. 2. Roadside, Ballard’s Ash. Vicia sylvatica L. Wood Vetch. 2. Roadside near Kingsdown Golf-course, C. Floyd. Lathyrus nissolia L. Grass Vetchling. 2. Dauntsey Hill, comm. E. S. Smith. Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. Cherry Plum. 9. Chicklade, probably planted, B. M. Stratton. P. x fruticans Weihe. 5. Blackmoor Copse (G). Potentilla anglica Laichard. Procumbent Tormentil. 2. Silk Wood. 5. Blackmoor Copse (G). P. anglica x erecta. 5. Blackmoor Copse (G). P. anglica x reptans. 5. Blackmoor Copse (G). Alchemilla vestita (Buser) Raunk. Lady’s Mantle. 2. Frequent. 7. Conock, E. V. Cleverly. Rosa sherardi Davies. 6. Botley Copse, O. Meyrick. 497 Crataegus monogyna x oxyacanthoides. 2. Somerford Common. 3. Ladder Lane. Sedum telephium L. Orpine Stonecrop. 9. Roadside near Tisbury, L. F. Stearn. Epilobium lanceolatum Seb. & Maur. 7. Garden weed, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer (G). Oenanthe pimpinelloides L. 9. Frequent. Lonicera xylosteum L. Fly Honeysuckle. 2. Railway bank, Chippenham, R. L. Anscombe (G). Valerianella carinata Lois. 7. One plant, The Close, Salisbury. Solidago gigantea Ait. 3. Well-established, railway bank, Rushey Platt, J. Smith (G). Tanacetum vulgare L. Tansy. 8. Bapton, B. M. Stratton. Senecio vulgaris L. Groundsel. Var. radiatus Koch. 2. Garden, Chippenham, R. L. Anscombe (G). Det. J. E. Lousley. S. viscosus L. Stinking Groundsel. 4. Roadside grit-heaps, Postern Hill (G). S. integrifolius (L.) Clairv. Field Fleawort. 2. Rowde, Miss Gillam. Cirsium eriophorum (L.) Scop. Woolly-headed Thistle. 9. Chilmark, K. Grinstead. Onopordum acanthium L. Cotton Thistle. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Milk Thistle. 9. Hindon, L. F. Stearn ! Picris echioides L. Bristly Ox-tongue. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Hieracium perpropinquum (Zahn) Druce. 4. Park Copse, Oare, Mrs. Peall. Taraxacum laevigatum (Willd.) DC. 4. Martinsell Hill, D. C. C. Hughes. Campanula trachelium L. Nettle-leaved Bellflower. 1. Hill Wood, P. Cleverly. Primula veris x vulgaris. 5. Blackmoor Copse, Miss Hutchison ! Anagallis foemina Mill. Blue Pimpernel. 2. Great Chalfield, C. Floyd. Buddleja davidii Franch. 1. Hill Wood, P. Cleverly. 9. Near Kinghay, B. M. Stratton. Vinca major L. Greater Periwinkle. 9. Hindon, L. F. Stearn. Pentaglottis sempervirens (L.) Taush. Evergreen Alkanet. 9. Roadside near Hare Warren, M. A. Chaplin ! Myosotis sylvatica (Ehrh.) Hoffm. Wood Forget-me-not. 9. Established in wood by Wick Ball Camp, B. M. Stratton (G). M. arvensis (L.) Hill. Field Scorpion-grass. Var. sylvestris Schlecht. 2. Somerford Common. M. discolor Pers. Yellow-and-blue Scorpion-grass. 2. Somerford Common. Solanum rostratum Dunal. 4. Garden weed, Great Bedwyn, Mrs. Watney. Det. N. Y. Sandwith. Hyoscyamus niger L. Henbane. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Verbascum phlomoides L. 4. Roadside between Marlborough and Ogbourne St. Andrew, G. W. and T. G. Collett (G) ! West Kennett, G. W. and T. G. Collett. V. speciosum Schrad. 4. Roadside between Marlborough and Ogbourne St. Andrew, G. W. and T. G. Collett. V. lychnitis L. White Mullein. 1. Erlestoke, L. F. Mead. Veronica filiformis Sm. 1. Churchyard, North Bradley, 1960, 7. G. Collett (247, 1962). 2. Kingsdown, 1956, J. O. Ballard (247, 1962). 5. Stream-bank, Landford, 1952, R. P. Bowman (247, 1962). Euphrasia nemorosa (Pers.) H. Mart. Common Eyebright. 2. Silk Wood, D. Rice ! Thymus drucei Ronn. Wild Thyme. 2. Silk Wood, D. Rice ! Galeopsis bifida Boenn. 4. West Woods, Miss Gillam and Miss W. Stevenson (A; G.) ! Chenopodium hybridum L. Maple-leaved Goosefoot. 7. The Butts, Salisbury, C. S. Gummer. Polygonum nodosum Pers. Spotted Persicaria. 9. Wardour. P. bistorta L. Bistort. 7. Conock, E. V. Cleverly. Mercurialis annua L. Annual Mercury. 9. Hindon, L. F. Stearn. Salix fragilis L. Crack Willow. 5. Blackmoor Copse (A; G). 498 S. pentandra L. Bay Willow. 2. A second locality near Christian Malford, west of the railway, Miss W. Stevenson (G). S. viminalis x caprea. 3. Ashton Keynes (G). Ceratophyllum demersum L. Hornwort. 9. River Nadder near Park Gate Farm, L. F. Stearn. Neottia nidus-avis (L.) L. C. Rich. Bird’s-nest Orchid. 10. Britford, Miss Stevens (261, 1962). Epipactis phyllanthes G. E. Smith. 10. Coombe Bissett, 1958, Miss Lamb (237, 1962; K). Orchis fuchsii Druce. Spotted Orchis. 8. Down near Woodcombe Farm. Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R.Br. Fragrant Orchid. 7. Frequent. Galanthus nivalis L. Snowdrop. 1. Stert, B. M. Stratton. 9. Hindon, L. F. Stearn. Fonthill Gifford, B. M. Stratton. Ornithogalum umbellatum L. Star of Bethlehem. 7. Old Sarum, 1961, P. Abbott (261, 1961). Colchicum autumnale L. Meadow Saffron. 1. Field north of Maiden Bradley, R. E. Sandell. Typha latifolia L. Great Reed-mace. 5. Pond, Blackmoor Copse. Butomus umbellatus L. Flowering Rush. 9. River Nadder near Barford St. Martin, Mrs. Willan. Potamogeton pectinatus L. Fennel-leaved Pondweed. 9. Lake, Wardour, L. F. Stearn ! P. densus L. Opposite-leaved Pondweed. 2. Coped Hall Lake. Scirpus sylvaticus L. Wood Club-rush. 9. Marshy ground near the lower lake, Wardour. Carex pulicaris L. Flea Sedge. 5. Blackmoor Copse, R. E. Sandell ! Holcus mollis L. Creeping Soft Grass. 2. Silk Wood. Poa nemoralis L. Wood Meadow Grass. 2. Silk Wood. P. trivialis L. Rough Meadow Grass. Var. parviflora Parn. 5. Blackmoor Copse, R. E. Sandell. Festuca arundinacea Schreb. 2. Coped Hall. Bromus commutatus Schrad. 2. Widdenham, Miss Frowde. Ophioglossum vulgatum L. Adder’s Tongue. 5. Blackmoor Copse, R. E. Sandell! 7. Redhorn Hill, P. Cleverly. 8. Near Woodcombe Farm, Mrs. Russell. Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth. Lady Fern. 2. Silk Wood. Dryopteris spinulosa (Miill) Watt. Narrow Buckler Fern. 2. Silk Wood. Abbreviations used are: (A) The Herbarium at Devizes Museum. (G) The writer’s Herbarium. (K) The Kew Herbarium. (237) Watsonia. (247) Proceedings of the Botanical Society of the British Isles. (261) Salisbury and District Natural History Society Bulletins. Comm. Reported by—. Det. Named by—. ! Seen by the writer in the locality named. 499 ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1962 By B. W. WEDDELL Following a cold winter one might have been pardoned for expecting a fine summer in 1962. How wrong we were proved we all know now. March, when normally nature begins to waken up was a bleak month and hardly a wing was seen even during the last week, when I always look forward to the thrill of seeing the hibernating butterflies come out. Usually there are some priceless days around the 24th when Orange Underwings may be seen flying round the tops of the bushes in the sunshine—but not in 1962. Some butterflies seem to have been in good strength in certain areas of Salisbury Plain. Dark Green and High Brown Fritillaries were quite plentiful during the first week of July, as were Ringlets and Marbled Whites. The first brood of the Adonis Blue was out the first week of June and stronger than for some years. Alas, there was so much wet weather during June and July that the larvae must have been decimated, for the second brood was negligible. Chalkhill Blues were late but plentiful, and thanks to the mild autumn kept on emerging until well into October. Migrant butterflies were seldom seen and the progeny of those that did arrive had to face such impossible conditions that they mostly failed to get through. It is noticed and remarked on by motorists whether entomologists or not, that fewer moths show up in the headlights nowadays. The reasons for this obvious scarcity are argued about endlessly by all grades of interested people. In this tightly packed island of ours there is, year by year, a constant shrinkage of what is termed marginal land. This includes, of course, hedges and roadside verges which have always provided cover and food for numerous species of insects. These areas come in for a lot of attention from various authorities whose spraying and/or grubbing out have disastrous results. In this connection, the most hopeful event of the year was the formation of the Wiltshire Trust for Nature Conservation. This body sets out in a sane, modern methodical way to try to prevent the disappearance of any of our interesting plants, insects, birds and mammals. Wiltshire has a lot of very interesting flora and fauna and it must be a matter of satisfaction that the Trust has been established to safeguard this great heritage to enable us to pass it on undiminished to the next generation. CONTRIBUTORS MC. Marlborough College N.H.S. C.F. Lt.-Col. Charles Floyd, 0.B.£., Holt. B.W. Mr. B. W. Weddell, Trowbridge. R.A.J. Capt. R. A. Jackson, C.B.E., R.N. (Retd.), F.R.E.S., Codford. C.G.L. Major-Gen. C. G. Lipscomb, C.B., D.s.o., Crockerton. C.M.R.P. Mr. C. M. R. Pitman, Salisbury. S.F.C. Salisbury Field Club. R.W. Mr. Ralph Whitlock, Pitton. G.W.H. Commander G. W. Harper, R.N. (Retd.), visiting Tilshead. C.deW. Dr. Charles de Worms, M.A., F.R.E.S., visiting Salisbury Area. PHENOLOGICAL REPORT Average 1962 Date emergence Difference Large White 26.4 4.5 +22 Marbled White 25.6 Df —10 500 Meadow Brown Cinnabar Garden Carpet Brimstone Moth Orange-tip Clouded Yellow High Brown Fritillary Dark Green Fritillary Painted Lady White Admiral Purple Emperor Marbled White Grayling Chalkhill Blue Adonis Blue Essex Skipper Lime Hawk Eyed Hawk Large Elephant Hawk Puss Pebble Prominent Figure of Eighty Emperor Ruby Tiger Miller Sycamore Dagger Heart & Club Plain Clay Purple Clay Dark Brocade Dusky Sallow Rustic Brighton Wainscot Small Mottled Willow Dusky Lemon Sallow Mullein Shark Large Emerald Pimpinel Pug Currant Pug 14.6 18.5 26.4 14.5 Euchloe cardamines Colias croceus Argynnis cydippe Argynnis aglaia Vanessa cardui Limenitis camilla Apatura iris Melanargia galathea Eumenis semele Lysandra coridon Lysandra bellargus Thymelicus lineola Mimas tiliae Smerinthus ocellata Deilephila elpenor Cerura vinula Notodonta ziczac Tethea ocularis Saturnea pavonia Phragmatobia fuliginosa Apatele leporina Apatele aceris Agrotis clavis Amathes depuncta Diarcia brunnea Eumichtis adusta Eremobia ochroleuca Oria musculosa Laphigma exigua Cirrhia gilvago Cucullia verbasci Hipparchus papilionaria Eupithecia pimpinellata Eupithecia assimilata 21.6 =a 20.5 = 20.5 —24 4.5 +10 S.F.C. 22.4 C.M.R.P. 15.7 (very late). C.M.R.P. 7.9. R.A.J. 8.7. Both in good numbers near Codford. S.F.C. 10.6 small immigration. S.F.C. singletons or pairs seen in July but not in usual haunts. C. de W. 25.8 one seen in Salisbury area. C. de W. 8.7. Abundant round Wylye. S.F.C. 22.7. Scarce after rainy period. C.G.L. 25.8 till 10.10. Exceptionally prolonged emergence. C.G.L. Strong Ist brood in early June, but 2nd brood negligible. C.M.R.P. 25.8 B.W. 2.6 M.C. 18.6. M.C. 24.6. M.C. 19.6. M.C. 20.6. M.C. 19.6. S.F.C. 8.5. M.C. 22.7, B.W. 23.7. C.M.R.P. 18.8. S.F.C. 7.7. M.C. 24.6. M.C. 10.7. M.C. 16.7. S.F.C. 18.8. G.W.H. 30.8 in numbers on knapweed and to M.V. light. Hitherto very seldom reported and only singletons. G.W.H. 30.8. C.M.R.P. Late but well up to strength. S.F.C. May, also 25.8. S.F.C. 4.8. C.M.R.P. reports larvae feeding on buddleja being devoured by a Willow Warbler! B.W. 5.7. B.W. 29.6. B.W. 30.6. Green Pug V. Looper Pepper and Salt Wood Leopard Goat Chloroclystis rectangulata M.C. 28.6. Ttame wauaria M.C. 9.7, S.F.C. 18.8. Biston betularia B.W. 10.6. Semi melanic. Zeuzera pyrina M.C. 20.7. Cossus cossus B.W. 23.7. 501 503 INDEX TO VOL. LVIII. (September, 1961 to September, 1963). Abbotstone, 49 Abingdon Abbey, 11 Accounts, The Society’s. For year ending 31.12. 1960, 89-91 Addington, family, 237 Akerman, J. Y., 225 Aldbourne, 48, 228, 229, 237 Alderbury [Accession], 238 Alderstone Farm, 49 Alton Priors, 442 Alvediston, 442 Amesbury, 31, 226, 229, 240 Anglo-Saxons, see Saxon Age Annable, F. K. A Romano-British Pottery in Savernake Forest, 143 Romano-British Burials at Devizes, 222 Bronze Brooch found in Savernake Forest, 226 on the Romano-British Pottery from Lamb Down, 432 see also Curator’s Reports ApSimon, A. M. on The Prehistoric Pottery at Downton, 128 Apprentices [Accession], 237 Archaeology Sub-Committee, Report of, 210 Archidiaconal Archives, 183 Armsley, 35 Ashpot Cottages, 246 Ashton Keynes, 48 Atwood, George, A Study of the Wiltshire Water Meadows, 403-413 Atworth, 442 Avebury, 30, 39, 217 Badbury, 66, 228, 442 Banks, H. J. S., on Water Meadows, 403 Barbury Castle, 394 Barrows, not otherwise classified Long, 99 Round, 100 Baverstock, 442, 455 Bayley, Mrs., 384 Beaker Finds and Sites, 116, 414 Beauchamp, Anne, Lady, her Inventory, 383 Bedwyn, Great and Little, 442 Beechingstoke, 442 Bemerton, 442 Benedictine Missions in Wilts, 66 Bere, Abbot Richard, 352 Berwick Bassett Common, 229 Berwick Bassett Gorse, 229 Bican Dic, 228 Bishops Cannings, 65 Bishops Registers, see Salisbury Bishopstone, 50, 442 Bowen, H. C. and Fowler, P. J., The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, 98 Bowerchalke, 50 Bradford-on-Avon, 159, 443 Braun, Hugh, The Salisbury Canal—A Georgian Misadventure, 171 Bremhill, 443 Brimslade, 443 Brinkworth, 443 British and Foreign Bible Society, 65 Broadchalke, 246, 443 Broadhurst, 48 Broad Town, 49 Brokenborough, 443 Bromham, 65, 226 Bronze Age: 31, 44, 60, 95, 216, 219, 226, 228, 237, 238, 240, 378, see also Codford St. Mary Bronze Age: Grave Groups, 60, 95, 378. See also The Excavation of the Barrows on Lamb Down Brothwell, R. D., on skeletal remains from Stonehenge Cursus, 381 Broughton Gifford, 238 Bunting, G. H., Verity, D. W. and Cornwall, I. W., Animal Bones from Bury Wood Camp, 204 Burbage, 443 Burcombe, North and South, 443 Burderop Park, 247 Bury Wood, 185 Buttermere, 443 Bygones, Iron Hoe, 48, see also Museum Cadenham, 49 Cadley, 443 Calston, 237 Canals, 57, 171 Castle Eaton, 453 Celtic Field Systems, 37, 104 et seq., 237, 342-350 Charcoal, Microscopical Examinations of, 138, 201 Charlton, 443 Chelworth (in Crudwell), 443 Chestercombe, 229 Chilmark, 65, 237 Chilmark Quarries, 471 Chinnock, Abbot John, 351 Chisledon, 48, 247, 443 504 Christian Malford, 443 Christie, Patricia M., The Stonehenge Cursus, 370-382 Chute, 37, 237 Clarendon Park, 242 Clarendon Palace, 247 Clothiers and Weavers, 65 Codford St. Mary, 417 Codford St. Peter, 169, 435 Coins, Accessions, 62, 451; Library Accessions, 237; Nettleton Hoard, 452 Colerne, 223, 238 Colerne, Bury Wood, 32, 185 Collingbourne Kingston, 443 Compton, Mrs., 384 Coombe Bissett, 443 Cornwall, I.W., see Bunting, G. H. Corn Laws, 65 Cornwall, I. W., on bone, charcoal and soil samples from Stonehenge Cursus, 380 Corrigenda, 248 Coulston, 443 County Record Office, Accessions 1960, 67; 1961, 238; 1962, 466 Court Records (Ecclesiastical), 182 Cowie, J. W., Heated Limestone Experiments, 200 Coxe, The Revd. Archdeacon, 4 Cricklade, 7-15, 16, 49, 54, 167 Crudwell, 443 Cunetio, 35; see also Mildenhall Cunnington, William, 4 Curator’s Reports: 1960, 58-62; 1961, 213-216; 1962, 447-451 Danvers family, 237 Davies, W. J., Topographical Note on Bury Wood Camp, 199 Davis, Thomas, 410 Dauntsey, 443 de Middeltune, Richard and John, 411 de Ow, William, 229 Deserted (Medieval) Village, 49-50 Deverill, 443 Devizes, 238 Ditchampton, 443 Donhead, 443 Down Ampney, 455 Downton, 116, 246, 303, 443 Draycot Cerne 443 Duke, The Revd. E., 4 Dunston, T. F. G. W., and Dunston, Capt. A. E. A., Some Notes on the Fungi found in south-west Wiltshire, 273 Durnford, Little, 411, 443 Durrington, 50, 229 INDEX TO VOL. LVIII Earle of Crudwell, 29 Eastcourt (in Crudwell), 443 Easton Bassett, 443 Ebbesbourne Wake, 243, 443 ser Lady Anne Beauchamp’s Inventory at, 3 Eddington, A-S Charter, 443 Editor’s Reports, 1960, 64; 1961, 212 Eisey, 226, 444 Elandun, 444 Elcombe Down, 243 Enford, 444 Erlestoke, 66 Euridge, 218 Evelyn, family, 18-24 Excavation and Fieldwork in Wiltshire, 1960, 30-38; 1961, 240-248; 1962, 467-472 Experimental Earthworks, 38 Faculty Papers, 182 Fargo, 229, 370 Fenton, C., The Evelyn Family in Wiltshire, 18-24 Findlay, D., Bury Wood Camp Geology, 46 Flora, British, see Reviews Folks Dyke, 229 Fowler, P. J., see Bowen, H. C. Forrester, William, 7th Lord—of Corstorphine, 49 Fort, G. Y., 171 Fovant, 237, 444 Fowler, P. J., The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, 342-350. See also Reviews Freeman, Strickland, 237 Frustfield, 444 Fyfield Down, 37, 38, 98 et seq., 342 et seq. Genealogy, 65 Glastonbury Abbey, 351 Goddard Family, 65 Gomeldon, 50 Grafton, 444 Grant-King, D., directs excavations at Bury Wood Camp, 32; Report on these excavations, 40-47 Grittenham, 444 Grittleton, 225, 238, 444 Grose, D., The Treatment of Roadside Verges in Wiltshire, 274 Gumstok, Gumstool, Gumstoot, 48 Hailstone, Bridge, Hill, 49 Ham, 444 Hardenhuish, 444 Hare, Arnold, Playbills in the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Century, 25-28 INDEX TO VOL. LVIII Hellscombe Cottages, 229 Harrison, The Revd. J. A., on the Castle Eaton Sanctus Bell, 453 Hens Wood, 49 Highworth [Library Accessions], 66, 238 Hill, ‘Sir’ John, 353 Hill, P. A., The Avebury Sarsens, 39 Hill Forts (Iron Age), see Barbury Castle Hinton Parva, 444 Hoare, Sir Richard, 1-6 Hodson, 48 Holt, 454 Hooper, John and Ralph, 384 Houses, Medieval, 109-112 Idmiston, 444 Imber, 66 Tron Age, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 44, 100, 185, 243, 248, 394, see also Reviews Jenner of Widhill, Marston Meysey, Eisey, 226 Jennings, A. E. U., The Weather of 1960, 71; 1961, 251; 1962, 476 Johnston, David E., A Group of Barrows near Shalbourne, 362-369 Keil, L., Impropriator and Benefice in the Later Middle Ages, 351-361 Kennett, 444 Kilns, Pottery, 34, 143, 244, 469 King, D. Grant, Bury Wood Camp, Report on Excavations, 1960, 40, 185; The Avebury Sarsens, 218; Ground and Polished Axe from Euridge, 218; Romano-British Burial at Colerne, 223. Knighton Down, 246 Kington Langley, 444 Lamb Down, see Codford St. Mary Lane, Mistress Jane, 66 Langford, 444 Latton, 455 Laverstock, 36, 48, 444 Leach, R. V., 65 Lectures, 61 Leigh Delamere, 229, 444 Leman, The Revd. Thos., 4 Lepidoptera, see Reviews Lewis, Lady (Anne), 383 Lewis, Richard, 384 Library, The, Accessions 1960, 65-66; 1961, 237-238; 1962, 465-466; Librarian’s Report, 63 Liddington, 228, 229, 444 Limestone, Effects of heating on, 200 505 Limpley Stoke, 444 Longbridge Deverill, Cow Down, 31-32; Vicar- age, 351 et seq. Longford, 50 Lord Weymouth School, 237 Loyn, Henry, The Origin and Early Development of the Saxon Borough, 7 Lugbury, 49 Lydiard, Millicent and Tregoze, 444 MacGregor, M., A Group of Iron Objects from Barbury Castle, 394 Manningford Abbots, 444 Marlborough, 65 Marlborough College, 238 Marriage Licenses, 182 Marston Meysey, 226 Maskelyne, M. Story, Quidhampton Manor, 224 Meetings, A.G.M. 1960, 62; 1961, 209; 1962, 210; Excursions 1960, 63; 1961, 211 Melksham, 455 Mesolithic Age, 116 Meyrick, O., Note on Skeletons at Aldbourne, 48 Michel, Mr., 384 Middle Ages, 36, 37, 48, 49, 62, 102, 246, 247 Migration, Autumn, 263 Mildenhall, 35, 228, 245 Mills, Water, 412 Minety, 48 Monkton Deverill, 351 et seq. Monkton Farleigh, 444 Moredon, 444 Murcott (in Crudwell), 444 Museum, The Society’s, 59, 447 Museum, The Society’s, Accessions, 215-216, 450, see also Curator’s Reports Musty, J., Deserted Medieval Villages in Wilt- shire, 49; Beaker Finds from South Wiltshire, 414, see also Reviews Natural History Section, Field Meetings and Lectures, 69, 249, 473; Weather Reports, 71, 251, 476; Bird Notes, 72, 252, 477; Plant Notes, 82, 269, 496; Mute Swan Census, 1961, 493; Entomological Report, 87, 267, 499; Notes on Fungi, 273; Spraying of Roadside Verges, 274. Neeld of Grittleton, 225 Neolithic Age, 30-32, 44, 62, 116, 216, 226 Nettleton, 49, 66, 238, 444, 452 Newnton, North and South, 444 Newton, 95 Normanton, 94, 96 Normanton Down, 241, 468 North Bradley, 444 506 Norton, 444 Norton Bavant, 407 Obituary Notices: Ailesbury, Marquess of, 230; Bashford, Sir H. H., 231; Braidwood, Miss I. M., 456; Bussell, Mrs. Dorothea, 456; Buxton, G. J., 456; Canning, Col. A., 52; Chandler, T. H., 232; Cunnington, Dr. C. W., 230; Dale, Harold, 232; Elderton, Sir William, 456; Flower, Sir C. T., 231; Fry, Sir G. S., 52; Heward Bell, Lt.-Col. W. C., 52; Hughes, Col. C. W., 52; Kennett of the Dene, Lord, 51; Lamb, H., 51; Laurie, Sir Percy, 232; McNeile, Lady Katharine, 231; Matthews, Canon C. H. S., 231; Pembroke, Earl of, 230; Powell, Col. W.J.,230; Swann, Canon Alfred, 231; Timperley, H. W., 53; Titley, A. E., 230; Trench, E. F. C., 51; Wainwright, F. T., 230; Whatley, C. W., 232; Willan, Brig. R. H., 51; Verulam, Earl of, 52. Officers of the Society, 292 Ogbourne St. George, 228 Ogden, Thomas, 171 Old Sarum, 37, 246, 471 Ordination Papers, 182 Overton, West, 98-115, 445, 467 Overton, East, 445 Overton, Down, 342-350 Pafford, J. H. P., Iron Hoe from Laverstock, 48; Spas and Mineral Springs, 454. Palaeolithic Age, Accessions, 62 Parish Register Transcripts, 182 Patney, 445 Pedigrees, Evelyn, fp. 24; Earle of Crudwell, fp. 29; see also Reviews Pewsey, 445 Pewsey, Vale of, 53 Piggott, Stuart, From Salisbury Plain to South Siberia, 93; see also Reviews Pike Corner, 48 “Pillow Mound’’, 100 Pitton, 243 Place Names of Wiltshire, 48-49, 228-229; see also Reviews Playbills, 25 Ponds, Downland, 108 Powers, Rosemary, on Neolithic remains at Shalbourne, 367 on Bronze Age remains at Stonehenge, 381 Presentation Deeds, 182 Preshute, 99 Pry (Purton), 49 Purton, 49, 445; Pytteldene, 103 INDEX TO VOL. LVIII Quidhampton, 224 Rahtz, P. A., Neolithic and Beaker Sites at Downton, 116; A Roman Villa at Downton, 303 Ramsbury, 49, 169, 228 Rathbone, M. G., Accessions to the County Record Office, 67, 239, 466 Records Branch, reports, 66, 211, 447 Reviews (the reviewer’s name in_ brackets): Baker, J., Cottage by the Springs [E. E. Sabben- Clare] 57; British Archaeology, a Book List [E. E. Sabben-Clare] 58; Introducing Local History [E. E. Sabben-Clare] 58; Cameron, K., English Place Names [E. G. H. Kempson] 55; H. M. Chew (editor) Hemingby’s Register, 458; de Worms, Baron, Macrolepidoptera of Wilt- shire [F. E. S.] 460; Edwards, K. (editor) The Registers of Roger Martival [A. J. Collins] 54; Frere, S. S. (editor) Problems of the Iron Age in Southern Britain [P. J. Fowler] 234; Godfrey, John, The Church in Anglo-Saxon England [T. R. Thomson] 458; Kenyon, K. M., Begin- ning in Archaeology [E. E. Sabben-Clare] 56; Loyn, H. R., Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest [T. R. Thomson] 458; O.S. Map of Southern Britain in the Iron Age [P. J. Fowler] 461; Perring F. H. and Walters, S. M., Atlas of the British Flora, 459; Piggott, S., Approach to Archaeology [E. E. Sabben-Clare] 56; Piggott, S., The West Kennett Long Barrow [I. F. Smith] 462; Pugh, R. B. and Crittall, E., V.C.H. Wilts I, pt. 1 [C. E. Stevens] 233; Pyddoke, E., Stratification for Archaeologists [J. Musty] 236; Reaney, P. H., The Origin of English Place Names [E. G. H. Kempson] 55; Wagner, A., English Genealogy [T. R. Thomson] 56; Wilson, D. M., The Anglo-Saxons [P. J. Fowler] 53 Roads, Herepaths, 107, 115 f.n.; Roman, Bath, 107; Old Sarum, 246, 471 Ringsbury Camp, 238 Rodbourne, 445 Rodbourne Cheney, 445 Romano-British Age, 35, 143-155, 222, 223, 244, 246, 248, 303-341, 344 Romano-British Accessions 62, 216, 237; see also The Excavation of the Barrows on Lamb Down Rules of the Society, changes in, 209 Sabben-Clare, E.E. See Reviews Salisbury, 35, 36, 238; Naish’s Map of, 453; Bishop, 65; Bishop’s Registers, 181, see also Reviews; Bishop’s Stables, 452; Dean and Chapter, see Review of Hemingby’s Register INDEX TO VOL. LVIII Sandell, R. E., Sir Richard Colt Hoare, 1; The Saxon Land Charters of Wiltshire, 442 Sarsens, 109, 217 Savernake Forest, 34, 143, 226, 244, 469 Saxon Age: Boroughs, 7-15; Coinage, 10; Churches, 12, 16, 156; Cemeteries, 36, 414; Place Names, 48-49; Miscellaneous 53, 66; [Accessions] 237; The Land Charters of Wiltshire, 442; see also Reviews Scantlebury, T. J., see The Archaeology of Fyfield and Overton Downs, 342-350 Scocera Weg, 229 Semley, 445 Sevenhampton, 229, 445 Sevington, 238, 445 Shades Farm, 48 Shalbourne, 362 Sheep, Wiltshire, 408 et seq. Sherrington, 445 Shrewton, 31 Simpson, D. D. A., On flint knives and a palstave, 227, 228; A Group of Iron Objects from Barbury Castle, 394 Simpson, George, 65 Snail Down, 96 Soils, nature of, 65 Somerford Keynes, 48, 161 Sound Bottom and Sound Copse, 228 South Newton, 96 Southwick, 445 Spas of Wiltshire, 454 Stanton St. Bernard, 445 Startlets, 48 Steeple Ashton, 66, 445 Steeple Langford, 248 Stevens, C. E., see Reviews Stewart, Pamela, Salisbury Diocesan Record Office, 181 Stillman, family, 238 Stockton, 445 Stoke Farthing, 445 Stonehenge, 65 Stonehenge, The Cursus, 370-382 Stratford-sub-Castle 445 Stratford Tony, 445 Strip Fields and Lynchets, 104 et seq. Subscription Books (Diocesan), 182 Sutton Benger 445 Sutton Mandeville, 445 Swallowcliffe, 445 Swill Brook, 48 Taylor, J. and H. M., An Anglo-Saxon Pilaster, St. Sampson’s Church, Cricklade, 16-17; 50 Taylor, H. M., The Pre-Conquest Churches of Wessex, 156 507 Teffont, 445 Terriers, 182 Thieves Way, 229 Thistlethwaite, Gabriel, 384 Thomson, T. R., Earle of Crudwell, 29; Place Names of Wiltshire, 48-49, 228-229; Wiltshire Families of Unknown Origin, 225; Sevenhamp- ton, 229; The Saxon Land Charters of Wiltshire, 442; see also Reviews Thornhill hundred, 48 Tinker Pit (Salisbury), 35 Tisbury, 445 Tokens, Trade, 451, 454 Tollard Royal, 445 Totterdown Wood, 101 Tregonwell, Mrs., 384 Upper Woodford, 246 Upton Lovell, 95, 445 Upton Scudamore, 469 Verity, D. W., see Bunting G. H. Vatcher, Mrs. F. de M., The Excavation of the Barrows on Lamb Down, Codford St. Mary, 417 Vernon, R. L., see Wilts. Bird Notes, 72 Visitations, Episcopal, 183; Heraldic, 183; Archi- diaconal, 183; Diaconal, 183 Wanborough, 229, 445 Wardour, 445 Warminster, 237 Wason, Thomas, 353 Water Meadows, 403 Webber, Geoffrey L., Autumn Migration Enquiry, 1957-1960, 263 Wells, Downland, 108 West Kennett, see Reviews West Knoyle, 445 Westbury, 245 Westminster Abbey, 11 Westwood, 445 Western, A. C., Identification of Charcoals from Bury Wood Camp, 201 Whelpley, 49 White Marsh, 49 White of Kington St. Michael, 49 Whiteparish, 49 Whiteshard Bottom, 228 White Way, The—in Wiltshire, 49 Widhill, 226 Wickwater, 49 Wilborough, 57 Wilsford, Normanton Down, 30-31 Wilton, 50, 445 Winkfield, 446 508 Winsley, 446 Winterbourne Gunner, 50, 414, 416 Winterbourne Monkton, 446 Winterbourne Stoke, 241, 242 Woodford, 242 Wootton Bassett, 49 Wraxall, South, 446 Wren Hall, 181 INDEX TO VOL. LVIII Wroughton, 446; see also Barbury Wylye: Bilbury Rings, 32, 243, 468; Down, 416; River, 50; Saxon charter, 446; Water Meadows, 411 Young, W. E. V., Two Bronze Brooches from North Wiltshire, 219 PHOENIX Soils for the Archaeologist Dr 1. W. CORNWALL * |. . has succeeded in his primary aim of forging a useful bridge between the field archaeologist and the “‘soil expert”. Both should most emphatic- ally read this book and neither can fail to be stimulated by it.” (R.M.S.{Perrin in’ Soils and Fertilizers.) 50s net Line illustrations and diagrams Bones for the Archaeologist Dr. I. W. CORNWALL ‘Dr. Cornwall has provided for the first time in a compact and readable form the kind of information about animal and human bones which archaeologists need’ (Man). ‘The drawings are works of art.’ Wilts Archaeological Magazine. 50s net 60 line illustrations by M. Maitland Howard Stratification for the Archaeologist EDWARD PYDDOKE Describes the great variety of deposits in which antiquities are discovered or the processes which lead to their becoming buried and preserved. With a Foreword by S.W. 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With an A—Z dictionary | 6s net Through Booksellers The Magazine The Magazine is at present issued once a year. It is issued free to members of the Society. Contribu- tions, editorial correspondence and books for review should be sent to the Editor at The Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes. Back numbers of Magazines can be obtained from the Hon. Librarian with the other publications listed below. Publications to be obtained from the Librarian, The Museum, Devizes A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE GREAT STONE MONUMENTS OF WILTSHIRE: STONEHENGE AND AVEBURY, by W.J. Harrison. No. LXXXIX (1901) of W.A.M. 5s. 6d. WILTSHIRE INQUISITIONES Post MorTEM: HENRY III, EDWARD] AND EDWARD II. 13s. Ditto. EDwarpD III. 13s. THE CHURCH BELLS OF WILTSHIRE, THEIR INSCRIPTIONS AND History, by H. B. Walters. 16s. RECORDS OF THE COUNTY OF WILTS, EXTRACTS FROM THE QUARTER SESSIONS GREAT ROLLS OF THE 17TH CENTURY, by B. H. Cunnington. 12s. 6d. DEvizEs BOROUGH ANNALS, EXTRACTS FROM THE CORPORATION RECORDS by B. H. 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