A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE becomes more obvious; it follows the line of two field divisions, and then crosses the centre of a long field, as it ascends the steep slope leading up to Bradwell Edge. This stretch of the Ditch is about 1,300 ft. long. Cultivation has then brought about a considerable gap, but the Ditch again reappears almost on the top of the hill, where a stretch of 400 feet reaches to the ridge road leading to Brough, at an elevation of about 1,100 feet. Mr. Bray was the first to notice the Grey Ditch, in 1783 : ' From this Camp (Mam Tor) a ditch is carried down the south side of the hill, across the valley of Micklow-hill, about three miles off ; and from thence S.E. by S. crossing the Bradwell, and running by Brough, it goes in a straight line to Shatton, or Bradwell Edge, about three miles more. It is called the Grey Ditch, and was possibly a Pratentura, or fore-fence of the Romans. On the side of Mam Tor Hill it is very visible ; in the valley it is lost in many places, the plough having destroyed it ; but from Micklow-hill to Shatton-edge, it is plainly seen. The slope or front is towards Brough; it is about 20 feet high and 12 feet broad at top. There is no tradition concerning it, but pieces of swords, spears, spurs, and bridle-bits have been found on both sides, and very near it, between Batham Gate and Bradwell-water.' 1 It is doubtful whether the trench noticed by Mr. Bray running down the south side of Mam Tor had any connexion with the Grey Ditch ; but at all events that trench has wholly disappeared. Another century of agricultural pursuits, since Mr. Bray wrote, has con- siderably worn down the elevation and distinctive features of this once great rampart. It has nowhere an elevation exceeding i o feet, and has a total average width of about 3 5 feet. This is not the place for speculation as to the probable age* of a rampart evidently thrown up to resist attack from the Brough side, and possibly once a boundary of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria or Brig- antes 8 ; nevertheless, it is only right to mention, however improbable, that the Rev. T. Barns has recently stated his conviction that the Grey Ditch is ' the most important remaining fragment of the Limes Britannicus ' of the first century, in its third stage between Templeborough and Brough.* PROMONTORY FORTRESSES [CLASS A] I. THE CARL'S WARK (xi. 9) is a remarkable pre-historic fortress, on a rocky elevation of millstone grit, about two miles to the east of Hather- sage. The site is but little known to either the Derbyshire resident or visitor ; but the Carl's Wark, with its gloomy desolate aspect, forms one of the most impressive and suggestive features of the county's scenery. 1 Bray's Tour through Turks and Derb. 204.
- The word Grey has evidently been given to this ditch with the meaning attached to it of ancient
or old ; a use for which the New Engl. Diet, finds abundant sanction. 8 This is the view held by Mr. W. J. Andrew ; he suggests that it should be compared with the Bar Dyke north-west of Sheffield.
- Irani. ofN. Staff. Field Club, racvi. 105-123.
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