Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/517

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ANCIENT EARTHWORKS remove every trace of a strong earthen rampart and fosse, but stones are easily removed and leave not a trace. The destruction of the wall of the court makes the position of the original entrance a matter of speculation. The mount stands within the private grounds of the farmhouse, which occupies part of the court of the ancient stronghold. Thornham (or Thurnham) : Goddard's, or Thornham Castle. — Within a mile and a half of Binbury castle stand the remains of this somewhat similarly planned stronghold, consisting of a mount and court, constructed upon and formed out of a natural spur jutting southward from the range of hills running east and west. The position is naturally -.^Oo, OF FEET. 100 2.00 30O Thornham Castle. defended on the east and south by the slopes of the hill, but the south and east sides are not now in their original state, the ground below the castle having been quarried, while on the west a roadway has been deeply cut. The entrenchments consist of a mount, more or less natural, having a fosse upon the north and west now nearly filled up, the summit of the mound being provided with a rampart on the weaker sides. A stone wall 4I ft. thick, of which there is but little left, guarded a bailey or court upon the west ; this wall probably continued up the side of the mount and possibly joined one encircling the summit.^ The stone-work of the wall is of some height upon the north of the bailey, and foundations of it are visible upon the west and south-west. 1 The surface of the summit is now very rough and unequal in level, 423