ANCIENT EARTHWORKS MOUNTS (CLASS D) BELVOIR (vii, 4). Belvoir Castle, four miles south of Bottesford, upon an isolated hill a towering height at the north-eastern extremity of a spur of the Leicestershire Wolds, is the site of the castle of Robert de Todeni. It was a position of exceptional military value in ancient times, overlooking a vast stretch of country, including the valley of the Trent, by which this district was open to an invading force. Much diversity of opinion exists as to whether this mound is natural or artificial, a doubt which the frequent alterations and rebuilding, together Buildin gs /^S<^^&^' BELVOIR CASTLE, NEAR BOTTESFORD with continuous residence, do not tend to dispel. Traditionally it is said to be artificial ; that it is wholly so need not be considered, the stupendous nature of the work forbids such a conjecture, and the surround- ing features of the country suggest a natural height as a foundation for the art of man. Original spade work may possibly be seen in the four terraces which rise one above another, with escarpments of 25 ft. and 40 ft. on the north- east side. In the early part of the nineteenth century another work of great magnitude altered the earlier formation of the mound, when a raised road A A a vast earthwork was made to span the valley between Castle Hill and the hill on which stands the mausoleum. 255
