Page:VCH Suffolk 1.djvu/670

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A HISTORY OF SUFFOLK of double vallum and double fosse, occupying an eminence overlooking the country and the town. Lying so near to the town the growth of buildings and the common rights of pasturage have combined towards its mutilation. One fairly perfect length, at the south-west, has the rampart rising 4 ft. 10 in. with a scarp of 12 ft. The counterscarp is 6 ft. high, and the scarp of the outer vallum is 3 ft., while its counterscarp of 2 ft. 10 in. descends into another shallow fosse ; beyond this is a small piece of an outwork. From this corner the rampart is trodden within 2 ft. of the ground and the fosse is just visible at 9 in. deep, but due west it is in a slightly better condition, where 5 ft. 4 in. is the greatest height, and a causeway connecting the two ramparts may be traced. The northern side is the most complete, where there are strong double works, the ramparts rising 9 ft. with the counterscarps 1 2 ft. and 14 ft. respectively; a cart track now occupies the base of the outer fosse. On the eastern and south-eastern sides the inner rampart alone remains, buildings having caused the destruction of the outer works. Two entrances only can be definitely seen, at the northern side near the east and in the eastern side near the south, both of which show a broadened vallum at one side of the entry. Fakenham Magna (xxiii, 9). — In Burnthall Plantation, south of Fakenham, 7J miles north-north-cast from Bury St. Edmunds, is a circular stronghold of rampart and fosse. The entrance is on the west, where the northern end of the rampart broadens for the better defence against the ingress of an enemy. FiNNiNGHAM (xxxv, 7). — By Stoland Abbey, south of All wood Green, 7 miles west-by-south from Eye, is a small circular entrenchment, perfect in shape, consisting of a bold rampart and fosse, with the entrance apparently on the north-west. Haverhill (Ixx, 2). — The site of Haverhill Castle, north-west of Haverhill, in the extreme south-western corner of the county, was on high ground commanding an extensive stretch of country. Its south-eastern scarp and fosse were preserved until recently, but now the rectangular site can only be traced by the fencing of the ground, a ditch, and part of the fosse, 1 2 ft. deep, containing water. This bleak position is now occupied by Castle Farm. IcKLiNGHAM (xxi, 1 5). — On the western side of the Icknield Way, 4^ miles south-east from Mildenhall, in a field called Camp Close, is a slightly raised plateau with a scarp of 3 ft., representing the site of a camp denuded of its defences. Numerous evidences of early occupation abound in its neighbourhood. North Cove (x, 9). — The site of Wathe, or Wade Hall, north-west of Barnby, 3 miles east from Beccles, was upon a circular entrenched position in the midst of marshes. The rampart rises from 2 ft. to 4 ft. in height, and the escarpment attains 10 ft. in some places. On the northern side the rampart has perished and the counterscarp of the fosse — which is 16 ft. wide — varies from 3 ft. to 4 ft. 6 in. ; on the southern side are the remains of a revetment, but the whole work is trodden down by cattle. South Elmham St. Cross (xvii, 14). — West of St. Nicholas village and 31 miles south-east-by-east from Harleston, is a square camp inclosing about 2i acres, within which stand the ruins of the ancient minster. The rampart 590