ir&^j^l A HISTORY OF SUSSEX rampart. The object of Burghlow Castle was evidently to command the valley of the Cuckmere/ Edburton. — This curious little work, situated on the top of the South Downs, about two miles to the west of the Devil's Dyke, has already been mentioned. It possesses a mount, and a well-defined bailey to the north of it. It is quite small, and stands alone on the Downs overlooking a large area of the Weald. There are no traces of masonry, and, as far as one can see, there is no supply of water near. Why it should be placed here is a mystery, unless, indeed, it was a signalling station visible perhaps from Pul- borough and Knepp Castle. This camp lies practically on the level top of the Downs 600 feet above the sea. To the north ° — '^ — 'ji_y' jg ^ steep descent of 1 00 feet in 70 yards. Beyond Ldburton. , . • 1 1 1 • I -Jl ^ this pomt the land smks even more rapidly to the level of 300 feet above the sea. On the verge of the fosse which separates the mount from the small bailey there are two hillocks, which may have been part of the scheme of defence, or perhaps they are merely the result of making a modern cart-road through the stronghold. At a short distance to the east of Edburton camp there are indica- tions of terraces, possibly once used for cultivation, on the hillside. Hastings. — In addition to the promontory camp at Hastings already described, there are several interesting earthworks belonging to the castle on the west hill. These consist mainly of a mount and two, if not three, baileys attached. The mount is situated near the present entrance to the castle ruins, and although partly outside the walls, clearly belongs to the bailey in which the ruined walls of the castle stand. This mount is of very great interest from the flict that it is possibly the one depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry in the process of being thrown up. The part of the earthworks which may be considered the inmost bailey is separated from another bailey called Ladies' Par- lour immediately to the north-east, and Mr. I. Chalkley Gould has called the writer's attention to traces of still an- other bailey extending further to the north and north-east. The bailey in which the castle ruins are situated has evidently suffered considerably from encroachments on the southern side. Whether those encroachments have been effected by the waves and influences of the weather seems doubtful. It seems more probable that a good deal of the cliff has been artificially cut away to make a convenient space » The writer wishes to record his thanks to Mr. Duncan Montgomerie for notes as to Burghlow Castle. 476 Hastings Castle.
