Enjoying retirement
In The Red Rose County
The Historic England entry........" Roman forts served as permanent bases for auxiliary units of the Roman Army. In outline they were straight sided rectangular enclosures with rounded corners, defined by a single rampart of turf, puddled clay or earth with one or more outer ditches. Some forts had separately defended, subsidiary enclosures or annexes, allowing additional storage space or for the accommodation of troops and convoys in transit. Although built and used throughout the Roman period, the majority of forts were constructed between the mid first and mid second centuries AD. Some were only used for short periods of time but others were occupied for extended periods on a more or less permanent basis. In the earlier forts, timber was used for gateways, towers and breastworks. From the beginning of the second century AD there was a gradual replacement of timber with stone. Roman forts are rare nationally and are extremely rare south of the Severn Trent line. As one of a small group of Roman military monuments, which are important in representing army strategy and therefore government policy, forts are of particular significance to our understanding of the period. All Roman forts with surviving archaeological potential are considered to be nationally important. Although the monuments have been bisected by the building of the railway, much survives undisturbed. The two forts which exist on a single site illustrate the development of construction and design of this rare monument type. Details The monument includes two Roman forts, one within the other and together known as Burwen Castle. The earlier fort lies within the later one and dates from about AD 70-80. It includes a square clay rampart, enclosing an area of the higher ground. The larger fort, which dates from about AD 210, is roughly oblong and has a stone rampart. The forts are bisected by a disused railway line. The main portion of the monument is located within the field to the north. The ramparts of the earlier fort rise to a height of 0.22m above ground level. Stones project through the turf indicating a stone or rubble base probably with turf on top. The eastern rampart is indistinct and the southern rampart has been destroyed by the railway line. The interior is fairly level and there are no buildings surviving visibly, although remains of them will survive beneath the turf. The later fort survives best on the western side where the rampart is most distinct. It appears to have consisted of a stone wall surmounted by turf and an embankment behind. A dip in the rampart may indicate a western gateway. Beyond it is an outer fortification or external traverse in the form of a slight bank running parallel to it. There also appears to be an extension of the western rampart running down to Earby Beck. The north rampart of the later fort survives as a ledge running along the hillside. On the eastern side the ground falls away and what appears to be a stone step marks the outer rampart. Part of the southern rampart has survived in the field to the south of the disused railway track." We then set off on our walk around Elslack......using country lanes and tracks (very muddy). We noted the Great Barn at Elslack Hall Farm...." Large barn, 1672. Coursed rubble with stone slate roof. Very long but entirely rectangular and quite narrow. Quoins to left hand end but right hand gable recently rebuilt. The fabric is mainly original for a section near the centre with sliding door. The major openings are: chamfered doorway partly formed from quoins; doorway with head of 2 stones making Tudor arch; 2 chamfered cart entries with elliptical heads, the first of which is answered by another opposite. Breathers. Over the first cart entry is an inscribed stone with RB (for Benson?) and date. The rear wall is obscured by cattle sheds. Inside the barn has been subdivided by stone walls and the roof renewed with sawn trusses to the southern part, but heavy king-post trusses with angle struts remain at northern end." We walked up the drive a little way to Elslack Hall. "Manor house, probably C16 with C18 alterations and late C19 or early C20 refacing after fire. Rubble with stone slate roof. What survives is a small house of 2 cells with cross-wing to right, a rear wing to left having been demolished after the fire. At this time the rear wall was made flush and pebbledashed with large windows. The north front has quoins. Two storeys. Openings of several forms and dates, notably at ground floor in centre small twin lancets which may be medieval." Lunch at the 17th Century Tempest Arms was good....an interesting little walk in beautiful country.
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August 2023
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