A HISTORY OF HEREFORDSHIRE belonging to the Malvern range, separated on the north from the greater heights by a dip of 327 ft., rising at the highest point to an elevation of 1,140 ft. above sea level, and commanding a wide prospect. As the plan show^s, a formidable rampart was constructed around near the top of the hill, and, outside of the rampart, a fosse varying in depth. It has been thought well to show this rampart complete, as in its original condition, but it will be borne in mind that all the defences are partially destroyed. General Pitt-Rivers indicated that on the western side of the hill a trackway passed down from the fortress in a south-westerly direction, and that another was at the southern extremity of the camp, where a zigzag path leads upwards from the Earl's Ditch (see Class X). A part of the defences on the western side of the * citadel ' has been so destroyed that some antiquaries have thought that the work was not com- pleted on that (presumably the friendly) side, but General Pitt-Rivers was of opinion that the breaches had been caused by natural denudation, an agent ever potent on that side, exposed as it is to the most trying climatic conditions. The hill rises to a ridge within the encircling defences, affording hardly any level surface, and though pits, possibly hut-circles, &c., are found, it is likely that the camp, if of British origin, was for refuge rather than for permanent occupation by other than a few men whose duty it was to watch from this commanding height. The discovery of pottery of early British and Romano-British date leaves no room to doubt that Celtic man occupied Beacon Hill, and perhaps he con- structed the whole of the rampart and fosse to which we have referred, though it must be mentioned that some observers think the whole work appertains to Norman days. Surpassing all the other work in interest is the nearly central mount and court stronghold at the highest point of the inclosure. This, often called a ' citadel ' and regarded as contemporary with the outer works, appears so similar to Norman work elsewhere that we do not hesitate to regard it as an addition to the original castrametation. The mount is a natural knoll rising about 60 ft., and has a fosse, proper to itself, with a causeway leading to the saucer-shaped summit. This causeway is exceptional, being of natural rock left when the rest of the fosse was excavated. A small lunar-shaped base-court will be noted on the east of the mount, and strong entrenchments isolating this central work from the remainder of the camp. Unusual though it is to find a Norman stronghold in so high a position, this is not without some few approximately parallel examples, e.g., Old Sarum (part of) ' Caesar's Camp,' Folkestone, Edburton, on the Sussex Downs, &c. Papers full of interest relating to the camp will be found in the T'rans. Woolhope Field Club, notably in Vol. 1877-80.' The frontispiece to this volume shows plan and sections drawn by the late General Pitt-Rivers in 1879. Credenhill Camp. — Commanding one of the most extensive views in the county, Credenhill rises, isolated from its neighbours, a little over 5 miles north-west of Hereford and a mile north of Kenchester. The ground around falls sharply for some 300 ft. from the top of the hill, rendering the • See paper by Mr. F. G. Hilton Price, F.S.A. &c., op. cit. 217-27. 206
