Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/499

ON THE ROMAN ROADS, CAMPS, AND OTHER EARTHWORKS, BETWEEN THE TEES AND THE SWALE IN THE NORTH RIDING OF THE COUNTY OF YORK. {Contimted from p. 225.) In the foregoing remarks we have traced the dike from its coiinneiicement at the Swale, to its northern boundary, the Tecs. The spot where it crosses this river is called Barforth,^ and gives that name to a large township in the parish of Gilhng. It is written Bereford in Domesday,^ and both Berford and Bcrforth in Jvirkby's Inquisition, in the 1 5th of Edward the First, where we find under Barforth that " Emma de Berforth tenet 3 caruc. in eadem villa de Roaldo de Richemond." ^ It is probable that, in the Saxon period, there was a place of defence at this important ford ; and that the foundations now visible in the fields, called the Old Garths, are those of dwellings which arose around the Chieftain's Castle on the Chapel Garth.* The situation of the chapel is one which would very naturally have been chosen, close to the walls of the castle, and separated from the village by the small stream as we now find it. As the place is said in the Inquisition, above quoted, to be held " de Roaldo de Richemond," it is probable that this may have been the origin of the name Old Richmond, which is given to this spot in the old maps, and which some writers are disposed to discredit.^ It is, however, possible, that both this and the Richmond on the Swale have derived their name from the ancient dike, or Riche-mound. Such a dike running such a distance through a country which, in the Saxon period, was probably in great part a wood, must have been looked upon, as other similar works were, as the labours of some supernatural being. ' It has been asserted that the dike * Whitaker's Richmondshire, vol. i., passes out of Yorkshire at Winston, and, p. 7-1 ; Gale, p. 51. entering Durham at that point, is known ' The foundations on the Chapel Garth in its further course as the Scots' dike, are more spacious than village walls, and used either as a way, or to defend a ])assage probably are of a castellated dwelling over the Tees. Barforth seems a nmeh designed for Barforth Hall, more probable place than Winston, where '^ '* Which in the old maps is called, the ford was never a good one, nor the but without any apparent authority, Old approach from either side more favourable Richmond. It was, doubtless, the village tlian at Barforth. of Barford." Antiq. of Gainford, by J. R. - See also Gale, Reg™ Honoi'is de Rich- Walbran, p. 34, note. ' mend, pp.24, 27,29, 31, 33, 36, 51, 68, 83.