ANCIENT EARTHWORKS short distance beyond these is a straight vallum and fosse, both extremi- ties of which have been destroyed, thus frustrating the possibility of tracing the direction of one of the most interesting examples of this class of defence. HUMBERSTONE (xxxi, 8). In 'Swan's Orchard' is a rectangular site containing a low mound cinctured by a small fosse, surrounded by a moat 28 ft. wide and i8ft. deep, with a rampart on each side except the north. Two other banks and ditches branch from the north side and extend in the form of a right angle. HUNGERTON (xxxii, 10). 'OLD INGARSBY MOAT.' There is no doubt this manorial defence is an adaptation of a strong rectangular camp of an early period ; a conclusion strengthened by its proximity to the stronghold at Billesdon, and the discovery of spearheads and other implements, and Roman coins. The house and chapel are within the vallum, and a moat of subse- quent date to the vallum has been excavated within the ramparts. The moat at section A-B is 32ft. wide, and the vallum i8ft. wide, with an escarpment of 8ft.; from this the ground descended by a steep declivity to the river, but it is now cut by the railway. Within the north-west angle of the moat is a mound loft, in height from the interior, evidently thrown up to enable a survey to be made of the country beyond the vallum. The vallum has been demolished on the east and south-east, and the exigencies of modern days have caused the moat to be levelled in the same places ; but an extension of the latter remains beyond the original circumvallation at the south-east. A short extramural scarp is on the east side. Another river, a tributary of the Soar, flows on the south and east, thereby constituting a strong natural position. KIRBY BELLARS (xix, 12). Around the church, the greater part being on the north side, the site of an Augustinian priory is divided into quadrangular areas by banks varying from i ft. to 5 ft. in height. In the midst is a plot of land on a higher level than the surroundings, on three sides of which are excavations which probably served as fishponds, though possibly they were parts of a moat ; the general depth is 8 ft., but the south-west corner is 20 ft. deep. South of the church is another square site around which was formerly a bank, and a scarp of 25 ft. descended to the River Wreak. KIRBY BELLARS (xix, 12). South of the last-mentioned is Kirby Park and the earthwork defences of the old hall. These now consist of a vallum and fosse 600 ft. long, at the north end of which is a rectajngular MOAT AND ENTRENCHMENTS ON SITE OF PRIORY. KIRBY BELLARS 267
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