More information : Raven's Hill. This site is rather the Settlement of a tribe than a
camp, and lies about 1/2 mile north of Kielder Castle, between two
rivers.
Towards the east point a small rill runs south-easterly dividing the
enclosure. On the sides of this rill are three nearly-parallel
enclosures varying from 10-15 feet in width,and about 120 yards long.
The turf banks are very much worn, and are of ancient appearance.
At the lower, and south-eastern part of these small enclosures, a
double rampart has run towards the south-west; and at about 90 yards
distance a rampart branches off for about 45 yards, and which,
returning to the north-east, encloses a quadrangular space of about
75 yards by 55 - well sheltered by a stoney bank, " and perhaps a
slight excavation within, so as to leave reason to conclude that
this particular part has been occupied and fortified as a camp. The
outline, however, has been much destroyed by quarrying for stone.
The double rampart, or terrace, as the space between might be called,
for it never was a ditch, extends to the westward about 200 yds, and
about 50 yards above the middle of it another terrace begins, and
runs westward nearly horizontally for about 110 yards, having
enclosures both above and below it.
These enclosures continue about 90 yards further to the west, and
join to the Drove Road (running at the foot of the encampment) where
there has been an entrance with a small guard-house".
About 100 yards west of this 'guard-house' on the Drove Road, rising
ground is reached, and on the summit of this are the remains of
enclosures similar to those already described. About 200 yards
still further west, along the Drove Road, and on more rising ground,
are again simillar triangular space for a dwelling or guard-house,
and running towards a rivulet 80 yards below and to the south.
"It is probable that all these enclosures were connected by a fence
along the Drove Road; and also on a rising ground above the cottages
are traces of similar enclosures from which it may be concluded, that
these several fences served at once to enclose the dry ground and the
most defensible position.
The enclosures extend as far beyond the camp towards the east as
towards the west, each being about 260 yards, preserving, on a
considerable declivity, a nearly horizontal position the western
part being the larger of the two.
On the rampart of the camp some iron slag was found, and the
interior of the enclosures bears marks of the plough"
Tradition tends to make this site the castle of "Cout of Keilder" -
a 14th border chieftain. (1)
Type C and of Md or doubtful date. (2)
(Area NY 632 943 geographical co-ords) Ravenshill
Single-banked irregular earthwork (Listed under native sites) (3)
The site falls in dense afforestation and could not be Located. Deep
furrow ploughing may possibly have destroyed the work.
Nothing visible on available APs (RAF 1946) (4)
No change since report of 28 8 70 (5)
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