More information : On the summit of the ridge called Oare Common are two earthworks, reported by Mr.Collins (a).
A small enclosure at SU 5057 7345 is of slight construction and appears to be of a pastoral nature.
A large enclosure at SU 5063 7329 comprises a rather weak circular enclosure with an outer work or annexe which is comparatively strong and probably defensive. It could be of I.A origin, but its plan and reasonable state of preservation is more suggestive of a form of ring motte and bailey. The entrances, much destroyed, appear to have been in the N.W. approached from the crest of the ridge.
Surveyed at 1-2500. (1)
The features, referred to by the previous authorites are visible,
through the trees, as earthworks on aerial photographs. They
comprise two incomplete curvilinear ditched enclosures situated
in the woods on Oare Common. One of the enclosures is defined by a ditch which describes an arc which is 120m long and encloses an area which measures 55m across. A ditch, measuring 90m long, is situated to the north of the enclosure and may be an outwork. The other enclosure encloses a curvilinear area which measures 60m by 40m. The date of these features is unclear. They could be of late prehistoric date but they could represent the remnants of Medieval features as suggested by the previous authority. (2) |