More information : The 'Froxfield Entrenchments' (unknown to the
Ordnance Survey) consist of three short parallel dykes which
run across a shallow valley, and a fourth dyke, 2 or 3 miles
long, which runs across country half a mile west of them; the
northern part of this last is separate, and its southern end is
supported by another short length of dyke. All appear to be
defensive works of rampart and ditch, with ditches on the west
side, designed to resist an enemy coming from the west.
Possibly a tribal boundary. Locally it is said to be the
boundary between Sussex and Wessex. (see plans). (1)
There is a fourth entrenchment, previously unnoticed, spanning
the bottom of Basing Dean, about 300 yards in length. The Dean
road cuts through it and on the north it runs into a chalk
dell. A hundred paces behind it is one of the typical Froxfield
tumuli. (2)
See Map Diagram, with the entrenchments numbered 1 - 7.
1. Large bank and ditch earthwork with ditch on west side. It
runs across the contours and has been much mutilated.
2. This could not be traced. In spite of Williams-Freeman's
clear description and map, it seems that he may have meant to
refer to 4.
3. A weak stretch of bank and ditch, uncertainly related to the
others.
4-7. Short strong bank and ditch earthworks, with ditches on
west side, lying astride the valley bottom.
1 and 4-7 are of similar profile and are probably Dark Age
boundaries, with the short dykes representing defence in depth
of a valley route. (3)
All except 2 and 3 published as 'Earthworks'. (4)
Entrenchment 3 appears to be simply the result of terracing the
Bordean Lane along the side of the valley. Towards Steeple Ash
Cottage it reduces to a mere field bank. (5)
Published 1:2500 surveys revised. Little change.
The complex seems to have been part of a boundary system
designed to cover the approaches to the head-waters of the
Rother and the Petersfield gap from the west; with the dyke at
East Tisted (SU 6931 SU 63 SE 8) forming the northern part.
If so, it may mark the western boundary of one of the petty
Saxon kingdoms which were under Offa's overlordship in the late
8th century. On the other hand, in the area on the west side of
the complex, between it and Winchester, there was considerable
Romano-British occupation which gave way to a roughly
comparable Saxon pattern, whereas on its east side there was
some Romano-British occupation but no Saxon at all
(Romano-British and Dark Age Maps). So it could be argued that
the Romano-Britons of the area east of Winchester were driven
eastward by the West Saxons into the Forest of Anderida, and
that the Froxfield entrenchments mark the western boundary of
their refuge. (6)
Froxfield Long Entrenchment. Coffin gives a detailed
description but no new information, and comes to no conclusion
as to its date or purpose. (7)
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