| Summary : A large oval ringwork and bailey on spur of North Downs with strong counterscarp banks. It was apparently in existence in 1095 and 1137. Excavations in 1878 showed that the ditches were V-shaped, cut in solid chalk, without revetment. A well, and a deep pit containing animal bones, pottery and an arrow-head were found. Decorated chalk fragments, a penny of Stephen and wheel-made pottery, some of it having a green glaze were also discovered. Metal finds included knives, bolt-heads, nails and horseshoes. A bowl barrow also occurs on the site. |
More information : TR 2140 3795. Castle Hill (NAT)
Motte & Bailey (NR) (1)
The earthwork known as Caesar's Camp or Castle Hill 1.75 miles north-west of Folkestone Harbour, was excavated in 1878, by Pitt-
Rivers who found it to be a castle mound with two attached courts but with no trace of any walled enclosure; probably erected by the Conqueror or possibly temp. Stephen. In 1949, however, a fall of
earth exposed a portion of walling 10 ft long and 3 ft high in the southern face which seemingly supported the causeway across the inner ditch. A Roman ridge tile (in Folkestone Mus) was also found but the association is probably accidental. Scheduled.
(See plan ASO/55/105/3(2)). (2-5)
Extensively mutilated by wartime and other activities. Resurveyed at 1:2500. (6)
See ground photographs. (7)
TR 214 379. A large oval ringwork and bailey on spur of North Downs with strong counterscarp banks. (a) It was apparently in existence in 1095 (b) and 1137. Excavations in 1878 showed that the ditches were V-shaped, cut in solid chalk, without revetment. A well, and a deep pit containing animal bones, pottery and an arrow-head were found. Decorated chalk fragments, a penny of Stephen and wheel-made pottery, some of it having a green glaze were also discovered. Metal finds included knives, bolt-heads, nails and horseshoes. (8-9)
Fine camp on a prominent hill above Folkestone. The entrance is in the north-east angle. Scheduled as an ancient monument - Kent 69. (10)
The name which the site popularly bears is 'Ceasar's Camp', but no serious writer on Kentish antiquities makes use of that name, calling it instead 'Castle Hill'. From the size and form of the site, and the lack of finds of Roman date one cannot reasonably conclude that it is of Roman work, let alone that of Caesar. (11)
In the excavations by Pitt-Rivers at 'Caesar's Camp' a large number of fragments of horse-shoes and nails were found in all parts of the camp. They were for small horses, and the form of the shoes points to a Norman or post-Norman date. (12)
Additional bibliography - not consulted. (13-16) |