Itinerarium curiosum (centuria II) : $b or, an account of the antiquities, and remarkable curiosities in nature or art, observed in travels through Great Britain. To which is added, the Itinerary of Richard of Cirencester, monk of Westminster. With an account of that author and his workStukeley, William
History
Itinerarium curiosum (centuria II) : $b or, an account of the antiquities, and remarkable curiosities in nature or art, observed in travels through Great Britain. To which is added, the Itinerary of Richard of Cirencester, monk of Westminster. With an account of that author and his work
Stukeley, William
Great Britain -- Antiquities -- Early works to 1800; Great Britain -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
In the year 1725, I travelled over the western and northern parts of
England, in company of Mr. Roger Gale, a gentleman well known to the
learned world; as his father, Dr. Thomas Gale, dean of York. I was
requested, by some lovers of antiquity, to transcribe those notes
which I wrote day by day during our journey; and though I had visited
several of the places, through which we passed, in my former journeys,
yet a second view (especially in company of a person so well versed in
antiquities) gave me an opportunity of making some farther remarks,
which I flatter myself may be of use to those who are fond of studying
the antiquities of our own country.
* * * * *
I shall begin with Dunstable, the MAGIOVINIVM of the Romans. Many large
brass coins, and many silver, are found in ploughing the fields here,
and when digging in the ruins of the old priory by the church: I got a
Nero of Corinthian brass, and a Faustina. The downs here are but a rib
or narrow ridge of chalk; or northward is sand or clay.
Madan castle is circular, perhaps oval: the space within is a fine
plain: the _vallum_ is small, and the ditch much smaller; so that I am
persuaded it was made rather for spectacle than defence. Tethill castle
is a little further westward, a strong little camp upon one of the many
north-west precipices of chalk exceeding steep: a village underneath,
and springs of water: it is a double camp, both square; in one a round
keep, or large _tumulus_ ditched about, which shows it is a Saxon work.
The prospect all along the steep northern sides of the Chiltern hills
is lovely; the Icening-street goes at the bottom; it is corn-field for
the most part. These hills are all steep westward and northward.
Brick hill, or more properly Brink hill, stands on a very high sandy
hill, steep north-west: the Watling-street, just before it arrives
here, winds a little eastward, to avoid a deep valley, and passes above
it.
Stone begins beyond Brick hill; and we enter a country of long-extended
ridges, with large valleys and rivulets at bottom.
DAVENTRY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account