Mediæval Military Architecture in England, Volume 2 (of 2)Clark, George Thomas
History
Mediæval Military Architecture in England, Volume 2 (of 2)
Clark, George Thomas
Architecture -- England; Architecture, Medieval; Military architecture
There does not appear to be any plan of Huntingdon Castle, that is,
of the earthworks known as Castle Hill, which still are seen; and as
they are extensive and partly included within a private garden, a mere
handsketch is scarcely practicable. The position is a fine one. The
Ouse, here deep, broad, and sluggish, in its way from Bedford and Eaton
to the Fens, recedes from the higher land to the northward, and makes,
between Huntingdon and Godmanchester, a bold curve to the south; thus
enclosing a grand circle of meadow about half a mile in diameter, and
now used as the racecourse. Along the northern edge of this breadth
of sward flows the Alconbury brook, a considerable watercourse, which
skirts the foot of the high land, and joins the Ouse opposite the
Castle Hill, and just above the bridge by which the Ermine Street is
carried across the river. Here, upon the edge of the high land, and
protected from the south by the river and the brook, and the low and
formerly impassable levels beyond them, are the ancient earthworks,
which, though partially levelled, and reduced both in height and depth,
and traversed by a road and a railway, are still very considerable,
and form a remarkable feature in the view of the town from the south.
In general outline the work is rather a circle than a square, and
about 180 yards in clear diameter. The outer ditch, which is included
in this measurement, encircles two-thirds of the whole, communicating
at each end with the brook, which thus completes the investment. Upon
the western margin of the area thus enclosed, and projecting boldly
into it, is a large mound, the flat top of which, now crowned by a
neglected mill, is 100 feet diameter, and about 30 feet high above the
inner platform, and 40 feet or more above the country outside. This
mound, which was the citadel of the work, had its proper surrounding
ditch, which at the outer face was identified with the main ditch, but
elsewhere cut off the mound from the general area of the fortress.
This remainder, which, by the indentation of the mound and ditch
cutting out a huge cantle, was converted into a sort of crescent, was
defended along its outer edge by broad and high banks of earth, perhaps
20 feet above the contained area, and 30 feet or 40 feet above the
circumscribing ditch. The railway passes east and west, close south of
the mound, and cuts off a part of the work; the road passes north of
the mound; and north of this a close fence shuts off from the visitors
a part of the earthwork.
The entrance was on the east, or town side. Towards the west, outside
the ditch, is a natural elevated platform, which, at 100 yards
distance, terminates in a steep slope, and which may have been a part
of the defences, or perhaps a safe penfold for cattle. There was a mill
mentioned in Domesday, upon the river below the castle. There is now no
trace of masonry above ground, but the earthworks look as though they
had been built upon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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