The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-07-12 00:00:00

BRADBURY RING.

Trig Bournemouth Natural History and Antiquarian
Association recently visited Bradbury Rings, when a
psper was read by the Rev. J. H. linage', rector of
Keyostone, resenting an outline of the soppo-ed
history of B-alburt in the first place, and its °slimmers
in different ages. Untoubtedly Bradbury is not a Roman
camp. In prove of its existence previously to Roman
times, the Roman road approaching from the east in
direct course towards the Rings, • few hundred pads
before reaching them turns at a considerable angle, so
as to pus by the camp on the Norh aide. It was
doubtless occupied by the Romans, as evidenced by the
coins, urns, and weapons, which have from time to time
being dog and ploughed up about it, and especially by
the existence of a arinetery near; and it may be •ided,
by it, contiguity to Vinclooladia. In Shipp's ediiion of
the money history it is affirmed that within 100 yards
of the Romeo camp the remains of Homan building.
have been discovered. Of this, however, I know
nothing, Camden repeats a story from traiition of
Bradbury being formerly seat of the West Saxon kings,
end it is certain that they did oceisaionally, at least,
make use of this fortification. King Edward, the
elder, in particular, posted himself in it with his army
awhile he was making preparations to attack his kinsman
and rival, Wthelwal I, in the town of wimborne.
Eta 'bury is tpirtainly one of the chain of British hilt
fortres.es within sight of each other, which run
throitJh the county. Dr. Oueat suggests that the lions
Ha lonicue, where • great battle Ivor fought between
the Brit .ns and Wmt Saxons, shout 520, might be the
Bradbury of Doreitahire. The colony of Colt., from
Gaul, possessed themselves at first of that part of
Groat Britisn which was nearest to their own emit.,
and spreading northward, by degrees% as they had
increased in number, peopled the whole Wand. It has
been computed that Briton was inhabited about 1,000
yeara before the Chrivian era, about the reigna of
David and Solomon, king. of Israel. About 390 years
before the Christian era, a colony of the 13elge invaded
Briton ; landing upon the sonthern comet, they repe'led
the Celtic inhabitants into the interior. These people
delighted in husbandry, in the breeding of and
trade, and w, re far more civilised than the aboririnal
Britons, and they lived in villages. At firat the Belgic
clans were fire in number—the Durotriges poeesaing
irsetshire. Continual *e.t.a) subsisted, and owner-
oils battles took plasm between the Belga 'nil the C.-Itia
clan., but the Belga were enabled ti er.dually ect.nd
the line of their territory. It was during this nocom-
ing warfare, when the contending clam were by torn
defeated or victorious, gaining advanced ground or being
repelled, we reasonably auppose to have been
constructed the many ramparts and valla, which
we meet with in Dorsetshire, Wiltshire and
Hampahire, which street at once for defence and
diviaion of territory. In thesa three counties there are
amen of such ramparts ; successively circulating one
beyond the other, as the Belga gradually extended
their victories, and acquired new territories. The
Durotriges nude Dnnicuin, now Maiden Castle, their
principal town. So, you see, Bradbury is an en-
campment, in all probability, formed by the Celts, in
defence of themselves and their belongings, against
their advancing enemies, Vie Beiges. It was next held,
and most likely enlarged and strengthened, by the
Belgic clan, the Durotrigm. Again occupied by their
conquerors, the Romans, and after their retirement, it
became • Saxon centre, and was, in all probability, an
important place in their defensive ',us with the Danes,
end finally has figured in the later wars of our own age.
In form the camp is Crcular, protected by three ram-
parts mid ditches. In circumference about • mile,
having entrances from the east and west, and enclosing
upwards of 18 sores. It is held that, in Saxon occupa-
tion, the two inner rings were the repoaitory of stores,
and the habitation of the garrison. Without the two
inner rngo, another skirts around at the distance of
40 or 50 yards, leaving • space for those who °boss to
live under the protection of the garrison, but who
could not safely be permitted to r..sicle within its limits.
But doubtless these fortresses were strengthened from
time to time in protection against the aggression of hostile
tribes. There is ample evidence in proof that the dim-
triot to the North West was inhabited by • large Dona-
Intion in the early era (either Celtic or Belgic). Not
only have we a great number of tumuli awl mutilated
earthworks still existing, and other memorial, of pri-
mev•l inhabitants, which from time to time the spade
has opened to our view, which have been found to
contain bones of the ox, the deer, ant the wild boar,
Intermixed with coarse pottery and other rein:vim ; but
frequent track•aya and low banks, indicative of the
encampment of the primeval Briton. or Dorotriges.
In fact these fortresses were fortided towns in which
the chief, with his immediate dependants, resided, and
into which the inhabitants of the neighbourhood might
retreat when attacked. Indeed Cater so speaks of
them. Ido not think we •re to conclude that in pri-
meval times these embankments presented only the
defences which we now see. for surely • Celtic warrior
would experience little difficulty in scaling them. Nor
can we seep... that mg clan mold supply a sufficient
number of warriors to ffefend so extensive • circle at all
points. Gallant sense, and the few meagre record. which
we have (in Roman authors) tend to the aupposition that
the outer violas were surmounted by stockades, formed
of hewn trees, as is the patinae in New Zealand at the
present time. Ido not think that these large fortifiea-
ti ma were constant dwelling-plum but without now
attempting any argument respecting their relative
poeition,f I would simply present the proposition that
they were made as the strongholds of the race of the
people who inhabited the 'district, but who, during the
greater part of the year, separived into families which
located at various hunting grounds, the tracts snit
exi-iting of which locations are so frequent about this
neighb iurbood. Prabsbly having prepared l,heir store
of provisions for the winter they retired to their
fortresses, with their wia es and children, and perhaps
herds, might be in some comparative safety at eau
seasons. The Durotrigea are represented to have been
a very peaceable rase of people, and when reduced by
Vespasisan, under the dominion of the Romans, it doer
not appear that many forts and marimba were required
in this pleasant country. On the contrary, when we
explore (as I have done on Woodyates common) what
has been previously considered a British vill.ge, the
reliques show it to have been Roman--of Romano-
Ruth am. So too, with the Roman villas which we
discover from time to time, they are never within •
fortress, sometimes near it. as at Calshot, but more
frequently apart from any military protection. Surely
this shows a time which may well and happily be
designated as Romano-British.