English Coast Defences. George Clinch
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George Clinch
English Coast Defences
From Roman Times to the Early Years of the Nineteenth Century
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4064066155131
Table of Contents
THE SAXON SETTLEMENT OF ENGLAND
THE NORMAN INVASION OF ENGLAND
MEDIAEVAL CASTLES AND WALLED TOWNS ON THE COAST
PART IV COAST DEFENCES UNDER HENRY VIII AND LATER
DEFENCES ON THE EAST COASTS OF KENT AND SUSSEX
DEFENCES OF THE ESTUARIES OF THE THAMES, THE MEDWAY, ETC.
PREFACE
The intricate coast-line of England, so difficult for an enemy to blockade, so difficult at every point for combined naval and military forces to defend against raiders, presents to the student of history an extremely interesting subject. It is to its insularity that England owes something of its greatness, and to the great length of its coast-line that its vulnerability is due.
The present book represents the results of a study of the methods and means by which England, from Roman times down to the early years of the nineteenth century, has defended her shores against various over-sea enemies, who have attempted, sometimes successfully, to invade and conquer.
The author wishes to return thanks for the loan of blocks used in illustration of this volume, particularly to the Society of Antiquaries for Figs. 3, 10, 11, 29, 31, 32; the Royal Archaeological Institute for Figs. 1, 4, 7, 13, 18; the Kent Archaeological Society for Figs. 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43; the proprietors of the “Victoria History” and Professor Haverfield for Fig. 15; and the Technical Journals, Limited, and Mr. A. W. Clapham, F.S.A., for Fig. 24.
The corrected proof-sheets of the book have been submitted to the proper authorities at the War Office, and that Department has sanctioned the publication of the volume.
PART I
| PREHISTORIC CAMPS |
| THE ROMAN INVASION OF BRITAIN |
| THE COUNT OF THE SAXON SHORE |
| ROMAN COAST FORTRESSES |
ENGLISH COAST DEFENCES
PREHISTORIC CAMPS
Round the coast of England there are many prehistoric earthworks of great extent and strength. These fall generally under the heads of hill-top fortresses and promontory camps. The works comprised under the former head are so arranged as to take the greatest possible advantage of natural hill-tops, often of large size. On the line where the comparatively level top developed into a more or less precipitous slope a deep ditch was dug, and the earth so removed was in most cases thrown outwards so as to form a rampart which increased the original difficulties of the sloping hill-side.
The latter type of earthwork, called promontory camps from their natural conformation, were strengthened by the digging of a deep ditch, so as to cut off the promontory from the main table-land from which it projected, and in some cases the sides of the camp were made more precipitous by artificial scarping.
An examination of these types of earthworks leads to the conclusion that they were probably tribal enclosures for the safe-guarding of cattle, etc.; that, strictly speaking, they were not military works at all, and, in any case, had no relation to national defence against enemies coming over-sea.
One finds in different parts of the country