More information : [SK 47823063] Earthwork at Sawley which looks very much
like a Civil War gun emplacement and will fall into line with
others at Ilmington [Warw.53 NW 3] and Skipton [Yorks 168 NW 3]. (1)
Pottery and pipes date this site to c.1680-90 and its purpose
may have been a customs control for river traffic as the
river had just opened up about that time for a larger flow
of traffic. Sectioned in October-November 1955, by authy. and
Dr.H.L. Barker, F.S.A. (2)
Moated site S.E. of Sawley Locks. (3)
A trench was excavated through the eastern side of the
earthwork. The relatively shallow ditch, with a rounded profile,
was found to have provided the material for the bank and raised
interior. Sealed in primary dating layers were a dozen fragments
of clay tobacco-pipes and half-a-dozen potsherds.
The only other finds were a fragment of probably modern glass and
a piece of whetstone.
The pipes have been dated by Adrian Oswald as 'definitely not
earlier than 1650'. Four of the potsherds are from an ale pot
of a type produced c.1680-90. The finds are in Dr. Barker's
possession.
No evidence of a building of any structure was found in the
excavation; a raised area inside the earthwork was not examined.
The suggestion of the earthwork being a Customs post is based
on its position in relation to the river and the four fords
which crossed the river hereabouts. There is no other evidence.
It is definitely not a Civil War earthwork.
No contemporary records or literary references to the earthwork
are known. it has been called locally, "The Bull Ring" or "The
Boxing Ring" and it appears that, in the 19th c., prize fights
were held here. [Mr. Houldsworth has a diarised account of the
excavation, sections, plans, photographs and other descriptive
material]. (4)
The earthwork is placed in a low-lying water-meadow by the
Trent. A former meander of the river is visible to the north.
Approximately square, the earthwork is formed by a flat-topped
bank with an outerditch, enclosing an area raised c.1.0m. above the outer ground level. A faint, unsurveyable rise, is visible within the interior. At the southern end of the east side is a contemporary causeway formed by the ditch turning outwards at right-angles. The bank is reduced to form an entrance.
At the four corners the bank is slightly higher as with most
earthworks formed by an outer ditch. The soil is a gravelly
loam; the earthwork is under grass. There are a few minor
mutilations but it is generally in good condition.
From the entrance the causeway appears to be continued as a
balk of former rig-and-furrow fields. The balk and rig-and-furrow
are too slight to be able to discern any relationship between
them and the earthwork.
No certain suggestion as to the purpose of the earthwork can be
made by this investigator. No analogies are known to support
it being a 'Customs' post nor any evidence of such posts at the
apparent period of its erection. It lacks the complex defences
of known Civil War earthworks and the excavation finds, though
somewhat meagre, seem to dismiss this identification.
The comparatively weak bank and ditch and the small area
enclosed suggest that it is not a defensive work. It is
possible, and the raised interior supports the suggestion,
that the earthwork is designed against flooding from the nearby
river; there are remains of considerable embanking locally.
Cliff Farm, at SK 4888 3082, a derelict 18/19th c. farmhouse,
has been defended against flooding by a large earthen bank
surrounding the house.
It is therefore possible that the earthwork may have enclosed an
agricultural building or may have been a cattle refuge. A 25"
A.M. survey has been made. (5)
At the time of final investigation the immediate surrounding
area to this work was under water - the result of seasonal
flooding. The interior of the feature was however quite dry and
it appears most probable that it was constructed as a refuge
against such emergencies.
The profile of the bank is sharp and prominent and it is possible
that the work is contemporary to the adjacent rig and furrow.
Mr. T.D. Clarke (Hon.Corr. Keeper Leicester Museum) is of the
opinion that there is, at yet, insufficient evidence for the
classification of this site. He regards the "Custom Post" claim
(Auths.2 and 4) with suspicion. (6)
No change. (7)
SK 478 306. Moated site SE of Sawley Locks. Scheduled. (8)
A post medieval rectilinear enclosure is visible as earthworks on air photographs, centred at SK 4782 3063. The enclosure consists of a bank with maximum internal dimensions of 16m by 18m. There appears to be a possible entrance in the northern corner of the bank. The bank is surrounded by a ditch ranging from 4m to 10m in width. Most of the feature is extant on the latest Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SK4730 24-JUL-2006, though elements of the feature appear to have been damaged by agricultural activity.
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