Brinkburn Priory promontory fort (Brinkburn and Hesleyhurst)
[Name NZ 11789850] Camp. (1)
Brinkburn Priory. A hill fort of the contour type enclosing approx 7 acres. (2)
The camp on the hill above Brinkburn Priory is about 300 yards long and 100 yards wide. It is of an irregular figure and contains about 7 acres.
It is precipitous on the north, south and west sides and is cut off on the east by a large rampart 100 yards in length with faint traces of a ditch to the east.
There are form openings in the rampart but which was the original entrance is a matter of conjecture. Possibly it was towards the south east corner where there is a hollow way leading out of the camp towards the stream.
The Alnwick MS states that according to tradition the hill above Brinkbury Priory is the site of a Roman villa and small fort. The MS states that the 'old station' is on the point of the hill immediately above the priory and that it is ''rather oblong than square, with its angles a little rounded off, 50 paces in length, by 36 broad: at the NE angle, a circular remain, as its of a tower'. (3)
[Centred NZ11759845] The promontory formed by a loop in the River Coquet is a very strong defensive position, the natural slopes above the river being very high and steep. The site is a little above the 200 foot contour.
The promontory has been cut off at its narrowest point by a large earthen bank, now badly mutilated. There may have been an outer ditch of which the start of the hollow way to the SE is the only trace. There is also a small fragment of outer bank remaining. The original entrance could not be ascertained; the hollow way entering the enclosed area at the south end of the defences may have been part of the old track that was probably associated with the Priory (NZ 19 NW 1).
The interior of the earthwork is very disturbed by surface quarrying ridge and furrow ploughing, and old tracks. The only feature identifiable is a rectangular building steading, indicative of a secondary occupation, possibly contemporary with the nearby Priory. There is nothing that could be possibly identified as a Roman fortlet or the site of a villa as described by authority (3a). The early date of this authority (c.1820) renders it suspect.
The two hollow tracks leading to the river at the NE side of the earthwork may have been for access to the Coquet, the nearest water supply, but they may have been part of the old track associated with the Priory.
It is concluded that this is a typical promontory fort with a later (possibly medieval) occupation. The Roman aspect must be considered purely traditional. (4)
Listed under pre-Roman Iron Age univallate [forts, settlements and enclosures]. (5)
Published survey (25 inch) revised. (6)
NZ 118985. Brinkburn Priory promontory fort. Stout mound and traces of ditch and counterscarp mound across the promontory. Two breaks in the rampart, eastern one probably original. Interior disturbed with later track across. (7)
A magnetometry survey in 2017 revealed evidence of a large semi-circular feature not visible on the ground surface. In addition, the embanked causeway (HER 11315) was well-defined; a possible blacksmith's workshop, small paddock, and a barn or longhouse.
An earthwork survey confirmed features recorded by Henry MacLauchlan in 1864. Examination of Lidar imagery clearly shows the extent of medieval ridge and furrow cultivation in the northern half of the fort, and towards the south a large rectilinear enclosure, measuring about 40m by 15m. The enclosure may be associated with structures mapped by MacLauchlan in 1864 and confirmed by fieldwork. (8)
Brinkburn Priory. A hill fort of the contour type enclosing approx 7 acres. (2)
The camp on the hill above Brinkburn Priory is about 300 yards long and 100 yards wide. It is of an irregular figure and contains about 7 acres.
It is precipitous on the north, south and west sides and is cut off on the east by a large rampart 100 yards in length with faint traces of a ditch to the east.
There are form openings in the rampart but which was the original entrance is a matter of conjecture. Possibly it was towards the south east corner where there is a hollow way leading out of the camp towards the stream.
The Alnwick MS states that according to tradition the hill above Brinkbury Priory is the site of a Roman villa and small fort. The MS states that the 'old station' is on the point of the hill immediately above the priory and that it is ''rather oblong than square, with its angles a little rounded off, 50 paces in length, by 36 broad: at the NE angle, a circular remain, as its of a tower'. (3)
[Centred NZ11759845] The promontory formed by a loop in the River Coquet is a very strong defensive position, the natural slopes above the river being very high and steep. The site is a little above the 200 foot contour.
The promontory has been cut off at its narrowest point by a large earthen bank, now badly mutilated. There may have been an outer ditch of which the start of the hollow way to the SE is the only trace. There is also a small fragment of outer bank remaining. The original entrance could not be ascertained; the hollow way entering the enclosed area at the south end of the defences may have been part of the old track that was probably associated with the Priory (NZ 19 NW 1).
The interior of the earthwork is very disturbed by surface quarrying ridge and furrow ploughing, and old tracks. The only feature identifiable is a rectangular building steading, indicative of a secondary occupation, possibly contemporary with the nearby Priory. There is nothing that could be possibly identified as a Roman fortlet or the site of a villa as described by authority (3a). The early date of this authority (c.1820) renders it suspect.
The two hollow tracks leading to the river at the NE side of the earthwork may have been for access to the Coquet, the nearest water supply, but they may have been part of the old track associated with the Priory.
It is concluded that this is a typical promontory fort with a later (possibly medieval) occupation. The Roman aspect must be considered purely traditional. (4)
Listed under pre-Roman Iron Age univallate [forts, settlements and enclosures]. (5)
Published survey (25 inch) revised. (6)
NZ 118985. Brinkburn Priory promontory fort. Stout mound and traces of ditch and counterscarp mound across the promontory. Two breaks in the rampart, eastern one probably original. Interior disturbed with later track across. (7)
A magnetometry survey in 2017 revealed evidence of a large semi-circular feature not visible on the ground surface. In addition, the embanked causeway (HER 11315) was well-defined; a possible blacksmith's workshop, small paddock, and a barn or longhouse.
An earthwork survey confirmed features recorded by Henry MacLauchlan in 1864. Examination of Lidar imagery clearly shows the extent of medieval ridge and furrow cultivation in the northern half of the fort, and towards the south a large rectilinear enclosure, measuring about 40m by 15m. The enclosure may be associated with structures mapped by MacLauchlan in 1864 and confirmed by fieldwork. (8)
N11312
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; B H Pritchard
MAGNETOMETRY SURVEY, Brinkburn 2017; Bernician Studies Group
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY, Brinkburn 2017; Bernician Studies Group
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; B H Pritchard
MAGNETOMETRY SURVEY, Brinkburn 2017; Bernician Studies Group
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY, Brinkburn 2017; Bernician Studies Group
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
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