Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Historical references to an oblong earthworks enclosure around the top of Judd's Hill seem to have some reliability. Later landscaping work in Syndale Park has, however, almost completely destroyed the earthworks, and remodelled the contours of the hill.

Monument Types

• EARTHWORK (Unknown date)
• ENCLOSURE (Unknown date)

Full description

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[Centred TQ 994 610] Romano-British settlement [R] (site of [NAT] (1) Roman Camp [R] Supposed to be DUROLEVUM [R] (2) An earthwork on Judd's Hill, Ospringe, was described at the end of the 18th century by Hasted who says "a very deep and broad ditch remains on the summit, the south and east sides entire", etc. (a). Since then there has been much speculation as to its nature with a popular view that it represented Durolevum. This last was severely dealt with by Roach Smith's dictum that "from old descriptions and what yet remains there can be no doubt of the British origin and its claim to the site of Durolevum will not bear criticism" (b). In 1922 the work was examined by Messrs. Whiting and Crawford who pronounced it to be "not a camp as stated heretofore, but lynchets" (c). In spite (or in ignorance) of this Jessup refers to the "remains of a hill-top camp at Judd's Hill, Ospringe" (d), while Mr Whiting appears to have had second thoughts as on 22nd July 1929 he told members of the Archaeological Institute at Ospringe that "there can be little doubt that the enclosure, whatever its purpose - whether as a fortified village or as a large posting station - dates from Roman times" (e). The work was practically obliterated by 1874 at which time it is described as "known more by tradition than by remains" and also is noted as having been mutilated by terraces cut out by the former owners of Syndale and as having had the embankment thrown back into the ditch everywhere except in the S.E. corner. The shape is generally considered to have been oblong (no doubt, as shown on O.S. 6" 1906-38). The conclusion would seem to be that, in spite of Crawford and Whiting (and particularly in view of the latters subsequent change of opinion) there was certainly an enclosure earthwork on Judd's Hill, though not necessarily Roman. Whiting's opinion on this point is clearly influenced by the amount of Roman material found nearby which may not be connected with any earthworks. (3) The banks which at present surround Syndale House (now the "Mumford Arms") appear to be of a relatively recent character and are probably connected with the development of the ground in the 18th century. No traces of any earlier work were apparent. (4)

<1> OS 1" 1957 (7th Series) (OS Card Reference). SKE48107.

<2> OS 6" 1906-38 (OS Card Reference). SKE48316.

<3> VCH Kent I 1908 400-14 (OS Card Reference). SKE51171.

<4> Coll Cant 1893 94 (G Payne) (OS Card Reference). SKE39161.

<5> JRS 12 1922 275 (OS Card Reference). SKE45037.

<6> Arch of Kent 1930 159 260 (R F Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE36888.

<7> Arch J 86 1929 300-1 (OS Card Reference). SKE36716.

<8> Arch Cant 9 1874 lxxiii (T G Godfrey-Faussett) (OS Card Reference). SKE36015.

<9> F1 ASP 15-SEP-58 (OS Card Reference). SKE42129.

<10> F2 ASP 08-JUL-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE43089.

<11> Field report for monument TQ 96 SE 12 - September, 1958 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4898.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 96 SE 12 - July, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4899.

Sources and further reading