Monument record MDO2354 - Bedfords Camp, Sherborne

Applies to the site of an ancient camp situated at a clump of trees, about 1/2 a mile north-east of the north end of Sherborne town. <1>

During the Civil War, 1642-3, Sherborne Castle was held for the King by Lord Hertford. The castle was beseiged for some time by the Parliamentarians under the Earl of Bedford. (The earthwork is no doubt named after Lord Bedford as the traditional site of his camp). <2>

Nothing visible on air-photographs. <4>

The traditional site of Bedford's Camp is occupied by a small, beech-tree plantation, about 64.0m north east/south west by 14.0m transversely, which has the appearance of a low platform. It is situated on a gentle south east facing slope in open farmland. Sherborne Castle is clearly visible 1500.0m to the south east.

The south east facing plantation boundary and its north east and south west ends are defined by a steep scarp 1.0m high, and the north west side is a natural ground level. Masses of loose, spread, surface stones, now obscured by rank vegetation extend along almost the entire inner length of the south east side.This material may result from field clearance, or, may possibly represent the remains of a demolished (?) breastwork or redoubt. There are no traces of an earthwork in the immediate surrounding ploughland. Local traditions concerning this probable Civil War site were not established. <5>

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Object Name Book reference revision, Dorset 6 SW 1903 18 (Unpublished document). SDO17452.

<2> Page, W (Ed), 1908, The Victoria History of the County of Dorset 2, 150-1 (Monograph). SWX1805.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, 1927 (Map). SDO10373.

(ST 64161816) Bedford's Camp (NR) (site of) (NAT)

<4> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 3145-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17988.

<5> Stone, J W, Field Investigators Comments JWS, F1 JWS 01-DEC-77 (Unpublished document). SDO11902.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 199424 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 13 2022 3:19PM