Monument record MDO44531 - Duncliffe Hill, East Stour, Stour Provost and Motcombe

Earthworks on Duncliffe Hill have in the past been interpreted as the possible remains of a hillfort or later entrenchment or enclosure. Field investigations have not confirmed this.

(Area centred ST 827225) Circular Entrenchment. "Dunkley, a high sharp hill about one mile west from Shaftesbury, a large circular entrenchment on the top of it, with a spring in it never drye as I was told". (The hille referred to is evidently Duncliffe Hill, 1 3/4 miles west of Shaftesbury). <3>

The 'entrenchment' mentioned by <3> may be associated with the actions of Sir John Zowche, warden of Gillingham forest and steward of Gillingham manor, who is mentioned in a court hearing dated 1574 <1.1>. Evidently he inclosed a piece of ground called Dunclyffe Hill and made a purpresture (illegal enclosure of land) of "very good and orderly manner", contrary to the custom of the manor. "Dun-Cliff" is considered to be a naturally defended, temporary hillfort <2>. Traces of scarping are alleged on some parts of the hill.

Duncliffe Hill occupies a commanding position and has been largely cleared of its woodland. The highest point consists of a narrow and shaped ridge with several small steep sided spurs. No evidence of any entrenchment or any other antiquity was seen but the ground was now covered during field investigation. The spring mentioned in <3.1> is still visible at ST 82662260. <4>

<1> Shipp, W (ed), 1868, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 3 (Monograph). SWX3207.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206573 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<2> Warne, C, 1872, Ancient Dorset (Monograph). SDO10094.

<3> Crawford, O G S, Annotated record map 6 inch, Undated (Map). SWX7265.

<3.1> Stukeley, W, 1883, Stukeley's Diaries (Serial). SDO18684.

Observations made in riding through Dorset in April 1728 by Roger Sale

<4> Edwards, D W, Various, Field Investigators Comments DWE, F1 DWE 31-JAN-56 (Unpublished document). SDO17870.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206573 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 17 2022 6:33PM