Grinton 'Fort'
Close to Grinton is a complex of defensive dykes and possibly a Roman seige fort, although at this point in time the these are best described as 'unknown'. Grinton Bridge may have been the crossing point that was the focus of this earthwork. This earthwork has been assumed by locals to be a Roman fort linked with the dykes however its design is at the moment unknown.
More work needs to be done on this site, a plan is needed as are details of any excavations.
Click HERE for a multimap of the area (Once its loaded move the mouse over the picture).
Grinton 'Fort'
The twin enclosed mounds of Grinton fort
Air photo of Grinton enclusure, from Multimap.
Plan of the visible earthworks at Grinton, enclosure two may be from a different period. Enclosure one and three seem from the same period. The site has been intruded on by the Graveyards and farms, as well as a water tank placed in the top of the mound in enclosure one. There is an un-backfilled excavation hole in enclosure one. Approximate size 5 acres. Immediately to the north of the enclosure is a wide river with an approximate depth of three foot.
Description
This site is very close to the Reeth Dyke system and there is the possibility that they are related. The site consists of three enclosures. Enclosure one and two are built on probably natural mounds and are themslves enclosed with a much larger rectangular enclosure three. Between the two inner enclosures is a seemingly man-made 'dew' pond. The Eastern side of this enclosure no longer seems to be visible, large parts of the southeast wall have been intruded on by a graveyard, farm and housing.
Enclosure Three
Enclosure three seems Roman in nature and has a profile similar to a Roman marching camp. unfortunately only three sides remain visible, large parts of these has been intruded upon and it must therefore be noted that the rectangular shape is assumed, the plan shows those parts which are visible. A strange hollow in the centre of the eastern rampart could have originally been an entrance.
Enclosure One
Seemingly of the same period but of unknown purpose is an enclosure which partly encloses a mound on the western side on Enclosure three. The mound itself has suffered damage by eroson on its northern flank as well as to its top, where it has had a water tank fitted. A notable feature of the mound is that the rear eastern slope has been squared and smoothed, but is at an angle not suitable for a dwelling. A single entrance to the enclosure
Enclosure Two
Enclosure two seems to be of a later period and is possibly a Romano-British enclosure making use of the exisiting enclosures one and three. The enclosure is possibly linked with the pond and may have had two entrances.
The mound within enclosure one, this does not fully encompass the hillock, and rises up the slope and accross the top of the west side..
Detail of the western mound, as seen fron the north east.
Close up of east side of the west mound.
The 'rampart' at the western end of the mound stops short and rises up the forward edge and accross the top.
The front of the mound, seen from the west, considerable slippage to the left has removed that part of the rampart.
The larger eastern enclosure can be seen to the middle right.
The eastern rampart of enclosure two. Seen from the south.
Futher east of enclosure two the outer rampart of enclosure three can be clearly seen
The main visible parts of the outer enclosure three.
"Grinton on Swale: Oxhill (Iii, 4).- The name thus given on the Ordnance Survey Map is not known locally. The works consists of two natural hills of equal height and close to the River Swale. The western one has the remains of a bank which went round its base, and which seems to have had a ditch inside; if so, it can only have been a slight work. The form of the bank has been a square with rounded corners, which is also the shape of the other work, a platform raised some 4 ft. on top of the eastern hill. The position is 600 yards east of the entrenchment crossing the Swale through Fremington." Victoria County Histories.
© Brigantes Nation 2002