Devil's Dyke, Hertfordshire
Encyclopedia
Devil's Dyke is the remains of a defensive ditch around an ancient settlement of the Catuvellauni
tribe of Ancient Britain. It lies at the east side of the current village of Wheathampstead
, Hertfordshire
, England
. It has possible associations with Julius Caesar
's second invasion of Britain (54 BC).
in 1932, and according to a plaque at one entrance to the dyke, presented by Lord Brocket
in 1937 on the occasion of the coronation of King George VI
.
The site is said to be where Julius Caesar
defeated Cassivellaunus
in 54 BC
. Although the historical evidence neither supports nor disproves this, the sign at the entrance to the Dyke states this (based on the assertions of Sir Mortimer), which has led to the claim often being repeated as an established fact.
It is believed to have been originally settled by Belgae
invaders, and nearby archaeological finds of Belgic and pre-Belgic pottery, in excavations during the 1970s, appear to confirm this.
Some archaeologists believe that the ditch was connected with other local earthworks, particularly The Slad
and Beech Bottom Dyke
, located a kilometer away to the south east, to create a large enclosed settlement, using a single defensive earthwork running from the River Lea to the River Ver
, which, if correct, would mean that it was one of the largest Iron Age
settlements in Britain. The fortifications were probably erected by King Cunobelinus
to define areas of land around their tribal centre at Verlamion
– the predecessor of the later Roman city of Verulamium
.
The site is marked as a "Belgic Oppidum
" on Ordnance Survey
maps.
Catuvellauni
The Catuvellauni were a tribe or state of south-eastern Britain before the Roman conquest.The fortunes of the Catuvellauni and their kings before the conquest can be traced through numismatic evidence and scattered references in classical histories. They are mentioned by Dio Cassius, who implies...
tribe of Ancient Britain. It lies at the east side of the current village of Wheathampstead
Wheathampstead
Wheathampstead is a village and civil parish in the City and District of St Albans, in Hertfordshire, England. It is north of St Albans and in the Hitchin and Harpenden parliamentary constituency....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It has possible associations with Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
's second invasion of Britain (54 BC).
History
The area was excavated by Sir Mortimer WheelerMortimer Wheeler
Brigadier Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler CH, CIE, MC, FBA, FSA , was one of the best-known British archaeologists of the twentieth century.-Education and career:...
in 1932, and according to a plaque at one entrance to the dyke, presented by Lord Brocket
Baron Brocket
Baron Brocket, of Brocket Hall in the County of Hertford, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1933 for the businessman Sir Charles Nall-Cain, 1st Baronet. He was Chairman of the brewing firm of Robert Cain & Sons , which had been founded by his father Robert Cain...
in 1937 on the occasion of the coronation of King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
.
The site is said to be where Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
defeated Cassivellaunus
Cassivellaunus
Cassivellaunus was an historical British chieftain who led the defence against Julius Caesar's second expedition to Britain in 54 BC. The first British person whose name is recorded, Cassivellaunus led an alliance of tribes against Roman forces, but eventually surrendered after his location was...
in 54 BC
54 BC
Year 54 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Appius and Ahenobarbus...
. Although the historical evidence neither supports nor disproves this, the sign at the entrance to the Dyke states this (based on the assertions of Sir Mortimer), which has led to the claim often being repeated as an established fact.
It is believed to have been originally settled by Belgae
Belgae
The Belgae were a group of tribes living in northern Gaul, on the west bank of the Rhine, in the 3rd century BC, and later also in Britain, and possibly even Ireland...
invaders, and nearby archaeological finds of Belgic and pre-Belgic pottery, in excavations during the 1970s, appear to confirm this.
Description
Today two sections of the ditch remain. The western section, adjacent to the village, is named Devil's Dyke. It is around 30 m wide and 12 m deep at its largest. A smaller ditch to the east is known as "The Slad". A moat continues the line of the ditch to the south of The Slad.Some archaeologists believe that the ditch was connected with other local earthworks, particularly The Slad
The Slad
The Slad is the name given to an Iron age defensive earth rampart in Hertfordshire, England. It is thought to have formed part of a larger defensive fortification, joining up with Beech Bottom Dyke and the Devil's Dyke and bordered on the other side by the River Lea and the River Ver to create a...
and Beech Bottom Dyke
Beech Bottom Dyke
Beech Bottom Dyke, is a large ditch running for half a mile at the northern edge of St Albans, Hertfordshire flanked by banks on both sides. It is up to wide, and deep, and it can be followed for half a mile between the "Ancient Briton Crossroads" on the St Albans to Harpenden road until it is...
, located a kilometer away to the south east, to create a large enclosed settlement, using a single defensive earthwork running from the River Lea to the River Ver
River Ver
The Ver is a river in Hertfordshire, England. The river begins in the grounds of Markyate Cell, and flows south for 12 miles alongside Watling Street through Flamstead, Redbourn, St Albans and Park Street, and joins the River Colne at Bricket Wood....
, which, if correct, would mean that it was one of the largest Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
settlements in Britain. The fortifications were probably erected by King Cunobelinus
Cunobelinus
Cunobeline or Cunobelinus was a historical king in pre-Roman Britain, known from passing mentions by classical historians Suetonius and Dio Cassius, and from his many inscribed coins...
to define areas of land around their tribal centre at Verlamion
Verlamion
Verlamion, or Verlamio, was the tribal capital of the Catuvellauni tribe in Iron Age Britain from approximately 20 BC until shortly after the Roman invasion of 43 AD...
– the predecessor of the later Roman city of Verulamium
Verulamium
Verulamium was an ancient town in Roman Britain. It was sited in the southwest of the modern city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, Great Britain. A large portion of the Roman city remains unexcavated, being now park and agricultural land, though much has been built upon...
.
The site is marked as a "Belgic Oppidum
Oppidum
Oppidum is a Latin word meaning the main settlement in any administrative area of ancient Rome. The word is derived from the earlier Latin ob-pedum, "enclosed space," possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *pedóm-, "occupied space" or "footprint."Julius Caesar described the larger Celtic Iron Age...
" on Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
maps.
External links
- Beech Bottom Dyke and Devil's Dyke at The Celtic Planet website