Monument record 152/1/0 - Enclosure in the Cloud Plantation

<1> Sainter J D, 1878, Scientific Rambles Round Macclesfield, p.32 (Book). SCH2964.

Sainter reported the presence of a ‘rampart and fosse’ towards the summit of The Cloud in 1878. He describes an ‘entrenchment’, which extends in an oblique curve west to south east, 790 ft long. At the north western angle there is another ‘entrenchment’ which extends south for a distance of 285 feet. Another ‘entrenchment’ 180 feet long divides the area in to two. He interprets these features as the remains of a hillfort.

<2> Chronicle Group, 1893-2009, Congleton Chronicle, 13/2/1897 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH972.

Corporal James O'Brian of the Ordnance Survey mapped the features described by Sainter in 1897. The Congleton Chronicle considers that the details of Sainter’s agree with O’Brien’s survey, save for the measurements. The new maps (OS 2nd Edition) will show the tunnel inside the fort, as well as several tumuli outside the fortification. The ditches are described as rock cut.

<3> Cooper T, 1893, Remarks respecting the Ancient British and Roman Encampments and the Bridestones at or near Congleton, Cheshire, and other matters of Antiquarian Interest in the Neighbourhood, p.16-7 (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH3879.

<4> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol. II p.291 (Book). SCH3228.

The 'encampment' can be easily seen from the Roman Fort at Hulme Wallfield on the plain. Suggests the name of the nearby Catstones is derived from the Celtic 'cad' or 'cath' meaning battlefield or graveyard (3), however Burdett believes it may simply be 'rocks frequented by the wild cat'.

<5> North Staffordshire Field Club, 1917-60, Transactions of the North Staffordshire Field Club, Vol. 63 (1928-9) p.63, 153 Pape T (Journal/Periodical). SCH3533.

Contoured camp, roughly quadrangular and party covered with a ward.

<6> Cheshire Rural Community Council, 1951-1960, The Cheshire Historian, Vol. 9 (1959) p.23 Cartlidge J E G (Journal/Periodical). SCH3102.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, White J H & Rigg J 1962 SJ96SW5 (Index). SCH2487.

A comparatively modern field system with boundaries of tumbled turf covered walls c.2m wide and c.0.5m high. Walls extend to the north east and south east from the eastern corner of the enclosure. The banks to the south (CHER 152/1/1) are part of the same system.

<8> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, p.72 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

Not a hillfort, possibly a forestry enclosure or wood bank.

<9> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, No. 486 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

The enclosure is not easy to distinguish. The banks are most easily distinguished in the north west. The character of the enclosure suggests that this is not a hillfort (or similar) monument. Thought more likely to be a forestry enclosure.

<10> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Turner R C (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

A site visit in 1989 confirmed the existence of earthwork features corresponding to those mapped. The most prominent is a ditch and bank, the latter formed by turf-covered collapsed dry-stone walls on the north-east side. This is continuous and turns to form the east corner. The south-east side is less distinct, being a scarp rather than a true ditch and bank. The south-west side shows as an intermittent ditch and bank similar to the north-east arm, but there is no earthwork forming the north-west arm, just the natural slope. This side does have at least two stone piles and two quarry pits. The earthworks are similar to others to be found to the south- west (CHER 152/1/1) and probably represent a field system of as yet unknown date.

<11> Chronicle Group, 1893-2009, Congleton Chronicle, 4/11/1938 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH972.

This field system probably predates the present nineteenth century field systems and plantations established upon the enclosure of Black Heath Common and The Cloud in July 1831.

<12> See map for surveyor, 1762-1898, Cheshire Enclosure Maps and Awards, Buglawton QDE 1/30 25 July 1831 (Maps and Plans). SCH1106.

The boundaries are clearly depicted on the 2nd and 3rd edition Ordnance Survey 25" to 1 mile maps. However, contrary to the Congleton Chronicle article (see source 2) the 'tunnel' is not. (See also source 13)

<13> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

<14> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.