Monument record 341/1 - Maiden Castle Promontory Fort on Bickerton Hill 700m West of Hill Farm

Maiden Castle was a bivallate hillfort that occupied one of the highest points of the southern end of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, with a steep scarp to the north-west that forms part of the defences and the remainder defended by two curving concentric ramparts. It’s structure and uppermost surfaces have been extensively damaged by post-medieval quarrying and modern military activities. The inner rampart is comprised of a bank approximately 12m high, with an external scarp up to 2.5m high and an internal scarp surviving up to 1.2m high along its southern section. The interior of the rampart has been heavily disturbed along its north-eastern side where a substantial quarry has been dug along its edge to the south of the entranceway. The exterior scarp of the rampart survives to between 2 – 2.5m, becoming more prominent as it continues northwards (SCH7312, SCH7322).

The entrance is formed by in-turned sections of the inner rampart, which are aligned east-west and extend into the interior of the enclosure. Together these define a narrow, corridor-like entrance about 0.8m wide and 17m long, with the banks on either side as high as 1.2m. North of the entrance, the rampart is crossed by the modern Sandstone Trail, which has contributed to erosion at this location (SCH7322).

A substantial berm is aligned along the exterior along the exterior of the southern section of the inner rampart. This measures between 2.5. – 4.8m, with a front scarp 1.2m high above the inner ditch. The berm is partially visible continuing around the north-eastern side of the enclosure, but in a more fragmentary form, and has been heavily disturbed by later quarrying and excavation. The ditch dividing the berm from the outer rampart is up to 3m wide and 1.1 – 1.3m deep relative to ground level, but has been significantly impacted by quarrying (SCH7322).

The outer rampart bank is about 13m wide, with an internal height of 0.9 – 1.3m, and is most prominent along the southern section. A break in the bank of the outer rampart is assumed to mark the point of access from the east, although this appears to be substantially wider than its original form, probably largely as a result of archaeological excavations in the 1930s (SCH7312, SCH7322).

LiDAR survey data shows fragmentary evidence for an outer ditch around the enclosure, with a number of sections of a slight counter scarp, up to 0.2m high, visible to the south and east of the rampart. This is in contrast to J Forde-Johnston’s observations that there were no ditches at this site (10).

The earliest detailed archaeological investigations at Maiden Castle were undertaken by WJ Varley in 1934 and 1935, when a number of areas were excavated around the in-turned entranceway on the north-eastern side of the site. This initially involved the excavation of four test trenches in 1934, which included fully excavating three areas to sterile soil, and exposing the area along the entranceway itself. These were expanded in the following year (SCH7312, 7311). The earliest recorded feature was a timber palisade, which was replaced by a dump bank which was ultimately enlarged by a dry stone revetment outer face, from which a single pottery sherd and iron fragment were recovered (SCH7311).

The excavation revealed that the structure of the inner rampart was comprised of a central core of carbonised timber and sand, measuring 3.6m wide by 1.2 - 1.8m high. It was suggested that the burning of this timber occurred while it was in situ, and that this may have been the result of a heath fire or perhaps deliberate burning (SCH7311). The central core was revetted with large boulders on both the inner and outer faces of the rampart, and was capped by stone. The outer rampart was identified as being of a different construction, consisting of three successive layers of sand and turf forming the bank, which was fronted by a retaining wall. This appears to have been constructed over an earlier trench 0.6m wide and 0.76m deep which cut through the natural sand beneath the rampart. It was suggested that it may have been a palisade trench (SCH7312, 7311). The excavation also revealed opposed gateposts set into the revetment 5m from the inner end of the entrance.

A cobbled or flagged surface was exposed through the entranceway during the excavations of 1934 and this appears to have overlain post holes, suggesting the presence of a timber structure (SCH7312, 7311). Varley also suggested that a possible 'occupation floor', identified within the angle where the southern side of the entranceway and the inner rampart meet could have represented a 'guard chamber' (SCH7311).

Limited excavations were also carried out by Dr J Taylor of the University of Liverpool around the area at the south-western end of the ramparts, where they are crossed by the Sandstone Trail, prior to repair work on an eroded section of the path. This primarily involved the removal of burnt wood from the outer rampart for radiocarbon dating. The excavations on the southern edge of the site at this time also apparently identified a stone curb, interpreted as having formed part of a postern or secondary entrance (5).

Earthwork survey found that the remains of Maiden Castle primarily consist of large well preserved sections of rampart divided by a ditch which forms an enclosure covering the interior area of approximately 0.7 hectares. The enclosure also has a well preserved inturned entranceway on its northwestern side.

Interior had been heavily disturbed by quarrying, represented by subtantial amorphous mounds and depressions. There is no evidence for internal occupation contemporary with the ramparts, and what may have survived is likely to have been destroyed or obscured by the quarrying, although sub surface prehistoric features could potentially survive in a relatively undisturbed area within the northern side of the enclosure.

This site also contains the remains if a number of slit trenches, dug when the site was in use as an army training area. Likely that Maiden Castle represents a later, Iron Age, advance of the form of enclosure that developed during the late Bronze Age along the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. Geophysical survey in 2011 with local volunteers. Inside the hillfort the locations of possibly three roundhouses have been defined.

LiDAR survey captures much of the topographic detail of the hill fort.Stone quarrying with in the interior visible on LiDAR and also similar clusters of quarry pits across the hilltop also identified, suggesting the hillfort was not deliberately targeted for quarrying. (29)

<1> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/114 Longley D 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<2> Varley, WJ, 1935, Further Excavations at Maiden Castle, Bickerton, 1935 (Article in Journal). SCH7311.

<3> Varley, WJ, 1935, Maiden Castle, Bickerton, Preliminary Excavations, 1934 (Article in Journal). SCH7312.

<4> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 7/34-6 Taylor J J 1980 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

Limited excavations were also carried out by Dr J Taylor of the University of Liverpool around the area at the south-western end of the ramparts, where they are crossed by the Sandstone Trail, prior to repair work on an eroded section of the path. This primarily involved the removal of burnt wood from the outer rampart for radiocarbon dating. The excavations on the southern edge of the site at this time also apparently identified a stone curb, interpreted as having formed part of a postern or secondary entrance (5).

<5> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Pearson G 1984 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

Absolute dates are available for the South Entrance Outer Rampart strapping are as follows (UB-2614 2130 +/- 70 BP, UB-2615 2435 +/- 70 BP) and Inner Rampart North UB-2617 2350 +/- 60 bop., UB-2618 2360 +/- 100 BP, UB- 2619 2620 +/- 95 BP)

<6> Krawiecki A, 1982, BA thesis Liverpool (Monograph). SCH381.

<7> Royal Archaeological Institute, 1845-Present, Archaeological Journal, 111/87-89 Cotton M A1954 (Journal/Periodical). SCH338.

<8> Hogg A H A, 1975, Hillforts of Britain, /244-5 (Written Communication). SCH1346.

<9> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 51/51-59 Varley W J 1936 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<10> Forde-Johnston J, 1962, The Iron Age Hillforts of Lancashire and Cheshire, p.25-6 (Article in Journal). SCH6913.

<11> Shone W, 1911, Prehistoric Man in Cheshire, /56-7 (Book). SCH2710.

<12> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 20/45 1882 (Book). SCH1389.

<13> Challis A J & Harding D W, 1975, Later Prehistory from the Trent to the Tyne (BAR), SJ45SE4 (Book). SCH1881.

Listed as a hillfort with a timber-laced, stone revetted rampart 14-17ft wide.

<14> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ45SE (Index). SCH2487.

A promontory fort on the highest part of Bickerton Hill bounded on the west by a steep escarpment. Its highest part is defended by two ramparts and a ditch which run in an elbow bend from the north to the south. Some 40 yards from the N end of the inner rampart there is a single guarded entrance and opposite it a gap in the outer rampart. Excavated by WJ Varley in 1934-5.

Field visit in November 1964 finds the gap in the inturned entrance recently widened.

<15> Various, Aerial photographs, Williams S R (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

<16> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 25690 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

The monument includes a bivallate (double rampart) promontory hillfort on Bickerton Hill. It is situated on one of the highest points of the sandstone ridge which bisects the county from the estuary of the Mersey to the Welsh border near Wrexham. Bickerton Hill is at the southern end of this ridge and overlooks the broad valley of the River Dee. The fort occupies a point on the edge of a cliff on the south western side of the hill. It is not on a promontory but is cut off from the surrounding land by two semicircular ramparts which do not appear to have an intervening ditch. The form of the fort is therefore similar to other bivallate promontory forts in this region. The west side of the fort is defended by the cliff edge. On the south and east sides are two concentric curving ramparts from cliff edge to cliff edge. The inner rampart stands 2m high and was revetted with dry stone walling. The earthen bank was also reinforced with timber strapping in bands set into the inner face of the revetting. The outer rampart was a timber palisade later replaced by a dump rampart which was revetted with dry stone walling on its outer face. On the eastern side and 40m from the northern cliff edge there is an inturned gap of 10m forming an entrance in the inside rampart. The corresponding gap in the outer rampart is 20m wide and may have vestigial hornworks curving back from the entrance for 30m on either side. The interior has many small pits and mounds representing quarrying activity over a long period. There is a double bank running north-south on the western edge of the interior to the middle of the fort. This has been adopted as the parish boundary, and is met by a field boundary from the east which cuts the defences in the centre and turns westwards to meet the parish boundary in the centre of the west side. There is also evidence of the spoil heaps of previous excavations and numerous two-man slit trenches which indicate military use of the site in the 20th century

<17> 1995, The National Trust Annual Archaeological Review (Book). SCH3790.

<18> Miln J, 1996, Maiden Castle - Report on Battle Area Clearance Operation (Unpublished Document). SCH3791.

<19> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.484 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<20> Oxford Archaeology North, 2007, Habitats and Hillforts of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, Cheshire: Archaeological Condition Survey, R2894 (Client Report). SCH5260.

<21> National Trust, 2005, Recent Work at Bickerton Hill, Cheshire, a Summary of Erosion Control Measures and Subsequent Conservation Work (Unpublished Report). SCH7292.

Results of 6 radiocarbon date samples, ranging between 2130+-70 BP and 2435+-70BP, from University of Liverpool Excavations on footpath at Maiden Castle Hillfort.

<22> Taylor, Joan J, 1980/81, Excavation Reports and Sites Observed (Maiden Castle) (Article in Journal). SCH7290.

<23> Queen's University Belfast, 1984, Letter: Radiocarbon Dating Results, 1984 Excavations at Maiden Castle Hillfort (Written Communication). SCH7289.

<24> Milln, Jeremy, 1994, Project Brief, Sampling and Repair of an Iron Age Hillfort (Unpublished Report). SCH7291.

<25> Department of National Heritage, 1996, Scheduled Monument Consent for Works at Maiden Castle, 1996 (Written Communication). SCH7288.

<26> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 25690 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<27> Engineering Archaeological Services, 2011, Maiden Castle Geophysical Survey, R3180 (Client Report). SCH6550.

Geophysical survey carried out on the ramparts and interior of Maiden Castle Iron Age hillfort as a training event run by the Habitat and Hillforts landscape partnership Scheme. Both the Resistivity and Fluxgate Gradiometer revealed anomalies which suggest a level of archaeological activity within the hillfort

<28> Archaeological Services WYAS, 2012, Maiden Castle, Bickerton, Cheshire, Archaeological Survey and Investigation. (Client Report). SCH7322.

Earthwork survey and investigation. Concludes there is no evidence for internal occupation contemporary with the ramparts, and it is thought that archaeological deposits have been destroyed by quarrying, but sub surface features may still survive.

<29> Garner, Dan and others, 2016, Hillforts of the Cheshire Ridge (Book). SCH8403.

Earthwork survey found that the remains of Maiden Castle primarily consist of large well preserved sections of rampart divided by a ditch which forms an enclosure covering the interior area of approximately 0.7 hectares. The enclosure also has a well preserved inturned entranceway on its northwestern side.

Interior had been heavily disturbed by quarrying, represented by subtantial amorphous mounds and depressions. There is no evidence for internal occupation contemporary with the ramparts, and what may have survived is likely to have been destroyed or obscured by the quarrying, although sub surface prehistoric features could potentially survive in a relatively undisturbed area within the northern side of the enclosure.

This site also contains the remains if a number of slit trenches, dug when the site was in use as an army training area.

Likely that Maiden Castle represents a later, Iron Age, advance of the form of enclosure that developed during the late Bronze Age along the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. (Chapter 5)

Geophysical survey in 2011 with local volunteers. Inside the hillfort the locations of possibly three roundhouses have been defined.(Chapter 6)

LiDAR survey captures much of the topographic detail of the hill fort.Stone quarrying with in the interior visible on LiDAR and also similar clusters of quarry pits across the hilltop also identified, suggesting the hillfort was not deliberately targeted for quarrying.(Chapter 7)

<30> Edwards, N, 1986, Maiden Castle, Bickerton (Article in Journal). SCH7284.

<31> Woodhead, TW, A Report on the Timber Found At Maiden Castle, Bickerton (Article in Journal). SCH7323.

<32> Higham N J, 1984-9, Professor Nick Higham's Aerial Photographs, 1986/7/47, 49, 61 & 1986/8/65, 67 (Aerial Photograph). SCH7659.