Square shaped earthwork measuring approximately 110m x 110m was first recorded by Nottinghamshire antiquarian Major Hayman Rooke in the early 19th c., and surveyed by Nottinghamshire County Council in 2008.

Results of the topographical survey show the earthwork to be of simliar dimensions to the Major Rooke drawing. The date and function of the earthwork is unknown, though it is suggested by its form to be either a prehistoric farmstead, or used for stock control in the Medieval period. (1)

The enclosure covers an area of approximately 100m2 and sits on a promontory to the north of one of the dry valleys within the walkover survey area. The earthworks comprise a broad ditch with evidence for a bank on the exterior sides. No internal features were evident and the whole area is covered by mature oak woodland. Veteran oak trees sit on the earthworks themselves which suggests it is at least Medieval in date. (3)

Although Rooke’s depiction was much more regular than the plan produced for the walkover survey it was immediately obvious that this was the same feature. He describes the earthwork as having a ‘vallum’ which implies his feeling was that the earthwork was Roman in date. (3)

The scale of the enclosure does raise questions about its dating and interpretation. One suggestion offered was that it may have been part of the logistical operations of the Medieval Forest; perhaps a deer pound used for corralling deer. This was discounted for a number of reasons, but largely due to the lack of any steep-sided ditch into which the deer could be driven and directed towards the enclosure. On balance it seems that Major Rooke's dating of the feature as Roman may well be more plausible. The form and orientation of the feature are broadly consistent with the Romano-British field systems identified by Malone within the woodland, and it is possible that this enclosure may relate to the Roman settlement and land-use in the area. Further work on the earthworks could help to establish the date and purpose, and could include soil coring, geophysical survey and trial trench excavation. (3)

<1> A. Gaunt, 2008, An Ancient Work in Birklands: A Topographic Survey of an Earthwork in Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, p. 18-19 (Unpublished document). SNT5190.

<2> Rooke H, 1799, A Sketch of the Ancient and Present State of Sherwood Forest, Mansfield (Published document). SNT1211.

<3> Emily Gillott, 2017, Walkover Survey in Sherwood Forest Country Park, Page 19-20 (Unpublished document). SNT5784.