Reasons for Designation
Large multivallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of between
5ha and 85ha in area, located on hills and defined by two or more lines of
concentric earthworks set at intervals of up to 15m. They date to the Iron
Age period, most having been constructed and used between the sixth century BC
and the mid-first century AD. They are generally regarded as centres of
permanent occupation, defended in response to increasing warfare, a reflection
of the power struggle between competing elites.
Earthworks usually consist of a rampart and ditch, although some only have
ramparts. Access to the interior is generally provided by two entrances
although examples with one and more than two have been noted. These may
comprise a single gap in the rampart, inturned or offset ramparts,
oblique approaches, guardrooms or outworks. Internal features generally
include evidence for intensive occupation, often in the form of oval or
circular houses. These display variations in size and are often clustered,
for example, along streets. Four- and six-post structures, interpreted as
raised granaries, also occur widely while a few sites appear to contain
evidence for temples. Other features associated with settlement include
platforms, paved areas, pits, gullies, fencelines, hearths and ovens.
Additional evidence, in the form of artefacts, suggests that industrial
activity such as bronze- and iron-working as well as pottery manufacture
occurred on many sites.
Large multivallate hillforts are rare with around 50 examples recorded
nationally. These occur mostly in two concentrations, in Wessex and the Welsh
Marches, although scattered examples occur elsewhere.
In view of the rarity of large multivallate hillforts and their importance in
understanding the nature of social organisation within the Iron Age period,
all examples with surviving archaeological potential are believed to be of
national importance.
Chisbury Camp is a well preserved example of its class. Evidence from within
the interior of the fort suggests that traces of occupation dating to the Late
Iron Age and Roman periods are both extensive and well-preserved.
Lying within the hillfort is a medieval chapel. This survives well as a rare
example of a relatively intact 13th century chapel which retains original
fabric and features. Its presence provides evidence for the use of the fort
during the historic period.
Details
The monument includes Chisbury Camp, the remains of an Iron Age hillfort
situated on a low hill immediately south of the village of Chisbury, together
with the remains of the medieval Chapel of St Martin which lies on the east
side of the fort on the line of its defences.
The Iron Age hillfort is multivallate, possessing two, and in some places
three circuits of defences which in places are over 50m in overall width.
These together enclose an irregular oval area of approximately 5.6ha. The
external dimensions of the hillfort are approximately 450m north west-south
east by 325m north east-south west. The hillfort is bisected by a modern road
utilising gaps in the north west and south east sides of the defences which
may represent the original entrances. The defences are broken by several other
gaps through which access has been provided to the buildings which currently
lie within the fort; the majority of these gaps are on the east side of the
modern road, including the widest which contains St Martin's Chapel.
Although no formal excavations have been carried out within the
hillfort, observation of 20th century disturbances has produced evidence of
urns, bronze swords and of storage pits containing Late Iron Age and Romano-
British pottery. Recent finds from immediately outside the fort include coins
and other objects of Roman date.
The late 13th century chapel is a rectangular building of flint with stone
quoins, 17.7m long, 7.9m wide and 10.6m to the apex of the thatched roof. Six
windows which retain their stone dressings survive in addition to one medieval
doorway. The building, which has an 18th century roof, was formerly used as a
barn and comprises a chancel and nave, formerly divided by a screen. It
appears to have been out of use for at least two centuries. The chapel has
been interpreted as either the chapel of ease to the parish church of Great
Bedwyn or a free chapel of the Hampshire abbey of St Denys.
Excluded from the scheduling are all buildings including Chisbury Manor which
is Listed Grade II (with the exception of St Martin's Chapel), roads, areas
of hard standing, fence posts, telegraph and electricity poles, reservoir,
swimming pool and sculptures, although the ground beneath these features is
included.
St Martins Chapel is in the care of the Secretary of State.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
