Monument record TQ 45 SW 89 - Cross Dyke, Possible early medieval boundary

Summary

A north-north-west to south-south-east aligned linear earthwork, interpreted as a medieval earthwork constructed across a shallow sandstone valley. The earthwork coincides with the modern Kent-Surrey county boundary and survives for a total length of around 315 metres. It takes the form of a large bank up to 15 metres wide and 3 metres high, flanked to the south west by a ditch up to 9 metres wide and 1.5 metres deep. Towards the north west, the ditch has become infilled during past, modern ploughing and survives as a buried feature. The south eastern end of the earthwork is formed by a well-defined, rounded terminal, whilst the original north western end has been destroyed by post-medieval sand extraction. The central part of the monument has been damaged by the construction of an embankment for the modern A25 between Limpsfield and Westerham. The linear earthwork is thought to have been constructed between the fifth and eighth centuries AD, when it is likely to have formed a strategically important part of the boundary between rival Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. It was designed to control the communication route which linked the two territories.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 4324 5349 (163m by 348m) Centred on
Map sheet TQ45SW
County KENT
Civil Parish WESTERHAM, SEVENOAKS, KENT
District SEVENOAKS, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Pers Comm EH to KCC 4.3.98 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Erik Grigg, 2012, Medieval Dykes in Surrey and Kent [extract from PhD research] (Unpublished document). SKE17208.

<3> 1961, Field Investigators Comments (Verbal communication). SKE53642.

<4> 1965, Field Investigators Comments (Verbal communication). SKE53643.

<5> Historic England, 1998, Scheduled Monument Notification (Listing Report). SWX20554.

<6> A. D. Saunders Victor Smith, 2001, Kent's Defence Heritage (Collection). SKE53644.

<6> A. D. Saunders Victor Smith, 2001, Kent's Defence Heritage (Collection). SKE53677.

Sources/Archives (7)

  • <1>XY Miscellaneous Material: Not applicable. SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry. Pers Comm EH to KCC 4.3.98. [Mapped feature: #159 Ditch, ]
  • <2> Unpublished document: Erik Grigg. 2012. Medieval Dykes in Surrey and Kent [extract from PhD research].
  • <3> Verbal communication: 1961. Field Investigators Comments.
  • <4> Verbal communication: 1965. Field Investigators Comments.
  • <5> Listing Report: Historic England. 1998. Scheduled Monument Notification.
  • <6> Collection: A. D. Saunders Victor Smith. 2001. Kent's Defence Heritage.
  • <6> Collection: A. D. Saunders Victor Smith. 2001. Kent's Defence Heritage.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

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Record last edited

Mar 2 2021 6:02PM