Clare Camp facts for kids
Clare Camp, also known as Erbury, is an ancient earthwork near the town of Clare, Suffolk. It's a large, D-shaped area surrounded by banks and ditches. The name Erbury comes from Old English and means 'earthen fort'. This shows it was once a fortified place.
The land around Clare Camp was once part of Clare Manor. It was owned by a Saxon lord named Aluric before the Norman Conquest. Later, it was connected to Emma of Normandy, who was the wife of King Canute and a relative of William the Conqueror.
The camp covers about 12 acres (2.9 hectares). Its northern side is the most complete, with an inner bank 9 feet high. It also has double ditches that are 12 and 14 feet high. This makes it one of the most impressive earthworks of its kind in Suffolk. It's only a little smaller than Burgh Castle.
Contents
How Old is Clare Camp?
People used to disagree about when Clare Camp was built. Even though it looks like an Iron Age hillfort, it's not on a hill. This is unusual for a hillfort. Also, there's no real evidence that Romans ever used the site.
However, new discoveries point to an Iron Age beginning. In 1993, a survey found that the earth banks were the oldest part of the site. It also suggested there might have been an entrance on the east side. In 2009, during building work at Clare Primary School nearby, signs of a late Bronze Age or early Iron Age building were found. Experts believe a proper dig would confirm the exact date.
During the Iron Age, Erbury was likely a border settlement. It was on the edge of the Trinovantes tribe's land. The Iceni tribe lived to the north, and the powerful Catuvellauni tribe was to the south. King Cunobeline (who Shakespeare called Cymbeline) ruled the Catuvellauni. Erbury might have been the first permanent settlement in the Upper Stour valley.
What Was Clare Camp Used For Later?
In the medieval period, Clare Camp became a large farm for Clare Castle. Surveys from 1993 found traces of old buildings in the southwest corner. These were likely timber-frame buildings like a barn, stables, and a farmhouse. The farm provided food like fruits from orchards and basic supplies for the castle. Records show the main farmhouse was in bad shape by 1368.
The Common Land
Between 1515 and 1534, the land of Erbury Manor, including the camp, was given to help the poor people of Clare. This area became known as Erbury Garden. By 1580, the land was used to fund local poor relief.
However, in 1609, King James I gave the land to Sir Henry Bromley. This was part of a trend where common lands were being taken over. After a long legal fight, the land was returned to Clare. But the legal costs meant it had to be rented out at high prices. This left little money for the poor.
By the 1860s, most of the people renting the land were tradesmen, not the poor. In 1874, the people in charge allowed the local vicar to fence off part of the common. He wanted to make his garden bigger, not graze his cows. This caused a big public protest. People tore down the fences. The police were called, and about 100 women and children marched, singing the Clare Common Ballad. The fences were torn down two more times. After a public inquiry, the land was finally returned to benefit the poor.
In 1723, two cottages were moved to the lower common. They were used as pest houses for people with diseases like bubonic plague and smallpox. When there were no outbreaks, the cottages could be rented out. If someone got sick, the tenant would move, and the church would pay their rent. The house inside the camp was taken down by 1884. The second house, just outside the camp, lasted until 1960.
Today, the entire common is open to everyone. It is managed as a charity called Common Pasture. The lower common is still leased for cows to graze from Easter to November.
Local Area Around the Camp
To the north of Clare Camp is Sheepgate Lane. This is a deeply sunken track that follows the outer edge of the camp. It was probably a medieval drove road, used to move animals. A similar deep lane, Long Lane, is south of Clare. These roads show how important Clare was as a market town.
To the south of the camp is Common Street. Before the 1600s, this was a large quarry. It provided flint and gravel for important buildings in Clare, like the Church and the Castle.
