Basco Dyke, Ainstable

Has been described as a Possible Linear Defence or Dyke

There are no visible remains

NameBasco Dyke, Ainstable
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCumberland
Modern AuthorityCumbria
1974 AuthorityCumbria
Civil ParishAinstable

All traces of dyke supposed to fence cultivated land near Eden and Croglin water have vanished. (Perriam and Robinson)

Gatehouse Comments

This area was susceptible to cattle raiding so defences that slowed down the taking of cattle and which allowed a time to mount up and respond could have been of value although the amount of effort need to construct it would be considerable and it may have been an intended work or a work of relatively slight construction, since there are no remains. It is also possible this was not a defensive feature at all but an earthwork connected to deer coursing or hunting or merely a feature designed to prevent stock straying. Map reference is for a house called Bascodyke, one of three with a Bascodyke name within half a mile of each other.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY529452
Latitude54.7995414733887
Longitude-2.73322010040283
Eastings352900
Northings545200
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Perriam, Denis and Robinson, John, 1998, The Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 29) p. 118
  • Curwen, J.F., 1913, Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 13) p. 192

Journals

  • Graham, T.H.B., 1913, 'The Townfields of Cumberland. Part II' Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Vol. 13 p. 30 online copy