TOR DYKE, above Kettlewell, North Yorkshire SD 978 755. HER NO: MYD4145

Tor Dyke, above Kettlewell, North Yorkshire

Tor or Ta Dyke is a massive earthwork cut along a limestone outcrop at the head of Scale Park spanning the route from Kettlewell to Coverdale. The Dyke is an entrenchment which stretches from the middle slopes of Great Whernside across the pass to the middle slopes of Buckden Pike.

My own thoughts on this entrenchment are far from conclusive and can be found on p.44. 'BEYOND THE HILL OF WINDS',
JOURNEYS THROUGH BRIGANTIA, Volume 4 ( Aussteiger Publications).

To my limited knowledge (I last looked at this site over 20 years ago) there has been no archaeological investigation of the Dyke, or am I wrong?

What are the thoughts of others on this site?

Thre are very good pictures of Tor Dyke on: www.brigantesnation.com

Who go on to state the following:

"Around AD70 the rebel Brigantian Chief Venutius built the ditch of Tor Dyke close to Great Whernside as part of a defence system against Roman invasion. Despite a hold on other areas, (including Ingleborough and Gregory Scar north of Grassington), Venutius and his forces were overcome by the Romans." This reference was taken from one of Mike Harding's walking guides. A site visit to Gregory Scar has been performed, and although it has been dubbed "Fort Gregory" by the Dales Park Authority it does not appear to be much more than a small, very unusual settlement.

Tor Dyke appears to have been attributed to Venutius which dates it of the period AD 52 - 70. The presence of a legionary size marching camp a few miles to the southwest at Malham certainly indicates an active role in the Roman advance of AD 70. However, given the lack of published research so far a clear picture has yet to emerge.

Also: HER No: MYD4145 states: www.outofoblivion.org.uk

Tor Dyke is a linear earthwork about 2000 metres long situated across a valley head guarding access from Upper Wharfedale into Coverdale. It consists mainly of an artificial ditch cut into the base of a vertical limestone scar. Part way along, the scar finishes, and from here the line is strengthened and continued by a substantial artificial rampart averaging 1.8 metres in height. Gaps in both rampart and ditch at this point may be the site of an original entrance.

The dyke is now believed to be the north eastern boundary of the Dark Age kingdom of Craven and once formed a line between Anglian invaders and native territories.
Source:
White, Robert (2002) The Yorkshire Dales. A Landscape Through Time. Ilkley: Great Northern Books



You see, nothing conclusive


john

Thank you John, vesy interesting article you have here. I had not heard of this feature before, but it sounds fascinating. Hope to see you next Saturday, just waiting for my friend to let me know whether he's coming along. Ray.

Hello John, although I bought a CD Rom of this and it will let me search but it will not let me highlight copy and print
but it can't stop me pressing the "print screen key"

from the bottom of page 335

and onto 336

not much but I hope it helps ? let me know if you want any more
cheers Danny

Thanks Danny for another piece of the jigsaw - each adds to a greater picture.

john

lowergate wrote:Thanks Danny for another piece of the jigsaw - each adds to a greater picture.

john

just came across this :-

Whittaker’s History of Craven
In 1410 Ralph, Earl of Westmoreland, was granted a licence by Henry IV to enclose 300 acres by Kettlewell. Ralph was a Neville and owned Middleham Castle. Whittaker writes “this is the origin of Scale Park, now divided into two enclosures and so-called from a long and steep ascent within it from Craven to Coverdale”.
Walking along the eastern escarpment it is clear that the whole area is a natural enclosure except at the Northern end. The dyke was dug to complete the enclosure and connect the steep Eastern and Western valley sides.
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I'm going to the shorn cross, which is near by soon, (when it stops raining !) so will take some photo's of the dyke as well
cheers John and all, Danny

As promised some Tor Dyke photo's



















cheers all Danny