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Alkborough,
or Aulkborough, 2.5 miles N. of Burton Stather, is a pleasant village
on the east side of the Trent Falls, the point where the broad united
waters of the Ouse and Trent take the name of Humber. It stands
near the northern termination of the long and lofty hill, or cliff,
from which it has its name. Its parish contains 492 souls,
and 2767a 1r. 15p., of land, including the hamlet of Walcot, in
which is Walcot Hall, a pleasant mansion, with beautiful grounds
on the cliff side, about a mile south of the village, commanding
extensive prospects, and built about 40 years ago by the late Thomas
Goulton, esq., but now the seat of his nephew, Marmaduke Constable,
Esq., the present lord of the manors of Alkborough-Hallgarth, and
Alkborough-Spalding Priory, which are parcels of the Duchy of Lancaster.
He is also owner of a great part of the soil; and the remainder
belongs to J. Dent Esq., and many smaller freeholders and copyholders;
the latter subject to certain small fines. On the summit of
Alkborough Hill, south of the town, is a circular Roman Labryinth,
called the Julian Bower; the winding trenches of which are often
threaded by visitors, and are still very distinct, though at least
14 centuries have elapsed since their formation. This maze,
like many others in this island, was constructed for the exercise
of one of the Roman games, introduced from Troy by Julus, the son
of Eneas. Adjacent to it, are traces of a large encampment,
which Stukeley considers the Aqius of Ravenus, and describes as
being 300 feet square, and having on its west side the steep cliff
overhanging the Trent, and commanding the entrance to that river.
The vallum and ditch may still be distinctly traced in what is now
called "Countess Close;" and during some recent
excavations, wrought stones were dug up, which had evidently been
jambs and mullions, and proving that a custrum, or watchtower, has
stood here to guard the entrance to the Trent and Ouse. Kell
Well is a remarkable spring, issuing from a cave in the cliff, overhanging
with trees, chiefly for the star stones found in its channel, and
said to be similar to those which were carried about by the ancients
as amulets, or lucky stones. the parish has generally a sandy
soil, and the low grounds near the Humber have been much improved
by warping.
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