The Natural History of Selborne

As the Surveyor of Gosport-turnpike was mending the road in Rumsdean bottom, he found several Roman coins, one of which was silver.  Hence we may conclude that the remarkable entrenchments in that valley, whatever use may have been made of them since, were originally Roman.  There is a tradition that they were frequently occupied during the grand rebellion n the time of Charles the first, a period in which many skirmishes happened in these parts, as at Cherriton, Alton, &c.  These trenches must have been a post of consequence, because they are on a great road, & between large sloping woods.  At the S.W. end of this valley, towards Filmer-hill, in a place called Feather-bed-lane, are three large contiguous barrows which seem to indicate that near the spot some considerable battle must have been fought in former times.