Not many people know about Blackdown Rings – unless you’re local to the Modbury area, it would probably never occur to you to seek out this sequestered field near the hamlet of Hazelwood. Its hillocks and hedgerows are today patronised primarily by the area’s four-legged outdoors enthusiasts (and their human companions). It’s plain to see what attracts the locals; the site commands majestic views across South Devon, a panoramic of green hills rolling among the river valleys. The breathtaking vista also hints at the hidden history of the site – this current dogs’ playground was once an Iron Age hillfort, and later an imposing Norman Castle.
It’s not hard to understand why Blackdown Rings was chosen for a fortress by our Iron Age forbears. Geologically, the area sits atop the Straddon Grits – a much harder bedrock than the neighbouring Devon slate – making it one of the highest points south of Dartmoor. As a result, Blackdown enjoys excellent overwatch of the landscape in a South-West-to-South-East Arc. In the first millennium BCE, this could have been vital for survival. The early British Iron Age (approx. 800 – 400 BCE) was a time of significant environmental pressures, with a change to cooler and wetter conditions likely making resources scarce. This seems to have led to inter-tribal conflict, in which the only thing more important than stealing your enemies’ crops and livestock was protecting your own. Hence the proliferation of hillforts – nature’s strategic vantage points, fortified with earthworks and wooden palisades. Blackdown rings was just such a site. To whatever tribe occupied the surrounding land, Blackdown was likely their best strategic location, a high point that was close to farmland, pasture, and a fresh water source (the River Avon). As such, people and resources could be gathered there quickly in times of threat.
As with other hillforts, Blackdown had defences cut into it in the form of large trenches and earthen walls, probably reinforced with wooden walls and sharpened stakes, enclosing a central area where buildings may have been erected to shelter people, stores, and livestock. The remains of these prehistoric earthworks can still be seen today, though the trees and bushes with which they are now peppered would never have been allowed to grow in ancient times – maintaining a clear line of sight was crucial for the defenders. Whether Blackdown ever saw any great prehistoric sieges or tribal battles, we can only wonder – there is no evidence to tell us, at least not yet.
It is similarly unknown if the site saw any continued use between the end of the Iron Age and the Norman Conquest. But when William the Conqueror’s forces arrived in Devon after 1066, Blackdown Rings was still impressive enough to be exploited by his forces. After all, the local Anglo-Saxons were liable to revolt – in 1068 they had risen up in Exeter, only a day’s march away – so the new rulers prioritised strong defences. The construction of these fortifications was the responsibility of the local lord, who held his land from the King. The Domesday book records that the Manors of Loddiswell and Totnes, including Blackdown, were held by one Judhael, a Breton Lord loyal to King William. It was likely that he ordered the construction of a motte and bailey castle on Blackdown Rings. The Iron Age earthworks were likely restored and strengthened, and a bailey (a central stronghold – likely a wooden tower in this case) constructed on the highest vantage point, with a motte immediately surrounding it. It was a tried-and-tested fortress template, which the Normans used throughout England to physically impose their new dominion.
Along with nearby Totnes Castle, Blackdown Rings was intended as a striking statement of Norman control in the South Hams. It is possible that Judhael’s strategy was to have Totnes Castle dominating the region’s principal town, whilst Blackdown controlled the near countryside – a road network would almost certainly have connected them as it does today, making mutual reinforcement possible within a few hours. With these two fortresses operational, Judhael would have been confident of enforcing his lordship throughout the region. His creations seem to have served their purpose – there is no record of him or his successors ever facing serious rebellion.
It does not seem that Blackdown Rings’ fortifications were ever converted to stone. This would eventually have made it redundant, and soon enough it was abandoned – perhaps in the 12th century, when Totnes Castle was made into stone. At that point it would have made sense to consolidate local military resources in the stronger fortress. Whatever infrastructure remained at Blackdown would have been pillaged by the locals, and the empty site would quickly have been put to agricultural use. What remained of the earthworks was left to nature, but they never disappeared entirely.
Today a couple of information plaques stand on the site to greet the occasional history enthusiast who finds themselves rubbing shoulders with the dog walkers. A small (free) car park accommodates both kinds of visitors. You too can walk these ancient earthworks, take in the far-reaching views, and picture the fortress that once dominated the South Hams – a silent witness to centuries of history.
Mike Edwardson is a professional analyst and writer with an MA in History from The University of Sheffield. Passionate about uncovering the lesser-known stories of British history, Mike combines his analytical skills with a love for storytelling to bring the past to life.
Published: 13th March 2025.
