Information on the army, its sites and the history of the province are arranged as separate sections that follow this introduction.
Descriptions, reconstructions and plans of the different types of sites
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Introduction |
Information on the army, its sites and the history of the province are arranged as separate sections that follow this introduction. Descriptions, reconstructions and plans of the different types of sites |
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The army that invaded Britain in 43 AD at the command of the Emperor Claudius differed in structure from the one that gradually slipped under local control as the province became independent in the fifth century. Changes in the army and the circumstances it found itself in are also reflected in the types of sites the army used and the structures it built. Timber and earth forts some intended for one winter's or summer's use during the first century became more permanent structures built or rebuilt in stone. During the second and third centuries they were given towers to provide flanking fire along the walls as the army began to contemplate its bases coming under siege. And by the fourth century the classic playing card ground plan of forts was becoming replaced by irregular shapes that took advantage of defensive locations and begin to suggest medieval castle plans. Armies in the Ancient World had a range of functions. Fighting wars was only one and for many soldiers it would have been a rare experience. The Roman army in Britain acted as a police force, combating minor civil disorders or quelling cattle raids; was a tax enforcer; and provided skilled administrators and engineers to the provincial governor. The frontier systems should not be thought of as modern frontiers. They were not the equivalent of Iron Curtains between Empire and the barbarians, but zones that the army patrolled in and in front off to ensure that allied tribes lived in peace and that lawlessness did not encroach on the province. That lawlessness might be the modern equivalent of a single criminal or rarely an alliance of unfriendly tribes. When the army did campaign in force it might be because of the tensions caused by competing and proud cultures - native or Roman - or because of an Emperor's political or personal need for glory. |
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Britain was a province of the Roman Empire for 400 years. During that time the Roman army used over 550 sites as forts, temporary camps or depots. Some like the legionary fortresses at York and Chester were occupied for several hundred years, whilst at the other extreme some marching camps may have been used for a single night. Fortresses either about 20 hectares in size and holding a complete legion or smaller at around 10 - 15 hectares in size, and holding either a full legion or several of its cohorts, sometimes with auxiliary troops. The term 'vexillation fortresses' was coined by British archaeologists for these smaller sized sites, but in this gazetteer the single term 'fortress' is used Whether the smaller fortresses were built for a campaign (aestiva) or as winter quarters (hiberna) is not clear. The classic vexillation fortresses known so far are in the south of Britain and are more likely to be associated with campaigns in the pre-Flavian period and before the garrison had settled into the pattern that is broadly followed from 100 AD to the end of the Empire. . It is also possible that these 'fortresses' were occupied by brigaded auxiliary regiments. |
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Forts usually accommodating auxiliary units and around 1 - 3 hectares in size, though examples of under 1 ha and over 4 ha are known. Fortlets usually around 1 hectare, holding a century or more of an auxiliary unit but unlike forts with no headquarters building. Signal and Watch Towers often only 3 or 4 metres square, the terms are often used indiscriminately, but are usually taken to cover very small sites without significant barrack accommodation. Marching Camps overnight stops for armies or units on campaign and ranging from 45 hectares downwards. Practice Camps often close to forts where troops trained in building marching camps and in particular the most difficult part of the camps, the corners and entrances. Labour camps for troops building forts of which perhaps the best known are those close to Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall. Depots usually campaign stores bases; potteries, brick and tile works. Ore Workings gold in Mid Wales, lead in North Wales and the Pennines and iron in the Weald of Kent and Sussex and Devon and Somerset. Military presence which is used where there is evidence of Roman military personnel but the type of site can not be identified. |
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