Roman Military Sites in Britain

The Gazetteer is organised by Counties and unitary authorities, preceded by summaries of groups of sites: frontiers and industrial areas.

Frontiers and industrial areas • Channel Islands • Buckinghamshire • Cornwall • Devon • Dorset • Essex • Gloucestershire • Hampshire • Hertfordshire • Kent • London • Norfolk • City of Plymouth • City of Portsmouth • North Somerset • Somerset • Suffolk • Surrey • East Sussex • West Sussex • Swindon • Wiltshire •

English names, Roman names where known, four figure map reference, site type, size, and history, including garrisons and associated military units.

Where there is uncertainty over identification of an element a ? is used after the element: a ? before a Roman name means that the form of the name is uncertain, but that it is linked to that site.

Provides access to the references given for sites. These are not comprehensive, but provide the detail required to judge the existence of a site and provide links to complete bibliographies.




		Introduction	The Gazetteer is organised by Counties and unitary authorities, preceded by summaries of groups of sites: frontiers and industrial areas. Frontiers and industrial areas • Channel Islands • Buckinghamshire • Cornwall • Devon • Dorset • Essex • Gloucestershire • Hampshire • Hertfordshire • Kent • London • Norfolk • City of Plymouth • City of Portsmouth • North Somerset • Somerset • Suffolk • Surrey • East Sussex • West Sussex • Swindon • Wiltshire • English names, Roman names where known, four figure map reference, site type, size, and history, including garrisons and associated military units. Where there is uncertainty over identification of an element a ? is used after the element: a ? before a Roman name means that the form of the name is uncertain, but that it is linked to that site. Provides access to the references given for sites. These are not comprehensive, but provide the detail required to judge the existence of a site and provide links to complete bibliographies.
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FRONTIERS AND INDUSTRIES	Saxon Shore	Eleven forts (Brancaster, Caister, Burgh Castle, Walton Castle, Bradwell, Reculver, Richborough, Dover, Lympne, Pevensey and Portchester) are known, built from the mid 3rd to the early 4th century, that housed the garrison that is listed as being under the command of the Duke of the Saxon Shore in the Notitia Dignatatum. A fort at Skegness, the site now under the North Sea, has also been suggested as part of this group. If it functioned as a frontier system there must have been a series of watch towers and signal stations to communicate between the forts, but none are known for certain. Towers have been suggested at Thornham, Corton, Hadleigh and Shadwell. Another view is that the sites are fortified harbours rather than a Limes, linked to supplying the northern frontier zone. Not all the sites in the Notitia have been definitely identified with the known sites. Similar forts are known in Wales - Cardiff and Caer Gybi - and at Lancaster in northern England; see Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex for detailed entries
	Blackdown Hills Iron	Roman involvement, circa 50-70AD, in iron extraction and smelting in the Blackdown Hills that straddle the Somerset/Devon border has been suggested as one reason for the concentration of military sites in the area. See Devon and Somerset.
	Wealdon Iron Industry	The presence of tiles stamped CL BR indicates that the Classis Britannica was closely involved in at least part of the iron industry in the Weald. Only sites with a strong claim to military involvement are listed, see East Sussex and Kent for detailed entries.
	Mendip Silver and Lead	Lead from the Mendips was extracted by the army under Claudius and Nero. By the early 60s AD operations may have been under civilian control. See Somerset and North Somerset for detailed entries.

CHANNEL ISLANDS Alderney	The Nunnery WA 5908	Late Roman fortlet? similar to those on the Yorkshire coast

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE	Cow Roast SP9510	Fort?
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE	Dropshort Magiovinium SP8833	Site with two forts both pre-Flavian?
	Walton Court SP8118	Fort?

CORNWALL	Calstock SX4369	Fort, 1st century? Possibly related to silver mining, close to the river Tamar
	Carvoda SX3478	Fortlet?
	Carvossa SW9148	Roman military presence?
	Morwenstow SS2014	Fortlet?
	Nanstallon SX0367	1.0 ha fort built around 50 AD and abandoned by early 80s AD.
	Restormel SX1061	1.0 ha fort, appears to date from mid-1st century.
	St Gennys SX1394	Fortlet?

DEVON	Alverdiscott SS4925	Small pre-Flavian marching camp
DEVON	Axminster SY2997	Neronian - Flavian (?) fort, c 2.5 ha
	Broadbury SX4895	Fortlet?
	Broadclyst see Killerton
	Bury Barton SS7307	Large pre-Flavian fort that was succeeded by a smaller one that in turn was abandoned early in the Flavian period.
	Clayhanger ST0021	Fort of 1.1 ha
	Colebrooke SS7700	Fort?
	Cullompton ST0107	Site with two forts of mid to late 1st century date, the second fort was probably the larger
	Exeter Isca Dumnoniorum SX9192	Legionary fortress, 15.4 ha (the smallest permanent fortress known in Britain), built c 55 AD and retained by the army until the late 1st century. Most of the garrison may have left c 66AD. Garrisoned by Legio II Augusta but with accommodation for two ala (?).
	Hembury ST1103	Fort?
	Higher Kingdon See Alverdiscott
	Ide SX8888	Fortlet
	Killerton SS9700	Fort?
	Lapford see Bury Barton
	Martinhoe SS6649	Neronian fortlet, 0.1 ha. Took over the role of Old Burrow? Occupied into the late 1st century.
	Newton Tracey SS5326	Fortlet or watch tower?
	North Tawton SX6699	2.6 ha fort of mid 1st century date, with annex. Also a two phase fortlet? that was reduced from 0.6 ha?
	SX6600	Two? marching camps
	Okehampton SX5996	1.3 ha fort of mid 1st century? date that was held until c 80 AD. Fortlet
	Old Burrow SS7849	Claudian fortlet, 0.1 ha. Its role taken by Martinhoe in Nero's reign?
	Pomeroy Wood SY1399	Military site exact type and purpose described as unknown by the excavator, suggested occupation period of mid-60s-80AD.
	Seaton SY2490	Military presence?
	Stoke Hill SX9295	Pre-Flavian fortlet
	Sourton Down SX5491	Fortlet?
	Tiverton SS9514	1.5 ha, fort, with two occupation periods c 65 AD and early 70s
	Woodbury see Axminster

DORSET	Black Down see Winterbourne Steepleton
	Candy's Farm SY9998	Possible signal station?
	East Holton SY9591	Possible forts?
	Dorchester Durnovaria SY6890	Pre-Flavian fortress of II Augusta?
	Hamworthy SZ0090	Pre-Flavian military harbour. A depot for the Lake Farm fortress?
	Hod Hill ST8510	1.8 ha pre-Flavian fort in a hillfort. Garrisoned by part of Legio II Augusta and auxiliaries?
	Keynston Down ST9205	Fortlet?
	Lake see Lake Farm
	Lake Farm SY9899	11.7 ha pre-Flavian fortress with two occupation periods
	Shapwick ST9402	Fort?
	Waddon Hill ST4401	Pre-Flavian fort in a hillfort. Garrison may have included part of Legio II Augusta?
	Winterbourne Steepleton SY6088	Fortlet?

ESSEX	Bradwell Othona TM0308	Saxon Shore fort, in the late 4th century garrisoned by Numerus Fortensium.
	Chelmsford Caesaromagus TL7006	Claudian fort?
	Colchester Camulodunum TL9925	Claudian legionary fortress, 20 ha that was abandoned c 49 AD when its, garrison, Legio XX Valeria Victrix, moved to Kingsholm.
	Fingringhoe Wick TM0519	Claudian military harbour associated with the Colchester fortress?
	Great Chesterford TL5043	Neronian? small fortress, 14.2 ha. If the dating is correct the site may be associated with the Boudica rebellion.
	Gosbecks see Stanway
	Hadleigh TQ8187	Signal tower? suggested as part a Saxon Shore system
	Kelvedon Canonium TL8618	Pre-Flavian fort?
	Stanway TL9622	Claudian fort, c 2.0 ha, garrisoned by Ala I Thracum? Close to Colchester, the fort was probably founded before the legionary fortress.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE	Cirencester Corinium Dobunnorum SP0201	Two successive forts of mid - late 1st century the garrisons of which are unknown. The names of units recorded at Cirencester come from two gravestones that are not linked to the forts - Ala Indiana Gallorum (mid or late 1st century?) and Ala I Thracum (late 1st century).
	Gloucester Glevum SO8318	Fort? of pre-Flavian date, occupied by Cohors VI thracum Equitata? (see Kingshom). Neronian fortress, 17 ha, garrisoned by Legio XX c67- 75 AD.
	Kingsholm SO8319	Fort? of pre-Flavian date, occupied by Cohors VI thracum Equitata? (see Gloucester) Claudian fortress, occupied by Legio XX Valeria Victrix and abandoned when the legion moved to Usk late 50s AD.

HAMPSHIRE	Silchester SU6561	Claudian Legionary fortress of II Augusta?
	Bitterne Clausentum SU4313	Early military building? Late empire coastal fort?

HERTFORDSHIRE	Northchurch SP9709	Military presence?
HERTFORDSHIRE	St Albans Verulamium TL1307	Early Claudian fort, abandoned c 49 AD? when Legio XX's army group moved to the south-west Midlands?

KENT	Canterbury Dubris TR3141	Fort?
	Dover Dubris TR3141	Fort for the Classis Britannica started c 117 AD, but never finished. A second also for the fleet was built c 130 AD. Occupation of the site by the navy appears to be linked with periods of relative peace in northern Britain when the fleet was concentrated in the south. A third fort dates from the late 3rd century and was part of the Saxon Shore. Its garrison during the late 4th century was Milites Tungrecani.
	Folkestone TR2136	Villa site where tiles produced by Classis Britannica suggest a connection with the fleet, possibly the Prefect's house? The site has been destroyed by sea erosion.
	Little Farningham Farm TQ8035	Iron working site? Tiles produced by Classis Britannica found on the site.
	Lympne Portus Lemanis TR1134	Fort? garrisoned by the Classis Britannica late 1st - early 2nd centuries. Saxon Shore fort occupied late 3rd - 4th centuries and garrisoned by Numerus Turnacensium (late 4th century).
	Reculver Regulbium TR2269	Small Claudian fort? that was succeeded by a Flavian fort. Saxon Shore fort built during the 3rd century and garrisoned by Cohors I Baetasiorum civium Romanorum ob virtutem et fidem.
	Richborough Rutupiae TR3260	Claudian temporary camp, the bridgehead fort(?) for the invasion in 43 AD, though not large enough for the whole army. This temporary camp was succeeded by a stores base. In the mid 3rd century century a triumphal arch of late 1st century date (built to mark the completion of the conquest of Britain) was converted into a watch tower. The tower was demolished when the Saxon Shore fort was built at the end of the 3rd century. During the 4th century the garrison was the successor to the Legio II Augusta (Legio Secundes Britones) now reduced to the typical late-Empire sized legion of around 1,000 men.

LONDON	Cripplegate Londinium TQ3281	Fort for the governor's guards (Singulares) and other military personnel attached to his staff, from the early 2nd - ? century.
	Shadwell TQ3580	A possible signal tower that has been suggested as being part a Saxon Shore system, but now believed to be a mausoleum.

NORFOLK	Brancaster Branodunum TF7844	Fort and fortlet? both pre-Flavian? Followed by 3.1 ha Saxon Shore fort occupied late 2nd - 4th century. Garrisoned by Cohors I Aquitanorum equitata (early 3rd century) and Equites Dalmatae Branodunenses (late 3rd century).
	Burgh Castle Garriannum (?) TG4704	2.6 ha Saxon Shore fort occupied from the late 3rd - 4th century. Garrisoned by Equites Stablesiani Garriannonenses (late 4th century)
	Caister Garriannum (?) TG5112	3.5 ha Saxon Shore fort built in the early 3rd century
	Caister St Edmunds Venta Icenorum TG2303	A legionary fortress may underly the Roman town, if so it is likely to date from the immediate aftermath of the Boudican rebellion
	Horstead TG2519	9.5 ha marching camp
	Saham Toney see Woodcock Hall
	Swanton Morley TG0119	Claudian fort(s) and/or marching camp(s)?
	Thornham TF7343	Signal tower? and suggested as part a Saxon Shore system
	Threxton see Woodcock Hall
	Woodcock Hall TF8900	Claudian fort, suggested from coin evidence as dating from the first Iceni insurrection in 49AD A larger and presumed later fort is close by, possibly post-Boudican date?

CITY OF PLYMOUTH	Mount Batten SX4853	Military presence?

CITY OF PORTSMOUTH	Portchester SU6204	Saxon Shore fort that was occupied from the late 3rd - early 5th century and garrisoned by Numerus Exploratorum (late 4th century).

NORTH SOMERSET	Charterhouse ST5055	Pre-Flavian fortlet, associated with the silver and lead mining supervised by legio II Augusta. There may be two occupation periods.
	ST 5056	Lead extraction site (see also Somerset)
	Sea Mills Abona ST5575	Pre-Flavian military harbour

SOMERSET	Cadbury Castle ST6225	Roman military presence, fort?
SOMERSET	Chewton Mendip ST5751	Lead extraction site (see also Charterhouse,)
	Priddy ST5450	Lead extraction site (see also Charterhouse,)
	Ham Hill ST4717	Pre-Flavian fort?
	Norton Fitzwarren ST1825	Marching camp, 0.6 ha
	South Cadbury see Cadbury Castle
	Vellow ST0938	Military presence?
	Wiveliscombe ST0927	Pre-Flavian fort

SUFFOLK	Baylham House Combretovium TM1152	2.1 ha pre-Flavian fort that was succeeded by another pre-Flavian fort of 5.8 ha. This latter one dating from the Boudican rebellion?
	Corton TM5497	Signal tower? Suggested as being part a Saxon Shore system.
	Ixworth TL9369	4.0 h pre-Flavian fort. Constructed in the aftermath of the Boudican rebellion?
	Stuston TM1478	Temporary camp?
	Walton Castle TM3235	Small Saxon Shore fort, the site has been completely eroded away by the North Sea.

SURREY	Staines Pontibus TQ0371	Fort?

EAST SUSSEX	Bardown TQ6629	Iron working site with pottery and tile works that was operated by the Classis Britannica mid 2nd - end 2nd century. Remained in use as accomodation for the workforce at the satellite sites until late 3rd century. See also Coalpit Wood and Holbeanwood.
EAST SUSSEX	Beauport Park TQ7814	Iron working site from 2nd - 3rd century. Operated by the Classis Britannica.
	Bodiam Harbour TQ7825	Harbour associated with iron working in the Weald. Operated from the 2nd - 3rd century by the Classis Britannica.
	Coalpit Wood TQ6528	Iron working site, a satellite of Bardown. Operated from the end 2nd - late 3rd century by the Classis Britannica.
	Holbeanwood TQ6630	Iron working site, a satellite of Bardown. Operated from the end 2nd - late 3rd century by the Classis Britannica.
	Pevensey Anderitum TQ6404	Saxon Shore fort of late 3rd - 4 th century date;. At the end of the 4th century the garrison was Numerus Abulcorum. The Classis Anderetiana and Milites Anderetiani were presumably once the garrison, but by the late 4th century are based in Gaul.

WEST SUSSEX	Chichester Noviomagus SU8604	Claudian fortress garrisoned by Legio II Augusta.
WEST SUSSEX	Fishbourne SU8304	Claudian military harbour. A depot for the Chichester fortress (?).

SWINDON	Wanborough SU1985	Pre-Flavian fort?

WILTSHIRE	Mildenhall Cunetio SU2169	Pre-Flavian military site?
WILTSHIRE	Nettleton ST8276	Pre-Flavian fort?