ourpasthistory.com » England
Lanchester Roman Fort
Lanchester is one of those Roman locations you read about - and when you actually go to see it find there is nothing to see!
Lanchester Roman Fort was constructed about 140AD by the 20th legion. It served as supply fort on Dere Street during the Scottish Campaigns of the mid-2nd century but was to remain in use until the Roman withdrawal in about AD410.
Dere Street, built about AD80 was one of the most important roads in Roman Britain. It was originally a military supply route, running from York to the Firth of Forth. Later it became the main supply route to Hadrians Wall from the fortress at York.
A number of forts were built along its length. In County Durham there were forts at Piercebridge, Binchester, Lanchester and Abchester.
Corbridge, also on the line of the road was an important fort, supply depot and civilian settlement.
Dere Street remained in continuous use throughout the Roman period.
There was a sizeable civilian settlement to the east and south and Dere Street passed to the east. Water was brought to the fort in three aqueducts from four miles away. The fort was garrisoned continuously and during the 3rd century there were cavalry units at Lanchester raised from among the German tribes of the Suebones and the Lingones.
The rubble core is the wall, constructed in Herring bone fashion is all that now remains of the south western corner of the fort. The wall originally stood to a height of 15 feet (4.5m). There were four strongly defended fates into the fort and towers at each corner. Much of the fort was destroyed in the 18th century when the stone was taken away to build the enclosure walls in the surrounding fields
Only a very small part of the fort has been excavated and there is little to see on the surface – the fort lies on private land and access is not allowed.
Geomagnetic surveying
Geomagnetic surveying has been carried out by Durham University which has revealed the complete plan of the fort,This has shown that between the headquarters building and the northern wall is a double granary and a barrack block. The headquarters building (Principia) at the centre of the fort is visible as a rectangular stone structure measuring 29 metres square. The building faces east and is entered from a road ,the via praetoria, which can be seen leading towards the east gate.
The geomagnetic survey also showed wavy style marks which strongly suggest buttressed walls enclosing a courtyard – in view of the position of the building it is possibly the Commandants house although it has proved difficult to draw any firm conclusions as to the function of the building
Comment
Navigate for more: Sound Mirrors on the South Coast Corbridge Roman Fort and Town