But, though it cannot be positively ascertained that this spot was the Roman BANOVALLUM; yet, as the name most evidently points out a fortification on the river Bane, there appears little reason to question it; both from its contiguity to the colony of LINDUM, with which place it had communication by means of a military road; as also from its situation; particularly as no other remains of the Romans have been discovered on that river, nor yet any near to it, except some coins at the village of Ludford, where the Bane has its source; and traces of an encampment at Tattershall, more than a mile distant from its banks. {5a} In what circumstances this station was involved from the final subjugation of the Britons by Agricola, under whose paternal government the province felt some portion of enjoyment in cultivating the arts of peace, is not known: but, from the evidence of antiquities, it is perceptible that it continued a place of importance down to the period when the Romans in the decline of their empire had withdrawn from Britain; though probably, in the security of a long abstraction from war, its military strength was somewhat disregarded. No sooner however had the necessities and the mistaken policy of the enervated inhabitants, again left to themselves, called to their assistance the warlike Saxons, against the eruptions of the northern barbarians, than we find this place agitated, in common with the rest of the country, by all the calamities which were connected with the desperate contests which ensued: the Britons having to struggle for liberty, against the eagerness for dominion on the part of the victorious Saxons. These people, according to the practice which prevailed amongst them of changing the names of Roman stations, gave to this place the appellation of HYRNCASTRE or HORNECASTRE, from its situation in an angle formed by the junction of the two rivers, which denotes a fortification in a corner, of which the present name HORNCASTLE is evidently a corruption. The Roman fortress was at that time either destroyed, or in a very dilapidated state: for Horsa, the Saxon general and brother of Hengist is stated to have enstrengthened the fortress of Horncastle. This fortification however did not continue long; for Horsa being defeated in an engagement with the Britons, under the command of Raengeires, at the neighbouring village of Tetford, Vortimer king of the Britons caused it to be beaten down and rendered defenceless. {5b} THE MANOR. BY the record called Domesday, compiled towards the latter end of the reign of William the Conqueror, it appears that the manor of Horncastle, previous to the close of the Saxon Government, belonged to Editha the queen of Edward the Confessor; but at the time of making that survey, it formed, together with the soke, part of the possessions of the king. {6a}