The Roman Wall: A historical, topographical, and descriptive account of the barrier of the lower isthmus, extending from the Tyne to the Solway, deduced from numerous personal surveysBruce, J. Collingwood (John Collingwood)
History
The Roman Wall: A historical, topographical, and descriptive account of the barrier of the lower isthmus, extending from the Tyne to the Solway, deduced from numerous personal surveys
Bruce, J. Collingwood (John Collingwood)
Great Britain -- Antiquities, Roman; Walls, Roman -- Great Britain
The camp on the northern face of the hill has been constructed upon the
same principle, but is in a less perfect condition. It is of the same
length, but has only half its breadth. A covered way conducts from the
one to the other. It is probable that both these camps have been the
summer quarters, _castra æstiva_, of the garrison at Middleby. So
important a position would not, however, at any period of the year be
abandoned to the enemy; 'when not filled with the tents of its summer
inhabitants, it is probable that a small garrison was maintained on its
summit.'[133]
[Sidenote: CAMP AT PLUMPTON.]
_PLUMPTON._—Several camps south of the line, and at nearly equal
distances from the Wall and from one another, added security to the
fortification in the western district. Plumpton, or Old Penrith, called
in the locality by the common name of Castlesteads, is a large station
about thirteen miles south of Carlisle. The conjecture of Horsley
ascribed to it, the name of BREMETENRACUM. The turnpike-road goes close
past it, as did the ancient Roman way which led from LUGUVALLIUM to the
south of Britain. The station presents the usual characteristics of a
Roman camp. Though not much elevated, it is sufficiently raised to enjoy
a most extensive view of the surrounding country. The western side is
the strongest, being protected by the deep but narrow valley in which
the river Peterel flows. Its ramparts are boldly marked, and the
interior of the station is filled up to their level by a mass of
prostrate habitations. The largest heap of ruins is on the north-east
quarter; it may be the remains of the pretorium. The fosse is well
defined on the north, south, and west sides. Enough of the eastern gate
remains to shew that it has been a double portal. One stone of the
threshold yet retains its position; it is worn by the feet of the
ancient tenants of the city, and is circularly chafed by the action of
the door in opening and shutting. Several very large stones, which have
been used in the construction of the south gateway, lie near their
original site—some of them yet exhibit the holes in which the pivots of
the doors turned. The line of the street, which went from the eastern to
the western gateway (_via principalis_), is discernible. On the outside
of the south-east corner of the station, an arched chamber, or passage,
was discovered a few years ago; but it is now filled up with rubbish.
[Sidenote: OLD PENRITH.]
Extensive remains of ancient foundations have been removed from the
field on the east of the station; here, according to tradition, Old
Penrith stood. There are also indications of suburban buildings to the
west of the station. In the neighbourhood of the camp, and even at some
distance from it, we meet, in the houses and stone fences, with such a
number of the small neat stones which were usually employed in the
construction of Roman dwellings, as to impress us with the idea, that
the suburban buildings were very extensive in every direction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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