LANCASTER (Calunium)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History:

Though there may have been an earlier fort on the site, the earliest attested remains date from the Trajanic period and possibly mark a Roman response to the various troubles caused by the rebellious Brigantes at this time. The troubles are further evidenced by fire damage in the Antonine era, with rebuilding work in the Severan period and under Gallienus. The fort may have been altered to (or replaced by) a Saxon shore fort in the 4th century akin to those at Cardiff and on the south east coast. The ditch visible in the remains of the bath house marks the reduction of the fort in the 4th century following the change of the garrison from cavalry to infantry.

Occupation:

The 3rd Century garrison is named as the Ala of Sebosian Gauls, a cavalry unit of Gauls from the Loire valley in France. At some point, probably also in the third century, an irregular unit of boatmen were based here, in addition to the main garrison (Numerus Barcariorum). By the 4th century, the mounted unit here had been replaced by the 3rd Cohort of Nervians, as mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum.

Remains and Visit:

The only remains to have survived of Roman Lancaster are the excavated but neglected bath house lying in the vicarage field near the priory, and the nearby 'wery wall', which contains part of the fortress wall.

Images:

Baths