Richborough

RICHBOROUGH

(Portus Rutupiae)

Quality of Remains

Ease of Access

Atmosphere & Setting

History:

Portus Rutupiae (or the port in the muddy water) is generally reckoned to be the site of the landings in Britain during the Claudian invasion of 43 AD. From here Watling street begins its march across the country to Chester. The fort and its associated port were vital in the early years of Roman occupation and guarded the south end of the Wansum Channel, leaving it free as a shipping route, with Reculver at the far end. The fort buildings were replaced in stone during the 80s AD, at which time a massive triumphal arch was erected at the centre. This monument gradually fell into disrepair, perhaps indicating the declining importance of Richborough, being used in the mid third century as a grandiose signal tower. Its end came when the massive Saxon shore fort was constructed and the arch was demolished, its stone likely being reused in the building. The walls of this fort cut through a mansio (or waystation for Imperial officials) and a bathhouse was constructed over that part that lay inside the new fortress.

Occupation:

The only inscription evidence found at Richborough is extremely fragmentary and does not clearly label any unit that served at Rutupiae throughout its long existence. Onlt one, which reads 'LXIV' may refer to the number 64, but could refer to the 14th Legion, who were one of the four Legions that participated in the original invasion force. It is known from the Notitia Dignitatum that the garrison in the 4th century was the 2nd Legion Augusta, previously based at Caerleon.

Remains and Visit:

The earliest known remains in Roman Britain can be found here. Within the walls of the Saxon shore fort lie a set of double ditches in a straight line that have been traced further beyond the walls of the fort and constituted the defences of the bridgehead during the Claudian landings in 43 AD. In the centre of the site are an impressive set of ditches that enclosed the early fort and within them may be seen the cross-shaped base of the huge monumental arch that stood here. Surrounding that are the remains of shops and arcades and beyond the ditch are the remains of a Mansio that had undergone several phases of construction and rebuilding. These strucutres were all gone however when the massive walls of the Saxon shore fort were raised in the late 3rd century. These are the striking and outstanding remains of Richborough, surviving high and thick and ringed with ditches. Three sides of the circuit survive, the last having succumbed to land slides in the past. Large pieces of this other wall can be seen at the bottom of the hill near the railway tracks. Not far from Richborough lie the remains of an amphitheatre, though it appears only as a depression in the ground.

Images:


West wall	North postern gate	Mansio	Monument platform	Defensive ditches