Reasons for Designation
Roman fortlets are small rectangular enclosures with rounded corners defined
by a fortified rampart of turf and earth with one or more outer ditches. The
ramparts were originally revetted at the front and rear by timber uprights in
shallow trenches and were almost certainly crowned with timber wall walks and
parapets.
Fortlets were constructed from the first century AD to at least the later
fourth century AD to provide accommodation for a small detachment of troops
generally deployed on a temporary basis of between one to two years and
supplied by a fort in the same area. The function of fortlets varies from
place to place; some were positioned to guard river crossings or roads,
particularly at vulnerable points such as crossroads, whilst others acted as
supply bases for signal towers. Roman fortlets are rare nationally with
approximately 50 examples known in Britain, half of which are located in
Scotland. As such, and as one of a small group of Roman military monuments
which are important in representing army strategy and therefore government
policy, fortlets are of particular significance to our understanding of the
period and all surviving examples are considered nationally important.
Details
The monument is a Roman fortlet located on the summit of a low hillock a short
distance east of the A6 trunk road which here follows the line of the Roman
road which connected forts at Brougham (known to the Romans as Brocavum) and
Old Penrith (known to the Romans as Voreda). The northern half of the fortlet
is visible as cropmarks on an aerial photograph which clearly shows features
such as the infilled ditches which surround the site. Fortlets had fairly
standard layouts and plans and the visible information about the northern part
of this site provides sufficient information to allow the full extent of the
site to be defined. The site was rectangular with rounded corners and measures
approximately 48m by 50m. The ditch which defines the northern side of the
fortlet measures approximately 38m long but only about 14m of the east and
west ditches are visible.
All field boundaries and the surface of a farmtrack are excluded from the
scheduling although the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23673
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
