Three temporary camps at Farnley Grange

Reasons for Designation

Roman camps are rectangular or sub-rectangular enclosures which were constructed and used by Roman soldiers either when out on campaign or as practice camps; most campaign camps were only temporary overnight bases and few were used for longer periods. They were bounded by a single earthen rampart and outer ditch and in plan are always straight-sided with rounded corners. Normally they have between one and four entrances, although as many as eleven have been recorded. Such entrances were usually centrally placed in the sides of the camp and were often protected by additional defensive outworks. Roman camps are found throughout much of England, although most known examples lie in the midlands and north. Around 140 examples have been identified and, as one of the various types of defensive enclosure built by the Roman Army, particularly in hostile upland and frontier areas, they provide an important insight into Roman military strategy and organisation. All well-preserved examples are identified as being of national importance.

Although the Farnley camps do not survive as upstanding earthworks they remain clearly visible on aerial photographs and will retain significant information about their original form and date. Additionally, they lie close to Dere Street Roman road, the main road between York and Scotland, and will therefore contribute to an understanding of the Roman military conquest of the north.

Details

The monument includes the whole of one Roman temporary camp and the northern sections of two adjacent camps, located on a river terrace near the south bank of the Tyne near Farnley Grange. This group of sites lies 2km south east of the Roman fort at Corbridge. None of the camps survive as upstanding earthworks but they are clearly visible on aerial photographs; these have allowed their position and extent to be confirmed. Camp 1, the smallest and most westerly in the group, measures about 75m across and has a main north-south axis. Approximately half of the camp has been identified. However, its southern extent is obscured by the modern road (A695) and Farnley Grange. The central camp, 2, is about 100m across and also has a main north-south axis. About two thirds of its interior has been identified, but again its southern extent has been obscured. The largest of the camps, 3, lies to the east of camps 1 and 2 and its full extent has been identified. It measures about 160m WSW to ENE by 120m. Unlike the two adjacent sites, its main axis lies east-west. Breaks in the enclosing defences visible on the aerial photographs are identified as gateways. The three camps lie very close to Dere Street, the principal Roman road between York and Scotland. The differing orientations of the camps reflect their subtle placing to exploit minor topographical features. The field boundaries which encroach onto the temporary camps are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath the boundaries is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

26000

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
St Joseph, J K, Journal of Roman Studies in Air Reconnaissance of North Britain, (1951), 53
St Joseph, J K, Journal of Roman Studies in Air Reconnaissance of North Britain, (1951), 53

End of official list entry

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