Reasons for Designation
Ilkley Roman fort is one of approximately 150 known examples in England.
Construction of these forts began soon after the invasion of AD 43 and
continued into the fourth century. The distribution of forts reflects
areas where a military presence was necessary and the north of England,
acting as a buffer zone between barbarian tribes of northern Britian and
the Romanized southern half of the country, contained a large number of
these forts.
Because Ilkley was occupied for some 300 years the fort is known to
contain features relating to both its early turf and timber phase and
its reconstruction in stone. The whole of the remaining unexcavated area
of the fort contains the remains of contemporary Roman buildings and the
size and location of these structures can offer important evidence in
assessing the size of the garrison occupying Ilkley, the role this unit
played in the policing of the surrounding countryside, and the
relationship beween the army and the indigenous population. The part of
the site immediately to the west of the fort is known to contain at
least three defensive ditches each contemporary with a different
building phase. These are waterlogged and likely to preserve organic
remains such as wood, bone, pollen and leather.
Remains of an Anglo-Saxon presence at the site are also expected to lie
in the vicinity of All Saints Church and churchyard.
Details
Ilkley Roman fort occupied a strategically important position in the
mid-Pennines at the junction of Roman roads from Ribchester-York and
Manchester-Aldborough. Another road appears to have linked Ilkley with
Bainbridge. The fort controlled a crossing point of the River Wharfe and
lies on a plateau 100m south of and about 12m above the present river.
It was flanked by watercourses to east and west and rising ground to the
south. The fort displays five building phases and was occupied from
c.AD80 until about the end of the fourth century with a forty year
period of abandonment during the second century. Much of the fort now
lies below modern building. Church Street and New Brook Street overlie
part of the southern and eastern areas; All Saints Church and churchyard
occupy much of the central southern half; while Manor House Museum and
Castle Yard overlie large parts of the western side. Nineteenth century
cutting of Castle Road immediately north of the fort resulted in partial
destruction of the northern defences.
The now landscaped northern half of the fort has afforded most
opportunity for archaeological excavation. Here it was possible to
identify timber and stone structures typical of a Roman auxiliary fort
including stables, workshop, store, granaries, commanding officer's
house, drains, an oven, and the internal street arrangement. Excavation
through the defences discovered a turf rampart superseded by a stone
wall. The north gateway, a possible interval tower, and a post hole
suggesting a timber tower at the northwest angle of the fort were also
located. Part of the west wall of the fort has been left exposed for
public view and the west wall of Manor House Museum has been constructed
directly on the sixth course of in situ Roman masonry. Immediately
outside the west wall excavation revealed three defensive ditches each
compatible with different periods of fort construction.
All buildings on the site are excluded from this scheduling. However,
the remains beneath the buildings and churchyard are included. Three
Anglian stone cross shafts originally set in All Saints Churchyard but
now relocated inside All Saints Church beneath the tower are not
included in the scheduling. They are however Listed Grade I.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13401
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
