Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T09:39:07.734Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Roman Fort at Bainbridge, Wensleydale: Excavations by B.R. Hartley on the Principia and a Summary Account of Other Excavations and Surveys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2012

Paul Bidwell
Paul Bidwell*
Affiliation:
TWM Archaeologypaul.bidwell@twmuseums.org.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Occupation at Bainbridge began in the governorship of Agricola. Little is known of the first fort; the visible remains represent a successor fort, established in c.a.d. 85 at the earliest, abandoned under Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, and reoccupied in c. a.d. 160. In the early Severan period, the size of the unit at the fort seems to have been greatly reduced in numbers, and a suite of rooms for an officer was inserted in the principia. Extensive work by cohors VI Nerviorum which took place in c. a.d. 205–7 included the building of new principia, the relocation of the east gate, and probably the addition of an annexe, its wall described in an inscription from the site as a bracchium. The fort was held until the end of the Roman period, by which time the principia had been partly demolished to provide space for a timber building probably accommodating the commanding officer. The aedes and part of the rear range seem to have stood until the ninth or tenth century, when the former was possibly converted into a church. Knowledge of this sequence of occupation depends largely on the results of Brian Hartley's excavations which are published here. The main focus of the report is on the remarkable series of principia, but a review of what is known of the overall archaeology of the fort is also included in the main text. The Supplementary Material (http://journals.cambridge.org/bri) contains a more detailed analysis of some of the other excavations together with various specialist reports.

Keywords

Roman armyBainbridgefortprincipiaaedescohors VI NerviorumBrian Hartley
Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 43 , November 2012 , pp. 45 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2012. Published by The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

With contributions by J. BAYLEY, A.T. CROOM, C. GARDNER and the late B.R. HARTLEY

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alföldi, M.R., Barkóczi, L., Fitz, J., Póczy, K. Sz., Radnóti, A., Salamon, Á., Sági, K., Szilágyi, J., and Vágó, E.B. 1957: Intercisa II (Dunapentele). Geschichte der Stadt in der Römerzeit, Budapest Google Scholar
Alföldy, G. 1969: ‘Ein praefectus der cohors VI Nerviorum in Britannia’, Collection Latomus (Hommages à Marcel Renard II) 102, 3–6 Google Scholar
Allason-Jones, L. 1996: Roman Jet in the Yorkshire Museum, York Google Scholar
Allason-Jones, L. 2002: ‘Small finds’, in Snape, M. and Bidwell, P., ‘The Roman fort at Newcastle upon Tyne’, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5th series, 31, 211–33Google Scholar
Allason-Jones, L. 2008: ‘The metalwork (excluding brooches and enamelled objects)’, in Cool and Mason 2008, CD 11.1–96Google Scholar
Anon 1905–6: ‘Pilgrimage along the line of the Roman Wall’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, 3rd series, 2, 277–96Google Scholar
Baatz, D. 1968: ‘Römische Wandmalereien aus dem Limeskastell Echzell, Kr. Büdingen (Hessen)’, Germania 46, 40–52 Google Scholar
Bayley, J. 1989: ‘Non-metallic evidence for metalworking’, in Maniatis, Y. (ed.), Archaeometry: Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium, Amsterdam, 291–303Google Scholar
Bayley, J. 1990: Evidence for Metalworking Datasheet 12, Finds Research Group 700–1700, Oxford Google Scholar
Bell, H.I., Martin, V., Turner, E.G., and van Berchem, D. 1962: The Abbinaeus Archive. Papers of a Roman Officer in the Reign of Constantius II, Oxford Google Scholar
Bidwell, P. 1985: The Roman Fort of Vindolanda, Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England Archaeological Report 1, LondonGoogle Scholar
Bidwell, P. 1991: ‘Later Roman barracks in Britain’, in Maxfield, V.A. and Dobson, M.J. (eds), Roman Frontier Studies 1989: Proceedings of the XVth International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies, Exeter, 9–15Google Scholar
Bidwell, P. 1996: ‘Some aspects of the development of later Roman fort plans’, Arbeia Journal 5, 1–18 = Zahariade, M. and Opriş, I.I.C. (eds), The Roman Frontier at the Lower Danube, 4th–6th Centuries, Studia Danubia, Pars Romaniae: Series Symposia 1 (1998), 59–75Google Scholar
Bidwell, P., and Hodgson, N. 2009: The Roman Army in Northern England, Kendal Google Scholar
Bidwell, P., and Snape, M. 2002: ‘The history and setting of the Roman fort at Newcastle upon Tyne’, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5th series, 31, 251–83Google Scholar
Bidwell, P., and Speak, S. 1994: Excavations at South Shields Roman Fort, Vol. I, Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne Monograph 4, Newcastle upon Tyne Google Scholar
Birley, A., and Blake, J. 2007: Vindolanda Research Report: The Excavations of 2005–2006, Bardon Mill Google Scholar
Birley, A.R. 1988: The African Emperor: Septimius Severus, London Google Scholar
Birley, A.R. 2005: The Roman Government of Britain, Oxford CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Birley, E.B., Richmond, I.A., and Stanfield, J.A. 1936: ‘Excavations at Vindolanda: third report’, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th series, 13, 218–57Google Scholar
Birley, R. 1962–3: ‘Excavations of a Roman fortress at Carpow, Perthshire, 1961–2’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 96, 184–207 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Birley, R. 1977: Vindolanda: A Roman Frontier Post on Hadrian's Wall, London Google Scholar
Birley, R. 2009: Vindolanda. A Roman Frontier Fort on Hadrian's Wall, Stroud Google Scholar
Blair, J. 2005: The Church in Anglo-Saxon Society, Oxford CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blake, J. 2001: Vindolanda Excavations 2000: The Southern Defences of Stone Fort Two, with the Circular Huts and Other Features, Carvoran Google Scholar
Bliquez, L.J. 1994: Roman Surgical Instruments and Other Minor Objects in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Mainz Google Scholar
Booth, P., Simmonds, A., Boyle, A., Clough, S., Cool, H.E.M., and Poore, D. 2010: The Late Roman Cemetery at Lankhills, Winchester. Excavations 2000–2005, Oxford Archaeological Monograph 10, Oxford Google Scholar
Breeze, D.J. 2005: ‘Destructions on Hadrian's Wall’, Arbeia Journal 8, 1–4 Google Scholar
Breeze, D.J., and Dobson, B. 1974: ‘Fort types as a guide to garrisons: a reconsideration’, in Birley, E., Dobson, B. and Jarrett, M.G. (eds), Roman Frontier Studies 1969, Cardiff, 13–19 Google Scholar
Breeze, D.J., and Dobson, B. 1985: ‘Roman military deployment in North England’, Britannia 16, 1–19 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cartwright, J.J. 1888: The Travels through England of Dr Richard Pococke, Vol. I, Camden Society 146 Google Scholar
Clarke, J. 1933: The Roman Fort of Cadder (near Glasgow), Glasgow Google Scholar
Collingwood, R.G. 1928: ‘Excavations at Brough-by-Bainbridge in 1926’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 1, 261–84Google Scholar
Collins, R. 2009: ‘Hadrian's Wall and the collapse of Roman frontiers’, in Morillo, Á., Hanel, N. and Martίn, E. (eds), Limes XX, XXth International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies, Anejos de Gladius 13, Vol. 1, Madrid, 181–97Google Scholar
Collins, R. 2010: ‘Brooch use in the 4th- to 5th-century frontier’, in Collins and Allason-Jones 2010, 64–77Google Scholar
Collins, R., and Allason-Jones, L. (eds), Finds from the Frontier: Material Culture in the 4th–5th Centuries, CBA Research Report 162, YorkGoogle Scholar
Cool, H.E.M. 1990: ‘Roman metal hair pins from southern Britain’, Archaeological Journal 147, 148–82CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cool, H.E.M. 2010: ‘A different life’, in Collins and Allason-Jones 2010, 1–9Google Scholar
Cool, H.E.M., and Mason, D.J.P. (eds) 2008: Roman Piercebridge: Excavations by D.W. Harding and Peter Scott 1969–1981, Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland Research Report 7, DurhamGoogle Scholar
Crummy, N. 1983: The Roman Small Finds from Excavations in Colchester 1971–9, Colchester Archaeological Report 2, Colchester Google Scholar
Dannell, G. 1998: ‘Brian Rodgerson Hartley. An appreciation, with contributions from his friends and relations’, in Bird, J. (ed.), Form and Fabric. Studies in Rome's Material Past in Honour of B.R. Hartley, Oxbow Monograph 80, Oxford, xi–xvi Google Scholar
Dearne, M.J. 1993: Navio: The Fort and Vicus at Brough-on-Noe, Derbyshire, BAR British Series 234, OxfordCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dobson, B. 1974: ‘Roman Durham’, Transactions of the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland 2, 31–43 Google Scholar
Droop, J.P. 1915: Archaeological Excavation, Cambridge Google Scholar
Droop, J.P. 1929: ‘Excavations at Brough-by-Bainbridge. First interim report, 1928’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 2, 77–92 Google Scholar
Droop, J.P. 1930: ‘Excavations at Brough-by-Bainbridge. Second interim report, 1929’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 2, 234–45Google Scholar
Droop, J.P. 1932: ‘Excavations at Brough-by-Bainbridge in 1931 and remarks on the Bainbridge finds 1928, 1929, 1931’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 3, 16–38 Google Scholar
Eckardt, H. 2002: Illuminating Roman Britain, Monographies Instrumentum 23, Montagnac Google Scholar
Fellmann, R. 1958: Die Principia des Legionslagers Vindonissa und das Zentralgebäude der römischen Lager und Kastelle, Brugg Google Scholar
Fellmann, R. 1976: ‘Le “camp de Dioclétien” à Palmyre et l'architecture militaire du Bas-Empire’, Mélanges d'histoire anciennes et d'archéologie offerts à Paul Collart, Cahiers d'Archéologie 5, 173–91Google Scholar
Fellmann, R. 2006: ‘Principia et praetorium’, in Reddé, M., Brulet, R., Fellmann, R., Haalebos, J.-K. and von Schnurbein, S. (eds), L'Architecture de la Gaule Romaine. Les fortifications militaires, Documents d'Archéologie Française 100, 89–105 Google Scholar
Frere, S.S., and Hartley, B.R. 2009: ‘Excavations at the Roman Fort at Bowes in 1966–7 and 1970’, in Frere, S.S. and Fitts, R.L., Excavations at Bowes and Lease Rigg Roman Forts, Yorkshire Archaeological Report 6, Leeds, 1–203Google Scholar
Giesler, U. 1978: ‘Jüngerkaiserzeitliche Nietknopfsporen mit Dreipunkthalterung vom Typ Leuna’, Saalburg Jahrbuch 35, 5–60 Google Scholar
Hanson, W.S. 2007: Elginhaugh: A Flavian Fort and its Annexe, Britannia Monograph 23, London Google Scholar
Hartley, B.R. 1960: ‘The Roman fort at Bainbridge: excavations of 1957–9’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 9, 107–31Google Scholar
Hartley, B.R. 1966: ‘Some problems of the Roman occupation of the north of England’, Northern History 1, 7–20 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hartley, B.R. 1966–8: ‘The Roman fort at Ilkley: excavations of 1962’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 12, 23–71 Google Scholar
Hartley, B.R. 1971: ‘Roman York and the northern military command to the third century A.D.’, in Butler, R.M. (ed.), Soldier and Civilian in Roman Yorkshire, Leicester, 55–69 Google Scholar
Hartley, B.R., and Dickinson, B.M. 2009: Names on Terra Sigillata, Vol. 5 (L to Masclus I), Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies Supplement 102, London Google Scholar
Hartley, B.R., and Fitts, R.L. 1988: The Brigantes, Gloucester Google Scholar
Henig, M. 2009: ‘The stonework and other building materials’, in Howard-Davis, C., The Carlisle Millennium Project: Excavations in Carlisle, 1998–2001. Vol. 2: The Finds, Lancaster Imprints 15, Lancaster, 869–72Google Scholar
Hodgson, J. 1840: History of Northumberland, Pt II, Vol. III, Newcastle upon Tyne Google Scholar
Hodgson, N. 1999: ‘The late-Roman plan at South Shields and the size and status of units in the late-Roman army’, in Gudea, N. (ed.), Roman Frontier Studies XVII 1997, Zalau, 547–54Google Scholar
Hodgson, N. 2001: ‘The origins and development of the Roman military supply-base at South Shields: an interim report on the results of excavations in the eastern quadrant and central area, 1990–2000’, Arbeia Journal 6–7 (for 1997–98), 25–36 Google Scholar
Hodgson, N. 2003: The Roman Fort at Wallsend (Segedunum). Excavations in 1997–8, Tyne and Wear Museums Monograph 2, Newcastle upon Tyne Google Scholar
Hodgson, N. 2008: ‘After the Wall-Periods: what is our historical framework for Hadrian's Wall in the twenty-first century?’, in Bidwell, P. (ed.), Understanding Hadrian's Wall, South Shields, 11–23 Google Scholar
Hodgson, N., and Bidwell, P. 2004: ‘Auxiliary barracks in a new light: recent discoveries on Hadrian's Wall’, Britannia 35, 121–57CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jarrett, M.G. 1994: ‘Non-legionary troops in Britain: Part One, the units’, Britannia 25, 35–77 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, A. 1983: Roman Forts, London Google Scholar
Johnson, S. 1983: Burgh Castle: Excavations by Charles Green, 1958–61, East Anglian Archaeology Report 20, Dereham Google Scholar
King, A. 1986: ‘Romano-British farms and farmers in Craven, North Yorkshire’, in T.G. Manby and P. Turnbull, Archaeology in the Pennines. Studies in Honour of Arthur Raistrick, BAR British Series 158, Oxford, 181–93Google Scholar
King, N.A. 1994: ‘Pottery objects’, in Williams, R.J. and Zeepvat, R.J., Bancroft. The Late Bronze Age and Iron Age Settlements, Roman Temple-Mausoleum and Roman Villa, Volume II, Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society Monograph 7, Aylesbury 360–1Google Scholar
Lins, P.A., and Oddy, W.A. 1975: ‘The origins of mercury gilding’, Journal of Archaeological Science 2.4, 365–74CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liversidge, J. 1968: Britain in the Roman Empire, London Google Scholar
Lloyd-Morgan, G. 1997: ‘The bronzes’, in Wenham, L.P. and Heywood, B., The 1968 to 1970 Excavations in the Vicus at Malton, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire Archaeological Report 3, Leeds, 133–44Google Scholar
Lloyd-Morgan, G. 2006: ‘Small copper alloy objects other than ornaments’, in Hurst, D. (ed.), Roman Droitwich: Dodderhill Fort, Bays Meadow Villa and Roadside Settlement, CBA Research Report 146, York, 196–200Google Scholar
Mackensen, M. 1994: ‘Die Innenbebauung und der Nordvorbau des spätrömischen Kastells Abusina/Eining’, Germania 72, 479–513 Google Scholar
Mackensen, M. 1999: ‘Late Roman fortifications and building programmes in the province of Raetia: the evidence of recent excavations and some new reflections’, in Creighton, J.D. and Wilson, R.J.A. (eds), Roman Germany: Studies in Cultural Interaction, Journal of Roman Archaeology Supplementary Series 32, 199–244Google Scholar
Manning, W.H. 1976: Catalogue of Romano-British Ironwork in the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne Google Scholar
Margary, I.D. 1967: Roman Roads in Britain (revised edn), London Google Scholar
Maxwell, G. 1971–2: ‘Excavations at the Roman fort of Crawford, Lanarkshire’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 104, 147–200 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miller, S.N. 1922: The Roman Fort of Balmuildy (Summerston, near Glasgow) on the Antonine Wall, Glasgow Google Scholar
Miller, S.N. 1928: The Roman Fort at Old Kilpatrick, Glasgow Google Scholar
Mould, Q., Anderson, A., and Isaac, A. 2002: ‘Iron objects from Catterick bypass (site 433)’, and ‘Iron objects from Catterick 1972 (site 434)’, in Wilson, P.R., Cataractonium: Roman Catterick and its Hinterland, 1958–1997, Part II, CBA Research Report 129, York, 82–106Google Scholar
Noddle, B. 1993: ‘Bones of larger mammals’, in Casey, P.J. and Davies, J.L., Excavations at Segontium (Caernarfon) Roman Fort 1975–6, CBA Research Report 90, London, 97–118 Google Scholar
O'Neil, B.H.StJ. 1932: ‘A Roman road south of Bainbridge’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 3, 39 Google Scholar
Paar, I., and Rüger, C. 1971: ‘Kastell Gelduba’, Rheinische Ausgrabungen 10, 242–339 Google Scholar
Padley, T. 2000: ‘The other Roman material’, in McCarthy, M.R., Roman and Medieval Carlisle: The Southern Lanes, Department of Archaeological Sciences University of Bradford Research Report 1, Carlisle, 95–118Google Scholar
Reuter, M. 1995: ‘Zur Inschriftenausstatung römischer Auxiliargebäude in den nordwestlichen Provinzen Britannien, Germanien, Raetien und Noricum’, Saalburg Jahrbuch 48, 26–51 Google Scholar
RIB I: Collingwood, R.G. and Wright, R.P., The Roman Inscriptions of Britain I: Inscriptions on Stone. With Addenda and Corrigenda by R.S.O. Tomlin (1995)Google Scholar
RIB II.1: Frere, S.S., Roxan, M. and Tomlin, R.S.O. (eds), The Roman Inscriptions of Britain II. Instrumentum Domesticum: Fasc. 1. The Military Diplomata; Metal Ingots; Tesserae; Dies; Labels and Lead Sealings (1990)Google Scholar
RIB II.5: Frere, S.S. and Tomlin, R.S.O. (eds), The Roman Inscriptions of Britain II. Instrumentum Domesticum: Fasc. 5. Tile-stamps of the Classis Britannica; Imperial, Procuratorial and Civic Tile-stamps; Stamps of Private Tilers; Inscriptions on Relief-patterned Tiles and Graffiti on Tiles (1993)Google Scholar
RIB III:Tomlin, R.S.O., Wright, R.P. and Hassall, M.W.C., The Roman Inscriptions of Britain, III: Inscriptions on Stone Found or Notified Between 1 January 1955 and 31 December 2006 (2009)Google Scholar
Richmond, I.A. 1940: ‘The Romans in Redesdale’, History of Northumberland 15, 63–159 Google Scholar
Richmond, I.A., Hodgson, K.S., and St Joseph, J.K. 1938: ‘The Roman fort at Bewcastle’, Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, new series, 38, 195–234Google Scholar
Richmond, I.A., and McIntyre, J. 1938–9: ‘The Agricolan fort at Fendoch’, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 73, 110–54CrossRefGoogle Scholar
RMD III:Roxan, M.M., Roman Military Diplomas 1985–1993, University College London, Institute of Archaeology, Occasional Publication 14, London (1994)Google Scholar
Ross, A. 1967: Pagan Celtic Britain, London Google Scholar
Rutland, R.A., and Greenaway, J.A. 1969: ‘Archaeological notes from Reading Museum’, Berkshire Archaeological Journal 64, 35–9Google Scholar
Sarnowski, T. 1989: ‘Zur Statuenausstatung römischer Stabsgebäude’, Bonner Jahrbuch 189, 97–120 Google Scholar
Sarnowski, T. 1999: ‘Die principia von Novae im späten 4. und frühen 5. Jh.’, in von Bülow, G. and Milčeva, A. (eds), Der Limes an der unteren Donau von Diokletian bis Heraklios, Sofia, 56–63 Google Scholar
Shortt, H. de S. 1959: ‘A provincial Roman spur from Longstock, Hampshire, and other spurs from Roman Britain’, Antiquaries Journal 39, 61–76 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Simpson, F.G., and Richmond, I.A. 1941: ‘The fort on Hadrian's Wall at Benwell’, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th series, 19, 1–42Google Scholar
Snape, M., Bidwell, P., and Stobbs, G. 2010: ‘Excavations in the military vicus south-west of the Roman fort at South Shields in 1973, 1988 and 2002’, Arbeia Journal 9, 42–132 Google Scholar
Swan, V.G. 2008: ‘Builders, suppliers and supplies in the Tyne-Solway region and beyond’, in Bidwell, P. (ed.), Understanding Hadrian's Wall, South Shields, 49–82 Google Scholar
Swift, E. 2000: Regionality in Dress Accessories in the Late Roman West, Monographies Instrumentum 11, Montagnac Google Scholar
Thomas, C. 1987: ‘The worked stone’, in Sunter, N. and Woodward, P.J., Romano-British Industries in Purbeck, Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Monograph 6, Dorchester, 30–43 Google Scholar
Todd, M. 2007: Roman Mining in Somerset. Excavations at Charterhouse on Mendip 1993–1995, Exeter Google Scholar
Wade, W.V. 1952: ‘The Roman fort at Bainbridge, Wensleydale’, Proceedings of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society 7, 1–19 Google Scholar
Wade, W.V. 1953: ‘Roman candlesticks’, Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, new series, 52, 187–8Google Scholar
Ward, J. 1903: The Roman Fort of Gellygaer, London Google Scholar
White, R.F. 1988: ‘A Pennine gap? The Roman period in the North Yorkshire Dales’, in J. Price and P.R. Wilson (eds), Recent Research in Roman Yorkshire. Studies in Honour of Mary Kitson Clark (Mrs Derwas Chitty), BAR British Series 193, Oxford, 197–217Google Scholar
Wilmott, T. 1997: Birdoswald, Excavations of a Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall and its Successor Settlements: 1987–92, English Heritage Archaeological Reports 14, LondonGoogle Scholar
Zant, J. 2009: The Carlisle Millennium Project: Excavations in Carlisle, 1998–2001. Vol. 1, The Stratigraphy, Lancaster Imprints 14, Lancaster Google Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

PAUL BIDWELL Supplementary Material

Appendix

Download PAUL BIDWELL Supplementary Material(PDF)
PDF 4.5 MB