Castlesteads Roman Fort

CASTLESTEADS ROMAN FORT LOCATION

Castlesteads Roman Fort was just south west of Walton, in eastern Cumbria, is little known and located a few hundred yards south of the line of the Wall. It is 8 miles from Stanwix at Carlisle and 7.5 miles from Birdoswald to the East.  The fort is located in the grounds of Castlesteads House built in the late eighteenth century, and the fort was largely levelled to make a walled garden from the remains. The Vallum passes south of the fort, which was diverted to include the fort to its north.

The fort was on slightly higher ground with Cam Beck and gorge to the north, with almost no visible remains. Camboglanna means “bank at the bend”. The stone fort was about 400ft square, covering 3.7 acres. It was garrisoned in the second century by the part mounted Cohort of Gauls, which was later, moved to Vindolanda. From the inscription below it is possible that the 2nd Cohort of Tungrians were also at the fort in 3rd century, but the fort would have been too small for the whole cohort. No interior buildings have been identified.

CASTLESTEADS-PARK looking toward the location of the forts SW wall and extra mural settlement.

An earlier fort has been identified, as expected build of turf and wood on a slightly different alignment. The Wall and forts west of the River Irthing were all originally built this way. This fort probably dates from the late 120s AD and the later stone fort probably from the 160sAD, when the Wall was re garrisoned following the abandonment of the Antoninan Wall. The fort may be unique being located between the Wall and the Vallum (Drumburgh could be another).

CASTLESTEADS-HOUSE west of the fort

In field south of the fort was an extra mural settlement, south of the Vallum, a gateway has been identified.

Here is some indication of the stone artefacts found:

RIB 1926

“To Jupiter, Best and Greatest, the Fourth Cohort of Gauls (set this up) under the command of Volcacius Hospes, prefect of cavalry.”

The mouldings on the back and sides have been chiselled off, a socket cut for a sundial, and the base cut to form a tenon.

Taken to Scaleby Castle. Moved in the middle of the eighteenth century to Busbridge Hall, Godalming.

Now in Tullie House Museum

“To Jupiter, Best and Greatest, the Second Cohort of Tungrians, one thousand strong, part-mounted, publicly praised, under the command of Albius Severus, prefect of the Tungrians, (set this up) under the direction of Vic … Severus, princeps”

Found a little south of the Wall in the Cam Beck, where it had fallen apparently from its pedestal on the east bank.

Now at Castlesteads House.

A list of the stone artefacts found can be found here