Netherby Roman Fort
A base for the Scout detachment; this cavalry unit would cover the whole of southern Scotland looking for Military threats to the Wall
Location
NETHERBY-ROMAN-FORT
Netherby Roman Fort is under the 17th/19th century Hall and the gardens surrounding the hall. The fort is located on a mound south east of the River Esk 3 miles north of Longtown. The river here is the boundary between England and Scotland. The fort is 12 miles due north of Carlisle and 12 miles east of the fort at Birrens.
NETHERBY-MAP
History
Agricola probably built a timber fort here as part of his invasion of Scotland around 79AD to defend the river crossing, but there is no evidence.
It appears that the main road from Carlisle crossed the Esk here on the way to Birrens and the North.
The 2nd legion undertook major building work on site, possibly adding stone walls in Hadrianic period and garrisoned by 1st Cohort of Nervians from Belgium .This was an infantry unit of about 500 troopers, who would have required a fort of about 3 to 4 acres.
It is likely that the fort was abandoned during the 2nd invasion of Scotland about 140AD and reoccupied about 160AD when the Antonine Wall was abandoned.
Following the 3rd invasion by Septimius Severus (208 to 211AD) , his son Caracalla reorganised the Solway /Tyne boundary, the fort was almost doubled in size and manned by a Spanish Cohort 1 Aelii a mixed cohort of 800 infantry and 240 cavalry, who were joined by a legionary contingent in AD219. A covered cavalry riding school was built in AD220.nothing is known about this occupation after AD 238
It has been generally accepted that Netherby was Castra Exploratum, the home of the Scouts in the west, an irregular cavalry unit, who scouted south west Scotland for any sign of trouble before it was anywhere near the Wall from early in 3rd century
Excavation
Little or no excavation has been undertaken. Obviously the owners would have seen their gardens, drives and paths destroyed, but about 3 years ago York University undertook review without and any serious excavation. A geophysics survey was undertaken in the grounds, but the amount of disturbance to the ground resulted in no conclusive results.
Based on a close look of the land, it is possibly there was a long rectangular fort surrounding the Hall in the North, but extending south, 900ft long and 300 ft. wide. This would be a very unusual plan, but Bewcastle to the east had 6 sides.
This would amount to 6 acres, possibly just big enough to accommodate the Aelii cohort, but the legionary forces would demand an annex, which has not been identified.
Also identified is a small fortlet 180ft square of about 0.7 acres, but at a later date
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Later History
.It is possibly that the large fort was demolished and replaced by this fortlet, referred to as the Castra Exploratum, possibly in the mid-century. This frontier had been very quiet after the Severus incursion.
The fortlet could have been the base for the Scout detachment. This unit would cover the whole of South West Scotland .It would be looking for formations which could be a threat to the Wall and the lands south of the Wall. These scouts were irregular cavalry about 200 strong with detailed knowledge of the area.
This appears to have been successful as the 3rd century was the least eventful period of the Walls history with peace at last.
The Barbarian Conspiracy
In AD 367 the situation changed, Britain was invaded from Ireland, from Saxons on each East coast and across the Wall from Scotland. There appear to have been coalition between the raiders possibly orchestrated from inside the Empire.
The question asked about the Scout is how significant forces approach the Wall without the command structure being aware. The Wall was breached. Britain was in chaos. The Emperor Valentinian appointed Count Theodosius, a man with a notable war-record, was chosen to lead an expedition to Britain, who successfully eliminated the danger.
The consequences were that the Scouts were disbanded
Netherby Hall
Netherby Hall just inside the Western wall
This large hall with its extensive gardens has obliterated any sign of the fort. The aerial shot above indicates the place where the fort might have been, in relationship to the Hall built during 17th and 19th century.
The Vicus
In about AD222 a bath house was built to the north west of the fort down the slope, it was similar to the Wall Fort bathhouses, a replica of which can be seen at the Wallsend Roman Site.
Also to the North West a civilian settlement has been identified, again down the slope from the fort, along with a cemetery
Netherby-looking–SE-from-the-North-back-of-the-Erk
It appears that there was a port on the Esk west of the fort. In roman times it would appear possible for small ships to sail up the Solway and Esk to the port.
Only excavation will identify these sites secrets. Unfortunately the owner does not allow authorised access to the site.