A Roman Fort called Vinovia
Binchester, Roman Fort is located just north of the River Wear looking down to the river from higher ground, just outside Bishop Auckland. The first fort was built around 75AD and covered 17 acres, 3 times larger than most of the Hadrian’s Wall forts. It is over 60 miles north of York and could have been the main base for the conquest of North Yorkshire and Durham from 71AD.
It was garrisoned by 1000 strong ancillary cavalry regiment and probably a detachment of the ninth legion from York. It was built of turf and timber and was probably the largest ancillary fort in the North. Stanwix (north Carlisle), with a cavalry regiment of 1000.
The site was bought by the Auckland Castle Trust in 2014, removing fears arising from the Church Commissioner putting the property on the market. It was understood that the trust intends to develop the site as a tourist attraction, this now seems less likely. In spite of the fact that little has been excavated, what has been found is very well preserved.
Binchester is one of a line of forts guarding Dere Street, the road between York, the legionary base and Corbridge, before heading into Scotland. There are separate guides for Piercebridge 12 miles south on the River Tees crossing and Corbridge on the Tyne crossing 25 miles to the North West.
Historical Background
In 69AD Vespasian came to the throne after a violent civil war. Having been Legate of a legion during the invasion of Britain 26 years before, he appointed Cerialis as governor, with the object of conquering the north. The Brigantes tribe occupied the north of England with the exception of Cumbria and at the conquest had become an ally of Rome and as was often the case, therefore, has not been occupied. This alliance had gradually broken down in 25 years following the invasion. (See further details). Cerialis is credited with the conquest of the Brigantian lands between 71 and 74AD and establishing roads and forts though it is not clear, which forts he built. Binchester is a very likely location for one of these forts, although the date is a matter of debate, and some attribute the fort to Agricola (c 80AD).
The extent to which the north was pacified has to be questioned. There was further trouble here at the beginning of Hadrian’s reign about 118AD, as a victory coin was minted, but there is no more information. The first fort’s existence was finished by 130AD.
The Second Fort
A new smaller fort was built in the middle of the 2nd century with stone walls covering 9 acres. It continued to be a cavalry fort and was manned by Ala Vettorium from central Spain. This is close to the time when Antonine Wall was abandoned and Hadrian’s Wall was recommissioned. It had stone walls and the internal buildings were at least partially in stone. It measures 630 ft. by 607 ft. If the area was pacified, it is difficult to understand why a very large ancillary fort was necessary, but with the withdrawal of Roman forces in “Scotland”, accommodation had to be found
The geophysics survey of the site shows the fort edged in yellow surrounded by a large civilian settlement. It appears a large section of the fort in the south east has slipped down the slope to the River Wear.
Therefore lost forever and the south west corner is covered by Binchester Hall and Binchester Hall Farm. The extramural settlement was large, as can be seen on the geophysics survey above and extended to 31 acres, far larger than depicted below.
The above illustrates how the fort may have looked at the beginning of the fourth century with the commander’s house in the south east corner.
Because of its size and lack of excavation, it is not possible to give a very clear picture. Excavation has been ongoing since 2009 and continued into 2015, but there was a lot of areas to cover. This guide will limit itself to 3 aspects of the site
The Commander’s House (Praetorium) and its Bath House
When the second fort was built a large commander’s house was built in stone and timber in the usual courtyard style with some underfloor heating (hypocaust). This was subsequently replaced by a second building. No dates appear to be available. This building was demolished in the middle of the 4th century. So complete was the demolition that it is difficult to describe.
The third house is described as “massive”, built about 340AD It would have similarities to the Piercebridge and South Shields reconstruction, but perhaps bigger
In addition, a bathing house was added a little later, which was almost the size of a regimental bathhouse. It is the best preserved in Roman Britain and is covered.
At present, the only area open to the public is the Bath House ruins and surrounding area.
The floor of the warm room is Roman concrete, showing its remarkable strength after 1700 years.
In about 1815 a horse and cart disappeared into a large hole in the middle of the ruins. It was caused by the collapse of a hypocaust, a part of the underfloor central heating system. This was how the baths were discovered.
This was purely for the commander and his guest. The underfloor hypocaust is very impressive and you can identify how it worked. Cavities in the walls enabled the walls to be heated. Outside were buildings for the furnaces and an exercise yard.
The fort was 60 miles from York and could be a stopping off place for senior staff. Next to the exercise yard is Dere St running through the middle of the fort with the walls of a barracks behind it. To the east of the bathhouses are a series of ancillary buildings such as a kitchen, slaughter houses and smithy.
The sketch gives an impression of what it would look like. This is only a small part of a fort which is over twice the size of most Wall forts as illustrated before:
This site like Birdoswald and Vindolanda indicates occupation after the links with Rome were broken in 410AD. The bath furnace appears to have finally lit in 430AD. Remember most of the garrison probably were British born with wives and families, therefore, very reluctant to leave the fort on any permanent basis.
Binchester’s Regimental Baths
In the civilian settlement, one of the best preserved Roman Baths in Britain has recently been found. It was built into the bank and after it was no longer used it was filled with rubbish, which helped preserve the structure. Hence why the site has been dubbed the “Pompey of the North”, fitted with rubbish, not Volcano ash. Excavations ended in 2015.
The excavations have not been completed, and the rest of the site needs conserving so that it can be viewed by the public, it will look like a larger model of the Chesters Bathhouse. The canopy shown here has been badly damaged by 2021/2022 gales
Before the storms it was possible to view the ruins in the canopy, but not in 2022. Funds are being sort to compete the excavations.
Latest Excavations Explained click
This Celtic Roman God was found in rubbish found in the baths after it was abandoned, is similar to Antenociticus , the god the temple at Benwell was devoted to.
Mausoleum
In 2007 Channel 4‘s Time Team visits the site and 3 mausoleums and believed there could be more. One was particularly grand and could house a fort commander or a general
The Romans built their burial sites usually on the roads leading out of the settlements as is the case at Binchester. This also indicates that the settlement here was of some importance Further excavations have unearthed a cavalry barracks and latrines Links Binchester Website
See Binchester Time Team and how they abandoned the trench, where they would have found the regimental bathhouse