Probably the Roman Fort of Calacvn

Location

Burrow in Lunsdale Roman Fort was two miles south of Kirby Lonsdale, on A683 under the grounds of Burrow Hall, an eighteen century mansion. It is just west of the main Roman Road from Carlisle to Ribchester; a quarter of a mile east of the River Lune. It is situated on a bluff above the Leck Beck.

Burrow in Lunsdale Roman Fort is just over10 miles south east of Watercrook (Kendal) and just less than 15 miles north east of Lancaster, the nearest Roman sites

History

The building of the Hall and landscaping its grounds largely destroyed the ruins, of Burrow in Lonsdale Roman Fort which limits the evidence, which can be extracted from the site. Despite extensive agrological digs, little is available from the site There were two possibly three forts built on this site. The first fort was built around 75AD and probably a turf and wood fort and probably left a very small imprint on the ground.

With the invasion of “Scotland” by Governor Agricola in 79AD, many of the forts in the North of England were abandoned; Burrow in Lunsdale Roman Fort is likely to be one. Ten years later most of the troops were back in Northern England.

The fort would have needed rebuilding, turf and wooden fort would not last much more than 15 years, it is possibly a second turf and was built around 90AD on their return.

About fifteen years later it is likely the stone wall around the fort was built, possibly followed by the interior buildings. Obviously a thorough job was done to clear the site for Burrows Hall two hundred years ago; as stated the archology is difficult.

The later fort is more identifiable. The fort appeared to be 150yards squared; resulting in an area was about 4.5 acres which indicates a mixed infantry/cavalry cohort or a small cavalry ala (regiment). A stone fort has been identified with the south wall and gate with the east assumed to be under the Hall.

A civil settlement was found to the south and west of the fort.

There is very little dating evidence and no inscriptions identified, so we have no idea how long the site was occupied and which units garrisoned Burrow in Lunsdale Roman Fort.