Milecastles
Click on the picture to watch the video, this similar to Milecastle 48
There is still a debate on whether the Milecastle had a tower over both gates, indeed whether they had towers at all. The Milecastles were built sometimes years before the Wall. The original plan was for 80 Milecastles garrisoned with 16 to 32 troops; this number was probably reduced significantly when the forts were added. After Milecastle 48 they were at first built of turf with wooden palisades, which were replaced with stone, when the Wall was changed to stone, some in 130s AD, but most in 160sAD.
Each legion built differently, the 2nd Legion and 6th Legion built short axis fortlets i.e. the longest size was adjacent to the Wall, while the 20th Legion built long axis forts with shorter side adjacent to the Wall. There were many minor differences including 4 different gates.
Most Milecastles were 60ft by 50ft, (about 330squ yards) but the two illustrated below were larger. Milecastle 80 was demolished to build the fort at Bowness on Solway.
MC stands for Milecastles and are numbered east to west on the Wall.
MF stands for Milefortlets and are numbered north to south on the Cumbrian coast. The author is Prof. David Breeze.
The above examples range from 320 to 550 sq. yds., with exception of MF 5, which is 850sqyds, but was originally 1350 sq yds. 3 times the norm.
The above table identifies the diversity.(MF are milefortlets on the Cumbrian Coast, effectively turf and wood milecastles)
Milecastle 48
Milecastle 48 diagram and aerial
This is one of the most significant Milecastle on the Wall, both in respect of its state preservation and information it has provided. It has a broad gauge wall (9.5ft. thick) built of large masonry and being 80ft by 70ft, while the Wall attached to it was under 8 ft. Inside were 2 large stone buildings probably barracks.
MC48-LOOKING-NE
It is located at Gilsland, turning left before going under the railway, parking near the unused railway station.
MC48-NE-CORNER-STAIRS
The broad walls indicate that the Milecastle was built well ahead of the wall and before the decision to narrow the wall. In addition, there are three steps shown in the picture above, which indicate that the steps led to a walkway 12ft. from the floor. This is the only indication anywhere that the walls of the Milecastle were 12ft. high and the wall itself was possibly also 12 ft. high. It is assumed, though there is no evidence, that there was a parapet and a walk along the top of the wall adding 3/4 ft.
MILECASTLE-48-LOOKING-EAST
Milecastle 49
Turf-Milecastle
The Milecastle was originally built of turf with a wooden palisade as illustrated above. It was probably built before 130AD and was the first turf forts in the west. The change occurred from the west bank of the River Irthing. The wall would have been built of turf with probably a wooden palisade.
MILECASTLE 49 & WILLOWFORD BRIDGE
This is a representation of how it looked in about 140AD (having just been rebuilt in stone) with the first bridge at Willowford. Since the wall was built the river has moved nearly 80 yds. further west, and the slop to the bridge is far steeper. The visible Milecastle is 75ft by 65ft, and replacing after only about 10years the smaller turf Milecastle the Milecastle had been converted at one stage to a farm house.
MC 49 & west to Birdoswald
This is the only place where the turf wall was moved with the building of the stone wall. The turf wall joined the fort just north of the Eastgate of the fort, while the stone wall aligned with the north wall of Birdoswald Roman Fort. The change took place in the 130sAD, and the fortlet was built on top of the turf fortlet and is a quarter of a mile east of the fort
Turrets
Between each Milecastle 2 turrets were built about a third of a mile from each Milecastle. All turrets were built of stone, whether on the stone or turf walls. They were about 13 ft. square internally, but the thickness of the walls varied significantly.
The above gives an illustration as it was probably built, and on the left is the reconstruction at Vindolanda. The tops are different as we can only guess at the way they were finished. The turrets were built ahead of the wall.
Brunton Turret T26B
Heading to Chollerford from Wall before you join the Military road, you will see a sign on the right with parking space by the road. After a short walk east you will see the Brunton Turret over the style and about 100yds up the hill, looking down on the Tyne. This one had to be altered to accommodate the narrow wall
Brunston Roman Turret
Here are other examples:
Turret52a Banks East
Banks Turret 52A
This turret is 100 yards east of Pike Hill, which appears badly built, probably because the walls were hidden when it was part of the turf wall.
Pike Hill Tower
Pike Hill Roman Watchtower
Pike Hill Tower is located just over half a mile after Turret 51b. It probably built about 20 years before the wall as a signal post for the Stanegate forts. It has largely been destroyed by the road. It has strong foundations and probably taller than the wall turrets and the stones are better dressed. It stands at 45% angle to the wall. It is unusual in that something built before the Wall was incorporated into the Wall.
I am not certain that Hadrian would have approved.
Below are notes on some other turrets.
Turrets 51a & 51b
Turrets T51a and T51B
The turrets on turf wall were built of stone, and therefore date from the 120s. Turret 51a had to be repaired before the stone wall was built 10 years later
Turret 49A
Turret 49B
The turret is only a few hundred yards from the fort. The floor was resurfaced four times, the first and third layers were clay and the second and fourth layers were flagged. Surprisingly considering how near the fort was it was occupied into the fourth century.
After about 200 yds the path turns south away from the line of the stone wall and follows the line of the turf wall until Milecastle 51, which is just visible as a slight mound.
Planetrees the meeting of Broad and Lesser Wall
Planetrees east of Chollerford where the Wall reduced in size
From Chollerford head east to the top of the hill and park on the left near the sign for St Oswald’s Chapel and Heavenfield, a 7th century battleground, head west along the Wall path cross the road and Planetrees is in the field south of the road. This is where the decision to reduce the Wall from about 10 feet to 8 feet was implemented. Of course, the foundations had been already been completed and the board wall foundations continue for over 20 miles to near the river Irthing.