Information for record number MWA8267:
Roman forts at Mancetter

Summary The site of several successive Roman forts at Mancetter. The forts were all built on the same site but on different alignments and were situated 500m east of Rose Hill Farm.
What Is It?  
Type: Fort, Barrack Block, Vexillation Fort
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Mancetter
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 96
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 A two phase vexillation fortress was established in the pre-Flavian period on the site of the modern village of Mancetter. Traces of earlier and later forts or camps have also been found in the same general area, but on different alignments. The structures and finds recovered suggest an extended period of military occupation, with a large and prosperous garrison for part of the time. It is likely that the earliest inhabitants of the civil settlement were attracted by the presence of the garrison.
2 Mancetter is referred to directly in the 4th century Antonine Itinerary, as Manduessedum, and indirectly in Tacitus, both of these sources implying a military role. It is now clear that Mancetter was of front-line strategic importance both during the early years of Roman occupation and consolidation, and during Boudicca's rebellion (AD 60). A number of excavations have taken place, including research excavations by the Atherstone Archaeological and Historical Society. These have located the 1st century fort(s) west of the River Anker and are gradually clarifying its plan(s) and phasing. It has been shown that there were at least three reductions in size of the fort, all within the 1st century, but that at its largest, the fort could have housed half a legion (c3000 men). Military occupation is not thought to have continued beyond the last quarter of the 1st century AD. This report contains a detailed summary of excavations 1955-1997.
3 The phasing and plan(s) of the forts(s) are still in the process of being established and are not yet separately numbered or mapped. The overall limit of the fort(s) is also still being established and is not yet shown on the SMR maps.
4 Early Roman (45-70AD) features were recorded during excavation and observation at Mancetter Manor, The Green, Mancetter, in a central position within the fort. The foundations for at least 1 timber building, possibly a barrack block, were recorded, together with evidence for internal divisions and features, such as pits and post holes. A porbable latrine pit may be associated with this phase of activity. A later phase comprising a series of two or three ditches aligned north-south was also recorded. These may all be military ditches forming part of a phase of redesign of the fortress. Some finds from the excavation date to the Claudian period, and may reflect the establishment of the fort at Mancetter as part of the advance into the north and westwards, AD45-55. The fort was possibly created as part of military action under Wuintus Veranius and Suetonius Paullinus, and were possibly regarrisoned or resestablished in a period following the Boundican rebellion in AD60.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Small Towns of Roman Britain
Author/originator: Burnham, B C & Wacher, J
Date: 1990
Page Number: 255-260
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Mancetter Roman Fort, North Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation and Salvage Recording 1997
Author/originator: Wilson, M D & Smith, D J
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report 1/98
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Archaeological Investigations at Mancetter Manor, The Green, Mancetter, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Thompson P, Palmer S, Wright K
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 0649
   
Source No:
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: The Fort at Mancetter
Author/originator: K Scott
Date: 1978
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Roman About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)

The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.

The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument CIVIL * This is the top term for the class. See CIVIL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument VILLAGE * A collection of dwelling-houses and other buildings, usually larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a simpler organisation and administration than the latter. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument FORTRESS * A major fortified place, often a town, capable of containing a large force. If Roman use LEGIONARY FORTRESS. back
monument SETTLEMENT * A small concentration of dwellings. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument FORT * A permanently occupied position or building designed primarily for defence. back
monument PIT * A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MANOR * An area of land consisting of the lord's demesne and of lands from whose holders he may exact certain fees, etc. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument VEXILLATION FORT * A military base normally between 20 and 30 acres in size, containing legionary and auxiliary battle units, which served as stores depots and winter quarters during campaigns. back
monument LATRINE PIT * A hole dug in the ground to act as a, usually temporary, communal toilet facility. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument TOWN * An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government. back
monument POST HOLE * A hole dug to provide a firm base for an upright post, often with stone packing. Use broader monument type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record