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start of The Wall |
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Page 219:-
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Rudchester
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upon the middle of the east rampart, but is not continued
through the station; whereas Hadrian's seems to have gone a
chain or two to the south of it. This fort has been very
considerable, as the ruins of it at present are very
remarkable. On the north side there have been six turrets,
one at each corner, one on of each side the gate, and one
between each corner, and those adjoining to the gate. On the
east and west sides there is also a tower between the gate
and the angle, in that part of the fort that is on the north
of the wall; but 'tis doubtful whether there has been the
same number of towers in that part that lies within the
wall. At present, however, they are not so distinct. The
ramparts of this fort are still very visible, being in the
second degree or more on every side. The ditch is but faint,
and scarce discernible on the east side, being leveled in
the highway. On the other three sides it is visible. The
ruins within the fort plainly appear, and the entries into
it may be distinguished. If there has been a town without,
which there can scarce be any doubt of; it has been as usual
on the south, where the village of Rutchester now stands,
and covers its ruins.
"For all this space from the very beginning both the walls
have kept much upon the high grounds, so as there is
generally a large prospect, but oftener towards the south
than the north, especially with respect to Hadrian's
vallum, where one would imagine the southern prospect
has been chiefly consulted. Hadrian's vallum often
leaves a rising ground to the north, which Severus's wall
has all along guarded against; no doubt to prevent the
enemies having any advantage from thence, in case of an
assault. Accordingly I observe here, that whilst Hadrian's
vallum goes on for a great way in nearly a streight line,
Severus's wall winds and turns a little to fetch in the
eminences at High-seat and Harlow hill, which
will be best understood by inspecting the map.
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Milecastle 14
Milecastle 15
Harlow Hill
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"From Rutchester to Harlow hill Hadrian's vallum and ditch
are for the most part obscure; though both these, and the
north agger too, are visible in the second degree for
some part of this space. Severus's wall and ditch almost all
the way are in the second and third degree, and sometimes
the fourth. Between Rutchester and Harlow hill two of the
square castella are very visible.
"The breaks in the north agger, which are remarkable
both here and in several other parts, deserve to be
considered. They look like gaps made for carriages; but
whether they are really for this purpose, or whether stones
have been wrought out of it for paving Severus's military
way, or whether they are only accidental, I shall not
pretend to determine. They are oft very numerous, continued
for a good space, and within thirty of forty yards
(sometimes more, sometimes less) one of another.
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Whitchester
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"To the north-west of Rutchester is a place called
Whitchester, sometimes Outchester; in Camden
it is called old Winchester or Vindolana; and
there are said to be some remains of a fort here, but all
this seems to be a mistake. There is somewhat like the
remains of an earthen rampart on one side, which added to
the name make it probable, that here have been the castra
aestiva of the garrison at Vindolana or Rutchester; for
perhaps it has been called the Outer Chesters. It
lies without or on the north side of the wall.
Between Whitchester and Harlow hill is a round hill with a
trench about it, which seems to have been exploratory; and
by the situation one would judge it to have been antient and
Roman.
"The foundation of Severus's wall and breadth of it are very
distinct a little to the east of Harlow hill, and measures
about seven foot and four inches. I thought I saw hereabouts
the ruins of two turrets; which, according to the scheme I
have laid down, must have been the first and third east from
the castellum at Harlow hill. Here also the military way was
lately very visible (before the ground was ploughed up)
pointing directly to the castellum. Hadrian's vallum
just at Harlow hill is not to be discerned in any part of
it, and Severus's wall too is in a great measure lost in the
village. But 'tis curious here to observe the passage of
Hadrian's ditch through a limestone quarry; where though
nothing is to be discerned in the surface, yet below it the
exact dimensions of the ditch may be taken; because that
part of the quarry through which the ditch has been carried
on, is now filled up with earth only, so that the shape and
measure here are very plain. It is made sloping, the depth
between eight and nine foot, and about 11 foot broad. At
this place too I was told of a castellum, and was
shewed the place where it had stood, and the foundation
seems yet to appear. It has had a high situation and a large
prospect.
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military way
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"A little west of Harlow hill Severus's miltary way begins
to appear very plain, and seemed to measure about 13 foot,
being distant form the wall about three chains. And this is
the first undoubted appearance of this military way, which
now continues for a great length very conspicuous, mostly in
the second or third degree. There is no doubt but it has
gone up to the castellum at Harlow hill; and where it
first appears, which is but a little distance from that, it
seems to have come in a streight line from it.
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Milecastle 16??
Milecastle 17? Halton Sheels?
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"From Harlow hill, or a little west of it, to
Halton-sheels, all is for the most part very
conspicuous. At the usual distance from Harlow hill a
castellum is visible, and about a furlong west from
this the walls approach very near to each other, being not
above a chain distant. Again at the usual distance another
castellum appears, but somewhat obscure, and of an
uncommon shape; two of the sides being about double the
usual length, namely those which lie east and west; and the
south side of it reaches very near the north agger.
Here Severus's military way seems to cross the north
agger, or rather runs upon it, there not being
sufficient room for it between this and the castellum. I
believe this has been one of Hadrian's exploratory
castella; but the north side of it falling in exactly
with the line of Severus's wall, it has been used also as a
castellum by him. Here Hadrian's vallum,
ditch, and north agger continue in the second and
third degrees; and Severus's works mostly in three degrees,
the wall sometimes in four, some of the original regular
courses appearing. Hadrian's north agger is visible
also some part of this way and afterwards very conspicuous;
so that I wonder Mr. Gordon should imitate, that it did not
appear till
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