Bewcastle Roman Fort

Bewcastle Roman Fort

possibly Fanum Cocidi meaning shrine of Cocidius

Bewcastle Roman Fort is located about 6 miles north of the Wall and North East of Birdoswald. It is situated on a plateau overlooking the Kirk Beck. Unusually it is an irregular 6 sided fort covering the plateau, although the site cannot be considered a strong defensive position. It covered 6 acres and was one of the larger forts

Bewcastle Roman Fort

Bewcastle Roman Fort

It was one of a number of forts built north of the Wall, to guard against surprise attachs and to support the Brigantes Tribe, whose territory was disected by the Wall. It was connected to the Birdoswald Roman fort by a road called the Maidens Way, and by 2 signal towers.

bewcastle-marked-diagramv3

The fort went through 4 phases:

  1. The first fort was built 120/140AD in turf with wooden buildings and at least one stone gate, possibly built by the 1st Cohorts of Dacians, but abandoned when the frontier was moved to the Antonine Wall in 140s.
  2. When the Antonine Wall was abandoned. The fort was reoccupied circa 163AD and saw the construction of a stone wall, possibly built by V1 Legion
  3. About the end of 2nd century the forts interior was radically changed with many buildings changed and new barracks built. The garrison was thought to be the 1st Cohorts of Nerva, a part mounted cohort 1000 strong.
  4. Towards the end of the 3rd century, the fort was again significantly changed with new walls built on the west and north sides reducing the size of the fort indicating a reduced garrison. Internal buildings were again altered and bath house in the fort probably converted to barracks

Excavations have identified the headquarters building south of the farm and the commander’s house partially covered by the churchyard in the south of the fort.

There is a bath house in the walls, which is similar to those found along the Wall. This does indicate that the fort was in hostile territory.

The fort appears to have been overrun twice in its final phases. As the excavations were done in the late thirties and the fifties, the situation is far from crystal clear. It has probably been occupied for most of the time since the Romans abandoned the fort.

West Wall and Ditch looking South

West Wall and Ditch looking South

Coin evidence suggests that the fort may have been largely abandoned early in the 4th century (although the number found is relatively small), although the frontier scouts may have used it until they were disbanded soon after 367AD. The reason they were disbanded is because were thought to have been implicated in the Barbarian Conspiracy. Raiders from Scotland and Ireland combined with Saxons to attach Britain at the same time. This included raiders across the Wall, and the killing and capture of senior generals.

Bewcastle Altar dedicated by Quintus Tribune

Bewcastle Altar
dedicated by Quintus Tribune

In all, nine altars to the gods have been unearthed at Bewcastle; five dedicated to the Germanic war god Cocidius and one more to the Roman/Celtic equivalent of this same god, Mars Cocidius, after which the fort was later to be named. Alters to this god have been found at other northern forts.
The altar shown (rib 989) was dedicated by Quintus Tribune and formally of the Praetorian Guard (Emperor’s Personal Guard) as follows:
“To the holy god Cocidius, Quintus Peltrasius Maximus, tribune, promoted from cornicularius to their Eminences, the Praetorian Prefects, willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.”
This in itself adds importance to Cocidius. The altar can be seen in the Tullie House Museum in Carlisle.
Other gods were represented on a single altar to Mars Belatucadrus and two altars to Jupiter Best and Greatest.

silver-plaque rib986

Two silver plaques were found sealed by the fourth-century floor amid third-century rubbish in the underground strong-room in the Headquarters Building of the fort, along with the stone base of an imperial statue, parts of two bronze letters along with other artefacts. Again they can be found at Tullie House

There is no evidence of any extra mural settlements. It is obvious that it was a fort that expected trouble on a regular basis

The site includes a large farm, a medieval castle, a church with extended graveyard and a large rectory to the south. All of which makes it difficult to understand the Roman site.

.It is likely from the altars that the place has had a religious significance, which continued into the Christian era. There is a church and churchyard, St Cuthbert’s’, dates from the 13th century, which has largely re built over the last 2 centuries. In the graveyard is a magnificent Anglo Saxon cross dating from 7/8th century, indicating a Christian presence well before the church was built

cross2

Off the graveyard (behind the cross) is a small museum, which simply informs the visitor about the site,covering pre-Roman to date.Behind the museum is a large Rectory, which appears larger than the church on the southern wall of the fort overlooking the stream.
Bewcastle is the largest parish in England with a population of just over 300 .

The original medieval castle in the north east corner was built in 1092AD by the Normans; it was subsequently destroyed in 1173AD. It was rebuilt in the late 14th century and later given to the Duke of Gloucester (later Richard 111), who further extended it. Obviously the building materials came from the fort surrounding it. It was eventually destroyed by Cromwell in the Civil War

The farm complex in the North West corner dates from the 17th century with modern additions.