Brough Roman Fort Road from York to Carlisle

Brough Roman Fort is on a high ridge south of Swindale Beck, west of the village of Brough. It is 14 miles south of the fort at Kirby Thore and  13 miles west of Bowes on the main road from York to Carlisle(some of which is under the A66). It guards the Stainmore Gap through the Pennines  South West to York. In the Northern third of the fort has been built a medieval 12th century castle

Brough-Roman-Fort-with-castle-in-the-fort

There is little information to go on because the castle resulted in changes to the ground. There was a possible medieval Bailey south of the castle, which makes the fort difficult to identify, particularly as there has been little excavation.

BROUGH-ROMAN-FORT-DIAGRAM-2ND-CENTURY

It is likely to be the usual rectangular shape with an area of about 3 acres sufficient for a garrison of about 500 ancillary infantry.

The first fort is likely to date from the governorship of Agricola (AD78 to 84) and probably extended into the fifth century.

BROUGH-ROMAN-FORT, CASTLE-IN-THE-NORTH-OF-THE-FORT

There is evidence of a civil settlement and cemetery. Numerous lead seals were found with the name of the 8^th Thracian cohort indicating occupation at the fort in the 3^rd century. It was possibly followed by the Numerus Directorum in the 4^th and 5^th centuries.( an irregular cohort.) at Brough Roman Fort.

BROUGH-ROMAN-FORT-EAST-AND-WEST-WALLS

Two inscriptions can be found HERE