Monument record 726/4/1 - Roman Defences at Lactodorum: north-west corner

Only in the north-west corner of the town do the defences survive in a recognisable form

{1} Earthworks of the north west ditch are the only surveyable Roman feature

(2) Ditch 33-35m wide and 0.5-2m deep. 1m high bank visible on north section only.

(3) Only in the north-west corner of the town do the defences survive in a recognisable form. To the south of the present police station and running north-east for 30m is a ditch 33m wide and 0.50m deep with a bank 1.5m high above the ditch bottom; running south-south-east for 70m from the telephone exchange which sits on the north-west corner is a ditch 35m wide and 2m deep now occupied by allotments.

Observations during the building of a telephone exchange in 1967 suggested that there had been two periods of construction of the town wall, as had been noted elsewhere. Plan

{5} A third ditch lip was only 0.25m out from the Roman defensive ditch with an almost vertical edge and a distinctive dark silt fill with unusual 'white' stone. It appeared to produce Medieval pottery from its upper fills. The ditch seems to have oversailed two Roman ditches, one presumably the elusive outer second ditch, and to have cut into an outerscarp bank. The ditch was recorded as approx 65-80ft wide. There were hints of a possible contemporary bank heightening.

{?} Section of bank of Roman town 550ft long, north of Brackley Road and west of High Street. Scheduled.

[11} Building extension has revealed the profile of the ditch and corner of the SW defences of the town. Wall almost completely robbed away. Complete 2nd century pots and much domestic debris and pottery in disturbance above walls.


{5}A third ditch lip was only 0.25m out from the defensive ditch with an almost vertical edge and a distinctive dark silt fill with unusual 'white' stone. It appeared to produce Medieval potteryfrom its upper fills. The ditch seems to have oversailed two Roman ditches, one presumably the elusive outer second ditch, and to have cut into an outerscarp bank. The ditch was recorded as approx 65-80ft wide. There were hints of a possible contemporary bank heightening.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP64NE1 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> 1961, H.M.S.O. List, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN8489.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.151/Site 3 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<4> 1991, CORRESPONDENCE, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN59687.

<5> Woodfield C., 1992, The Defences of Towcester, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Article). SNN60159.

<6> BRANIGAN K., 1985, The Catuvellauni, 89-91 (unchecked) (Book). SNN60083.

<7> Taylor J.; Foard G.; Laughton J.; Steadman S.; Ballinger J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Towcester (Report). SNN103132.

<8> Cadman G., 2010, Towcester Roman Town North West Defences, (checked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN107168.

<9> CLARK, MILITARY ARCHITECTURE, 21 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN55574.

<10> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.318+320 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<11> Brown A.E. (Ed.), 1969, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1967/68 (Roman), p. 18 (Article). SNN58198.

<12> Wilson, D R, & Wright, R P, 1969, Roman Britain in 1968, p. 219 (Article). SNN114201.

Record last edited

Oct 11 2022 2:56PM