Monument record 726/4/6 - South East Corner of Roman Defences

A low scarp running north-west for 60m due east of the church.

{1} Earthwork forming a low scarp running north-west to south-east due east of the church. Earthwork interpreted as the south-east corner of the town defences, alongside the later mill leat.

{2} The line of the defences in the south-eastern corner of the town is still little understood. If, however, the line suggested by the recent work along Richmond Road to the west is correct it would seem that to the east of Watling Street the defences may have run closer to the line of Church Lane than is usually considered. If so this overall plan supports the impression of a defensive enclosure designed to incorporate ribbon development along the two main road frontages for a distance of only about 250m around the central road junction.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.151/Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.318+320 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<3> COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST, 1993, TOWCESTER RETAIL DEVELOPMENT, (unchecked) (Full Report). SNN60131.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2017 11:54AM