History of the Romans in the West Midlands
Waves of Saxons, Vikings and Normans, an industrial revolution and two thousand years have erased a lot of the remains of the history of the Romans in the West Midlands. However, look a little deeper and you will find signs of the Romans in plain site, including roads still in use today, forts and settlements, and ruins of the 4th largest city in Roman Britain.
Roman Invasion of the West Midlands
Rome first engaged with the Britons in around 50 BC, when Julius Caeser landed on the southern coast and set up trading links with the tribes. It wasn’t until nearly a century later, in 43 AD, that Rome decided to cut peaceful ties with the Britons and invade. A force of forty thousand soldiers crossed the channel, landed near Colchester and began expansion further north.
The first groups of Romans to visit the West Midlands were military personnel. What they found was a land of marshes and tribal communities – tactically important as it opened up routes to the North and Wales. The main tribe in the area was known as the Cornovii, a Celtic Iron Age community with a capital was believed to be on summit of The Wrekin. The Cornovii’s influence extended from Chester in the North to the Cotswolds. The other larger tribes in the region were Corieltauvi from the East Midlands and the Dobunni to the south.
It’s unknown whether the local tribes were pacified peacefully or through conflict, but the large military presence in the area suggests that Rome felt the need to flex its military might in this part of the country.
Roman Legions & Battlefields in the Midlands
The West Midlands prides itself of being a cultural melting pot, and even in the earliest days of Rome’s invasion, Legionaries and Auxiliary soldiers of the XIV and XX Roman Legions and Auxiliary troops from across Europe and as far afield as Greece, North Africa and the Middle East, made their way to the area. A frontier on the extreme of the known world, the West Midlands would have been an uninviting place to the Romans.
The XIV Legion was largely made up of Italian, French and Belgian troops. After campaigning in Germania, the legion was one of the first sent to Britain in the mid first century, under the personal command of the Governor of Britain, Scapula.
The XIV was initially stationed at Mancetter fortress, near Atherstone in Warwickshire, before moving north to Wroxeter around 55AD. Strategically important, the site was home to the legion in the early days of the invasion.
The legion pacified the Cornovi tribe, the largest tribe in the area. However, it’s unknown whether this was by peaceful means or by battle. Spearheads have been found on the Wrekin suggesting some force was used. Following this, it’s likely the Cornovii were allowed to continue living in their community but were influenced and under control of Rome. During this time, it’s thought that some locals from the Cornovii tribe joined the Legion.
Before moving west, the XIV legion took part in the Battle of Watling Street, around 60AD, where the Romans defeated the Britons, lead by Boudica. Though the location of the battle is unknown, some believe it to be around the West Midlands.
The other Roman legion operation in the West Midlands was the XX. Similar to the XIV, the XX arrived in the mid first century, during the Cluadius invasion of Britain. The Legion was made up of soldiers and Cavalry units from the Balkans, Spain, Italy, Germany and North Africa.
They defeated the Welsh Chieftain at the Battle of Caer Caradoc in AD50. Again, the exact site of the battlefield is unknown. Accounts suggest the battlefield was on a hill with views across the River Severn, some suggest Malvern or even Caer Caradoc hill – named after the battle. Either way, the West Midlands would have certainly seen the fallout from the battle, with legionaries moving between the forts in the region – Mancetter, Wroxeter and Metchley.
Following the pacification of the region, the XX Legion was sent North to support with the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, and the XIV were sent west into Wales.
Roman Settlement in the West Midlands
During the early years of Roman occupation, it was largely a military exercise. Forts at important strategic locations quickly sprang up, such as Wroxeter, Metchley and Mancetter. Lunt Fort in Coventry also would have seen movement of troops in the first century.
Metchley Fort, on the site of today’s University of Birmingham, was a cavalry depot and supply point for Legionaries moving north to Wroxeter. Built in the 50s AD, the fort was garrisoned with a strong presence in the early years, but as the region fell under Rome’s control, it became a supply depot for soldiers and dignitaries as they travelled around Britain. A small settlement, known as a Vicus, also sprang up outside the gate of the fort, where local people traded with the soldiers. We know the XIV and XX were both station at Metchley Fort throughout the first century.
The site was excavated in the early 20th Century and along with the fort outline, spearheads, pottery and trenching tools were discovered. A reconstruction of one of the gatehouses was built in the 1950s but destroyed in 1960s. Some evidence of the fort remains today, with earthworks still visible as you walk from the train station and past the university medical school. Information boards can be found along the route.
As the Romans turned their attention to campaigning further north, the fort became a supply depot for soldiers. By AD 80 the fort was abandoned by the Romans, although still believed to have been occupied for a further hundred years.
With peace in the region came other civilian settlements in the latter half of the first century. Letocetum near Wall in Staffordshire was strategically placed at an intersection between Watling Street and Icknield Street – both roads still exist today. Originally a fortress, the settlement grew to included luxuries such as temples, bath houses, mansion houses and an amphitheatre. Due to its location, it’s probable that many important dignitaries passed through on their journey to the North.
Viroconium, near Wroxeter, also grew fast, due to its position at the end of Watling Street. Originally an outpost for Thracian Auxiliary troops, and later garrisoned by the XIV legion - at its peak it became the 4th largest city in the Britain with a population of 15 thousand, comparable to the size of Pompeii. Today Virocinium is one of the best-preserved Roman settlements in the world.
From these settlements it appears Rome influenced the surrounding natives. At Castle Hill Old Fort, an Iron Age hill fort in Stonnall, about 5 miles from Wall and Icknield Street, coins were found of Emperor Nero in around 60BC – showing trading and interaction with the local populations.
Roman Roads in the West Midlands
Like today, the West Midlands was the logistical heart of Roman Britain. Some were built on existing tracks used by the local tribes, others were created by the Romans.
The most notable roads in the region are Iclnield Street and Watling Street. The routes of both streets are still roughly in use today – and street names still reflect the original names in parts. Watling St follows the A5 from St Albans to the North West, through the Midlands and Icknield Street runs from Alcester up to the East Midlands. A section of the original track can be seen in Sutton Park.
Roman Sites to visit in the West Midlands
Lunt Fort (c.£5 for adults). Situated along the Foss Way and Watling Street, the site dates to around 60 AD. The museum contains a reconstruction to give an idea of how a timeber fort would have looked, similar to the one at Metchley. There is also a museum and reconstructions of buildings such as a granary house.
Wroxeter/Viriconium (£9 for adults). Operated by English Heritage the site contains ruins of the town, including a bathhouse. There is also a reconstruction of a mansion house on the site.
Wall/Letocetum (FREE). Managed by English Heritage, the site is free to visit during daylight hours on selected days throughout the year. You can see the outline of the key buildings at the settlement. There is also a reconstruction and museum on site.
Metchley Fort (FREE). Though little remains of the Roman fort and settlement, earthworks can still be seen and information boards can be found around the area with images of how the fort would have looked and history. Excavations took place in… and found…
Icknield Street (FREE). Today, many roads in South Birmingham reflect the name Icknield Street. A section of preserved road can be found in Sutton Park.
Roman Invasion of the West Midlands
Rome first engaged with the Britons in around 50 BC, when Julius Caeser landed on the southern coast and set up trading links with the tribes. It wasn’t until nearly a century later, in 43 AD, that Rome decided to cut peaceful ties with the Britons and invade. A force of forty thousand soldiers crossed the channel, landed near Colchester and began expansion further north.
The first groups of Romans to visit the West Midlands were military personnel. What they found was a land of marshes and tribal communities – tactically important as it opened up routes to the North and Wales. The main tribe in the area was known as the Cornovii, a Celtic Iron Age community with a capital was believed to be on summit of The Wrekin. The Cornovii’s influence extended from Chester in the North to the Cotswolds. The other larger tribes in the region were Corieltauvi from the East Midlands and the Dobunni to the south.
It’s unknown whether the local tribes were pacified peacefully or through conflict, but the large military presence in the area suggests that Rome felt the need to flex its military might in this part of the country.
Roman Legions & Battlefields in the Midlands
The West Midlands prides itself of being a cultural melting pot, and even in the earliest days of Rome’s invasion, Legionaries and Auxiliary soldiers of the XIV and XX Roman Legions and Auxiliary troops from across Europe and as far afield as Greece, North Africa and the Middle East, made their way to the area. A frontier on the extreme of the known world, the West Midlands would have been an uninviting place to the Romans.
The XIV Legion was largely made up of Italian, French and Belgian troops. After campaigning in Germania, the legion was one of the first sent to Britain in the mid first century, under the personal command of the Governor of Britain, Scapula.
The XIV was initially stationed at Mancetter fortress, near Atherstone in Warwickshire, before moving north to Wroxeter around 55AD. Strategically important, the site was home to the legion in the early days of the invasion.
The legion pacified the Cornovi tribe, the largest tribe in the area. However, it’s unknown whether this was by peaceful means or by battle. Spearheads have been found on the Wrekin suggesting some force was used. Following this, it’s likely the Cornovii were allowed to continue living in their community but were influenced and under control of Rome. During this time, it’s thought that some locals from the Cornovii tribe joined the Legion.
Before moving west, the XIV legion took part in the Battle of Watling Street, around 60AD, where the Romans defeated the Britons, lead by Boudica. Though the location of the battle is unknown, some believe it to be around the West Midlands.
The other Roman legion operation in the West Midlands was the XX. Similar to the XIV, the XX arrived in the mid first century, during the Cluadius invasion of Britain. The Legion was made up of soldiers and Cavalry units from the Balkans, Spain, Italy, Germany and North Africa.
They defeated the Welsh Chieftain at the Battle of Caer Caradoc in AD50. Again, the exact site of the battlefield is unknown. Accounts suggest the battlefield was on a hill with views across the River Severn, some suggest Malvern or even Caer Caradoc hill – named after the battle. Either way, the West Midlands would have certainly seen the fallout from the battle, with legionaries moving between the forts in the region – Mancetter, Wroxeter and Metchley.
Following the pacification of the region, the XX Legion was sent North to support with the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, and the XIV were sent west into Wales.
Roman Settlement in the West Midlands
During the early years of Roman occupation, it was largely a military exercise. Forts at important strategic locations quickly sprang up, such as Wroxeter, Metchley and Mancetter. Lunt Fort in Coventry also would have seen movement of troops in the first century.
Metchley Fort, on the site of today’s University of Birmingham, was a cavalry depot and supply point for Legionaries moving north to Wroxeter. Built in the 50s AD, the fort was garrisoned with a strong presence in the early years, but as the region fell under Rome’s control, it became a supply depot for soldiers and dignitaries as they travelled around Britain. A small settlement, known as a Vicus, also sprang up outside the gate of the fort, where local people traded with the soldiers. We know the XIV and XX were both station at Metchley Fort throughout the first century.
The site was excavated in the early 20th Century and along with the fort outline, spearheads, pottery and trenching tools were discovered. A reconstruction of one of the gatehouses was built in the 1950s but destroyed in 1960s. Some evidence of the fort remains today, with earthworks still visible as you walk from the train station and past the university medical school. Information boards can be found along the route.
As the Romans turned their attention to campaigning further north, the fort became a supply depot for soldiers. By AD 80 the fort was abandoned by the Romans, although still believed to have been occupied for a further hundred years.
With peace in the region came other civilian settlements in the latter half of the first century. Letocetum near Wall in Staffordshire was strategically placed at an intersection between Watling Street and Icknield Street – both roads still exist today. Originally a fortress, the settlement grew to included luxuries such as temples, bath houses, mansion houses and an amphitheatre. Due to its location, it’s probable that many important dignitaries passed through on their journey to the North.
Viroconium, near Wroxeter, also grew fast, due to its position at the end of Watling Street. Originally an outpost for Thracian Auxiliary troops, and later garrisoned by the XIV legion - at its peak it became the 4th largest city in the Britain with a population of 15 thousand, comparable to the size of Pompeii. Today Virocinium is one of the best-preserved Roman settlements in the world.
From these settlements it appears Rome influenced the surrounding natives. At Castle Hill Old Fort, an Iron Age hill fort in Stonnall, about 5 miles from Wall and Icknield Street, coins were found of Emperor Nero in around 60BC – showing trading and interaction with the local populations.
Roman Roads in the West Midlands
Like today, the West Midlands was the logistical heart of Roman Britain. Some were built on existing tracks used by the local tribes, others were created by the Romans.
The most notable roads in the region are Iclnield Street and Watling Street. The routes of both streets are still roughly in use today – and street names still reflect the original names in parts. Watling St follows the A5 from St Albans to the North West, through the Midlands and Icknield Street runs from Alcester up to the East Midlands. A section of the original track can be seen in Sutton Park.
Roman Sites to visit in the West Midlands
Lunt Fort (c.£5 for adults). Situated along the Foss Way and Watling Street, the site dates to around 60 AD. The museum contains a reconstruction to give an idea of how a timeber fort would have looked, similar to the one at Metchley. There is also a museum and reconstructions of buildings such as a granary house.
Wroxeter/Viriconium (£9 for adults). Operated by English Heritage the site contains ruins of the town, including a bathhouse. There is also a reconstruction of a mansion house on the site.
Wall/Letocetum (FREE). Managed by English Heritage, the site is free to visit during daylight hours on selected days throughout the year. You can see the outline of the key buildings at the settlement. There is also a reconstruction and museum on site.
Metchley Fort (FREE). Though little remains of the Roman fort and settlement, earthworks can still be seen and information boards can be found around the area with images of how the fort would have looked and history. Excavations took place in… and found…
Icknield Street (FREE). Today, many roads in South Birmingham reflect the name Icknield Street. A section of preserved road can be found in Sutton Park.