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Whitely Castle
Those of you who are fans of Bernard Cornwell will know Whitley castle from his latest book: those of you who know their Roman stuff will know it as Epiacum Fort: and those who really know their stuff will know it’s the most complex set of defences in the Roman world
Crammed between the grass and sky
And what a setting it is: crammed between the grass and the sky, the fortress sits on a high ridge above the Road, imposing itself on the surrounding countryside. The remains of the defences are like green frozen waves rolling out from the walls and the remains of the corner towers are so clear you can practically still see the chilled garrison huddling around the fires, avoiding the chilly winds racing across the bleak beautiful fells.
Lozenge Shape
The location is narrow, and so the fort is less a rectangle and more a lozenge. The overlooking fells were clearly of sufficient worry for the various commanders to keep his lads busy adding to and complicating the banks that run away in rolling damp grassy undulations from the fort, but aside from a few isolated farms and an RAF fighter or 2 we reckoned the builders of this place would easily recognize it today
The only locals in sight were woolly, the only people were us, and the only sound was that of the drone and the wind, and we could have stayed forever. A place we will definitely visit again, and if you haven’t then take my advice. Do.
A possible medieval to post medieval copper alloy belt fitting or buckle plate dating from AD 1500-1700. The mount is rectangular in shape and flat. At one end there is a central circular perforation. The [...]
Lead object of uncertain date and function, possibly a crude ingot, or circular palm guard. The object is sub-circular in plan, and lentoid in section. Its surfaces are rough and grey, with slightly white powdery [...]
A complete silver Sixpence of William III (AD 1694-1702). Second bust. Cruciform shield reverse. Bristol mint. AD 1695-1699.Diameter: 20.75mm, Thickness: 0.91mm, Weight: 2.61gSpink P 370-1, No 3532/3539 [...]
An incomplete silver Half Groat of Charles I (AD 1625-1649). Group D. Ovate garnished shield reverse. Minted London. Diameter: 15.33mm, Thickness: 0.78mm, Weight: 1.00gThe coin is missing minor portions of its outer flan. [...]
A corroded copper alloy radiate or nummus of an uncertain ruler. The coin is in poor, incomplete condition, is 17mm in diameter and weighs 1.37g. [...]
A virtually complete Roman copper-alloy bracelet or armlet dating to circa AD 43–100. The object is complete except for wear to one terminal, and has been slightly bent out of shape post-deposition. It is rectangular [...]
Incomplete copper alloy pommel or integral cast sword guard of possible Iron Age Date (c. 100BC-100AD).The artefact is irregular in plan and profile; it is formed from a central sub-circular vertical element from which two [...]
A medieval silver hammered long-cross penny of an uncertain ruler, very worn and clipped but with the obverse and reverse elements visible. Pellets either side of the neck and (possibly) on the breast suggest a [...]
A Medieval silver voided short cross cut halfpenny of Henry II (AD 1154-1189), Class 1b dating to circa AD 1180-1189 (N 963). Moneyer: Raulf; Mint: London/Winchester. Ref: North 1980: 178. [...]
A Roman copper-alloy barbarous radiate copying a coin of Divus Claudius II (AD 270-271) dating to circa AD 275-285 (Reece Period 14). Copying CONSECRATIO reverse type depicting altar with flame. Mint of Rome prototype. As Normanby [...]
An incomplete Penny of Edward I (AD 1272-1307). Probably class 6a. Long cross reverse with three pellets in each quadrant. London mint. AD 1291-1294.Diameter: 17.93mm, Thickness: 0.69mm, Weight: 0.90gThe coin is missing portions of its [...]
A Roman copper-alloy dupondius or as of an uncertain probable Nerva-Antonine ruler dating to circa AD 138-192. Unclear reverse type. Unclear mint. [...]
A Roman copper-alloy barbarous radiate of an uncertain ruler dating to circa AD 275-285 (Reece Period 14). Copying uncertain reverse type. Unclear mint. [...]
An incomplete copper alloy Sestertius or Dupondius of Unclear Emperor (AD 43-250). Unclear reverse type depicting a standing figure left with arm outstretched. Probably mint of Rome.Diameter: 30.65mm, Weight: 11.50g [...]
An incomplete copper alloy Buckle of Post-Medieval date (AD 1600-1720). The object is a fragment from a double loop oval frame with moulded decoration on the loops. The retained portion has a trefoil knop on the [...]
A Roman copper-alloy nummus of Constantius II (AD 323-361) dating to AD 337-340 (Reece Period 17). GLORIA EXERCITVS reverse type depicting two soldiers holding one standard. Mint of Arles. AS RIC VIII, pg 205, no [...]
A complete lead or lead alloy Shot of Post-Medieval date (AD 1640-1750). The object is spherical with a shallow circumferential casting seam and spru. The shot has a slightly pitted surface.Diameter: 18.57mm, Weight: 35.38gThe metal is [...]
A complete copper alloy Pot Leg of Medieval to Post-Medieval date (AD 1200-1700). The object has a sub-triangular cross section and D shaped in plan. The lower end of the object is tapered and rounded. The [...]
An incomplete copper alloy Crotal bell of a single cast form of Post-Medieval date (AD 1550-1750). The object comprises two hemispheres divided by a raised horizontal circumferential rib. There are two sound holes one on either [...]
