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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 complete but folded Post-Medieval silver half groat of Charles I (AD 1625 - 1649) dating to AD 1635-1636North (1991) 2257. Group D, fourth bust. Tower of London Mint, Initial Mark Crown. Spink 2831 [...]
A worn Post-medieval silver penny of Elizabeth I (AD 1558-1603), dating to the period AD 1558-1603. Mint of London (Tower). Unclear initial mark. The coin has been clipped. [...]
A worn copper-alloy token halfpenny of Joseph Crocker, linen draper in Shefford, Bedfordshire, struck in 1670. Obverse: The Draper's Arms. [IOSEPH . CROCKER . OF . 1670]. Reverse: SHEFFORD LINEN DR[APE]R. In centre A HALF PENY, [...]
A worn copper alloy Roman nummus (AE3) from the House of Valentinian, dating to the period AD 364-378 (Reece Period 19). Probably a GLORIA ROMANORVM reverse type depicting emperor and captive. Unclear ruler or mint. [...]
A worn copper alloy Roman nummus (AE3) from the House of Constantine, dating to the period AD 335-341 (Reece Period 17). GLORIA EXERCITVS reverse type depicting two soldiers standing with one standard. Unclear ruler or [...]
A Medieval to Post Medieval rose and orb copper-alloy Nuremberg jetton of an dating to circa AD 1500-1651. The jetton has been bent out of shape. [...]
A Medieval to Post Medieval rose and orb copper-alloy Nuremberg jetton of an dating to circa AD 1500-1651. The jetton has been bent out of shape. [...]
A Medieval silver Venetian Soldino of Doge Leonardo Loredan, dating to the period AD 1501-1521. LAVS TIBI SOLI reverse type, depicting Christ with Halo and holding cross right. [...]
A Medieal silver voided long cross cut halfpenny of Henry III-Edward I, not further defined, dating to circa AD 1247-1279. Unclear moneyer and mint. [...]
A Medieal silver voided short cross cut halfpenny of Henry II-Henry III, not further defined, dating to circa AD 1180-1247. Unclear moneyer and mint. [...]
A Roman copper-alloy Quinarius of Allectus (AD 293-296) dating to circa AD 293-296 (Reece Period 14). Uncertain reverse type depicting galley rowing left with oarsmen and waves. Mint of London or Colchester. [...]
A Roman silver denarius of Vespasian (AD 69-79) dating to AD 75 (Reece Period 4). PON MAX TR P COS VI reverse type depicting Securitas seated left. Mint of Rome. As RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 774. [...]
A fragment of a Post Medieval silver coin of Elizabeth I (AD 1558-1603), not further defined dating to circa AD 1558-1603). Tower of London mint. [...]
A Roman copper-alloy contempory copy of a radiate of Victorinus (AD 268-270) dating to AD 275-285 (Reece Period 14). Copying SALVS AVG reverse type depicting Salus standing left holding sceptre and patera, feeding a snake [...]
