Roman Occupation of Manchester

Castleshaw Roman Fort (Rigodunum) near Oldham
Aerial Photograph Courtesy of www.webbaviation.co.uk © 2005
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When General Julius Agricola, (40 - 93 AD), the commander of the invading Roman legions, arrived at a sandstone bluff overlooking the confluence of the Rivers Irwell and Medlock on a major roadway from the Roman settlement at Deva (Chester) to Eboracum (York), he saw instantly that it was, potentially, an excellently defensible position against the native Celtic tribe, the Brigantes, (perhaps where the word "brigand" comes from), who were (to put it mildly) less than pleased by the uninvited occupying force's arrival in their ancestral territories.

Agricola immediately set about building a wooden fortress. He called the place "Mamuciam" (sometimes spelt 'Mamucium' - meaning "a breast shaped hill") because of the then distinctive shape of the outcrop. The site of this encampment is marked today by Camp Street (actually in Salford).

Agricola's original fort covered some 5 acres and was then surrounded by woods where deer and wild boar were still to be found. Eventually, the Brigantes were won over and even Cartimandua, their queen, was to become a firm friend of Agricola.

The original garrison was probably populated by legionaries from Spain and Romania, and it must have seemed a very dark, cold and damp outpost at the very edge of the Roman Empire in comparison to the sunny climes of their native lands. An inscription on the reconstructed North Gate of the present Fort, (as it would have appeared around 200 AD), commemorates troops from the provinces of Rhaetia and Noricum (roughly approximating to modern Austria), and their centurion is identified as Lucius Senecianius Martius.

Over the next 3 centuries, a stone fort was built further downstream at what was to become Castlefield (simply known by medieval times as the "castle in the field"), and the inevitable small encampment (or vicus - a place to live) grew around it - at its height it is estimated that some 2000 people lived within its walls, including soldier's wives and families together with craftsmen and traders. Many of these would have been Britons who eventually intermarried with Roman legionaries. This was the origin of Manchester, and the people became the Romano-British.

The later stone fort was built at the present day site, where the 1970 excavations and reconstruction is visible, and well worth a visit. In summer, two tour guides dressed as Roman legionaries, conduct guided tours around the fortress.

A Roman exhibition can also be seen in the nearby Castlefield Visitors' Centre. Many valuable archaeological finds exist, including fragments of Spanish pottery and a word square bearing the words "Pater Noster" (Latin = "Our Father" - the beginning of the Lord's Prayer) - these two are dated at between 170-175 AD, the oldest known Christian relics in Great Britain.

The reconstructed North Gate has been built on the excavated foundations of the original fort, using evidence from other Manchester excavations as a guide. It shows how the gate would have appeared around 200 AD This position is flanked by the two original defensive ditches which were built during the 3rd century AD. Above the arch in the gate is a guardroom, furnished with reproduction furniture in the style of the period.

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Monument to Agricola on
Manchester Town Hall and one of the Castlefield markers.

The reconstruction of the North Gat
of the final stone fort at Castlefield,
off Liverpool Road

Roman Legionaire

The Castlefield Canal Basin -
"Castle in the Field"

Books about Roman Manchester

Books about Saxon England

An inscription on the gate commemorates a detachment of troops from the provinces of Rhaetia and Noricum (modern Austria) and their centurion, Lucius Senecianus Martius.

At its height, the fort and the spreading civilian settlement around it probably amounted to about 2000 people.

The fort was abandoned in 411 AD, marking the complete withdrawal of Roman troops from Britain, and the township (the vicus) probably fell gradually into disuse. Over time the purpose of the ruined fortress was lost in obscurity, and "the castle in the field" suffered as did most other ruins, as a useful place for locals to acquire (steal) ready dressed stones to repair their houses and barns.

The Roman withdrawal from Britain in the 5th century AD left the town open to the ravages of further European and Scandinavian invasions, notably the Saxons, who renamed the township "Manigceastre". These fierce Northmen attacked and plundered the town in 429 AD. Later, Edwin, King of Northumbria, conquered and occupied the town in 620 AD.

In 870 AD the Danes invaded and virtually razed the town to the ground in a prolonged and bloody conflict. So bloody was the conflict that, the southern district of Reddish (now part of Stockport) is thought to have derived from the blood red field of battle. The rebuilt "Danish" town's early streets were named by them. The Danish word "gat" (meaning "road") is still evidenced in Deansgate and Millgate. Danish invaders had arrived by longboat by sailing up the River Mersey, unopposed, as far as Warrington.

By 923 AD, the town, now commonly known first as "Mamecaestre" and then as "Manceastre", came under the rule of West Saxon kings, and became a garrison for the troops of Prince Edward the Elder. An effigy of their patron saint, the Archangel Michael, is thought to have been brought with them, and the so-called "Angel Stone" can still be viewed in Manchester Cathedral. At that time, the Cathedral would have been known as the Church of St Mary, and is briefly mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 AD. The Angel Stone was unearthed by workmen repairing the South Porch in 1871, and is almost the only surviving relic of Saxon times in Manchester

There is a brief historic reference in the town records of Edward, son of King Alfred the Great, taking over the town in that year and making repairs to the "fortifications", (probably based around the present cathedral), which would still have been little more than a wooden palisade.

During the 10th century, the church of St Mary was established at the north end of Deansgate - that church is now Manchester Cathedral.

In 1028, King Canute regarded the town as important enough to found one of his 10 royal mints here.
It was during the Anglo Saxon period that Manchester, which had hitherto been established around the Roman Fort at Castlefield was re-established around the Cathedral, about a mile north of the old town.

After the Norman Invasion of 1066, William of Normandy carved his newly won lands into sizeable portions to give out as rewards to the barons who had loyally supported him in the Conquest of England. They in turn, further divided the lands as gifts in payment to their knights and soldiers.

William gave the lands around Manchester to Roger of Poitou, who in turn bestowed the Manor of Manchester on Nigellus, a Norman knight. Nigellus subsequently gave the manor as a present to his son-in-law, Albert de Gresley, whose son Thomas was granted The Great Charter of Manchester in 1301, under which it became a free borough.

His successors were to create and found the collegiate church which became Manchester Cathedral.

The trail begins outside the White Lion pub on Liverpool Road, and is organised by the Castlefield Management Company. The Trail includes:

The Roman Gardens
A selection of plants, herbs and trees thought to have been introduced by the Romans;

The Vicus
The civilian settlement outside the fort, mainly inhabited by the wives and families of soldiers as well as neighbouring tribes (the Brigantes);

The North Gate
The reconstruction of the final fort built around 200 AD with Commander's House, stables, hospital, barracks and granary;

Defensive Ditches
In front of the North Gate the 3rd century earthworks which formed the primary defence;

The West Wall
A largely reconstructed wall overlooking the surrounding countryside.

The Castlefield Management Company
Castlefield Centre, 101 Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4JN
Tel: 0161-834 4026. Fax: 0161-839 8747.
Registered Charity Number 1054182.