AD 43-410 Roman

During the Roman period there was frequent military campaigning in northern England. This was partly because it was the area of the province closest to the unconquered tribes in the areas of modern Scotland and Ireland. It was also the result of a breakdown of political relations with the large and powerful Brigantes tribe.

During his campaign to subdue the Brigantes, Agricola, governor of Britannia in the late 1st century AD, advanced into Scotland. However the Romans later abandoned their positions north of a line from the Solway Firth to Newcastle. In 122 the emperor Hadrian built a fortified wall along this line. Except for brief periods when occupation extended further north, notably under the emperor Antoninus Pius (reigned 138 to 161), Hadrian’s Wall remained the northern frontier of the province until the end of Roman Britain. It is still partially standing today.

However, northern life was not all hardship. Although towns like Deva (Chester) and Eboracum (York) were originally founded as military bases, their location and importance meant that they also became wealthy trading centres. These towns had many impressive buildings such as Deva’s stone amphitheatre, which is the largest found in Britain. Improved farming methods meant that the land could support luxurious villa estates outside the towns. Letters written by the inhabitants of the frontier fort at Vindolanda show that even there some people could enjoy a sociable and comfortable life.