Saint Albans (Verulamium) Fort

Claudian Auxiliary Fort (AD 43–54) and Flavian Auxiliary Fort (AD 69–96)

The Plautian Auxiliary Fort

OS National Grid Reference: TL135072
Dimensions: c.450 x 400 ft (c.137 x 122 m)
Area: c.4¼ acres (c.1.7 ha)

Two opposing corner-angles of a Roman camp were found during excavations conducted in the late-1950’s by Sheppard Frere, lying beneath the forum/basilica of the later Roman town. The camp measures 450 x 400 feet (c.137 x 122 m) and encloses an area of just under 4¼ acres (c.1.7 ha). It was probably positioned here to guard the important crossing over the River Ver. This temporary encampment was only occupied for a short period, perhaps a single campaign season, before being demolished and the garrison removed to a new fort built just to the north.

The Later Flavian Fort

OS National Grid Reference: TL136075
Dimensions: c.425 x 350 ft (c.129 x 107 m)
Area: c.3½ acres (c.1.4 ha)

The defences of this fort were found during large-scale excavations conducted by S.S. Frere in 1961 on the north-eastern wall of the later Roman town. The fort’s defences consisted of a timber-revetted rampart of turf, 20 feet wide, which was fronted by a ditch of unknown dimensions. The post-holes of a timber gateway, 12 feet wide, were found during subsequent excavations by I.E. Anthony in 1966. The encampment measured about 425 x 350 feet (c.) and enclosed an are of just under 3½ acres (c.1.38 ha). This fort had a slightly longer lifespan than the forum encampment, probably being abandoned c.ad50 when the civitas capital of the Catuvellauni was granted the status of a Municipium.

Map References for Saint Albans

NGRef: TL 134 072 OSMap: LR82

Roman Roads near Saint Albans

None identified

Sites near Saint Albans (Verulamium) Fort