Mastiles Lane Roman Camp

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Sat, 05/07/2025 - 00:00

Walking between Wharfedale and Malhamdale, the path takes one right through the site of a 'Roman Camp'. This does not refer to some children's holiday centre with a twee, historical theme, but an ancient military encampment. It was built by Quintus Petillius Cerialis, who was made legate of Legio IX Hispana in 61AD, and then Britannia’s Governor in 71AD at the time the apostles were preaching the gospel about the Mediterranean. The local tribe of the Brigantes was in revolt, and Cerialis moved troops into their territory to quell dissent and enforce submission to Rome.

Known as the the Mastiles Lane marching camp, it can be better observed from above, though faint lines of earthwork ditches may still be seen by perceptive walkers. It covers nearly twenty acres and shows the place where the Ninth Legion protected and housed itself while marching through their opponents’ territory. Can you picture the legionaries carrrying their digging tools, baskets for relocating excess soil and wooden stakes to plant in the ditches? After the day’s march, troops would dig a rectangular ditch all around a given site, and position the wooden stakes on top of the ditches to form a palisade.

Sleeping inside leather tents, 8 men a-piece, ready for the next day’s march, sentries would vigil lest angry tribesmen attack. 2000 years ago, this was a place of high drama; locals fleeing and imperial invaders dreading what ancient Britons and their murmuring druidic priests had in store. Now, it is a place of natural beauty enjoyed by more sheep than people. The defences are all but gone, and the ancient Britons with them. It is a place of fascination, of inquiry, of children imaging the red plumes and shining breastplates, the Britons' woad-painted faces and long beards. Yesterday’s wars and problems are today’s curiosities; today’s problems will be recalled and contemplated with wise smiles in the banqueting halls of heaven.