The Romans built a stone fort in the NW corner of the Londinium settlement. Work appears to have commenced around the year 120AD, some forty years after the conquest. This may have been in conjunction with the visit of the Emperor Hadrian, who came to Britain in AD 122. It is known that similar large construction projects were undertaken in other parts of the empire in conjunction with the Emperor’s visits
LOcation of Roman fort c122AD
Plan of Roman fort c122AD
Unlike most Roman forts it was unlikely that the main aim was of a defensive nature and the fort was probably used to house men on secondment from other units who were serving as the Governors personal guard or on other administrative or construction duties in the Londinium area. It seems to have had a lot of storage space and so may also have acted as a warehouse before supplies were shipped to units in other parts of the country.
Its walls were 4.5m high and 1.2m wide and each wall was approx 200m long. The area of the fort was approx 12 acres. It is estimated that it could house approx 1000 men and it is likely that these were made up of both infantry and cavalry.It had four gatehouses, to the west and the north leading out of the city and to the south and the east giving access to the city area.
The forts life was short-lived however and when the new city wall was built in 200AD, the west and north walls of the old fort were widened and incorporated into it. Within 20 years the fort had been decommissioned and the eastern and southern walls demolished.
Incorporation of fort into Roman City walls c200AD
Artists impression of Fort c200AD
The only remaining part of the Roman fort is part of the western gatehouse which is now preserved in a room under a new road. It was found in 1956 when the new road was being built and is accessible twice a month on a guided tour from the Museum of London, which is adjacent to the site. For details see http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/events-calendar/?etype=Tours
Artists drawing of the Western gatehouse showing current remains of gatehouse
Model of possible appearance of Western Gatehouse
Guardroom in Western Gatehouse
Remains of guardroom of Western Gatehouse
Bases of central pillars of Gatehouse
