ROMAN HORNCASTLE
The Romans first invaded England in 55BC but didn't stay long and didn't advance much past the South East. Under the Emperor Claudius they made a serious effort in 43AD and this time they stayed until 410AD. Horncastle is well known for being a Roman town, but it didn't get it's fortifications until the fourth century, why was this and what was it's purpose? There are many other questions you may have; maybe the information below can answer a few of them or inspire you to ask more.
Roman Horncastle
People have lived in what is now Horncastle since at least the Neolithic but it was not until the late Iron Age (100BC) that something we would think of as a town or village developed.
This was on the higher ground area around the Stanhope Hall and Boston Road overlooking the meadows of the River Bain. This settlement developed into a Roman Town, which by the third century included houses with stone buildings and painted wall plaster.
In the fourth century the Romans built a fortification at Horncastle in the angle between the Rivers Bain and Waring.
