Every Roman mile along Hadrian's Wall, there was a milecastle. Our walk gradually came to be measured by which milecastles we were between even though no traces of the one's at either end exist and, in some cases, their location is purely speculative. Still we saw quite a few in the middle.

In theory all the milecastles had gates through the wall - emphasising its role as a customs barrier first and foremost.

However sometimes, when the milecastle was next to a crag, the builders clearly decided there was no point creating gates that would never be used.

Although in some cases, clearly the jobsworths were out and if milecastles were supposed to have gates, then this milecastle would have a gate even if no one in their right mind would use it.


In theory all the milecastles had gates through the wall - emphasising its role as a customs barrier first and foremost.

However sometimes, when the milecastle was next to a crag, the builders clearly decided there was no point creating gates that would never be used.

Although in some cases, clearly the jobsworths were out and if milecastles were supposed to have gates, then this milecastle would have a gate even if no one in their right mind would use it.

(no subject)
Date: 2017-09-12 02:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-09-13 09:13 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2017-09-13 02:13 pm (UTC)