Border Reivers

From Whitehaven News

Undoubtedly, Birdoswald, built in 122 AD, is one of the best-preserved and most interesting examples of Roman rule to be found in the Hadrian’s Wall area. Almost 2,000 years of history are on display. The remains of the Fort can be found on a high spur of land overlooking the Irthing Gorge. One of the large grain storage areas was used by local chieftains following the departure of the Romans.

Following Roman occupation, Birdoswald became the homes or lairs of a variety of Chieftains during the incorrectly described ‘Dark Ages’ (the period 500 AD - 1,000 AD), followed by clans of the infamous Border Reivers. In later, more peaceful days, farmers pursued their livelihood in the area - mainly during the Victorian era.

Birdoswald, being situated along Hadrian’s Wall, became effectively one of the first lines of defence of civilised Britannia Province against the barbarians from the North. Its importance to the Romans cannot be under-stated, as Hadrian’s Wall was the limit of Rome’s incursion into Britain and it was vital to the Romans to defend its borders, the Northernmost part of the Empire.

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