Rochester : Romano-British Period

From the later 1st century AD, Redesdale along with the rest of the Northumbrian uplands fell under the control of expanding Roman Empire. The principal bases of Roman power lay to the North West and south, at the forts of High Rochester (Bremenium) and Risingham (Habitancum) along Dere Street, the main road into Scotland.

A shorter lived fort was situated at Blakehope between the two. Another road was constructed to link High Rochester with Low Learchild (Alauna) on the Devil's Causeway, the route which led north from Corbridge towards Berwick (cf. MacLauchlan 1864a, 48-57; 1864b). The link road crossed the high moors west of Rochester, before crossing the Coquet just north of Holystone. A shrine probably dedicated to Cocidius has been discovered at Yardhope (Charlton & Mitcheson 1983), not far south of the link road, and may well have become a focus of veneration for members of the garrison of Bremenium.

Picture : Roman Tomb At Petty Knowes

Picture : Roman Quarry South East Of Petty Knowes