The Romans evenually conquered Britain in AD 43, during the reign of Claudius. Forty thousand men landed in Kent and quickly began to make their presence felt by taking Colchester, a major tribal capital. Of the four legions who arrived on our shores, IX Hispana travelled north and came to the place we know today as Lincoln.
Historic Lincoln at this time lay within the area of the Iron Age tribe called Corieltauvi and traces of an Iron Age settlement have been found on the east bank of the Brayford Pool. The Romans, understanding the military advantage of the site, built a fortress on top of the hill, a strategic position over looking the River Witham and the major trackways around Lincoln. The Legion IX Hispana occupied Lincoln from about AD 54 -71 but some time after AD 71, the IX Legion left for York and was replaced by Legion II Adiutrix, who remained in Lincoln until AD 78.
During the military occupation it was important for the Romans to keep order and control. To do this effectively, forts were established enabling troops quick access to the troublesome areas. Unfortunately only few have remains that can be seen. The best examples are at Horncastle and Caistor. Both towns are late 4th Century walled towns (possibly military), directly linked with a pre-Roman route recognised today as the B1225.
As things were beginning to settle down the military use of the fortress became less important. The site in Lincoln was given the honour of becoming a Colonia, one of only four in Britain: Colchester, Gloucester, York and Lincoln. The Colonia was a settlement for veteran soldiers and due to this Lincoln grew. The county also prospered. Villas, forts and many other sites have been found in the countryside and some places still have significant remains, whereas others are nothing more than earthworks.
The Colonia survived into the early 5th Century but in AD 410 after Emperor Honorius relinquished Rome's control of Britain many settlements were left to defend themselves allowing Anglo-Saxon invaders to exert their influences on the County.
The Development of Transport in Lincolnshire
Roads
There were recognisable tracks in pre-Roman Lincolnshire but the Romans brought with them an advanced method of road construction. Major Roman roads are quite easy to identify, as they are very straight. The best example in Lincolnshire is Ermine Street, now the modern A15, particularly the northbound section heading towards Scunthorpe, which originally continued into Winteringham, where a ferry would be available across the River Humber.
Ermine Street was the main road north from London, linking the settlement at Lincoln with York. Travelling north from Lincoln the road is built in an agger style, a Latin term indicating built up foundations, which in this case reflects the road's elevation. Ditches were dug at the side of the road and the soil was used to elevate the road. Certain sections have been excavated to show construction methods.
The Fosse Way (A46) was another important road connecting Lincoln to Leicester and on towards Bath and Exeter.
Some roads built in the pre-Roman period but were kept in service, for example the B1225 linking Caistor with Horncastle. Some sections of Roman roads are no longer in use although they can still be recognised on the county landscape. Good examples are sections of Ermine Street south of Lincoln (The Viking Way), Tillbridge Lane (A1500) and King Street.
Waterways
In Lincolnshire two main waterways, Car Dyke and Foss Dyke, are usually considered as Roman. Car Dyke connected the River Nene, east of Peterborough, with the River Witham. The Foss Dyke connected the River Witham with the River Trent. Recent thinking, however, considers Car Dyke may have primarily been a drain and that Foss Dyke may have been Viking or Norman.
Canals were an excellent way to move supplies and other goods between settlements. With the availability of major rivers, the shipment of goods was relatively easy.
