Via Devana
The Via Devana was a Roman road that ran from Colchester in the south-east to Chester in the north-west. Both were important Roman military centres and it is conjectured that the main reason the road was constructed was military rather than civilian. Colchester, Colonia Victricensis, lays claim to be the oldest Roman city in Britain.
The Via Devana eventually fell into disuse as it was not possible to maintain extensive public works following withdrawal of the last Roman legions from Britain in 407. As a result, its route is difficult to find today, especially in its more northern reaches. It is omitted from some historians' maps for this reason but most nowadays accept its existence.
Contents
Name
The name of the road, if it had a single name, is undocumented. The name Via Devana was coined by Charles Mason, DD, of Trinity College, Cambridge, rector of Orwell, Cambridgeshire, and Woodwardian Professor of Fossils, who compiled a map of Cambridgeshire, published in 1808, long after his death.[1]
The name Mason gave the road is from the Latin name for Chester, Deva, hence 'The Chester Road'.
Route
The route of the Via Devana ran north and west as follows:
- Colchester - Colonia Victricensis
- Wixoe (conjectured) - (possible fort)
- Cambridge - Durolipons, now the main road through Cambridge to Madgalene Bridge
- Huntingdon / Godmanchester (Durolipus or Durovigutum) where it crossed Ermine Street
- Corby
- Medbourne - The stretch from Medbourne to Leicester is broken, but where it exists is nowadays known as the "Gartree Road"
- Leicester- (Ratae Corieltauvorum), meeting Fosse Way
- There is speculation that finds in Moira indicates the Mason's route, reported in 1831, may have some factual basis.
- Mancetter (Manduessedum) where it joined Watling Street until
- Water Eaton - (Pennocrucium) to
- Newport, Shropshire - (Plesc which meant fortified place or one with palisade) it is here that it followed the same route as the A41 towards
- Whitchurch, Shropshire - (Mediolan or Mediolanum)
- Chester
See also
Outside links
- Location map: 52°36’1"N, 1°2’7"W
- Via Devana in Leicestershire
References
- ↑ Charles Mason, (died 1770); map published in Daniel Lysons, Magna Britannia, 1808, p.229: Codrington T, Roman Roads in Britain, 1903, p. 137; Willis, Robert, The Architectural History of the University of Cambridge,..., 1886, vol. II Appendix pp675f.
