Transcript NGfL

6. Forden Gaer
Video
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Photographs
reproduced with the
permission of ClwydPowys Archaeological
Trust & Royal
Commission on the
Ancient and Historic
Monuments of Wales
Photos
Web links
Road Map of
Roman Wales
More photos
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6. Forden Gaer
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NGfL CYMRU GCaD
6. Forden Gaer
Click here to read the sign
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6. Forden Gaer
FORD OF RHYDWHYMAN
Throughout early history, this ford across the Severn was the
main route of passage from mid-Wales into England, leading
directly along the Camlad and Rea Brook valleys between the
hills to Shrewsbury. It was defended through the ages on the
English side by a series of strategic fortifications.
Earliest of these is the IRON AGE hillfort, Ffridd Faldwyn
whose imposing ramparts are well preserved a mile to the SE.
In the field N. of the ford, the ROMAN occupation of Britain is
marked by the outlines of the Forden Gaer (probably
‘Lavobrinta’), a typical Roman fortified camp built in AD 75.
One of the two largest in Wales, it was occupied for over 300
years until the end of local Roman rule. …
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6. Forden Gaer
This Roman road came out of the
fort at Caersws and went through
Newtown.
Caersws
Where did it go to?
Newtown
Photograph © Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust
Photograph © RCAHMW
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6. Forden Gaer
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This field has been ploughed.
What can you see?
Photograph © RCAHMW
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6. Forden Gaer
Photograph © RCAHMW
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Site of Forden Gaer showing the River Severn
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6. Forden Gaer
Photograph © RCAHMW
NGfL CYMRU GCaD
www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk
6. Forden Gaer
NGfL CYMRU GCaD
Photograph © RCAHMW
www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk
6. Forden Gaer
NGfL CYMRU GCaD
Interpretation of the evidence
Based on what you’ve seen and heard about Forden Gaer, discuss
why one statement might be true and the other one is false.
The Romans chose this place to build a fort because:
A) There were no Celts in the area, this was a safe place.
B) This was on an important route, they could decide who
was allowed to cross the river.
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6. Forden Gaer – Teacher’s Notes
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Forden Gaer was 152m x 140m, just over 5 acres in area. Caersws is given as 180m x 177m, almost 8 acres.
http://www.roman-britain.org/places/levobrinta.htm
Given that Isca was huge, accommodating thousands of legionaries, I’d dispute the claim, made on the sign, that
Forden Gaer was the second largest Roman camp in Wales.
Slide 1. Weblink - Map of Roman Wales – click on the green button below the quiz answers.
Slide 2 Video from Newtown, including a look at Tescos, to Forden Gaer. Unfortunately the site was covered with
sweetcorn, 2m tall, so there was no sign of the fort.
Slide 3 As the sign says, the ford has been an important, strategic site from pre-Roman times.
Slide 4 The sign, misleadingly in my opinion, refers to Forden Gaer as one of the two largest fortified camps in Wales.
Caersws was 50% larger and Isca (Caerleon) many times larger. An opportunity to discuss the reliability of sources or,
as Isca is usually referred to as a legionary fortress, maybe it isn’t included in this comparison – the importance of
clarity in terminology could be discussed.
Slide 5. The Roman road from the E gate of Caersws fort follows the Severn valley, through Newtown to Forden Gaer
then to Wroxeter and ultimately Chester.
Slide 6 The change in the soil colour shows the position of the walls and roads.
Slide 7. These crop marks show the gates well.
Slide 8 The crop shows nothing but the shadows show the banks nicely. The glimpse of blue at the end of the straight
stretch of road is the Severn, the ford was roughly at this point (the river has changed its course since then).
In the bottom left corner there may be a military arena, a large bowl shape, just above the single tree.
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/401218/details/FORDEN+GAER%2C+ARENA/
Slide 9. The shadows show the banks and crop marks show the underground rubble from walls and roads.
Slide 10 Why did the Romans chose to build a fort here? It was a good site for controlling the passage of people and
exchanging goods and news with those travelling on the river and across it between England and Wales. The site is on
the Roman road from Caersws –Wroxeter-Chester, it provided a safe place to sleep for soldiers travelling that route.
As the sign says, there is a hillfort only 1 mile away so it’s not true to say that there weren’t any Celts in the area.
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