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The mansio, however, was still in use as the fort’s ditches stopped short of this structure, although around this time it was converted into a bath house. Late in the century the site was brought into the ‘Saxon Shore’ chain of forts, and the massive walls which today dominate the site were constructed. The remains of the Arch were finally demolished and the fort’s headquarters built on the foundations. Its garrison was the Second Legion Augusta, having left their legionary base at Caerleon. In the post-Roman centuries, the fort became a Christianised site – a font has been found in one corner of the fort and a chapel dedicated to St Augustine was built near the ruins of the Arch, and was still in use up to the 17th century |
Detail of the construction technique of the north wall showing the putlog holes, tile courses and overall chequerboard appearance |
