Milefortlet 14 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milefortlet 14 |
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North end of Beckfoot, and the approximate site of Milefortlet 14
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 Location in Allerdale
Location in Cumbria
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| Type | Milecastle |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 54°50′07″N 3°24′41″W / 54.835258°N 3.411301°W |
| County | Cumbria |
| Country | England |
Milefortlet 14 was a small Roman fort along the coast of Cumbria, England. It was part of a long line of defences built by the Romans. These defences stretched from the end of Hadrian's Wall all along the Cumbrian coast. They included small forts like Milefortlet 14 and stone watchtowers. A wooden fence, called a palisade, connected them all.
These coastal defences were built around the same time as Hadrian's Wall. The exact spot of Milefortlet 14 has never been found. It might be hidden under the modern village of Beckfoot. A larger Roman fort, called Bibra Roman Fort, was located nearby. It was about 500 metres (1,640 feet) southwest of where Milefortlet 14 is thought to be.
Where Was Milefortlet 14 Located?
Milefortlet 14 was likely at the northern end of the village of Beckfoot. This area is part of the civil parish of Holme St Cuthbert. Even though the fortlet has not been found, experts have estimated its location. They did this by looking at where other Roman fortlets were built.
It might be on top of a small hill about 40 metres (130 feet) east of the B5300 road. However, a house and a caravan park are now on that spot. Some pieces of Roman pottery have been discovered in the sand dunes nearby. This suggests Romans were active in the area.
Milefortlet 14 was about 500 metres (1,640 feet) northeast of Bibra Roman Fort. The Bibra fort was used by the Romans from the 2nd to the 4th century. It is not clear if Bibra fort was built at the same time as Milefortlet 14. It is also possible that Bibra fort replaced Milefortlet 14 later on.
What Were the Associated Towers?
Each milefortlet had two watchtowers connected to it. These towers were built in a similar way to the turrets found along Hadrian's Wall. They were placed about one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the milefortlet.
Soldiers from the nearest milefortlet would likely have guarded these towers. The towers linked to Milefortlet 14 are known as Tower 14A and Tower 14B.
Like the milefortlet itself, neither of these towers has been found for sure. Their estimated locations come from studying nearby milefortlets and towers. Tower 14A is thought to be on a small ridge. Interestingly, the estimated site of Tower 14B matches the location of the larger Bibra fort.
