Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 11:15 am
Richborough has always fascinated me. Caesar may have landed near Deal but it was at Richborough, a century later, that the story of Roman Britain really began. It was in this corner of Kent that part of Emperor Claudius’ 40,000 strong invasion force landed in 43 AD. They quickly established a beachhead, throwing up defensive barriers – the remains of which are visible – before moving inland and systematically conquering most of the rest of the island, with the notable exception of the north of modern-day Scotland. Richborough – Rutupiae to the Romans – became a military supply base, then a significant port town. In 85 AD, an ornate monumental marble-clad arch was built there, one of the largest in the Empire, more than 80 feet (25 metres) high, with four gateways. It would have been visible from approaching ships, towering over visitors as they stepped ashore – Welcome to Britain! Quite a statement. Here was the start of Watling Street, already an ancient path before the Romans came, but which became a major artery for them stretching to the town of Viroconium Cornoviorum – and beyond. Watling Street is still an important route today, followed by part of the main A2 and A5 roads. So, Rutupiae truly was the gateway to Britain. Moreover, it was a Roman town right up to the last days of official Roman rule in the 5th century – a period of some four hundred years. In relative terms, that would take us back to the time when James I (VI of Scotland) was king.
Clearly, much can happen in four centuries, so Richborough is a multi-layered site that takes a bit of understanding. For a start, the geography is very different today. Two thousand years ago, it was on the coast, separated from the Isle of Thanet by Wantsum sea channel. Now it is 2 miles inland across marshland, overlooking the modestly sized and slightly muddy River Stour. A railway cuts through part of the site. Back in the day, it became a thriving port with a very substantial town around it. There were houses, shops, baths, a mansio – an inn for official visitors – all the trappings of an imperial town and extending far beyond the walls that can be seen today. On the edge of town was an amphitheatre, which it is estimated could accommodate an audience of 5,000. Here, the locals and any visitors would have been entertained by wild beast hunts, gladiatorial fights and the execution of criminals.
A crisis developed in the third century, when the province of Britannia came under attack from raiders – Saxons, Franks, Frisians. The entire centre of Rutupiae, including its wonderful arch, appears to have been demolished and replaced by two successive forts. The first of these had a wooden palisade and three concentric ditches – which are a feature of the site today. It is the massive stone walls of the second fort, however, built sometime after 273 AD, that dominate now. Once, these had circular corner towers, rectangular interval towers and walkways. Thus, Richborough became militarised and one of the forts of the Saxon Shore, a network of defences that stretched from present day Norfolk to Hampshire, including the castle at Portchester.
We can only speculate what happened next. What happened to the inhabitants of the town, whose ancestors may well have lived there for generations? Did they stay around, trying to carry on as their world collapsed around them; or did they become refugees, fleeing west, away from the barbaric invaders?
There must have been some continuity. Intriguingly, there is the outline of a church on the site, close to where the Roman mansio stood. This was Anglo-Saxon, probably 10th century, though an earlier chapel may have stood there. There is evidence of Anglo-Saxon burials. Traditionally, St Augustine landed nearby – some say at Richborough itself, which the Anglo-Saxons called Reptacaestir – and was met by King Ethelbert on the Isle of Thanet. In any event, the church was dedicated to Augustine and was still in use until the 17th century. At some point, an apse was added – as can be seen in the outline. Richborough itself continued to be occupied in some way into the late medieval period, but settlement petered out as the Wantsum channel silted up.
We dropped in on Richborough Roman fort one warm September evening. It was a scouting mission; the small visitor centre had long closed. Old stone walls glowed in the setting sun and it seemed very lonely. In the distance, on the skyline, someone walked their dog, waved and disappeared. Even returning the following day, there were few people about, though the place was undoubtedly full of ghosts. How could anyone not hear the hub of a town, footsteps, soldiers calling to one another, laughing? Four hundred years – and then centuries more.
Like many Roman sites in Britain, a great deal relies on imagination – but English Heritage, who look after the place, have installed some excellent interpretation boards and these help explain the multiple layers of history you are walking on. Standing on the rubble foundation of the archway, I turned west, along the lines of Watling Street. As it leaves the fort now it is merely a dusty farm track; yet it is right at the heart of Britain’s story.
Here is more about Richborough Roman Fort from English Heritage.
I visited Richborough Fort yesterday, with great anticipation as it was closed last year for some sort of renovation. But despite its huge historical significance, the site itself – apart from the colossal fort walls – is a little underwhelming, and needs a good explanation. The small museum on-site is interesting, but not very illuminating on Richborough itself. I found your narrative to be very helpful, and more insightful than the EH audio guides. Thank you for making it come alive.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you! It is a difficult site to understand, but I found the EH information boards very helpful on that score. I believe a replica Roman gateway has been built since our visit – I’d like to see that, sometime.
I may not have heard of this place before, but I certainly know a lot about it now, thank you. It reminds me a little of Wroxeter.
Yes, I can see why you would think that.. Thanks!
A fascinating post, Mike. I enjoy reading about the Romans. Do you have a post about Sutton Hoo. We will be in Bungay in December and I’m looking for interesting historical sites in the vicinity to visit. I’ll also look in you book as this post has reminded me I have it. Will read it before we go.
Thanks, Robbie. Sorry for the tardy response! Yes – here is A Bit About Britain’s take on Sutton Hoo – https://bitaboutbritain.com/stories-behind-sutton-hoo/ – a magical place, full of stories.
How great to see these photos. I visited this place in 1960 with my Dad. There was a chunk of fossilized Roman bread in the little museum that I have never forgotten. Still very recognisable as bread. It sparked a life-long interest in the Romans. Check out Reculver too…less to see on the ground but makes sense on the map. Thank you. Happy memories. I’m 74 now!
That’s a wonderful memory for you. I visited Reculver years ago, but need to return!
It’s incredible that the Romans were able to maintain control in Britain for so long. I guess it’s a testament to their organizational and engineering skills.
Absolutely. And they also brought improvements that people liked. My guess is that, for many, it was just a way of life and, when it petered out, it was a major shock. Much as it would be to us now.
I always love seeing Roman ruins and how they tell you just how far that empire stretched across the world! Interesting read on the empire in this area.
Yes, it’s fascinating to think how all-consuming the Empire was.
I’ve been to Kent about 6 times and never even heard of this place – it’s on the list for next time 🙂
I hope you enjoy it, Hannah – and certainly look forward to your photos and write-up. Sometimes, my imagination gets the better of me! 🙂
I hadn’t heard anything about this place, Mike, inspire of doing research for my novel set in Roman Britain from AD 69! You are correct in saying it’s not well promoted.
Ah – I first heard of it from the Ladybird history series when I was about 8!
Quite a story.
It is. It’s certainly very atmospheric.
Fascinating, indeed, and conjuring up so many images from the past – all news to me
We aim to please, Derrick!
Another place right on our doorstep yet it’s a place about which few people kniw the history which you’ve described here. Richborough is rather understated locally and isn’t “sold” very well as a visitor attraction. I wonder whether the Romans thought the whole of Britain was going to be as flat as the stretch of land which they first encountered?
Well, I suspect they had a pretty good idea of some it through trade – at least.
I have to confess that I didn’t even know that this place existed. The Romans aren’t my thing, despite I, Claudius, but I think I’d enjoy an afternoon there.
I’m still waiting for 2, Claudius to come out.
🙂
A really interesting read for me. I know very little about Kent; it might as well still be a foreign country to us East Angles!
Glad you found it interesting, John. I think Kent became Jutish after the Romans hopped on the last ferry across the Channel. But I’m not convinced things were that black and white!
Fascinating.
Excellent!
I enjoyed your description and thoughts having returned in an evening in September, feeling the history that was right under your feet. Wonderful post, Mike.
That’s very flattering, Jennie! Thank you x
You’re welcome, Mike!
The site still looks impressive.
It is. When you read a bit about it, it becomes astonishing.
Interesting place that I have never encountered!
Go there immediately, Peter! 🙂
This wasvery interesting to me, I enjoyed the post
That’s great Joanne; I’m delighted!
I guess the time finally came when Romanes eunt domus.
Romani ite domum – according to Wikipedia. I failed my medieval Latin 🙂
Indeed, if that were a “get lost Romans!” sort of statement. On the other hand were this more a statement of historical observation, then Brian would not have been entirely wrong. If you ask me. Which I would advise against. As it were. Because I suppose that “house” or “houses” or “home” would have to be accusative.
I must confess that I never really grasped accusative case – or dative, to be honest.
And let’s not mention the vocative, instrumental, ablative, genitive or locative. Oops! looks like I did already. Sorry
Show-off!
This is very interesting. Thanks
Delighted you thought so!
I enjoyed reading this, Mike! I find it very interesting that the location was once beachfront property, how can it now be 2 miles inland! You are so lucky to live among such rich history. ❤️
I can’t imagine Britain is unique in a changing coastline, John. Bits get eroded by the sea, sometimes deposited elsewhere, ports and villages disappear etc!