
PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I THE MESSAGE OF THE WALL
CHAPTER II HISTORICAL
CHAPTER III DESCRIPTIVE
CHAPTER IV THE VALLUM
CHAPTER V THE WALK: WALLSEND TO WALBOTTLE
CHAPTER VI WALBOTTLE TO EAST WALLHOUSES
CHAPTER VII HUNNUM AND ST. OSWALD'S
CHAPTER VIII BRUNTON AND THE ROMAN BRIDGE
In this vivid account, the ancient frontier that once separated Roman Britain from the untamed north is finally reclaimed as a protected national monument. The narrative begins with the recent legal safeguards that now prevent modern interference, setting the stage for a renewed scholarly adventure. Readers are guided through the painstaking work of early‑20th‑century archaeologists whose dedication turned myth into measured stone.
Excavations at sites such as Burgh‑by‑Sands, Vindobala at Rudchester, and the bridge over the Irthing reveal forts that straddle the Wall, multilayered gate systems, and a surprisingly massive granary. Detailed descriptions of stone barracks, double west gates, and a hidden ten‑foot‑thick earlier wall bring the engineering prowess of Roman soldiers to life. The author weaves these findings into a broader picture of how the Wall evolved over centuries, inviting listeners to imagine soldiers marching along a barrier that once stood nine courses high.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (320K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
London: John Lane The Bodley Head Limited, 1922, pubdate 1924.
Release date
2023-08-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1873–1958
Best known for combining archaeology, art, and travel writing, this English author brought places like Hadrian’s Wall and the Isles of Scilly vividly to life in books she often illustrated herself.
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