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ROMAN TIMES A falling out amongst the iron Age Kings of England
provided Emperor Claudius with the excuse to invade England in
AD 43. After two battles Claudius was able to lead his army
into the Trinovantes capital of Camuludunum ( Colchester) which at the time was
one the most important towns in the Country. Despite the Rebellion of the Iceni and the Trinovantes
led by Queen Boudicca the Roman grip was established on eastern England that was
maintained for nearly 400 years. While the rest of England was conquered Colchester made
a good base and became the centre of Roman operations. Protection for Colchester
from the sea was required as local settlements made rich
pickings for Saxon and Frankish Raiders who arrived by longboat to plunder
coastal areas. To combat this threat the Romans established 9
sea forts on the east coast including a fort at Bradwell to guard the
approaches to the Colne and Blackwater. This fort was called Othona and
continued to operate for 200 years. The fort was square with 12 feet thick walls
with a moat constructed around the fort and manned by a force of auxiliaries
called the Fortenses who would use camouflaged scout boats to watch the shore
and keep in touch with the force headquarters at Richborough and
Bolougne. Sadly little remains of the Roman fort
although the area is still identifiable. Much of the Fort was used in Saxon times to construct St
Peters Chapel although traces of the earthworks still remain. The sister fort at Porchester fortunately remains in good repair to tell
us what Othona would have looked like. The Dengie area was an important source of salt from the
red hill sites and was a source of fish and farming produce. A road inland was established from Othona into the
centre of the Dengie 100 but no linkage to the main road network can be traced.
An example of this roman road system is the modern East End Road, Bradwell on
sea which is straight for a long section leading from the site of the fort at
Othona. To ensure transport to Colchester and other settlements
in Essex and Kent a port was required. Finds of pottery etc at Burnham on Crouch
is believed to indicate one of the earliest uses of Burnham as a
port. Villas and fortified farms are believed to have been
established on rich land between Burnham on Crouch and
Southminster. A first century roman farmstead was excavated to the
northwest of the town on a site now covered by the Springfield Industrial Estate
Photographs of the site are to be found at Burnham Museum. Roman bricks and
tiles used in the fabric of the Church are believed to have come from this
site.
