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Above: St. Aidan's Statue, Holy Island, Northumberland. Photo by David Simpson

Prime Minister Tony Blair and The Millennium History of North East England by David Simpson. Photo courtesy of The Northern Echo

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Timeline of North East History - HADRIAN'S WALL 122AD-180AD

A rainy day on Hadrian's Wall photographed by David Simpson

HADRIANS WALL 122AD - 180AD

By David Simpson

Hadrian’s Wall was constructed in 122AD. It was 80 miles long, six metres high, three metres wide and built of stone. Its defences were supplemented by turrets, ditches, milecastles and 16 forts each holding 500 to 1,000 men. Those men were sometimes recruited locally, but came from all parts of the Roman Empire including Spain, Switzerland, Germania, and even North Africa.


122AD – HADRIAN VISITS THE NORTH
(North)
Hadrian, Emperor of Rome, has visited northern Britain after increasing concern over tribal revolts. He has ordered the construction of a great defensive wall to separate the Romans from the Barbarians.

126AD – HADRIAN’S WALL COMPLETE
(Northumberland)
Most of Hadrian’s Wall has been constructed. Many of the early forts along the wall face south into Brigantian territory, a recognition of the great threat that still exists from this large northern tribe.

128AD – ROMANS BUILD SUPPLY PORT AT SOUTH SHIELDS
(Tyneside)
Arbeia, a Roman fort, has been built at South Shields. It will serve as a sea port and supply base for Hadrian’s Wall.

142AD – NEW WALL BUILT IN FAR NORTH.
(Scotland)
Emperor Antonius Pius has ordered the construction of a new defensive wall in North Britain, Antonine Wall, to stretch from the Forth to the River Clyde. Hadrian’s Wall still remains in use but has become more open.

154AD – ANTONINE WALL ABANDONED
(North)
A major uprising by the Brigantes against the Romans has forced the abandonment of the Antonine Wall. The Brigantian rebellion is centred on their new tribal capital at Aldborough near Boroughbridge.

160AD – ROMANS RETAKE ANTONINE WALL
(Scotland)
Romans have once again advanced north and re-established control of the Antonine Wall. A new Roman fort is being built at Chester-le-Street where a Roman road runs north to the bridge over the River Tyne at Pons Aelius (Newcastle).

163AD – HADRIAN’S WALL RESTORED
(Northumberland)
Hadrian’s Wall has been extensively restored following recent tribal unrest.

165AD – ANTONINE WALL ABANDONED
(Scotland)
The Antonine Wall has been abandoned again following tribal unrest and the death of the Emperor Antonius. The recent restoration of Hadrian’s Wall appears wise.

180AD – ROMAN GENERAL KILLED IN NORTHERN REVOLT
(Hadrian’s Wall)
A Roman General has been killed after tribes crossed the wall in yet another revolt.

180AD – CIVILIAN GROWTH AT YORK
(York)
The civilian settlement at York is growing rapidly to the south west of the River Ouse.

THE ROMAN PERIOD (Other dates)
43AD - 71AD
71AD - 117AD
120AD
140AD
150AD
160AD
180AD
193AD - 303AD

THE TIMELINE BY ERA

 

ROMAN PERIOD

ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD

VIKING PERIOD

NORMAN PERIOD

MEDIEVAL PERIOD

TUDOR AND STUART PERIOD

GEORGIAN PERIOD

VICTORIAN PERIOD

TWENTIETH CENTURY

 

 

THE MILLENNIUM HISTORY OF NORTH EAST ENGLAND

by David Simpson

Published by leighton in association with The Northern Echo

ISBN 0-9536984-3-2

The Millennium History of North East England by David Simpson is published by Leighton, The Teleport, Doxford International, Sunderland, SR3 3XD, Tel +44 (0) 191 5252400 Fax +44 (0) 520 1815 www.bepl.com. The book is a 322 page full colour hard back book covering the history of the region from Roman times to the present day. To order copies of the book you can e-mail andrea.murphy@bepl.com

Author David Simpson and Paul Callaghan, Managing Director of leighton at the book launch held at Lumley Castle, Durham December 1999

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