Sheshen Eceni: Colchester Castle Info

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The Roman walled town of Camulodunum (Colchester).

Following the Boudican revolt of 60/61 the Romans constructed a massive stone wall to protect the inhabitants of the colonia from any future native offensives.

The wall had a rubble and mortar core which was faced on both sides with squared clay nodules known as septaria. The septaria was laid out in four rows that alternated with four courses of bricks and was around 2. 64 metres (8ft 8ins) thick.

The first phase of the wall was started in AD65 and completed by AD80. The wall ran the length of 2813.6 metres (3,077 yards) enclosing an area of 44 hectares (108 acres), and stood somewhere between 3.66 - 5.49 metres (12 -18ft) in height. Inside the rounded corners of the wall were six gates - each with internal turrets which were probably sited at the junction of each street. The wall was surrounded by an area of flat open-ground known as berm - with a ditch 6.09 metres (20ft) wide and 3.05 metres (10ft) deep – this earthwork was designed to immobilise ‘would-be-attackers’ and give the defenders of the wall an advanced warning of an impending assault.

During the middle second century AD important changes were made to the original free standing walls when an inner earth rampart was added. The rampart walkway from ground level to the top was around 3.66 metres (12ft), this was protected by a parapet 1metre (3ft) high and merlons (raised defended areas/platforms) that were around 1m (3ft), in all the total height of the wall was at least 5.59 metres (18 ft).

The Place-name Colchester:

Colchester: The first part of the name is derived from the River Colne, the river name Colne, (also known as Clun), is British in origin and is derived from a British-Celtic conjectural root word ‘Colauno’ meaning ‘water’. The second part of the name; Chester is derived from the Old English word ‘Ceaster’ meaning Roman Fort, the name Chester refers to the towns former Roman Station and capital.

Colchester Castle; A brief History:

Colchester Castle was built by the Normans in 1076; although its history goes much further back than this, for it actually stands on the immense stone podium or base of the Roman Temple of Claudius, which was destroyed by the rebel forces of Boudica during the revolt against Roman rule in AD 60/61.

The Normans dug a ditch around the entire base and used the spoil from this to create a huge mound of earth on top of the Roman foundations - then re-used the stones of the original temple to construct its massive keep.

Old King Cole: The Saxons believed it to be the Palace of King Coel; the legendary "Old King Cole" of myth & nursery rhyme.

Throughout the Middle Age period - the castle was held by the Crown, and during the Civil War Colchester Castle was a Royalist stronghold, after its surrender to Parliamentarian forces two Royalists commanders were executed (shot) in the castle bailey; today an obelisk marks the spot where the two men died. The castle is presently home to the Colchester & Essex Museum; which traces the long and colourful history of both the Colchester area and the county of Essex.