322 Kecent Wiltshire Books, Pamphlets, and Articles. 
Long and appreciative review by R.D.G. in Wiltshire Advertiser, 
June 2nd. 
For the use of the blocks given here the Editor is indebted to the 
kindness of Mr. R. 8. Heath. With the exception of the illustration of 
Avebury they are of subjects which have not before been illustrated. 
Roman Roads in Britain, by Thomas Codrington, M. Inst. C.E., 
F.G.8., with a large chart of the Roman roads and small maps in the 
text. S.P.C.K. 1903. 62 x 43. Pp. iv. 392. Price 5s. nett. 
In the introduction the author describes the mode of construction of 
the Roman roads in Britain and then gives some account of the chief 
ancient authorities upon them :—The Itinerary of Antonine, and its 
various editions; the Tabula Peutingeriana; the Notitia ; and the 
spurious Itinerary of Richard of Cirencester, first printed by Stukeley 
in 1757, and accepted by him, and by Gough and Sir R. C. Hoare as 
genuine. This last, although its spuriousness was fully demonstrated 
by Prof. Mayor, in 1869, continues to influence the literature of the 
Roman roads, and in the new Ordnance maps names of stations have 
been entered which never existed except in Bertram’s imagination.— 
Indeed Mr. Codrington notes that the old Ordnance maps in this respect 
are more trustworthy than the new, which often mark Roman roads for 
which there is “ little or no evidence or authority.” 
The author does not profess to mention all the remains of Roman 
roads which are known. He follows the lines of the principal roads, and 
of their well-ascertained branches, through the country, describing their 
course in most cases with considerable minuteness, showing a wide 
personal acquaintance with the various localities, as well as diligent 
research in the literature of the subject. 
Of the roads which enter Wiltshire, 7e Foss Way ‘is remarkable for 
its direct course. Irom Lincoln, to the south-western traces of it beyond 
South Petherton, in Somerset, no part is more than six miles away from 
a straight line about 182 miles long.’—‘‘ From four miles south of 
Cirencester there is a straight course pointing to Bath for 17 miles, and 
then a turn keeps the road on high ground till it descends from Banner 
Down to join another Roman road before reaching Bath.” ‘‘ Between 
Cirencester and Bath, 29 miles, there is not a village on it, and for long 
distances it is a farm road 6r grass-grown.”” Its course through Wiltshire 
is thus described :—‘‘ From Jackments Bottom onwards the Foss Road 
is now a green road for 10 miles . . . It is 20 yards wide between 
the fence walls for long lengths. Near Culkerton Down Wood there is 
an embanked ridge five or six yards wide, and raised three, four, or five 
feet, the ridge sloping about one in five, or one in six . . . Thereis 
no trace of a paving or a stoned surface where the ridge is deeply cut — 
into by cart ruts. Further on the road is wide in places with high 
hedges and timber trees shading it, and in other places it has been 
narrowed, and is overgrown with bushes, and there is little or no trace 
of a ridge. In the valley of the Anton at White Walls, about two-and- 
a-half miles west of Malmesbury, are the Roman remains to which the 
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