285 



Blakeney to Blackpool Bridge, where an ancient paved way- 

 crosses the turnpike road, the examination of which was the 

 chief object of the day's excursion. 



This paved way once formed part of the grand system of roads 

 by which the military power of Rome was maintained in Britain. 



Leaving the carriages, the members of the Club followed the 

 track of the Eoman Road for about a mile and a half to Soudley 

 Green. Beginning near the brook, it was noticed that a 

 bifurcation was made in the line of way — part of the pavement 

 running directly across the stream, and part over a little bridge 

 to the right. The pavement is sadly miitilated, being sometimes 

 wholly wanting for a considerable distance, and then partially 

 re-appearing. What makes this line of road of special interest 

 is, that it formed part of the Vi'i Julia, the great Eoman way 

 from the province of Britannia Prima through the country of 

 the Silures, or tribes inhabiting South Wales. When the 

 Romans invaded Britain under Claudius, in the year 42, their 

 conquest only extended as far as the River Severn. They had 

 an idea that the difficult and intractable Silures could be kept 

 within the limits of their own territory by the garrisons placed 

 in the Cotteswold district and at Gloucester. In this they were 

 mistaken. Tacitus informs us that the Silures made repeated 

 incursions into the Roman Province, doubtless plundering the 

 inhabitants ; and this went on for some 30 years, till Vespasion 

 ascended the Imperial throne. He had served as an officer in 

 the second legion in Britain, and, with his brother Sabinus, had 

 taken a very active part in the subjugation of the country. 

 Knowing the resolute character of the Silures, and the moun- 

 tainous nature of the country into which they would retreat in 

 case of attack, he selected one of the ablest generals in the 

 Roman service to undertake their conquest. This was Julius 

 Frontinus, who, accordingly, became Pro-Prsetor, or Commander- 

 in-Chief of the forces in Britain. Tacitus records it as an 

 astonishing thing, considering the difficulties by which he was 

 surrounded, that he should have succeeded ; but at all events 

 he did succeed in compelling the Silures to submission ; and to 

 ceep them quiet for the future, he moved the second Imperial 



