67 



WHO WAS THE FOUNDER OF ROMAN MARYPORT? 



Cy J. B. BAILEY. 



(Read before the Maryport Society.) 



I AM sure no apology will be necessary in introducing the question, 

 " Who was the Founder of Roman Maryport ? " That it has been 

 a notable place, no one can dare to doubt. The period during 

 which it existed, if it did not also flourish, makes it clear that it 

 had played a not unimportant part, at least in the history of Cum- 

 berland. Founded in all probability within forty years alter the 

 invasion of Britain by xAulus Plautius, we can almost with certainty 

 say that it was in existence in A.D. 430, i.e., when the Romans 

 finally left Britain. Nor are we necessarily to infer that the town 

 ceased to exist with their withdrawal. Still, there is matter enough 

 at hand in the history of its Roman occupation to afford, not only 

 a deeply interesting and instruciive, but also a highly fascinating 

 study; and naturally so, for a certain amount of pride always 

 attaches to those places with which we are best acquainted. Nor 

 can the subject be exhausted in the brief space of an hour's lecture. 

 To do justice to the subject would require at least four such 

 lectures, or, including the rise and progress of our modern Maryport, 

 of at least five, each lecture forming a distinct chapter in the history 

 of Maryport. Briefly these chapters are : — 



Chapter i. The Camp, its Situation and Connections; the 

 Town, its Explorations, Position, &c.; the Altars, and their 

 Lessons. 



