81 



stretched between the Tyne and the Sol way, which appear to have 

 been supplied with provisions for twelve months. It might appear 

 that this supply of provisions was an immense one — much greater, 

 in fact, than any convoys could bring up, especially considering 

 the character of the country through which they would have to 

 travel. Thus the necessity for a port is strengthened. Could the 

 magnificent position of Maryport escape his notice ? No place 

 could better supply his wants, either as an outlook or as a base for 

 future operations. Nor was it a place that could easily be taken 

 by surprise, either by land or by sea. 



The claims of Bowness must, of course, be considered. The 

 position of this place, so close to the Scotch borders, would render 

 it easily assailable by the Britons after Agricola's advance, whilst 

 its use as a port was also on this account greatly lessened. Again, 

 a line from Maryport to Carlisle would be more easily defended, 

 with a bog in front of it, than one from Bowness to Carlisle, with 

 a bog behind it, would have been. It might appear as though the 

 latter line were drawn to supersede the former when the country 

 "across the border" had become somewhat more settled. 



If, then, it be granted that the original line of defence ran from 

 Maryport to Tynemouth, the importance of the former will be 

 greatly advanced. It would, in fact, be the key to the eastward 

 communications. In time of war, its importance cannot be over- 

 rated ; for against a resolute enemy the Tebay pass must always 

 be a difficult and dangerous one, for convoys at least. Could 

 Agricola overlook this fact ? Maryport being held, the necessity 

 for such convoys was almost done away with, the various camps 

 being supplied direct from this port. The number of camps in 

 the immediate neighbourhood, and the net-work of roads, not to 

 tell of the immense quantity of remains that have been discovered 

 at one time or another, also bear unmistakeable testimony to the 

 value of such a position. 



That Maryport, whatever may have been its name, was a port — 

 and a very important one — at a very early date, we have indirect 

 evidence. Within forty years from the date of Agricola's advance, 

 we gather that a cohort of Spaniards was in garrison here. This 



7 



