262 REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1898 



Appendix I. 



Short Notes on the Old Eoman Station (" Bremenium ") 



AT High Eochester. (Plate X.) 



By Major E. Thompson, Walworth Hall, Darlington. 



This old station is in a remarkably good state of preserva- 

 tion, considerable portions of the old walls being still visible, 

 particularly on the west side, and adjacent portions of the 

 north and south sides. In the latter, near the south gate, 

 is a small recess, which has much exercised antiquarians. 

 It has the appearance of being a sort of sentry box, or 

 shelter from the fierce blasts of wind which frequently rage 

 down the Eedewater from the Carter Fell. On the west side 

 the old gateway is still standing with the masonry perfect ; 

 on one side up to the spring of the arch, and on this side 

 considerable portions of the old walls are still visible. Many 

 interesting remains of the Eomans have been found. Some 

 old altars (six) were removed hence to Campville or Lantern- 

 side, by the late C. F. Forster, and these were afterwards 

 presented by his successor, A. C. Forster, to His Grace the 

 Duke (Algernon) of Northumberland, and are now in the 

 museum at Alnwick Castle. There are also to be seen on 

 the schoolhouse at Eochester some roughly rounded stones, 

 which were evidently intended for hurling from the Catapults, 

 the ancient heavy artillery of the Eomans. There are also 

 some stones having ruts or channels cut in them. Were 

 these used as water courses about the station? or were they 

 tracks for carriages? (Did the old Eomans tram it even in 

 the early days ?) About half-a-mile eastward from the station, 

 on the moor between Dykehead and Horsley, where the old 

 Eoman road is traceable, are some Tombs (three of which 

 are here sketched — see Plate X.), the circular one being 

 evidently that of a centurion, or some superior officer, as 

 on the west side one of the stones bears the crest or 

 ensign most probably of the legion to which he belonged. 

 It has the appearance of either a bull's or stag's head. 

 There are also the remains of tumuli near here, where I 

 suppose urns, etc., have been found. 



