264 



REV. PREBENDARY H. E. FOX, M.A., ON 



I think it is generally admitted that the site of the important 

 Roman station of Pons iElii " lies between the Cathedral and 

 Central Station, and may now be covered by the buildings of the 

 General Post Office. 



If this is so then the present " Old Castle " and " Black Gate " 

 were very close thereto. 



Dr. Bruce, Mr. LongstafE and other antiquarians, were instrumental 

 in saving the Black Gate from demolition, and it now contains an 

 interesting museum of Roman antiquities. 



From Newcastle the Wall runs west up the hill, in much the same 

 direction as the present " Westgate Road " ; and about three miles 

 from the town we reach what was known as Condercum." This 

 was a cavalry station, and is believed to have been occupied by 

 Spanish troops. The modern name of the locality is Benwell. 



The Wall then passes on to " Throckley and Heddon-on-the-wall." 

 Then we come to Harlow Hill and Whittle Dene, where the city's 

 water supply originates. 



Further on we reach Stagshawbank, familiar to all in the district 

 for its annual horse fair. 



To the south of Stagshaw lies the small town of Corbridge, where 

 the Tyne is crossed by a stone bridge. 



A few years ago extensive explorations were undertaken in this 

 place, and a most interesting site of an " Old Roman Market-town '' 

 was discovered, and a large number of relics, coins, etc., were 

 found. 



As you are already informed, the Wall crosses the Tyne, a little 

 west of Hexham, at ChoUerford. Here the river is crossed by a 

 fine stone bridge, and in the clear water of the stream the outlines 

 of the foundations of the old Roman bridge can be clearly traced. 

 The Chesters Museum is well worth a visit. We cannot stay to 

 refer to the many interesting stations on the Wall which may be 

 seen in this neighbourhood, but as we pass further west we begin 

 to see what the Wall must really have been. 



As it goes west it rises to higher ground, and a more thinly 

 populated country, and consequently it has not been so much used 

 for building material. There are miles of the Wall standing visible 

 above the ground, in many places three to six feet high and four 

 feet wide. 



