Via Devana
Via Devana is the name given to a
Cambridge University from 1734. During his life, Mason compiled a complete map of Cambridgeshire which was later published in 1808, long after his death.[1]
Route
The Via Devana, from Colchester to Chester, enters this county (Leicestershire) near
Slanston Mill (sic), whence it is continued between the two Strettons to Leicester, where it joins the Fosse, which, however, it soon leaves to proceed to Grooby, whence it is carried by Ashby to Burton upon Trent.— Topographical Dictionary of England (1831)
Its route ran north and west as follows:
- Colchester - Colonia Victricensis
- Wixoe (conjectured) - (possible fort)
- Cambridge - (Latin name: Cantabrigia. Roman Name: Durolipons or Duroliponte), now the main road through Cambridge from the station to Madgalene Bridge [2]
- Huntingdon / Godmanchester (Durolipus or Durovigutum) where it crossed Ermine Street
- Corby
- Medbourne - The stretch from Medbourne to Leicester is broken, but where it exists is nowadays known as the "Gartree Road" and "Evington Footway"
- Leicester- (Ratae Corieltauvorum), meeting Fosse Way
- There is speculation that finds in Moira indicates the Mason's route, reported in 1831, may have some factual basis.[3]
- Mancetter (Manduessedum) where it joined Watling Street until
- Water Eaton - (Pennocrucium)[4] to
- Newport, Shropshire - (Plesc which meant fortified place or one with palisade) it is here that it followed the same route as the A41 towards
- Whitchurch, Shropshire - (Mediolan or Mediolanum)
- Chester
See also
- Roman roads in Britain
References
- ^ Charles Mason, (died 1770); map published in Daniel Lysons, Magna Britannia, 1808, p.229: Codrington T, Roman Roads in Britain, 1903, p. 137; Willis, Robert, The Architectural History of the University of Cambridge,..., 1886, vol. II Appendix pp675f.
- ^ Thompson, A. Hamilton (1898). Cambridge and its colleges (2nd ed.). Methuen. p. 1.
- ^ P Liddle & R F Hartley, ‘A Roman road through north-west Leicestershire’, Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society 68, 1994, 186 [1]
- ^ Roman Britain Site: Pennocrucium