#80 in the Fortress series concentrates on those defensive positions used once the Romans had left the British Ises around 410 AD. As much as the Romans provided the population of this land, they did not leave it completely subjugated and so there was still fear of attack from outside forces. While Roman fortresses were well designed and able to withstand siege, they were also very manpower intensive and required constant upkeep, something that in what was now a barter society, was not able to be maintained.

The result was that, for the most part, the leaders of the time reverted to the defensive positions, mostly hill forts, that were used prior to the Roman arrival. These were generally earthworks structures that relied on ditches and wooden walls. They were also often located on natural defensive positions such as the tops of cliffs, or large hills or other places where terrain provided as much help as possible. These were also relatively small as they were not designed to encompass the entire population of the area, but only the leadership and their small defensive force. While this may seem cruel, most battling left the local population pretty much alone as it was realized that the local peasants were needed to provide for any new regime change.

The fact that any of the works are still extant is pretty amazing. Some were built atop existing Roman stonework and some of these are still visible. Others, are little more than some rather unusual earthen structures while others have been totally obliterated by the passage of time. Even doing research on these structures is difficult as there is little to go on in terms of a historical record and much of what is know has to be gleaned from tales and fables that mix reality with imagination.

The author does an excellent job in this regard and allows us to look at several places of interest, discussing their design and what it was like to live within the walls. This is further enhanced by photographs of the sites as they are today and the superb illustrations of artist Peter Dennis. This makes for a most interesting book on what it must have been like during the times of what are often referred to as the 'Age of Arthur' or the era of Late Antiquity. 

It makes for a fascinating read and is a book that I enjoyed quite a bit. I know that you will as well.

 January 2009

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