HISTORY OF RAVENGLASS

Ravenglass was originally the site of the Roman fort Clanoventa founded by the General Julius Agricola in around 79 BC. It was the first in a line of defences for Hadrians wall and was followed by the fort at Hardknott pass in 100 AD. It became a thriving Roman port with ships arriving loaded with fresh troops, wine and provisions from their homeland.

Today all that survives is the Roman Bathhouse said to be one of the highest standing buildings in England. It is amazing that it has survived the ravages of time, and is a lasting tribute to the ingenuity and workmanship of the Romans. The stones are held together with the original mortar, which is over 2,000 years old.

The site of the Clanoventa Fort is on the opposite side of the road. No real excavation work has taken place since the 1800's though the site has now been cleared of trees to protect the ruins from further destruction by tree roots.

The Romans deserted these shores in about 409 AD when they went home to try and defend their crumbling empire.

All remained quiet until 900 AD when the tranquillity was abruptly shattered with the arrival of the Vikings. The Vikings obviously liked this part of Cumbria, for there are many place names which testify to Norse settlements. On Birkby Fell near Devoke Water are the remains of an ancient encampment called Barnscar, which is thought to have belonged to the Danes. Today it is no more than several heaps of stones scattered about the fellside. Its hard to think of anyone living there, but of course in those days the settlement was probably hidden in a dense wood.

Cumbria seems to consist of succumbing to one invader after another. Most of these plundering visitors came from the sea, so Ravenglass with its natural harbour was probably their first landfall.