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THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALCESTER IN ROMAN TIMES.
Being a reprint of Paul Booth's article in 'Local Past, Summer 1980.
We do not know the exact location of the centre of Roman Alcester at the time when the settlement was growing into a major market town but there is evidence which enables us to say something about its origins.
It is likely that the earliest Roman occupation in the area is represented by the fort which was recently recognised by aerial photographs at Lower Oversley Lodge, on the ridge just south of the town (top of Primrose Hill). Though there is no direct evidence, this is probably an early outpost, perhaps established by A.D.47. Evidence from many other sites, particularly in the Midlands, suggests that civilian settlements commonly grew up round forts and in some cases developed into major sites after the Roman army had moved on. Such is likely to have been the case in Alcester, but there is no occupation at Lower Oversley Lodge, so it is suggested that a second fort, replacing the first, was situated in the river valley -~ the later town would have grown up here.
From the 2nd to the 4th centuries A.D. the town occupied a large area which may be divided into two fairly distinct zones; the first, which was defended by the Romans, corresponding to the modern town centre, the second covering the area around Seggs Lane and Evesham Street, across Birch Abbey and Bleachfield Street down to the river south of Stratford Road. What evidence we have suggests that the second fort was sited in this area. It may be here, therefore, that we have the earliest civilian occupation.
Unfortunately, there is no detailed archaeological evidence for occupation in the modern town centre. Here there are interesting problems. What was the relationship between this area and the extramural settlement to the south? Why was this area defended and not the rest? What is the date of the earliest occupation in this part of the town? Perhaps more important is the question of what happened to this part of the town after the end of the Roman occupation of Britain. It is presumably no coincidence that the modern town centre should be sited on what may have been the most important part of the Roman town-- but there is no evidence for continuity through the early mediaeval period.
There is no suggestion as yet of any really late Roman or early Saxon occupation: the main early Saxon evidence in this part of Warwickshire is centred at Bidford. Our lack of knowledge about the town centre may help to explain this deficiency. It is likely that the severely reduced population which we must imagine for Alcester in the 5th century (a result of economic rather than other factors) would have concentrated within the town defences. Because of lack of excavation here, it is no surprise that very late occupation has not been found. Even if we could establish continuity, however, it would be very difficult to show that town life as such was really surviving. It is unlikely that town life would have survived at this time. Alcester was recognised again as a town probably in the 12th century when it received borough status. We do not know how long the town had been developing before it was given a charter. Its street plan suggests piecemeal rather than planned development, perhaps over a considerable period.Occasionally, we print details of the Alcester and District Local History Society's officers. Now, with a new year well under way and subscriptions from some not yet renewed, we thought it was time again to give up-to-date details