THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE ROMAN ROADS IN BRITAIN

1-222160

Offers an in-depth examination of Roman roads' long-term strategic impact, not only in the Roman strategy of conquest and occupation, but how they influenced the course of British military history during subsequent ages. Includes 24 maps and plans and 8 pages of plates.

The author starts with the pre-Roman origins of the network (many Roman roads being built over prehistoric routes) before describing how the Roman army built, developed, maintained and used it. Then, uniquely, he moves on to the post-Roman history of the roads. He shows how they were crucial to medieval military history (try to find a medieval battle that is not near one) and the governance of the realm, fixing the itinerary of the royal progresses. Their legacy is still clear in the building of 18th century military roads and even in the development of the modern road network. Why have some parts of the network remained in use throughout?