Stanwix

The fort at Stanwix was built on a natural platform, with a steep bank falling to the River Eden on the south side of the fort. It was constructed around AD122, along with the rest of the wall. The current site of the fort is now occupied by Stanwix Church and Stanwix House.

The Roman name for the fort is recorded as Uxelodunum, meaning high fort, but it has also been referred to as Petriana in the Notitia Dignitatum, a document listing forts and garrisons in the 4th Century. It is thought that the use of the name “Petriana” is probably a mistake and it is actually referring to one of the units that was stationed at the fort, the ala Petriana. It is however possible that the fort name changed to reflect the long standing unit in garrison.

The ala Petriana, originating from Gaul, were stationed at the fort from the mid-second century AD. The unit consisted of about 800 cavalry men and was the largest cohort of auxiliary troops stationed in Britain.  Archaeological evidence shows that their arrival necessitated an extension to the fort. The ala Petriana probably remained in garrison until the end of the Roman period, as the unit is noted as being present in the 4th Century AD.

Although the ala Petriana weren't the first unit stationed at Stanwix, we have no evidence of the names of the cohort that preceded it. Although it would seem likely that it was a cavalry unit, on the evidence of a cavalrymans tombstone that appears to be early in date. This tombstone can now be seen in Tullie House Museum.