The Romans called him Caractacus, although he is better known as Caradoc, the last of the British leaders to stand against Rome.
It is thought that Rome invaded Britain because it was simply easier to conquer Britain than to defend mainland Europe from possible invasion by British tribes. So in AD 43, the Romans landed in force. Initially resistance was fierce, led by Togodumnus and Caractacus but they could not hold and ended up retreating, compounded by some British tribes who, feeling that the battle was lost, made peace with the invaders. Eventually, Caractacus found refuge with either the Ordovices or the Cornovii. Either way it puts the scene of his last battle somewhere in the area we know today as Shropshire and Powys.
Details of this final battle, including a description of the terrain, were recorded by Tacitus at the time, and he states that the British leader artfully availed himself of his knowledge of the country, and posted himself on a spot, the approaches and retreats of which were as advantageous to his own party as they were perplexing to the enemy.
Despite inferior weapons, it is said that Caradoc encouraged his men and told them that the work of that day would be the beginning of a new liberty or of eternal slavery. Their resolution astonished the Roman general, and the river which flowed at the foot of the hill, together with the ramparts and steeps, presented to the assailants a formidable and resolute appearance.
But despite their resolution, the Britons had no chance against the superior strength of the Roman legions. Caradoc’s wife and daughter were taken prisoner, his brother surrendered and Caradoc himself was treacherously delivered up to the Romans soon after by the Queen of the Brigantes with whom he had sought protection. The story of Caradoc does not end here as he and his family were taken as prisoners to Rome where the news of his valour had preceded him.
So over 2000 years after this event, where was this last battle? Several counties in the area claim it is on their turf. Popular legend has it that it was at Herefordshire Beacon in the Malvern Hills. There are also three hill forts called Caer Caradoc.
Caer Caradoc, Nr Clun (Bucknell)
Lying between Knighton and Clun, this ancient hill fort stands alone on the windswept mountainside. It certainly has the atmosphere. It has its river, in the shape of the River Redlake, but that would hardly have been an obstacle to the Romans.
Caer Caradoc, Church Stretton.
This hill is certainly steep and would be a difficult place to attack, giving the advantage to the defenders. But Tacitus mentioned a river at the foot of the hill and there is no river.
The third Caer Caradoc is in Clwyd.
Coxall Knoll
Near Bucknell, this has the river Teme near by and there was an important Roman camp at Brampton Bryan and could fit the description quite closely.
Risbury Hill Fort, South East of Leominster is another site which has been put forward. An impressive fort but the brook at the bottom was hardly an obstacle.
The Breiddens
This is an even more dramatic spot, and with a number of prehistoric sites, in the form of settlements and forts must have at one time been an important area. The River Severn nearby would certainly have been a formidable obstacle, particularly in winter.
Blodwel Rocks on Llanymynech Hill
More recently, historians have suggested Llanymynech Hill as being the site of the battle. Here the River Vyrnwy would have been the obstacle for the attackers. This perhaps fits the description best of all as this massive limestone spur dominates the western edge of the north Shropshire plain. Evidence of a Roman campaign base has been found at the western foot of the massif close to a newly discovered Julio-Claudian fort at Llansantffraid to make Llanymynech a strong candidate for identification as Caratacus’ chosen position. Sadly the present summit of Llanymynech Hill is a carefully tended golf course losing some of the mystique to imagine the last battle taking place there.
Whichever hill fort you visit, they are all interesting beautiful places, so that is where the idea to visit all in a single walk came from. However, even over a long weekend or a week it would be too far to walk from one to the other. So we decided to devise a route between them which can be done in one or two days.
We start our trip on OS Landranger Map 137 Ludlow & Church Stretton, this has three of the sites on it, 310758, 365735 and 479954. For the first two, a good starting point is Bucknall.
Caer Caradoc from Bucknell – 11 miles
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