CAER CARADOC
Shropshire
Slightly confusingly there are two Caer Caradocs in Shropshire, this one - near Church Stretton - and another, further south, near Clun. Of the two, both of which are Iron Age Hill Forts, this is the most dramatic standing as it does at the top of one of the wild hills which ring Church Stretton. It provides one of the best views of all British Hill Forts, although the climb to its summit is quite exhausting.
The Hill Fort seems to have been constructed by the Cornovii tribe and is a fairly simple double ditch, with a revettment of stone. Little more protection would have been needed for such an impregnable natural fortress.
One of these Caer Caradocs was the last stand of Caratacus, the King of the Silures, who defended Britain against the invading Romans. The battle here was around the year 48 AD. Caratacus' forces lost and they were forced to flee to Wales where he was finally defeated in the year 51 after a battle near Oswestry. Caratacus escaped the battle but was betrayed by his Queen and taken to Rome. Here he made the famous speech "I had horses, men, arms and wealth - are you surprised that I am sorry to lose them? Had I yielded without a blow, neither my downfall nor your victory would have been famous. If you execute me they will be forgotten."
Claudius, the Emperor, set him free (and fulfilled the prophesy of his words). Impressed with Rome Caratacus is said to have remarked; "Why, when you have all this, do you envy us our poor huts?"
His last stand at Caer Caradoc, whichever of the two it may have been, marked the end of the Invasion of England; although not many years later Queen Boadicea would nearly destroy all the Romans had achieved.
The Hill Fort is on public ground and the tiring trek up the hill is worth it for some of the most astonishing views in England.
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Roy Barton
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2018
