Events

Battlefields Trust Online Talk: Roman Britain: New perspectives

Monday 9th November 2026

Much of what his mother’s history books had to say on Roman Britain has now been very much changed and in this talk he will try to pass on new perspectives on Roman Britain and its relationship with the wider empire of which Roman Britain was a part for nearly 400 years.

From Boudica's last battle to when did Roman Britain end? And who were the inhabitants of Roman Britain? And of course how the Vindolanda letters have transformed our understanding of the early days of the province.

David’s interest in Rome began when he read his mother’s copy of The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff round about the age of 12. His mother was particularly interested in Roman Britain, and he then moved on to reading her history books on this province. His fascination with all things Roman developed and he walked Hadrian's Wall in 1979, was a regular visitor at Vindolanda where he saw the Ermine Street Guard in the 1990's and subsequently joined them as a legionary. He served several years and wearing actual strength Roman armour and using legionary weaponry was very insightful!

He has visited Rome many times and tries to keep up to date with the latest discoveries through archaeology. He also regularly visits Roman sites in Britain, especially Vindolanda where he has been a member for many years. Much of what his mother’s history books had to say on Roman Britain has now been very much changed and in this talk he will try to pass on new perspectives on Roman Britain and its relationship with the wider empire of which Roman Britain was a part for nearly 400 years.

David has been a member of the Battlefields Trust since 1997 and has served as a Trustee twice. He has been Membership Officer since 2010 and was Director of Operations until this year when he became Vice-Chair.

For further information.

• Contact name : Battlefields Trust Online Talks
• Contact email : info@battlefieldstrust.com