A Step in Time Traditional Cache
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A cache situated near the stepping stones, which have been in use even before the Romans the came to Ilkley.
A Bit of History
After the Roman invasion during the first century AD a ring of forts were constructed across the North of England in order to control the area occupied by the Brigantes under their formidable Queen, Cartimandua. Ilkley (Olicana) occupied a strategic point on the crossing of the Wharfe by two roads, one from York to Ribchester and the other from Manchester to Aldborough near Boroughbridge, so it was a logical choice for the construction of a fort. The first fort was founded by Agricola about 80 AD and was largely constructed of wood. This was later abandoned but following a revolt by the Brigantes a second fort was erected on the same site around 161 AD. The fort only survived for 30 years, probably being burnt down by tribes of marauding Scots, and was replaced by a stone fort which survived until the end of the Roman period. The Romans finally abandoned the fort in the late 4th or early 5th century but left behind a substantial civil settlement, the vicus, which formed the nucleus of the Anglo-Saxon village that followed.
The remains of the fort can be found behind the Manor house in the town center
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gerr
Treasures
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