Eaton Constantine
Eaton Constantine is a small village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Leighton and Eaton Constantine, in Shropshire, England. It is located just off the B4380 road, between Atcham and Buildwas, near The Wrekin hill. In 1931 the parish had a population of 200. On 1 April 1934 the parish was abolished and merged with Leighton.
| Eaton Constantine | |
|---|---|
Eaton Constantine, with The Wrekin in the distance | |
Eaton Constantine Location within Shropshire | |
| OS grid reference | SJ596062 |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SHREWSBURY |
| Postcode district | SY5 |
| Dialling code | 01952 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Shropshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
Near Eaton Constantine are the remains of a Roman vexillation fortress and three marching camps near a bend in the River Severn. The fortress lies in open farmland on a low south-eastward projecting spur between Ranslett House and Eye Farm. It was defended by a triple-ditch system measuring about 920 x 1,050 feet (c.280 x 320m) within the defences, which enclosed an area of just under 22ΒΌ acres (c.9ha). This substantial defensive system indicates that this was no ordinary marching encampment, and its size would have been sufficient to house a substantial force of around 2,500 Roman legionaries and auxiliary soldiers. The fortress was probably occupied by a contingent of Legio XIV Gemina, together with a couple of auxiliary cavalry units.