The Eighteenth Station: Tunnocelum; now Boulness
Solway Coast. Photo by Paradasos.
Nothing is left of this Station but the spot which marks it, upon a rock on the verge of Solway Frith, thirteen miles West of Carlisle.
Severus must have done almost infinite service to the world, by erecting the Wall. Half the churches, houses, barns, partition-walls, and roads, nay, even down to a very horse-block, were raised out of this Wall. Here the church and village of Boulness had their origin.
Whether the extremity of the Station was made perfectly secure, by carrying it far enough into the water, is doubtful; for the Scots frequently came over the Frith, at low tide, in bodies; murdered, burnt, carried off their booty; and drove away their cattle.
In 1216, they stayed rather too long before their return, owing to a thirst of gain; when their whole body, with all the property, was swept away by the tide. Our historians say, “The river was choaked up with the multitude.” They never saw the extent of the Frith, or they would not have ventured the expression.
Horses, carts, &c. frequently pass over at low water. As I walked by these sands to Boulness, they seemed dry, a small gutter or two excepted.
Weary, and melted, I dined at a public-house; but was surprized when I returned, three hours after, to see a vast expanse of sea at my feet, with vessels of magnitude sailing upon its surface.
Scotland, on the opposite shore, looked beautiful.
I now approach Carlisle, where I first entered, having crossed the kingdom twice, under a burning sun, and, without a drop of rain, in seven days and six hours.
Links:
Bowness on Solway at Visit Cumbria
Maia (Bowness) at Roman-Britain.org
—–
Comments