Suzanne Speak

My section of wall was between milecastles 4 and 5. I visited several times in late spring. On one visit I saw a group of young men virtually on top of what remains of mile castle 4. They were all homeless, or rough sleepers, wrapped up against the cold and enjoying a drink. I was struck by the continuity in the scene.

When the milecastles were built, 1900 years ago, the area would have been populated by young men, far away from their homes, and, no doubt dulling the cold and homesickness with a toast to Bacchus, the Roman God of wine and pleasure. The spirit lingers on in that part of the city. Indeed, there is a bar called ‘The Mile Castle’ very close to my area, and further into the city another called ‘The Bacchus’.