BattlefieldsRoman Campaigns against Deceangli — Lead Mining Territory
Roman Period

Roman Campaigns against Deceangli — Lead Mining Territory

48
Denbighshire, Wales
Also known as: Ostorius Scapula Deceangli 48 AD — securing lead mines
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Denbighshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Deceangli (north-east Wales tribe)
Forces
Deceangli: c. 800–1,500.
VS
Victor
Rome (Ostorius Scapula)
Forces
Romans (Scapula): c. 2,000–3,000
Outcome
Roman control of north-east Wales lead mines established
The Battle

History & Significance

The Deceangli of north-east Wales (Flintshire/Denbighshire) possessed substantial lead mining resources. Roman interest in controlling these mines was a significant motivation for early campaigns into Wales. The lead of the Deceangli territories was extracted and stamped with Roman imperial insignia within a few years of conquest. Lead pigs (ingots) stamped with the names of Roman emperors have been found across the region — physical evidence of immediate economic exploitation following military conquest.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Denbighshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Denbighshire