Battlefields›Huntcliff Signal Station Garrison Massacre 400 AD
Roman Period

Huntcliff Signal Station Garrison Massacre 400 AD

400
Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Huntcliff Roman signal tower massacre · Huntcliff garrison destroyed
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Roman signal station garrison
Forces
c. 30–80 Roman signal station garrison.
VS
Victor
Pictish or Irish raiders
Forces
c. 100–300 Pictish/Irish raiding party
Outcome
Entire garrison massacred and thrown into the well; excavations revealed multiple skeletons in the well shaft including men, women, and a dog
The Battle

History & Significance

The massacre at Huntcliff signal station is the most archaeologically dramatic evidence of late Roman coastal violence in Britain, with the entire garrison killed and their bodies dumped in the well.

Casualties & Losses

Entire garrison killed; skeletal remains of at least 14 individuals found in well

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Huntcliff Signal Station Garrison Massacre 400 AD

One of four round barrows known as Robin Hood's Butts, 750m north east of Black Beck Swang
Scheduled monument · ~4.7 miles
One of four round barrows known as Robin Hood's Butts, 600m north east of Black Beck Swang
Scheduled monument · ~4.7 miles
Bronze Age enclosed urnfield and two adjacent round barrows on the summit of Siss Cross Hill
Scheduled monument · ~4.8 miles
Round barrow on Siss Cross Hill, 750m north west of Black Beck Swang
Scheduled monument · ~4.8 miles
Round barrow on the summit of Siss Cross Hill
Scheduled monument · ~4.9 miles
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