Battlefields›Magnus Maximus Strips Britain of Troops 383 AD
Roman Period

Magnus Maximus Strips Britain of Troops 383 AD

383
Cumbria, England
Also known as: Macsen Wledig withdraws army from Britain 383 AD · Roman troop withdrawal strips Wall garrison 383 AD
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Cumbria, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Roman Britain (militarily depleted)
VS
Victor
Magnus Maximus (in Gaul)
Outcome
British garrison substantially reduced; Wall partially stripped; Wales forts partially abandoned; Britain militarily vulnerable permanently from this point
The Battle

History & Significance

When Magnus Maximus marched his army to Gaul in 383 AD, he took the bulk of the British garrison with him — leaving only skeleton forces on the Wall and in the south. Welsh tradition in the Mabinogion (Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig) preserves the memory of his warriors leaving with him. Archaeological evidence at several Wall forts and Welsh sites shows abandonment deposits dated around 383 AD.

Forces Involved

Magnus Maximus departed with the British field army and substantial Wall garrison contingents

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Magnus Maximus Strips Britain of Troops 383 AD

Carlisle Cathedral precinct
Scheduled monument · ~0 miles
Roman and medieval town area bounded by Heads Lane West Wall and Blackfriars Street
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Area of Roman and medieval towns, bounded by Annetwell Street, Abbey Street, Castle Street and Paternoster Row
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Town wall, section on West Walls
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
City wall, NE side
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
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