Hillfort, Bronze Age barrow, Bronze Age cairn, Holy Well and possible calendar stone in Shropshire. The Wrekin is perhaps Shropshire’s most significant hillfort. Once home to the Cornovii a British tribe (originally from Iberia), the fort was stormed by the Romans under Ostorius Scapula around the spring of AD47.
Finds of pilum (javelin) heads, as well as signs of burning in the 1st century AD give this credence. The Wrekin, besides being the capital of The Cornovii at an imposing 1,300 feet above sea level, was of strategic importance.
This tribe governed a substantial area from the Midlands, up to the Wirral (perhaps where their name comes from – ‘Cornu’ the Roman horn, with the shape of the Wirral being arguably horn shaped), and in order to help launch a conquest of what is now Wales. Their economic strength, and their salt resources were also vital for the Romans to control - the Cornovii’s territory contained three of Britain’s four inland salt spas – Nantwich, Middlewich, and Northwich (the other being Droitwich in The Midlands).
The population, subsequent to Roman conquest, was resettled and developed into Wroxeter, also known as Viroconium Cornovium - becoming a hugely significant Romano-British city for over 400 years, well into 'The Dark Ages'. The ruins of Wroxeter are now under the care of English Heritage.
As for the fort itself, there are two entrances to the north east, Hell Gate, entering the outer area, and then Heaven Gate to enter the highest ground; both are inturned. The names come from folklore of a battle here during Cromwell’s time where a battle was lost and won. There are also entrances to the south west of the fort, which are easily recognizable.
The hillfort makes use of the hill’s natural defensive capabilities, with ramparts incorporating natural outcrops in places. The most substantial ramparts remain on the northern side of the hill, with more slight ramparts visible in many places around the summit.
Various flints, and corn seeds which have been radio carbondated to 900BC indicates the site’s usage as a settlement before the Iron Age. The principle phase of occupation dates from at least 400 years before the Roman invasion, with perhaps as many as 1,000 people living in and around the hillfort.
Excavations have taken place here in 1939 and 1973.
The Wrekin hillfort SJ629082 also has a cairn (trig point and toposcope on top at SJ628080), barrow at SJ631083 (between Heaven & Hell Gate), and St Hawthorn’s Well, (the site of a holy well near the summit), at SJ 630080.The well, recorded around 1540, was in use up to the late 19th century and attributed with properties of especially helping heal skin conditions.