Another misconception is that the wall is the border between England and Scotland, most of Northumberland is North of the wall... and
for hundreds of years, the border moved back and forth from one side to the other. Rome was a huge presence in what is now Scotland, and after only 25 years, another wall was built further North in Scotland, this was the 
.. Hadrian's wall extends across the whole of England from the East coast at Wellsend to the West coast at the Solway Firth. It is one of the most endearing remnants of the Roman Empire still in existence today. People travel from all over the world to see it for themselves... some trek the distance from one end to the other, hiking the whole 73 miles of the wall.
In places it is in tatters, and bits and pieces have been used over the centuries to build walls, homes, and even to repair churches, abbeys and even sheep pens...but the wall still stands as a proud reminder that at one time, the Roman Empire did exist in full force in Northern England. It is a common misconception that it was built when the Romans first invaded the area, but they had been present for over 50 years before the beginning of the wall's construction.
Though it is thought that the wall was just to keep those pesky Celts out... the renegades that were thought to be fierce, dirty and unstoppable... the wall was not very high in many places, and the remnants of gates and road beds show that there was constant travel in and out of the wall, especially at Housesteads. Deep ruts are worn into the stone showing that wagons passed constantly through the gates.
The museum at Housesteads holds many artifacts that belonged to Romans, including pieces of stone metal and
Hadrian's wall has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1987, and has had an illustrious beginning at the order of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and after 6 grueling years of building, in 122AD it is recorded that Hadrian himself inspected the wall.
Roman soldiers were sent to the great wall for duty, but not just the wall itself, as there are Milecastles from the end of the wall on the Solway Firth, stretching to Maryport, where Roman soldiers would be posted to keep watch on the coastline. The Milecastles are rather odd in shape, being round and much like a small storage shed instead of a fort. Imagine spending watch in a tiny room by the sea or in the middle of nowhere!
To the right, Graneries at Housesteads, Roman Fort.
The Latrines at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian's wall. Very interesting.
Many villages are dotted along the wall, this is Lanercost Priory, in use since it's founding in 1169 There are stones here that are from the wall, so close by, as well as alters that are definitely Roman. Hare Hill is just less than a mile from the structure, and is the tallest remaining portion of Hadrian's wall. Standing at three meters. Pretty tall, since most of the wall is very short, though at the time of building, it was rather tall, but made of sod, which over time wore away, some of it was rebuilt from stone. However, over the years, that stone has been pilfered, to make stone walls surrounding property, houses that are still in use today, and buildings like the Priory, which have stood the test of time, though nor completely intact. In 1538, Henry VIII dosp;ved the church and the roofs were torn down, the church itself was pilfered, and stripped of all wealth. What remains is the glorious structure that was once a beautiful and sacred place. Part of the Naive is used still today as the Parish Church.
Scotland is just there, not far from where the wall is located. The Scots were some of the infamous visitors to Lanercost. At one point, in 1386, Scottish Raiders kidnaped one of the Bretheren from the Priory, and ransomed him. 
Lanercost Priory, beautiful organ.Very close to Housesteads Roman Fort. The Cloisters were to the South, the North houses the oldest masonry left in the Priory, it dates to the 12th century. The cemetery has graves dating back to the 1600s and has some of the most beautiful headstones. There is a quiet here, that settles in your bones. You calm and are able to breath here. I believe it is the history that is all around you, 
Cemetery at Land=ercost Priory
Lanercost Priory, my son's head, shows a little of the scale of this building.. The Priory has had it's share of famous or infamous visitors. Eduard I stayed here several times, once on his way to the famous siege of Caerlaverock Castle in 1300. Robert the Bruce used the Priory as his headquarters for a short visit, in 1311
Another view of the Priory at Lanercost. 
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