[3] An old theory that Piercebridge may have been Magis is now generally rejected, the name more probably applying to the fort at Burrow Walls, near Workington in Cumbria.

[4][5] Another possible name has been put forward on the basis of the text of one of the Vindolanda Tablets dating from the mid-first century AD, in which reference is made to Bremesio, the context of which strongly suggests an identification with Piercebridge.

[7] Artefacts found in Piercebridge suggest that there were Romans on the site around the river as long ago as AD 70, perhaps because there was a ford or ferry to be defended from the Brigantes.

A civil settlement in the Toft field existed by 125, and a military installation alongside Dere Street south of the Tees appeared in the late 2nd century.

The fort appears to have followed the standard Roman plan, being rectangular in shape with towers at each corner and four gates.

[1] According to cropmarks, it apparently consisted of about thirty buildings whose inhabitants probably traded via the river from the late 1st century, but fewer people lived there once the fort's defences were built.

[9] This vicus probably followed the building of the Roman villa south of the river at Holme House, which in turn began as a native roundhouse.

[11][12][13] A Roman bath house was still standing at the south-east corner of the fort-site in the 13th century when St Mary's chapel was built to incorporate part of it: possibly the wall with rounded arched doorway which is still visible from a distance, on private land.

[15][16] Because modern Piercebridge never extended beyond the original Roman boundaries of the fort, the north and west earthworks are preserved, and parts of these have been excavated.

[28] Other finds include a bronze figure of a ploughman with oxen, which is now in the British Museum, along with Roman coins dated early 4th century.

[30][31] There were obstacle pits,[32] and also man-traps or camouflaged holes spiked with large, pointed, wooden stakes for unsuspecting attackers to fall into.