Via Devana

Via Devana is the name given to a Roman Road in England that ran from Colchester in the south-east, through Cambridge in the interior, and on to Chester in the north-west.

The Via Devana had little civilian rationale and the road eventually fell into disuse as it was not possible to maintain extensive public works following withdrawal of the last Roman legion from Britain in 407.

It is omitted from some historians' maps for this reason but most nowadays accept its existence.

During his life, Mason compiled a complete map of Cambridgeshire which was later published in 1808, long after his death.

[1] The Via Devana, from Colchester to Chester, enters this county (Leicestershire) near Cottingham, and, crossing the Welland, passes Medbourne, near Slanston Mill (sic), whence it is continued between the two Strettons to Leicester, where it joins the Fosse, which, however, it soon leaves to proceed to Grooby, whence it is carried by Ashby to Burton upon Trent.Its route ran north and west as follows:

Roman Britain, with the Via Devana highlighted in red.
Via Devana in Leicestershire, July 2007