In the year 43, Roman legions established a fortress on a gravel hill that would become Camulodunum. This site marked Britain's first major city and its initial provincial capital. Archaeological evidence shows the town controlled a large swathe of Southern and Eastern Britain during the reign of Cunobelin. Coins minted by tribal chieftain Tasciovanus between 2010 BC and 40 AD bear the Celtic name Camulodunon. The Romans later rebuilt the settlement as Colonia Victricensis after Boudica's rebellion in 61 AD destroyed the original colonia. A second-century inscription records the formal name change to Colonia Victricensis. Construction of defensive walls began around 65 AD and continued until 80 AD. These walls stretched approximately 3,000 yards long and remain partially visible today. The largest classical-style temple in Britain stood within the colony, dedicated to Divine Claudius. Two Roman theatres exist in Colchester, with the Gosbecks example seating up to 5,000 spectators. In 2004, archaeologists discovered a Roman circus beneath the Garrison capable of holding 8,000 spectators. Philip Crummy, director of Colchester Archaeological Trust, described this find as unique in Britain. The population may have reached 30,000 during the second and third centuries AD.
Medieval Development And Religious Heritage
Colchester Castle rose from Norman foundations completed around 1100 AD atop vaults of an old Roman temple. Eudo Dapifer oversaw construction of the castle before his death in 1120. The town received its first royal charter from King Richard I in 1189, granting burgesses rights to elect bailiffs and a justice. Medieval ruins include St John's Abbey gateway and St Botolph's Priory. During the later 14th century, Colchester became famous for russets, grey-brown fabrics woven by local weavers. This industry allowed rapid population recovery after the Black Death through immigration. Rovers Tye Farm, now a pub on Ipswich Road, was documented as established by 1353. By 1372, New Constitutions instituted a borough council with sixteen ordinary councillors and eight auditors. Between 1550 and 1600, Flemish weavers emigrated to Colchester, bringing innovations that revived the cloth trade. They produced Bays and Says cloths, establishing the Dutch Bay Hall for quality control. An area known today as the Dutch Quarter contains many Tudor-period buildings. During Mary I's reign between 1553 and 1558, at least 19 locals were burned at the stake for Protestant heresy. These martyrs are commemorated on a tablet near St Peter's Church altar. Daniel Defoe noted in his 1722 tour that the town lost 5,259 people to plague in 1665.