Satanic Roman Roads

[@JustcallmeKathi]

Thanks Darren for this very scary video! 😄 My random thoughts on the reasons for the names "Devil's Causeway" and "Devil's Highway" are: - Those roads may have been hardly maintained after the Roman era and traveling on them was even more dangerous than usual in the "Dark Ages", with accidents, robberies etc. The devil was a useful concept for explaining all sorts of bad things happening that couldn't be understood rationally. - Naming the roads after the devil perhaps was a kind of superstitious sarcasm, people were forewarned about what to expect and it became less scary. - The very straight line of the former Roman roads might have made people think they weren't man-made.

[@philcollinson328]

I really like that idea, my thought had been they were just left unmaintained after the Romans left and they were a devil to use due to mud and potholes ...I think your thoughts regarding the naming are more colourful and thought evoking.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Kathi. I think that could well be behind the names - especially with The Devil’s Causeway. That runs through an area that became notoriously lawless - much later on. With The Devil’s Highway, we know Calleva fell out of use by the 600s, so then you were left with a road running to a ghost town. Ripe ground for that sort of folklore, I’d say.

[@liberty_and_justice67]

In my very humble opinion, this is your best work! Excellent detective work, entertaining narrative, marvelous editing, and the countryside was astounding. Was a little concerned when you began to disappear in foliage😂. Thank you!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you. As a “content creator” I’m never sure how a video will go down, and whilst this one took a lot of time, I wondered if it was too long, so it is amazing to receive feedback like this. Each of the three locations had a very different atmosphere and I enjoyed visiting each. That overgrown path was a bit off putting, though. Thank you.

[@karenashworth5743]

A really enjoyable way to spend my Sunday morning ! Thank you ! Now I can no longer walk any distance I have to do my travelling vicariously and this way You take me to places I can no longer go. Thanks again ! 😊

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you so much. I do have that in my mind when I make videos like this. A way for people unable to visit these places to experience them. Many thanks.

[@chrisball3778]

As you alluded to, 'the devil did it' was a popular folklore trope used to explain all kinds of unusual landscape features. A common format involves Old Nick challenging some local character to some sort of game. He usually gets outwitted by the likely lad in question and ends up throwing some sort of rock around or smashing something up in a fit of temper, because he's petty like that. He's also pretty much interchangeable with giants in a lot of the stories.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

We’ve got a couple of those round here. Old Nick dropped a lot of stones on his way to build Devil’s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale!

[@rattlecanblack]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd rather impressed that Lowe Bentham and its satellite refer to our large stone as "The Big Stone" and not some religoid flimflammery nomenclature. Various attempts have been made to add twaddlery but it still stands proud and "Big". (Instructive example of local blether is the "Witch of Clapham" fiasco. claphamyorkshire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/newsletter_no52_april_2008.pdf

[@jeningle8288]

Very enjoyable, thanks Darren.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you - so glad you enjoyed it.

[@philcollinson328]

Thanks

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you very much. Phil.

[@tweedyoutdoors]

Very late to the party here Mr WC21, alas I had family visiting over the weekend and this is the first spare minute I've found to watch this! I know you probably found the damp weather for the northern bits a bit of a disappointment from a filming point of view but I thought it was wonderfully atmospheric... and once again such a great season / weather for tweed! Thank you for the mention (a visual one!) at Tweedmouth! That raised a chuckle here, and that area as I've probably said before feels like a sort of spiritual home, given the name. I note the earlier Roman road led to Berwick-Upon-Tweed. All roads lead to tweed! I loved the unsettling and disorientating underpass music! Is that its first outing? I'd similarly assumed calling things the Devil's Whatevers was just shorthand for saying it pre-existed the Christian era of Britain. I've encountered it more for things from the Neolithic: The Devil's Den at Fyfield and in a similar vein the "Hell Stone" near the South Dorset Ridgeway; both dolmens. Perhaps there's any implication that, even back then, people assumed these monuments had some ritualistic purpose, as is the standard conclusion of all modern archaeologists, it seems. So by definition, any construction built for some religious purpose which wasn't Christianity would have all been lumped into the same pile of paganism and therefore some kind of devil worship. It's interesting to hear that applied to things built by the Romans, who of course were mostly Christian by the end of their stint here. This made for luxurious viewing, given the longer format, and the fact I had the sofa to myself for the first time in several days and could cast this to the big TV with impunity!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Tweedy. When I got to Tweedmouth on that map and needed a pointer to show where the known route of the Devil's Causeway ended, it sort of became obvious there was only one solution! I feel your appearance there lends the segment a star quality. Thank you so much for noting the underpass music. That sequence is my personal favourite part of the video. I could hear exactly the music I wanted in my head: something jarring, out of date and metallic. The piece would be called, "56 year old antiquarian is scared of graffitied underpass". In my head. It took ages to find it, but then bingo! I actually added some metallic clangs too. You know how it is when you spend ages on one tiny segment and then no one says anything! Wouldn't it be great if we could trace these road names back to the late 500s/early 600s? Almost certainly English resistance to incoming Christianity. Unlike the Neolithic monuments with devilish names, I suspect they knew what these roads were. They never stopped using other roads that would have looked the same? If the Satan names came later, then I think there's a potential explanation for both. The Devil's Causeway ran through notoriously lawless country north of the wall. I think you'd think twice about travelling up it during the time of the Border Reivers. Folk who'd have no qualms about robbing and murdering you! I wondered if the presence of a scary abandoned town at the end of the Devil's Highway might explain that one? As usual, all these ideas are coming into my head after I've made the video! Lots of great interaction and ideas in the comments thread as usual. I know that feeling of getting the big TV!

[@christinesimpkin570]

I really enjoyed this video on my Sunday afternoon. The torrential rain and thunder and lightning outside my window added to the eerie atmosphere 😄 of your walk. The style of the video was very much liked by me and my viewing companion. Thank you for your research, expertise and leg work. Your tweed shorts are amazing by the way 🤝👌🤗

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you Christine - delighted to hear about the eerie factor. But even more delighted to hear the love for my shorts! I suspect they’ll be back in the wardrobe soon…

[@janecapon2337]

Many thanks for the maps. I could follow your wandering perfectly. Such an entertaining discussion. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you Jane. I wanted to show clearly where I was - might inspire some to go and have a look. The Northumberland paths need some walking to keep them clear!

[@philcollinson328]

That's a perfectly pleasant day for early autumn in the north east. And the scenery only gets better the closer to winter it is. You did remarkably well finding your way about on the roads in the area!. I've been in that area before and got hopelessly lost. A truly fascinating video Mr WC21. Barter Books in Alnwick recently had a signed copy of The Devil's Causeway for fifteen quid, alas out of stock currently.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Phil! Yes, those roads are confusing! Really interesting area - empty country in a wonderful way. I saw the same ad for The Devil’s Causeway! I’ll get a copy, I’m sure.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Hi Mr WC21(UK)ProductionsLtd. Well I never. We travelled part of the Devils Causeway on our recent trip ‘up north’ and I know the Devils Highway well, being so very close to home. Indeed I worked for most of my career in the village of Mortimer a stones throw away from Calleva. Many lunch breaks were taken by the Roman Walls. Now I have a hankering to venture into Swinley Forest and follow the Devils Highway out of Crowthorne. 👍😀

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Andrew and I would heartily recommend walking the Devil's Highway through Swinley Forest. Despite the afforestation of the heath, it's still possible to get a flavour of the landscape as it was.

[@David_Avidmind]

Another great episode that is very entertaining. Thank you for a good start to a Sunday.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers David - as a “creator”, it’s so good getting feedback like this. Thank you.

[@_Hold_My_Beer_]

Best 30 minutes of vid this month. I wish i could give more than one thumbs up. Epic stuff!!

[@philcollinson328]

Here's two 👍👍

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers - that’s great to hear - thank you.

[@davie941]

hello again Darren, i really enjoyed this one , it was very interesting , really well done and thank you 😊

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Davie. I love tracing Roman roads in the landscape and hopefully this makes for an enjoyable video. Thanks.

[@JMV1110]

Excellent, loving these videos.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you! This one was a lot of fun to make - I’d wanted to check out both roads for ages.

[@raedwulf61]

Woke up at 5am on Sunday. Happy to find this video while drinking my coffee. Going to be a good day!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers! Enjoy that coffee - might need 2 for this one!

[@museonfilm8919]

Excellent, such an enjoying video, thanks!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you kindly - glad you enjoyed it!

[@hedleythorne]

Super video! Liking the longer (but easy to follow) format. I suspect those "T" markings in Swinley Forest are something to do with the mountain bike trails. You should have given it a go, they hire bikes!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Hedley! So, “T” is for trail or track! Makes sense. You know how I don’t do wild camping? Well, it’s the same with bikes!

[@PhilipMurphy8]

Thanks, Great video. Hope you have a enjoyable Sunday

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Philip - much appreciated. Hope yours has been good too!

[@MsStack42]

Don't you love a bit of Roman road, that's now a quiet lane, straight as a die, over the horizon ? So evocative, and a bit spooky.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

I get that sense too when I'm on some of these roads. Once so important and now, not! Thank you for watching.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

How does one lose a £200 🌂? I'm sure you can get one from Blackpool for a fiver. 😂🙄. I hate that idiots seem to want to scratch their names on rocks. At least it's superficial and will wear away over the years. Another very interesting video, Darren. I do prefer the long form videos. I could name two patients but had to cheat for a third, so I'll just post the two I knew of, Ronnie Kray and Peter Sutcliffe. One must ask, does Mrs WC21 knit your tank tops? Thanks for sharing another great video, and yet again, I have learned something new about these great islands.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thanks Chris and that’s another good question. It’s the second time I’ve just left one of those umbrellas whilst out filming. This is my last chance. Mrs. WC21 doesn’t knit my tank tops sadly - they’re stupidly expensive too. She hates them! Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your ongoing support.

[@philcollinson328]

I've recently opened an E Bay shop...It's called nicked pricey brollies and lovely knitted tank tops...To answer your question however, I have no idea how Mr WC21 loses such items. In seriousness however, why cretins think scratching their forgettable meaningless names on ancient artefacts is beyond me.

[@bremnersghost948]

While not exactly Devil named, there is a Hell Lane in Wakefield that I suspect is a minor Roman road splitting off from the A638 Doncaster Road connecting to what is now the suburb of Agbrigg (Agger Ridge?) and Castleford/Pontefract. Always wondered why there hasn't been a Roman Town found under Wakefield yet as its a Major E/W Crossroads with multiple Roman Roads and even more Ancient trackways that meet on both banks of the River Calder here. Especially as Wakefield was one of the furthest Inland Ports in England until the Canal network was built.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

That’s an intriguing name and an even more intriguing idea that it’s a Roman B road. I’m not in the know when it comes to Wakefield, but I do believe there are Roman towns under many of ours - just waiting to be discovered. Cheers.

[@hainanbob6144]

Very apt day for your video Darren. Wifey and I were due to go out for what we call a 'bus and walk' day, where we take a bus somewhere and then walk home. Unfortunately, it is raining out there, again! So here I am sat indoors with the sound of the rain on the windows as a background to your dulcet tones. Watch out for those slippery wooden boards, they can be quite treacherous! PS I need to prune the channels I subscribe to, I almost missed this notification. PPS The author of the book you mentioned seems to think that the name "Devil's Highway" may have come about because people thought that only the devil could make roads that were so straight. As always, enjoyed the video.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you and glad the video gave you something to do. I’ve been out trying to film today - pouring down! Was that Rowland who said that in his 1984 book? Very much the same as what Margary said about the Devil’s Highway. I’m not so sure later folk were so in the dark about the origin of these roads, but it could be as simple as that. I think it could possibly be what was happening on these two roads later on. The Devil’s Causeway ran through country that was lawless for centuries - with the border raiders and so on. Maybe with the Devil’s Highway it was that it ran to a scary abandoned town? Who knows, but the speculation is fun!

[@hainanbob6144]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd It was said by Gregory Norminton, don't remember where he read it. PS Still raining here, and we have twenty one videos to film this week!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@hainanbob6144 oh the dystopian novel! Well done for reading that - from the reviews I thought it sounded a bit grim! Good luck with those videos in the rain!

[@hainanbob6144]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Hahaha, I didn't read it I'm afraid. Google was my friend and it led me to a couple of articles on the book and the author. This week's videos for us will all be indoors, rain will not be a problem. We are eating out for a whole week!

[@joed285]

Nice early Sunday morning watch as I make breakfast for a sleeping family !!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thanks Joe! It’s really nice reading comments like this. Cheers.

[@stuartbridger5177]

Late to the party, excellent video. I have walked the Swinley Forest section. Not roman, but the features marked as "Redoubt" on the OS Map are interesting. Napoleonic era military training structures.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@stuartbridger5177 thanks Stuart - I meant to look up the Redoubts, but haven’t got round to it. What a great resource that forest is, so close to built up areas.

[@ziggurat-builder8755]

Thank you, great video!!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you very much - glad you enjoyed it.

[@tinplategeektoo]

Nice to see the two areas, both of which have ancestral links for me. The northern one is most significant as the area around Ingoe is the ancestral home of my third great grandfather Geek (not real name obvs) and his family back in the 18th Century. Some of my maternal side worked at Broadmoor in 19th Century too and many lived/live in the surrounding counties to this day.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

That’s great - two ends of the country, but with family links. Britain can seem quite small. Glad you enjoyed and thanks.

[@martianleaderrichy1520]

Don't worry if you're not happy with your Northumberland footage as you've made plenty up here in the past to do our area more than justice. Interesting vlog! Thank you for everything you do for us, Richy 😀👍

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Richy! The weather was lousy and the paths next to useless on this occasion. It’s atmospheric country round there. Sort of empty, if that makes sense.

[@philcollinson328]

Mr WC21 had good weather though....Normally he'd have needed snow tyres on his trusty Volvo.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@philcollinson328 it was positively balmy!

[@RonSeymour1]

A really enjoyable video. Google Earth must be invaluable in checking for ancient structures. Disturbed groundwork usually shows up as a different colour or shading. Nettles in one particular area may indicate an old Victorian wast tip, for example.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you! I often find Google Earth reveals things that LiDAR doesn’t. The two together are really useful.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

Dere Street. Is this an early spelling of Deer or is it named after a Mr Dere?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

That’s a good question! It comes from Deira - an Anglo Saxon kingdom.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd thank you.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Top notch...as always...there is a Roman road ( actually a Neolithic path..) here in deepest Prenton, on the fringe of the site of the great battle of Brunanburh/Bromborough 937AD...roast beef and Yorkshire pudding here at Clabby Towers today...bon appetit....E...😊😊

[@philcollinson328]

Damn hungry now Eamon :D

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@philcollinson328....virtual consolation cuppa, Taylor's Yorkshire tea en route.....😅😅😅

[@philcollinson328]

@@eamonnclabby7067 Thank you sir, fortunately I am a Geordie who's teaching Aussies the wizardry of Yorkshire puds...but a nice cup of tea is always gratefully accepted.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you and that sounds enticing - I do love a Roman road on a Neolithic route! Enjoy your roast - it’s what Sunday’s were made for!

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@philcollinson328away thee lads....

[@mike-myke22]

Excellent post. 👍

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

[@brynmorjenkins4376]

Really enjoyed the video. If you have not read all ready there is an excellent book called " The Road " by Christopher Hadley in which he traces a little know Roman road from Braughing to Great Chesterford. . Area crosses the counties of Hertfordshire and Essex and tries to delve into the Romans and its associated past looking for clues. It was published in 2023 and I had it as a Christmas present to dip into. Anyway keep up the good work Darren.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you and really appreciate the book recommendation. I know that Roman road and used to walk some of the few remaining stretches of it 25 plus years ago, when I lived in Puckeridge!

[@brynmorjenkins4376]

That's the one , I hope you enjoy it

[@AllotmentFox]

I just did my first longer form video and it took 5 hours to edit. How long did yours take?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

This one took about 8 hours, I reckon! I’d got it to about 80% complete, then went back through it because I thought it could be improved. I get a great sense of satisfaction out of these longer form videos, despite the extra time and effort. Did you enjoy doing yours?

[@AllotmentFox]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd enjoyment is not the word!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@AllotmentFox Retrospective enjoyment?!

[@AndrewSiddaway]

Just for info the agger is clearly visible in the lidar data for long stretches in this location and is slightly to the east of the OS alignment

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Andrew - Devil’s Causeway or Highway? If the former, I did find more visible stretches after I’d completed the video.

[@JimBagby74]

Every time I hear Margary's name mentioned I hear Chas and Dave shouting "DOWN TO MARGATE....." . Sorry, Darren. That's just the way it is. The site names in this episode are wonderful. Hartburn? And only on a British OS map will you see "Sheep Dip" and "Tumulus" side by side. Crayfish Plague? What on earth. On a spooky note, the sight of you, the Antiquarian, struggling through the high ferns on your quest to find the Devil's Causeway, had a very M.R. James feel to it. Mind how you go, Antiquarian. And whatever you do don't pick anything up and whistle. Disaster. This was one of your best yet. By the way, the sandy pinewood forests you were exploring "in your past" looked a bit like Southern Georgia, USA. Just without the rattlesnakes I imagine.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Jim - that’s very nice of you to say. Every time I looked at that map I saw new potential videos! It’s funny you should mention M.R. James - I have an M.R. James plan hatching. I often think of the doomed antiquarians in his stories when I’m in remote places like this! I certainly won’t be digging up any Anglian crowns, that’s for sure….

[@JimBagby74]

No...diggin'...'ere....

[@QALibrary]

If you have not already gone to... I would greatly recommend you take a trip to the deepest Essex and visit the Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall (Bradwell-on-Sea)... - you could kidnap Paul W as well. Built by St Chadd before he was called St Chadd to convert the Vikings into Christians... Built in 660-662 many parts of the chapel are made from the Roman wall and port that was in the area. Also, a tip for you Othona Community is next door and regularly uses the chapel for services, it is a nice place to stay and even have lunch/dinner at or even order a packed lunch from before exploring the area.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

I love St. Peter-on-the-Wall and it's so funny you should mention it. I actually started this channel back in 2012 and gave up due to time pressures after about a year. The videos were terrible! I actually did one there and I'm currently working on a commentary for it - a combination of laughing at the awful presentation, whilst also noting the elements that returned when I relaunched the channel in late 2022. Once I've completed it, I'll share it on the channel's Facebook page and it will go in the Oddments & Unlisted playlist on KZbin. I am sure I will return to it one day and do a proper job. Such a wonderful place.

[@QALibrary]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd I do it quickly becuse they replacing the nuclear power station next door and its limited the views and access. The new power station is 400% bigger than the one that was closed down and they add to the windfarm as well

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Oh no, what a shame. I found it to be such a remote and atmospheric place.

[@afvasmr8035]

Great video really enjoyed it without coming across as rude would love to know the production cost and mileage foot and car of this video plus £200 umbrella which went missing up north nothing to do with the tea leaves down south

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it - it was fun to make, but as you say, probably expensive! I don’t keep records in case it makes me question my choices! Related receipts go in a file for later. Just checked and latest month’s revenue forecast on KZbin is £129. Good job I love doing this!

[@afvasmr8035]

Your love of making your videos is what makes them so enjoyable to watch can’t put a price on doing what you love

[@philcollinson328]

Coffees and thanks stat!

[@atrampinthehills.841]

Very enjoyable

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thanks Steve - hope you’re both keeping well.

[@lablackzed]

So much history yet few people know makes me think why some people bother going to school .When all they have to do is watch your channel and get a proper education .👍👍👍👍

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you - that is very flattering. Much appreciated!

[@lablackzed]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Love you're channel but still waiting for you to start merchandising .🤔👍

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@lablackzed check out the Buy Me a Coffee Shop! First piece of merchandise is available and plans afoot for more! You made me do it!

[@lablackzed]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd 👍

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Darren, Well I was right, in fact I've surprised myself. I knew there would be no mumbo jumbo!! The word "Devil" gets in everywhere especially when there is a difficult job to do although cooking an egg doesn't seem to fit in somehow!! You can see why it might get attached to out of the way places as a way of frightening people off. The same happens in Spanish but I'm not sure if it has attached itself to landmarks, I'll look out for it in the future. What does surprise me about the causeway is why it hasn't remained in use or at least parts of it, it's disappearing off the landscape rapidly. Broadmoor inmates, I knew of two, one of the most recent was Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, I remember all the news stories before he was finally tracked down. It's a really common surname in Yorkshire but for a while elsewhere it was a byword for him. Mum's side of the family are Sutcliffe and I'm very proud to be one too. The other is perhaps less known and that is William Chester Minor, who devoured old English books in order to obtain historical definitions of a vast quantity of words that appear in the OED. His story is told told in two books written by Simon Winchester, the wiki entry will give a "flavour" of the man. There is another called Charles Bronson (prisoner)!! This was really well put together over a period of time and you edited it really well, even one of the Tweedy brothers got a walk on part, although I couldn't tell if it was, Outdoors, Burgundy, Pubs or English Sparkling Wine. I'm starting to think it might be the same person ..... Very enjoyable, well done. All the best!!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers David! The area the Devil’s Causeway runs through - north of the wall - has had a difficult history. Lawless land for centuries. I guess that’s why it’s disappeared. Very atmospheric country round there. I thought the Ripper did a stint at Broadmoor. Incredible people work there. I was a little too late to do a video on the Broadmoor sirens - sadly decommissioned now. Thank you very much for your positive feedback on the video. It was a lot of work, but also very enjoyable.

[@kersebleptes1317]

How did the Romans build a lasting Agger in such sandy country?

[@philcollinson328]

They were rather a persistent lot it seems... As I have learned here.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

That’s a good question. Layers of crushed stones - compacted down. Cheers.

[@darrenstrange9374]

Superb presentation, good Sir 🫡

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you Darren! Cheers.

[@darrenstrange9374]

From one Darren to another. You don’t meet a lot of Darrens these days…

[@philcollinson328]

@@darrenstrange9374 Not since they put the licence fee up for them. Awesome you're here enjoying the fun Darren..A Phil licence fee would make your eyes water, ask my wife.. 🤣

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@darrenstrange9374 I think our name was fashionable for a brief period in the 60s/70s only!

[@ThreeOldDudesshow]

Last time I was this early in comments I wasn't. £200 for an Umbrella...I need to start a patreon...🤣 The North East looking much as I remember it : An empty landscape that gives you Hartburn😜 Well apart from cup and ring marks. Silchester walk looked more appealing I have to say.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

It’s great country, but still shows the impact of centuries of strife. On this occasion, the southern routes probably were more appealing - certainly easier to navigate! Cheers.

[@philcollinson328]

😜

[@vermeerofdelftscotlandwalk3294]

Very interesting. The Roman roads are often straight. We then invented bends in the roads. But we have better dentists than they did.😁😁

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

That is very true! Although I’d love to find one who will take me on - without the exchange of large sums of money!

[@jointgib]

really good

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thanks jointgib - appreciated!

[@Nick-zp3ub]

Charlie Bronson, Peter Sutcliffe, Ronnie Kray

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Bronson - that’s the one I was trying to remember. Cheers!

[@69waveydavey]

I think if you'd hung about for a bit John Foxx would have appeared in that underpass, Chorley's finest. Maybe singing about his underpants.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Yes! I couldn’t hang about in there - too scary!

[@MONTY-YTNOM]

Hobb and Cobb are also terms for the Devil

[@philcollinson328]

One of my dogs is called Cobber ...lovely Staffy boy..In Australia it means mate.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

And thus Cobb’s Causeway. I missed that. Cheers Monty.

[@neilmclachlan3931]

£200 for an umbrella, gulp. interesting vid.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Neil - glad you enjoyed it. Always an interesting challenge to turn my passion for tracing Roman roads in the landscape into a worthwhile video. Yes, I’m extravagant with umbrellas. I’ve promised myself this is the last time I’ll replace one of these!

[@philcollinson328]

I know, I'd just pay someone 10 quid to hold a 5 quid brolly over my head for a few hours ...But a Tweed wearing gent has his appearance to consider you know?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@philcollinson328 that’s exactly right!

[@lthornton7802]

Does make you wonder. Why the name?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

It's interesting. I do think it is possible the later Christians saw these ancient works as linked to Heathens and that's possibly why. There are many prehistoric barrows which ended up being given Satanic names too.

[@Sk8Bettty]

Hello. You, sir, are fetching! The algorithm put this video in front of me. Cheers

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Thank you. This week I will mostly be loving the algorithm!

[@Sk8Bettty]

sPoOkY rewatching 😈👻🕷️🤡🎃🏛️

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@Sk8Bettty thank you - this is one of my personal favourites. Probably the most complicated video I've ever made in some respects.

[@darthwiizius]

3 maniacs? The Kray twins and Peter Sutcliff.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Brilliant! Very efficient!

[@AllotmentFox]

Mental health? You are British, try discombobulated or perhaps melancholic, perturbed. Unhappy even, Why do some of these roads in some parts go out of use? Why are some of the parts of these roads used as civil boundaries. Were they just convenient lines to agree new boundaries or did they represent older agreed boundaries? Does Dere St go anywhere useful if I was an Anglo-Saxon peddlar?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

You’d have loved peddling on Dere Street from York into Scotland as an Anglo Saxon! They peddled on it so much they named it after their kingdom: Deira. The Devil’s Causeway, on the other hand, just branched off to Tweedmouth - where one assumes the peddling wasn’t so good! The Devil’s Highway has great lengths in use as Parish and county boundaries, yet given that we know Silchester fell out of use by the 600s, I guess it’s not so surprising the road ceased to function as a main route. Fascinating to see it still showing so close to heavily built up areas.

[@barryconway]

Two hundred ackers for a brolly? And not even a tartan one. Personally, I’d rather expect a chap to carry it for me at that price. I read that book. Should I share my reactions to it. I think that I shall not. As you were. Carry on.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

I know. Daylight robbery! Let me guess, the book was pretentious twaddle?

[@barryconway]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd the book? couldn’t say #NotALiteraryReviewer

[@jakegarvin7634]

Hi, Mr. WC21, mischief-maker here. I very much would like to apologize for not being there to greet you, I had a dentist appointment I regrettably was unable to reschedule I do hope you'll forgive me old bean!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Apology accepted, Mr. Garvin. Important to keep one’s appointments in this day and age. Next time perhaps?

[@jakegarvin7634]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd May I cordially accept your invitation, Mr. 21 (Oh I do hope you won't mind me being so bold as to call you Mr. 21)...However I must inform you that I, taking my craft of miscreancy with utmost sincerity, may miss that appointment as well (Pimping and hoes and all that, old bean). But if there ever was an amateur historian that I would want to accost in a dark underpass for his stylish knit sweater and the bobs in his pocket (On orders from British Heritage? Who knows), It would be you! (How's that for a 30 year old Canadian Anglophone)

[@rolandscales9380]

It's "Beel-zee-bub"!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Oh no - he’ll be after me for saying it wrong! Thanks for the tip off!

[@horriblechris9656]

Pure speculation... The name "Devil" could be derived from a reputation the road had for unpleasant activities on it, eg muggings or more military actions against travellers. A dangerous road becomes an evil road becomes the Devils highway. Of course this would require the name coming from a time when the road was in use, so pre medieval/early medieval/dark ages.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

I would love to think these two roads picked up their Devilish names in the 600s - the English resisting Christianisation, but I suspect they’re probably later than that and likely linked to bad doings on the roads during the Medieval period, as you say. I hope to get a copy of that book on the Devil’s Causrway - maybe Rowland found something on the name. Thanks Chris.

[@davidcollishaw2771]

Don't believe in the devil. bit risky at your age (same as me) just remember that part when He is parking his harley somewhere uncomfotable.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Good point, David! At my age it is time for me to start hedging my bets!

[@davidcollishaw2771]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd and change your underwear more often. According to my Nana anyways

[@DadgeCity]

Beezelbub? I think you mean Beelzebub. 😈

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers! Hopefully you’ll take this mispronunciation as a positive sign that I’m unfamiliar with Satan!

[@williamhiller3988]

And yet we don't know the Latin name of one single road built by the Romans in Englamd.

[@philcollinson328]

I think they called one the A1.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

I know - isn’t that mad? It actually bugs me! Cheers.

[@williamhiller3988]

@@philcollinson328 Latin dude, Latin. We call it the A-1, not the Romans.

[@williamhiller3988]

Makes me nuts.

[@MONTY-YTNOM]

£200 for a brolly ?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Ridiculous, I know. I’m a sucker for British made accessories, it seems.

[@MONTY-YTNOM]

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd But was it 'made' in the UK ?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

@@MONTY-YTNOM probably not, Monty! Virtually nothing is. But it's well made and traditional. Plus the colour works with tweed!

[@AndyJarman]

The Surgeon of Crowthorne, of course!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Ah, another book. Had to look that one up.

[@Amanda1234-nqc]

Did that say Crayfish plague? Bloody Nora, what's next? Id take a metal detector. Graffiti has been around since the dawn of time. Im not condoning it, but it's true. London muggers 😂

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Yes I was surprised the Crayfish were right up there! Glad I made it through that underpass - I was sure there would be some London muggers in there!

[@CarolWoosey-ck2rg]

Morning Darren- should have guessed you were talking about Broadmoor- wasnt one of the Krays there as well as Ian Brady? Can think of a few politicians who should be there starting with Keirus stalinus starmus considering we are reviewing the devils highway- his personal road in and out of hell where he lives when not in no 10- which should be re-numbered 666 Downing street!- you really worked hard on this one, harder than usual ,much appreciated mate 👍

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Cheers Carol! I think there was a Kray there, along with a whole host of other terrible people. Didn’t the Yorkshire Ripper do a stint there too? You’re not a fan of our new PM, are you?! Too early for me to judge, but I guess he’s likely to disappoint like they normally do. They should name the wards after our worst PMs! This was the most time consuming video I’ve made to date. It wasn’t a chore - I love tracing Roman roads - and hopefully I’ve managed to make that interesting with this one. Cheers.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

Brady went to Ashworth Secure Hospital. I'm not sure he ever went here. Interesting to know though.

[@CarolWoosey-ck2rg]

​@@chrisbentleywalkingandramblingyes that's right, Ashworth is north of Liverpool- think got him mixed up with the ripper

[@tonyt7948]

Satanic?

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

As in characteristic of Satan. Dark Satanic mills. Cheers.

[@alistair6914]

So you don’t believe in the devil exactly what he wants . Enjoyed the video otherwise.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Yes, I realised as I said that I was in trouble. Cheers and glad you enjoyed.