Roman Britain

With the Roman invasion of Britain in A.D. 43, under Emperor Claudius, a new era dawned.

Under Roman guidance farmlands were extended, new tools and methods introduced.

In many places the Iron Age settlements continued and over time, as happened at Chalton, became Roman villages.

Many rich country houses, varying in size and complexity, were established in the south and southeast.

The Celtic aristocracy, when they could afford it, adopted a Roman life style and lived in country houses on their estates. Just such a house was found at West Meon, and is now known as the Lippen Wood Roman Villa. It was excavated in the early 1900's by A. Moray Williams, then teaching at Bedales School.

Stroud Roman Villa

A large Roman site at Stroud, now under pasture, is situated south of Finchmead Lane and southeast of the Seven Stars inn. This was also excavated by A. Moray Williams, in 1907-8.

The Stroud villa was built in the l00's A.D. and later, in 200 A.D. the western five bays of the aisled barn were divided into tessellated floored rooms and hypocausts were installed in two of them.

Roads

The Romans excelled in constructing main roads, which had many linking minor roads. The Roman road from Chichester to Silchester had a station on Iping Common. The present modern road from Iping to Milland follows part of the Roman road and bisects this Roman station about one mile south of Milland crossroads. The banks forming the defensive square of the fort are still visible.