Deva Tales Read online

  The characters and the social structure I describe here are lifted directly from historical record where possible and are certainly at least extrapolated from the record. Agricola is recorded in the works of his nephew Tacitus, and remains one of the most powerful figures in British Roman history. Had the great man not been recalled by Domitian closely following his defeat of the Caledonii at Mons Graupius, he may well have completely subdued and permanently settled Scotland and moved on to do the same to Ireland. He is recorded as considering it. Think how different Britain would be now, if the Scots and Irish had been Romanised and lost their Celtic heart. And, of course, we would never have had the two great Roman walls built, and likely at least two of the legions based here would have been reassigned.

  Clearly the plot of this book is a work of fiction, but it is carefully constructed around a solid framework of truth and archaeological and literary evidence. I cannot recommend highly enough (in addition to my usual collection of Roman texts), David Mason’s ‘Roman Chester: Fortress at the edge of the world’, which has become a little dog-eared during the writing of this book. Also, taking part in events with the reenactors of Deva Victrix has rather opened my eyes to the more gritty reality of life in the legions, and that experience has been of vast import in everything I write. I owe much of my feeling for legionary life to my brothers in the Twentieth, and I am particularly indebted in this work to Paul Harston, the centurion of that unit and the initiative and drive behind the whole Park In The Past project. His local knowledge and various titbits about the proposed fort site and its historicity have been drawn into this work wherever possible.

  Thank you for reading Deva Tales. I hope you enjoyed it and that it will entice you into visiting beautiful Chester and its wealth of history. When you do, check out Roman Tours (www.romantoursuk.com) and keep an eye out for Deva Victrix at various events countrywide. Also, watch http://parkinthepast.co.uk for news and updates on the Park in the Past and the construction of the Roman fortlet upon which the conclusion of this volume is based. Once again, many thanks, as the money you paid for this work goes to support that project in its entirety.

  Simon Turney, April 2015.

  Also by S. J. A. Turney:

  The Praetorian Series

  The Great Game (2015)

  The Price of Treason (2015)

  Eagles of Dacia (2017)

  The Damned Emperors (as Simon Turney)

  Caligula (March 2018)

  The Marius' Mules Series

  Marius’ Mules I: The Invasion of Gaul (2009)

  Marius’ Mules II: The Belgae (2010)

  Marius’ Mules III: Gallia Invicta (2011)

  Marius’ Mules IV: Conspiracy of Eagles (2012)

  Marius’ Mules V: Hades’ Gate (2013)

  Marius’ Mules VI: Caesar’s Vow (2014)

  Marius’ Mules: Prelude to War (2014)

  Marius’ Mules VII: The Great Revolt (2014)

  Marius’ Mules VIII: Sons of Taranis (2015)

  Marius’ Mules IX: Pax Gallica (2016)

  Marius’ Mules X: Fields of Mars (2017)

  The Ottoman Cycle

  The Thief's Tale (2013)

  The Priest's Tale (2013)

  The Assassin’s Tale (2014)

  The Pasha’s Tale (2015)

  Tales of the Empire

  Interregnum (2009)

  Ironroot (2010)

  Dark Empress (2011)

  Insurgency (2016)

  Invasion (2017)

  Jade Empire (2017)

  Roman Adventures (for children)

  Crocodile Legion (2016)

  Pirate Legion (2017)

  Short story compilations & contributions:

  Tales of Ancient Rome vol. 1 - S.J.A. Turney (2011)

  Tortured Hearts vol 1 - Various (2012)

  Tortured Hearts vol 2 - Various (2012)

  Historical Tales - Various (2013)

  Temporal Tales - Various (2013)

  A Year of Ravens - Various (2015)

  A Song of War – Various (2016)

  For more information visit http://www.sjaturney.co.uk/

  or http://www.facebook.com/SJATurney

  or follow Simon on Twitter @SJATurney

  Simon is represented by Mulcahy Associates of London.