Bailgate

Adjacent to the remians of the east range of the Roman forum-the civic centre-of LINDUM COLONIA, built in the late 2nd or early 3rd century to replace a predecessor of the erly 2nd century.The erlier building succeeded the timber
headquarters building(principia) of the legioary fortress.

The well here was incorporated into a room of the forum but may have been dug originally by the 9th Legion which established its fortress here during the reign of emperor Nero (AD54-68).Excavated remains of the principia consisted of features cut into the natural subsoil to carry the timber posts and walls.The plan of these indicated a large aisled hall on the west side of the courtyard,representing the basilica, where the troops were addressed.The principia was later re-modelled, probably when the 2nd Legion Adiutrix came in AD71 to replace the 9th, which went to found the fortress at York. The legion had moved to Chester by AD80,and the site of the fortress was converted to a colonia, a town for legionary vetrans organised on the Roman model, with a range of public buildings.The site of the former principia now became that of the forum.The first forum included an extensive area of paving with statues and which probably contained a temple.In the late second century a major new complex was begun.Parts of the courtyard and of its east range, with porticoes to the east and west, were found in the excavations.The various rooms may have contained shops, offices, and shrines.

An oppressive colonnade fronted the street to the east. This was the main street of the Roman city linking the north and south gates.Granite setts in Bailgate mark the positions of the columns found in the late nineteenth century.The three most northerly still survive in a basement beneath no.29 Bailgate.On a line running west from the northernmost coloumn is so called mint wall, best visible from West Bight to the north of castle hotel. The mint wall in interpreted as part of the north wall of the civic basilica, the town hall, lying on the north side of the forum courtyard.This is were the council met and justice was administered.

The well-head consist of four tiled arches, supported by a rectangular structure of dressed limestone.In the sixteenth century and possibly before, the well-head was rebuilt, suggesting that this may have been used as a source of water
for about 1600 years, before it was abandoned in the 17th century.From its location in relation to the erliest churches, it may at that time have had a religious association, perhaps as a babtistery. Lincoln ceased to be an urban
centre at the end of the Roman period, but this site may have continued as an ecclesiastical and political base. Part of the forum east range was re-used as a cellared structure in the late 10th-11th centuries, when this part of the city was
being re-occupied, before the graveyard of the parish church extended over it.

At the northern edge of the Roman forum,the very centre of urban life in the colonia nearly 2,000 years ago.

The basiliica,or town hall,formed the northern range of the forum. Part of its internal wall,known as the mint wall,survives here.
Other facilities and amenities in the forum include the temple, law courts, civic offices, council chambers, markets and workshops.
There was also a well in the forum.

The main enterance to the forum faced east and were dominated by a colonnade of 19 columns.

From evidence elswhere in the Roman provinces,it is likely that Lincoln was governed by a large council, or ordo, the equivalent
of the Roman senate. Eligibility for membership of the ordo depended on wealth and high status.In addition, councillors were expected to fund large civic projects from their own pockets, such as the forum complex itself.