Venonae
VENONAEa town in Britannia Romana apparently belonging to the Coritavi, at which the road from London to the NW. part of Britain separated, one branch proceeding towards Deva, the other taking a NE. direction towards Lindum and Eboracum. There was also another branch to the SW. towards Venta Silurum, so that the two main roads which traversed the whole island must have crossed here. ( Itin. Ant. pp. 470, 477, 479.) Variously identifided with Highcross, Claybrook, and Wigston Parva.
[T.H.D]Site at the junction of Watling Street and the Fosse Way, presumably an important strategic center. The name appears in the Antonine Itinerary. No military remains are known, however, except a small, as yet undated fort N of the junction, nor is much known of the civil aspects. Much pottery has been found but limited excavation has produced only traces of timber buildings, yards, hearths, and drainage ditches, datable from the end of the 1st to the 4th c. Much of the site has now been destroyed.
BIBLIOGRAPHYTrans. Leicestershire Arch. & Hist. Soc. 40 (1966) 3-41.
G. WEBSTER