Via Devana

The Via Devana was a Roman Road in England that ran from Colchester in the south-east to Chester in the north-west. Both were important Roman military centres and it is conjectured that the main reason the road was constructed was military rather than civilian. The Latin name for Chester is Deva and it was thus 'The Chester Road'. Colchester was Colonia Victricensis 'the City of Victory' and lays claim to be the oldest Roman city in England.

As it had little civilian rationale it fell into disuse following withdrawal of the last Roman legion from Britain in 407. As a result its route is difficult to find, especially in its more northern reaches. It is omitted from some historian's maps for this reason but most nowadays accept its existence.

Its route ran north and west as follows:

• Colchester - Colonia Victricensis
• Cambridge - (Latin name: Cantabrigia. Roman Name: unknown)
• Huntingdon / Godmanchester (Durolipus or Durovigutum) where it crossed Ermine Street
• Corby
• Leicester- (Ratae Coritanorum)
• Mancetter (Manduessedum) where it joined Watling Street until
• Water Eaton - ( )
• Whitchurch, Shropshire - (Mediolan or Mediolanum)
• Chester