RUTCHESTER, a township in the parish of OVINGHAM,
eastern division of TINDALE ward, county of
NORTHUMBERLAND, 83 miles (W. by N.) from Newcastle
upon Tyne, containing 31 inhabitants. In the reign
of Edward I., Rutchester tower was occupied by a family
of the same name. This was the site of the Roman
station Vindobala, which was garrisoned by the Cohors
Prima Frixagorum. A broken statue of Hercules, coins
of the Lower Empire, silver fibulae, and numerous other
relics, have been found here; and, in 1766, an urn full
of gold and silver coins, among which was an almost
complete series of those of the Higher Empire,
was discovered at Castlestead, in the neighbourhood.
Adrian's wall, the remains of- which are still visible,
passed from its east and west ramparts, which, towards
the enemy's frontier, were defended by strong towers.