ABSTRACT
The firm establishment of a Romanised British province took place gradually over the best part of a century. Even after that period further, but relatively more minor, changes occurred and it should not be forgotten that the whole empire was continually subject to a process closely akin to organic growth; periods of complete stability tended to last for comparatively short terms. During the Roman period, however, a characteristic development was the courtyard house, seemingly derived from the round, in which a number of rooms, mostly circular in shape, were contained within a thick outer wall and opened inwards on 'Pax Romana' to a central court. A further benefit of the pax Romana was the trading links made between Britain and other provinces, now sharing a largely common currency. Goods reached Britain from all parts of the empire and there were especially strong bonds with the Gaulish, Spanish and German provinces.
