Elite Roman unit returns to Yorkshire

The Comitatus period history and research group returns to Dalby Forest, near Pickering, this weekend to recreate the might of Imperial Rome – a time when soldiers ate dormice, wore sandals and were partial to bathing.

The group takes it name from an elite unit based near Bridlington to repel foreign invaders. They will be turning the clock back 1600 years with displays of arms drill and, weapons demonstrations using spears, swords and axes and a fearsome siege weapon called the ballista.

Forestry Commission recreation manager Katie Thorn said: 'The Romans may be long gone, but you don't have to look too far in North Yorkshire to see evidence of their occupation. Just up the road from Dalby is Cawthorne marching camp – a huge complex of earthworks where the soldiers were put through their paces.'