A falling out amongst the iron Age Kings of England provided Emperor Claudius with the excise to invade England in AS43.

After two battles Claudius was able to lead his army into the Trinovantes capital of Camuludunum ( Colchester) which at the time was one the most important towns in the Country.

 Despite the Rebellion of the Iceni and the Trinovantes led by Queen Boudicca the Roman grip was established on eastern England that was maintained for nearly 400 years.

While the rest of England was conquered Colchester made a good base and became the centre of Roman operations. Protection for Colchester from the sea was required which led to the Romans building a fort called Othona on the shore at Bradwell on Sea.

for more details of Bradwell Fort.

Much of the Fort was used in Saxon times to construct St Peters Chapel although traces of the earthworks still remain.

East End Road leads to the old roman fort and  to this day follows the straight path of the roman road

The Dengie area was an important source of salt from the red hill sites and was a source of fish and farming produce.

A road inland was established from Othona into the centre of the Dengie 100 but no linkage to the main road network can be traced. An example of this roman road system is the modern East End Road, Bradwell on sea which is straight for a long section leading from the site of the fort at Othona.

To ensure transport to Colchester and other settlements in Essex and Kent a port was required. Finds of pottery etc at Burnham on Crouch is believed to indicate one of the the earliest uses of Burnham as a port.

Villas and fortified farms are believed to have been established on rich land between Burnham on Crouch and Southminster.

A first century roman farmstead was excavated to the northwest of the town on a site now covered by the Springfield Industrial Estate Photographs of the site are to be found at Burnham Museum. Roman bricks and tiles used in the fabric of the Church are believed to have come from this site.